More gift ideas! I absolutely love those candied pecans and almonds that smell so good at street fairs and holiday events! While they smell great, it’s often tough to tell what is used to create the candied glaze. Make your own with this simple recipe – and make extra because these are great gifts! Wrap them in a cello baggie with a festive ribbon and you have a perfect stash of last minute presents! They’re great as a snack / treat, tossed on your favorite salad or into a trail mix.

Toss 2 cups of pecans into a warm saucepan. Cook gently over medium heat until the aroma is strong and the pecans are toasted. Add 1/2 cup maple syrup. (Optional: add 1 pinch of cayenne pepper for a sweet – spicy treat) Continue to cook. The syrup will thin, then crystallize around the pecans. When all of the syrup seems to be gone, remove from heat and spread in a parchment paper lined pan to cool. Be careful not to overcook as the mixture burns quickly. Store in an airtight container or tied cello bags. Enjoy!

This pampering treat makes the perfect hostess gift or stocking stuffer. It’s a favorite here in the office and a must have after a long day on the feet! Watch the demo or follow the recipe below:

1 T coconut oil
4-6 drops peppermint essential oil
2/3 cup coarse sea salts
1/3 cup peppermint leaves (dried)

Combine the essential oil with the coconut oil. Make sure it is thoroughly combined and there are no pockets of essential oil. Add the sea salts and combine until the oil is completely blended into the salts. Add the herbs. Stir well. Package into containers with instructions and the ingredient list. (To use: add approx. 1T of the mixture into a basin of warm water. Soak feet. Enjoy!)

So I post this every year around the this time. Food coloring can lead to an assortment of health issues and natural dyes are a fun alternative for healthy kids.

Taken from The Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Foods
Chapter 10 – Real Foods for Kids

These are fun and easy to make, requiring just a little additional time collecting the materials, and they result in beautiful, natural hues that liven up any spring table.

Natural dyes will appear more vibrant when applied to white eggs. Contrary to popular belief, there is no nutritional difference between white and brown eggs. The color of the egg is determined by the breed of the chicken and the nutritional benefits of an egg are determined by the health of the chicken.

vinegar
distilled water
herbs for colors (see below for a guide)
boiled eggs

For each color, mix 4 cups of water with 4 T of the herb powder or 3/4 cup of the whole herb and 3T vinegar. Bring to a boil and boil for 20 – 25 minutes. Strain and cool. Soak eggs for 10 – 15 minutes in the dye. Dry in egg cups, then store in the fridge.

Color Guide:
Blue – red cabbage or blueberry concentrate
Brown – ground tea or coffee
Burnt Orange – red chili powder
Green – spinach powder or parsley powder
Red – cranberries
Orange – curry powder
Pink – beet powder
Purple – beets, purple onion skin, grape juice
Yellow – calendula petals, turmeric or saffron

Enjoy!