~Happy Spring~!
Have you joined our guided Spring 30 day Paleo challenge yet? We’re off to a great start this week, and there’s still time to hop on board! Our live video chat recording will give you an overview of the challenge – or simply click here to join the group right now!
With March being National Nutrition Month (and Easter coming up this Sunday) we wanted to pay tribute to one of our most beloved Paleo foods – Eggs!
Last year the cholesterol limit was removed from the Dietary Guidelines after scientists announced that “cholesterol is no longer a nutrient of concern for over-consumption.” As it turns out, the cholesterol in foods (like eggs and butter) plays a minimal role in our blood cholesterol levels (AKA risk for heart disease). That’s eggciting news for Paleo-ites, as eggs are a staple in our diets!
Almost every year since my childhood, I’ve dyed and decorated Easter eggs. When I learned about the toxicity and health concerns of common synthetic food dyes, I started using natural dyes from food to color my eggs instead.
Fun fact – coloring foods dates back to the Ancient Egyptians, who used saffron to color their foods yellow! Likewise, the natural pigments found in some foods can also be utilized to dye Easter eggs.
Paleo-friendly dyes for Easter eggs:
- Red/Pink = Red beets, Cranberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Pomegranate juice
- Blue/Purple = Blueberries, Purple cabbage, Purple grape juice
- Orange = Paprika, Chili Powder, Yellow onion skins
- Yellow = Turmeric, Curry Powder, Carrot tops, Orange peels, Saffron, Cumin
- Green = Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, etc.), Green apple skins
- Brown/Tan = Coffee
Tips for dyeing natural Easter eggs:
- It takes about 4 cups of dye to color one dozen hard-boiled eggs.
- The above suggestions are intended for use on white eggs (although coloring brown eggs can be fun as well!). Color will vary depending on the amount of foods used, and the amount of time the egg is left soaking.
- Boil 4 cups of water, then add 4 cups of finely chopped veggies/fruits (or 4 Tbsp. of dried spices). Watery produce requires less water. Simmer for 30 minutes, then strain out the vegetable matter.
- Most natural dyes produce limited color intensity (compared to synthetic dyes). To enhance colors, add 1 Tbsp. of white vinegar per cup of finished dye. Brush finished eggs with oil to make them glossy!
- No time to make your own dye this year? Check out the links below for some natural egg dye kits (made from food powders) that you can order online.
Wishing you an eggciting and colorful Easter!
In good health,
Kinsey Jackson, LMP, MS, CNS®
Eat Dirt: Why Leaky Gut May Be the Root Cause of Your Health Problems and 5 Surprising Steps to Cure It
If you suffer from adrenal issues, thyroid problems, a slow metabolism, diabetes, autoimmune issues, food sensitivities or food allergies – check out Dr. Axe’s new book Eat Dirt on restoring your health from the inside out!
Order by March 29 and get over $300 in bonuses!
Free Fruit Programs Make Big and Little Shoppers Happy
I’m not surprised that free fruit programs for kids are so popular these days. An ever-growing number of stores are offering a piece of free fruit per child to munch on while their parents shop. Parents rejoice! You’ll have no more cookie guilt now that your kiddos are eating real food at the store!
New Recipe! Green Smoothie Bowls
Thicker than a smoothie, with healthy toppings that make it a meal!
Some Eggciting Stuff!
Natural Easter Egg Coloring Kit – Dyes made from herbs and plants
Stainless Steel Egg Poacher Skillet Set – by Norpro
Stainless Steel Fried Egg Molds On sale today! – Comes with bonus egg separator
Natural Egg Dyes Kit – Made from herbs & vegetables, Free from: Dairy, Gluten, GMOs
Join our Spring Paleo Challenge!
Ready to kick junk food out of your life??
Spring is the perfect time to clean house and to ‘cleanse’, and our FREE 30-day guided Paleo challenge is here to help you get going (or keep on) Paleo! If you haven’t yet joined our private Facebook group, it’s not too late! Come spring into good health this season with us!
Some Eggcellent Reads
Cholesterol Clarity: An easy guide for understanding what your cholesterol levels really say about your health
Eat the Yolks: Decades of avoiding egg yolks and replacing real foods has left us with an obesity and chronic disease epidemic
The Great Cholesterol Myth:
Why Lowering Your Cholesterol Won’t Prevent Heart Disease & the Statin-Free Plan That Will
Death by Food Pyramid: How Shoddy Science, Sketchy Politics and Shady Special Interests Have Ruined Our Health
Ode to Cholesterol
Despite it’s long-standing bad reputation, cholesterol plays a number of super important roles in the body, including (but not limited to):
- Precursor to Vitamin D
- Precursor to bile acids, which are necessary for fat digestion/absorption
- Production of steroid hormones (i.e. progesterone, corticosteroids like cortisol, aldosterone, etc.)
- Production of sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone)
Veggies & Eggies
Eggs, veggies, and bacon will bring a smile to your face and plate!
LENT: A Season of Fasting, Reflection & Self-Care
Lent is intended to be a season of contemplation, sacrifice, and simplicity with fasting and prayer—a time to grow in faith. Easter, of course, has both secular and religious observations, but for Christians, it’s arguably the most sacred time of the year.
Many people choose to give something (or many things) up during the 40-day season. For some, this can be meat, sugar, or other forms of foods. For others it can be a variety of other influences which a person desires a break from: social media, TV, internet, or other vices…