Easter: Natural Egg Dyes

Using the foods and flowers found in nature to color eggs is better for you, your family and the Earth. The colors will muted and ligher than synthetic commercially prepared dyes.

- Pick four colors and cooresponding botanicals from the list below. Your stove probably only has four burners, and that is why we are limited to 4 colors.

- If you want to use a white crayon to make designs or write names on the eggs, do it a this time. - Place the uncooked white eggs in a single layer in a pan. Add water until the eggs are covered.

- Add 1 teaspoon of vinegar and the natural dye. Use more dye material depending on the amount of eggs or for a more intense color.

- After water comes to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

- If you are satisfied with the color, remove the eggs from the dye solution. The color will lighten once the egg dries.

- If you want the color to be more intense, you can soak overnight. Remove the eggs from the liquid. Strain the dye through a coffee filter, let the dye solution cool to room temperature. If you want a speckled effect, skip the straining step.

- Cover the eggs with the dye solution and let them soak in the refrigerator overnight.

- Naturally-colored eggs will not be glossy, but if you want a shiny appearance you can rub a bit of olive oil onto the eggs once they are dry.

Colors

Lavender: Small Quantity of Purple Grape Juice, Red Zinger Tea

Violet Blue: Hibiscus Tea, Red Wine

Blue: Blueberries, Red Cabbage Leaves

Green: Spinach Leaves, Liquid Chlorophyll

Yellow: Orange or Lemon Peels, Ground Turmeric

Orange: Yellow Onion Skins, Cooked Carrots, Paprika

Pink: Beets, Cranberries or Juice, Raspberries, Juice from Pickled Beets

Red: Lots of Red Onions Skins, Canned Cherries with Juice, Pomegranate Juice, Raspberries

Paia Parking Update

Good news! In case you haven't heard, Mana Foods has leased a new gravel parking lot for it's employees and the community to park in free of charge. The parking lot is below the Patsy Mink Post Office, about a block up from Mana Foods on Baldwin Avenue.

Think Local: Maui Preserved

Maui Preserved Hot Hot Sauce, Roasted Tomato Puree, Cucumber Dill Pickles are now available at Mana foods. These hand crafted specialty food items made in Haiku with Maui grown fruit and vegetables whenever possible. Maire likes to put the Hot Hot Sauce on her popcorn.

Think Local: Native Maui Sunblock

Native Maui's line of sunblocks were invented by a woman who has lived on Maui for 30 years. As an avid polo player, diver, windsurfer, boat captain and beach goer, she found herself in constant search of the best means to protect her skin. After many years of using chemical sunscreens, it came to her realization that 60 - 85% of what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your body. Native Maui's innovative sunscreen formula contains Z-Cote, a finely milled, micronized clear zinc oxide, a natural mineral for SPF. Native Maui organic sunscreens gently replenish the natural oils lost by exposure to the sun, water and wind. A primary ingredient, organic shea butter, helps to preserve skin's elasticity and suppleness. Our products use only natural preservatives including organic Carnauba Wax, Hawaiian Beeswax, and Candelilla Wax to naturally waterproof. Our organic sunscreens are biodegradable, free of synthetic preservatives, 100% paraben-free, 100% non-toxic, and reef safe.

Think Local: Aina Gourmet Coffee

Now available at Mana Foods, 100% Maui grown and roasted Arabica coffee from Aina Gourmet Coffee. Aina Gourmet Coffee thinks that coffee has become much more like wine. Described in terms of body, acidity, flavor and finish...ranging from mild to wild. Their roasters focus on creating the perfect conditions to attain the right balance of flavors. A medium to dark roast will highlight the intrinsic flavors, while too dark a roast will burn off these subtleties. All Aina Gourmet Coffee is 100% Maui grown and 100% O'o Farm roasted. Aina Gourmet Coffee is delivered weekly to ensure you receive the freshest, highest quality 100% Maui coffee. Aloha in every cup.

Think Local: Uncle Mikey's Dried Hawaiian fruit

Uncle Mikey's Dried Hawaiian Fruit is a family owned, family run Kauai business with a simple mission, produce the best Hawaiian dried fruit possible with "no weird stuff added!" Uncle Mikey’s is different from anything you have tasted! "No Weird Stuff Added" means simply that, no chemicals, preservatives, food coloring or sugar is used… The fruit chosen is only Grade A, ready to eat, Hawaiian fruit … purchased from local farmers. When the fruit is at its ripest, ready to eat state, Uncle Mikey’s is hand cut, did you say hand cut? and dried at low temperatures to retain all the nutrition, color and most importantly flavor of the fruit. It is a time consuming process but the end result is the best quality, best tasting dried fruit you have ever eaten. Uncle Mikey's also recycles the peels to compost and wormcasting producers to bring it full circle.

Funny Food

"Did you ever stop to taste a carrot? Not just eat it, but taste it? You can't taste the beauty and energy of the earth in a Twinkie."
~Astrid Alauda