This weekend, many families will participate in the Easter tradition of dyeing their Easter Eggs. 

Caitlin Mellendorf, Nutrition Educator with the University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties, explains that it is very simple to use food or plant-based dyes that she encourages making at home, rather than purchasing artificial dyes. 

Mellendorf notes that you can even add patterns to your eggs using things like leaves. She says this project is perfect for the leftover food scraps you may already have at home. 

While it may seem like a silly mistake, Mellendorf reminds that if you plan to use real eggs in your easter egg hunt, to not eat raw eggs or cooked eggs that have been sitting out waiting to be found. 

Check out extension.illinois.edu/dmp or find the Extension on Facebook for more.