Natural Food Coloring

Winter is officially here which means the days are shorter, the weather is colder and we are all spending more time inside.  So what do you do when you and your little ones are feeling cooped up indoors? You decorate cookies! Cookie decorating is a great way to get your kiddos excited about being in the kitchen AND make a delicious holiday inspired treat to give as gifts to family and friends. 

How do we give your cookie decorating party a Peas of Mind twist? That’s easy, by using homemade food coloring! So this year opt out of using store bought brands filled with chemicals and make your own with fruits, veggies and spices!

Natural Food Coloring

-2 C powdered sugar

-1 TBL water

-1 tsp vanilla extract

-pinch of salt

-pinch of turmeric (yellow color)

-1/2 tsp paprika (red color)

-juice of 1 carrot (orange color)

-juice of 1/2 C spinach (green color)

-juice of 1/2 C blueberries (blue color)

Combine 1 cup of powdered sugar with water and vanilla. Divide icing evenly into five small bowls.

For yellow and red colors: mix in the turmeric in one of the bowls and the paprika into another bowl. Stir until combined, adding more water or powdered sugar for your desired consistency.

For orange, green and blue colors: mix 1 tsp of the juice into the remaining bowls. Continue to add more juice and powdered sugar until you get the desired color and consistency.

Voila you now have food coloring that contains ingredients you can actually pronounce! Hope this brings a little Peas of Mind to your cookie baking party this year.

Food of the Month - Almonds

Peas of Mind declares this month, the month of the ALMOND! Oh sweet Almond, how we love thee, let us count the ways:

1. Almonds are high in monounsaturated fat aka the good fat, which has been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol.

2. Almonds are high in protein, vitamin E, potassium and magnesium.

3. Almonds are ALWAYS seasonal. Every season is almond season.

4. Almonds are low glycemic and help maintain blood sugar levels.

5. Almonds are chalked full of protein but low in calories

Almonds are great just as they are, sprinkled in a salad, chopped on your favorite dessert and in the form of milk.  You heard that right, we LOVE home made almond milk! It’s easy, quick, super healthy so tasty! 

Almond Milk Ingredients:

1 cup raw almonds

4 cups of water
1 TBL of vanilla extract or agave

You will also need a blender, bowl strainer and cheesecloth.

Method:

Place almonds in a bowl with 2 cups of water and soak for 2 days in the fridge.

Strain almonds and discard the soaking water. Place soaked almonds in your blender with 2 cups of fresh water. Blend for about 2-4 minutes or until the almond milk has no small almond pieces or chunks.

Place strainer and cheesecloth in a bowl and pour mixture over the cheesecloth. Squeeze the cheesecloth until there is not more liquid.

Depending on your taste, you can drink the almond milk as is or sweeten it with a little agave or vanilla extract. This is the perfect beverage to enjoy with your holiday desserts. Enjoy!