Headaches of a Dye-free Easter

A dye-free Easter. Is this even possible?! I hope in a few days that I can say "yes it is!". We will have to wait to see.

Like all holidays and celebrations, there are outside influences to contend with. On Saturday, we will be taking Kensington to an egg hunt. That means CANDY. Candy means food dye. I in no way, shape or form, expect this to be easy but I will not let this interfere with the progress we as a family have made. I will also not allow this lifestyle change to take away all the fun to be had for a child. After all, life is made up of memories. Do I want my daughter(s) to look back on their childhood and think they were deprived from all things fun? The answer is an emphatic NO!

So this is where I must get creative. I need to come up with some alternatives to all that candy she will inevitably come home with (and wish to eat) after the egg hunt. I am still thinking so wish me luck.

Kenny has learned that she doesn't eat food dye. She will frequently ask me if she can eat something with a very hopeful statement that "it doesn't have food dye!?". Although she doesn't quite grasp the concept or reasons behind it, she is learning. And "learning is half the battle", right?

Yesterday, we took a stroll through the organic section of the local market. I was directed there with the hopes that there may be jelly beans. You would think that a year on this diet and I would be familiar with this section already. If so, you'd be wrong. I have never been one to really see the need in organic but the more involved we become with this change, the more we're learning. I was ecstatic to see they had lollipops! This is a big deal because children love lollipops and Kenny is no exception.

On the rare occasion that we have let one slide, I felt guilt over it like we'd taken a huge step back. When Kensington gave up her pacifier, we discussed that the "Pacifier Fairy" would leave her something in place of her pacifier if she left it under her pillow. (A twist to the Tooth Fairy.) Without blinking she exclaimed, "A dark purple lollipop!!". (EVERYTHING to Kenny is purple!) With that enthusiasm, how could I disappoint? I didn't. I searched until I found one and of course it contained dye. My husband and I decided that she deserved the special treat so she woke up the morning after her first night without her pacifier to a "dark purple lollipop" under her pillow. She ate it in small increments after dinner for dessert until she forgot about it and I was able to throw out the rest of it.

So, back to our discovery yesterday... I am thrilled that there are in fact more options available to us than originally thought. I can't wait to pursue this more. So, did I find jelly beans? Nope.

But, I did find hope. Hope that Kensington and Coraleigh (when old enough), will be able to enjoy some of the little things. Small yes. Insignificant? Not to a toddler who is always told no when all she wants is a lollipop like her friends.

What about the jelly beans, you ask? Not sure yet. I have found the recipe to make them and if all goes well tonight, I will be attempting it. I'm not promising anything.

I'll keep you posted.