You can learn how to make your own nut milk
Q. Have you tried almond milk? I had read quite a few articles stating this was the new "in" thing and how beneficial it is to your health, blah blah blah. While I was walking through the grocery store, I stumbled upon this product - at eye level no less - and it was a 'featured item' on sale at $1.99/carton. Figuring it was only $2, why not try it? I have chilled it and just tasted it for the first time, and wow, it is very different then what I thought it would taste like. I don't think I like it very much and had to add some Splenda to my glass. Now that I've gone to their Web site, I see they offer flavored but unsweetened types, but I'm not sure if I should spend another $1.99 to find out I don't like it again. Funny thing, though: I love eating raw almonds isn't that ironic?
Libby, e-mail
A. I like sweetened or flavored almond milk. You might prefer soy, coconut or rice milk. You can make your own almond milk at home by investing in a milk maker such as a Soyabella (which you can use to make nut milks and even soups) or simply use a blender or food processor and strainer. Visit noveleats.com/drinks/raw-homemade-almond-milk, which shares a step-by-step tutorial. This suggests sweetening the almond milk with agave nectar. You can add fruit, too. Or visit iskra.tripod.com/nomilk/altmilk.htm for various other grain milk recipes.
Q. At what age do you stop making Easter baskets for kids? - Joanne, e-mail
A. I don't have plans to stop giving them. The container and gift items will change through the years, but I don't think Easter baskets are exclusively for children. There's an eight-year age difference between my oldest and youngest, so it's possible, I can continue the egg hunt straight through until I have grandchildren, too. But I might be pushing it.
Q. Have you tried using natural colors to dye Easter eggs? Like tea or beet juice or something like that? We're trying to avoid the food dyes because my son is uber sensitive to them. If all else fails, we'll just do the plastic things on the eggs instead of coloring them.
Heather, New York
A.You can use cranberries, Kool-Aid, tumeric, spinach, blueberries, grape juice or beets as natural dyes for eggs. Think about foods that stain and take it from there.
You can approach this two ways. You can combine the natural food with water and vinegar and boil the eggs in the colored mixture, or you can boil the eggs and let them soak overnight in the natural dye solution (a jar works well) placed in the refrigerator. The amounts should be roughly equal parts water and food (for example, 4 cups water and 4 cups spinach) and 1 to 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Visit lakewinds.com/store/Natural-Egg-Dye-Recipes-W4698C18760.aspx for specific dye instructions.
I like the idea of natural dyes, but I think it's a lot of work and food waste when you can buy local eggs from a farmer with Easter egg chickens that are naturally blue, brown, pink or green. Look for a breeder in your area by inquiring through Ameraucana Breeders Club.
• Sara Noel owns Frugal Village (frugalvillage.com), a Web site that offers practical, money-saving strategies for everyday living. Send tips, comments or questions to Sara Noel, c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016, or sara@frugalvillage.com.