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DIY Clay Egg Tray

Looking for DIY gifts? Create this sweet lil’ egg tray for the cooks and egg lovers in your life.

Servings 1 Egg Tray

Ingredients

• 1 Vital Farms egg carton
• 1/2 lb. air dry clay
• acrylic paints
• scissors
• paint brushes
• rolling pin
• knife

Instructions

• Grab your empty Vital Farms egg carton and snip off the lid and pointy center dividers. You can use any size carton you like. We used a 6-count carton for a mini version but you could also cut a 12-count carton in half or make a larger tray.
• Roll clay out into approximately 1/4-inch thick rectangle.
• Trim the excess clay by placing carton in the center of your clay and trim around using a knife or pizza cutter, leaving about a 1-inch border on all sides.
• Lay clay inside carton and gently use your fingers or something soft like a damp sponge or cloth and press the clay into the carton to create indentations for the eggs.
• Flip carton and clay over and trim off the excess clay around the edges.
• Roll some clay scraps into thin cylinders and trim to desired length and affix to either side of tray for handles.
• Prop handles on something like an empty egg carton or book to hold in place.
• Allow tray to dry completely (usually 24-48 hours depending on the clay).
• Use acrylic paints to paint any color and design you’d like.
• Allow to fully dry, then wrap up along with a carton of Vital Farms eggs and give the perfect gift.

Head to our Instagram to watch us make this Clay Egg Tray!

The post DIY Clay Egg Tray appeared first on Vital Farms.

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DIY Upcycled Seed Card

Want to create a special card that doubles as a flower bouquet!? Upcycle an egg carton into this simple seed card. Then, plant in the garden and watch the flowers grow! Now that's what we call the gift that keeps on giving.

Servings 1 card

Ingredients

• 1 Vital Farms 12-count carton
• recycled colored paper (optional)
• 2 packets flower seeds of choice
• flower petals (optional)
• paper frame
• sponge
• towel

Instructions

• Rip up the bottom portion of the carton into small pieces and add to a large bowl or tub. Add any colored recycled paper if you’d like.
• Pour enough hot water over the scraps to cover them. Allow to soak at least 1 hour.
• Add all the paper and water to a blender and blend on high until finely pureed. Add the mixture back to the bowl.
• Add more water, if necessary until consistency allows the pulp to move around freely. It should be more watery than sludgy in consistency.
• Sprinkle in the flower seeds and any flower petals, if using. Stir them into the pulp to evenly distribute.
• Dip your paper frame into the mixture and pull it straight up and out to capture the pulp and seeds in the screen. Let some of the excess water drain out of the bottom for a minute then place on a towel.
• Let the paper set in the frame for a few minutes to drain some additional water then gently and quickly flip it upside down on the towel to release the paper. Use a sponge to press the back of the frame to soak up more water and help the paper release from the frame.
• 8.Allow to dry completely before using to make a homemade card for mom!

The post DIY Upcycled Seed Card appeared first on Vital Farms.

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How to Compost Your Vital Times

THIS JUST IN – Did you know your favorite little chicken newspaper is 100% biodegradable and fully compostable? Use your Vital Times as brown matter to give your compost the carbon boost it needs to thrive. Just shred it into small pieces, mix it in and let the microbes go to town.

Ingredients

• Compost pile
• Vital Times
• Scissors
• Green matter (such as vegetable scraps or grass clippings)

Instructions

• Shred your Vital Times into small pieces.
• Add to your compost with green waste (veggie scraps, grass clippings, etc.).
• Mix it together and let the microbes and/or worms do the work.

• Learn the basics of composting with our Composting 101!

The post How to Compost Your Vital Times appeared first on Vital Farms.

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Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs

Would you believe us if we told you these eggs were dyed with vegetables? It's true! Just combine your veggie of choice with water and vinegar and boil for a bit, and you're ready to dip your eggs in beautifully natural hues.

Servings 12 eggs

Ingredients

• 12 Vital Farms eggs (hard-boiled and cooled)
• vinegar (distilled white, white wine, and apple cider all work)
• 2 cups red onion skins
• 2 cups yellow onion skins
• 2 cups red cabbage (thinly sliced or shredded)
• 2 tablespoons dried ground turmeric
• 2 cups raw beets (shredded)

Instructions

• Select which colors you’d like to create then add each ingredient to a pot along with 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 cups of water.
• Bring to a boil and allow ingredients to simmer for 30 minutes. Strain mixtures and pour dyes into bowls or large jars.
• Add eggs to jars, cover, and refrigerate until desired color is reached. We found at least 4 hours and up to overnight yielded the darkest colors.
• Remove eggs from dyes, allow to air-dry on a paper towel then admire your art!

The post Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs appeared first on Vital Farms.

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Egg White Storage Hack

Did you know you can freeze your leftover egg whites for a rainy day? Never waste egg whites again with this ice cube tray hack for individually portioned egg whites.

Ingredients

• Leftover egg whites
• Ice cube tray
• Reusable or plastic bag

Instructions

• Add one egg white per ice cube in the tray.
• Place in freezer for 12 hours, or until frozen.
• Empty tray into a labeled and dated bag and replace in freezer. Keep frozen for up to a year.
• Use pre-portioned egg whites in your future meals. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight.

The post Egg White Storage Hack appeared first on Vital Farms.

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DIY Papier Mâché Bowl

Don't let those empty egg cartons go to waste! Did you know you can make a fancy sculptural bowl using a thrifted ceramic bowl and egg carton papier-mâché? Roll up your sleeves, put your DIY cap on, and get crafting!

Servings 1 bowl

Ingredients

• Thrifted bowl or dish of choice (try to find one with an interesting shape)
• 1 18-count Vital Farms egg carton or 2 12-count cartons)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• Pinch of salt (this helps prevent molding while the bowl dries)
• Cheese cloth or kitchen towel
• Craft glue (such as Mod Podge or Elmer's Glue)
• Paint brush
• Acrylic paint

Instructions

• Tear the bottom portion of the egg carton into small pieces and add to a large bowl. Cover with water and let soak until pieces have softened, about 1-2 hours.
• Pour entire contents of bowl into a blender and blend until smooth.
• Strain mixture in cheese cloth to remove excess water and add back to bowl. Add in flour and salt.
• Knead mixture together until it forms a clay. If it feels too thick, you can add a splash of water. You want it to hold together but still be malleable.
• Paint a thin coating of glue all over the interior and exterior of the bowl.
• Press the clay onto the bowl and use your hands to press into an even layer. Continue until you’ve covered the inside and outside of the bowl completely.
• Let the bowl dry completely, about 1-2 days.
• Paint the inside and outside of the bowl with your color of choice.
• Let dry then marvel at your handiwork!

The post DIY Papier Mâché-Covered Thrifted Bowl appeared first on Vital Farms.

Need a last-minute, thoughtful gift idea? Grab a mason jar and fill it with the ingredients to bake up Apple Butterscotch Blondies or Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies. All your gift recipient will need to do is add some Vital Farms Eggs and Butter to the mix, and they’ve got a tasty treat at their convenience.

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Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Servings 18 cookies

Equipment

• One 32 oz (4 cup) mason jar with lid
• Scissors
• Ribbon or string
• Printer and/or paper

Ingredients

Dry ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peppermint candies crushed

Wet ingredients:

• 1 Vital Farms Egg room temperature
• 1/2 cup butter Vital Farms Unsalted Butter melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

To make the jar:

• Layer the dry ingredients in the 32 oz (4 cup) jar.
• Print and the labels and trim with scissors. Alternatively, use a pen and paper to create your own label using the directions below.
• Poke a hole through the label and fasten to the jar using ribbon or string.
• Gift to your recipient with Vital Farms Eggs and Butter.

To bake the cookies:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Whisk together the melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
• Empty the contents of the jar into the bowl and stir to combine with the egg, melted butter and vanilla extract.
• Chill dough in the fridge for 2 hours.
• Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet 1-inch apart.
• Bake for about 10-12 minutes, until firm. Allow to cool.

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Apple Butterscotch Blondies

Servings 12 blondies

Equipment

• One 32 oz (4 cup) mason jar with lid
• Scissors
• Ribbon or string
• Printer and/or paper

Ingredients

Dry ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup dark or light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup dried apples roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup butterscotch chips

Wet ingredients:

• 2 Vital Farms Eggs
• 1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon Vital Farms Unsalted Butter melted and divided
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

To make the jar:

• Layer the dry ingredients in the 32 oz (4 cup) jar.
• Print and the labels and trim with scissors. Alternatively, use a pen and paper to create your own label using the directions below.
• Poke a hole through the label and fasten to the jar using ribbon or string.
• Gift to your recipient with Vital Farms Eggs and Butter.

To bake the cookies:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter an 8-inch square baking pan with a teaspoon of butter then line with parchment paper.
• Combine 1/2 cup melted butter, eggs and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
• Add the contents of the jar and stir to combine.
• Transfer batter to prepared baking pan and bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes.

The post DIY Gifts for Cookie-Lovers appeared first on Vital Farms.

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DIY Eggshell Candles

Light up your table with these festive DIY candles, crafted with re-purposed eggshells. See the full tutorial here!

Servings 10 candles

Ingredients

• 10 Vital Farms Eggs
• 8 ounces beeswax pellets
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 10 candle wicks
• Clothes pins

Instructions

• Gently tap the top-third of the eggs with a paring knife, remove the top portion of shell, transfer the egg to a container and the shell to an empty Vital Farms Egg carton. Repeat with all your eggs.
• Gently press wicks into the bottom of your egg shells and set aside.
• In a heat-proof bowl or pitcher, combine the beeswax and coconut oil and melt over a double-boiler on medium heat.
• Gently pour the wax into the egg molds, leaving about 1/4-inch of space at the top.
• Thread the wicks through the clothes pins to keep them centered while the candles harden.
• Once the wax has hardened, trim the wicks to about 1/4-inch. Your candles are ready to light and enjoy!

The post DIY EggShell Candles appeared first on Vital Farms.

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How to Use Eggshells in the Garden

Gardening with eggshells is a great way to make use of something you would otherwise throw out! Yes, eggshells are great for your compost pile. But did you know you can also use them for organic pest control? Use this eggshell powder to protect plants falling victim to pest issues (e.g. holes in the leaves, root damage, problems starting seeds). Try not to use in excess – you still want to welcome beneficial insects to your garden!

Ah, nature – it's all about balance.

Ingredients

• 18 Vital Farms Organic Eggs shells only
• Baking sheet
• Food processor

Instructions

• Save eggshells in a sealed container or plastic bag.
• Rinse the shells to remove egg residue.
• Lay shells evenly on a sheet pan.
• Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes to dry the shells.
• Transfer shells to a food processor and pulse until finely crushed.
• Spread a thin layer of eggshell powder around the roots of vulnerable garden plants (repeat after heavy rain).

The post How to Use Eggshells in the Garden appeared first on Vital Farms.

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Egg Carton Papier-Mâché

Don’t toss your Vital Farms egg cartons! Learn how to make a papier-mâché egg cup with just a few simple ingredients.

Equipment

• 1 Large Bowl
• 1 Fine Mesh Sieve
• Cheesecloth
• Plastic Wrap
• Paint

Ingredients

• 3 Vital Farms Egg Cartons
• Hot Water
• 1 cup Elmer's Glue
• 3-4 TBSP Avocado Oil
• 3 TBSP Salt

Instructions

• Cut egg cartons into 2-inch pieces and place into a large bowl.
• Cover completely with hot water and soak for 1 hour.
• Blend soaked pieces and water until mushy, about 2 minutes.
• Strain through a fine mesh sieve and then through cheesecloth. (Don’t squeeze too hard, you still want some moisture).
• Mix strained carton pieces with glue, oil, flour, and salt until smooth and not sticky – like a firm but moldable clay (this may take some trial and error depending on different variables like how much water might be left in the cartons. If still sticky, add more oil. If it’s too soft and mushy, add more flour).
• Now your clay is ready to create whatever sculpture you wish!

• Use a bowl as a mold by lining it with plastic wrap and sculpting clay on top.
• To paint, wait until the clay is dried completely (about 2 days)

The post Make a papier-mâché egg cup appeared first on Vital Farms.

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Whether you’re new to composting, actively maintaining a compost pile, or interested in joining your community’s local composting program, we’re bringing you compost hacks designed to inspire you to reduce waste and improve your kitchen’s overall footprint.

All of that said, let’s talk egg cartons!

Have you heard the news!? We’re transitioning our 18-count eggs to 100% recyclable and compostable post-consumer paper cartons. For more info on this change, check out our 2023 Impact Report. This means that when given the right conditions, Vital Farms egg cartons can be broken down into soil.

That’s excellent news(!)…assuming you know how to compost. In case you don’t, we’ll “break it down” for you with some tips and tricks to get you started.

Composting Basics

What is composting?

Composting is the process of converting organic matter, such as paper and food scraps, into nutrient-rich soil.

How do you start a compost pile?

There are three basic ways to start a compost pile:

1. Outdoors using a bin, tumbler, or fenced area
2. Indoors through vermicomposting, a composting method utilizing earthworms
3. Collecting compost material in a container for a local pick-up service or community drop-off site

What are the ingredients needed for composting?

• Carbon (brown matter)
• Nitrogen (green matter)
• Water (moisture)
• Oxygen (air)

Carbon-rich brown matter includes egg cartons, dried leaves, paper towel rolls, and shredded paper. Meanwhile, nitrogen-rich green matter can be grass clippings, coffee grounds, tea bags, fruit, and veggie scraps. Water assists with decomposition and temperature regulation, while air controls odors and helps maintain a healthy balance of bacteria within the pile.

What are the benefits of composting your paper egg cartons?

Paper is a source of carbon (energy). Adding carbon to your compost pile increases its ability to retain water and helps accelerate the breakdown of nitrogen-rich food scraps.

How to Compost Your Egg Cartons

Method #1: Rip and Tear

1. Remove any stickers that may be present on the carton
2. Rip or cut your carton into small pieces. The smaller they are, the quicker they’ll break down.
3. Add the pieces to your compost and mix to combine. Alternatively, place them in your local community’s collection bin.

Method #2: Blend it like a smoothie

1. Remove any stickers that may be present on the carton.
2. Rip your carton into pieces and place them in a blender.
3. Add roughly 1 cup of water and blend until combined into a mush.
4. Pour the blended cartons into your compost and mix to combine.

The post Composting 101: Egg Cartons appeared first on Vital Farms.