🥚 Egg-citing Adventures in Egg Dyeing! 🎨

Did you know dyeing eggs isn't just an egg-straordinary craft? It dates back thousands of years, rooted in ancient Persian and Egyptian traditions celebrating spring and new life. So, whether you're a seasoned egg artist or haven't dipped an egg since your childhood, there's no better time to rekindle your creativity—or discover it for the first time!

Gather your family, friends, or just your inner child, and dive into the colorful world of egg dyeing. At Ava’s, we've got everything you'll need to dye eggs the traditional way. OR… try making your own dye naturally and organically. Either way, be sure to use our fresh, local, free-range eggs, because happy chickens lay tastier canvases 🐔🎨.

🌿 Natural Egg Dye Ideas:

• Purple: Boil 2 cups chopped beets in 4 cups water with a splash of vinegar for 30 minutes. Cool and soak eggs for a vibrant pinkish-red color that'll beet the competition.
• Yellow: Stir 3 Tablespoons turmeric into 4 cups boiling water, add vinegar, cool slightly, and soak eggs for a sunny yellow that's egg-ceptionally cheerful ☀️.
• Blue: Boil 4 cups chopped purple cabbage in 4 cups water with vinegar for 30 minutes, cool, and soak eggs overnight for eggs so blue they'll have you saying, "Egg-scuse me, how'd I do that?!" 🌀.
• Green: Boil 4 cups spinach leaves in 4 cups water with vinegar for 30 minutes, cool, and soak eggs for light green hues that'll make your eggs look freshly picked 🌱.
• Brown: Brew strong coffee, let it cool, and soak eggs for rich, coffee-colored eggs that’ll make your brunch proud ☕️.
• Fluorescent Green: If your kitchen is conveniently haunted by a slimer-type ghost, use some leftover ectoplasm for bright, glowing green* eggs! 👻 (*Ava’s is not responsible for any spectral side-effects.)

Egg dyeing is a fantastic way to slow down, laugh together, and have an egg-cracking good time, especially in these uncertain times. So hop on down to Ava’s Market for everything you need—and let the egg-stravaganza begin! 🥚✨

🌷🥯 Hot Cross Buns: The Bun, The Myth, The Legend 🥯🌷

Hot cross buns aren't just deliciously spiced treats—they're edible history! These delightful buns date back to medieval England, where monks baked them, marking each bun with a cross in honor of Good Friday. The warm spices symbolized preservation and healing properties, believed to protect against evil spirits and keep the buns fresh longer (because nothing ruins a medieval snack faster than evil spirits or stale bread 👻🍞). Pro-tip to avoid those pesky kitchen ghosts: Keep a hot cross bun on the counter!

Traditionally served at Easter, hot cross buns have a tender, fluffy texture infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, studded with juicy currants or raisins. Topped with that signature sugary cross ❌, each bite is sweetly spiced heaven. But here's the real tea: why limit yourself to enjoying them only once a year? We're officially granting permission to enjoy hot cross buns whenever the mood strikes. Breakfast in July? Snack in September? Midnight cravings in March? Bun-believable! 🌙😋

Looking for an unexpected and fun pairing? Slice them in half, toast lightly, and sandwich your favorite ice cream inside for the ultimate spiced ice cream sandwich—trust us, it's a bun-expected delight! 🍦✨

Stop by Ava’s Market to pick up your hot cross buns, and make every day bun-derful! 🎉✨

⏰🥫 Expired by Dates: Spoiler Alert—They’re Not Always Spoiled! 🥫⏰​
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Ever look at a “Best By” date and think, “Well, I guess today’s not your day, pasta sauce”? Many of us assume these dates mean food automatically turns into some sort of culinary pumpkin at midnight, but that’s usually not true. “Best By” dates indicate when products are at peak flavor—not when they’re unsafe to eat.

California is stepping up to reduce confusion (and waste) with Assembly Bill 660. Starting July 2026, you’ll see clearer labels like “Best If Used By” (peak quality) and “Use By” (safety). Until then, trust your senses: if your cereal isn’t staging a protest or your canned beans haven’t grown legs, they’re probably fine.

Packaged goods often last far longer than their printed dates:

• Canned Goods: Safe and tasty for years past the date, as long as the can isn’t bulging or leaking (because nobody likes surprise explosions in the pantry).
• Dry Pasta and Rice: These staples might outlast some of your friendships—store them cool and dry, and they’ll stick around practically forever.
• Crackers and Cereals: May lose a little crunch, but are usually safe to munch well past their dates—just think of them as “wisdom-enhanced.”

At Ava’s, we want to help reduce waste and save you money. If you spot something past its date, don’t ghost it or throw it out—bring it to a store team member. We might just be able to reward your bravery with a discount! Let’s keep our planet greener and wallets thicker, one “expired” snack at a time. 🌎💸😉