In the spirit of finding alternate ways of commemorating Valentine’s Day, and to follow up on Sandy’s blog post last week about treat ideas that don't mean consuming tons of candy, I would like to share some alternative gift ideas.  Think outside of the box.....of chocolates! You don't have to turn to sugar to shower those you love with sweet treats in honor of the month of love! Kind gestures/gifts can be equally as nice, or even better!

 As candy and chocolate last only a moment, these gifts can last forever…your loved one will be able to remember your thoughtfulness, generosity, as well as the time and effort you spent to make their day that much more special.  Here are a few ideas to give you some inspiration:

- Homemade card with construction paper and a personal note: think how much Grandma, Mom, or Dad would love to see your creativity and skill!

- Framing one of your favorite photos: what a great way to “capture the moment” and remember a special memory you shared with your loved one.

When I think of Valentine’s Day, my thoughts revolve around hearts, flowers, sweet delights and the people in my life. I try to celebrate this day in a way that tells them that I love them.  Should I send hearts made of chocolate?  Well…I could, but what about celebrating the day in a way that is not just about candy, candy and more candy?...this day is about celebrating the people around us in ways both "traditional" and not so traditional.

Valentine’s Day is not just an excuse for an all out “Sweets Fest”.  There are many ways to enjoy the day and still have a sweet indulgence.  Get the family together and try this: melt a good quality dark chocolate (8oz or more) in a microwave safe container. You will want to chop the chocolate into pieces and put the timer on 3 intervals of about 1 minute each.  Stir the chocolate until it is blended and melted thoroughly. Allow it to cool down.

 Dip cut up fruits such as mangos, whole strawberries (organic if possible),orange slices, apple slices, bananas, and even pretzel rods.  This is a sweet indulgence for everyone with the benefits of dark chocolate and fresh fruit together!  ) Dark chocolate is a strong anti-oxidant,  which offers protection against free radicals and also contain flavonoids.

Did you know that January is Oatmeal month?  Oatmeal is a GREAT source of fiber (which we all know we need on a daily basis) and comes in all sorts of flavors and varieties – slow cook, multi grain, or single oat.  Oatmeal makes for a great breakfast or snack food, for any age.  By mixing up the way you jazz it up (nuts, berries, bananas, any toppings or add-ins you like!), you can practically eat this breakfast a different way each day!

For children, choosing natural oatmeal for breakfast, rather than highly processed cereals with added sugars, will set their day up for success.  Rather than suffering from the energy rollercoaster of sugar “highs and lows” that processed cereals often create, their moods and behaviors will remain stable throughout the day.  Statistics show that having a healthy breakfast helps with concentration, weight maintenance, and overall wellness. 

Additionally, oatmeal is also a great gluten-free option, so allergy-prone children can now “enjoy what everyone else is eating.” Just look for the gluten-free certification label, as some oats are processed on the same machines/rollers as those used for wheat. 

Oatmeal can be cooked according to any time or budget constraints you may have.  For quick preparation, you can choose instant oatmeal in flavors like cinnamon, maple brown sugar or spice.  If you have more time, try longer-cooking Irish Oatmeal, which takes approximately 10 minutes on the stove.

When you hear the word “soup” I bet you think of something that warms your belly and perhaps even your spirit; a food with ingredients that “comfort” you.  The exact ingredients of this “food” will likely differ depending on your ethnicity and culture.  If you are of Jewish ancestry, perhaps chicken noodle or matzo ball soup comes to mind, if you are English, it could be porridge, French—lentil, Italian—Italian wedding or minestrone, Mexican—gazpacho…the list goes on and on.  They all use vegetables (and sometimes fruits) in combination and the feeling of comfort is their commonality.

 Last week, I had planned to make my favorite soup, butternut squash—until I saw this great recipe for apple turnip soup in a cooking magazine.  Hmmm…I happened to have apples and turnips in the fridge, so I thought, “how bad can it be?!...let’s mix it all up and make a combo soup!” Guess what, it turned out great!  A “stick to your ribs; great for a cold day; warm up my belly” recipe that I hope I’ll be able to re-create.  Actually, the point of my blog is to say that it really doesn’t matter what the exact recipe is, what’s important is that you use fresh ingredients, (and by fresh I also include leftover fresh veggies and fruits from other meals or recipes, or those you happen to have lying around or leftover) and with flavorings and spices you enjoy. Curry, parsley, thyme—all are ways to bring out aromas and flavors that comfort you, and enhance the vegetables and fruits you choose to put into your homemade (or Red Rabbit) soups. 

At Red Rabbit, we are using our extra veggies to put together a comfort food—soup—for  for Bailey House, a local charity that helps the homeless. We use these leftovers to nourish our own bodies AND prepare delicious food for someone else.  Let’s continue the season of giving while also making use of our leftovers!

Just remember: there is no “perfect” recipe the same way there is no “bad” soup…it’s about what you like!  Enjoy, Happy National Soup Month…And stay warm!

Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year!  Hope this finds you well and ready for 2012!  I am pleased to share lots of exciting changes and additions happening at Red Rabbit this year with you... we have a new look, a new website, a new blog (yes, this is my first posting!) an improved weekly newsletter we call “Notes From the Patch”, and the addition of more staff with super qualifications and a commitment to not only improving Red Rabbit’s menu and service offerings but also sharing Red Rabbit’s mission and dedication to education.  We are creating new programs for educators, parents and kids—in school, after school, on Saturdays and even summer camps and field trips.  In short, we have lots and lots of really exciting new things happening that we are all very grateful for. 

What hasn’t changed, however, is our daily commitment to our schools and kids and our desire to increase communications with you—our school and parent partners.  The enhancements we are making to the operations, offerings, communication channels and services come as a result of what you have told us you wanted/needed in the last few years.  Our local and very hands-on presence allows us to be responsive and agile; if we can do it, we will.

I’d like to invite you to post comments here or email me directly at rhys@myredrabbit.com .  I always enjoy hearing what you like, or love about RR, and even the “not so good stuff,” like where we need improvement…it helps us stay customer-focused, and providing you what you want.

Take a look at our new website: www.myredrabbit.com and let me know what you think.

Regards,

Rhys W. Powell