Peanuts are not Nuts Sneezing, hives, difficulty breathing, or nausea–are all allergy symptoms to peanuts. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), more than 3 million people in the United States report being allergic to peanuts, tree nuts or both, and appr...

  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 ...

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. ...

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...

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 d...

Despite what some commercial diet plans say, or what people have been led to believe—not all carbohydrates are "bad".  Just like not all calories are created equally, carbohydrates are not either.  They provide energy for activity and they aid in the functioning of our muscles a...

There is no question that winter has officially arrived in New York! As we bundle ourselves and our children for the cold, windy weather and minimize our time outdoors for running to the subway, bus, or catching a cab, it’s a good reminder that we also are limiting the time we spend doing phys...

It's time to start talking about solutions, not only the problems. I believe we can have an impact on the issues facing our society regarding healthy food in schools and the obesity epidemic if we focus on both ends of the spectrum—the bottom-up local grass roots level and the top do...

At Red Rabbit, we are advocates for whole foods rather than processed foods, especially for our kids. We feel strongly that food that comes directly from the farm, prepared with as few processes as possible and ends on the table are better for our bodies, but why? In an effort to accommodate populat...

Give your body the energy it needs to get through the day by making breakfast an every day habit...Breakfast is considered to be the most important meal of the day, because it is meant to give us that daily jump-start.  Research shows that a person who begins their day by eating breakfast is le...

When we think about relationships that we create and cultivate throughout our lives, what comes to mind? Those with our loved ones—our friends,  family and even ourselves.  Another important relationship that we all have that may not have initially come to mind is our relat...

Signs of spring are all around New York. As flowers and trees bloom and winter clothing is stored away until next year, spring is also the time when New Yorkers enjoy spring produce popping up at farmer’s markets. At Red Rabbit, we are busy planning our spring menus.  As always, our focus...

Have you heard the term "pink slime" in the press lately? It's getting a lot of attention-from the USDA, to the beef industry to schools providing meals to children.  We want to feature this topic in this week's blog to highlight our educational mission.  We are committed to helping&n...

At Red Rabbit, we are dedicated to creating and serving delicious, nutritious and environmentally conscious meals. We choose to work with farmers that share our dedication to the health and wellness of the people we serve and the planet we share. By choosing farmers that employ sustainable practices...

Arugula, collard greens, endive, escarole, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, radicchio, spinach, swiss chard, turnip greens, watercress, beet greens, fennel. What do all of these items have in common? They are all leafy greens!&...

In our recent post on sustainability, we promised you more information on recycling and composting in New York City. Here it is! As citizens of this great city, it is our duty to make sure that we contribute to the sustainability of our way of life, and this means learning to view our waste as ...

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), sometimes called corn sugar (this is actually just a marketing ploy by the HFCS manufacturers to trick people), has become a popular ingredient in sodas, fruit-flavored drinks, baked and packaged goods. Given how ubiquitous HFCS is, some people are concerned about po...

This week, we felt you might enjoy hearing about how a famous celebrity chef, restaurateur, author and TV personality, Jamie Oliver, is aligned with the Red Rabbit philosophy of food and nutrition.  As excerpted from the Digital Journal, the well-known Brit has launched a food revolution, bring...

A “salad” by definition is a combination of crispy or cooked leafy vegetables; crisp, green, fruity, composed, all flavors and textures of springtime.  When it is finished with a light splash of flavor, whether that is lemon, olive oil, sea salt, a variety of vinegars, a splash of j...

What the passing of the Farm Bill could mean to you… Every five years, Congress passes a bundle of legislation, commonly called the "Farm Bill" that sets national agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policy. The last Farm Bill was passed in 2008, and expired in 2012.  On A...

  Last week, we began telling you about celebrity chef, Mario Batali’s “Food Stamp Challenge” initiative. For one week, the acclaimed chef challenged Americans (and his own family) to “walk in someone else’s shoes” by eating only what they would be ...

  Red Rabbit’s office has been buzzing with discussion over HBO’s most recent documentary concerning America’s obesity epidemic, The Weight of the Nation.  This four part documentary series, in association with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) & the National Insti...

  Fish is good for you….but many of us don’t eat it. You've probably heard that seafood is an important part of a healthy diet, especially for children and pregnant women. Chefs, nutritionists and seafood aficionados alike rave about the various health benefits of seafo...

  On Friday, June 15, Red Rabbit had the pleasure of having students from New Height’s Academy Charter School cooking in our kitchen.   Ms. Rosen’s 5th grade English class were amazing chefs, creating an Italian feast to enjoy with their classmates, teachers and Red Rabbit...

  On July 2nd, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, announced that, as part of the city-wide effort to fight the obesity epidemic, the City is increasing efforts to improve access to healthy eating. For first time ever, all of city's farmers markets will make ...

  I often wonder about this: if fad diets really worked, would this country still have the obesity issues it currently has? Think it is time to take a harder look. How Much Does a Pound of Fat Weigh? Let’s begin by examining the caloric content of a pound of fat—it’s 3,500 ca...

  I just finished watching the third part of HBO’s Weight of the Nation, Children in Crisis, and I am both enraged and inspired.  I am enraged that the current generation of children have a shorter life expectancy than their parents because of the childhood obesity epidemic and simul...

  In another post, we will discuss the implications of kids drinking too many sugary drinks—from soda to sports drinks to juice.  In this post, I would like to discuss the importance of drinking the most hydrating liquid of all…water.   Whether you drink tap, filtered or ...

  It all starts with breakfast! Children who eat breakfast are more likely to have better concentration, problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination.  The State of Minnesota Breakfast Study showed that "students who ate breakfast before starting school had a general increase in math g...

  In a 2007 study, children ages 3 to 9 who consumed fruit drinks with added artificial colors and/or sodium benzoate for a week, showed increases in hyperactivity. There have also been a multitude of other studies linking artificial colorings and preservatives to ADD/ADDHD (attention defi...

    Ever wonder why the typical salad dressing aisle in the grocery store has hundreds (yes,hundreds) of choices?  It’s because the ingredients and chemical combinations offered by most dressing manufacturers are almost infinite!  Making your own salad dressing is much che...

  Perhaps you have heard about the Wellness in the Schools [WITS] Program offered in many public schools.  For several years, WITS - a non-profit organization - has been offering a program that has been bringing professional chefs into schools to teach kids and the DOE’s (Depart...

  Welcome back to school! We hope you have had an enjoyable, relaxing, healthy, fun summer and are now looking forward to the new school year!   September is a time of change.  It’s the end of many things: a flexible schedule, more time with the kids, juggling summer activities...

  When you buy locally grown food (specifically fruits and vegetables) you save money directly, and indirectly.  By selling locally the famer avoids incurring the cost of distribution, wholesale and broker mark ups, and in turn can sell to you at direct pricing.  Indirectly, you ...

It’s fitting for the timing of this announcement, that September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.  Effective last Thursday, New York City's Board of Health approved Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposed ban on big-size sugary beverages.   New York City will restrict sales...

What’s the Real Deal with Whole Grain & Whole Wheat?   If the terms “whole wheat”, “whole grain”, “multi-grain” confuse you, you are not alone.  The following is the official definition of “whole grains” as approved and endorsed by ...

  Whether child or adult...we all like to enjoy something sweet! That doesn't mean it has to be full of added sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.   Despite what some commercial diet plans say, or what we have been led to believe—not all carbohydrates are "bad".  Just like not al...

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.  ...

Its the time of year for ghouls, goblins, and all things haunted! While we prepare our costumes, carve our pumpkins, and get ready for a full night of trick or treating, lets incorporate some healthy new traditions into our plans. Halloween surrounds us with sweets and candy, but with just a littl...

In the wake of the hurricane Sandy, all of us here at Red Rabbit are hoping that your families have remained safe and healthy. Power outages, flooding, and wind damage have greatly stricken the NYC and tri-state area, and the most important thing is to keep our families and communities safe.  ...

  It has been over a week since Hurricane Sandy struck our shores, impacting thousands of families, friends, and neighbors. Much has been done already to aid those who have lost their communities, homes, and livelihoods; however we are still far from normalcy. Volunteers are working tirelessly...

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate and feast with family and friends. There is so much to be thankful for, but let’s add one more item to the list – be thankful that the kids are involved! Whether traveling, cooking the turkey, baking pies, or organizing family members, Thanksgiving can...

Thanksgiving dinner is finished; the dishes are all clean… now what to do with all those leftovers? While the food daze kicks in, there are so many different things that we can make and do with all that food! Send home goodie bags, donate, or even if you love chomping into a&nb...

Tis’ the season! This time of the year is filled with parties, family and friends, and lots and lots of food. The holidays are often associated with lots of eating, and baked goods galore. It can quickly become a great challenge to stick to your healthy eating habits…challenge accepted...

With the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season we need to remember to keep our bodies healthy and well rested! One of the best ways to make sure you give your body the energy it needs to get through the seasonal rush is to make sure to eat breakfast every day! The “most important meal of the...

Decked with lights and bustling holiday cheer, New York City is full of wonder this time of year! Take advantage of the joy and get the whole family involved in some of the seasonal activities and events taking place throughout the city. Numerous free exhibits and displays are open for your&nb...

    Cookies, Cakes, and Pies galore! With the Holiday season in full swing, there is no shortage of baked goods for everyone to snack on. Start a New Year’s resolution for the family a little early this year and add a healthy twist to all of that holiday goodness. Decorations and fr...

  The guests are gone, and the cookies have all been eaten – so now what do we do with all this stuff? Reuse and recycle! Wrapping papers, holiday trees, leftovers, we have tips and helpful hints for ways to make the most out of what is left of the holiday celebrations. Clean up can be a ...

    Just because it’s cold outside, doesn't mean we can no longer enjoy fresh in-season fruits and vegetables. Contrary to popular belief, we can continue to eat locally throughout the winter months. In addition to typical storage vegetables such as potatoes, farms now use...

  Happy New Year, Red Rabbit friends and family!  Welcome to 2013!   We hope you had a wonderful holiday with your loved ones and are looking forward to the New Year. Red Rabbit is excited for another year of serving farm fresh, nutritious meals. Together we can continue to make an im...

    January is National Oatmeal month! One of our favorite foods here at Red Rabbit, oatmeal is a terrific source of fiber and a nutritious way to begin your day.  Fruit, cinnamon, nuts and seeds… this versatile grain can be paired with endless flavors and topping; there are ev...

When we hear Super Bowl Sunday most of us think food. Aside from being the biggest game day of the year - the Super Bowl is one of the biggest snacking days of the year. For many Americans an entire day’s worth of calories are eaten just during the time of the game. The National Calorie Counc...

Sneezing, hives, difficulty breathing, or nausea? Yep, all common symptoms of a peanut allergy. As a parent or educator, it is a daunting task to ensure your peanut or nut-free children are safe at school, playgrounds, and restaurants. There are several simple precautionary measures to take, an...

    Cupid is in the air, and we suddenly are finding ourselves thinking about hearts, flowers, and the people we love. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the ones you love by preparing healthy treats that that they’ll adore. This year, your Valentine’s Day secret weapon is da...

To ensure everyone in your household is receiving the freshest selection of produce this winter and the right balance of nutrients chose to shop in-season. Just because it’s cold outside doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of delicious fruits and vege...

  Spring may be just around the corner, but the cold weather is still here! With the winter weather hindering the time that we spend outdoors, it’s important to remember to still get the family up and active with physical activity. When it comes to kids, they need at least 60 minutes of ...

  This Monday, March 4th, kicks off the first day of National School Breakfast Week! The weeklong celebration brings light to the important relationship between the morning meal and positive results in the classroom. This year’s theme is “Be a Star with School Breakfast”, and...

  Spring is just around the corner! Flowers and trees are beginning to bloom and our winter clothes are ready to be put away. Soon we will begin to see farmer’s markets and produce stands popping up all over the city… and here at Red Rabbit we could not be more excited for seasona...

We have been getting a lot requests to post some of our yummy recipes. So, over the next few weeks we will post a series of some of our favorites -this week Zucchini Bread! Zucchini Bread is a great way to get your family (including the kiddos) to eat this ‘vege’ that is packed with some...

Last week we told gave you the recipe for Zucchini Bread. So – now that you know how great it tastes, below are some health facts you may not have known about this yummy vege.    Zucchini is packed with some of the key nutrients and minerals our bodies need to stay healthy:   M...

The talk about sugary drinks is back in the news again, and with good reason. Many of us have heard the statistic in the news that a 12 oz can of cola can contain 9 to 11 teaspoons of sugar! Go ahead and see for yourself just how much that is. To help you get a better visual...

While the thermostat outside slowly rises, we all try to soak up the sun and get outside. As our outdoor activity increases, so does our thirst. Now is the perfect time to try out some great alternatives to the sugary drinks that crowd the supermarket shelves.   It can be difficult to decide w...

Spring is the time of year for outdoor sports and recreation, picnicking...and bees! While many of us regard bees with a certain level of apprehension, not everyone always thinks about their contribution to what we put inside our picnic baskets!   From watermelon to the milk that we drink, bees...

Did you know that May is Global Employee Health and Fitness Month? The goal of this month-long initiative is to encourage people to be fit and embrace a healthy lifestyle in the workplace. Here at Red Rabbit, we believe that the earlier healthy habits are formed, the better; however, it is never too...

  Ideas of charity and helping our fellow neighbor tend to be more prevalent during the holidays, but in order to make a real difference it has to be a year round effort! Many of us want to lend a hand in some way, but it can be an overwhelming task to decide how to become a change-agent in our...

Over the last several years, there has been an invasion in grocery store aisles across America.  You may have heard it on the news, or read about it in your daily magazine or newspaper. You’ve probably noticed it on bookshelves, too, at your local bookstore: “gluten-free” is f...

If you have never been to a farmer’s market or thought about buying local produce, springtime is a great time to start! Many fruits and vegetables are at their peak, which means they are at their most delicious! In addition, buying local means that you get the produce closer to harvest time &n...

Memorial Day is a special holiday to many Americans because of its significance to our country’s ideas of freedom and service.  Before celebrating this day with a trip to the beach or the park, we can ask our families these 3 questions to set the stage for a meaningful weekend:   1....