As many of us know “dining out” with a child can be a difficult task.  Thank goodness for Carla Sullivan and her mini munchers website!

Mini Munchers is a website that gives you access to several children’s menus in NYC!  It also has a fun and incredibly useful rating system (indicated by crayons) that can save you time and prepare you for any outing.

According to mini munchers founder, Carla Sullivan, the restaurants are ranked on:

1. Stroller-friendly entrance?
2. Easy access to table (With stroller)?
3. Highchairs and/or Booster seats?
4. Bathroom? (Location, Changing table, Handicap stall)
5. Crayons or other entertainment?
6. Kid’s cups? Straws? Kid’s drinks?
7. Varied Menu?
8. Reasonably priced/good value?
9. Timely Service? (How long does the food take? How long before check comes?)

The website also has a feature that allows you to search for restaurants based on cuisine, location and cost.

Next time you are planning a long day out of the house please make sure to take advantage of this terrific resource!

Metropolitan Sitters has teamed up with NY Metro CPR!  Every month Metropolitan Sitters will host a CPR Course led by Jason Mundy, owner of NY Metro CPR.  Jason has been teaching CPR since 1997 and is excellent at creating an informative, yet enjoyable classroom experience. 

Jason will teach us:

-Ways to prevent emergencies

-What do and how to know if a child is choking 

 -When to know that CPR should be performed and how to perform it

-The difference between Child & Infant CPR  

After the course each sitter will take home a procedural booklet and will receive a certification card that is valid for 2 years.

In September alone we held two courses allowing our sitters who do not already have the certification to learn and practice in a small class setting.

Our CPR courses are just one way we are able to provide a safe environment for the children and families we work for.

Amy Shapiro, registered dietician/nutritionist and founder of AWS Nutrition shares with us ‘5 healthy kid approved snacks’ 

1.      GNU Flavor & Fiber Bars:  Created locally by a father for his 4 year old daughter this snack bar tastes like a treat while providing fiber to keep kids hunger at bay.  The American Heart Association Eating Plan recommends that children older than two get the majority of their calories from complex carbohydrates high in Fiber.  This bar, which is easy to toss in a lunch box or backpack, provides just that! 

2.      Edamame:  Full of fiber, protein and heart healthy fat, edamame is the perfect snack and children LOVE it!  You can eat it hot or cold so it is easy to serve at home or pack into a lunch box.  Also a ½ cup provides 10% the RDA of Vitamins A & C! 

3.      Hummus:  All kids love to dip, dip, dip so why not get them to eat veggies dipped in hummus?  If they simply won’t eat veggies then whole-wheat pita or whole grain crackers work too!  The perfect combination of protein, fiber and omega 3 fatty acids to keep their blood sugar stable, their tummies full and brain development going.  It is also fun to eat with friends. 

4.      Peanut butter pinwheels:  Simply spread all natural peanut butter on a whole wheat tortilla, sprinkle with granola, raisins or sliced banana then roll up and cut into ½ inch slices.  This snack is not only easy to make but it has staying power.  The protein and fat in the peanut butter paired with the whole grains in the tortilla will help your child perform at their best without getting hungry!  Also try Almond butter, which has 3x the calcium of peanut butter for variety on the same treat!

5.      Home made banana ice cream:  make your own ice cream by freezing 2 whole bananas cut into chunks.  Once frozen add to a blender, add 2 TBSP non-fat milk (or any other milk substitute) and blend until smooth!  Scoop into a cup or a cone.  This is just about the easiest way to get your child to eat one of the two servings of fruit they should have a day!  Bananas can help to prevent anemia and constipation since they are good sources of iron and fiber and this potassium rich fruit also helps to improve brainpower and focus!

As the signs of summer are upon us don’t let the heat slow you down.  Pop bar in the West Village is a great place to take the kids for an after school treat!

Pop bar is super kid-friendly: made fresh hourly using real fruit and other natural ingredients, preservative-free, no corn syrup, no artificial coloring/flavoring (www.pop-bar.com). Unlike traditional popsicles, popbars are made in-house using a patented artisanal process from Italy. (kosher and gluten free)

The real plus is that each child can make their own pop bar.  With options like gelato, sorbet, almonds, granola, brownie chunks, white chocolate, and coconut who could pass up this great way to cool down?

JOHN TARTAGLIA’S IMAGINOCEAN

New World Stages

340 West 50th Street

www.imaginoceanthemusical.com

Tony Award-nominee John Tartaglia has certainly spread his creative wings. He starred in the acclaimed musical Avenue Q, appeared on Broadway in Shrek: the Musical and in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and created and starred in The Playhouse Disney series Johnny and the Sprites. Now, as if creative wings weren’t enough, he has grown some creative gills as well—with the production of John Tartaglia’s Imaginocean.

A one-of-a-kind, interactive show, John Tartaglia’s Imaginocean is a magical, musical undersea adventure for kids of all ages.  Tank, Bubbles, and Dorsel are three best friends who just happen to be fish, and they’re about to set out on a remarkable journey of discovery. And it all starts with a treasure map.  As they swim off in search of clues, they’ll sing, they’ll dance, and they’ll make new friends—including everyone in the audience. Ultimately, they discover the greatest treasure of all—friendship. Jam-packed with original music ranging from swing to R&B to Big Band, John Tartaglia’s Imaginocean is a blast—from the first big splash to the last wave goodbye.

SPECIAL OFFER:

• $29.50 (reg. $39) for performances on Wednesdays thru May 26, 2010.  
• $35.00 (reg. $39) for performances on Saturdays and Sundays thru May 26, 2010

TO REDEEM:

1) Visit BroadwayOffers.com and mention code JTHHC410

2. CALL 212.239.6200 and mention code JTHHC410

3. VISIT the New World Stages Box Office, 340 West 50th Street, with a printout of this offer.

Performance Schedule: Wednesday at 11am, 2 and 7pm. Saturday at 11am. Sunday at 12pm.

Children’s author and artist Greg Constantine will sign copies of his fourth book, “When Big Artists Were Little Kids,” at TODA on the 6th floor of 250 West Broadway on Sunday, March 21, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. A number of the original watercolor illustrations from the book will also be on exhibit.

The children’s book is Constantine’s attempt to recall his own beginnings as an artist by imagining how famous artists started out.

Greg Constantine’s ambition to produce paintings, objects and drawings resulted in many exhibitions in Europe and the U.S., including 18 one-man shows in New York City.

Constantine has also authored and illustrated three other well known Children’s books; “Vincent van Gogh Visits New York,” “Leonardo Visits Los Angeles,” and “Picasso Visits Chicago”.

It’s not too late!

Metropolitan Sitters is happy to find a Valentine’s Day or night babysitter for your family

No additional fees, no hassle, no cancellations—Call or email us today to find the perfect sitter for this weekend!

Ashton Keefe, from the French Culinary Institute, blogger at: “Diary of a Sweet Tooth” and a Metropolitan Sitters babysitter gives us some tips on successful baking with kids!

In terms of cooking with kids, it’s a GREAT way to get them involved in knowing where their food comes from, how it’s made, and why it’s good for you. Plus, what kid doesn’t want to eat what they are a part of creating!? It’s a win-win.

~The most important thing is keeping it safe. No knives and no fire are the rules.  These are adult only jobs.

~It’s important to give each kid a task, from filling the muffin tins with liners to stirring the bowl, etc. This way everyone feels a part of the process. Have everything organized and laid out before you begin, the kids will get antsy if they have to wait for you to find everything in the kitchen. 

~The cupcake trend sweeping Manhattan has always been a kids staple, so cupcakes are a crowd pleaser, but if you want to try something else I’d suggest breakfast type things such as muffins, breads, sticky buns, etc. Kids rarely finish a whole piece of cake, or appreciate an elaborate pastry, keeping it simple is best. 

~Including vegetables in sweets is a great opportunity to get kids to eat their vegetables. Instead of zucchini bread, which is popular, try zucchini muffins, that way each kid gets their own. I’ve included a recipe below that not only uses grated zucchinis but Greek yogurt, which is a healthy substitute. 

Le Petite Club is a social NYC Playgroup teaching French and Spanish to children ages 1-6.

Children learn through songs, cultural themes and hands-on art!

Experience their FREE weekend Trial playgroups:

11/14/09 - French: 10:45-11:30 am (12-17 months), 11:40-12:25 (18-23 months), 12:35-1:15 (2-3 year olds)

11/21/09 - Spanish: 10:45-11:30 am (12-17 months), 11:40-12:25 (18-23 months), 12:35-1:15 (2-3 year olds)

Le Petite Club meets in Chelsea: The spark - 161 W.22nd, between 6th & 7th ave. RSVP at: www.LePetiteClub.com

Get in the Halloween spirit by attending these October Events at Hippo Playground-91st and Riverside Park.

• Oct. 10 @ 10am- Halloween inspired Arts and Crafts with help from an arts & crafts expert.

• Oct. 17 @ 10 am- Create a banner for the Hippo Playground Halloween Parade!  Followed by an hour of engaging and animated storytelling.

• Oct. 24 @ 10am- Pumpkin Carving, tools are provided just bring your own pumpkin

• Oct. 31 @ 3:45pm- Halloween Parade!  Children and Parents are asked to meet at 89th and Riverside Drive in your costumes.  March to Hippo playground following bagpipers and enjoy treats at the park.