IT'S HIP HOP BABY MOMS CRAVE CHINESE FOOD

Everyone loves Chinese food in all of its greasy, fatty glory. But can you really have a healthy option for this craving? Check out the 5 star recipe for Sweet and Sour Chicken with Brown Rice from the Food Network that has a 5 minute cook time, serves 4, and is a beginner meal option for all Hip Hop Baby moms! Make tonight a family dinner night!


Ingredients
2 cups instant brown rice
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons apricot preserves
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1 pound chicken tenders, cut into bite-size pieces
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons finely grated or minced ginger
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
6 cups bite-size pieces of vegetables, such as snow peas, broccoli and bell peppers
1 5-ounce can sliced water chestnuts, drained

Directions
Prepare rice according to the package directions.

Meanwhile, whisk vinegar, soy sauce, cornstarch and apricot preserves in a small bowl. Set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, undisturbed, for 2 minutes. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink on the outside and just starting to brown in spots, about 2 minutes more.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, garlic and ginger to the pan and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 20 to 30 seconds. Add broth and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add vegetables, reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in water chestnuts and the chicken. Whisk the reserved sauce and add to the pan. Simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thickened and the chicken is heated through, about 1 minute. Serve with the rice.

HOW IT'S HIP HOP BABY MOMS HANDLE KINDERGARTEN QUERIES

Many Hip Hop Baby kids, especially those with older siblings, have longed for this rite of passage. But, others may be fearful of the change from the often small, loving, and comfortable preschool situation. How to make this an easier, more fun transition for your little one? Well, attention to a few issues and some major empathy on your part will do the trick. Usually your child’s concerns relate to simply getting through the day in one piece (schedules, how the day will proceed). As a mom or dad, answering a few simple questions will be very comforting to your kids. Here are 7 that you can start with:

1. Where’s the bathroom and when can I use it?
2. What if I don’t make it to the bathroom and have an accident?
3. What if I get hungry? Will they feed me?
4. Do I have to take a nap?
5. Will I have homework like my older brother has?
6. What happens first? Then what do we do?
7. What if you don’t pick me up on time?


Reference:
MSN Today, http://www.msn.com/

60 MINUTES OF EXERCISE DAILY FOR IT'S HIP HOP BABY KIDS IS NOT A MYTH

Did you know that the American Heart Association recommends that children participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity every day at least 60 minutes?

Parents must realize that kid’s fitness is completely different than fitness for adults. Check out the top 5 Hip Hop Baby fitness tips every Hip Hop Baby parent must know.

1. Encourage and facilitate your kid’s participation in activities they enjoy. They may want to play a sport, join the boy scouts, practice ballet, rollerblade or simply play on the monkey bars for hours. Whatever makes them happy is what they should do.

2. Seek out fun fitness classes and fitness professionals when you're at a loss. A few fun classes or sessions with a youth fitness trainer can spark interest simply because the instruction is coming from someone other than mom and dad.

3. Provide healthy snack options, promote small frequent meals, and limit sugar. This prevents mood swings, strange energy surges that often lead to wild behavior, and controls fat storage.

4. Set a good example by participating in some type of activity on a daily basis. Walk, wash the car, do a set of pushups, garden, or play a quick game of tag. Children love to imitate so take advantage and ask them to join in every chance you get.

5. Limit the amount of time kids spend in front of the TV, and computer. A couple of hours a day is more than enough. Plan a certain number of hours a day when they are expected to be active to make it easier for them.


Reference:
BellaOnline, http://www.bellaonline.com/

NEW IT'S HIP HOP BABY FITNESS DVD HELPS FIGHT CHILDHOOD OBESITY

IT’S HIP HOP, BABY! PRESENTS- HIP HOP DANCE CLASS!

Chicago, IL- The award winning DVD series, It’s Hip Hop, Baby! is releasing its first fitness DVD for kids. Hip Hop Dance Class is a 60-minute work out video featuring the latest in hip hop dance moves. Children ages 5 & up learn three full-length routines with Chicago-based dance instructor Nikki Stanek who has performed and taught children’s hip hop dance classes for nearly a decade.

It’s Hip Hop, Baby! CEO and Founder, Candi Carter, says she got the idea after noticing how young children naturally start dancing when they hear an upbeat tune or popular music. “I thought it would be fun for kids to have real hip hop dance instruction at home, so I put it on a DVD. Hip hop dance is naturally exciting and high energy and that’s why kids love it so much,” said Carter who is also an Emmy-winning television producer for a nationally syndicated talk show.

Whether you have two left feet or loads of rhythm, mastering the hottest hip hop dance moves has never been easier! Hip Hop Dance Class features the best step-by-step instruction for every child at every level. The video teaches three different levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Plus, there’s cardio hip hop, freestyle dancing and kids even learn how to clap and step to the beat.

Hip Hop Dance Class is designed to get school-aged children out of their seats. Carter says, “All of our products encourage children to get up and move. When you create fun fitness activities for children, its a great first step to batting the childhood obesity epidemic in this country.”

Hip Hop Dance Class is the newest offering from the It’s Hip Hop, Baby! DVD series that features music and energizing dance numbers to help children stay active while they learn. Created especially for toddlers and preschoolers ages 2 to 6, the catchy music of It’s Hip Hop, Baby! can be enjoyed by the whole family and comes in four videos and CD:

- “All Your Child’s Favorites”
- “Get Healthy, Get Fit”
- “Things We Do Everyday”
- “Rockin’ Dance Party”
- “Fruit” music CD

“As a parent, one of my favorite things to do is sing and dance around the house with my children,” says Carter a mother of two. “This video is a perfect tool for parents to engage their children with an activity that is fun but also encourages fitness and movement, which we all know is so important right now.”

It’s Hip Hop, Baby! Hip Hop Dance Class is available now at www.itshiphopbaby.com.

GIVEAWAY

It's Hip-Hop Baby is so excited to announce our first giveaway!

Curls, an organic hair product company is partnering with us to give away one of their baby products, It's a Curl!


Here's a description of the product:
As gentle as a baby’s bum. As pure as mother’s milk. “It’s A Curl” Organic Baby Curl Care is the first line created especially for baby’s curly tresses. Formulated with only the best in certified organic extracts, botanicals and natural oils proven to calm, soothe and promote healthy hair and skin.

Leave a comment on our blog this weekend and one lucky winner will be randomly selected on Monday!

Check out their website:
http://www.curls.biz/curly-hair-products/baby-curly-hair-products.html