This is welcoming news as we better educate our youth and prepare them for the best future possible. We know that when compared with teens who delay childbearing, teen girls who have babies are less likely to finish high school or attend college; more likely to rely on public assistance; and more likely to live in poverty as adults. Furthermore, children born to teen mothers are more likely to have poorer educational, behavioral, and health outcomes over the course of their lives than children born to older parents. Schools play a critical role in these efforts. Research tells us that the longer children remain in school and engaged in learning, the better their life-long health. Parents can do much to support that engagement.

The largest declines in birth rates for non-Hispanic black teenagers—30% or more—occurred in eight states from 2007 through 2011.

• Declines of 20% or more were reported for non-Hispanic black teenagers during 2007–2011 in 34 states located in the Southwest, upper Midwest, and Southeast (Figure 4).
• In states with at least 100 births to non-Hispanic black teenagers, the largest declines, between 41% and 50%, were observed for Minnesota, Nebraska, and Rhode Island.
• The 21 states with the largest rate declines included only 6 states with rates above the U.S. average—47.4 per 1,000 for this group.
• Changes were not significant in DC, Hawaii, Maine, and West Virginia.

Figure 4. Percent change in birth rates for non-Hispanic black teenagers aged 15–19, by state: United States, 2007 and 2011

Read the CDC report on the decline in teen births, Declines in State Teen Birth Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin.

Key findings

• Teen birth rates fell at least 15% for all but two states during 2007–2011—the most recent period of sustained decline; rates fell 30% or more in seven states.
• Declines in rates were steepest for Hispanic teenagers, averaging 34% for the United States, followed by declines of 24% for non-Hispanic black teenagers and 20% for non-Hispanic white teenagers.
• The long-term difference between birth rates for non-Hispanic black and Hispanic teenagers has essentially disappeared, and by 2011 their rates were similar.
• Rates for Hispanic teenagers fell 40% or more in 22 states and the District of Columbia (DC); rates dropped at least 30% in 37 states and DC.

Learn more about  The Office of Adolescent Health (@TeenHealthGov) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which is charged with taking the best thinking and evidence about teen pregnancy prevention strategies and disseminating it, and continuing to build evidence of the strategies that are most effective. For resources and information on teen pregnancy prevention programs, visit the online Teen Pregnancy Prevention Resource Center at http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/ . Follow the Office of Adolescent Health @TeenHealthGov

Note:  If you’re an African American nursing mom living anywhere in the country and interested in donating breastmilk for this research, please see the contact information at the bottom of this post!

By Tanya Lieberman

You’ve heard it many times before:  breastfeeding and breastmilk gives your baby important nutritional and immunological support.

But could breastmilk hold the keys to preventing and treating breast cancer?  And could African American moms’ breastmilk be especially important?

This is the question that a professor at the University of Massachusetts is trying to answer, and she needs the help of African American nursing moms to do it.

Dr. Kathleen Arcaro studies breast cancer by studying breastmilk.  She examines breast cells, which are naturally plentiful in breastmilk, to look for genetic signs of breast cancer risk.

Breast cells are key in figuring out how breast cancer develops, using DNA analysis.  But until recently the only way to get them it was tough to get them without an invasive procedure.  Those procedures also have limitations: breast biopsies, for example, only yield cells in a very small area of a breast.

But when it comes to breast cells, breastmilk is a gold mine.  The breast cells in breastmilk of course come from all ductal areas of the breast, and they’re plentiful – an average of 30,000 per milliliter.

Using DNA analysis, scientists can now look for patterns of “methylation” – methyl groups that attach to key parts of our DNA which are thought to regulate its functioning in important ways.

For example, if a methyl group attaches to your tumor suppressor genes, it can essentially turn them off – a bit like you would a light switch.  This leaves us more vulnerable to the growth of tumors.

Knowing this, Dr. Arcaro has been collecting and studying breastmilk for ten years.  Her research has already yielded some important results.  She has found, for example, that certain patterns of methylation are correlated with a higher risk of breast cancer.  These findings may pave the way for a personalized breast cancer risk profile for each woman.  They also may lead to new treatments to reverse methylation and prevent breast cancer.  Amazingly, some of the first generation chemotherapy drugs are in fact “anti-methylating” agents – drugs which can actually remove methyl groups from your DNA, allowing your DNA to function properly in the fight against cancer.

But Dr. Arcaro has a problem: the vast majority of her samples have come from white women. 

It’s clear that African American women have a different pattern of breast cancer than other women.  The U.S. Office on Women’s Health reports, “Research has shown that African-American women are more likely to get a form of breast cancer that spreads more quickly.”

In spite of this difference, black women are also underrepresented in some important research which could get to the bottom of breast cancer risk, prevention, and treatment.

Dr. Arcaro’s goal is to uncover findings that apply to all women. To ensure her findings applicable to women of all races – and because the differences in breast cancer between races needs to be investigated in its own right – she has been working to recruit African American women to donate breastmilk samples.

African American moms can play an important part by donating their own milk for this effort.  It’s easy, quick, and makes a big difference!  Dr. Arcaro’s lab sends moms a kit, a questionnaire and consent form, and moms send it back with their milk.  They’ll send participants $25 in thanks for their time and effort.

For African American who are not nursing, Dr. Arcaro still needs help!  She’s  urging participation in the Love/Avon Army of Women – a project aiming to recruit one million women to sign up to participate in breast cancer research (if they choose to do so).  Having African American women well represented in the breast cancer research is key, for her research and many others.’  So Dr. Arcaro hopes women will sign up for the Army of Women (and be sure to select “breast milk study” in the drop down menu to help track the impact).

Dr. Arcaro’s lab is one of the few in the world which is consistently investigating the secrets breastmilk holds for our understanding of breast cancer.  You can learn more about Dr. Arcaro’s work, and see if you or mothers you know might qualify for one of her studies, at the website of the UMass Breastmilk Lab, and follow the lab on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

If you’re African American and interested in donating milk for this effort, please contact Beth Punska at (413) 545-0813, or email her at epunska@vasci.umass.edu. More information is also at the study website.  If you’re not nursing, please consider joining the Love/Avon Army of Women, and select “breast milk study” when asked how you heard about it!

Certified Organic Cinnamon Grahams & Honey Grahams, as well as the yummy Cheddar Squares made with organic wheat.  Tasty!!

Over 35 years of research tell us that Kangaroo Care goes well beyond bonding. Although other countries have been practicing the science of skin to skin contact for decades, the United States is now implementing changes to make skin-to-skin the standard of care for both pre- and full- term babies. The WHO, CDC, Surgeon General and American Academy of Pediatrics all encourage mom and baby to practice skin-to-skin immediately after birth and as often as possible throughout the post partum period.

Check out this FREE webinar and even if you can’t make it, just register and you will receive an email with the recording.

Register for the FREE webinar here: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=lzuxkavy6d3x

Learn more about Kangaroo Care here: http://blog.nurturedbydesign.com/2013/03/05/international-kangaroo-care-awareness-day.aspx

Making Books Sing presents WANDA’S MONSTER, The Musical

Music and Lyrics byLaurie Berkner

Book byBarbara Zinn Krieger

Directed by Adrienne Kapstein

Based on “Wanda’s Monster” by Eileen Spinelli with illustrations by Nancy Hayashi

 Sat. & Sun. @ 11am & 2pm

ABOUT: Wanda, a spunky 5 year old with a vivid imagination, is convinced there’s a monster in her closet. With Granny’s encouragement, Wanda befriends “Monster,” thus turning a potentially fearful situation into a lesson in acceptance and friendship. The 50-minute is filled with catchy new songs from children’s music star Laurie Berkner and featuring “Monster Boogie,” one of her all time hits, Wanda’s Monster will delight 4-8 year olds and their parents too!

WANDA’S MONSTER THE MUSICAL marks the first collaboration between Making Books Sing and Laurie Berkner, the popular children’s singer/songwriter. NOTE: Laurie Berkner will NOT be performing in Wanda’s Monster, but we hope you enjoy her new songs!

Check out Laurie speaking about being apart of WANDA’S MONSTER, The Musical on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O95BxAEKthc

Read the New York Times review: http://theater.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/theater/reviews/wandas-monster-with-laurie-berkners-tunes-at-theater-3.html?_r=0&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1368032939-bYrT2LXxkvid48he51hCnQ

Tickets on sale now!

www.makingbookssing.org or 646-250-1178 – Group rates available.

Theater 3

311 West 43rd Street, 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10036

This delicious smoothie comes together easily and is a crowd pleaser the whole family can enjoy. For faster assembly, store dry ingredients in individual baggies in the fridge so all you do is dump into your blender, add banana, water, ice and GO!

Makes 2 nursing mama servings

OATS: supports breast milk production, good source of fiber to keep moms full longer and blood sugar levels stable.

HEMP SEEDS: high in omega-3 and omega-6 fats in perfect proportions, high in plant based protein, supports milk production

SUNFLOWER SEEDS: rich in iron, selenium and vitamin E.

DATES: a whole food sweetener that is high in iron

CINNAMON: soothing to the digestion, supportive of milk production

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups filtered water

2 large ripe bananas

1/3 cup oats

1/3 cup hemp seeds

1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds

3 medjool dates, pitted

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup ice cubes

Method:

In a high powered blender combine all ingredients.  Blend at least 1 minute or until smooth. Store leftovers in glass containers in the fridge up to 24 hours.

Yellow Squash and Onions with Spelt Pasta
Serves 4
Caramelizing the onions gives this dish a delightful sweetness that marries well with the squash. This recipe is easily doubled and packs well for a great lunch.  This dish is as good for nursing moms as it is for the whole family. Here’s why these ingredients are good for breastfeeding moms.

SPELT: a less hybridized and ancient version of wheat that is less likely to cause an allergic reaction in baby, is more nutrient rich and is easier to digest than modern day wheat.

BASIL:a milk making herb that adds fresh flavor.

NUTRITIONAL YEAST: a delicious cheesy and salty substitute for Parmesan cheese known for its ability to boost milk supply.

YELLOW SQUASH: an easy to digest vegetable that cooks up quickly, two great points for busy breastfeeding moms

GARLIC: an antiviral and anti microbial herb that infuses breastmilk with flavor that, according to some studies, baby’s love.

CAYENNE PEPPER: a spicy pepper that supports milk production.  Cayenne is also the least iritating pepper to the digestive system.

NUTMEG: a delicious spice that aids in digestion and tastes great with squash.

Ingredients:
10 oz spelt spaghetti
1 medium yellow onion, sliced into half moons
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 yellow squash, sliced into ¼ inch thick half moons
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
¼ teaspoon sea salt
dash cayenne pepper

Pinch of ground nutmeg
Nutritional yeast for garnish

Method:
Prepare pasta according to package directions.
Meanwhile, over medium high flame, heat a heavy bottomed skillet until water sprinkled on the surface bubbles and jumps. Add onions and cook stirring until tender and browned, about 5-10 minutes. If onions begin to stick add up to ¼ cup water.  Once onions are browned, add garlic and squash, stirring well to combine.  Cook uncovered, stirring ocasioanlly, until squash is tender and lightly browned.  Just before serving add 1 tablespoon basil, sea salt, cayenne pepper and pinch of nutmeg, mix well to combine flavors.
When pasta is cooked, place it on a serving platter and top with cooked squash.  Sprinkle with remaining basil and serve with nutritional yeast for sprinkling.   Enjoy!

Don’t be fooled by what looks like a long list of ingredients, this tasty breakfast comes together quickly and easily.  Plus it was created with the breastfeeding mother in mind. Here’s what’s good about some of the ingredinets.

OATS: known and widely used in North America to support and increase milk supply.
BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES: is a significant source of iron and calcium, both of which support milk production.
CINNAMON & NUTMEG: two warming spices that aid in digestion.
GRADE B MAPLE SYRUP: a less refined more nutrient rich type of maple syrup.
COCONUT: a delicious whole food that adds needed quality fats and some of those extra calories
WALNUTS: a plant based source of omega-3 and omega-6 in perfect balance.  These fats are necessary for brain development. If your baby is less than 12 weeks old or if food allergies are common in your family omit the walnuts and substitute toasted pumpkin seeds.

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups water
1 medium apple, chopped
¼ cup raisins
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Dash nutmeg
Pinch sea salt
1 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
1 teaspoon grade b maple syrup
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon coconut flakes

Method:
In a medium sauce pan, combine water, apple, raisins, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.  Over medium high flame, bring to a boil.  Add oats, return to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer.  Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 10-15 minutes or until water is absorbed. When oatmeal is done, stir in molasses and maple, spoon into two bowls and top each with half the walnuts and coconut.  Serve and enjoy.

Most people in the childbirth and breastfeeding advocacy field say nursing women can, in the words of KellyMom.com, “eat whatever [they] like, whenever [they] like, in the amounts that [they] like…” I, however, have a different message. I don’t believe nursing mothers should eat whatever they want, especially if whatever they want includes copious amounts of soda, candy, junk food, coffee and alcohol. Plus, I learned through my experience with my daughter that what breastfeeding moms eat impacts our breast milk and the health of our babies. With this in mind I want breastfeeding mothers to create a diet based on the idea that every molecule in our bodies, including breast milk, is fueled by what we eat.  Understanding this, I encourage nursing moms to energize and nourish their bodies and their breast milk with the best possible ingredients. I call this way of eating Mindful Eating for Breastfeeding.

Often when I say this, folks worry that I will eliminate their favorite foods from their repertoire or ask them to eat foods they don’t enjoy. The truth is I became a chef and food educator because I LOVE food and I love to eat.  My intention is to celebrate the delicious foods breastfeeding moms can eat that are as good tasting as they are good-for-you and to teach moms how to turn them into tasty meals for themselves and their family.  I hope that if moms pass along their favorite healthy recipes and eating habits to their kids, we can greatly decrease the illness epidemic our children currently face. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s explore 3 guiding principles of Mindful Eating for Breastfeeding.

1. Nutritiously Delicious

As a nursing mom it is important to make every bite count towards getting the nutrition that we need because we are providing the nutrients not only for ourselves but for our baby’s milk.  If we don’t get the nutrients we need from our diet, our bodies will steal from our reserves to fill the gap.  The most nutrient-rich ingredients are plants consumed in their whole form, in the least processed ways possible and close to the way Mother Nature intended. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds, our best source of nutrients are low in calories, high in nutrition, high in fiber and loaded with phytonutrients that protect us against disease.  Plants can provide the protein we need while being low in saturated fat and cholesterol compared to animal products. The calcium in green leafy vegetables like kale and mustard greens is better absorbed than that found in milk and dairy products.  And, perhaps most importantly these colorful, flavorful plants are delicious.  I used to eat much more meat than I do now.  And, I have to say I find the naturally occurring sweet, salty, sour, spicy and bitter flavors of plants so exciting that I rarely crave meat. When I do, I eat a 3-ounce portion with LOTs of vegetables in a stir fry or soup and I’m satisfied, satiated and, most importantly, nourished.

2. Low allergen

Nursing mothers are offered two schools of thought on how to deal with allergies.  One is to introduce allergen foods in small amounts in order to build up a tolerance to them.  The other is to avoid high allergen foods completely.  I prefer to avoid high allergen foods when possible. My daughter had rashes and itchy skin due to sensitivities to some of the foods I was eating.  When I eliminated the foods that were bothering her, her skin cleared up.  The same has been true for mothers I’ve worked with.  When allergen foods were removed from the diets of babies suffering from eczema and colic, these conditions greatly improved; over time the distress often dissipated completely. The top 8 allergens are peanuts, nuts, soy, corn, dairy, wheat, eggs and shellfish.  Before you panic, know that I’m not suggesting you eliminate these foods from your diet just because you are currently or are planning to nurse.  But knowing what foods are most likely to cause an allergic reaction can be helpful when trying to evaluate what might be causing negative responses in your child.

If it turns out that you need to eliminate allergens, you’ll be happy to know that it’s easier than ever to find tasty substitutes. Spelt crackers, pasta and bread, a good substitute for traditional wheat products, can be found in most health food stores.   There are even egg replacers that can be used in your favorite home baked goods.  Hemp, oat and coconut milk are available commercially to replace cow’s milk. But I often prepare fresh milks at home. You can too; all you need is good quality blender. The general recipe for homemade milk is 4 parts water to 1 part rolled oats, hemp seeds or coconut flakes.  You can even mix and match ingredients to get interesting flavors.  I like to add a splash of vanilla and sweeten with pitted dates instead of refined sugars. DELICIOUS, and great over cereal or as a cool refreshing drink.

3. Milk Boosting

Lactogenic is the more scientific name for what I call milk boosting. Lactogenic foods are those that support your body’s production of the hormone prolactin, which works to produce breast milk and encourage your let-down reflex. Throughout the world, nursing women are fed a variety of foods that help them produce quality milk. They include grains, legumes, root vegetables, leafy greens, and raw unsalted nuts and seeds.

There are several factors that make a food lactogenic.  Of special importance are foods high in calcium which have been shown in studies to increase the milk supply of women who experienced a decrease.^[1]  When I couldn’t pump more than an ounce of milk—from BOTH breasts combined—I didn’t know what I would do when it came time for me to go back to work.  Increasing my calcium intake with calcium-rich plant foods like greens, tahini and figs allowed me to start pumping 4 ounces from each breast.

Over the next few days I’ll be posting recipes that will make it deliciously easy to eat mindfully during your Breastfeeding Season.  I hope you and your family enjoy them as much as I do.

Having trouble finding your passion? Don’t fret! Start here with a quick self-assessment to get you on your way:

1.What are you doing when you feel happiest?

2. What do you love about yourself?

3. Think back to your childhood: What did you want to be before fear and cynicism set in?

4. If money were no object, what would you want to do?

5. Allow yourself the luxury of daydreaming. What are you doing? What does your life look like?

6. What is the one thing other people say you are good at?

7. List 5 things you really enjoy doing and five things you’re really good at.

When you realize that your passion is not something you have to find, but something you already know, the possibilities are endless. Sometimes it’s as simple as reconnecting with your past.

–excerpted from The Mocha Manual to Turning Your Passion into Profit (Amistad/HarperCollins) by Kimberly Seals Allers. Get more tips on finding your passion and the right business match in Chapter 2.  Get yours today.