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| Greetings! |
 When my daughter was just 2 or 3 years old, I noticed her peeking around the door watching me as I was doing my monthly breast self-exam. Her innocence and pure curiosity were a delight! Rather than covering myself, or shooing her away, I invited her to join me.
I explained how I was taking good care of my body, and this is one of the ways to do it. I called it the "Tittie Test." Without shame or fear, she reached out and touched my breasts, and I guided her little hand as I made the inch-by-inch exam across my breast, chest, and underarm.
As I prepared to examine the other side, I suggested that she removed her shirt too and do her own Tittie Test. Without a second thought, she peeled out of her top and mimicked my movements. We laughed and talked through those precious few minutes, forging a treasured memory of our time together. Like clock work, we made it a monthly ritual. She even started reminding me, "Mommy, it's time for our Tittie Test!"
That was more than 14 years ago--how time flies! But those early lessons about taking good care of her body took root, and she is now a responsible young woman comfortable and committed to self-care.
Children are never too young to get the message about taking good care of themselves. And it is not too early to communicate self-care principles to little ones in an age-appropriate manner--even at age 2 or 3.
So this issue of WHOLE is dedicated to building a legacy of good health starting with our littlest ones. Learning to identify and capitalize on teachable moments to guide our daughters, nieces, and grands toward optimal health is our goal.
This is the first installment in a series on reproductive health issues throughout our lifespan. We will focus on age-appropriate self-care practices and the honest communication skills that are required to sustain optimal health. Stay tuned!
Yours in health,
Jacci | |
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You're Invited! |
WeSpeakLoudly invites you to visit our newly updated website! We've added some exciting and useful self-care information created especially for African American women including:
- A new breast health page with links to screening tips and an insightful article, "Breast Cancer and African American Women--A Different Beast!"
- A new cervical cancer page with an interactive tutorial on HPV and the HPV Test
- A new resource page with articles for download on health, nutrition, exercise, and self-care.
Have a look at the new WeSpeakLoudly!
copyright 2008
J. Thompson-Dodd
All rights reserved |
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From Girls to Women: Getting Off to a Good Start |
It is hard to believe, but nearly half (48 percent) of African American girls are beginning puberty by  their ninth birthday. That fact is especially startling as we compare our girls to their white counterparts, among whom barely 15 percent are demonstrating the telltale signs of puberty such as breast buds and public hair. Shocking? There's more. Twenty-seven percent of African American girls as early as seven are beginning breast development!
Menarche for African American girls--the age of the first menstrual period--comes earlier, too. Twenty-eight percent of African American 11-year-olds have started their menses, an average of six months earlier than our girls that age 20 years ago. This is more than double the 13 percent of white girls starting their menses at age 11. Are our girls growing up too fast?
Underlying these unsettling statistics is the stunning reality that our girls are facing the heavy responsibility of physical adulthood too soon with too little information. There is a strident disconnect between their biological and psychological development. Their bodies are changing into women, but in their minds they are still little girls. This mind/body misalignment creates an information void that too often results in our girls being misinformed, or ignorant about the awesome responsibilities--and joys--of being female.
Growing into womanhood is a natural biological process. This transition begs for natural, ongoing dialogue with our girls about their bodies much earlier than many of us are prepared to handle. Take heart. These WHOLE Body Living tips can help:
 Put yourself into the picture. Every day is filled with teachable moments that will allow you to interject your family values about your body, how women should be treated, and making good choices. Grab these ripe moments as opportunities not only to impart good information, but to find out what she is thinking or has heard so that you can correct any misinformation before it can take root. Teach and learn together. Remember that our girls are watching us--how we care for our own bodies, engage in relationships, and what images we allow into our consciousness through television, music, the Internet, and other mass media sources. Ask yourself, "What am I teaching my daughter through my own behavior?" Knowing that our girls take their cues from us means we might have to unlearn some unhealthy habits ourselves! Enlist her help. Talk with her about things you want/need to change and work together to find healthier alternatives. This joint learning process strengthens your rapport, engenders trust, and confirms that mom and home are safe sources of support.
Change the narrative and vocabulary of your own womanhood. Back in the day, we learned really negative language to name and manage our monthlies--"The Curse", "Dreaded Red", feeling like a "Bloated Blob" and LOTS of expletives that shouldn't be repeated here. No wonder so many of us grew up shamed and embarrassed about our bodies! Reflect back on your own experiences, and revise the script. Find new words and ways of expressing the natural cycle of living female. Make these new words and insights the well from which your daughter draws understanding and comfort.
Be prepared. There is no predicting the exact moment menses will begin. But knowing that when it does, she has the information and implements she needs to freshen up and protect her clothing can make her feel more confident. Pack a couple of ultra thin pads and a zip-lock bag with fresh panties into a discreet, pretty little purse she can have close at hand. Slip in a note of encouragement in a sealed envelope to show a motherly love and support.
Acknowledge the transition with love. When the day of first menses arrives, welcome your daughter into womanhood with a private mother/daughter time. This could be as simple as a private dinner picnic in her room with her favorite foods, or something more elaborate such as a Rites of Passage ceremony. Whatever you choose, make it about celebrating her life--authentic and from the heart.
These self-education lessons enrich the soil of your daughter's life and will allow seeds of healthier habits to flower throughout her reproductive lifespan.
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WHOLE: Self-Care Principle #5: Redefine |
 Redefine stabilizes your core, allowing you to discover, embrace, and express your true self embedded deeply within. It is the natural unfolding of your essential identity, made stronger and more beautiful through your courageous healing journey. To Redefine is a rebirth of sorts, ripe with tender, new seeds of wisdom waiting to sprout. Yours is the task of nurturing those seeds into their full flower--a task only you can undertake by focused self-care.
Ask any sistah about true self and self-care, and you'll discover these are very elusive concepts. Not surprising. Generation after generation of sistahs have been raised to be selfless and strong, serving others without regard to self. As a sistah, the notion of self is often defined in the context of those in your care. If your loved ones are doing well, then so are you. The connection of self with others is powerful, life-sustaining, and inextricable. However it can also have the effect of subduing your inner voice, suppressing your personal longings, and distancing you from an intimate relationship with yourself. In so doing you become off balanced and out of harmony, in a state of dis-ease.
Creating a safe place for your self-evaluations is essential. That is what self-care is all about. Yes, self-care includes pampering with luscious bath and skin care products. Yes, it includes personal grooming rituals such as having your hair and nails done. But self-care is much more. It also encompasses making time for self-exploration, facing your life with honesty, trusting yourself and your process, and freeing your mind. Self-care attunes your mind and spirit, expanding your capacity to grow. It is giving yourself permission to look in every corner of your life, knowing that you can handle whatever you find there.
Daring to self-reflect in this manner is a courageous step on your part--one that will transform your relationship with you. The trust that emerges from this self-knowledge leads to a profound shift in how you perceive your life. By adopting this mind-set, you will be guided by your internal compass--your true self--no longer tossed and turned by external forces.
Excerpt from "WHOLE: 12 Self-Care Principles for African American Women"
to be released Fall 2008. |
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Healthy Cooking with Young Children |
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WHOLE Body Living means adopting healthier eating habits. But our best efforts to do so might be thwarted by the finicky young eaters in our midst who reject this healthy fare. Here's a tip to get even the pickiest eaters on board--have your kids cook with you! Research shows that children who participate in making foods are much more likely to eat what they have prepared.
 Getting young children involved in cooking is actually easier than you might think! Cooking is the perfect way to stimulate their senses and feeling of accomplishment. And the immediate gratification of tasting as you go is the ideal way to sustain their attention.
Cooking together is also a wonderful bonding experience. Here are a few suggestions for making your cooking venture a success:
- Organize your kitchen to welcome young chefs, placing unbreakable bowls, small pots and pans, utensils, measuring cups and spoons all within easy reach.
- Keep it simple. Start with a few quality ingredients in a quick and easy recipe.
- Gather all the ingredients and cooking implements together and out in plain view so you won't have to run around looking for stuff and lose focus.
- Clean up as you go. A basin or sink full of warm soapy water near the prep area ensures kitchen clutter won't get out of hand.
- Make it fun! Play music while you are cooking together. Don't turn on the television though; young eyes might get distracted and cause an accident.
- Set a time--weekends are best--for a family cooking day when you can prepare several recipes for quick and easy dining the rest of the week
Start your day the healthy way
Far too often, the bustle of mornings means reaching for a box of sugary cereal just to fill the growling tummies of our little ones. Problem is, many cereals marketed to kids are ultra high in sugars, and extremely low in nutritional value.
With the investment of less than an hour on your family cooking day, you can make your own granola, packed with a ton of flavor, and NO added refined sugar! And in addition to a wholesome breakfast alternative, your homemade granola can be an energy-boosting anytime snack, or dressed up for a yummy dessert.
WHOLEsome Granola!
 Oats contain the highest level of soluble fiber of all grains. Almonds are low in saturated fat and high in cancer fighting nutrients. Add them together with naturally sweet dried fruits and aromatic seasonings and you're guaranteed to satisfy the taste buds of the entire family. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
4 cups thick-cut rolled oats
1/2 cup whole almonds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup dried tropical fruit (mango and pineapple are great!) diced*
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup frozen unsweetened apple juice concentrate, thawed
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
*(optional)
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl, stir together oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice.
2. In a small bowl, mix apple-juice concentrate, honey, and vanilla. Drizzle over the dry cereal ingredients and stir to coat.
3. Lightly coat the sides and bottom of a large baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
4. Spread the oat mixture onto the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring frequently until the granola is crisp and golden.
5. Return the granola to the mixing bowl and cool, stirring occasionally to avoid clumping. Once mixture has reached room temperature, add dried fruit and toss. Store in an air-tight glass container.
Serving suggestion: Strawberry Parfait!
Strawberries are coming into season right now! Pluck off the stems of all but one, and cut the remaining berries in half. Layer the berries in a glass with the yogurt of your choice and the WHOLEsome Granola, and top with the whole strawberry for garnish. Grab a spoon and chow down!
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WHOLE is a project of WeSpeakLoudly. Our goal is to inspire optimal health practices in African American women and girls. We are here to serve you, so tell us what you need. We'll do our best to bring you all the information you need to be WHOLE!
Every woman deserves to be WHOLE. Please share this sistah self-care newsletter with your family and friends! Together, we can help each other to be WHOLE!
Yours in good health,
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Jacci Thompson-Dodd
WeSpeakLoudly
WHOLE is brought to you in part by the generous support of JuicePlus+ |
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