Growing Up Black in White by Kevin D. Hofmann: A LaMothe Book Review

I found Growing Up Black in White to be a fascinating portrayal of biracial adoption starting in the 1960's and beyond. This is one son's life story from the time he was born to a white mother and black father to a few months later becoming a part of a white family already populated with two boys and a girl. Kevin D. Hofmann is open about his past experiences and, with great candour, allows his readers to peek into his life as he navigates between the world of white and black. Being dark skinned, he may have 'fit' in better with some situations but he acknowledges that his white family also had to struggle with being 'the minority' for several years while they moved from Detroit neighbourhoods to new schools in search of work and opportunities that would benefit the entire family.

Although sometimes humorous I found Growing Up Black in White more thought provoking and eye opening then anything else. Although Kevin's life story is squeezed into 168 pages, those who are considering biracial adoption or already have adopted would find his experiences worth pondering over and may even give invaluable insight regarding the raising of a child from another race.

I would like to point out that Kevin is now in his 40's and I would hope that some of the things that he and his family encountered in the 60's would now be less evident in our current society. Still, the story touches the reader and brings understanding to the nature of biracial adoption.

Barbra Streisand

Duck Sauce "Barbra Streisand" from Mr Goldbar on Vimeo.

Baby’s solid foods

Once your baby has settled into a good breast-feeding, or bottle feeding, routine, thee is no need to introduce him to any solid food till he is four months old. By then, his nutritional needs would have grown and you will find it difficult to sustain him on milk alone. At this stage start him off gradually on solid foods. Being fed solid food is a whole new kind of experience for a baby. It is also a major step towards eventual independence. And you will be filled with a new joy when baby takes his first tiny teaspoonful of kheer or Khichadi.

Try to introduce various tastes to baby because his taste buds are pure (i.e.) unsullied. To the baby salt is saltier and sugar is sweeter. So keep them away, for the eating habits, you are preparing in the early part of baby’s life will stay with him forever.

My Travels - London

.So... I'm in Ireland studying for a semester  Before that I traveled around Europe for one month, and so I've decided to create snapshot boards with some of my favourite photos.
This is one of many boards yet to come.

Peace

Top Risk Factors Linked to Breast Cancer~October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Although the exact cause of breast cancer is not known, most experts agree that there are several factors that increase your risk of breast cancer.
Top risk factors linked to breast cancer

Aging. Your risk of breast cancer increases as you get older. By age group, breast cancer is diagnosed in:
4 out of 1,000 women in their 30s.

14 out of 1,000 women in their 40s.

26 out of 1,000 women in their 50s.

37 out of 1,000 women in their 60s.

Being female. Although breast cancer can occur in men, most breast cancer is found in women.

Conditions that increase the risk of developing breast cancer

Personal history of breast cancer. Women who have had breast cancer in one breast have an increased chance of having another breast cancer. The breast cancer can come back in the same breast, in the opposite breast, or in other areas of the body, such as the lungs, liver, brain, or bones.

Family history. A woman's risk of breast cancer increases if her mother, sister, daughter, or two or more other close relatives, such as cousins, have a history of breast cancer, especially if they were diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50.

Women who inherit specific changes (genetic mutations) in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are much more likely to have breast cancer. They are also more likely to have colon or ovarian cancer. But most women who have a family history of breast cancer do not have changes in BRCA genes.

Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are more common in certain ethnic groups, such as Ashkenazi Jews.

Genetic tests are available to determine whether you have the genetic mutations long before any cancer appears. In families where many women have had breast or ovarian cancer, genetic testing can show whether a woman has specific genetic changes known to greatly increase the risk of breast cancer. Doctors may suggest ways to try to prevent or delay breast cancer or to improve the detection of breast cancer in women who have the genetic mutations.

Breast changes. Women who have atypical hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or who have had two or more breast biopsies for other noncancerous conditions are more likely to have breast cancer.

Other factors that increase the risk of breast cancer

Race. In the United States, breast cancer occurs more frequently in white women than in black, Hispanic, or Asian women. But black women are more likely to get breast cancer at a younger age and are also more likely to die of breast cancer.3 This may be linked in part to genetic differences—an aggressive type of breast cancer called basal-like tumor seems most likely to affect young African-American women. Lower survival rates among black women may also be linked to lower-quality health care.

Radiation therapy. Women whose breasts were exposed to significant amounts of radiation at a young age, especially those who were treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma, have an increased risk for developing breast cancer. Studies show that the younger a woman was when she received her treatment, the higher her risk for developing breast cancer later in life.

Late or no childbearing. Women who had their first child after the age of 30 have a greater chance of developing breast cancer than women who had their children at a younger age. Women who never had children have an increased risk for developing breast cancer.

Not breast-feeding. Women who don't breast-feed have a higher risk of breast cancer than those who breast-feed. The more months of breast-feeding, the lower the breast cancer risk.
Hormones. Female hormones play a part in some types of breast cancer.

The use of hormone therapy after menopause for more than 4 years causes an increased risk of developing breast cancer. This increased risk occurs with current use of hormones and returns to normal over time after hormones are stopped.

Beginning menstruation before age 12 and beginning menopause later than age 55 increase a woman's risk of breast cancer. The years you have a menstrual cycle are your high-estrogen years. Experts think that the longer you have higher estrogen, the more risk you have for breast cancer.

Having extra body fat and drinking alcohol both lead to higher levels of estrogen in the body. Especially after menopause, when your estrogen levels are naturally low, this raises your breast cancer risk.

In most cases, experts cannot explain why a woman develops breast cancer. Studies show that most women who develop the disease do not have any of the risk factors listed above, other than the risk that comes with growing older. Also, most women with known risk factors, except for BRCA mutations, do not develop breast cancer. Research continues into the causes of breast cancer to learn more about risk factors and ways of preventing this disease.

I've been featured!

A very special Thank You to Vicky, Room Service Decorating~101, for featuring our fireplace surround "Before & After".  What a wonderful surprise on a cool crisp Monday morning!!