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The magnitude of this health hazard has suddenly hit me and not only is my head spinning but my entire body feels paralyzed. The puzzle has started to fit together in my head and the picture is none to pretty.

Bisphenol-A was first synthesized in 1891 but it was not until the 1930’s that the estrogenicity of the monomer was first recorded (Dodds and Lawson 1936, 1938). Diethylstilbestrol was found to be a stronger estrogen and interest in Bishenol-A declined until scientist discovered its polymerization abilities with plastics. Bishphenol-A is also a known hormone disruptor or endocrine disruptor. The chemical has been shown to mimic estrogen, a female hormone.

In April 2000, the WWF UK presented a report on the possible environmental effects Bisphenol-A. They cite a growing international concern over man-made endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) because they can directly affect the development of offspring in the womb. Some of the possible effects listed in this April 2000 report are: “the decline in sperm counts, and the increased rates of hormone related cancers, such as cancers of the breast, testes and prostate. They are also suspected of causing birth defects of the reproductive tract (including un-descended testes), and other hormone related effects, such as earlier puberty
in girls.”

Bisphenol-A is a monomer used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are clear nearly shatter proof plastics that have replaced glass in many facets of everyday life world wide. Epoxy resins are used to line the inside of cans the contain baby formula and other food products. Unfortunately, these plastics and resins utilize a chemical bond with a weak link. The polymers created with PBA and polycarbonate plastics and resins are weak and decay over time and when heated. PBA is then released into the substance held in the polycarbonate or PVC plastic, or coated with a epoxy resin.

How much PBA is too much? Here is the crux of the issue which is being so hotly debated. There is so much money at stake here for the plastic industry and major chemical companies world wide. Are these reports a smoking gun with similar ramifications to the tobacco industry? Part 3 tomorrow continues the saga in the meantime, here are some links with more information.

http://www.ewg.org/node/20944?gclid=CIj_zOuLq5MCFQrPGgodRn4zoQ

http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scf/out128_en.pdf

http://www.wwf.org.uk/filelibrary/pdf/bpa.pdf

http://www.bisphenol-a.org/index.html

http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/bisphenola.asp

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=plastic-not-fantastic-with-bisphenol-a

http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_plastics/index.asp

http://www.factsonplastic.com/

There is a raging debate about plastic that has my head spinning. Bisphenol-A found in polycarbonates and resins worldwide is scientifically proven to leach from plastics into our food. What is not known or can be agreed upon are the levels of Bisphenol-A that are safe in the human body.

Researching all of the possibilities was really crazy because the plastic and chemical industries are in damage control mode and are releasing general statements, which are in conflict with the statements made by mass media. I used primary sources to understand the crux of the debate and really understand what is at stake.

The following video from Israeli television outlines the issue.

Earth Birth is a project run by midwives and doulas to help mothers in war and trauma affected areas give birth safely and peacefully.

Our pilot program is based in Gulu, Uganda. We are setting up small on site birthing centers in refugee camps where women can come for comprehensive services, counseling, education and care. We are linking with community organizations and hospitals in these areas to help “child mothers” (women who were impregnated as victims of political abduction and rape) gain access to jobs, school and childcare so that they can mother with every possible opportunity.

Our goals include community sustainability, lowered maternal and infant mortality rates, lowered HIV/AIDS transmission rates from mother to child, access to supplies and local herbs, access to trauma therapy and counseling, the experience of a ‘positive’ birth to facilitate empowerment and mother/child bonding and the ability to articulate one’s story.

The ability to articulate one’s story is an integral theme of the Earth Birth project. Women have always told stories as a form of information transmission and ownership of events. To have safe spaces for the sharing of taboo and traumatic events allows for understanding and processing of events in context, ownership of experience and networking among women- all of which are integral to a healthy women’s movement and improved practice of motherhood. Our spaces function as a community centers for story circles, workshops in active listening and sharing.

Traditional birth attendants live throughout the refugee camps, most of them victims of war and mothers themselves. These women are the cornerstone of the birthing center sites. Our international group of midwives work with the TBAs to develop practices that are community centered, culturally competent and sustainable. The TBA’s are offered professional development, training, counseling and jobs.

We are partnering with Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe, school director, midwife and winner of the CNN Hero’s award to create a project that is truly of and for women’s health in this area. Safe and peaceful birth experiences are necessary for a generation that is to live without war.

Earth Birth has begun fund raising and are using an incredible fund raising site called givemeaning.org. On this site anyone can develop a project and allow potential funders to see and donate. We have set up a site and now we need ‘votes’ from the community in order to make it an active project. You do not need to give money, you just have to read the description and vote for us!  VOTE HERE!

All content is from Rachel Zaslow - Midwife

I am pregnant!

Approximately 16 weeks, I will be focusing on the process of safe and healthy childbirths, helpful tools and gadgets for a child once born and tips on balancing the demands of having two children.

I am super excited about this new life development and am excited to share with all of you the journey.

Peace, Love and Light.

adiaha

An excellent opportunity to give! The One Laptop Per Child organization will give an XO laptop to a child in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Haiti, Mongolia or Rwanda when you purchase one. http://laptop.org/

Reviews for the XO laptop….

GIVE.GIVE.GIVE.GIVE.GIVE.GIVE.

The NYT says….

Things were new and now they are just different.

Alana and I are adjusting quite well to our apartment, daily routine and new addition to the family.  He is different, cute and funny.

can I earn a living from home? How can I do what I love and maintain and exceed my current standard of living?

I was on the verge of a breakdown or a breakthrough!  I made it through y’all!

 Allow me to toot my own horn for just a minute. I manifested a smoke free life, the perfect apartment for Alana and myself and the funds to keep it all moving! I am estatic and am prepared to put in the work to continue the ball rolling in the direction of independence and wealth.

 Next; A CAR!  Yippeee

is dark brown aka African-American. Her name is Maddy and is known as the “Frog Princess.”

The Frog Princess, huh? Isn’t that the story of a princess/prince who is an actual frog? The plot involes a frog who can sew, cook and create a heavenly abode her potential mate just can’t get over her being a frog? Or in this case an African-American chambermaid…….

Disney is not spilling the beans of the story line. They are providing some pictures from their corporate event which unveiled the project and this official news release.

Who is Maddy? How closely is the story modeled on the traditional frog princess/prince tales? Are we to take a hint from their other princess of color stories and sigh, wince, grit our teeth for the worse? Do we allow for the possibility that Disney has finally gotten its formula to work for folks of color? It is possible for Disney, after 70 years of developing fairy tales for America’s youth, fairly deliver, in integrity and respect, an African-American princess who will be loved by people of all colors?

I have to say, I am really not sure about this one. The potential is there but according to information found on-line there is also a great possibility that this can be a huge debackle. The traditional frog Princess/Prince is a tale of finding a good mate without investing too much on looks. In one version a mother has her three sons ask their potential mates to spin flax and who ever does it best will be her most beloved daughter-in-law.

Why is Maddy the Frog Princess? Could it be those European beauty standards get in the way and therefore she has to make her impression on a prince through hard work?

Gritting teeth…..Here is the cast as reported from a casting call:

• Maddy - A 19-year-old chambermaid.
• Charlotte La Bouff - A 18-year-old spoiled, southern Debutante and Diva.
• Dr. Duvalier - An African American Voodoo magician/fortune teller. The villain of the movie.
• Mama Odie - An elderly, 200-year-old Voodoo priestess/fairy god-mother.
• Ray - A lovesick Cajun firefly.
• Louis - A Jazz singer alligator.
• Prince Harry - A gregarious, fun-loving European Prince, in his early twenties.
• Lawrence - Prince Harry’s pompous valet.
• Big Daddy La Bouff - Wealthy, Southern plantation landowner and father of Charlotte La Bouff.
• Eudora - Maddy’s mother. In her fifties. Used to be Charlotte’s nurse maid.
• George - The La Bouff family’s cook.
• Little Arila - Maddy’s little sister. She’s little, but very smart

Maybe, the European male character doesn’t have that much to do with Maddy and he doesn’t take her to the ball in the end. There are other possibilities.

I have one question for the person who decided to call the villain, Dr. Duvalier: “Were you high?” LOL Papa Doc, I am screaming! I guess you are not expecting too many Haitian immigrants to complain about that one huh? UUhhmmm, Disney Executives, holla at me if you need help keeping this one clean……

Let me state right here and right now, that I want Disney to succeed. I really want to be able to give my five year old a copy of the Frog Princess. I do not want to give the impression of being unduly harsh. I am not a huge fan of Disney, but I have been to Disneyworld and Disneyland and really want those of us from the African diaspora to fit into American culture like everyone else. Oh wait, who really fits into American culture?

Cheers to high hopes for Maddy who was given a nickname instead of a proper name……

Papa Doc (shakes head, seriously though they’ll change it right?)

In recent months my attention has been overwhelmed with a persistent effort to redefine my life paradigm, essentially me. I know my psychological health is of the utmost importance for my daughter, myself and the Universe. As I become stronger and more able to my full and authentic self, I often ask how I can impart the lessons I have learned to my five year old daughter.

Of course, our children often learn to perceive the world from their parents. Thus, a happy disposition and hopeful attitude toward life gives your child the ability to approach their life experiences with these tools. In addition to the perspective I offer her, I would also like to surround her with toys, books and movies that can offer her a reinforcement of my ideals.

I am realizing that when you set an intention, the Universe quickly answers. I was at Barnes and Noble (Park Slope, Brooklyn) last night for a hot second. The B69, which I needed to get home was not due for another half hour. I went to get a coffee at the Starbuck’s there. Most of the mega-store locations in NYC are bi-level and I dared not descend the escalator to the adult fiction or children’s sections, I’d miss the bus that only runs twice an hour and be forced to take a car service and waste $12 -15.

Anyway, they have a big table upstairs that is full of the neighborhood’s most popular children’s book. One was a beautifully illustrated picture book called Zen Shorts. It caught my eye because of the cherry blossoms and panda with an umbrella. Not having time to read the entire book in the store, I grabbed it and read it on the bus, which incredibly enough, was right on time. The book is just what I was looking for.

I appreciate Jon J Muth’s brilliance in offering traditional Zen concepts on a level any child can absorb. Zen Shorts created a space for my daughter and me to discuss the concept that sometimes “good” things may turn out to be not so “good” and “bad” things may not be so “bad.” I was also amazed the book kept Alana’s attention. If she is not satisfied with her bed time book she usually asks for another and when she really loves a book we have to read it two or three times.

She did not ask to read it twice; but we did have great conversation. She was pleased with her understanding. It was good for me to experience again, the joy of actively giving Alana life affirming tools, which empower her to better navigate her experiences.

In the name of all that is pure and true, I thank Divine Presence for my existence. (more…)

I am taking my daughter to a jazz performance on the lower east side of Manhattan. (more…)

This question seems to have been asked of me a billion times since the birth of my daughter. It aggravates and saddens me. (more…)