BCA: Cancer and Fertility…hope is here!

When a young woman is diagnosed with cancer, the rush to treatment is immediate.  The patient is thrust into the world of cancer and the primary hope is recovery.  Often, the patient is aware their fertility could be impacted, but overwhelmed and exhausted they put the “fertility issue” aside and pursue cancer treatment.  Now; the work, research and worry is taken out of the patient’s hands. A leading infertility clinic is embarking on an educational platform to inform these patients about their options and making an unprecedented offer: egg freezing at no cost.  They are working against the misconception that egg retrieval and freezing is time consuming and that no clinic would offer this without some “hidden cost” or benefit.

Fertility Rescue, from Sher Institutes of Reproductive Medicine (SIRM), is a brand new program that offers these young women a chance to preserve their fertility at no cost to the patient.  The patient meets with SIRM’s specialists and begins the process of egg harvesting and freezing.  This process only delays treatment for a short time but gives the patient hope for a future family.

From Dr. Drew Tortoriello – SIRM in New York “One daunting aspect of the cancer struggle is knowing that, if you survive, your life thereafter will likely be rocked by another massive struggle, the struggle to have a child of your own.  We now have the technology to safely and quickly preserve the fertility of most cancer patients, and it seems like a horrible waste to let any such opportunities go by.   This is honestly just a simple attempt to do some good for some people, and nothing would please me more than to see other facilities doing the same.”

Some Key facts:

•             Of the estimated 1.5 million men and women who were diagnosed as having cancer in 2010, approximately 10% are younger than 45 years.

•             SIRM has a long history of giving back and philanthropic activities – Fertility Rescue is in-line with their whole mission and vision

•             The two leading cancer institutes in the world, National Cancer Institute and Mayo Clinic, both came out with papers in January 2011 urging oncologists to encourage fertility preservation

•             Only 46 percent of oncologists report referring patients for fertility preservation.

•             SIRM quietly launched this week with two NYC cancer patients that needed treatment ASAP.

•             This is truly a “gift” from the Doctors as their time is the significant investment from SIRM

•             The core idea was to put their egg freezing technology to philanthropic use

•             SIRM will begin rolling-out this program this month at all SIRM clinics entitled “Fertility Rescue”

•             Oncologists are typically wanting to start treatment asap for younger patients and egg/sperm freezing is not a long process

•             More and more people are surviving cancer and they should have the right to plan for a future family

 

Defy Maturity…

By Christabelle…

You can be as mature as you want, but your skin doesn’t have to! Mirai Clinical is an important new, age defying body care line for women based on Japanese science and research. Specifically geared toward women with maturing skin, the Mirai 3-Step Skin Care Regimen uses the finest natural, clinically proven Japanese ingredients to support healthy, beautiful skin.

Mirai Clinical has developed breakthrough APG-40 formulations in Japan which specifically target common skin care concerns associated with diminishing estrogen levels. These APG-40 powerhouses include Astaxanthin (the world’s most powerful antioxidant which sets Mirai apart from other skin care brands); Persimmon Tannins (potent antioxidant and natural ingredient particularly effective in eliminating Nonenal, the source of hormonal imbalance body odor), and Green Tea (potent antiseptic that helps protect the skin by quenching free radicals and reducing inflammation).

Comprised of 3 products – a Purifying Body Wash, Purifying Body Serum, and Instantly Purifying and Cooling Body Spritzer, this revolutionary body care line naturally helps minimize the signs of aging during all phases of hormonal change such as dryness, wrinkles, sagging, flaking and age spots. Importantly, it is the first body care line in the US to combat hormonal imbalance odor caused by Nonenal.

The Mirai 3 Step Skin Care Regimen is available at www.miraiclinical.com.

Cocktail of the Week: Hot Peppermint Mocha Shots with Coffee-mate

By Christabelle…

I have taken my UGGS out of the closet – it is officially cold here in NYC. To welcome the cooler weather, I have opted to cozy up with Hot Peppermint Mocha Shots and Javatini – delightful blends of chocolate, peppermint and vanilla and caramel flavors.  Easy to shake up and even more fun to enjoy, these fall favorites are a hit with everyone – especially when it is too cold outside to hit the happy hour scene…

Hot Peppermint Mocha Shots:

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup Coffee-mate Peppermint Mocha

3/4 bar (3 oz.) dark chocolate baking bar

2 oz. peppermint schnapps

Whipped cream

-HEAT water to boiling in small heavy-duty saucepan with vanilla extract; heat for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium. Add Coffee-mate and chocolate; whisk until smooth, slightly thickened and hot. Add optional peppermint schnapps.

-DIVIDE mixture between 6 small coffee cups or tall shot glasses; top with dollop of whipped cream and serve.

Javatini

1/4 cup espresso

2 Tbsp. Coffee-mate White Chocolate Caramel Latte

2 oz. vodka

1 oz. coffee liqueur

Ice cubes

 

- FILL cocktail shaker halfway with ice.

-ADD espresso, Coffee-mate, vodka and liqueur; cover.

-SHAKE for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into chilled martini glass.

(21+ – please drink responsibly)

iHog You Too…

By Christabelle…

If you know me personally, you know if there is music on, I am singing…every last wrong word, perhaps a little off pitch, but always enthusiastically! Bring out your inner “American Idol” by playing your tunes through this conversation starting iPod docking station…shaped like a Hog. Yes, a hog…gotta love it!

Speakal, a lifestyle-oriented home entertainment company with intelligently designed technology solutions driven by a passion for sound, launched today iHog, the stylish hog-shaped iPod/iPhone docking station speaker system.  Available in pink and white, the booming iHog speaker system makes a fun holiday gift for kids, teens and adults that love music.

Your Portable Music Companion – Up to 10 Hours Rechargeable Battery Life

Lightweight at around 4 lbs, the iHog is the best and most powerful portable outdoor speaker, providing up to 10 hours of lithium rechargeable battery life that also charges your iPod.  Its universal cradle lets you play all your iPhones and iPods (including iOS4, iPhone 3 and iPhone 4) outdoors or indoors with 4 high-quality speakers delivering 360 degrees of sound with 2 tweeters, 2 sound diffusers and a downring 20 Watt subwoofer, a super amplification stereo system and optimized airflow, with frequencies from 50Hz-20KHz for a total output of 28+ Watts that fills up a room with sound.

Features Fun Controls:  Just Push the Hog’s Ears to Adjust Volume

Based on Speakal’s best-selling iPig docking station, the iHog is more powerful and portable, with a battery-operated docking station that features easy-touch Humanized Touch Volume Controls to adjust the iPod’s navigation with a light touch of the hand.  Just push the hog’s ears to turn the volume up or down, or its head to skip tracks, pause, or stop or use the included remote to adjust the controls from a distance.  In addition, the iHog also lets you add drama to your movies or gaming — just connect iHog to a TV, gaming console, or other music source with the included 3.5mm to amplify sound with its super amplification system.

iHog Features:

• iPod Docking Station compatible with all dock connector iPods and iPhones.
• 2.1 Stereo Speaker System.
• Humanized Touch Volume Control and iPod music navigation.
• Lithium rechargeable battery for up to 10 hours of battery life.
• Remote control.
• Adjustable Bass and Treble.
• 4 Speakers positioned for maximum sound separation and distribution with tweeters and midrange.
• 20W Subwoofer.
• Total output of 28+ Watts.
• Shape designed to deliver 360 degrees of sound.
• Airflow optimized design for consistent sound performance.
• Bass Reflex Technology.
• 3.5mm AUX input jack to connect to TV, gaming consoles, or other music sources.
• Manufacturer’s Warranty.

Clear your Energy with Jusstine…In NYC

By Christabelle…

She’s baaaackkk…to the delight of all of those who just adore Jusstine Kenzer as much as I do (aka “Psychic Girl”), she has just informed me of her return to NYC (and for 5 days!- lucky us!). For those of you who are not psychic – don’t strain your brain – here is all of the info:

Who: Jusstine Kenzer, Psychic Girl (Hollywood’s Favorite Healer)

DailyCandy’s favorite Psychic Healer featured eight times and picked as The Best of 2005. Jusstine has been featured in Glamour, In Style, Time, The New York Times
as well as been seen on The Bad Girls Club, Vh1, Fox and E!

What: Psychic Readings and Healing…yeah, you heard me right.
Click the image on the left to make an appointment – let her know Christabelle sent you!

When: November 16-21, 2011

Where: The Big Apple – NYC

Not sure if a reading is for you? Read some of Jusstine’s customer testimonials…

SAVE THE DATE
Cocktails and Healing Soho House NYC
29-35 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10014-1205

Nov 18th 2011

7-7:30pm Cocktails
Please arrive by 7:30pm for this sit down Q & A event in a public setting.
Bring a question you’d like Jusstine to answer!
RSVP to Jusstine@psychicgirl.com

Keeled over Kiehl’s New Cream…

By Christabelle…

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye is an overnight elixir designed to address puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles overnight, but alas it is so much more!

The companion to Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Midnight Recovery Eye helps regenerate, repair and replenish the delicate skin around the eye while you sleep, and while skin is naturally repairing itself from daily damage and environmental stressors.  It’s Kiehl’s very first repairing overnight eye product, and is paraben-free, sulfate-free, fragrance-free and mineral-oil free. And completely ROCKS MY WORLD.  I am kind of convinced that it has helped to make my eyelashes lush as well, but that is my extra tid-bit, not something the company claims.

Midnight Recovery Eye combines the unique blend of active essential and botanical oils found in Midnight Recovery concentrate—Squalane, Evening Primrose and Lavender—as well as a new ingredient, Butcher’s Broom, a rare herb that’s known to improve blood circulation, and has been specifically added to strengthen the fragile capillary walls and reduce puffiness under the eyes.   The new ingredient is in direct keeping with their apothecary roots—it’s been used for centuries by old-world pharmacists. Sounds kind of be-witching to me…

Key Ingredients:

• Butcher’s Broom Extract  (Ruscus aculeatus)

Used for centuries by old-world pharmacists, Butcher’s Broom is high in bioflavonoids, and is said to improve cutaneous microcirculation and reduce inflammation.  Traditionally it’s known to combat edema – a swelling of skin due to water retention caused by weak blood circulation – by strengthening blood vessels.

• Squalane

A signature Kiehl’s ingredient, Squalane is a botanical oil hat is similar in molecular structure to natural skin lipids. It has an exceptional affinity to skin, and because it’s easily absorbed.

• Evening Primrose Oil

Rich in omega-6 and essential fatty acids that the body cannot naturally produce.  Also effective on skin-barrier repair.

• Natural Essential Oils

A blend of essential oils including lavender, known for their therapeutic, balancing, and antioxidant effects.

Available at all Kiehl’s stores nationwide and at Kiehls.com, starting this month for SRP $36.00.

BCA: Pure in Pink

By Christabelle…

Pureology in Pink…Infuse fine or flat hair with soft volume, moisture and colour protection with PureVolume – while helping to support a vital cause!  In conjunction with this limited edition promotion, Pureology will make a flat $20,000 donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in support of their mission to end breast cancer forever.  Kit includes:

PureVolume Shampoo (10 oz)

Reveal natural fullness while infusing hair with moisture and protecting colour from fading.  This ZeroSulfate® shampoo gently cleanses without stripping colour, and delivers exclusive volumizing technology, leaving hair bouncy, lustrous, and radiant.  The exclusive AntiFadeComplex® maximizes colour retention.

PureVolume HairCondition (8.5 oz)

Experience lightweight moisture that detangles and defends colour without weighing hair down.  This innovative daily conditioner with exclusive volumizing technology and multi-weight proteins creates fullness from within to reveal nourished, vibrant hair with natural body.  The exclusive AntiFadeComplex® maximizes colour retention.

PureVolume BlowDryAmplifier sample (packette)

Infuse hair with body and flexible bounce while blow-drying.  This lightweight, ZeroAlcohol™ formula with heat-activated volumizers creates long-lasting fullness and enhances colour brilliance in fine to medium hair types.  The exclusive AntiFadeComplex® maximizes colour retention.

 

Availability & Pricing:

-       Suggested Retail Price: $39.00

-       Available: September/October 2011, Pureology.com for participating salons

BCA: Pink Pears for a Cure

By Christabelle…

Harry & David's Pink Pears Collection

Harry & David’s beautiful Pink Pears Collection, featuring 4 Royal Beurre Bosc Pears grown in the beautiful Rogue Valley, Oregon, are dipped in Harry & David’s highest quality dark chocolate and then dipped again in pink-colored white chocolate – made in their candy kitchen. These are a delicious way to support cancer research during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month as 20% of its proceeds are donated to The Noreen Fraser Foundation, an organization focused on funding cancer research in the area of women’s cancers.

Join the fight, and send a delicious gift today – Harry & David’s Pink Pears Collection – $44.95