• Artichokes- A study in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that artichokes had the highest antioxidant capacity of 40 vegetables and herbs tested.  “Like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, artichokes are rich in flavinoids, which help slow the growth of breast and other types of cancer cells in lab studies,” says Dong Moon Shin, M.D., a professor and Frances Kelly Blomeyer chair in cancer research at the Emory Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta.
• Pomegranates- High in polyphenols and vitamin C (both antioxidants), this fruit helps fight breast cancer.  “Dozens of lab and animal studies show that pomegranates may halt the spread and recurrence of the disease.” Says Lynne Eldridge, M.D., co-author of Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time.
• Bok Choy- This type of Chinese cabbage is milder than green cabbage or kale, but like those veggies, it’s packed with isothiocyanates.  “These sulfur compounds help your body convert some of the estrogen it makes into a weaker form, which helps protect your breasts,” says Karen Collins, R.D., a nutrition adviser for the American Institute for Cancer Research.  Don’t overcook bok choy: that reduces its anticancer properties.
• Tomatoes- Lycopene, a strong antioxidant, is what gives tomatoes their red color.  “It plays a major role in helping cells communicate, mainly by rallying healthy ones to band together and kills a ‘sick’ cell that could become cancerous,” says Steven Pratt, M.D., the author of SuperHealth.  But keep in mind that your body better absorbs lycopene from foods when they’re cooked and served with a little bit of oil or fat.
• Swiss Chard- “Swap Swiss chard for spinach and you’ll get similar amounts of important antioxidants- like vitamin C, beta-carotene, and lutein- which fight cell damage and strengthen your immune system,” says Shin.  But this dark, leafy green is less bland, so you get a flavor boost when you add it to pasta dishes, soups, and stir-fries.
• Purple Grapes- “Resveratrol, which is found in red and purple grape skins, is a plant estrogen, and getting enough of it can lower your breast cancer risk because it blocks the effects of the stronger estrogen your body makes,” says Pratt.  It also boosts immunity and fights cell-damaging free radicals.

Be sure to go to your local magazine stand and pick up this October issue of Shape Magazine to try out some great recipes that incorporate these potentially life saving fruits and vegetables.  And don’t forget to Shop For A Cure and support some amazing beauty brands making donations to help find a cure for breast cancer as well.

Until next time ladies…  xoxo

Hi my friends!  So as some of you might now September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and we are 10 days away from October, which is widely known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I wanted to take the time today to blog about some of the wonderful beauty companies out there that are making donations to fund research in both of these areas.  As a woman, and coming from a family that has suffered from several different kinds of cancer, I want to help promote these great causes and show my support in their efforts towards finding a cure.  There is still some time left in September to help support ovarian cancer research and we have all of October to support research for breast cancer. So keep your eyes out for the following products and keep in mind that there are SO MANY MORE out there.  These are just a few of the ones I am aware about that pertain to the beauty industry.  So if you have any additions for this list, please comment below and share them with us.  Any type of support helps!

• Saks Fifth Avenue – Shop October 15-18 and Saks will donate 2% of sales up to $250,000.  They will also make a donation of $500,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
• ULTA Beauty – shop from 9/15/09 through 10/31/09 and Ulta Beauty will make a minimum donation of $50,000 in their goal to raise $1 million for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  They are also offering a $5 gift to you with a purchase of $10 or more at ulta.com.  Enter coupon code 36702 at checkout
• L’Oreal Paris Pro Manicure Nail Polish in Color of Hope – benefits the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund
• L’Oreal Paris Nail Polish in Hopeful Plum – benefits ovarian cancer research
• Estee Lauder Elizabeth Hurley Lip Set – benefits their $500,000 donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
• Sonia Kashuk Brushed to Perfection Travel Brush Set – benefits breast cancer awareness
• Sonia Kashuk Metallic Pink Eyelash Curler – 15% of purchase price foes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
• Clarisonic Limited Edition Pink Skincare Brush – contributes $10 to fight breast cancer
• Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector SPF 15 – 10% of retail purchase price will benefit the Beast Cancer Research Foundation
• Philip Kingsley No Scent Colour Shampoo – 25% of proceeds goes to Look Good… Feel Better
• Ramy Beauty Therapy Juicy Cheeks in Melon Rouge – 20% of proceeds goes to CancerCare
• Prescriptives PX Pink Ribbon Palette – $20,000 goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
• Clinique Lipgloss Key Chain – $10 from each sale goes the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
• OPI Nail Lacquer in Pink of Hearts – $25,000 goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure
• Jo Malone Red Roses Bath Oil – $15,000 goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
• Origins Peace of Mind Lotion ­– $35,000 goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
• Kimara Ahnert Pucker Up Pink Ribbon Lipstick – 15% of each purchase goes to the Libby Ross Foundation