I want to start off by saying that I have a love-hate relationship with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Aren’t we all very aware that Breast Cancer exists?  We have all been touched by this heinous disease and we all know that we need to do regular self-exams and get mammograms.  I wish we could rename October Breast Cancer Prevention Month, as we should be talking about the many prophylactic measures we can take to keep ourselves healthy.  Take a cue from this inspirational woman:

When Valerie Grandury was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2004, she felt healthy.  She had loads of energy and  didn’t eat processed foods – how could she have cancer?  Being the proactive go-getter that she is, she did not dwell on that question for very long.  Instead, she got to work.  Valerie underwent a mastectomy and received chemotherapy, and she was also prescribed to complete six months of radiation as well as five years of Tamoxiphen.  However, her immune system was so compromised after the chemo that her doctors told her to take a few weeks off.  She respected and trusted her doctors, but knew there had to be some holistic remedies she could utilize in conjunction with Western medicine.  She went to the Optimum Health Institute to recuperate and ended up staying for the three week certification program.  Valerie came back a changed woman and told her doctors, “I feel better than ever and I know what I need to do.  Give me six months without the prescribed meds.”  They thought she was crazy, but she wanted some control over her own body.  She began practicing yoga and meditation daily and became a raw vegan and stuck to it every day for six months.  And….it worked.  She’s been cancer-free ever since and enjoys every single day as a blessing.

Valerie swears that a positive attitude is the difference between life and death.  I told her that I thought going raw vegan must have been difficult. (I tried it for a week.  I liked it, but I also like broiled salmon and hot soup.)  She said, “It’s a lot easier than chemo.  If your life depends on it, the decision is easy”.  Wow, well, that puts things into perspective.

Valerie was still feeling inspired and she just wasn’t finished being a breast-cancer-surviving-bad-ass.  She became a certified health and wellness coach and discovered that the expensive French face cream she had been using for years was loaded with parabens, mineral oil, and other nasty synthetic ingredients.  So, she started mixing products for herself.  Her long career in television commercial production taught her how to “scout” just about anything anywhere in the world whether it was locations, talent, etc.  She decided to “scout” ingredients: seaweed from Ireland, tamanu oil from Madagascar, you name it.  Her skin transformed and her friends and clients became jealous; they wanted in.  She started selling her freshly-made potions and Odacité (audacity en anglais) was born.  Of course, she wasn’t finished.  Once clients trusted her with their skincare needs, they wanted to know what makeup brands were safe, luxurious and effective.  They wanted new shampoo, nail polish, etc.  That’s when The Detox Market was born.

Odacité and The Detox Market contribute to two breast cancer charities all year long: Lipstick Angels and Living Beauty.  Check these small charities out, they are awesome!  Both focus on teaching women to nurture themselves and the power of positive thinking.

Not because I benefit from it, not because Valerie benefits from it, but because we both genuinely care about women’s health, we are teaming up to offer 10% off your purchase from The Detox Market through the end of October with the coupon code BAREBEAUTY10.  Orders over $80 qualify for free shipping and all other orders ship for $4.99.  You won’t be charged tax unless you are in California.  Please, treat yourself to a Clean product you’ve been meaning to switch out.  Treat your mom, your sister, a girlfriend.  Buy them something that will make them feel beautiful and actually benefit their health.  Invest in prevention.

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