15 Famous Breast Cancer Survivors

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month we pay tribute to 15 amazingly strong and inspiring women who have survived breast cancer. 

Anastacia

Singer & Songwriter Anastacia was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 after a routine mammogram and successfully completed surgery and radiotherapy. She established the Anastacia Fund to help promote the awareness of breast cancer among young women. 

Christina Applegate 

Actress Christina Applegate announced in late 2008 that she had breast cancer but after a double mastectomy, she is now cancer free. Her mother is also a breast cancer survivor. In 2009 she founded Right Action for Women, a charitable foundation dedicated to breast cancer screening for women. 

Brigitte Bardot

French film actress Brigitte Bardot is a breast cancer survivor.

Sheryl Crow 

Singer & songwriter Sheryl Crow was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 2006, after surgery she was treated with radiation therapy. She is now cancer free. 

Melissa Etheridge 

Singer Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and underwent chemotherapy. The following year she was praised for her performance of "Piece of My Heart" at the Grammy Awards, where she appeared bald after her chemotherapy. 

Edie Falco

The Sopranos star Edie Falco was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. She kept her battle with cancer a secret while filming The Sopranos and having cancer treatment.  A few  years later after her cancer went into remission she started a family and adopted 2 children. 

Kylie Minogue

 

Australian singer and actress Kylie Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2005. After postponing her Showgirl Tour she underwent surgery and then commenced chemotherapy treatment in Paris soon after. 

Olivia Newton-John

Australian Actress and Singer Olivia Newton-John started her battle with cancer in 1992. Olivia underwent a partial radical mastectomy followed by 8 months of chemotherapy. She successful overcame breast cancer and after donating album sales to various Breast Cancer Charities she started the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre in 2008. 

Olivia: "I feel so fortunate and grateful to be a survivor of breast cancer. I see it as a gift". 

Melissa Cyntia Nixon

Sex & The City actress Cynthia Nixon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and underwent a lumpectomy followed by radiation treatment. She announced her cancer recovery in 2008 and is now a breast cancer activist and ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 

Jaclyn Smith

Charlie's Angels actress Jaclyn Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 and had a lumpectomy and radiation treatment. Her Charlie's Angels co-star Kate Jackson is also a breast cancer survivor. 

 

Melissa Suzanne Somers

American actress Suzanne Somers was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. She had a lumpectomy and radiation but chose not to undergo chemotherapy. She wrote a book about alternative treatments to chemotherapy titled Knockout. 

Wanda Sykes 

American actress and comedian Wanda Sykes announced her she had been diagnosed with stage zero breast cancer this year. She had a bilateral mastectomy to remove the chances of ever getting cancer. 

Shirley Temple

Hollywood actress Shirley Temple was diagnosed in 1972 with breast cancer at the age of 44. The former child actress became the first celebrity to speak openly about breast cancer. 

Maura Tierney

America actress Maura Tierney had a tumor removed from her breast after she felt a lump in her breast during a self examination. After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, Maura is now cancer free. 

Melissa Giulianna Rancic

 

Journalist and TV host Giuliana Rancic announced earlier this month that she had been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. She has already had a lumpectomy, which will be followed by radiation treatment and she is now recovering. We wish her the best and are keeping her in our prayers that she will make a full recovery. 

This article is featured in Eco Glamazine October 2011 

Fruity Friday: Persimmons

For our first Fruity Friday article we want to introduce you to a fruit that you may not be very familiar with and that's the Persimmon. One of our favourite Vegans Liz Crotts from Spain, recently created a wonderful video on How to a Prepare & Eat Persimmons. 


Persimmon is a sweet (and slightly tangy) glossy orange skinned fruit from the berry family. The heart-shaped Hachiya (featured in the video below) is the most common variety of Persimmon. Unripe Hachiya taste bitter so select firmer fruits and allow them to ripen. Ripen persimmons at room temperature in a paper bag just like bananas. Store them in the fridge when ripe and be sure to eat as soon as possible as overripe persimmons quickly turn mushy!  The 2nd type of Persimmon, the Fuyu is round (like a pumpkin shape) and often lighter in colour that the Hachiya. This variety is best eaten when hard like an apple. 


This delicious seedless fruit is a good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C and also rich in fibre. Persimmons are in-season from September to December with a peak during November. Their origins go back to ancient China and are also known as the Japanese Persimmon or Kaki. Persimmons were introduced to California, USA and Southern Europe in the late 1880's. Today persimmons are most commonly grown in China, Japan, Korea, Italy, Brazil, USA, Australia and New Zealand. 


Fun Fruity Fact:
An annual Persimmon Festival is held every September in Mitchell, Indiana (USA) featuring a persimmon pudding contest. Persimmons are harvested and used in a variety of desserts such as cakes, puddings, pies and as a topping for breakfast cereal. 

Liz Crotts talks about Persimmons: "They are such an amazing fruit. Wow it just looks like a dessert... So sweet and so sugary. It's nature's candy, nature's dessert but you can eat it any time of the day, you don't have to wait until after your meal, this is your meal. "  



Thank you to Liz Crotts for inspiring this article and teaching us how to prepare persimmons! Check out her blog and subscribe to her LizYArtur channel on Youtube for more amazing videos about her raw vegan lifestyle. 

Eco Friendly Halloween Ideas

Halloween (October 31st) is only a few days away... So we thought we would share some of our favourite eco-friendly Halloween ideas. 

Our favourite pumpkin decorating idea comes from Little Fashion Diary. Follow Christina's Make a Glittery Pumpkin in 12 Simple Steps guide to create a gorgeous glittery pumpkin perfect for your halloween party!  

LittleFashionDiary.com

If your carving pumpkins for Halloween it's likely that you will have lots of extra pumpkin left over so why not make a delicious pumpkin bread or healthy pumpkin soup! 


Actress and Vegan Alicia Silverstone has a delicious Pumpkin Bread recipe that she shares in her book The Kind Diet. 

Pumpkin Bread by Alicia Silverstone


Serves: 8
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 50 minutes 
Ingredients: 

• 5 cup(s) of cooked pumpkin (fresh is best, but canned will do; see note at top)
• 2 cup(s) of maple sugar
• 2 “eggs”: either 2 tablespoons flaxseeds pureed with 6 tablespoons water, or 2 eggs worth of egg replacer
• 1 cup(s) of almond milk or other nut milk
• 3/4 cup(s) of safflower oil
• 1 tsp. of vanilla extract
• 4 cup(s) of spelt flour
• 3 tsp. of baking soda
• 3 tsp. of baking powder
• 1 tbsp. of ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. of ground nutmeg
• 3/4 cup(s) of grain-sweetened, nondairy chocolate or carob chips
• 1 cup(s) of whole macadamia nuts (save a little bit of chocolate and nuts to sprinkle on top at end, if you want)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 F (350 C)

Oil two 9”x5” glass loaf pans

Combine the pumpkin puree, sugar, “eggs,” milk, oil, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and most of the chocolate chips and nuts if reserving some to sprinkle on top

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients until just combined

Fill the prepared pans with the batter

Top with the reserved chocolate chips and nuts

Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the top springs back when pressed with a finger

Let the loaves cool in the pans for a few minutes, then turn out onto a baking rack to cool completely

Vegan Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes
If you have a sweet tooth... then you will love this cute, kind & vegan recipe for delicious Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes. 


Ingredients:
1 cup raw sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
Egg Replacer for 4 eggs
1 can (15-ounce) unsweetened pumpkin
2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon each cinnamon, clove, nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
soy whip (for the frosting)
candy corn 


Steps:

Combine sugar, brown sugar, and oil in a large bowl; beat at medium speed until well blended. Add egg replacer; beat until blended completely. Add pumpkin and incorporate completely. Sift and combine flour, baking powder, soda and spices - gradually add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture, beating just until blended. Spoon batter into lined muffin tins, filling half way. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool.  Top with Soy Whip and a candy corn gummy.  Full Recipe


Check out more Healthy Ideas for Halloween from FitSugar.com 

For more eco-friendly Halloween ideas and tips please visit Green Halloween. 

ELLIE GONSALVES: Enchanted by Elephant

ELLIE GONSALVES Enchanted by Elephant

We just adore these amazing behind the scenes images of our September Glamour Gal Ellie Gonsalves at Australia Zoo. The 2 day photo shoot featured Ellie with 12 animals for her upcoming Wildlife Warriors campaign. 

As a Wildlife Warrior for Australia Zoo, Elle got the amazing opportunity to work alongside some of the most beautiful animals including a python, an alligator, a blue macaw, a tortoise, a white rhino and Aussie favourites a cute Koala and Kangaroos. However her favourite animal encounter was with Siam the Elephant. 
"Being able to feed the elephant Siam and hang with the animals and do my thing while sending an awesome message. It was amazing... Siam was really playful. It was such a wonderful experience." 

Ellie's up close and personal experience being photographed with Australia Zoo's animals is for her new role as a Wildlife Warrior, to raise funds for animal conservation. The calendar goes on sale this December.  

Ellie: "Australia Zoo is the ultimate wildlife adventure that also delivers a conservation message through exciting and fun education. This is why I felt compelled to become a Wildlife Warrior and Ambassador for Australia Zoo. It's a dream come true for me and I feel so proud and fortunate to be able to now be sharing this journey and making a positive change in this world." 

Location: Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast, Queensland 

AustraliaZoo.com.au  |  Wildlife Warriors

View more photos of Ellie and Siam the Elephant here. 

Behind the Scenes with Ellie at Australia Zoo 

Connect with Ellie
Twitter: Twitter.com/EllieGonsalves 
Facebook: Facebook.com/EllieGonsalves 
Instagram: Instagram.com/ellie_gonsalves

Model: Ellie Gonsalves |  www.EllieGonsalves.com

Photographer: Glen Bowden |  GlenBowden.com 

Hair and Make up: Erin Bigg |  ErinBigg.com.au

Swimwear by Veve Swimwear  |  MyVeve.com

Did you know? 

Asian elephants are smaller than their African cousins, and are sadly endangered, with just 30,000 to 40,000 individuals remaining in wild habitats of South-East Asia. Asian elephants can live up to 60 years in the wild and 80 years in captivity, and top the scales between two to five tonnes!

If you enjoyed reading this Enchanted by Elephant article, then you will love this article about Ellie's role as a Wildlife Warrior. 

ELLIE GONSALVES: Warrior Goddess

Breast Cancer Awareness: Think Pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so beauties it's time to fill your beauty bags with all the latest Pink Products to help support Breast Cancer research. 


Urban Rituelle Pink Hope Soap  


This nourishing soap bar contains a natural blend of vegetable oils, Cocoa Butter & Vitamin E for a luxurious, creamy lather that will leave skin feeling clean, soft and delicately scented. 
Urban Rituelle will donate 100% of the profits from the sale of this soap to Pink Hope, a community assisting women & their families who are at high risk of breast & ovarian cancer. 

www.urbanrituelle.com.au

O.P.I  Pink Shatter: Pink of Hearts 2011  

Each year O.P.I supports Breast Cancer Awareness with their Pink of Hearts edition Nail Lacquer and this year's colour is their new on-trend hot pink shatter coat. Proceeds from the sale of this limited edition lacquer will help these Breast Cancer foundations:

• Susan G. Komen for the Cure (USA) 
• ReThink Breast Cancer (Canada)
• National Breast Cancer Foundation (Australia) 

www.opi.com  |  www.opi.net.au

“OPI is proud to join with Susan G. Komen for the fifth consecutive year to offer Pink Shatter: Pink of Hearts.  By launching our first-ever Pink Shatter coat, we hope this exciting new textured hue will generate lots of awareness for this cause.”

Clinique Great Lips, Great Cause  


To help raise awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness month, Clinique will offer a limited edition collectable key ring. The Great Lips, Great Cause key ring features a heart-shapred ribbon charm, Clinique "C" charm and 3 mini Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 glosses in Clearly Pink, Air Kiss and Cabana Crush. It's perfect for the girl on the go! 
$4 from this purchase will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 

www.bcacampaign.com

ECO GLAM: Green Goddess

goddess |ˈgädis| (noun)

a woman who is adored, especially for her beauty 

When we think of eyeshadow colours perfect for Spring or Fall, we think green, of course!  Whether it's leaves falling or flowers blooming, the change of season brings out the inner goddess inside us.... So this Spring (or Fall if you're in the northern hemisphere) why not try a simple wash of green on your eyes, for a fresh spring/fall look. 

For a pop of green you can't go past Lime Crime's (Vegan) Magic Dust loose eyeshadow in Lime Criminal.  This bright shimmery green is Lime Crime's signature shade. 

Lime Crime Magic Dust in Lime Criminal ($14)

limecrimemakeup.com

If Lime Criminal is a little too daring for you then we suggest another you try another one of our favourites.... Sugarpill Cosmetics's CromaLust loose vegan eyeshadow in Tipsy. This high-shimmer grass green is perfect for green and hazel eyed beauties. 

  Sugarpill CromaLust Loose Eyeshadow in Tipsy ($12)
sugarpill.net

For those Glamour Gals in USA & Europe as the weather gets cools down after Summer and Fall sets in, add a touch of army green to create smokey Autumn eyes. 

We adore Stila Cosmetic's Eyeshadow Trio in Going Green.  This refillable purse-size compact holds three shades of green, base, crease and liner. The colours can be worn alone or together to create the perfect green goddess eyes. 

Stila Eyeshadow Trio in Going Green ($20)

stilacosmetics.com

Another makeup must-have for every Green Goddess is the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Graffiti. This gorgeous green eyeliner is creamy, vibrant and rich. Best of all this product is Leaping Bunny certified Vegan and cruelty-free. 

Urban Decay Glide-On Eye Pencil in Graffiti ($18)

www.urbandecay.com

So why not take a walk on the wild side this spring/fall and express your inner goddess by going Green!