October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and while I don’t have breast cancer, I do have numerous relatives and friends who have had this particular disease wreak havoc with their lives. If you know of someone who has been touched by cancer, take a moment right now to think about them and send positive vibes their way. You can make a meal and drop it off to show them you care. You wouldn’t believe how comforting it feels to be a mom who is feeling a bit poorly and a neighbor shows up with a hot meal that feeds the entire family. It relieves some of the stress the family is feeling (and plus a full belly always seems to make a man happier too).

I had a golf ball sized mass removed last week and can I tell you, all those meals my family and neighbors have dropped off sure have comforted me in a way that medicine can’t. I haven’t had much of an appetite, but my mind is at ease knowing that my family is being fed something besides fast food.

If you aren’t one of the culinary gifted, don’t despair. I’ve searched around for travel related gear that helps support breast cancer research so that we can all stop this disease before it affects the next generation. To learn more about Breast Cancer Awareness Month,check out www.nbcam.org. Be sure to check out the tips and facts available on the site, and if you find a lump, see a doctor as soon as possible because the earlier the detection, the better. Save the tatas!

Pink Plane Quiet Platinum Headphones – Oh how I love these noise reduction headphones. They block out the noise of an airplane and the whining of kids. Plus, they are in a gorgeous pink color and ON SALE. This item comes with a travel pouch and plug converters so that they will even work in airplanes with two-prong plugins. ProTravelGear.com is offering these limited edition Pink Plane Quiet Platinum Headphones at a discount when purchasing multiple sets. And the best part? 10% of the proceeds from each sale of this item will be donated to breast cancer research.

MomAgenda – This is the planner for the mom (or dad) that travels and needs to keep up with soccer practice, piano lessons, and when there’s an opening for a romantic weekend or girlfriend getaway to the spa. The MomAgenda will help the parent on the go keep up with what’s on the schedule for up to four kids so that there aren’t any conflicts when planning a trip to Las Vegas. 20% of proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. $44

Sony Vaio W Series Bundle in Berry Pink – I totally want one of these. This mini notebook comes in Berry pink with matching sleeve and mouse. It features 2 USB ports and 160GB of hard drive memory. It is perfect for web surfing, email, and light computing when traveling. It weighs only 2.6 pounds with battery and isn’t just stylish, but cause-worthy. The Vaio W Series Bundle is one of two special items that Sony is offering to support breast cancer research. Starts at $499

Belkin DualFit for the Cure – Ultra-comfortable armband is hand-washable and water-resistant. It gives you full-protection and easy navigation access to your iPod, while minimizing the bulk on your arm. Belkin will donate $2.50 from the sale of this product to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Available only at Bewst Buy. $24.99

Aveda Hand Relief – Avoid dry hands from flying with the Limited Edition Pink Hand Relief. This hand creme contains Licorice extract, Meadowfoam seed oil, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E. Four dollars from each purchase goes to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. $21

Blotting Linens by Boscia – Boscia is a preservative-free skin care line. Their Rose Blotting Linens are perfect for taking care of trip weary faces. The package is small, discreet, and will help keep you looking fresh when you arrive at your destination. Plus, rose scented linens will get your mind freshened too! 10% of the proceeds from the sales of boscia Rose Blotting Linens will be donated to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation (www.dslrf.org) to support breast cancer research.

Earth Tote – When I travel, I always pack and extra bag to carry home souveniers. Earth Totes has an eco-friendly bag where “Pink is the new Green”. Five dollars from the sale of each bag goes towards Avon’s Breast Cancer Crusade. $18

BMW Online – I was surprised to find that BMW offered an extensive collection of pink ribbon items at an affordable price. Their online store donates 80% of the gross proceeds from all sales of BMW Pink Ribbon Collection items to the Susan G Komen Foundation. Products include stylish travel mugs, travel document holders, and this rolling Weekender Carry-On that meets most airline carry-on restrictions. $60

Flip Flops with Bling – Imagine walking poolside or beachside as the sun glints off these Breast Cancer Rhinestone Flipflops at Avon. In fact, imagine lounging by the pool wearing these with a glass of bubbly in hand because you’re celebrating remission. Heck, they just look cute and not only are you helping raise awareness for breast cancer research, but you’re getting a great deal at only $10 per pair.

Tweezers – My friend Becky (who also does hair) breaks out her Tweezerman tweezers whenever anyone needs a brow cleanup. These pink tweezers feature a pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness and even a bit of glitter bling. One dollar from each sale of these Precision in Pink Slant Tweezers goes towards CancerCares. $25

Insulated Cooler – PinkRibbonMarketPlace.com has a new item that is darling for a road trip. This insulated cooler in pink holds up to 14 12-ounce cans. Features an easy to carry adjustable shoulder strap, double zip closure, outside front pocket and mesh back pocket. $14.95

A while back I was gathering review items for a “snow virgin” story, and along came a pair of waterproof GORE-TEX® hiking boots. Fortunately, I had a camping trip in the works (since the boots weren’t insulated), so I tried out the pair of New Balance GORE-TEX® Country Walker Boots. These are my thoughts about the product:

Quality: Definitely a quality product that seems as if it will last a few years. The leather upper keeps this boot sturdy. This GORE-TEX® Performance Comfort boot keeps feet dry and protected by being durably waterproof and breathable. Rubber sole for traction and Abzorb® technology in the heel and forefoot helps to soak up the shock, while the Rollbar® minimizes rear-foot movement for enhanced stability on anything.

Environment/Use: The GORE-TEX® boots tested will work well for those with outdoor lifestyles and day/trail hiking. I would not suggest taking it in cold climates due to the fact that there is no insulation in this product. However, being that this is a GORE-TEX® product, it is guaranteed to be waterproof and breathable.

Price: The MSRP is $139US. The last time I purchased a pair of hiking shoes, I spent right at $100US. That was also a few years ago and they were New Balance. If I were in the market to purchase a pair of hiking boots, I would have a strong affinity to purchase a pair of New Balance GORE-TEX® Country Walker Boots, not only for the waterproof material, but for the comfort of the boot, as well. The last pair I purchased took me up a few mountains, but it these have a bit more of an ankle support.