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

For those of us who are addicted to coffee and its many variations, finding a decent cup of java while on the road can present a challenge. I love my hometown Community Coffee, but I’m not adverse to seeking out small coffee shops when I’m traveling. Here’s my take on the various products offered to help one enjoy coffee while traveling:

McDonald’s iced coffee drinks – Two words: Run Away.

Burger King’s iced mocha -  It would do in a pinch and is a deal at $2.

Sonic’s frozen coffee blend – This was pretty tasty, but I could feel the fat contained in this concoction sliding down my throat and straight to my behind.

Starbuck’s – I don’t care for their regular brews, which taste over roasted and burned. However, when in an airport, I will line up for a Cafe Mocha or Frappucino. Beggars can’t be choosers when enroute to a destination. I did sample their new instant coffee, VIA, and was disappointed.

McDonald’s iced coffee was the most disgusting thing that has ever passed through my lips with VIA a close second.

I usually try to find something redeemable to say in my experiences and to make my opinion a bit more palatable, but there is no other way to word this opinion.

Another challenge for getting a great cup of coffee is brewing it while camping or experiencing a lack of electrical power. When my family goes camping, we bring along an old percolator and brew Community Coffee over a campfire. We even used this method during Hurricane Gustav when hubs and I were working nights through the emergency. No power anywhere, but we seriously wanted the comfort of our favorite coffee. I tried using a power inverted to hook up our electric coffee pot, but it was a no-go. After Gustav I found a neat gadget for brewing coffee from a vehicle:

Koolatron Travel Coffee Maker – This coffee maker is affordable, portable, and 12 volt. I wouldn’t recommend brewing the entire pot while the car is in motion (wouldn’t want to burn yourself). It would, however, be useful at a rest stop, camp site, or just in case of a power outage.

Here are some tips on finding coffee while traveling:

Text: Send a text message to Google (466453) with the subject coffee

Web browser: Find the nearest Starbucks at mobile.starbucks.com

Phone: If all else fails, call 800-235-2883 and the Starbucks operator will assist you in locating the nearest Starbucks.

I’m not too keen on hearing screaming kids when I’m on a flight. I really don’t want to listen to screaming kids, especially when they’re MY screaming kids. Now, moms all  over the globe can block out the whining of their six year old with this nifty noise reduction headset. No longer will you have to miss out on the sultry whispers of your romance movie while in flight. The only downside that I could find was the bulkiness, but that far outweighs the noise aspect. I really wish I would’ve had these on-hand when I flew to Hawaii and was stuck between a four year old and a dad with a toddler. I was soooo looking forward to quiet flight while I traveled solo and left my noisy ones at home. Oh, the irony.

The Plane Quiet Platinum is a full around-ear active noise reducing headset. It’s combined high fidelity sound, active noise cancellation, and low price, make it an unbeatable value. The Plane Quiet Platinum is also one of the lightest,active noise canceling headsets available. Experience “The Sound of Silence”. Compatible with: iPod ®/ MP3, CD, DVD players/laptop computers/ desktop computers. This item can be purchased at ProTravelGear.com.

I’m so excited to add that for a limited time, these also come it pink. Plus, each purchase will also help silence breast cancer! Pink Plane Quiet headsets are $99.95

This would be a really good product to have if I wasn’t already a fan of my backpack. If I end up bringing another bag, I suck up the fee and check it because I refuse to torture myself by navigating an airport loaded down. However, I did test this item out by attaching it to my rolling bag and walking around the house and down the driveway with it. My neighbors may think I’m a bit strange, but I didn’t spill a drop of my Community Coffee.

Company Description: The tugo is a cup holder that keeps your drink suspended between the upright handles of your rolling bag. Its unique design keeps your cup level to prevent sloshing. Easily attached and removed, tugo collapses to fit in any pocket of your carry-on luggage.

A few months ago a friend sent me a link to an Australian commercial hawking a similar product. It helps gals stand up to pee. I’m a country girl and have no qualms with squatting behind a bush, but I do know that I always wonder if something is going to bite my behind. Maybe I should try this product out, strange as it seems. I’m thinking it is a popular item because the company was out of samples each time I came across their reps at Blogher09.

Company Description: Simply put, GoGirl is the way to stand up to crowded, disgusting, distant or non-existent bathrooms.  It’s a female urination device (sometimes called a FUD) that allows you to urinate while standing up. It’s neat. It’s discreet. It’s hygienic.

Poo-Pourri – I noticed this product in gift shops around where I live and had to giggle and point it out to my shopping companions. The concept is actually pretty smart, even if people won’t admit to buying it. My husband was kind enough to try this product out and says it should be available at his office, for some of his coworkers. Why use Febreeze when you’ve got Poo-Pourri? Plus, it is quite funny to say the product name. Live in a dorm? Have a IBS? Sharing a hotel room with people or have to make a pit stop at the airport? Do those around you a favor, get some Poo-Pourri!

Company Product Description: Spray the Loo before No. 2 and no one will ever have a clue! Stop embarrassing odor with our patent pending bathroom freshener. Our natural essential oils create a film on the surface of the water, trapping odor at it’s source. A Fresh Blend of Natural Essential Oils leave Only the Sweetest Scent Behind! This Sweet Bouquet of Mandarin, Bergamot and Orange Enhanced by Hints of Peach and Berries is a Perfect Gift For Tween to College Age Girls!

I live in a humid area, and when I travel north of Alexandria (Louisiana) or out towards the western side of the US, I always get a nose bleed and cracked skin. The dry air sucks the moisture out of my body and I sometimes wonder if I was mistakenly placed on Mars. Unfortunately, my kids suffer from the same problems and can’t even stay in a campus dorm room without bleeding like a murder occurred. Thank goodness I found this mini humidifier on Overstock.com. It works, albeit at a longer rate of time than a normal-size humidifier, but it will do in a pinch.

No longer will your nostrils dry out when you’re at a higher and drier altitude. Just attach a bottle of water, and you are good to go! This nifty gadget is smaller than five inches all the way around and it weighs less than one pound.

Did you ever wonder how to kill all those yucky germs when traveling? No need to carry around an endless supply of antibacterial wipes to clean surfaces. This travel size UV sanitizing wand from Overstock.com is under $40. It takes less than a minute to get sanitary with a UV Sanitary Wand. Cleaning appliance turns on when pressed up against a surface. UV Sanitizing Wand is great for the home, office, breakroom or traveling. UV light only turns on when up against a surface, the light will not turn on when the wand is right side up making it kid friendly. It only takes 45-60 seconds to clean an area.

I tested this product, and while I can’t tell you if it actually kills germs (how can you tell?), it is light-weight and compact. I almost felt like a Jedi as I swung this wand around trying to kill minute species of cells. Retails for around $37.