Board Spotlight: Beauty Expert Holly Moore!

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We are so excited to highlight Holly Moore who has been a member of The Foundation for Living Beauty Board of Directors since 2018!

Holly Moore is currently the Vice Chair of The Foundation for Living Beauty Board. Her public health background, specifically in relation to women with cancer, and her expertise in the beauty and skincare industry have been an extremely valuable addition to Living Beauty!

As an organization for women with cancer, we know the side effects that certain cancer treatments, like radiation, can have on the skin, including sensitivity, redness and even burns. We also know the potential negative impact that certain chemicals and ingredients can have on our bodies whether we are ingesting them in food or absorbing them through skincare. Holly’s background helps the foundation connect with different skincare and beauty brands that share our understanding of the importance of self-care through beauty products as a form of wellness, and the desire to cater to the unique needs of an immunocompromised population such as women with cancer. Recently, Holly was featured in an online publication in Oprah Daily called “What ‘Clean Beauty’ Means Now.” You can read the article here.

 

Holly at an event with our corporate sponsor Stella McCartney.

 

We asked Holly a few questions about her role with Living Beauty and her amazing contributions to the beauty industry. Keep reading to learn more!

 

What made you want to be a part of the Living Beauty board?

While studying for my Master’s in Public Health in 2011, I took a class on women’s health policy, and I dedicated most of my class research to understanding the socioeconomic impacts of cancer on women in the United States. I was fortunate to have a supportive professor who encouraged me to map the policy landscape of this disease by analyzing what support networks and research groups existed, along with their missions. During this mapping process, I noticed a significant gap in groups that focused on the emotional and social well-being of women going through the experience of cancer. Specifically, organizations that sought to empower through education as a way of uplifting women.

 

Flash forward seven years; I had the privilege of meeting Nancy Davidson, Executive Director of The Foundation for Living Beauty. When Nancy walked me through the mission and vision for Living Beauty, I couldn’t help but feel that this was the missing organization I had been searching for. I immediately volunteered my time and any resources I could share. Several conversations later, Nancy invited me to join the Board in 2018, and I’ve been honored to support Living Beauty ever since. In 2023, I’m proud to have been appointed Vice Chair of the Board.

 

How has the “clean” beauty industry changed in the past few years since you started The Ingredientist, and what makes you excited about the future of the beauty and skincare industry?

Regarding industry change, the short answer is: it’s complicated! I started in the entrepreneurial and “indie” beauty sector, but I don’t tend to associate with the term “clean” anymore. That’s not to say that I look down on it nor underestimate the power of claiming “clean” as a movement, but as a conscious and science-backed concept, it’s misused and diluted as it’s gone mainstream. I wish that weren’t the case because it ruins the original intention behind “clean” for everyone, which at a minimum, is to signal to consumers that the formulas are vetted against environmental health touchpoints for safety.

 

From a regulatory perspective, there is no universal legal definition of “clean,” so it is entirely up to the brand’s interpretation of the term, which can breed consumer confusion from company to company. From an ethical perspective, the term is sadly often utilized by brands in a marketing act called “greenwashing,” or when “clean” formulation, standards, and sustainability claims are false or misleading.

 

The Ingredientist is a science-driven branding and product development consultancy. I embody the equivalent of a Director of Product Development for multiple brands. When it comes to vetting a new client match, rather than rely on the term “clean” to determine alignment, we go beyond to look at the “business ingredients” of the brand ranging from their mission, vision, supply chain, products, marketing, and education. Across the brand’s “business ingredients,” we look for a commitment to progressive principles, which determine quality, ethical, and sustainability standards.

 

All this is to emphasize why it’s so important to have brands rooted in cosmetic science. I ensure that the science is authentically communicated across the “business ingredients”, in particular when it comes to product positioning, marketing, and education. Founders, executives, chemists, and marketers can speak different languages, so translation across stakeholders becomes a key priority for me to get everyone aligned.

 

I’m most excited about technology in beauty and its implications for ingredient sustainability and skincare solutions for various conditions. Microbiome research is a keen area of interest for me, and I think we will see some serious innovation happening there in the next few years. I’m hopeful for this research mainly for promising solutions related to caring for immunocompromised skin, which can be the case for many people going through the experience of cancer.

 

Can you tell us about your involvement with facial spa, Cheeks + Co., and the inspiration behind the face serum you created called Tidalshift?

Cheeks + Co, a modern facial spa in Pasadena, CA (with more locations coming in 2023 and 2024), is redefining the spa experience by encouraging each client to reclaim “a space for you.”

 

Cheeks + Co is the first public-facing product development partnership for The Ingredientist. So I’m thrilled to talk openly about the immensity of work that went into the branding, product formulation design, and ingredients chosen. Over 16 months leading up to the launch in December 2022, I worked directly with the Founder, Tina Uzzardi, to conceptualize the skincare brand and create a product pipeline that physically embodies the spa’s mission and gives people the tools to further self-care at home through skincare.

 

Before I jump into the product, I want to touch on the inspiration behind the brand. When Tina and I landed on the concept, it was an “aha” moment! We kept returning to what it means in a modern scenario for our skin to face the elements daily, especially in a rapidly changing world as far as climate is concerned. Themes of strength, resilience, adaptability, and momentum were constantly on our minds. Then we zeroed in on the extreme biodiversity of California as a way to illustrate the variety of elements we can weather in quick succession (plus, Tina is a California native). Within two hours in California, you can go from below sea level in a hot, arid desert to freezing conditions at over 6700 ft elevation in the mountains. Tidalshift, the debut product, was realized in understanding how climate fluctuations and environmental stressors affect the skin. #facetheelements is the brand hashtag for that reason. Plus, each product in the line will have assigned geo-coordinates as a fun discovery moment that leads to an iconic place in California that inspired the product creation.

 

Tidalshift, inspired by McWay Falls in Big Sur, is an ocean-blue, skin-strengthening serum that provides foundational benefits for all. It works by helping to fortify the skin barrier function and delivering an intense protective panel of antioxidants that help to safeguard against stressors. Tidalshift replenishes the dermal reservoir with ceramides, amino acids, phytonutrients, and essential fatty acids. Lastly, it replaces three types of serums (hydrating, antioxidant, and brightening) by combining them into one incredible super-serum through advanced formulation. Tidalshift is designed for the momentum of modern life and having the skin strength to weather it. It’s got a beautiful, uplifting scent called “Lavender by the ocean.”

 

We are so grateful for Holly and her commitment to Living Beauty! You can learn more about her work by visiting www.theingredientist.com.

Thrive Causemetics Named New Product After Our Original Living Beauty Joni

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The Founder of The Foundation for Living Beauty, Amie Satchu, and her mom Joni.

The Founder of The Foundation for Living Beauty, Amie Satchu, and her mom Joni.

 

Thrive Causemetics has launched a product named after our Original Living Beauty, Joni!

We are so incredibly excited to announce that Thrive Causemetics has launched a new shade of their Infinite Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick and named it after Joni, our original Living Beauty and the beautiful mom of our founder Amie Satchu! Amie was inspired to start The Foundation for Living Beauty as a way to help Joni on her journey with Multiple Myeloma. The Foundation was created to give women with cancer access to free wellness and support services that would improve their quality of life after a cancer diagnosis.

 

Thrive Infinite Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick in the shade Joni, a beautiful shimmery blue.

Thrive Infinite Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick in the shade Joni, a beautiful shimmery blue.

 

Thrive Causemetics was founded by CEO Karissa Bodnar and is a brand that is passionate about empowering communities. Through their Bigger Than Beauty™ program, Thrive partners with nonprofits and for every product purchased, they donate to help communities thrive. They are a generous supporter of the Foundation for Living Beauty providing free products to our Living Beauties, helping to improve the quality of life of hundreds of women with cancer!

We are so excited to be able to honor our guiding light, Joni, in this way!

 

 

In 2005, Amie Satchu honored her mother Joni’s journey with Multiple Myeloma by creating the Foundation for Living Beauty. The “Original Living Beauty” Joni was the kind of person whose spirit radiated love and acceptance. She made everyone feel like she was your best friend. With her mother as the driving force, The Foundation for Living Beauty was born and Amie’s mission to provide emotional and physical support to women with cancer became her central focus and passion.

Although the Foundation’s original intent was to focus on “look good, feel good” events, it rapidly became much more, meeting the complex emotional and physical needs of women cancer patients, called “Living Beauties.” Living Beauty was born out of a need to find community and holistic wellness programs that weren’t available at the time. What started out as a small sisterhood that created healing energy for one another, has since grown and transformed into over 150 wellness events a year, serving over 1200 women. The essence of our programs has remained to this day: that the power of community and addressing the mind, body and spirit are an essential part of the healing journey.

Through Joni’s personal journey, a social worker herself, the organization has learned the value and importance of creating a strong support system for the women it serves and understands how that support can impact their quality of life and health outcomes.

Joni’s graceful and vibrant spirit transcends time. Her legacy lives on in the magic that is The Foundation for Living Beauty. We are honored to celebrate her and each and every Living Beauty!

 

Living Beauty Founder Amie testing out the new product!

Living Beauty Founder Amie testing out the new product!

 

When asked about Joni, Amie shared the love, light and legacy that her mom left with The Foundation for Living Beauty.

“Those who have met my mother know what kind of outrageously beautiful soul she is. Through her 8-year cancer journey, she inspired us all by transforming her pain and suffering into hope. She inspired a community of women to let light filter in through the cracks of the darkness of a cancer diagnosis.

The Foundation for Living Beauty took shape by responding to her need and longing for quality of life in the physically and emotionally exhausting cancer journey. With the advancement of cancer treatments, more women are left struggling to understand how to live with the taxing effects long term. I have great pride that my mother’s legacy is the guiding light that allows Living Beauty to educate, uplift and inspire these women to thrive and heal along their cancer journey. It is also this guiding light that leads our Living Beauties out of the emotional isolation of cancer and into each other’s supportive and nurturing arms.

Mommy, thank you for the gift you have left us. Your spirit will always shine on as our eternal Living Beauty.”

–Amie Satchu

You can purchase the Infinite Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick™ in the shade Joni here!

You can learn more about how to support The Foundation for Living Beauty and the vital work we do to support women with cancer here.

 

Cannabis 101: Breaking down Cannabis and what it does for us as consumers 

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Cannabis 101: Breaking down Cannabis and what it does for us as consumers 

Written By Velvet Cannabis a cannabis company located in Eagle Rock, California.
www.velvetcannabis.com

 

Stepping into the Cannabis world can be a little overwhelming. Don’t you worry that is what we at Velvet are here to help with.   

Cannabis contains hundreds of active compounds with a range of medical benefits to be found.

 

At Velvet, we’ll walk you through the best way to pinpoint effects of different cannabis strains. We’d love to talk about their mix of cannabinoids and terpenes, or the chemical compounds in it. These compounds combine to create the entourage effect experience that can lead to the feeling of being high.  (explain the entourage effect some more)

 

 THC and CBD are two of cannabis’ most well known cannabinoids, although there are many more that offer a unique range of effects. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the compound that most  think of when talking about weed—it’s what makes you feel high, and relieves symptoms like pain and nausea. CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-intoxicating compound known to alleviate anxiety, pain, inflammation and many other medical ailments. 

 

The words “indica” and “sativa” were introduced in the 18th century as a way to describe different species or “strains” of Cannabis. 

 

Sativa- tends to give the consumer more uplifting, active cerebral effects that pair well with physical activity, social gatherings and creative projects. Cultivated for its seeds and fiber, Sativa was named by Carl Linneaus and found in Europe and Western Eurasia. 

 

Indica- known for being physically sedating, perfect for relaxing with a movie, or as a nightcap before bed. Indica was named by Jean-Baptiste and discovered in India, where it was harvested for its seeds, fiber, and hashish production. 

 

Hybrids-  falling somewhere in between the Indica-Sativa Spectrum depending on their lineage, they inherit traits from their parent strains. 

 

There is importance in noting that every individual’s body chemistry is different. Indica doesn’t always mean “in da couch” and sativas don’t necessarily energize all consumers. The origins of the two terms are historically rooted in botany and describe the physical structure of a plant, not the depth of your experience. A strain might impact you a little differently than it might your neighbor and that’s the beauty of cannabis. There is something for everyone. 

 

When you look at the back of your shampoo bottle, you may see a term such as “Linalool.” Linalool is a compound known as a terpene also contained in Cannabis! Terpenes are naturally-occurring aromatic compounds that determine the scent of many flowers and herbs; they give cannabis its distinctive odor, flavor, and enriched color in the leaves and buds. 

 

Cannabis has more than 150 terpenes, but some are only present in small amounts; however, the more prominent ones combine together to give us a signature scent profile for specific strains. Terpenes not only give the cannabis plant its unique scent and flavor, but can also produce a range of therapeutic and mood altering effects to a cannabis consumer in conjunction with cannabinoids. There’s more of the entourage effect! 

 

Now here comes the biggest question we all have as consumer:

 

 How will this help me with anxiety or stress? Depression, pain, condition or ailment?

 

Below we’ve provided a short, but exhaustive list of cannabinoids within the Cannabis plant that have been researched and studied for their medicinal properties to help you choose what may be best for you. At Velvet, we care the most about educating and supporting you as our neighbor. 

 

 CBC a non-psychoactive cannabinoid being studied for its anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties.

 

CBN is a sedating, sleepy cannabinoid found in higher amounts of aged cannabis or degraded THC. Any studies of cannabis or cannabinoids in people with health problems (such as multiple sclerosis, PTSD, or chronic pain) have looked at effects on sleep. Often, there’s been evidence of better sleep quality, fewer sleep disturbances, or decreased time to fall asleep in people taking cannabis. 

 

 THCV is being studied for uses such as an appetite suppressant, as a bone growth stimulator, diabetes management, and anxiety treatment.

 

 CBG has many potential therapeutic benefits, including antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory qualities.

 

A 2018 review looked at 47 studies (4,743 participants) of cannabis or cannabinoids for various types of chronic pain other than cancer pain and found evidence of a small benefit. Twenty-nine percent of people taking cannabis/cannabinoids had a 30 percent reduction in their pain.

 

It’s a common misconception that “marijuana” or “hemp” are two different species of plant. In fact, they’re not distinct species at all. They’re just two different names for cannabis, a type of flowering plant in the Cannabaceae family. While science doesn’t differentiate between “hemp” and “marijuana,” unfortunately the law does. It is our hope and belief at Velvet that we can help play a part in changing the stigma.

We hope this starts you off in the right direction in learning more about Cannabis as the industry continues to discover new and exciting qualities about our beautiful plant, Mary Jane! Please come visit us at Velvet for any questions or assistance you may need in Cannabis. 

We are here for you, 9am-9pm everyday! 

 

Living Beauties can receive 15% off of their purchase when visiting Velvet Cannabis. Just mention Living Beauty at checkout. Learn more about Velvet Cannabis and their store locations by visiting www.velvetcannabis.com!

 

Sources:

https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/sativa-indica-and-hybrid-differences-between-cannabis-types

The leafly guide to Cannabis, A handbook for the modern consumer By the LEAFLY TEAM

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5312634/#:~:text=Cannabis%20is%20a%20plant%2Dbased,Romania%20has%20been%20described%20extensively.

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know

https://www.healthline.com/health/hemp-vs-marijuana

Meet Rebecca Little the Photographer Behind “Beauty is. . .”!

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Rebecca Little photographing Living Beauty Anita in Jewelry from G.H. Wilke & Co. Jewelers

 

Rebecca Little is a Pasadena-based photographer specializing in photographing women and making them look and feel beautiful in front of the camera! Rebecca has been a long time supporter of The Foundation for Living Beauty. She has donated her time not only taking photos at our fundraising events and programs but also photographing our Living Beauties at Day of Living Beauty, an event focused on giving women with cancer the opportunity to be pampered by having their hair and makeup done and beautiful professional portraits taken. Rebecca donated her time and talent to Living Beauty yet again in support of our “Beauty is . . .” campaign showcasing the stunning jewelry by G.H. Wilke & Co. Jewelers and modeled by our Living Beauties. Keep reading to find out more about Rebecca’s experience working on the campaign!

 

Rebecca Little, Photographer for “Beauty is. . .”

FFLB: How were you first introduced to Living Beauty and what drew you to our mission?

Rebecca: I met Nancy when she joined the Pasadena Chamber and that was more than a few years ago. She was doing what she does best and spreading the word about the foundation and the good work they do.

The Foundation’s mission is much needed. They help so many women and offer advice, camaraderie, and a range of free programs. I’ve heard directly from the Living Beauties how much they value the support they’re given. To be with other women going through the cancer journey and be able to share and commiserate is invaluable.

 

FFLB: What was it like working with Living Beauties as models for the photographs?

Rebecca: The women were so fun to work with! They were thrilled to be modeling the amazing jewelry and getting their portraits taken. They would hang out after their photoshoot to catch up with their friends as they arrived for their sessions. The mood was upbeat and it was a beautiful day.

 

FFLB: How do you think modeling this jewelry and having their photos taken impacted the Living Beauties who participated?

Rebecca: First, it’s a thrill to wear this gorgeous jewelry. Each piece Tracy brought out was more beautiful than the next. You feel so glamorous and pretty, and the ladies were all oohing and aahing over what they got to wear. Then to see yourself represented authentically and beautifully in a portrait can be such an esteem booster, especially if you’re not feeling your best or you’ve had multiple surgeries. It was important to me to bring out the best in each woman and make her feel beautiful.

A huge thank you to Rebecca for donating her time to this campaign in support of The Foundation for Living Beauty and women with cancer! You can check out Rebecca’s website and portfolio here. To read more about the campaign and Traci Wilke from G.H. Wilke & Co. Jewelers click here.

 

 

 

Living Beauty x G.H. Wilke & Co. Jewelers

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The Foundation fo Living Beauty is excited to Introduce “Beauty is . . .”, a collaboration between G.H. Wilke & Co. Jewelers and Goldsmiths and Living Beauty! G.H. Wilke & Co. Jewelers is an amazing company located in San Gabriel co-owned by the fabulous Tracy Wilke.

Tracy and The Foundation for Living Beauty teamed up to feature Living Beauties as models for G.H. Wilke and Co.’s jewelry! Over the next few weeks we will be sharing on our social media beautiful photos taken by photographer Rebecca Little of our women wearing the stunning jewelry. Rebecca, a long-time Living Beauty supporter, specializes in photographing women and making them look and feel beautiful in front of the camera. These images evoke the true beauty and strength of women and each image will include a quote about what beauty means to each Living Beauty.

All of the jewelry featured is one of a kind and a portion of jewelry sales from now until Mother’s Day will be donated to The Foundation for Living Beauty in support of our mission to educate, uplift and empower women with cancer!

We spoke with Tracy Wilke about the beautiful jewelry and what inspired her to partner with Living Beauty to showcase it!

 

Tracy Wilke, Co-Owner of G.H. Wilke & Co. Jewelers and Goldsmiths

 

FFLB: How were you first introduced to Living Beauty and what drew you to our mission?

Tracy: I found out about the Foundation for Living Beauty through an introduction by Joan de Souza to Nancy Davidson. Nancy was engaging and so fervent in her goals for the organization to help women in ways that truly addressed deep needs. Nancy and I met for coffee and I felt strongly that I should find a way to help and partner with her.

 

FFLB: What was the inspiration behind partnering with Living Beauty to showcase your beautiful jewelry?

Tracy: We all know women with a cancer experience.  Two of the most frequent points I hear are the intense loneliness of the diagnosis and the shock and terror at receiving it. The immune system needs to be bolstered and part of that is a mental attitude. Living Beauty envelopes the women with resources, encouragement, a safe and understanding place to vent, peer to peer advice, experiences and products that make them feel normal and positive.

Something I’ve seen for the many years I’ve been in jewelry is that women are self-conscious about their nails, their hair, their clothes and their general style. When I put beautiful jewelry on them they explode with excitement and joy. I thought it would bring joy to these ladies as well.

 

FFLB: How do you think modeling this jewelry and having their photos taken impacted the Living Beauties who participated?

Tracy: Jewelry is transformative. People self-purchase or give jewelry as a connection – whether to the past,  the present or the future. The women were all thrilled to be wearing beautiful jewelry and some didn’t want to take it off. I was hoping that for at least a little time, the photoshoot would provide them a thrill of self-expression and documentation of that experience (the pictures). I think they went away feeling more aware of their own unique beauty.

 

FFLB: How did you decide what pieces would be featured in the campaign and could you tell us more details about the pieces of jewelry being featured?

Tracy: I asked Nancy to send me photos of the ladies and I spent quite a bit of time going through my jewelry to find pieces that seemed to highlight their essence. I looked at hair and clothing styles to try and determine what to bring out in each woman. It’s what I do here at the store – try to showcase the individual’s personality through the jewelry they wear.

 

To check out the entire collection of jewelry visit this link. To read more about Rebecca Little’s experience photographing our Living Beauties click here!

a woman in a blue living beauty t-shirt holding her hair that has just been cut

Rosie Gives

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This week, as we are leading up to Giving Tuesday, The Foundation for Living Beauty has been highlighting what giving means to us. One of the most inspiring forms of giving we see is from one Living Beauty to another. When a woman is diagnosed with cancer, she often faces the reality of balancing her life and her health as she works, cares for children, acts as a caregiver for adult family members and more, often while dealing with aggressive treatment and its side effects. Even within this difficult reality, our Living Beauties are still moved to do everything they can to support one another on their cancer journeys and pay it forward whenever possible, whether it be giving advice to another Living Beauty at a retreat or providing food for a Living Beauty and her family during the pandemic. These moments of selflessness that our women share with one another remind us of the power of sisterhood and community that can flourish among women. Here we are highlighting the story of our Living Beauty Rosie as she donates her hair to help make wigs for women experiencing hair loss while in treatment!

Rosie invited Living Beauty to share in this special experience as she had her hair cut for the fourth time to donate and we were able to speak with her about the impact she is making!

FFLB: Can you tell us about your journey as a Living Beauty?

Rosie: In 2019, I met an incredible woman (Angie) who became my friend. She was a living beauty thanks to another living beauty (Jeanette). Both of them have transitioned from this earth. Angie shared with me what Living Beauty was, so I went on the website and looked into it. At first I was hesitant because I’m a private person or more of an introvert when it comes to my personal life. I joined Living Beauty in January 2020 which was about 6 months after my treatment. I have met so many wonderful women who have taught me to open up about my own journey which has helped me move forward.

FFLB: You mentioned you have donated your hair in the past. What inspires you to donate your hair?

Rosie: This is my 4th hair donation. In 2012, I donated 18 inches of my hair for the first time. My hair was very long (below my seat). I wanted to shorten it but I didn’t want it to go to waste. I began to research hair donations and saw there was a huge need for hair donations to help make wigs for patients experiencing hair loss. I thought about the women in my life and thought it could be anyone one of them, not knowing I’d be the one to receive a cancer diagnosis 7 years later. At the end of 2019, my friend Angie transitioned from this life. I chose to grow my hair out and pay it forward for having the opportunity she did not get. This donation is in her honor.

FFLB: Why is it important to you to give back and pay it forward?

Rosie: I grew up helping others, from tutoring other kids in my neighborhood to helping the Kiwanis Club. I received a scholarship from the Kiwanis Club which greatly helped pay for college. I joined the Kiwanis Club and paid it forward. I co-chaired a golf tournament to raise funds for scholarships, co-chaired the holiday basket program for families in need, amongst other club activities. Helping others is part of who I am. Donating my hair is another way I can help others.

FFLB: What organizations are you donating your hair to and why?

Rosie: I am donating my hair to “Children with hair loss” who provides wigs to children experiencing hair loss for various medical conditions to include cancer. I want to help put a smile on a child’s face.

FFLB: How does donating your hair honor other Living Beauties and their cancer journeys?

Rosie: Other Living Beauty’s who experienced hair loss have shared how important having a wig(s) is for their journey. By donating my hair, I am honoring my friend and the women of Living Beauty by showing them that we can support one another in different ways.

FFLB: Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

Rosie: I hope that this is just one of many other ways that I make my dash count (referencing the dash quote from the movie “Where Hope Grows”) and that I continue to live a life with purpose.

a woman with gray hair wearing glasses hugging a woman in a pink sweater whose face cannot be seen

Meet Living Beauty Marion!

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September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month! We asked our Living Beauty Marion to share her experience with metastatic ovarian cancer and how The Foundation for Living Beauty has helped her on her journey. Marion was diagnosed in 2006 with ovarian cancer and was given six months to live. She beat the initial cancer, but it returned again in 2009 with another terminal diagnosis. With her wonderfully supportive husband Moshe by her side, she refused to give up and she has been the epitome of a warrior ever since. Marion has been an active part of Living Beauty since 2015, attending workshops and programs as often as she can and becoming a beautiful light for all her Living Beauty sisters as she supports them on their journeys as well. Keep reading to hear Marion’s experience with Living Beauty!

“The Foundation for Living Beauty is the wind beneath my wings as I navigate living with metastatic ovarian cancer.

Through creative and well thought out thematic programming Living Beauty has provided me with a safe place to gather and bond with other cancer survivors as we learn and grow together through a wide variety of presenters and modalities. Body, mind and soul. The tools I have collected from attending these events have helped me develop healthy habits in exercise through yoga, chi gong and meditation. Through a wide variety of cooking classes and instructors I have learned simple easy ways to prepare healthy and tasty meals that have kept me strong.

A wide variety of healing modalities such as reiki, energy, sound baths, meditation and tapping techniques, just to name a few, have helped me build a healthy support network of practitioners and provided numerous tools to apply on my own. Through Living Beauty’s events I have developed healthy habits and practices such as focusing on gratitude, being present in the moment and finding meditative and calming creative outlets to cope with stressful moments or negative physical events. For example, during a recent hospitalization I used the Resilience Tool Kit to control my pain and anxiety. I did meditative walks around the ward floor repeating calming mantras and prayers as I walked off the pain. I used Y4C, yoga4cancer, stretches and poses to reduce stress and feel in control of the situation. All tools I picked up from attending Living Beauty events. I also stayed in touch with fellow Living Beauties who made me laugh and cheered me up. The friendships and bonds I have formed with other Beauties are powerful, uplifting, and forever.

The Foundation for Living Beauty has really kept me sane and forging forward through covid times as it’s kept me connected with others through zoom events and kept me stimulated, engaged, learning, growing and moving forward. When my husband sees my spirits or energy start to dip he always says ‘Time to sign up for a Living Beauties zoom!’ He’s right! Their magic works every time.

I am forever grateful to Living Beauty, their team, the board members, and the amazing programming that keeps me coming back for more. Thank you for helping me spread my wings and helping me ‘fly’ through many of the toughest times in my life. Forever Grateful.”

The Foundation for Living Beauty provides wellness and support services to women with any type of cancer and who are at any point in their cancer journey. If you are interested in becoming a Living Beauty or would like to learn more about how to support the foundation, please visit www.livingbeauty.org.

a collection of Thieves products in white bottles set on a table with a floral wallpaper background behind htem

Transforming Your Home in Easy Ways

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Transforming Your Home in Easy Ways

By Hillary Lefebvre

Fall is knocking on the door and it’s almost time for leaves falling, sweater weather (hopefully we get them sooner rather than later in So Cal!) and crisp cool days. Several years ago, you would have found me in the candle and soap aisles buying up all the fall scents to make my house smell like pumpkin spice and everything nice. I’ve learned a lot though since then and am here to share, help and empower you to make the best choices for you and your family too.

When I had my first child 10 years ago, I started looking at labels and safeguarding my family from toxins. I read and read and read. Researched about “clean” products and discovered that some name brands who claim to be green because of the way they were marketed aren’t actually clean! Ugh, can’t they just be honest?? But I came to understand that we are the gatekeepers of our homes. No one else! We have to do a little more than believing what’s on the surface. Many products on the shelves today contain a ton of toxic ingredients regardless of how pretty the label is or what they claim to be. And toxic overload accumulated in our bodies over time causing lethargy, inability to focus, sleep trouble, chronic inflammation, unexplained pain, fibromyalgia, skin issues, adult acne, hormone imbalance, hot flashes, stress, anxiety, and fear. If you face any of these issues, it’s time to kick chemicals to the curb.

 

You’ll want to say adios to anything with:

Fragrance (biggest offender! This word is the umbrella for thousands of toxins!)

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Laureth

Methylisothiazolinone

Sodium hypochlorite

Ammonium Chloride

Sodium hydroxide

Surfactants

Parabens

Phthalates

PEG’s (polyethylene glycols),

Propylene Glycol

SLS/SLES

 

Easy button – download the Environmental Working Group app to look up products, ingredients and scores!

 

Now for some good news…many companies are doing their best to make products that are actually safe for us! So, after digging some more, I found our favorites! We have now been using Young Living Essential Oils for 7 years now for most of our cleaning products and household necessities. They send us a box that we customize each month with anything we need. So easy! Here is the full breakdown of how we use these products to clean our house.

 

 

We have a diffuser running 24/7 to recreate my favorite seasonal smells and we use Thieves Household Cleaner to clean the entire house! Literally – the whole house. It is infused with essential oils and all plant based. And to answer the question everyone asks…yes, it really works! In fact, here is an amazing video of how well it does.

There are some very easy swaps we can all make in our homes to eliminate a lot of the toxic load our bodies accumulate each and every day!

Here are my top 10 things to ditch and switch:

 

  1. Swap your candles and air fresheners for a diffuser + essential oils (my favorites are from Young Living)
  2. Swap your chemical cleaning supplies with Thieves Cleaner (one bottle for the whole house!)
  3. Swap your dryer sheets for wool dryer balls (grab a pack at Trader Joe’s or on Amazon; look for organic New Zealand wool)
  4. Swap your hand soap and dish soap for my fave Lushious Lemon Hand soap and Thieves Dish Soap
  5. Swap your laundry detergent for Thieves Laundry Detergent
  6. Swap your hand sanitizer for Thieves Hand Sanitizer
  7. Swap your makeup for Savvy Minerals or Beauty Counter
  8. Swap your sunscreen for one free of parabens, phthalates, PEG’s (polyethylene glycols), propylene glycol, and SLS/SLES
  9. Swap your deodorant for something free from fragrance, parabens, triclosan, phthalates, propylene glycol and aluminum
  10. Swap your shampoo/conditioner for ones from fragrance, sulfates, parabens, PEG, Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA), color, Dimethicone, Retinyl Palmitate

 

I know that this may seem overwhelming to read all at once but trust me when I say, baby steps and grace. Choose one at a time or go full throttle and do it all at once. Go at your own pace.

 

You can buy Thieves Cleaner and any of the other products I listed above at wholesale by heading here.

 

Remember, YOU are the gatekeeper of your home! Let’s transform it!

 

xo Hillary Lefebvre

https://thewellandgoodcollective.com/hillary-lefebvre/

 

group photo of four women standing in front of trees and mountains

Empowering Ourselves During Uncertain Times

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For the past 15 years, The Foundation for Living Beauty has provided programs that are built to address the mind, body, and spirit. Although our programs are specifically for women with cancer, the tools and education that you gain can be applied to any situation. Our goal is to provide you with as many resources that can benefit you throughout your journey and we want to continue to create connection and community especially during this time of social distancing.

Last week we had our first online meditation with facilitator Kristin Dwan and in preparation for her meditation we collected responses to help shape and facilitate the group based on your needs. In the responses that we’ve received, some ladies have shared that during this time of uncertainty, they are feeling anxious, overwhelmed and uneased. These emotions may be familiar to you as it relates to your cancer diagnosis. Together we are working to find the light in a very difficult and dark situation, and instead of allowing it to distance us completely, we are working to connect even more and be even stronger.

Below we’ve listed some resources that can transform your feelings of unease and uncertainty to empowerment.

Something for the MIND

The CALM app, is offering free resources during this time, including meditations, mindfulness resources and more.

Another way to start your meditation practice would be to go outside…Listen to the birds, and see how many different ones you can hear. Take off your shoes and stand on the earth (another plus is that the gravitational pull from the earth neutralizes some of the radiation in your body). Smell the flowers and the grass.  Find shapes in the clouds.  Sit quietly and listen to the universe talking to you. These are great tools for meditating when your mind is racing with other things.

Something for the BODY

Many of you have experienced the soothing calm of essential oils at our retreats.  Now is a good time to pull out those oils, including lavender, chamomile and more.  Here is a link to a great article about anxiety-reducing and soothing oils, and features info from our wonderful facilitator Hope Gillerman!

Try to take 10 – 15 minutes each sunny day and sit outside in the sunshine. A vitamin D deficiency causes anxiety in many women. Most women are already vitamin D deficient.  Staying indoors now contributes to that deficiency.  Ten minutes will boost your vitamin D intake!

Something for the SPIRIT

Our talented facilitator Chris Causey is posting free guided meditations on Facebook.  We encourage you to follow him here and take time to experience his calming presence.

Something for COMMUNITY

Now that we are practicing social distancing, it is even more important that we maintain emotional connections with those we care about and be sure to not isolate ourselves completely.  Check out this great article about staying emotionally connected during this challenging time. 

And as always, you can connect with your Living Beauty sisters! Log into our weekly zoom open chat and connect with other Living Beauties.  Keep a lookout for our emails with the link to join.

Question of the week:  What are you doing during this time to lower your anxiety?  Please share your tips for calm!

We’re sending much love and virtual hugs to you, today, and every day!

Nancy, Indyra, Ariana, and Mariella

More Resources –

Yoga 4 Cancer – Tari is offering a FREE yoga class every Monday at 11 am PST (2pm EST). Click here you register.
Tari is also offering on-demand classes that are available 24/7 also free of charge. Click here to view her library of classes.

Healing Breath Yoga – Sharon Holly is also offering donation-based virtual yoga classes. Contact Sharon for her weekly schedule.

Healing Studio Online – Facilitator Pierre Etienne and his colleagues are offering weekly group sessions on topics such as, “Practicing Wellness in Times of Crisis”, “Reduce and Manage Stress” and “Empowering Our Best Selves”. To get information on how to register, please email Pierre at [email protected].

Insight LA – is offering free online meditations in Spanish every Wednesday at 9 am PST. Please contact the Living Beauty office for the conference dial-in number.

Canplan – is offering a free digital download of their cancer planner starter kit. This is an organizational tool to help with your cancer journey and track your health journey overall.

YSC – The Young Survivors Coalition is also hosting virtual support for cancer survivors, along with other educational materials and blogs. Check out the links to learn more!

Cancer and Careers – Cancer and Careers has a ton of online resources that can be accessed. From ongoing webinars to their video archive and their free publications and blogs. They are also offering virtual support from career coaches and resume reviews.

Mind Over Money – Rita is offering free online support services, including her Money 101 workshop. Check out her website for more information.

Lyft – the LyftUp program is here to help people who need access to reliable and affordable transportation.

Food Resources – in Pasadena and in Los Angeles.

Meditation Apps – Calm and Flow.is are both free meditation apps that are available.

Breath Exercises to Strengthening Lungs – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qViH3a4S-Uk&feature=youtu.be

Grocery Store Deliveries – although there may be a fee associated with the delivery, we wanted to share these grocery stores that are delivering in order to avoid going physically!

https://www.ralphs.com/i/ways-to-shop/delivery
https://www.vons.com/shop/lp/grocery-pickup.html
https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/grocery-delivery-and-pickup
https://www.instacart.com/stater-bros
https://delivery.sprouts.com/ *first delivery is free!

Critical Delivery Service – the Workforce Development, Aging, and Community Services Department is offering temporary delivery services of groceries, household items and vital necessities for those who cannot leave their homes. Deliveries can be made 24/7. Call (888) 863-7411 to request services.

How to Make Your Own Face Mask – http://blog.japanesecreations.com/no-sew-face-mask-with-handkerchief-and-hair-tie

If you know of any other resources that can be helpful during this time, please email [email protected].

Also, we are continuing to offer weekly virtual programs. Please be sure to look out for our weekly emails or check out our calendar of events page to stay up to date!

a woman in a white shirt standing in front of a shirtless woman with her hands on her breasts

A Passion For Pigmentation

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This Spring, we connected Living Beauty Kim with Misti Barnes, certified Collagen Restoration Therapist, Micropigmentation Artist, and Phibrow Microblading Technician. Together, they began a journey to enhance Kim’s post mastectomy scars with areola pigmentation.

What is an areola pigmentation service?

MB: Areola Pigmentation is the placement of organic pigments – via a tattooing device – in the breast where the nipple/areola complex.  The look as natural and real as possible, with proper shading that gives the appearance of a nipple/areola. It is relatively painless, and may require one touch-up four weeks after the initial procedure.

 

How do you feel this can influence a women’s inner confidence after cancer?

MB: Breast cancer can be a devastating illness that affects a woman in many ways. Often times, after treatment and surgery, clients may have scars, or a lack of color in the areola area, which leaves them feeling “incomplete.” After the treatments, my clients say they feel, “more feminine and whole looking.” It is so rewarding to be a part of a process that can give a woman the sense that she is the woman she was prior to the diagnosis.

 

Kim, how did Living Beauty help you connect with Misti?

KA: I discovered, to my dismay, that post mastectomy, and post reconstruction nipple tattooing, for breast cancer, was not covered through my insurance.  Indeed, my insurance wanted me to show why areola pigmentation “was necessary” and to submit records of double mastectomy and reconstruction! In San Diego I got prices of $600-$800. Considering my medical fees already, nipple tattoos became less important although I felt aesthetically, I needed them. It is a shame that one has to go through these hoops, after having undergone such radical treatment in the first place.

 

So I posted in the Facebook Living Beauty page asking if anyone had information on how to get around this. Within a couple weeks, Ariana from Living Beauty called me to say that Misti had been in touch with Living Beauty to offer her services, as this was one of the many things she does, and she was willing to help in any way possible.

 

Misti, why did you decide to share this service with a Living Beauty? What makes this organization special to you?

MB: I wanted to be of service to others, and this seemed like a way to use my talents in a meaningful way. When I saw what The Foundation for Living Beauty was doing, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. There’s nothing better than feeling you have helped someone – in whatever small manner – feel great about themselves.

 

Kim, what was the process like with Misti? Did she make you feel comfortable, excited, empowered?

 

KA: Misti genuinely cares. She sincerely wants to do the best job possible.  Given the permanent nature of tattooing, this is so important, because what if I wasn’t happy with, let’s say, the size of the areola, if they were, for example, too large, or too dark?

 

Misti has an incredible personality: She is easy to get on with and very open to discussing all my concerns.  Because of how sensitive, in every way, this was, the fact that she reassured me, and that I felt I was in excellent hands, allowed me to feel comfortable baring my scars, and excited to know she was helping me achieve something that was previously unaffordable.

 

What does this process mean for you and your journey?

 

KA: Aesthetically, pre-tattooing, my scars were visibly the main focus.  All I could see were my scars. The art and beauty of my new tattoos took away the focus on the scars and made me feel so complete. It was like I’d had eyes without pupils! Misti completed something that was disturbingly incomplete. One always carries the emotional and physical scars of breast cancer, and after reconstruction, I was “kinda” happy with my boobs, but they still looked weird. What Misti has done for me now is to complete my journey, and give me the best outcome possible.  My scars will always be there, but behind perfect nipples, which make a world of difference!

 

Misty, what is your relationship like with your patients, woman to woman?

MB: I like to think of myself as a coach and a friend through this process, educating my clients, and cheering them on. They’ve been through a lot of trauma, and they need to feel cared for. Honestly, I’m more excited than my clients are, most of the time, because I know how great they’ll feel when they’re done, and that the rewards for doing this procedure are priceless.