1) Halloween is coming– which means candy and lots of girls prancing around in costumes that always start with the world “slutty”.

2) The return of my coziest sweaters and Pumpkin Spice Lattes which is really one of the happiest moments of fall.

3) Midterms- which usually results in a whole lot of numbers one and two (minus the slutty costumes of course).

But more important than all those things?

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The American Cancer Society estimates the chances of a woman developing breast cancer in her lifetime is one in eight.

What’s even scarier is that breast cancer is being found in women younger and younger (such as singers Kylie Minogue and Anastasia).

A key factor in breast cancer survival is early detection. So, listen up!

Right now, in front of your computer (I won’t judge) I want you to feel yourself up. Go for it. Let those girls of yours know its play time. But before you boogie on down: click here for a video on how to give yourself an accurate breast exam. Then, I give you monthly permission to have a play-date with your lil (or big) ladies.

Even more fun than monthly breast exams? During the month of October you can spend, spend, spend for a good cause (not that we really need an excuse to shop) but when all our favorite stores are pitching in to help the fight against breast cancer? Well, that would just be rude of us not to whip out our plastic card.

Here are a few of my favorite Breast Cancer items:

• Bloomingdales has an entire “Pink Boutique” chock full of cute clothes that go towards the cancer cause. AND they even are selling gift cards where 10% of what you spend will go towards Breast Cancer Research.

• Now while I am far (like 3 light-years away far) from being the next Top Chef, the pink products from Kitchen Aid are so adorable that they almost (keyword being almost) make me want to step into the kitchen.

Kitchen Aid’s also started a “cook for the cure” party idea. Go to kitchenaid.com and get started with the “party kit” which is chock full of brunch and dinner recipes. Then invite your faves over for a study-break and ask each one to bring a donation for Breast Cancer…(and don’t forget to don you new pink apparel!). Click here for more info!

• Bobbi Brown released a lip combo of their best selling Sandwash Pink Lipstick and exclusive Pink Flower Shimmer Lip Gloss. A perfect combo of colors (I tried them last time I was at the store) for day or night.

Although no one knows 100% what causes breast cancer (hence all the shopping for Breast Cancer Research!) There are things you can do besides monthly breast exams to help lower your risk:

Eat a healthy diet (and no 100 calorie packs don’t count)

Maintainin a healthy weight (click here to see if you’re currently in a healthy weight range)

Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Exercise regularly (try Xflowsion if you’re bored with your workout!)

Researchers do know that a woman’s age, gender and lifetime exposure to estrogen as well as your age at the time of your first childbirth play an important role. So, consider switching to a lower dose of estrogen birth control as well.

Go to komen.org for more pink products and breast cancer information.

Which is why you aren’t seeing results.

But what if I told you that you could get out of your rut and start seeing results again?

And you don’t even need to leave your house to do it?

(I bet you’d tell me I sound like an infomercial)

Well yay for you, because now you can start saying, “Peace out stretch pants, it’s been real” and “Hellllo, mini-dress!”

Xflowsion is a combination of yoga, martial arts and dance. It’s also a combination that promises to deliver results. And the best news? It’s actually fun. No really, it is.

I discovered Xflowsion at my yoga studio, the Yoga Shelter, at home in Michigan this summer. Described by another teacher at the studio as “Yoga on Crack”, I figured I’d give the Xflowsion class a try (I guess I’m easily swayed by crack references?). So, I rolled out of bed at 9am on a Sunday morning (not an easy feat as I am a chronic over-sleeper) and headed to the Shelter.

It was an hour and fifteen minute mish-mash of kicking, dancing, down-dogs, punching and a whole lot of sweating to great music. It was the best workout I had done in months and I swear my pants felt looser as I walked out the door.

Creator Eric Paskel created an intense DVD with this Xflowsion routine (and a whole lot more). And celebs like Jessica Biel and Shannon Elizabeth and magazines like Us Weekly, Shape and In Style are just as into it as I am.

And now you can order it at Xflowsion.com. I mean,if Justin Timberlake’s lady is doing it- then sign me up!

And not only does Xflowsion deliver results, Paskel is big on focusing on what really matters while working out: connecting your mind, body and spirit, while kicking all the bullshit life throws our way to the curb.

Throw your body for a loop and try something new. Xflowsion will give you an challanging, fun workout, get you out of your rut, and put you in a good mood (could be because your ‘too-tight-right-now-jeans’ will start to fit again)!