URGENT RECALL NOTICE

Friends-

Today I learned Trader Joe's recalled ONE brand of peanut butter that's been linked to 29 salmonella illnesses in 18 states.  If you buy the 'Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter' please RETURN it immediately.

 

The peanut butter wasn't removed from Trader Joe's shelves until September 20th. 

Although the FDA, Food and Drug Administration & the CDC reported "Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter" as the most likely source of this outbreak, further investigation is being conducted to ensure no other Trader Joe's items may be contaminated. 

Per the CDC, people became sick between June 11 and Sept. 2. 

No deaths have been reported thus far, however more than three quarters of the reported illnesses were children- under the age of 18.  According individual State health departments, there have been three cases in Massachusetts, one in Rhode Island and one in North Carolina.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea within 12 to 72 hours after the infection.  Children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to the illness.

Please- take note & take care.

Look Out for Falling Fruit

Admittedly, as I begin this- I just can’t stop grinning.  And no, I’m not imagining anyone getting thunked by a piece of fruit.  It’s just that, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if someone’s thinking- ‘Why write about FRUIT in September?!’  And I can appreciate that… really. 

There’s a majority of us who enjoy deliciously fresh, whole-fruits in the SUMMER-time!  And though it may feel like summer, we’re in mid-September where the traditional focus is ‘back to school’, not outdoor picnics. 

So considering all the hustle & bustle associated with September, why am I talking about falling fruit?  Easy- it’s a gentle reminder that FALL fruits are here and pack a powerful- healthy punch.  They’re the perfect fuel for busy families and necessary to health.

With the children back in school trying to make good impressions on their teachers… what’s the first fruit that comes to mind?  Yep- apples, the Fall staple!  But there's more than just apples falling this time of year.

The list may surprise you, since the Fall offers a little something for everyone.  

The autumn harvest bares Grapes, Figs, Pomegranates, Pears, Limes, Quinces, Persimmons, Huckleberries, Cranberries, Pumpkins, Apples & Nuts, all ripe for the taking.  And yes, some nuts are considered a type of hard-shelled fruit. They include almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts and hickory nuts.

Talk about a delectable variety of powerful nutrition!  ~ But why is this important information to share with you and your family? 

Unfortunately, our society is battling dozens of ‘common’ illnesses and the harsh reality is this.  Many of our loved ones are struggling from one form of health issue or another, whether it’s obesity, heart disease, Type II diabetes, thyroid disorders, depression, the list goes on.  And if that’s not enough, for the FIRST time in our nation’s history the life expectancy of our youngest generation is predicted to be shorter than that of their parents.

That said- it’s never been more important for us to eat seasonal, whole-foods on a daily basis.  Plus anyone can begin a healthy trend, by simply eating ONE fresh fruit or veggie per meal and build gradually from there.

However, for those who wish to do even better… it’s also wise to remove as many ‘dead’ foods from the daily menu as possible.  Think:  pre-packaged, fast and processed foods and don’t be fooled by ‘healthy’ marketing labels.  Neither additives nor chemicals are in fact “All Natural” according to our bodies or “Heart Healthy”.  On the contrary, the human body processes them as toxins.  So to put it mildly it’s cause for concern in a society plagued by ‘common’ illnesses. 

So what’s the take away?  It’s simple.  There’s NO better health supplement than eating seasonal, non-toxic, fresh whole-foods. 

REAL food is FUEL and HEALTH is the performance gauge, so energy and stamina performs best when the body’s fed WELL.  Consequently, a healthy serving of seasonal fruit is simply one natural way to Feed Your Force!  

Having said that, I truly hope this information encourages all of you, and your families to ‘Look Out for Falling Fruit’ together this season. 

Remember- Enjoy & EAT WELL to FUEL the BEST YOU Possible.

FUEL Life. Feed Your Force!

EMBRACE the SEASONS: A Tip to ‘Do Better’ & Build Good Health

Hello Again-

 

Ever hear the quote, 'VARIETY'S THE VERY SPICE OF LIFE'?  I love it… it evokes a sense of fun and inspiration, PLUS- it’s GREAT Nutritional Wisdom!! 
 

Think of it this way, the human body relies on an extensive VARIETY of nutrients to function WELL on a consistent basis.  It’s also designed to capture and utilize Mother Nature’s rotating harvest of SEASONAL whole-foods.  That said, the wisdom in ‘Variety’s the very spice of Life’ teaches us to embrace the natural abundance in every SEASON- for this is the parallel to good health and vitality in Life. 
 

Here’s the simple take away.  Health is stimulated by good nutrition; a wide variety of seasonal, fresh, non-toxic, whole-foods.  And for the highest nutrient density, LOCALLY GROWN is the way to go, so I encourage everyone to visit their local Farmer’s Market.  It's a great place to shop and get to know the local farmers.  Ultimately- they're the experts who will help us embrace the unique variety & seasonality of foods year-round.
 

Remember- Enjoy & EAT WELL to FUEL the BEST YOU Possible!

<<FUEL Life. Feed Your Force!>>