🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:
• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 💪 Wellness News: Taking an Iron Supplement? More Isn't Always Better
• ⚠️ Health Alert: Weekly U.S. Food Recall & Safety Roundup
• 😄 Meme of the Day: Laughter is the Best Medicine
• ❤️ Communities need strong connections: Show Your Support
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)
👉 Browse the highlights. Click your favorites.
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Question: What do you call the technique of allowing tones and colors to shade gradually into one another?
(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)
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CARY SPOTLIGHT: HEALTH & WELLNESS EDITION
These articles in our Cary Spotlight Wellness Wednesday Special Edition are for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
Taking an Iron Supplement? More Isn't Always Better
Iron is essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body, and iron deficiency is common. But taking an iron supplement without knowing whether you actually need it can create problems of its own.
Doctors say symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, and restless legs can occur with iron deficiency. However, those symptoms can have many other causes. A blood test, rather than symptoms alone, is the best way to determine whether iron deficiency is the problem.
Why iron levels can become low
Iron deficiency can result from not getting enough iron through food, difficulty absorbing it, or chronic blood loss. People with heavy menstrual periods and those with certain gastrointestinal conditions or a history of bariatric surgery may face a higher risk.
If testing confirms a deficiency, a healthcare provider may recommend an iron supplement. The appropriate amount depends on factors including age, pregnancy, the severity of the deficiency, and its underlying cause.
Signs you may be taking too much
Iron supplements can cause side effects even when they're medically necessary. Common problems include:
🤢 Nausea and stomach discomfort
🚽 Constipation
⚫ Dark stools
🦴 Joint discomfort
Taking excessive amounts over a long period can be more serious. Iron can accumulate in organs, including the liver and heart, potentially causing significant damage.
That's why experts recommend against starting or increasing iron supplements simply because you're feeling tired. Some medical conditions can resemble iron deficiency but will not improve with additional iron.
What should you do?
🩸 Get tested first. Blood tests can help determine whether you are actually iron deficient.
💊 Don't assume more is better. The appropriate dose varies from person to person.
👩⚕️ Follow your healthcare provider's recommendation. Don't increase your dose without discussing it first.
📊 Monitor your levels. If you're taking iron to treat a deficiency, your healthcare provider may periodically check markers such as hemoglobin and ferritin.
The key is treating a confirmed deficiency rather than guessing. Iron can be beneficial when you need it, but unnecessary supplementation can carry real risks.
Today’s wellness story is brought to you by Dr. Estelle Tsalik
Estelle Tsalik is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Nutrition Coach, and Wellness Consultant based in Cary, NC. As the founder of Living Well with Estelle.
If you are ready to be more intentional about your wellness and would like a knowledgeable guide to support you, I would love to connect.
It's a relaxed, focused conversation about what you're doing, what's working, and where the gaps might be. No pressure, no pitch. Just clarity.” -Estelle
Just curious…
💊 What's your approach to vitamins and supplements?
Weekly U.S. Food Recall & Safety Roundup
Reporting period: August 5–11, 2026
Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce — Cyclospora. This is the largest food-safety development of the week. FDA and CDC updated the outbreak on August 5 to 6,358 confirmed illnesses in 15 states, at least 278 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths in Michigan.
Taylor Farms de Mexico had already recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico; affected retail products include Marketside Iceberg Salad, 12 oz and 24 oz, and Marketside Shredded Lettuce, 8 oz and 16 oz, with best-by dates through August 3. Foodservice distribution reached 29 states, with affected lettuce also supplied to Taco Bell locations. Consumer guidance: Do not eat any recalled lettuce still in your refrigerator; discard or return it and wash surfaces and containers it touched.
Fresh jalapeños and Taylor Fresh Foods products — Salmonella Javiana. FDA and CDC identified jalapeños grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors as the source of a multistate outbreak involving 345 illnesses across 27 states, 36 hospitalizations, and no deaths. Coast Citrus recalled affected jalapeños, and Taylor Fresh Foods subsequently recalled about 20 types of prepared foods containing them, including salsa, guacamole, dips, burritos, sandwiches and salads. Taylor products had Best If Used By dates through August 16 and were distributed to retail centers in 26 states, including products sold through Hannaford, Kroger, Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Whole Foods and other retailers. Taylor reported no illnesses specifically tied to its finished products. USDA FSIS also issued a public-health alert for meat and poultry products containing the recalled jalapeños; FSIS reported no confirmed illnesses linked specifically to those products. Consumer guidance: Do not eat, serve or sell recalled jalapeños or recalled products containing them; discard or return them and sanitize surfaces they contacted.
City Foods pastrami and corned beef — possible Listeria monocytogenes. USDA FSIS announced an August 8 recall of approximately 3,215 pounds of ready-to-eat meats. Products include Midamar Premium Beef Pastrami, case code 19410; Bea’s Best Cooked Corned Beef Brisket, code 18919; and Kirsch Delicatessen Style Cooked Corned Beef Brisket, code 19751, bearing establishment number EST. 1896. The products went initially to foodservice locations in Illinois, Iowa and Michigan and were then distributed nationwide. No confirmed illnesses have been reported. Consumer guidance: Do not eat or serve affected product; discard it or return it.
Food To Live green powders — possible Salmonella. FDA posted the recall August 7 after a retail sample tested positive for Salmonella. Recalled Food To Live products include wheatgrass, organic spirulina, organic algae powder mix, organic SuperGrass and related green powders. FDA lists affected lots including SO-72558 through SO-79374 and specified alternate codes including VFD/ORG/MORP/B/25, C25051312 and OSP251001. Products were sold nationwide online through Food To Live, FoodInBulk and other marketplaces. No illnesses have been reported. Consumer guidance: Do not consume affected products; dispose of them or return them for a refund.
Sun Noodle Sura Tanmen — undeclared fish allergen. Sun Noodle recalled 134 packages of 15.4-ounce Sura Tanmen Hot and Sour Flavor Premium Japanese Noodles & Soup Base, lot 1226183, after discovering that a sauce containing fish had mistakenly been packed into the kits. Distribution was limited to Hawaii retailers and distributors. No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported. Consumer guidance: Anyone with a fish allergy should not consume the product and should return it for a refund.
The two developments with the greatest public-health significance this week are the Cyclospora iceberg-lettuce outbreak and the new Salmonella jalapeño outbreak. The lettuce outbreak is especially notable because the August 5 update increased the confirmed total to more than 6,300 illnesses and reported the first two deaths associated with the investigation.
Has the recent lettuce recall changed how you shop for fresh produce?
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🎟️ Upcoming Events (Top Picks)
Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information. Here are a few ideas for the week, so plan ahead:
• Wednesday: Tai Chi: Downtown Cary Park 6:30PM-7:30PM
• Wednesday: Big Summer GlowOut 7:30PM-9:30PM
• Thursday: Midsummer Flower Crowns 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Thursday: Trivia Night 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Thursday: Zumba 7PM-8PM
• Friday: Pop-Up Summer Adult Fitness Class 8:30AM-9:30AM
• Friday: PONDER Program: Picture This! 10:30AM-12PM
• Friday: Cary Night Market 5PM-9PM
• Saturday: Cary Farmers Market 8AM-12PM
• Saturday: Movie Night: How to Train Your Dragon 6PM-10:15PM
• Sunday: Art of Cool Presents The Frequency Series Featuring Jonathan Butler & Najee with Aaron McCoy 6:30PM
• Monday: Beyond the Booths: 50 Years of Lazy Daze All Day
But wait! There’s more. To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead: See Full 2-Week Calendar
The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
A: Sfumato
This fine art painting technique is called sfumato, which comes from the Italian word meaning "evaporated like smoke". It lets colors and tones melt into each other without harsh borders. Leonardo da Vinci used it on the Mona Lisa.
Learn more, Sfumato