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🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:
• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 💪 Wellness News: 7 Exercises That Can Help You Stay Strong and Mobile as You Age
• ⚠️ 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 type of ballet jump is a sissonne?
(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.
Why Your Body’s “Brakes” Matter More Than You Think
If walking down stairs bothers your knees more than walking up, the problem may involve how well your body controls and absorbs force as you move downward.
Many workouts focus on generating force through lifting, pushing and forward movement. But everyday activities also require deceleration, the ability to slow your body safely and with control.
Your muscles act like shock absorbers during movements such as descending stairs, walking downhill, sitting in a chair or stopping suddenly. The glutes, hamstrings, calves and back muscles help distribute those forces so they are not concentrated in one area.
Training this ability may improve stability and movement control. The key is slowing movements down, maintaining good alignment and teaching the hips, knees and ankles to work together.
🏋️ 4 Exercises to Practice at Home
Slow Step-Downs: Stand on the bottom stair while holding a railing. Slowly lower one foot toward the floor over three to five seconds, then return to the starting position.
Tempo Squats: Take about five seconds to lower into a comfortable squat, then stand normally. A chair can be used for support or as the target for the squat. Try two sets of eight.
Controlled Lunges: Step forward and take about three seconds to lower into the lunge. Return to standing and repeat six to eight times on each side. Use a wall or chair for balance if needed.
Deceleration Walking: Walk briskly, then gradually come to a complete stop over three increasingly shorter steps. Keep your knees soft and hips slightly back. Repeat five times.
Practice these movements two or three times per week, gradually increasing the difficulty as your strength and control improve. Anyone with existing pain, injuries or balance problems should consult a doctor or physical therapist before starting a new exercise program. See Demonstration
Today’s wellness story is brought to you by Dr. Estelle Tsalik
“This month's theme is Self-care September.
I've always loved the expression "you can't pour from an empty cup." But lately I've been thinking that sometimes our cups aren't empty so much as just a little cracked. We may be in a busy season of life that's continually draining us, so it's important to find ways to top up our cups with goodness, so that when those inevitable bumps come our way, goodness can spill from them instead.
That's really what this month's calendar is about. Each prompt offers a simple way to be a little kinder to yourself, whether that's permitting yourself to rest, letting go of a should, or simply remembering that you're allowed to take up space.
I encourage you to pick one or two prompts each week that resonate and let go of the rest.
If you find this calendar especially meaningful, share it with someone who might appreciate it too. “ — 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…
Which type of movement would you most like to learn more about? 💪
Weekly U.S. Food Recall & Safety Roundup
Reporting period: August 26–September 1, 2026
Bottom line upfront: The iceberg-lettuce outbreak remains overwhelmingly the most consequential U.S. food-safety story. The jump to 11,458 confirmed illnesses across 20 states makes it far larger by case count than any other active foodborne outbreak covered in this week's federal updates. The sprout recall expansion is the most important newly recalled produce item because it involves potential contamination with both STEC and Salmonella.
The biggest development this week is the dramatic expansion of the Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce, while several new FDA and USDA recalls were also announced.
1. Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce — Cyclospora outbreak
Products: Iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and recalled by Taylor Farms de Mexico, including Marketside Iceberg Salad (12- and 24-oz) and Marketside Shredded Lettuce (8- and 16-oz) with Best if Used By dates from July 18–August 3, plus foodservice products.
Hazard: Cyclospora cayetanensis.
Major August 27 update: The outbreak has now reached 11,458 illnesses in 20 states. Georgia, Tennessee and Texas were newly added to the outbreak. FDA says most illnesses began before the July 17 recall and that recalled lettuce should now be off the market. FDA inspections and sampling at growers and the processing facility in Mexico remain underway.
Consumer guidance: If recalled lettuce remains in a refrigerator or freezer, discard it and clean and sanitize containers and surfaces it contacted. Anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with cyclosporiasis should contact a healthcare provider.
2. Everything Sprouts — expanded E. coli & Salmonella recall
Newly added product: Everything Sprouts Robust Radish Mix, 5-oz cups, barcode 087906000075, lots 223, 226, 230 and 233.
Hazard: Potential contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and/or Salmonella.
Distribution: Wholesale distributors and grocery stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin, distributed August 13–26.
This expands the earlier Everything Sprouts recall involving alfalfa sprouts and mixed sprout products. The underlying outbreak associated with the earlier sprouts involved 55 illnesses across 15 states. FDA says no illnesses have been reported specifically from the newly recalled Robust Radish Mix.
Consumer guidance: Discard affected sprouts immediately and clean and sanitize containers and surfaces they contacted.
3. Martina mangoes sold at Walmart — possible Salmonella
Product: Mangoes packaged in Martina-branded cases. Individual fruit carries a light-blue Agrofepac — Produce of Mexico sticker, PLU 4584, UPC 07503061948050.
Amount: 302 boxes.
Distribution: Select Walmart stores in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, distributed August 10–21.
Hazard: Potential Salmonella contamination. FDA sampling detected Salmonella in mangoes grown on the same farm, although the sampled mangoes themselves did not enter U.S. commerce.
Illnesses: None reported.
Consumer guidance: Discard affected mangoes or return them to the place of purchase. Anyone who believes they became ill should contact a healthcare provider.
4. Shanghai Ravioli frozen buffalo chicken products — produced without federal inspection
Agency: USDA FSIS
Products: Approximately 24,900 pounds of frozen, not-ready-to-eat buffalo chicken products manufactured by Shanghai Ravioli Corporation of Boston.
Hazard: Products were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, meaning FSIS could not verify that required food-safety controls were followed.
Recall announced: August 26.
This is the most significant new USDA FSIS recall I could confirm during the reporting window.
5. Crystal Temptations Chocolatey Eyeballs — undeclared milk
Products: Halloween Chocolatey Eyeballs, in 7-, 10-, 10.5-, 11- and 16-oz packages.
Hazard: Undeclared milk, which can cause serious or life-threatening reactions in people with milk allergies.
Distribution: Marshalls, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods and Sierra stores in Arizona, Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Indiana, Nevada, California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio and Wyoming.
Illnesses: None reported.
Consumer guidance: FDA's posted recall says consumers should destroy the affected candy; refunds are handled through the recalling company rather than the retailer.
6. Kofinas garlic-infused olive oil — unapproved culinary ingredient
Products: Kofinas Garlic Mediterranean Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 100-, 250- and 500-mL bottles.
Hazard: The oil was made using a garlic essential oil that is not approved for culinary use.
Distribution: Two retail locations in Cincinnati, Ohio, plus online sales through the company's website, from August 31, 2025 through August 27, 2026.
Illnesses: None reported.
Consumers should stop using the recalled product; anyone experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction or foodborne illness should seek medical advice.
Other important federal updates
FDA and CDC closed the infant-botulism investigation involving Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula on August 27. The final investigation involved four confirmed infant botulism cases in California, Pennsylvania and Washington; no new cases had been reported since July 3. The formula had previously been recalled.
FDA also closed the Listeria monocytogenes investigation linked to requesón/soft ricotta cheese on August 26. The final outbreak involved 15 illnesses, 14 hospitalizations and one death. Because recalled cheese can have a long refrigerated or frozen shelf life, consumers should still check for affected products.
When you hear about a major food recall, what do you usually do?
Meme of the Day.
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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: PPA Pickleball Tour: North Carolina Open All Day
• Wednesday: Beyond the Booths: 50 Years of Lazy Daze All Day
• Wednesday: Fall Leaves Linocut 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Thursday: PPA Pickleball Tour: North Carolina Open All Day
• Thursday: Live at Lunch: Joey Calderaio 11:30AM-1:30PM
• Thursday: Pollinators in Our Parks 3PM-5PM
• Friday: PPA Pickleball Tour: North Carolina Open All Day
• Friday: Beyond the Booths: 50 Years of Lazy Daze All Day
• Friday: Compost Workshop 12PM-1PM
• Friday: Compost Workshop 4PM-5PM
• Friday: Bands, Bites, and Boats 5:30PM-7:30PM
• Friday: Movie Night: Hamilton 7:30PM-10:30PM
• Saturday: PPA Pickleball Tour: North Carolina Open All Day
• Saturday: Cary Farmers Market 8AM-12PM
• Saturday: Yoga 9AM-10AM
• Saturday: Composting for Kids and Families 10:30AM-11:30AM
• Sunday: PPA Pickleball Tour: North Carolina Open All Day
• Monday: Stretch and Refresh 10AM-11AM
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: takes off from two feet and lands on one foot.
A sissonne is a fundamental ballet jump defined by taking off from two feet and landing on one foot. It is part of the allegro (lively/jumping) vocabulary and is often compared to a scissor-like opening and closing action of the legs.
Learn more, Improve Your Sissonne Jumps - Sissonne Jump Tips