Cary Spotlight | Issue #373

Cutting Back on Sugar, Finding Balance, and Buddy Check Week 2024

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

😀 Quote of the Day

📰 Cutting Back on Sugar? A Healthier Way Forward

▶️ What Does It Mean To Be A Human Being Not A Human Doing?

📰 American Legion and VA Rally for Mental Health During Buddy Check Week 2024

😋🍴 Savor Cary: City Barbeque Review

☀️ Cary NC Weather

📅Lots Of Events This Week

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

Question: Who is the Italian physicist known as the father of modern science?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Discover Bee Banhmi, a local business sponsor of Cary Spotlight. They do catering, online ordering, home delivery and in-store. Great food made with quality ingredients. You can read their Business Spotlight | Order Online | Catering Options

Partner with us to reach our local audience in Cary, NC.
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My Favourite Sweet

Cutting Back on Sugar? A Healthier Way Forward

As Halloween approaches, sweets may be top of mind, but sugar consumption is a year-round issue for many Americans. On average, people consume far more added sugar than recommended by health experts, contributing to serious health risks like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Unfortunately, sugar is hidden in many foods beyond candy, making it challenging to limit. However, with some thoughtful strategies, you can regain control of your sugar intake without sacrificing enjoyment.

Here are five practical tips to help you reduce your sugar consumption:

  • Skip the Liquid Sugar — Beverages like sodas, energy drinks, and flavored coffees are often packed with added sugars and provide no nutritional value. Reducing or eliminating sugary drinks is a great way to make a big impact on your daily intake, especially for children.

  • Transform Your Work Environment — Encourage your workplace to replace sugary drinks in vending machines with healthier alternatives. Avoiding office candy bowls can also reduce temptation and prevent mindless snacking during the workday.

  • Reorganize Your Home — Keep sugary treats out of your regular grocery routine and save them for special occasions. Involving your household in sugar reduction efforts makes the change easier, reinforcing healthier eating habits for everyone.

  • Surf the Urge — When cravings hit, try "urge surfing"—a mindfulness technique that helps you acknowledge cravings without acting on them. Guided meditations can be helpful tools for learning this skill.

  • Reserve Sugar for Special Occasions — Make sugar part of celebrations rather than a daily habit. Bake desserts at home and enjoy them with loved ones, savoring the moments when you do indulge. Reading labels for added sugars also helps keep your intake within healthy limits.

By implementing these strategies, you can create a healthier relationship with sugar. Reducing your intake doesn’t mean cutting out enjoyment—it’s about being intentional and making sweet moments count. Over time, these small changes will contribute to better health and a more sustainable way of living. Read Full Report

What is the biggest challenge you face when cutting back on sugar?

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What Does It Mean To Be A Human Being Not A Human Doing?

At NC State's Spring 2023 graduation ceremony, Kelsey O'Connor, a former Division I athlete and recent social work graduate, delivered an insightful speech about her journey through adversity. After a traumatic brain injury abruptly ended her softball career, O'Connor struggled with her identity and doubted her ability to complete her degree.

Her speech offered a candid reflection on the challenges of navigating life without the external identity she once had as an athlete. O'Connor's message was centered on the idea that personal worth is rooted in who we are becoming, not what we do. She urged graduates to see beyond societal labels and achievements, advocating for a life driven by internal growth and self-acceptance.

Her story serves as an inspiring reminder that setbacks can foster transformation, and true fulfillment comes from embracing who we are at every stage of life.

You can watch it here:

Just curious…

How do you define personal success?

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American Legion and VA Rally for Mental Health During Buddy Check Week 2024

Buddy Check Week 2024, which ran from October 21-25, encouraged veterans to reach out to at least ten others as part of a national effort to strengthen peer networks and promote mental health. This initiative, backed by the STRONG Veterans Act of 2022, emphasized the importance of simple gestures, such as phone calls or personal visits, to reconnect veterans and reduce isolation. Veterans were also connected with mental health and support resources through both VA and community services.

The American Legion played a central role in promoting the campaign, leveraging its extensive network of posts nationwide. Buddy Check Week aligns with the Legion’s long-standing commitment to veterans' well-being, which includes regular check-ins around Veterans Day and the organization’s anniversary in March. The Legion continues to advocate for veterans beyond the campaign, offering free services, healthcare navigation, and support programs throughout the year.

Although Buddy Check Week 2024 has concluded, the message of ongoing care remains relevant, especially with the holiday season approaching. The campaign’s goal is to foster a culture of connection that extends well beyond October, ensuring veterans know they are never alone.

Take the Quiz

Feeling like your life’s a bit... wobbly? Take this 30-second quiz to see if your health, wealth, and happiness are rolling along smoothly or need a tune-up. It’s fun, fast, and might just make you say, ‘Ah, that’s why!’ Take the quiz now.

Click here to take the quiz

Credit: City Barbeque

City Barbeque Review

City Barbeque is one of the eateries that was nominated by the Cary Spotlight’s readers for our Savor Cary Giveaway. If you had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below. Here are the results from our last reader poll (see below). Check out their menu on their website: City Barbeque

Reader Poll Results (Issue # 335)

City Barbeque (18 Votes)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Love this place! (13)

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 😊😊😊 I have never been there but I might give it a try (5)

Cary Spotlight Reader’s Feedback:

“Went yesterday and had that yummy barbecued pork sandwich with slaw, their delicious potato salad, and the excellent baked beans. It's all good!”

“City BBQ has always allowed Cary American Legion Post 67 to hold Fund Raisers for Veterans Benefit Live events plus their meals are great and the staff is awesome. Highly recommend this business.”

“Plainly, a warm and friendly restaurant to bring everyone together.”

“Hearty helpings and the best green beans around. This restaurant consistently gives back to the community through fundraising and partnering with local schools and missions. Love this place!”

Editor’s Note: One reader thought otherwise, “I actually don’t love this place, it’s very ok food. I am though offended by the two response options that steer you toward a positive outcome for the survey.”

To be fair, yes, I do want to hear why people love this place. And Cary Spotlight will continue to spread positive word-of-mouth about our local restaurants that deserve it. Try it for yourself or search for them on Google, and filter their 2,662 reviews for the negative reviews. I did. Their last negative review was 5 months ago.

City Barbeque

Click to share 3 things you love about this place or recommend an item people should try on their menu.

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Enter Our Monthly Drawing – You Pick the Prize!

We’ve got exciting news! Every month, we hold a special drawing, and the winner gets to choose their prize 🎉. Next drawing: 24 Nov 2024. (We are waiting to confirm our October Winner.)

This month’s options include:

🍽️ A $100 gift card to your favorite local restaurant OR

💙 A $100 donation to a local charity, like DORCAS Ministries, made on your behalf.

You’re automatically entered when you participate in our referral program! Here’s your personal referral link to share with friends and increase your chances:

👉 https://www.caryspotlight.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

The more people you refer, the better your chances of winning—and the best part? You choose the reward that’s right for you!

Thank you for being part of the Cary Spotlight community. We appreciate your support in helping us grow and make an impact!

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Upcoming Local Events

Looking ahead to events happening in Cary, NC for the rest of the week.
Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information.

October 30th (Wednesday)

October 31st (Thursday)

November 1st (Friday)

November 2nd (Saturday)

November 3rd (Sunday)

November 4th (Monday)

The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question👇👇👇

Galileo Galilei, an Italian physicist, mathematician, and astronomer, is often referred to as the "father of modern science" for his groundbreaking work in physics and astronomy. His use of the telescope to observe celestial bodies led to revolutionary discoveries, including the moons of Jupiter and the phases of Venus, which challenged the geocentric model of the universe. Galileo’s contributions to the scientific method and his advancements in mechanics and motion paved the way for future scientific progress.

For more information on Galileo Galilei, you can visit the Britannica page on Galileo.