Cary Spotlight | Issue #554

Discover Chicken Salad Chick, 10 Foods to Handle (or Avoid) With Caution, Why Your Workout Might Be Wrecking Your Posture — and How to Fix It

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

🧭 Discover Cary: Chicken Salad Chick

📰 10 Foods to Handle (or Avoid) With Caution

📰 Why Your Workout Might Be Wrecking Your Posture — and How to Fix It

😀 Meme of the Day

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🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

📅 Lots Of Events This Week (The Week at a Glance)

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Question: What common food item can be used to charge your phone (in theory)?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

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Credit: Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick is one of the local food places nominated by Cary Spotlight’s readers for our Discover Cary project. If you had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below.

Chicken Salad Chick in Cary, NC, offers a delightful array of over a dozen scratch-made chicken salad flavors—ranging from classic to spicy and fruity—served with Southern hospitality in a bright, casual setting.

Check out their menu on their website: Chicken Salad Chick

Address: 302 Colonades Way Suite 202, Cary, NC 27518 | Get Directions

Chicken Salad Chick

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

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These articles 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.

10 Foods to Handle (or Avoid) With Caution

With foodborne illness outbreaks climbing across the country, Consumer Reports has released a list of the ten most hazardous foods currently found in U.S. kitchens and grocery stores. Drawing from CDC, FDA, and USDA data, the report highlights a 41% increase in food recalls and a doubling of hospitalizations and deaths from contamination-related illnesses in the past year. From deli meats to organic vegetables, these are the foods most commonly linked to recent outbreaks of salmonella, E. coli, and listeria.

Here are the top 10 foods flagged by Consumer Reports — and what to watch out for:

🥪 Deli Meats
Often handled multiple times and vulnerable to listeria at processing plants, deli meats topped the list after a major outbreak linked to Boar’s Head cold cuts and liverwurst sickened dozens and caused ten deaths in 2024.

🥒 Cucumbers
Linked to more than 660 cases of salmonella, both whole and pre-sliced cucumbers sold at supermarkets were involved in widespread outbreaks. Bruised or damaged produce may harbor harmful bacteria.

🥛 Raw Milk & Raw Cheese
Unpasteurized dairy products caused over 180 illnesses last year due to E. coli and salmonella, including major outbreaks tied to Raw Farms milk and cheddar cheese. Even aging raw cheese isn’t always enough to eliminate risk.

🧀 Cotija & Queso Fresco
These soft cheeses, known for high moisture and low acidity, were linked to a listeria outbreak that resulted in 26 illnesses and 23 hospitalizations. The texture and makeup of these cheeses make them more susceptible to contamination.

🥚 Eggs
Salmonella in eggs led to 93 illnesses and 34 hospitalizations in 2024. Proper handling and cooking — including avoiding cracked shells and ensuring yolks are fully cooked — can reduce risk.

🧅 Onions
E. coli traced to fresh yellow onions used in fast food caused over 100 illnesses and one death. Consumer Reports advises removing outer layers and choosing unbruised produce.

🥬 Leafy Greens
Lettuce and other greens remain high-risk due to proximity to cattle farms, where runoff can introduce E. coli. Last year’s outbreaks caused one death and dozens of hospitalizations. Hydroponic lettuce is a safer option.

🥕 Raw Carrots
Grimmway Farms carrots, including organic varieties, were recalled after an E. coli outbreak sickened 48 and killed one. Washing and peeling help, but cooking is most effective for eliminating pathogens.

🌿 Organic Basil
This aromatic herb was linked to 36 illnesses in 2024 due to salmonella, again tied to contaminated soil. Washing and cooking are essential safeguards.

🍗 Cooked Poultry & Meats
Though no illnesses were reported, traces of listeria in pre-cooked meat and poultry products prompted concern. Heating frozen or ready-to-eat items thoroughly is recommended.

While these foods may still be part of a healthy diet, Consumer Reports emphasizes safe handling, proper cooking, and heightened awareness of current recalls. With foodborne illnesses on the rise, vigilance at the grocery store and in the kitchen is more important than ever.

How closely do you pay attention to food recalls and contamination alerts?

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Why Your Workout Might Be Wrecking Your Posture — and How to Fix It

Many people who consistently lift weights or follow strength-training routines are unknowingly reinforcing poor posture. Workouts that focus heavily on the front of the body — such as bench presses, push-ups, and crunches — often neglect key muscles in the back, leading to imbalances that pull the body into slouched or rounded positions.

Even with a well-balanced program, poor form can cause bad habits to become ingrained, contributing to tightness, reduced mobility, and long-term discomfort both in and out of the gym.

To counteract these effects, experts recommend three key strategies: balancing pushing and pulling movements to strengthen neglected back muscles; incorporating mobility drills that improve range of motion in the hips, shoulders, and spine; and maintaining proper form throughout workouts to reinforce healthy alignment. With these simple shifts, strength training can become a tool not just for building muscle, but for improving posture, movement quality, and overall well-being. Read Full Report

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

In theory, a potato can be used to charge a phone—though not very efficiently. Potatoes contain phosphoric acid, which can help generate a small electric current when combined with metals like copper and zinc. While a single potato won’t produce enough power to charge a modern smartphone, multiple potatoes wired together can create a low-voltage battery strong enough to power small devices like LED lights. It’s a fun science experiment, but not a practical charging solution!