🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:

• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 🎽 Daily Wellness: 10 Proven Foods That Help Burn Dangerous Visceral Fat
• 💪 Wellness Tip: Consistent Movement, Not Daily Perfection
• ⚠️ Health Alert: Ben’s Rice, Cinnamon Brands, Wegmans Cheesecake Recalled
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for laughs
• ❤️ Communities need strong connections: Show Your Support
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)

👉 Browse the highlights. Click your favorites.

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Question: Which part of the brain helps regulate emotions?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

10 Proven Foods That Help Burn Dangerous Visceral Fat

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52jBHYGn3FY

Visceral fat, the type that wraps around internal organs, is linked to serious health risks including heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Unlike subcutaneous fat, it is metabolically active and contributes to inflammation and hormonal disruption. New research highlights a group of specific foods that may help reduce this harmful fat through unique biochemical mechanisms.

1. Green Tea: Contains EGCG, a compound that targets visceral fat and activates fat-burning enzymes within abdominal fat cells. Consuming four to five cups daily has been linked to significant reductions in visceral fat.

2. Wild Salmon (and other oily fish): Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which lower stress hormone levels like cortisol that trigger fat storage around the organs. Eating it two to three times a week can also boost metabolism through the activation of brown fat.

3. Avocados: High in oleic acid, which helps reprogram the body’s fat storage system to move fat away from the abdomen and toward safer areas. This effect appears especially beneficial for women.

4. Purple, Brown, and Pink Rice Blend: A combination of these three rice types improves insulin sensitivity, supports beneficial gut bacteria, and directly targets belly fat cells. Regular consumption showed measurable reductions in visceral fat.

5. Yogurt with Lactobacillus gasseri: This probiotic strain has been shown to reduce visceral fat by improving gut health and reducing inflammation. It can be consumed directly through yogurt or in supplement form.

6. Walnuts: Contain ellagitannins that are converted by gut bacteria into compounds that help burn abdominal fat. Daily intake has been associated with double the visceral fat loss compared to standard diets.

7. Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa or higher): Reduces cortisol levels and blocks stress-related fat storage. A small daily serving, particularly in the afternoon, can help interrupt the body’s stress cycle.

8. Turmeric with Black Pepper: Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, reduces inflammation, a key driver of visceral fat accumulation. Piperine in black pepper boosts its absorption dramatically.

9. Pomegranate or Pomegranate Vinegar: Rich in ellagic acid and punicalagins, which influence fat cell metabolism and promote fat burning. Juice, vinegar, or supplements may be used to achieve this effect.

10. Spicy Peppers (Capsaicin): Activates fat-burning receptors in visceral fat cells. Moderate daily intake of hot peppers can significantly reduce abdominal fat without affecting other fat stores.

Incorporating these foods into a balanced diet—while maintaining a calorie deficit—can help reduce visceral fat over time and improve overall metabolic health.

Consistent Movement, Not Daily Perfection

A new study offers reassurance for older adults who find it difficult to meet daily step targets. The research, focused on women aged 60 and older, indicates that averaging higher step counts across a week has a stronger link to reduced cardiovascular disease and mortality risk than maintaining daily consistency.

Participants who walked 4,000 steps just two days per week were still less likely to die from any cause compared to those who never hit that mark. More active days correlated with greater benefit, but even moderate movement offered protective effects. These findings challenge the emphasis on strict daily goals like 10,000 steps, which lack strong scientific backing.

Instead, aiming for 5,000 to 7,000 steps per day on average appears to provide significant health advantages. The study highlights that every bit of movement counts and encourages integrating physical activity into daily routines in manageable ways.

For those with limited mobility, alternative activities can still support cardiovascular and overall health. The broader message is that movement—regardless of exact steps or timing—is beneficial for longevity. Read Full Report

Content sponsored by Dr. Estelle Tsalik - Your Trusted Wellness Consultant.
Dr. Estelle Tsalik, a highly skilled wellness consultant and the founder of Living Well with Estelle, is here to empower you on your journey to optimal health. She is committed to simplifying the process and guiding you towards simple, sustainable, and sanity-saving solutions.

Book a complimentary Live Well Chat today, and let’s make toxin-fighting simple, science-backed, and totally doable in your busy life. Mention “Cary Spotlight”

Ben’s Rice, Cinnamon Brands, Wegmans Cheesecake Recalled

Mars Food US has recalled certain Ben’s Original Ready Rice products due to the risk of small stones, potentially causing oral or digestive injuries. Affected products include specific Long Grain White, Whole Grain Brown, and Long Grain & Wild varieties sold by major retailers. No injuries have been reported, and consumers should return or discard the rice. (Read Recall Notice)

Separately, the FDA has alerted the public about multiple ground cinnamon brands containing unsafe lead levels. While no illnesses have been linked to these products, the long-term risks, particularly for children, make it important to avoid and discard the affected items. (Read Recall Notice)

Wegmans has recalled several types of Large Ultimate Cheesecakes due to undeclared pecans in the crust. This poses a serious risk to individuals with nut allergies, prompting a Class I recall. The affected cheesecakes were sold in several Mid-Atlantic states and should not be consumed. (Read Recall Notice)

Consumers are encouraged to check product codes, dispose of or return the items, and contact manufacturers or retailers for refunds or additional guidance.

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: 2025 N.C. State Fair 9AM-11:30PM
• Wednesday: Jewelry Making Workshop 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Thursday: Town Council Meeting (Regular) 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Thursday: Trivia Night 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Friday: Pumpkin Flotilla at Bond Park 4PM-7PM
• Friday: Zombiepalooza 6PM-9PM
• Friday: Dia de Muertos Celebration 6PM-10PM

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