In partnership with
🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:
• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 💪 Wellness Tip: 4 Vegetables Dietitians Say You Should Always Buy Frozen
• ⚠️ Health Alert: New Food-Safety Alerts on Shellfish, Beef, and Sweets
• 😄 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.
Did someone forward you our Cary newsletter? Then subscribe here
Question: Why do snakes flick their tongues in and out?
(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)
Are you are local business owner or local non-profit?
CARY SPOTLIGHT: HEALTH & WELLNESS EDITION
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.
Feeling off lately? It could be your hormones.
3pm crashes every day. Unexpected weight gain. Unpredictable cycles. When symptoms start piling up, your hormones and metabolic health are often part of the story.
Allara helps women understand what's really going on with comprehensive hormone and metabolic testing. Their advanced testing goes beyond the basics to measure key markers like insulin, thyroid function, reproductive hormones, and metabolic health. Whether you already have a diagnosis or are still searching for answers, Allara's care team uses your results to create a personalized treatment plan with expert medical and nutrition guidance.
They treat a wide range of women’s health conditions, including PCOS, fertility challenges, weight management, perimenopause, thyroid conditions, and more.
With Allara, you get clarity, expert support, and a personalized care plan all for as little as $0 with insurance. This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about understanding your body and addressing the root causes.
4 Vegetables Dietitians Say You Should Always Buy Frozen
Fresh vegetables are often seen as the healthiest option, but frozen vegetables can be just as nutritious and sometimes even better. Because they are typically picked at peak ripeness and frozen within hours, frozen produce can retain high levels of vitamins and minerals. Dietitians also note that frozen vegetables are convenient, affordable, and help people eat more vegetables consistently. Four vegetables in particular tend to perform especially well in frozen form.
Broccoli: Frozen broccoli is one of the best vegetables to buy because it is flash frozen shortly after harvest, which helps preserve vitamin C and other nutrients. Fresh broccoli can lose nutrients during transport and storage in the refrigerator. Frozen florets also cook well directly from frozen, whether roasted or steamed. When buying, look for bags with loose florets rather than large clumps, which can indicate thawing and refreezing, and avoid versions with heavy sauces or excess salt.
Cauliflower: Cauliflower and other brassica vegetables contain compounds linked to cancer prevention. While cooking can reduce some of these compounds, freezing helps preserve them. Frozen cauliflower is widely available, often cheaper than fresh heads when out of season, and it holds its texture well when cooked. Frozen florets work well roasted, mashed, or blended into soups, while riced cauliflower is useful for sauces, casseroles, or smoothies.
Spinach: Unlike many leafy greens, spinach freezes well and provides an easy way to add nutrients to meals. Frozen spinach is typically washed and chopped before freezing, which saves preparation time. It can be added directly to soups, sauces, casseroles, and smoothies without thawing. When buying frozen spinach, choose plain varieties without added cream or seasoning to keep sodium and calories lower.
Peas: Frozen peas retain nearly all of their vitamin C, while fresh peas begin losing this nutrient within a day or two after harvest. Because peas are naturally sweet and small, they freeze exceptionally well and maintain both flavor and texture. They also cook quickly, making them easy to add to pasta, rice, or stir fry dishes in the final minutes of cooking. Look for bright green peas with no ice buildup in the bag.
Dietitians emphasize that frozen vegetables can make healthy eating more practical. They are available year round, reduce food waste, and require little preparation. While fresh produce is ideal when it can be used quickly, frozen vegetables offer a reliable and nutritious alternative. In many cases, choosing frozen vegetables regularly can help people meet their daily vegetable intake more consistently.
Today’s wellness tip is brought to you by Living Well with Estelle
Living Well with Estelle is a Cary-based wellness practice led by Dr. Estelle Tsalik, focusing on holistic and preventive health care. Her approach helps clients develop personalized routines that prioritize prevention over treatment, using science-backed strategies to support long-term well-being.
Book your free wellness chat with Dr. Estelle and map out the simple shifts that will make the biggest difference for you. Check out her practitioner favorites in this Fullscript store.
Just curious…
Would you try a scream club?
New Food-Safety Alerts on Shellfish, Beef, and Sweets
U.S. regulators and food producers have announced several food-safety actions in recent days, covering seafood, meat, and baked goods. The notices involve products that may still be in homes, restaurants, or retail supply chains, even when some are no longer being sold in stores.
The FDA alert centers on raw oysters and Manila clams harvested in Washington state and sent to multiple states. The concern is possible norovirus contamination, which can cause gastrointestinal illness marked by vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and fever. Restaurants and retailers were told not to serve or sell the shellfish and to discard any remaining stock.
The USDA, meanwhile, issued a public health alert rather than a recall for White Oak Pastures grass-fed ground beef sold in 16-ounce vacuum-packed packages. The concern is possible metal contamination. Although the beef is no longer on store shelves, the agency said consumers may still have it in refrigerators or freezers and should not eat it.
A separate recall in Texas involves Gorditas de Azucar and Doraditas de Azucar made by Mama Grande Tortilla Factory. The products may contain undeclared wheat and soy, creating a potentially dangerous situation for people with those allergies. Consumers with wheat or soy sensitivities have been advised to avoid the products and either discard them or return them.
How do you typically respond when you hear about a food recall?
Tired of news that feels like noise?
Every day, 4.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news fix. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture — all in a brief 5-minute email. No spin. No slant. Just clarity.
Meme of the Day.
Brought to you by Cary's Daily Newsletter.
What’s faster than word of mouth? Cary Spotlight! Keeps you updated on what is going on locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.
❤️ Communities need strong connections.
Your support helps us shine a light on Cary’s wellness leaders, wellness tips, and health alerts that keep our town thriving. Join readers who’ve already donated.
🎟️ 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: Tree Talk: Soil Care 12PM-1PM
• Wednesday: Ms. Lisa Fischer with Mr Taylor Eigsti 7:30PM-9PM
• Thursday: Live at Lunch: Amanda Peach Duo 11:30AM-1:30PM
• Thursday: A Mystery Encased in Plaster 7PM-8:30PM
• Friday: Artist Catalog Signing | Fine Art League of Cary Gallery 3PM-9PM
• Friday: Teen Game Night in the Park 5PM-9PM
• Friday: Graceful Expressions Dance presents Rapunzel 6:45-8PM
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: To smell
Snakes flick their tongues in and out to collect scent and chemical molecules from their environment. This behavior is their primary way of "smelling" and navigating the world, helping them locate prey, find mates, and avoid predators. The tongue itself does not have taste buds or smell receptors. Instead, it acts as a delivery tool for a specialized sensory structure.
When retracted, the tongue tips are inserted into the Jacobson’s organ (also called the vomeronasal organ) located in the roof of the snake's mouth. This organ analyzes the chemical signals and sends messages to the brain, allowing the snake to interpret its surroundings.
For more information, The Twisted Truth About Snake Tongues