Did you know that there are 2 different types of persimmons?

There are astringent and non-astringent persimmons. 

Have you been advised by your MD or PCP to take a vitamin or mineral or herbal supplement? 

“Dietary supplements are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they reach the market.

Cross-contamination is the term used when pathogens (bacteria, viruses, parasites) that may result in food borne illnesses (food poisoning) are transferred from:

1. a surface to another surface - e.g. using the same cutting board to prepare raw meat and cooked meat 

These days there’s a lot of negativity about “seed oils”. According to some of the social media “influencers”, seed oils are ones made from: canola, corn, cottonseed, soybeans, sunflower, safflower, grapeseed, flaxseed, and sesame seeds. 

Often we see articles in magazines, posts on social media, reels or videos that feature a celebrity talking about what they eat in a day or week. This person may be an actor, an athlete, or an influencer-- but in most all cases the message is, ‘Eat like me and you could look/perform like me’.

Question: I have some difficulty with chewing and swallowing. What are some soft foods with protein that won’t cause me too many issues? 

Whether it’s a family gathering or a co-worker get together, what kind of meal can you make that will please everyone? 

Hurricane Helene was and continues to be a traumatic event for our region, but even within the worst of it, there are stories of resilience and ingenuity in ways that many had to deal with making or getting meals while having no power or water for days.

There are many churches and community relief and service organizations that are and will continue to help in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Please make sure you check on what local area churches may be doing or need in terms of donations. Money is often the best thing to donate so they can buy what they need. Volunteer time is also often appreciated. 

It is difficult to know what to write after a disaster of the magnitude caused by Hurricane Helene. It certainly teaches us the importance of coming together as a community to check on and help our friends and neighbors, and how vital our emergency response teams, first responders, National Guard, churches, shelters for both humans and animals, and relief organizations are in times like this.