Alert: Beef Recall

January 18th, 2010:

Huntington Meat Packing Inc., a Montebello, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 864,000 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following products, consisting of all ground beef products produced by the plant from January 5, 2010 to January 15, 2010, are subject to recall:

40 lb. boxes of "Huntington Meats Ground Beef"
40 lb. boxes of "HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING"
40 lb. boxes of "BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX"
10 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY"
20 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY"
10 lb. boxes of "El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES"

Please click the link below for the full story:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_004_2010_Release/index.asp

Know where your food comes from, what is in your food, and how the animal that your food came from was treated while it was living. Eat clean, healthy and happy animals from local farmers.

If this recall makes you wonder, you need to see the movie "Food Inc." http://www.foodincmovie.com/

Ashley

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ProPulse: Foods to Fuel Your Systems

Check out Ashley's latest published article in Pro Pulse Magazine, the official publication of Pro Sports Club.....

Check it out here: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/8401a139#/8401a139/30
On pages 30-31

Enjoy!
Ashley

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New Year’s Resolutions: Accountability

Accountability Holds You to Your Goals

New Year’s Resolutions almost always have something to do with health. Whether it’s to lose weight, maintain your weight or get into the gym more. At your local gym, I’m sure you’ll see a very busy January! But what happens after January? What happens as we get into March, April and finally summertime? Nothing. Most New Year’s resolutions are short-lived. We tend to get really excited and fired up at the beginning but then we lose our steam. Our lives get busy, we lose interest, etc. If there is one thing that you can add on to your New Year’s health resolution this year its accountability.

Keeping up with and monitoring progress toward your goals is the only way to get there. Checking in, talking it over and having someone help you out if you get stuck, burn out or just need a new road to get there is so important! If the saying “you are what you eat” is true, then I’d like to introduce you to the Doctors of the future, Registered Dietitians.

A Registered Dietitian (RD) is different than a “Nutritionist”. The term “nutritionist” in most states is not a regulated term, meaning that anyone can claim to be one. An RD must have a Bachelor of Science degree from an American Dietetic Association (ADA) accredited university, they must have completed a supervised practice internship (much like a medical residency) at a medical center or hospital and then they must pass the RD Exam. Only then can they be called a Registered Dietitian. Think of it this way, “RD” stands for “Real-Deal.”

Did you know that most insurance companies will cover sessions with a Registered Dietitian? If you have a certain diagnosis codes like high cholesterol, diabetes, overweight, anorexia or even pregnancy or depression, they may cover unlimited sessions per year! But even if they don’t cover a dime, this is still an investment you need to make each year. Meeting with an RD once per quarter throughout the year provides you with accountability and “insurance” in a way. If you are trying to lose weight they can hook you up with a meal plan, nutrition education and nutrient analysis of the foods you’re eating. There’s a reason why diets don’t work and why people gain their weight back, and it goes beyond “calories in, calories out.” The only ones who know this little secret are RD’s. Not “Nutritionists”, not your sister, not your trainer. And if you aren’t trying to lose weight, take those sessions to educate yourself about new foods, the science behind metabolism and digestion, or just as health check-ins. RD’s take a minimum of 5 years worth of courses about food, chemistry and physiology…so pick their brains!
Here’s to a New Year, and a New You!

Blessings,

Ashley

For a list of RD's in your area, please use the link to the right "Find a Nutrition Professional" which will lead you to the ADA website to search by zipcode, specialty, etc.

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Top 5 Best Uses of Your Time and Money for Health in 2010

Stop Throwing Away Your Money on Useless Healthcare Solutions...

New Year’s Resolutions almost always have something to do with health. Whether it’s to lose weight, get in the gym more, actually get your 2 dental cleanings a year…whatever it may be there are lots of “black holes” of healthcare out there that can drain your time and your money, getting you nowhere close to your health goals. Here are some that you should focus on in 2010…

1) 4 Sessions with a Registered Dietitian: $80-150 per session (less with package deals)
Most insurance companies will cover sessions with a Registered Dietitian if you have a certain diagnosis codes. That can be something like high cholesterol or overweight or even pregnancy or depression. But even if they don’t cover a dime, this is still an investment you need to make each year. Meeting with an RD once per quarter throughout the year provides you with accountability and “insurance” in a way. If you are trying to lose weight they can hook you up with a meal plan, nutrition education and nutrient analysis of the foods you’re eating. There’s a reason why diets don’t work and why people gain their weight back, and it goes beyond “calories in, calories out.” The only ones who know this little secret are RD’s. Not “Nutritionists”, not your sister, not your trainer. And if you aren’t trying to lose weight, take those sessions to educate yourself about new foods, the science behind metabolism and digestion, or just as health check-ins. RD’s take a minimum of 5 years worth of courses about food, chemistry and physiology…so pick their brains!

2) Consistent Meetings with a Personal Trainer: $40-$80 per session (less with package deals)
Three times a week, once a month, I don’t care. If you don’t have a set appointment with someone who’s going to push you and tell you exactly what to do, you probably won’t make it to the gym. Most of us walk into a gym and have no idea what the settings the machines are supposed to be on or even how or which weights to lift. Cardio is safe, but for overall health it’s proven that you need a mix of cardio and strength training. Hint: Make sure you choose a trainer that actually went to college for exercise physiology! Now-a-days you can get a “certificate” online, so be careful and ask the right questions when picking your drill sergeant, oops, I mean trainer.

3) A GOOD pair of running shoes: $60-$200
Your feet support your legs, your back, and your posture and are the first things hitting the ground in the morning. They need customized support based on how your foot is shaped and the way you walk. Colleen Prince, an avid runner and finisher of the Boston Marathon says “Think of your running shoes as a cost saver, if a new runner purchases properly fitted running shoes they help prevent injuries saving the hassle of doctors, massages, physical therapy and time. Every large city has running specific stores with enthusiastic runners who know how to properly fit new runners and veteran runners with the best shoe for their gait.” Check out your local running store and contact a podiatrist for more information on approved running shoes or to be evaluated for pain you may already be experiencing.

4) An Electric Toothbrush: $80-$150
Clinical studies show that some electric toothbrushes can reduce plaque and gingivitis from 1-4% compared to a manual toothbrush after just 4 weeks of use. Oral health tends to be an aspect of our health care that we overlook. Brushing consistently and regularly is key but maybe having a brush that does most the work for you would make you actually look forward to brushing! In fact, according to University of Chicago internist and anesthesiologist Dr. Michael Roizen, keeping your gums and teeth healthy by consistently brushing and flossing can add about 6.4 years to your life!

5) Fill your Health Care FSA (Flexible Spending Account)
So many people do not know about this option! The deadline to fill your FSA’s is around the end of November for the following year. Meaning, you would’ve needed to fill your FSA in November 2009 for the year of 2010. That money can be used on things deemed “medically necessary” which most doctors will surely help you with if you need to lose weight, get your cholesterol down, etc. Dietitian and training sessions can be covered, certain supplements can be covered and also any extra medical expenses that come up during the year unexpectedly. Using this money will save you down the line since contributions to your FSA come out of your paycheck before any taxes are taken out.

Happy New Year - Let 2010 be the year you get healthy and stay healthy!

Blessings,

Ashley

Ashley A Harris, RD, CD is the President and Practicing Dietitian for Crave Health, a Private Practice Clinic in Kirkland, WA.

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