Step2Life: Health Exercise and Weight-Loss

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced that at least 23 people in 14 states have been diagnosed with salmonellosis that was caused by the same strain of Salmonella that was found in the recently recalled unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals produced by Malt-O-Meal.

The recalled products were distributed nationally under the Malt-O-Meal brand name as well as under private label brands including Acme, America’s Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewel, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw’s, ShopRite, Tops and Weis Quality. The cereals have “Best If Used By” dates from April 8, 2008 (coded as “APR0808″) through March 18, 2009 (coded as “MAR1809″).

Consumers should throw out any product in their homes from these recalled lots. Grocery stores and other retailers should promptly remove the cereals from their shelves.

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of foodborne Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. In persons with poor health or weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections.

Individuals who believe they may have experienced an illness consistent with the symptoms described above after consuming a puffed wheat or puffed rice cereal made by Malt-O-Meal should contact their health care practitioner immediately and report the illness to their state or local health authorities.

On April 5, 2008, Malt-O-Meal voluntarily recalled the cereals because the company’s routine testing found Salmonella in a product produced on March 24, 2008.

The FDA is working with Malt-O-Meal to determine the cause of the contamination and with the states and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify and prevent additional illnesses.

A full list of recalled products can be found at www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo.

At one time or another, we all have had to wait at the airport terminal due to delay of a plane, unpredictable weather condition or being on stand-by.

Airport food can be terrible for weight-conscious travelers an finding healthy food inside an airport terminal can be quite a challenge. Healthy choices are available, but often not as readily accessible as the pizzas, hot dogs, and other fast food items.

The best strategy is to travel with your own snacks. If this is not an option for you for whatever reason, you could do the following:

Buy a bagel, but skip the cream cheese, and add a little jelly instead. Look for fresh fruit, low-fat or fat-free yogurt, salads (but watch the fatty dressings), and bottled water, skim milk, or small bottles of juice.

If you’re on one of the increasingly rare flights that serves food, order a vegetarian meal. You can also call ahead of time and advise the airline of any special dietary needs you have.

Airport restaurants presents its own challenges, but they, too, can be managed. Here are a few suggestions:

• Ask for substitutions. Choose salad, fruit, rice, or a baked potato instead of chips, fries, or coleslaw.
• Pay attention to what you choose on the salad bar. A salad soaked in oily or creamy dressing can be more fattening than a Big Mac and fries.
• Order half-portions, or share with someone else at your table.
• Eat only what tastes great. Don’t waste calories on foods you can live without.
• Order several small portions of healthy choices of appetizers.
• Skip anything called “smothered,” “crispy,” crusted,” or “sauteed.”
• Don’t order dessert right after finishing your meal. If you wait a few minutes, you may find you’re not as hungry for it as you thought.

Care to share your story with the community? What do you eat while waiting at the terminal for your flight?

A quick and easy Italian Spinach Recipe

25 min | 5 min prep | SERVES 3 -4
1 (10 ounce) box frozen chopped spinach
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced (I used 3)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
fresh parmesan cheese (to garnish)

1. Thaw spinach and squeeze out excess water.
2. Now, squeeze some more and set aside.
3. In a saute skillet, over medium heat, add olive oil and garlic.
4. Cook until garlic is golden brown (don’t burn it!).
5. Add spinach and seasonings, saute for 3-4 minutes.
6. Break in eggs and continue to saute and stir until eggs are cooked and thoroughly mixed into the spinach.
7. Drain any excess oil and transfer to serving platter.
8. Sprinkle grated Paremesan cheese over the top, amount to your liking.

Do you have a quick recipe to share with the Step2Life.com community?

Welcome to Step2Life.com. This site is not about pointing finger or criticizing ourselves for not living healthy or exercising. Step2Life is more of an INSPIRATIONAL, MOTIVATIONAL, and SUPPORT system of conscious minded people sharing stories of their challenges, struggles and successes.

Some of us have already made a New Year’s resolution to lose weight and have already blown it. But you know what; taking control does not have to start on January 1.

Our goal here is to share with one another. By reading about other successful stories with motivate and inspire us to do the right thing. Doing the right thing by inspiring us to get back on track.

Step2Life.com is not a medical blog. You must consult your doctor if you have any question or concern regarding an article within this blog.

TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT!