Blog Posts From Active Endurance Sports Tagged With nutrition

Clif Bar Issues Voluntary Recall of Bars With Peanut Butter

Jesse@Active — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:57:04 GMT

PRESS RELEASE

Clif Bar & Company Announces Voluntary Nationwide Recall of CLIF and LUNA Branded Bars Containing Peanut Butter Due to Possible Health Risk

BERKELEY, Calif., January 19, 2009 -- Clif Bar & Company today announced a voluntary recall of CLIF and LUNA branded bars that contain peanut butter because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products contain peanut butter manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). PCA is the focus of an investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerning a recent Salmonella outbreak thought to be caused by tainted peanut butter.

In the U.S., the following Clif Bar & Company products with "Best By/Sell By" dates ranging as shown below, in all sizes and packages, are included in the recall:

CLIF BAR Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch

BEST BY/SELL BY:

21JUN09 to 01OCT09 and

03NOV09 to 28NOV09

CLIF BAR Crunchy Peanut Butter

BEST BY/SELL BY:

21JUN09 to 01OCT09 and

03NOV09 to 28NOV09

CLIF BAR Peanut Toffee Buzz

BEST BY/SELL BY:

13SEP09

CLIF Builder's Peanut Butter

SELL BY:

19JUL09 to 30SEP09 and

05NOV09 to 18NOV09

CLIF Kid Organic ZBaR Peanut Butter

BEST BY:

07JUL09 to 05SEP09 and

12NOV09

LUNA Nutz Over Chocolate

BEST BY:

29JUL09 to 03OCT09 and

11NOV09 to 14NOV09

LUNA Peanut Butter Cookie

BEST BY:

02OCT09 to 03OCT09 and

11NOV09 to 14NOV09

MOJO Honey Roasted Peanut

BEST BY:

30APR09 to 21JUN09

MOJO Mixed Nuts

BEST BY:

30APR09 to 21JUN09

MOJO Mountain Mix

BEST BY:

30APR09 to 21JUN09

MOJO Peanut Butter Pretzel

BEST BY:

30APR09 to 21JUN09

MOJO Dipped Chocolate Peanut

BEST BY:

30APR09 - 21JUN09

MOJO Dipped Peanut Butter and Jelly

BEST BY:

30APR09 - 21JUN09

MOJO Dipped Fruit and Nut

BEST BY:

30APR09 - 21JUN09

These products were sold in grocery, warehouse and other retail stores throughout the United States. No other CLIF or LUNA products or flavors are included in this United States recall.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. For more information on Salmonella, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website or call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are urged to destroy them but retain the "Best By/Sell By" code found on the back of the package. Consumers with questions or who would like a refund may contact Clif Bar & Company at 1-800-CLIFBAR (1-800-254-3227). Details also can be found at www.clifbar.com.

"With an abundance of caution and given the FDA's ongoing investigation of PCA, we're doing all we can to ensure consumer safety and trust," said Gary Erickson, owner and founder of Clif Bar & Company.

About Clif Bar & Company

Clif Bar & Company is a leading maker of all-natural and organic energy and nutrition foods and drinks, including the CLIF BAR energy bar and LUNA, The Whole Nutrition Bar for Women. Focused on great food and sustainability, Clif Bar & Company works diligently to reduce its footprint on the planet from the field to the final product.

The FDA has created a searchable list of other products affected by the peanut butter recall.

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The following four CLIF products distributed in Canada with "Expiry Date/Date d'Expiration" dates and/or ranges of dates as shown below, in all sizes and packages, are included in the recall:

CLIF BAR Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch / Brisures de Chocolat aux Arachides Croquants

EXPIRY DATE/DATE D'EXPIRATION:

2009SE07

CLIF BAR Crunchy Peanut Butter / Beurre d' Arachide Croquant

EXPIRY DATE/DATE D'EXPIRATION:

2009SE06 to 2009SE11 and

2009NO13

CLIF BAR Peanut Toffee Buzz / Toffee et Arachides

EXPIRY DATE/DATE D'EXPIRATION:

2009SE12

CLIF Builder's Peanut Butter / Beurre d'Arachide

EXPIRY DATE/DATE D'EXPIRATION:

2009JU20 and

2009AU20

These products were sold in grocery, warehouse and other retail stores throughout Canada. No other CLIF or LUNA products or flavors are included in this recall in Canada.

Favorite Advice and Activities from Trish and Toby

Active Toby — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 21:44:00 GMT

Hey everyone, Trish and Toby here. This month we've created a guide to our best seasonal articles to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout the holidays. No matter what your active passion may be, we've got you covered.

Lifestyle:

With holiday feasts right around the corner and weather that can diminish our motivation to train, it is not uncommon to pack on a few extra pounds this time of year. Active Expert Charles Stuart Platkin’s article, The Diet Detective: Fall Into Healthy Eating Habits, offers valuable tips for maintaining fitness without a compromise in performance at winter races and ensures a return to peak form in the spring.

Endurance:

Have you ever heard the saying, “athletes are made in the off season”? Now's the time to target your weaknesses and build proper technique and habits to lead into a successful racing season. Check out Boost Your Endurance in 7 Simple Steps and get the most from your off-season training.

Team:

Basketball season is upon us and it’s time for fundamental workouts with and without the basketball. Mississippi State basketball coach, Sharon Fanning, shares a 45-minute Workout that will developing confidence, coordination, strength, timing, and stamina on the hardwood.

Action:

Indoor Climbing Gyms Offer Year-round Fun Fitness and a nice break from the treadmill and stationary bike routine. Don’t let the winter elements take you off belay—utilize indoor climbing gyms to build stamina and confidence in a controlled environment. When the weather warms enough to head outdoors, you’ll be in peak condition.

Activities of Interest:

Check out Sacramento Winter Softball Camp by Olympic gold medalists Tairia Flowers and Natasha Watleyto hone your softball skills at the plate and in the field. Focus will be on increasing offensive power, slapping techniques, defensive fundamentals and pitching development. This camp will also feature practice-structure tips and drills along with valuable college recruiting advice from the pros.

Take advantage of The Classic Y-100, one of the last century rides of the year on November 25 in Ormond Beach, Florida. Crank out 100 in this inaugural ride that promises a beautiful route leading north along the Intracoastal waterway through parks and along the Atlantic coast. This event features a great safe route for beginners as well as 65- and 35-mile routes.

Folks in Southern California have already begun to register for the 2008 Carlsbad Marathon and Half Marathon on January 20. This was Toby’s first half marathon back in 2006 and he recommends it for runners of all abilities because of the fast course and beautiful ocean view.

See your training bear fruit at the oldest Ironman-distance triathlon held in the continental United States. Check out one of five 2008 Vineman events: Ironman 70.3, full Vineman, sprint tri at sundown, women's half or Aquabike during this weekend-long triathlon celebration.

10 Tips for an Active Lifestyle

Active Toby — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:49:00 GMT

Hey everyone, Trish and Toby here. We’re firm believers that the active lifestyle involves more than just being physically active--it’s about being intellectually and socially active too. We compiled a list of 10 tips for being active in all areas of life. Because no matter what stage of life you are in, you should always strive to be the best version of yourself.

1. Maintain a positive mental outlook. There's a clear connection between living well and having a cheerful outlook on life. Research has found that people who think positively about life live an average of seven and a half years longer than negative thinkers.

2. Avoid processed food. Eating processed, boxed, canned and frozen meals guarantee that you are eating unnecessary chemicals, sodium, sugar and fat. Eat fresh, natural food and eliminate trans fat from your diet.

3. Reduce stress. We're so focused on being go-getters that we often forget to de-stress. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like--walk on the beach or in a park, read a book, visit a friend, play with your dog, listen to soothing music or watch a funny movie. Don't forget to take some time to focus on clearing your thoughts and giving your mind, body and spirit a chance to rejuvenate.

4. Invest in a quality pair of shoes and socks. Visit a specialty store that understands that every foot and foot strike is unique. When your feet are happy, so are you. Comfortable, supportive and well-fitting shoes and synthetic socks are worth the investment of time and money.

5. Socialize. Having a social network is important to the body, mind and spirit. People who are socially active tend to be healthier, happier and less likely to become depressed. To stay socially active, make a point of getting out of the house. Make plans with your friends to go out to lunch or better yet, make plans to exercise regularly with a friend or group of friends. Exercising with others is usually more fun than exercising on your own--and it can help you stick with your exercise program. Try joining our online community today!

6. Exercise your brain. The key to keeping your memory sharp is continuing to challenge it. Having a book on hand and discussing what you’ve read with friends or a book club is one way to keep your brain in good shape. Crosswords, Sudoku and puzzles are also excellent ways to keep your brain agile. There is always more learning to do. Find out what works for you.

7. Volunteer. Donating your time at an aid station during a race or soup kitchen over the holidays, puts life into perspective. Be thankful for all you have and give to others who are less fortunate.

8. Omit high fructose corn syrup from your diet. Widespread use of this highly modified sweetener is making us and our children unhealthy. High fructose corn syrup bypasses the digestive process and goes straight to the liver, where it gets turned into fat. Combined with the typical American high-fat diet, the result is increased danger of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Try using honey as sweetener instead. As an added bonus, ingesting locally grown honey before allergy season helps your body acclimate to some pollen levels in advance.

9. Maintain close relationships. Make a point to strengthen ties with your family, friends and loved ones. Volunteer work, religious ties, even pets~~anything that keeps you involved with others~~reduces stress and enhances health. Having a strong network of family and friends and a broad range of activities will support your health.

10. Give yoga a try. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes when your body is limber and flexible. Plus, yoga reduces the chances of injury. Try a beginning yoga class to enjoy the wide range of benefits--your mind and body will both thank you.

Comments are encouraged--please share your tips for staying healthy and active with the rest of us.

Caffeine and athletics

Active Toby — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 21:37:00 GMT

I’ve read quite a few articles in endurance sports publications on the benefits and disadvantages of caffeine on athletic performance. It seems as though there are always new studies being conducted that disprove the latest theory.

Our very own Active Expert, Matt Fitzgerald, has saved us all the hassle of sifting through the most recent studies to find the facts in his article, The Caffeinated Runner.

Quinoa: Grain's Best Kept Secret

Active Toby — Tue, 22 May 2007 19:19:00 GMT

The following recipe is courtesy of Tara Coleman, a certified clinical nutritionist in San Diego. Tara has developed a practical approach to nutrition that offers our endurance community straightforward information to take performance to new levels. She can be reached at mailto:tara@taracoleman.com for additional information about individualized food and supplement health programs.

[tara@taracoleman.com|http://active.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/22/quinoa.jpg]Quinoa (pronounced ?keen-wa?) is a nutritious grain that I integrate into all of my clients? meal plans. It originated in the Andes highlands and was revered as a sacred crop by the Incan civilization. During the European occupation of South America, the conquistadors overlooked quinoa and favored the potato as a staple of their diet ? and French fry lovers everywhere have rejoiced ever since! Today, however, quinoa has been embraced for its versatility and impressive nutritional profile.

Quinoa has a high level of protein (15 percent) and is one of the few non-animal sources of complete protein. It is also gluten-free and contains none of the allergens common to many grains. It is high in fiber and low-glycemic, providing sustained energy for both training and event day.

Quinoa has a texture similar to cous cous with a pleasant nutty flavor. It is found packaged or in bulk at most health food stores and can replace rice or cous cous in any recipe. Quinoa is cooked in a 2-to-1 water-to-quinoa ratio or in a rice cooker. It can also be toasted over low heat and added to granola or fruit for a quick snack. For those that are a little more adventurous try the recipe below:

Sweet and Spicy Toasted Quinoa

1 cup dry quinoa

2 cups water

1 tbsp fresh ginger root, chopped

1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves. chopped

1 quarter red onion, chopped

4 tbsp limejuice

2 tsp olive oil

1/4 cup walnut pieces

1 can mandarin oranges, drained

Toast the dry quinoa in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Stir consistently for about five minutes making sure not to burn. In a separate pot, bring the water, ginger, jalapeno, and salt to a boil. Add the toasted quinoa and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer until the liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes.

Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and allow to cool. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until well blended. Serve cool.

Total Prep Time ? 30 minutes

Servings ? 4

This dish makes an excellent side for chicken or grilled fish. You can also mix in canned tuna or chicken for a quick meal on the go.

Enjoy!