I had no idea cantaloupe could kill me...

I heard an very inflammatory news report yesterday about the listeria outbreak tied to cantaloupe. Really? One more thing to worry about? We love melon and I had heard that you should always scrub them before slicing and eating. I have never done it though. Isn't that interesting? I hear a great health tip that would take about 30 seconds to a minute but have all sorts of reasons for not actually DOING it. Anyway, I found this great article from an Oregon newspaper this morning about cantaloupe and bacteria. It has some tips about eating cantaloupe that I didn't know. It is from Sept. 15th and so their numbers about the outbreak are old.


http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2011/09/cantaloupes_again_found_to_har.html


Here is the short version - always wash melons before slicing and eating and don't leave them out. Refrigerate them when finished ie - don't leave them on the counter all afternoon...cantaloupe are more susceptible to bacteria because of their rough skin. BTW the article does mention how much melon we all eat and how few of us get sick. 

Finally...

My rescheduled 40th birthday triathlon was on Saturday. I look so official...like I really know what I am doing. I am surprised I could smile like this before the swim. I was so nervous! The guy next to me was an identical twin. He (or his brother) raced by me all morning.

 750 yard swim, first in open water. Even felt great enough to wave to my kids as I got out of the water.

14.5 miles on my bike.











3.1 mile run.

The end!

I honestly have never had so much fun competing. I hope there are many triathlons in my future.

I finished about 10 minutes faster then I thought I would. How often in life do we do better then we think is possible? It felt good.

Luke & Noah's First Day

Luke and Noah started preschool this week. They are having a blast so far. Is it crazy that I am already worried about next year when they start kindergarten? Silly I know...