Produce in Costco Salad Linked to E. Coli Recalled

Federal officials say a business is recalling a vegetable mix tied to E.coli in Costco chicken salad that has been linked to an outbreak that has sickened 19 people in seven states.

Flagship Reborn: Driving the Turbocharged 2017 Mazda CX-9

Flagship Reborn: Driving the Turbocharged 2017 Mazda CX-9 Mazda has redesigned its three-row SUV for 2017, moving the CX-9 to the company’s latest vehicle architecture. Among the notable changes, the all-new flagship vehicle brings a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and significant weight reduction. Although it is not on sale until next summer, we had a chance to drive on right after its world debut at the 2015 Los Angeles auto show. In the process of moving the CX-9 to Mazda’s current engineering philosophy called Skyactive (as demonstrated with the compact 3, midsized 6, and CX-5 small SUV), the CX-9 has shed some 250 pounds, partly due to jettisoning the heavy-and-thirsty 3.7-liter V6. The diet allowed adding some sound insulation to achieve a quiet cabin—a trait typically not associated with Mazda. With a slightly shorter overall length than the outgoing CX-9, the latest iteration gains a couple of inches in the wheelbase. While it has a more dynamic stance, the third-row seat appears to be less roomy than before. Acknowledging the notion that small-displacement turbocharged engines don’t deliver the real-world fuel economy expected of them, Mazda Vehicle Development Engineer Dave Coleman explains that the development team focused on drivability and fuel economy rather than trying to hit a specific number in terms of horsepower. And, in an unusually candid way, Mazda specifies two horsepower ratings: 227 hp for regular fuel and 250 hp for premium. Peak torque of 310 lb.-ft. is available from 2000 rpm, intended to provide a smooth and effortless power delivery: more on that later.   Mazda is not new to turbocharging, but in the process of expanding this technology beyond sports cars, it had to learn some lessons the hard way. Several previous attempts at turbocharging were less than stellar. The 2006 CX-7, for instance, suffered from so much turbo lag that it could leave you in an awkward situation, such as in the middle of an intersection, craving more acceleration. On our roughly 20-mile semi-suburban drive route, the CX-9 delivered smooth propulsion with readily available power. The six-speed automatic provided smooth, timely shifts and prompt downshifts for passing and climbing hills. The only situation where the car felt momentarily unresponsive was when coming to almost a full stop with the intention of resuming progress immediately. This hesitancy tends to plague several models with small displacement turbo engines. The ultimate, oft-elusive, goal for the small turbos is fuel economy. This an area that the CX-9 needs to make significant gains, as the last model returned just 16 mpg. That this rather sizable three-row SUV drives like a much smaller vehicle is commendable. The body remains even keel during cornering, and the car seems unfazed even when rushing it on curvy, hilly terrain. The steering is linear, nicely weighted, and not overly responsive lendning the SUV an athletic, confidence-inspiring demeanor.  There’s an underlying firmness to the ride that makes the the 2017 Mazda CX-9 feel crisp and alert. And yet, the suspension effectively manages to absorb and filter out bumps and ruts—an impressive feat given that our car was rolling on wide 20-inch tires with a rather short sidewall. Regardless of the surface, the ride remained steady and settled during our drive. Noise levels were kept at bay even though one is aware of the road texture with a low level hiss. While no one will perceive the engine to be a smooth, lush V6, the turbo four sounded relatively polished and inoffensive. With the 2017 Mazda CX-9, Mazda will offer a more upscale trimline above the Grand Touring, called Signature. As such, the interior looks warm and inviting. Matte wood trim inlays have curvatures that Mazda says were fabricated by Japanese artisans who specialize in making guitars. The leather seats are well-shaped, attractive looking, and supportive. Too bad the passenger side doesn’t get a lumbar adjustment. The rear seat is roomy with generous leg room and supports good posture. One can also slide it fore and aft. Access to the third-row seat is facilitated by pulling a lever, which helps slide the rear seat section and is mirrored on the other side. Mazda says production cars will have a mechanism that allows sliding a rear seat section while a child seat is attached. The control layout consists of what has become a Mazda standard—a central controller that interfaces with a screen and lets you manage audio, phone and navigation functions. The system has a learning curve to master, but it ultimately proves logical. Apparently Mazda engineers prevailed over the marketing guys in choosing not to offer an extra-large sunroof. Although customers love this feature, it adds weight and compromises body rigidity, so there’s only a regular-aperture sunroof for the CX-9. The 2017 Mazda CX-9 will compete directly against three-row SUVs such as Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, and Toyota Highlander. Prices are expected to be in line with the current model which range from the mid $30,000s to the low $40,000s. So far, the new CX-9 seems to successfully blend style, driving enjoyment, and family friendly utility. The 2017 Mazda CX-9 goes on sale in early summer 2016. We’ll buy one for a full road test as soon as we can.  Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

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Don’t Confuse a Mortgage Preapproval With a Prequalification

Don’t Confuse a Mortgage Preapproval With a Prequalification Shopping for a mortgage became easier in early October when the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau began mandating that lenders provide a new, simplified disclosure form to help consumers compare home loans. This disclosure (see below) is most useful after you’ve found the home you want and need a solid estimate of borrowing costs from a variety of lenders. But before you get to that stage, you’ll need to prove to a seller that a bank will lend you what you need to close on the deal. To avoid miscommunication snarls, you have to understand the difference among lender guarantees.   The Prequalification A prequalification is really just to get you started, so you have a ballpark idea of how big a mortgage you can afford. When a bank prequalifies you, it’s giving you a preliminary statement of how much you could borrow, based on income and asset information you’ve provided. It is not based on any hard evidence, because at this point, you haven’t given your bank statements or had bank officers request your credit report. (For more information about the prequalification process, watch this Chase Bank video.) The Preapproval When the bank tells you you’re prequalified, it may ask for your employer’s name and your Social Security number to verify your income and creditworthiness, as indicated by your credit reports. That’s to start the mortgage preapproval process. A bank will issue a mortgage preapproval once it has all your documents in hand. These could include income verification from employers, recent tax returns, bank and brokerage statements, and credit reports. The bank will then have a specialist call an underwriter to determine how much you’re capable of paying and how big a mortgage loan you can afford. That assessment will result in a preapproval letter from the lender that you can present when you bid for a home. Having a preapproval in hand gives you a jump on other potential buyers. It lets the seller know you’re a good candidate, and that the bank is likely to award you a loan. It’ll also make you feel more prepared to buy.    However, complicating matters, banks don’t always define the terms in the same way, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. EverBank, the online lender, for instance, doesn’t use the word, “prequalification.” Instead, it uses the term “preapproval” for what other banks define as prequalification. And what most banks call a “preapproval” EverBank terms a “credit only approval,” which means it has verified your income and creditworthiness.  Keep in mind that you’re not required to borrow from the bank that issues your prequalification or preapproval.     How to get started mortgage-shopping Consider these tips before you shop for a home or mortgage: • Understand what the bank means by preapproval and other terms, and properly communicate to the seller or seller’s agent the type of approval you have in hand. • Months before you apply for mortgage preapproval, get at least one of your credit reports. This will allow you to troubleshoot any errors in advance of a bank’s review. You are each entitled to a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—once a year; go to AnnualCreditReport.com, the official, federally-authorized site managed by the three agencies. Your spouse or partner should pull his or her reports as well. We recommend staggering requests so you get one of the three every four months. That way, you can be generally on top of problems.   • When shopping for mortgages, don’t worry that your credit score will take a hit due to multiple inquiries by mortgage lenders. Normally, multiple inquiries can affect your credit score, but the three credit reporting agencies consider multiple inquiries in a short period of time for the same reason—in this case, mortgage shopping—as if they were one inquiry.   Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

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Dietary restriction gives fruit flies a rhythm for a long life

Dietary restriction enhances the expression of the circadian clock genes in the peripheral tissue of fruit flies. Researchers show that dietary restriction, induced by reducing protein in the diet, increased the amplitude of circadian clocks and enhanced the cycles of fat breakdown and fat synthesis. This improvement in fat metabolism may be a key mechanism in explaining why dietary restriction extends lifespan in several species, including the flies in this study.

Sweet Potato Cauliflower Mash

Many of you probably already have your Thanksgiving menu set. But if you are like me and can’t make decisions when it comes to food, here’s one more recipe to throw in the mix – mashed sweet potatoes lightened up with cauliflower. Don’t worry, no one will ever guess there is cauliflower hidden in the recipe. To keep things a but indulgent, since it’s the holiday season, I like to add sour cream and nutmeg. The sour cream adds a great creaminess and slight tang to the dish and the nutmeg screams fall. You could also use butter, cream cheese, or nonfat yogurt.

 

Calories 92, Total Fat 2g, Total Carbohydrate 17g, Protein 3g, Serving Size 2/3 cup

Sweet Potato Cauliflower Mash

Many of you probably already have your Thanksgiving menu set. But if you are like me and can’t make decisions when it comes to food, here’s one more recipe to throw in the mix – mashed sweet potatoes lightened up with cauliflower. Don’t worry, no one will ever guess there is cauliflower hidden in the recipe. To keep things a but indulgent, since it’s the holiday season, I like to add sour cream and nutmeg. The sour cream adds a great creaminess and slight tang to the dish and the nutmeg screams fall. You could also use butter, cream cheese, or nonfat yogurt.

Calories 92, Total Fat 2g, Total Carbohydrate 17g, Protein 3g, Serving Size 2/3 cup

New diabetes and obesity treatments may arise from study of fat cell metabolism

A study that offers new insights into how fat cells use nutrients to make fatty acids could lead to better drug targets to treat diabetes and obesity, the researchers say.

Have an apple-shaped body? You may be more susceptible to binge eating

Women with apple-shaped bodies — those who store more of their fat in their trunk and abdominal regions — may be at particular risk for the development of eating episodes during which they experience a sense of ‘loss of control,’ according to a new study.

Self-weighing may be a hazardous behavior among young women

Self-weighing can be a useful tool to help adults control their weight, but for adolescents and young adults this behavior may have negative psychological outcomes. Researchers tracked the self-weighing behaviors of more than 1,900 young adults and found increases in self-weighing to be significantly related to increases in weight concern and depression and decreases in body satisfaction and self-esteem among females.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis symptoms curbed by bariatric surgery

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis symptoms were significantly lessened in patients who underwent bariatric — or weight loss — surgery, according to researchers. According to the study’s authors, the findings suggest that losing excess weight may improve symptoms in people who have these lifelong conditions.