CUPHD issues warning concerning rabid bats found in the area

CHAMPAIGN -- The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District alerted the public today that a second bat was discovered and tested positive for rabies. Since the rabies virus can be transmitted to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by an infected animal, they want to make sure the public is aware of the possible danger in the county.

Public Health officials recommend not killing or releasing bats trapped in your home or office and instead ask that you contact them or your doctor to determine if you have been exposed and the level of treatment you may need.

"If a bat enters your home or work area, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) states, it will need to be captured," said the health department in a news release earlier today. "To capture the bat, try to confine it to a room. If you can do it safely, trap the bat in a box and slide cardboard underneath. Wear leather gloves when doing this and avoid any skin contact with the bat."

The bat will be tested to determine if you or persons with close contact with the animal will possibly require medical care or preventive treatment. If you are afraid to capture the bat, call Champaign County Animal Control for assistance.

For more information on rabies, visit the CDC site at https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html.

The original released statement is below.


Prep Sports Notebook for last week of August 2022


SJO golf team improves to 7-0

Photo provided by Lori Kern

The St. Joseph-Ogden golf team preserved their unbeaten dual match record unblemished after cruising by the Danville Vikings by 33 strokes to a 170-203 finish on Wednesday.

Spartan Jacob Kern led the field, turning in a 38 on the front nine at Turtle Run in Danville. Teammate Ashten Cafarelli turned in the next best score on the course with a 43. McGwire Atwood finished one stroke behind Caferelli with 44.

The Vikings were led by Colin Lomex's 46 strokes and Cale Osborn's 48-stroke finish.

The Spartans are back on the links later today at Willow Pond in Rantoul to face the Monticello Sages.


Match results:
St. Joseph-Ogden: Jacob Kern – 38, Ashten Cafarelli – 43, McGwire Atwood – 44, Maddux Carter – 45, Jack Robertson – 52, Connor Hale – 52. Team total: 170

Danville: Colin Lomex – 46, Cale Osborn – 48, Ryan Jaruseki - 52, Jordy Martinez - 57, Zach Spencer – 59


Rockets fall in second match of the season

The Unity soccer team suffered their first shutout of the season last Saturday with 7-0 loss to Argenta-Oreana. The Rockets looked to improve their 1-1 record in their next contest at Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond on the following Monday.

The 2022 squad will be back on their home pitch on Monday, September 5, against Warrensburg-Latham and again September 8 against Judah Christian.


Spartan volleyball falls at Mahomet

Despite Shayne Immke nine match-kills, the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball fell 2-0 to Mahomet-Seymour. SJO dropped both sets 25-22 in the non-conference road match.

Addie Roesch served-up three aces and contributed another four kills to the Spartan cause. Taylor Hug logged 14 assists and six digs. Mikayla Haley led the defensive effort with seven digs.

Immke also leveled five digs and three blocks during the evening. She and the SJO squad host Teutopolis this evening in the main gym at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.


Williams rains kills on St. Teresa

Payton Williams tallied ten kills in Monday's home volleyball match against St. Teresa.

Senior Taylor Hug led the team's serving attack with a pair aces. She scattered 18 assists as well as played a key roll in SJO's defensive effort with six digs.

Fellow senior Shayne Immke pummeled the Bulldogs with seven kills. Mikyla Haley contributed on ace and had eight digs across two sets.


Mabry sees action in the box

Carter Mabry recorded three saves at goalie in St. Joseph-Ogden's road soccer match at Schlarman Academy on Monday.

Jackson Greer scored two first-half goals after an earlier shot by Ryker Lockhart to put the Spartans up 3-0 before the mid-game break.

SJO kept the foot on the peddle, finding the net two more times with scores from Collin Thomey and then one from Logan Mills.

Starting keeper Hunter Ketchum recored four saves in the non-conference match as the Spartans improve to 2-1-1 on the season.

Five players, including Alex Acosta, Logan Mills, Spencer Wilson, Aiden Cromwell,and Will Childers, were credited with assists.


Thurman/Earley duo get tennis win at doubles

Teaming up at #3 doubles, Emma Thurman and Katie Earley earned St. Joseph-Ogden's only win at Monday's home match against Gibson-City-Melvin-Sibley.

After dropping her first set 6-2, McKennah Hamilton forced a third-set tiebreak after rallying back to win her second set, 6-4. She nearly pulled out a victory at #5 singles, falling in a 10-8 decision to her Lady Falcon's Kadence Crowley.

Meanwhile, one court over, SJO's Izzy Sexton battled tenaciously against GCMS' McKenna Crowley. Unable to get the breaks she needed fell in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.

Before starting their last home match of the season, the St. Joseph-Ogden girls tennis team will celebrate Senior Night at Atkins Tennis Center before taking on the visiting Warriors of Watseka High School.


Unity volleyball loses tough 3-setter on the road

After dropping the first set 25-14, the Unity volleyball team rallied back to take the second 26-24 on the road against Champaign Central. The Rockets fell in a hard-fought third set, 25-22.

Unity will try and rebound from the non-conference loss hosting Tuscola tonight starting with the freshman match at 5pm and the varsity main event after the JV match-up at 6p.



Attention area high school coaches

Haven't seen the latest news or result about your program on OurSentinel.com? If you are a coach at Unity, Urbana Uni-High, Urbana High School or St. Joseph-Ogden, send us your box scores, statistical leaders for each game, and other info via email to sports@oursentinel.com or editor@oursentinel.com.

Editor's Note .::.
9/2/22 - The brief "Spartan volleyball team slide by Bulldogs" - now Spartan volleyball falls at Mahomet - has been corrected. The Sentinel originally reported the Spartans prevailed in the road match 2-0, when in fact they lost in two sets.


Spartans, Rockets, and Tigers - Oh, my! Today's available sports streams

Watch your Sentinel area team play live on your favorite streaming device. Here is a list of today's games available on the NFHS Network. Click on the links below to watch your team play in real-time tonight or later at your convenience.




** Just so you know: The Sentinel is reader-supported. When you make a purchase via a link on our site, we might earn an affiliate commission that we will use bring you more area news and sports coverage.

5 ways to lower your heating and energy bill this fall

Photo: Brandpoint

BPT -- Cooler weather is on the way. As temperatures begin dropping this next month, rising energy costs for electricity and natural gas are something to be concerned about.

Fortunately, there are a number of simple, proactive steps you can take that will save on energy and expenses for your home — while also increasing comfort — today and well into the future. On top of that, you will also be helping to increase the value of your home with these effective energy-saving measures.

Consider these 5 steps to help your home become more energy-efficient.

1. Give your furnace or boiler a checkup

Get in the habit of having your furnace or boiler professionally tuned up and cleaned at least once a year, ideally just before the weather starts turning colder. Just as you perform regular maintenance on your vehicle, make sure your entire HVAC system is in top condition — and replace your furnace filter at least every 90 days — to help your HVAC system run more efficiently. This will reduce your utility bills over time, while keeping you and your family warmer.

2. Go tankless

Looking for a great way to cut down on energy usage and also ensure more consistent access to hot water? Upgrading to a tankless water heater will save on energy and expenses compared to a traditional water heater. For example, Noritz EZ Series high-efficiency, condensing tankless water heaters are engineered to replace larger, conventional storage tank-type units, cutting both installation time and costs substantially. The wall-hung technology also has zero footprint in your home, which is a great space saver for smaller homes or if you just need more areas for storage. Tankless water heaters efficiently provide continuous hot water — meaning no more cold showers — along with big energy savings. In addition, tankless water heaters like the Noritz EZ Series also result in reduced carbon emissions and have a longer life expectancy than traditional models. Tankless water heaters use top-mounted water connections, avoiding the need for additional and costly plumbing. Even better, you can often find money-saving rebate programs from your local gas utility for your new tankless water heater that will help cut the installed cost even more.

3. Insulate your attic

You’re probably aware that heat rises — so if your attic is not properly insulated, you may be losing a lot of heated air through your roof every winter. Lack of good attic insulation can also lead to damage from ice buildup, which is costly to repair. If you own an older home, it's a good idea to have your attic inspected for insulation before winter sets in. And while older homes are the least likely to have properly insulated attics, even if you have a newer home it’s worth having a professional check to see if your attic is under-insulated. This can make a big difference when it comes to heating costs.

4. Make your thermostat programmable

If it’s been a while since you upgraded your thermostat, you may be surprised at what new programmable thermostats can do to help keep your home comfortable while also saving on utility bills. The latest models provide much better fine tuning when setting your thermostat, allowing better control of the energy you’re using to heat (or cool) your home. You can make sure you're not overheating your house when you're asleep or not at home. Traveling or on vacation? New smart thermostats allow you to adjust your home's thermostat controls remotely, using your phone or another electronic device.

5. Check for leaks

Every year, homeowners lose a lot of heated (or cooled) air through leaks around areas like windows, doors and chimneys. Inspecting your home for leaks can alert you to spots where you may need to improve caulking, flashing or weather-stripping for a fairly low-cost fix. For a longer-term solution, you may want to consider replacing older, less energy-efficient windows and doors with new ones. For help finding leaks, call your utility company. Many provide energy audits to help customers locate trouble spots in their homes.

By taking a few of these proactive steps, you can help your family stay cozy and comfortable all winter, while also helping to save energy and protect your budget.

Visit EZSeries.Noritz.com to learn more about how you can save energy, space and expenses on heating water for your home.


Ways to reduce food insecurity for toddlers and infants in your community

Family Features -- Food insecurity isn't a new problem in the United States, but the economic upheaval created by the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the problem.

During the pandemic, households in the United States with children experienced an increase in food insecurity, despite overall rates of food insecurity staying the same. In 2019, 13.6% of households with children were food insecure, but by 2020, that number increased to 14.8%, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In general, child food insecurity rates are higher than overall food insecurity rates, according to the annual Map the Meal Gap study conducted by Feeding America, a nationwide nonprofit network of food banks. According to data from the Children's Defense Fund, this is particularly prevalent among low-income families, single mother households and Black and Hispanic households.

What Food Insecurity Means for Children
Food insecurity and hunger are closely related but not quite the same. People who are food insecure don't have reliable, ongoing access to an adequate supply of affordable, nutritious food. Hunger is a physical condition; food insecurity reflects barriers to obtaining food such as finances, physical location and transportation.

Infants and toddlers are particularly vulnerable to nutrient deficiencies because their nutrient needs are high, especially in relation to the size of their stomachs and appetites. Caregivers in food-insecure households may have little choice but to settle for cheaper, energy-dense but nutrient-poor foods. As a result, food-insecure infants and toddlers are not receiving adequate nutrition even when they may be receiving enough calories to satisfy hunger.

Even if a child isn't physically starving, inadequate nutrition can negatively affect health in numerous ways, including immune system function, low weight, learning and developmental delays, vitamin deficiencies and more.

Ways to Help Promote Better Nutrition
Support good nutrition during infancy and toddlerhood for your own children and others in the community with these practical tips:

* Participate in (or introduce those in need to) aid programs. Government nutrition assistance programs help provide essential nutrition needs during infant and toddler years. One example is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which provides a variety of resources including food and health care referrals to support mothers and young children at nutritional risk, including pregnant, breastfeeding and post-partum women, as well as infants and children up to age 5.

Another example is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides benefits low-income families can use to purchase nutritious foods. For children and adults who are enrolled in certain care programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) helps ensure they have access to nutritious meals and snacks.

* Make purchases that work extra hard. In addition to producing foods that encourage better nutrition for children, some brands also make contributions that help offset food insecurity. For example, for every box of Plum Organics Super Smoothies purchased, the company donates a pouch to a child in need through its "The Full Effect" program. The smoothie is a specially formulated blend of fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains with no added sugars designed to fight malnutrition and help fortify the diets of children who don't have access to regular, healthy meals.

* Act as a role model for healthy choices. Children learn by example, so be sure your little ones see you enjoying nutritious snacks, filling your plate with appropriate portions and preparing well-rounded meals. When kids are exposed to a wide range of healthy options early in life, those food choices become the norm as they grow older.

* Volunteer at a food bank. Getting hands-on by donating your time at a local food bank can help you understand the complexity of food insecurity. Many nutritious selections are perishable, and transporting and storing perishable goods is costly. Volunteers help offset a food bank's operational expenses by contributing labor to sort donated items, prepare deliveries and more.

To find more information about foods that provide infants and toddlers the nutrients they need, visit plumorganics.com.


Urbana's Canopy Club offering "Fee-Free" weekend starting Friday

URBANA -- The University of Illinois' popular campustown live music venue has released a list of more than 25 upcoming acts this fall.

Starting Friday, September 2nd at midnight through Monday, September 5th at 11:59 pm online purchase of tickets for any of the upcoming shows will not include any additional fees during the venue's Fee-Free Weekend. Concert-goers and live music fans can use the code "FEEFREE" in the promo code box during checkout to skip paying administrative fees.

The Canopy Club has been the home of live music, entertainment, and nightlife in east central Illinois since 1998. Each month there is a show to fit nearly any music fan's taste from rock and roll to hip-hop as well as EDM, jazz, and house music.

The club's upcoming concert schedule includes:

Sat, Sep 3 - DJ Zay Latin Night ft. Gianni Blu
Wed, Sep 7 - PUP
Thu, Sep 8 - Megalodon
Sat, Sep 10 - Lines of Loyalty
Tue, Sep 13 - Black Carl! & Saka Rush Hour Tour
Thu, Sep 15 - RAGS AND RICHES
Fri, Sep 16 - Latin Night:Freakitona w/ DJ Zay
Sat, Sep 17 - DOGMA and Friends
Sun, Sep 18 - The Frank White Experience (A Tribute To The "Notorious B.I.G.")
Tue, Sep 20 - Nightrain (Guns n Roses Tribute)
Fri, Sep 23 - Ignition House: Dubvision
Sat, Sep 24 - MisterWives
Thu, Sep 29 - Maddy O'Neal w/ zoska
Fri, Sep 30 - Show Up & Show Out - Pride Fest Party
Sun, Oct 2 - Falling Through April / Hazen
Fri, Oct 7 - 22 & good 4 u
Sat, Oct 8 - Boombox Cartel
Fri, Oct 14 - Borgore
Sat, Oct 15 - Dropsixx w/ Emperors & Angels
Sun, Oct 16 - Mac Saturn
Thu, Oct 20 - Blunts & Blondes
Fri, Oct 21 - UH2BT Presents: K-POP DJ Night
Sat, Oct 22 - Smoakland
Wed, Oct 26 - Kingdom Collapse
Thu, Oct 27 - Autograf
Fri, Nov 11 - Here Come The Mummies

For more informationk about upcoming concerts and events, visit the Canopy Club website here.


Recipe: A heaping serving of homework motivation

Family Features -- Heading back to school doesn't have to mean forgetting the fun of warm weather treats. Once the homework is done and you've enjoyed dinner with loved ones, turn your attention to a dessert that tastes like it was prepared by a professional baker.

This S'mores Skillet starts with a sweet brownie base made with Domino Light Brown Sugar and is then infused and topped with traditional s'mores ingredients. Just combine in a skillet then bake - or grill for that familiar outdoor feel - until warm and gooey.

The next time you invite friends over to celebrate after a home football or volleyball game victory, try this easy-to-make recipe that will light up any party with ear-to-ear grins.

Find more dessert ideas to sweeten up the back-to-school season and postgame celebrations at DominoSugar.com.

S'mores Skillet

Prep time: 30 minutes / Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6

8 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup Domino Light Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup mini marshmallows, divided
6 graham crackers, roughly crumbled, divided

Step-by-step

Preheat oven or grill to 350 F.

Place medium heat-proof bowl over medium saucepan simmering with water. Add butter, 1/4 cup chocolate chips and unsweetened chocolate; melt. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool 15 minutes.

In small bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt.

In large bowl, mix eggs, sugar and vanilla. Add chocolate mixture and mix until well combined. Stir in flour mixture. Add 1/4 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup mini marshmallows and three graham crackers to batter.

Pour mixture into 8-inch skillet. Top with remaining mini marshmallows, chocolate chips and graham crackers. Grill or bake 10-12 minutes. Remove from grill. Cool 10 minutes and serve.


Commentary: Stop throwing your life away doing nothing

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

Enjoyable weather is coming soon. For many parts of the country September through November offers many pleasant days. Don’t waste them by spending all your time starring at the television or Facebook. You still have some life to live. Spending four or five hours a day watching what everyone else is doing is a waste of your time.

There are programs you enjoy and news events that grab our attention. There are a few people you enjoy keeping up with via social media. After this, get a life. Do you want to spend the rest of your life with your head bent down starring at a tablet or a cell phone? You might get to a point where all you can do is sit in your chair and stare at the television. I’ve seen many good people who at the end of their lives who could do nothing but watch television or stare into space. Often our bodies get to where that’s all we can do. Is this all you can do now? Consider your daily options.

Stop throwing your life away doing nothing. Have verbal conservations with people on the telephone. You can overdo this as well but it’s at least human interaction. Keep moving, stretching and exerting yourself. Plan your meals and eat as healthy as possible and don’t overeat. Save some for your next meal. You’ll live till the next one.

Go somewhere when you can. Going someplace is better than no place. A change of pace and being outdoors is mentally good for you. Your travel may be across the street but the key is to move and get out.

You will get depressed if all you are doing is eating, starring at your cell phone and flipping television channels. If you are physically able, work ten to twenty hours a week. Somebody will hire you.

Everyone needs something to do, someone to talk to and something to look forward to doing. You also need someone to love and first you always have God. God loves you now and if you’ll open your heart, he will fill your life with his love. There are people to love. Love your family, love friends, love people at work and church. Love the people with whom you socially gather. Some people aren’t easy to love and some are impossible. Keep in mind that all things with God are possible. Keep your heart filled with God’s love. Love yourself. You can’t love others very well if you don’t love yourself. Forgive and take care of yourself. You’ll then have something you can give others, love and kindness.

It's sad to be around bitter people who have never resolved life’s issues and embraced their own lives. Everyone has potential to excel and achieve. Too often people get bogged down with failures and are totally destroyed. Some failures are just events in your life in which you will learn about you and others. You can use failure to grow, reposition and redevelop your life.

You know what the political candidates are saying. You don’t have to spend hours watching political ads, unless you are bored stiff.

Enjoy the season. Make this next one a great one.


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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of Grandpa's Store, American Issues, and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

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This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.


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Recipe: Super charge your day with this delightful cheeseburger turnover

Family Features -- There's a lot to remember when sending your student off to school each morning, from backpacks and school supplies to last night's homework. Don't forget one of the key ingredients to a successful day: lunch.

A menu of filling, delicious recipes is just what your family needs to make each school day a successful educational adventure. Satisfying lunch and dinner ideas can give loved ones the fuel they need while delicious desserts provide motivation for growing minds to get homework finished before enjoying a treat.


easy to make cheeseburger turnover

Photo provided

When the coming weeks get hectic due to busy schedules, this recipe offers a simple solution to make cooking easier while helping you spend less time in the kitchen. Start with a lunch that's as easy to make as it is to pack in a lunchbox, recharge in the evening thanks to a veggie-forward main course and satisfy everyone's sweet tooth with a chocolatey favorite to round out the day.

These Cheeseburger Turnovers provide the energy little learners need to power through their afternoon lessons. One winning idea to make the week easier is to prep a full batch of these easily packable, kid-friendly handhelds Sunday night so you've got lunch ready for each day.

To find more inspirational school-day ideas, visit Culinary.net.

Cheeseburger Turnovers

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup onion, chopped
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon mustard
1 can flaky biscuits
1 cup shredded cheese
dill pickle slices, halved
1 egg, beaten

How to make it

Heat oven to 375 F.

In large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is thoroughly cooked and onions are tender. Drain. Stir in ketchup and mustard.

Separate biscuit dough. On ungreased baking sheet, flatten biscuit dough to form 6-inch rounds. Spoon beef mixture onto one side of flattened dough. Sprinkle with cheese. Top with dill pickle half. Fold dough over filling. With fork tines, press dough edges to seal. Cut two slits in top of dough to release steam. Repeat with remaining dough, beef mixture, cheese and pickles.

Brush each turnover with egg wash.

Bake 18-22 minutes, or until deep golden brown.


Area soccer teams get season underway

Collin Thomey goes up for a header during SJO's road match St. Joseph-Ogden's Collin Thomey tries to head the ball away from University High's Luca Zepeda-Flores during their non-conference soccer game on Thursday. The Spartans were limited to a first-half goal before the Illineks scored three unanswered goals on their home field for the win, 3-1. SJO is back in action on Monday at Schlarman Academy in Danville, while Uni-High will host twin-city rival Champaign Central on Tuesday.

(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Avoid keeping avocados in water to keep them fresh, it's not a healthy idea

Lee Batsakis
OSF Healthcare


Rachel Gustafson
URBANA -- Since the inception of the popular social media app TikTok, countless “life hack” videos have gone viral – some of which have prompted health concerns. The latest viral TikTok trend is a tip for keeping avocados “fresh” by submerging them in water and storing them in the refrigerator until you are ready to consume them. Some individuals have even stored their leftover avocado this way – slicing the avocado in half and saving the rest for later.

In May, the social media challenge prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to release a warning about the health risks associated with it.

"It gives bacteria a chance to harbor and multiply overnight, or even over months like some people are doing. It increases your risk for those GI infections such as listeria, salmonella, etcetera," says Rachel Gustafson, an OSF HealthCare family medicine advanced practice nurse.

The FDA says storing avocados this way may even cause pathogens on the surface to multiply during the time it is submerged in the water, adding that even disinfecting the avocado skin prior to slicing would not remove the contamination as it may have already infiltrated the skin.

Avocados are popular for many food dishes or even for just spreading on a slice of toast in the morning. Avocados typically have a short shelf life – the fruit tends to ripen quickly – and will rapidly turn a brown color after they are cut into. Individuals who have attempted this trend on TikTok have claimed it works wonders because it keeps the avocado that perfect shade of green.

While these avocados may look ripe and fresh on the outside due to their bright green color, the fact that they were stored in water means there is a good chance they are not as fresh as they appear. In fact, although it may not look as appealing as a bright green avocado, health experts add that the browning of an avocado is perfectly natural – and consuming a browned avocado is, in many cases, much safer than consuming a green avocado that has spent any amount of time being stored in a container of water.

"Think about an avocado like you would an apple. A sliced apple will turn brown if you leave it out for even just an hour or so. That is just because of the oxidative process. The oxygen hits the apple, making it a little bit discolored. The same thing happens with an avocado. That does not mean that it’s old, it just has changed colors because of being sliced in half and open to the air," Gustafson explains.

Photo: Pexels/Polina Tankilevitch
Some people may wonder if it is safe to consume an avocado that has been submerged in water for a day or two as opposed to weeks at a time. Gustafson recommends avoiding this type of storage altogether regardless of time.

"It probably gives it more of a chance for the bacteria to multiply when it is kept in the refrigerator for months at a time rather than one overnight. But even if after one day if the avocado gets that brown to it, it’s still good and ripe, so I probably would not take the chance and just use your avocado the next day as is," advises Gustafson.

Gustafson adds that the best way to store an avocado would be on the counter if it is not yet opened, and then keep it in a sealed container in the refrigerator once is had been sliced open – just make sure to avoid adding water. Once properly stored, the best time to finish your avocado is within two to three days.

If you are concerned you may have consumed an avocado that was not stored properly, pay attention to signs of a possible listeria or salmonella infection. Symptoms of these infections can include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and headaches.

"A lot of times, we will tell people to give it a day or two. With these salmonella and listeria infections, a lot of them will just get better on their own. The times that you want to investigate it further is if you are having symptoms such as significant amounts of diarrhea, you are not able to keep water down, and you’re getting dehydrated," Gustafson says.

If you are feeling ill and it continues for more than a couple days with worsening symptoms, Gustafson recommends seeking medical attention from your primary care provider or local emergency room. In some cases, antibiotics are needed.

Most importantly, keep food safety in mind when storing your fresh produce.



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