Straight Talk from Monterey Doc for Men's Health Month

June is Men’s Health Month and the Quail and Olive is joining the effort to raise awareness of preventable health problems and healthy diet habits for men and boys. Located in the Carmel Valley Village, it is the only Monterey Bay tasting room dedicated exclusively to California extra virgin olive oils, specialty oils and vinegars.

“As a cardiologist, I have studied the evidence that extra virgin olive oil is one of the best food choices for a healthier life and California grown olive oils even more so,” said Dr. Stephen Brabeck, Monterey cardiologist and proprietor of The Quail and Olive. “Their harvesting practices and physical proximity give us olive oils that offer higher amounts of the biochemical compounds that make it so beneficial to our cardiovascular system. I encourage men and their families to take the time this month to think about their health and start making healthier food choices.”

Brabeck has practiced in Monterey for nearly 30 years and regularly given lectures and California olive oil tastings to promote the health and culinary benefits of this superfood. After meeting local olive growers throughout Carmel Valley and California, he opened the Quail and Olive three years ago to raise the profile of extra virgin olive oil.

“My message to men is treat your body just like you would treat a very valuable, priceless collector’s car,” he said. “It's built for action, not sitting around, so keep it moving. It needs regular care and maintenance, so watch what goes in the mouth, we are what we eat - high quality ‘fuel’ keeps the engine running smoothly and efficiently.”

Brabeck is presently enrolled in the Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist program at The Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, in partnership with the North American Center for Continuing Medical Education. The Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine at Tulane University is the nation’s first dedicated teaching kitchen to be implemented at a medical school. Upon completion, Brabeck will be the only Monterey Bay cardiologist and olive oil tasting room proprietor with this credential.

“Our body is the most elegant machine and piece of equipment ever developed, each one harboring millions, if not billions of dollars of technology, and we are all given one at birth for free,” he said. “If you had a car worth that, would you let your 14 year-old kid drive it around blindfolded? Heck no! But we seem not to view our bodies like that, we seem to think that wonderful piece of machinery needs no care, no maintenance, and just kick it around. It is the reason I have had such a busy practice when 90% of the cardiovascular disease I see is totally preventable.”

About The Quail and Olive – A California Olive Oil Experience

The Quail & Olive specializes in the best quality California extra virgin olive oil. Based in Carmel Valley, California, it is the top olive oil tasting room attracting locals and visitors to taste and purchase California olive oils and specialty oils as well as vinegars, locally grown and made gourmet foods, art, organic bath and body products, décor, cookbooks and more. The Quail & Olive’s Covey Club sends members exclusive pairings of new olive oils and vinegars in a quarterly basis, shipping all over the U.S.

The olive oil tasting room is also host to the annual Paint the Village Invitational that raises funds for The Arts Council of Monterey County and frequently partners with local non-profits and chefs to educate and celebrate the bounty of California. The Quail and Olive is located at 3 Pilot Road in the Carmel Valley Village and open Wednesday through Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call: 831-659-4288 or visit www.QuailandOlive.com. Follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep up with limited-edition California olive oils, recipes, specials and new products.

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