Marion Healthy Living August 2018

Smart The Phone Obsession

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY THAT SEES THROUGH ARTIFACT, SHADOW AND CLUTTER

#DetectionSpecialists

ACR Accredited - Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Board Certified, Fellowship-Trained Radiologists

images available. And, as a patient, you want to be treated with kindness and respect.

RAO offers the industry’s most advanced high-field and open MRI, a caring, attentive staff, and Board Certified radiologists dedicated to providing the right diagnosis directly to your clinician. The quality of our care is something you can see—and feel—in everything we do.

(left to right): John D. Boon, IV, MD; Edson G. Cortes, MD; Ryan K. Tompkins, MD;

Fannon, Laurel Gillum, John Jernigan and Lisset Lanza

PUBLISHER

Kathy Johnson kathy@healthylivingmagazines.com

OFFICE/PRODUCTION MANAGER

Cynthia Brown art@healthylivingmagazines.com

EDITORIAL

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Karin Fabry-Cushenbery karin@healthylivingmagazines.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Melissa Peterson melissa@healthylivingmagazines.com

SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Vianca Torres vianca@ocalastyle.com

FOOD & LIFESTYLE CONTRIBUTOR

Robin Fannon

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jim Gibson

Laurel Gillum

JoAnn Guidry

Bonnie Kretchik

Cynthia McFarland

Katie Benscoter

Nick Steele

Sean Trapani

EDITORIAL INTERN

Lisset Lanza

ART

art@healthylivingmagazines.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Jessi Miller

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Kristy Taylor

PHOTOGRAPHERS

John Jernigan

Sheila Hartley

Ralph Demilio 123rf.com

SALES

DIRECTOR OF SALES

Dean Johnson deanjohnson@healthylivingmagazines.com

SALES MANAGER

Sharon Morgan

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Evelyn Anderson

Skip Linderman

Peggy Sue Munday

Cecilia Sarco

Lori Tani

Crystal Gale Tronnes

DISTRIBUTION

Dave Adams

Debra McQueen

Rick Shaw

ADVISORY BOARD

HEALTHY LIVING MAGAZINE has brought together a group of medical experts and community leaders to serve on our advisory board and share their expertise and insight with our readers.

Christy Jergens, APR Public Information O cer

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN MARION COUNTY

Nicolas Blaser Vice President – Business Services O cer

BB&T

Ashley Cauthen, M.D.

Cosmetic And Clinical Dermatology MIDSTATE SKIN INSTITUTE

Michael Holloway, M.D. Physician-Directed Weight Management & Medical Aesthetics LIFESTYLE SOLUTIONS MEDSPA

Mark Jank, M.D. Ophthalmology OCALA EYE

Brittney Marthaller Director, Marketing & Public Relations

OCALA HEALTH

Kristina Donohue Director of Mission Advancement THE CENTERS

Derek Farr, D.O. Orthopedic Surgeon TWIN PALMS ORTHOPEDICS

Navinderdeep Nijher, M.D. Plastic Surgery OCALA PLASTIC SURGERY

Chris Okonkwo, M.D. Pediatrics

CHILDREN’S HEALTH OF OCALA

Cindy Grow, DNP, ARNP, AGPCNP-BC

Adult & Geriatric Integrative Medicine

PATIENT CENTERED HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Jayanti Panchal, M.D. Internal Medicine and Medical Weight Management SUCCESS BY DESIGN

can you see me now?

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, and with the school year starting, there’s no better time for a checkup. Examination is especially important in young children, because it allows for any issues present to be caught early so kids can receive e ective treatment. In the classroom, students must be able to focus and take in material from a distance. Your child’s learning ability depends on proper vision.

A comprehensive eye exam, which investigates the health of the eye and visual system, is needed at 3 years of age and before first grade. Every child, from preschoolers to school-age children, should be screened for visual acuity by taking a vision test. Vision tests are usually assessed by a pediatrician or school nurse. From there, your child may be recommended to an optometrist if they have trouble seeing. If no problems are detected, an eye exam should su ce approximately every two years.

day by day

Fun events, helpful tips and monthly to-do’s for August

Word Weavers Writing Group at Crones’ Cradle Conserve (first and third Wednesdays of each month, 6pm)

MANGAlicious Teen Clubs! at the Ocala Public Library Headquarters location

After Dark in the Park Movie Series: Captain America: Civil War

Attend Taylor College’s back-toschool event from 11am-1pm.

Last day to take advantage of the back-to-school taxfree weekend.

Re-stock your first-aid kit.

A Matter of Balance seminar on managing falls at the Senior Wellness Community Center

Plan meals for the next two weeks, and shop for ingredients.

Bariatric Post Op Class at the Senior Wellness Community Center

Salsa Casino at Studio SC: Barre, Yoga, Fitness (every Friday, 6:45pm)

Ultimate frisbee at Jervey Gantt Park

Pick out your children’s first-day-ofschool outfits.

First day of school for Marion County Public Schools

Sort through summer clothes to be donated. Take kids to Brick City Adventure Park after school for a flag football game.

Make plans to attend tomorrow night’s final Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series concert.

Watch Classic Albums

LIVE: The Beatles’ White Album at the Reilly Arts Center

Attend the Homeschool Expo at the Ocala Public Library Headquarters location.

Pickin’ in the Park at Silver Springs State Park

Wash and vacuum your cars. Donate unused clothes to local consignment shop.

Schedule a lastminute getaway over Labor Day weekend.

Invite co-workers out for lunch.

Plan an autumn family camping trip.

Glo With the Flo 5K Run at Citizens’ Circle

Invite the in-laws over for breakfast. Clean out and organize your garage. Check air pressure in your car tires.

Take a walk through Fort King National Historic Landmark and Visitor Center.

Stock up on essentials to prepare for the height of hurricane season.

Take the kids roller-skating to kick off the weekend.

be back-to-school ready!

Back-to-school season can be quite hectic for students, parents and teachers alike. Share these tips with your eager student to make the home-to-school transition a little easier.

› Help your child organize their school supplies for the first day. Tax-free weekend is a great time to stock up!

› Encourage your child to join a club or a team this school year to discover something new that they might love.

› Help your child write a list of goals they want to accomplish this school year. Whether that be to maintain a 4.0 GPA or to make the varsity team, if they set their mind to it, they just might achieve it!

need a pick-me-up?

Finding a ride in Florida just got easier.

For many people, getting their first car or first bus pass is a lifechanging event. They’re able to make new friends, explore new places and expand their options for education and income. But there are deeper benefits to having access to transportation, as well—and potentially dire consequences for losing that access.

According to the National Caregivers Library, there are a number of psychological side e ects that accompany transportation access. These e ects might include feeling more independent, capable and self-su cient. Some experience a feeling of elevated social status. Others can begin to explore the more spontaneous aspects of their personalities.

In other words, when someone loses the ability to get around on their own, they lose more than what might be immediately apparent. These observations begged a huge question to a group of people here in Florida: If access to transportation is so important, how could they help Florida’s growing, aging population maintain their mobility, regardless of their needs or where they live?

Researchers believe they’ve developed part of the answer in a new, free website called FindaRideFlorida.org, which was created via a collaboration between the University of Florida’s I-MAP program and the Florida Department of Transportation. The site allows people and/or their caregivers

›

By Sean Trapani

to quickly locate transportation resources near them, giving them the ability to keep doctor’s appointments, go food shopping or simply, as the project lead says, buy an ice cream cone.

To use the service, one simply logs on to FindaRideFlorida.org on a desktop or mobile device. Once there, users type in their current location and where they want to go. Then, after the user hits the “find a ride” button, the site reveals a list of transportation sources. These options might include traditional taxi companies, public transportation, nonprofits and ride-hailing services. But the benefits of the site go farther than connecting people with rides.

“Find a Ride data enables public transportation agencies and decision-makers to respond to transportation gaps more e ectively,” says Sherrilene Classen, Ph.D., M.P.H., OTR/L, director of I-MAP and a professor and chair of the UF department of occupational therapy, “…leading to better, more equitable public transportation service planning and delivery to benefit the most vulnerable populations in Florida.”

FindaRideFlorida.org is a free service developed by UF and the Florida DOT’s Safe Mobility for Life program. The site, which includes accommodations for low-vision users, is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for people in all 67 Florida counties.

back to school— beyond the basics

› By Lisset Lanza

As families gear up for the start of the school year, it’s helpful to have a back-toschool checklist. Along with your standard pencils and paper, these fun items are anything but basic. Check out our musthave picks for back to school.

top trumps cards

$9.99 per pack, toptrumps.us

The world of STEM comes to life in this fun, easy-to-play card game. Choose from Terrific Technology, Sensational Science, Extraordinary Engineering or Peculiar Problems to learn about groundbreaking discoveries and amazing facts. Do you have the best stat? If so, you collect the cards to win! It’s fun and educational.

water bottle

Elemental Water Bottles

$34.95, elementalbottles.com

Available in matte and glossy finishes and a range of colors, these high-quality bottles are made to last. They’re designed to keep beverages cold for 24 hours and hot for 12, and you can choose between a sport cap, stainless steel or bamboo cap. The ability to customize allows more room to show your personal style. The best part? No more sweaty bottles.

razorx cruiser electric skateboard

$179.99, razor.com

Have a college-age student who needs to get from one end of campus to the other quickly? We have just what they need. With soft-start, kick-activated technology, this unique skateboard ramps up slowly with the press of a button on the handy remote control. Reaching speeds of 10mph, you’ll get there in no time. It also slows just as safely, and if you forget to charge it, no worries. The Cruiser doubles as a manual skateboard in a pinch.

STEM starter kit

$19.99, myfirstlab.com

Turn your smartphone or other device into a 60x-magnifi cation microscope and take science on the go! Now your young explorers can discover a whole new world around them using the selected device’s camera lens. The coolest part is the kit comes complete with 15 prepared specimens to get your budding scientist going.

peace frogs

peacefrogs.com

You can count on Peace Frogs brand clothing to always have a positive, optimistic message for your youngster. With a motto like “Live Fun, Do Good,” you shouldn’t expect anything di erent. From fun boxers and T-shirts to hoodies, check out Peace Frogs for some of your back-to-school shopping needs. Check out their fun stu and accessory shop, too.

q toys bundle

$64.99, shop.eqtainment.com

Sure, reading, writing and arithmetic are the basics. But just as important are manners, social skills and creativity. That’s where EQTainment and the Q Wunder curriculum comes into play. All EQtainment products help build emotional intelligence by allowing kids to practice key EQ skills like feeling identification and verbalization, balance, coordination and social skills. This get-you-going bundle includes Q’s Race to the Top Board game, Q’s Race on the Go Pack, Q’s Wild Ride Read-Along Storybook & CD, Q’s Coloring & Activity Book and Q-Time Buddy. Various packs are available for purchase, and a helpful parents’ corner is always free. Follow along with the interactive app at qwunder.com

coming soon!

The Villages, Anchor Health and AHC Hospitality recently broke ground on the Center of Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood. In attendance were local dignitaries, executives from The Villages Health, Florida Cancer Specialists physicians and sta , and, as a guest speaker, the governor of Florida, Rick

high marks

Munroe Regional Medical Center (MRMC) was recognized by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for achieving 85 percent or higher compliance with all Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Achievement Measures and 75 percent or higher compliance with five or more Get With The Guidelines®Stroke Quality Measures for one calendar year. This accomplishment earned the hospital Silver Plus recognition as part of the AHA/ ASA “Get With The Guidelines” program, which is designed to help hospitals make sure patients get the benefits of the latest scientific guidelines-based treatment.

“We’re committed to providing stroke care that aligns with the latest research-based treatment guidelines,” says Jim O’Loughlin, CEO. “Being recognized by the American Heart Association for doing so is a reflection of that commitment and the quality of care our physicians, nurses and support sta deliver to our patients and our community.”

Scott. Florida Cancer Specialists’ new Brownwood o ce will be located at 2925 Traverse Trail in The Villages.

Florida Cancer Specialists’ CEO Brad Prechtl, MBA, stated, “We are very excited and proud to be part of the new Center of Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood. The health care industry

is placing more emphasis on a patientcentric delivery model that includes higher quality and better located facilities. In conjunction with Anchor Health and The Villages, we will be able to o er patients the utmost in functional, modern space and cutting-edge technologies.”

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

The Centers recently appointed two new members onto The Centers’ Board of Directors: the Honorable Marion County Judge Tommy Thompson and local businessman and recovery advocate Don Scott. As part of continued e orts to better serve the community and meet the needs of those struggling with mental health and substance abuse, the Board of Directors are a group of volunteers responsible for directing and protecting The Centers and its mission, for the wellbeing of the community. Judge Thompson’s experience as the presiding Judge of the Marion County Mental Health Court will bring a unique outlook to the Board and expert knowledge of the mental health needs of the Ocala community and the everyday hurdles those struggling with mental health face. Mr. Scott of Don Scott Motors is a local business owner and resident of Ocala for more than 50 years. Since the 1980s, Mr. Scott has been an advocate for recovery not only in Florida but across the country and even outside of the United States.

getting bigger all the time

Ocala Health announces it will add 36 more beds to West Marion Community Hospital’s campus. The 138-bed hospital will have 174 beds in early 2019 when the new floor opens. The West Marion Community Hospital facility opened as part of Ocala Health in 2002 with 70 beds. Since 2015, the hospital has added 68 beds and expanded its cardiac services and surgical technology with the addition of a robotic surgical system.

“West Marion Community Hospital and Ocala Health are dedicated to growing to meet the needs of our community and working with patient-centered specialists to provide superior quality care. We’re excited to continue expanding to better serve our community,” says Chad Christianson, Ocala Health CEO.

New Generation Growth Hormone Therapies: What Are They?

The term “human growth hormone” has had a negative connotation in the past. The old generation of human growth hormone therapies is, indeed, not the healthiest thing for the body. Treatments usually required injections of a large dose that had side e ects.

The new generation of growth hormone therapies is more advanced, more targeted and extraordinarily safer. You can have the benefits of growth hormone and minimal side e ects.

Growth Hormone Levels

Decline During Your 30s

Human growth hormone levels usually peak while in your 20s but noticeably decline as people age into their mid-30s.

Symptoms of growth hormone deficiency are a loss of strength, taking longer to heal, thinning skin, fat around the waist, a decline in cognitive function, restlessness, fatigue and more.

Safe & E ective Treatments To Increase Growth Hormone Levels

Larry Siegel, ARNP, of Yunique Medical, describing the new generation of growth hormone therapies, says, “These cutting-

edge treatments can help anyone with a deficiency combat these symptoms and regain their quality of life.”

Even those who would like an extra “boost” in their daily lives for professional performance can benefit from the new growth hormone therapies.

Siegel explains that new generation therapies are extremely tolerated and safe protein-based therapeutics—AKA biologics. The biologics Siegel uses for growth hormone modulation are peptide hormones that work with the body to release growth hormone. The releasing agents activate the production in the pituitary gland. Growth hormones then stimulate the growth of all tissues of the body.

Benefits of safe growth hormone therapies are increased energy and focus, enhanced sex drive, improved bone density, muscle tone, lower body fat, fewer wrinkles, decreased joint and muscle pain, and more.

Anti-Aging, Hormone Optimization & Peptide Therapy

Peptides have many functions in the body, some act as neurotransmitters, others function like hormones. The medical community is beginning to further understand that hormone replacement therapy—like bio-identical hormone pellets—is really successful when combined with peptide therapy.

How To Get A New Generation Growth Hormone Treatment & Other Advanced Therapies

Siegel points out the medical tradition he follows does not use the one-size-fits-all approach.

“I describe my medical practice as an integrative medicine clinic,” he explains, “which requires empathy and science. Before I administer a therapy, I require extensive diagnostic labs while listening to the patient to piece together the puzzle.”

Siegel has seen over 1,500 patients for his personalized therapies. He considers conducting these therapies as an art and is meticulous about his craft.

“I am constantly seeking out the world’s best physicians, chemists and researchers to deepen my understanding of this medicine,” he says. “I absolutely love what I do.”

big hammock race series season 3 launch party

The Big Hammock Race Series Season 3 recently celebrated its kick-off event at the Paddock Mall. The free event featured a look at the 10-race series and medals, plus a 1-mile walk inside the mall or a 3.1-mile run outside with Coach Pezz.

Photos by Crys Williams @ The Paddock Mall

Janet Morris, Bill Gorman and Chuck Morris

Chris and Kaitlyn Thompson and Emma Hatcher

Jose Gonzalo and Alejandra Pozo

Natalie McComb and Conner Merriman Don Umpleby and Sarah Aschliman

Suzy Heinbockel and Bridget Kiefer

Jonathan, Hudson, Kristen, Nathaniel and Jacob Cretul

Seydi Ruiz, Erin Freel, Norris Roche and Nikki Reynolds

Cierra Thompson and Megan Morrison

george albright, jr. memorial golf tournament

The George Albright, Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament, sponsored by Ocala Publications, was presented by Kiwanis Club of Ocala and Habitat for Humanity of Marion County. Proceeds benefited Save Camp Kiwanis and Build a Habitat Home.

Photos by Ronald W. Wetherington @ Dell Webb Eagle Ridge Club

Shannon Bastion, Cedric Kent, Vivian Tomkinson and Mercedes Villanueva

Brittney Fish, Tori Arens, Jeff Ruttenber and Joanne Black

Clay, Justin, Austin, Jackie and David Albright

Jeff Runtenber, Nick Nikkennen, Dick Donaldson and George Albright

Dennis Baxley and Justin Albright

Bill Yates and Clay Albright

Brents Bullock, Glenn Lane and Tom Bartlett

David Layman and Paul Steniford

Scott Hancock and Jim Williams

Tom Phillips, Peggy Sue Munday, Angie Nebran and Joe Voge

Kevin Anderson, Tony Watkins, Randy Kuentjes and Eric Gerstemir

Bernard Mitchell, Betty Jones, Marti Loria, Vernell Walker and Warren Barrett

Jim Westcott, Tony Kopczyk and Vern Situkoski

Photo by John Jernigan

tasty tomatoes

› Recipe by Robin Fannon

› Photography by John Jernigan

You say tomato and I say to-mah-to. You say it’s a fruit, and I say it’s a veggie. No matter how you describe this delectable and versatile gift from nature, there is one thing we can agree on: It is incredibly nutritious and incredibly delicious produce. For starters, tomatoes help reduce blood pressure, guard against cardiovascular disease, reduce cholesterol and fight cancer. Lycopene is the antioxidant superstar here that obliterates free radicals from the body. The numerous delicious dishes that can be created with these gems—both raw and cooked—are part of every chef’s repertoire. Like berries and apples, tomatoes are consistently on the EWG’s (Environmental Working Group) “Dirty Dozen” list, indicating a high level of pesticide and insecticide use in chemical-based tomato farming, so it is best to purchase organic tomatoes whenever possible. They are at their juiciest and most flavorful during the warm, summer months, so, by all means, incorporate them into your summer recipes. All you need is fresh basil, a good quality olive oil, a crusty baguette and a pinch of sea salt and you have the basis for a great Mediterraneaninspired meal.

yellow tomato gazpacho

4 lb yellow tomatoes or other ripe yellow or red heirloom tomatoes, cored and cut into chunks

3 cloves garlic

1 medium yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into large pieces

1 small red onion, cut into large pieces

1⁄4 cup red-wine vinegar

1⁄2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and ground white pepper

Generous dash of Tabasco Sauce

FOR THE GARNISH:

Dollop of sour cream

Peeled and seeded chopped cucumber

Chopped cilantro

6 each red and yellow cherry tomatoes, cut in half

roasted heirloom tomato bruschetta

1 pint of baby (cherry) heirloom tomatoes

2 cloves of chopped garlic

1⁄4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

1⁄4 cup chopped fresh basil  Olive oil

Salt and pepper

rsvprobin.com

Purée tomatoes, garlic, yellow pepper, onion, vinegar, olive oil and Tabasco in a blender until smooth. › Strain mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing on the solids with a spoon in order to extract as much liquid as possible; discard the solids. › Season to taste with salt and pepper. › Refrigerate in an airtight container for at least three hours or overnight.

1 French baguette

Toss tomatoes and garlic together with olive oil, and roast for 15 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven. › Remove, and let cool. › Slice baguette on the diagonal, and lightly toast. › Top with tomato mixture, and enjoy!

Robin Fannon is a New York culinary school-trained chef and a successful party planner with decades of experience. You can visit her popular blog at rsvprobin.com for healthy recipes, party tips and lifestyle articles. Or check her out on Facebook or Instagram.

the perfect purse

Runner up to diamonds, a purse is a girl’s second best friend. Like a close companion, a woman’s purse sticks by her side and is there whenever she needs

(something in) it. › By Laurel Gillum

These over-the-shoulder “friends” are the season’s latest trends. Whether you prefer a savvy satchel or a colorful crossbody, there’s a style waiting just for you.

Vera adley

This summery brand of women’s bags will give any outfit you choose a brilliant pop of color with its intricate etchings of patterns and blooms. › verabradley.com

Iconic Ultimate Diaper Bag › $128

Wearing this diaper bag, you won’t be a regular mom—you’ll be a cool mom. Choose from patterns, including Butterfly Flutter or Water Bouquet, to match your spunky personality.

Betsey Johnson

Betsey Johnson is best known for her whimsical designs that can bring out the child in even the most serious of adults. Think big, bold and loud— Betsey Johnson sure is. › betseyjohnson.com

Kitsch Berry Nice Strawberry Crossbody › $108

If you’re into vintage vibes, this hand-woven crossbody is one to add to your collection. In the shape of a strawberry, this just may be one of the sweetest picks of the season.

Rainbow Dreams Crossbody › $58

A little extra sparkle never hurt anyone. A multi-colored crossbody, this clutch is dainty enough to use daily and sturdy enough to hold all the necessities.

The Sak

Iconic Triple Zip Hipster › $88

Dressed in a rose gold shimmer, this modern crossbody with three separate zippered compartments is perfect for college freshmen or business professionals alike.

Lighten Up Drawstring Shoulder Bag › $58

This bag in Bright Serape Stripe is just the right beach bag. Its easy-to-clean fabric makes it ideal for other everyday uses as well, such as heading to school or the gym.

Lunch Cooler › $38 Brown paper bags are a thing of the past with Vera Bradley’s lunch box collection. They had us at water-repellant material.

Simple and sleek, these modern handbags are made to spruce up the most boring #OOTD. › thesak.com

Palm Springs 120 Hobo › $59

This hand-crocheted bag in navy blue or gold is both versatile and chic. Everyday use or special occasion, this purse is a must-have.

Iris Large Smartphone Crossbody › $79

One-size, fits iPhone 6Plus and 7Plus, choose from Pyrite Metallic, California Multi and more. This smart crossbody fits up to eight credit cards and comes compact with an adjustable 23-inch strap.

face it

Gillum

After spending long days basking in the sun, underneath that dewy glow is damage that needs pampering. Check out these must-have moisturizing products by Schique to help rejuvenate your skin. See more at schique.com.

Radiant Glow Daily Face Scrub › $42

The perfect product for peeling due to sun exposure, this face scrub should be used to gently wash dead skin cells away from the face that could potentially block pores, leading to breakouts. Ingredients work together to reduce redness, brighten complexion and lock in moisture.

Lumistone Hydration Face Moisturizer › $52

Insightful Contour

Eye Cream › $64

Intuitive Restoration Renewing Mask › $48

As you exfoliate with this moisturizing blend of dandelion and aloe extract, you’ll feel an immediate contrast from dry and itchy skin to soft and smooth. The exfoliating beads change color from white to cool blue as toxins are removed from the face, leaving you with the satisfaction of a clear complexion.

Hydra Glisten Revitalizing Mist

› $38

Glow all four seasons with Schique’s Hydra Glisten Revitalizing Mist. Infused with dandelion, apricot, vitamin C and apple extracts, this is a great item to toss into your purse for on-the-go skincare.

As an added bonus, this mist also serves as a natural pollution shield.

In one clinical trial, 100 percent of subjects claimed that this moisturizer provided improvement in radiance, luminosity, texture and smoothness. In addition, antiaging properties, including peptiderich pro-tightening complex and plant-rich skin smoothing complex, have earned this moisturizer its good name in skincare.

Eye spy with my little eye a contour cream said to minimize the appearance of dark spots, harsh lines and wrinkles. This vegan blend of dandelion extract and brightening, tightening and smoothing complexes should be a pertinent part of your postsummer ritual.

Long gone are the days when you could rely solely on healthy doses of vitamin D to count as your skincare routine. With the fall season approaching (we know, we know—we’re thinking optimistically), it’s time to restore your summer skin and prepare it for cooler weather.

›

By Laurel

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herniated disc: what is it?

By Lisset Lanza

The spinal column is a long, supportive structure that protects the spinal cord. It is made up of segments of bone called vertebrae, which contain spinal discs. Spinal discs act as a bu er to absorb shock and as ligaments that hold the spine together. The outer portion of the discs are firm and made up of collagen fibers. The outside is tough but flexible enough for slight mobility. On the inside, discs have a rubbery, gelatinous middle.

With age, the discs begin to wear down, and as they weaken, the outer shell can develop tears. The gel can then pour out into a tear and start to bulge out on to the surrounding nerve. A disc that ruptures is known as a herniated disc, sometimes called a slipped disc. It is usually caused by the deterioration of the disk over time but can sometimes be triggered by misuse of back muscles when lifting. It is more common in those over 30 and is twice as common in men than in women.

symptoms

How bad the symptoms are depends on how much of the disc is pressing on the nerve.

Herniated discs often occur in the lumbar spine, or lower back, but can occur in di erent locations, like the neck. Those

a ected may experience pain or numbness in the arm, leg or thigh. Depending on where the herniated disc is located, pain will often occur on one side of the body. If you experience intense pain along with numbness, tingling or paralysis, see a doctor immediately.

treatment

Usually, pain from a herniated disc subsides on its own within six weeks. The first step in healing is to rest. The pain worsens with activity, and it’s best not to agitate the disc itself further. It’s OK to periodically move and stretch a little when resting. Prolonged inactivity could make the area sti , and you may want to change positions to adjust for comfort. Unless the pain is urgent, a trip to the emergency room isn’t necessary. Instead, opt to visit your local health care provider. From there, questions will be asked about your family

history and your symptoms to determine a diagnosis.

As treatment, medicine such as antiinflammatory and pain reducers will be prescribed. If symptoms persist, you may be directed to a specialist, where physical therapy will be recommended. Surgery is a last resort. It’s usually not needed, and when it is, it may be because of an underlying cause. Even so, if pain

doesn’t improve within four to six weeks or if symptoms get worse, surgery may be needed to relieve the pain.

prevention

A herniated disc is a common issue. To try to prevent it in the future, it’s a good idea to practice safe exercises to strengthen the back. Remember to always bend at the knees and keep the back straight when lifting. If prone to back problems, avoid wearing high heels so as not to agitate the region.

THE

**

By Cynthia McFarland

CONNECTION OBSESSION

How smartphone and internet addiction impacts American lives.

That more than half of American adults admit to using their smartphones while driving is no surprise. But during sex?

Yep, a mobile consumer habits study showed that 9 percent of American adults confessed to using their phones while having sex. Narrow it down to young adults (ages 18-34) and the figure jumps to 20 percent.

Experts have even come up with a new word to define the fearful anxiety of being without your phone: nomophobia. And if you have it, you’re not alone. In the same study, 72 percent of respondents say they’re within 5 feet of their phones most of the time.

Make no mistake, we are obsessed with the technology that has brought the world into the palm of our hand. But it’s really not our phones—it’s what we can do with them.

“Unlike previous cell phones, the smartphone is really a portable internet, and you can do all kinds of things on the internet: social media, shop, research, look at porn, gamble and utilitarian purposes, like banking,” notes Nadja Streiter, LMSW, a psychotherapist/ clinician and treatment provider at the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction (CITA) in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Founded by renowned cyber psychologist Dr. David Greenfield, CITA treats patients and trains medical professionals with the goal of helping people create a healthy relationship with technology.

“When you’re in front of the screen, one piece of information leads to another,” observes Streiter. “With the internet, the story’s never over and it’s always accessible, whereas with a book, a conversation or a magazine article, there’s an ending.”

RISK OF ADDICTION

When it comes to classifying mental disorders, clinicians, researchers, health insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies, as well as policy makers and the legal system, rely on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Published by the American Psychiatric Association, the DSM o ers standard criteria and a common language for diagnosing mental health issues.

Although anecdotal evidence abounds, Streiter notes that the DSM does not yet o cially recognize “smartphone addiction” or “internet addiction.”

“Just this last summer (2017), the World Health Organization (WHO) came up with criteria to define ‘internet gaming disorder,’ which is the most formal criteria as it relates to internet addiction,” she adds.

U.S. ADULTS USE THEIR SMARTPHONES WHERE?

+ 55 percent while driving

+ 32 percent at a child’s school function

+ 33 percent on a dinner date

+ 35 percent in a movie theater

+ 19 percent in church

+ 12 percent in the shower

+ 9 percent during sex

If you think only the young are at risk of being addicted to their phones, guess again. Streiter says that all ages are a ected.

So what is it exactly that makes people feel they can’t live without the connection provided by their devices?

“There are a couple of reasons why. First, when your smartphone is in the room with you, it raises the stress hormone cortisol. You check your phone to reduce that stress, and it becomes a vicious cycle,” Streiter notes.

“Notifications contribute

Source: Jumio

to the addictive power of smartphones. They provide what we call ‘variable reinforcement,’ meaning reinforcement is delivered at unpredictable time intervals,” she explains. “There’s a reward, which creates dopamine in the brain. It’s sort of like a slot machine; you know there’s going to be a reward, but you don’t know how big or when. If you keep playing, you might eventually hit the jackpot.”

So when you check Facebook and see “likes” on your posts, this is akin to getting a payout on the slot

machine. It’s a reward, and you constantly want more.

On the flip side, our connectivity to the internet via our phones elevates anxiety.

“People tend to post positive things that can make their lives seem more glamorous and exciting than yours,” says Streiter. “Or you’re online seeing things that are just not accessible or possible for you, which is depressing. Or you post something and only three people ‘like’ your picture, which makes you wonder why you aren’t more popular, interesting [or] cared about.”

Ironically, the very technology that is supposed to connect us to others has become more isolating. If you have any doubt about this, look around the next time you’re out in public. A common scene is a group of people sitting at a restaurant table all staring at their phones instead of talking to each other.

This isolation makes us crave more interaction, so we turn to our phones—and the cycle continues.

Streiter says that fear of missing out (yes, FOMO is a real

thing) is so compelling that it extends to all our waking hours.

“Forget texting when driving; you don’t have to be typing to be distracted by your phone,” she notes. “That fear of missing something, of wanting to feel connected and wanting to be entertained, none of that goes away when you get behind the wheel of a car. As our ability to delay gratification becomes weaker, it becomes harder not to look at your phone when driving. Some new cars have Apple phone so you can text and do other things by voice.”

Plus, as Streiter points out, “being ‘tech savvy’ di erentiates you from people who are not. It makes you feel current and fresh.”

PHYSICAL REPERCUSSIONS

All that screen time is taking a toll on your body. Constantly looking down at a screen results in holding your neck at an unnatural angle and generally rounding your shoulders forward. This altered posture creates muscle strain and pain, often referred to as

“text neck.” That’s not all. Hours spent on your smartphone or another device can lead to sleep disturbances, dry eyes, digital eye strain (which can lead to headaches), carpal tunnel syndrome, backache, headache, altered posture/”text neck” and increased illness due to germs (one in six cell phones has fecal matter on it).

In extreme cases, internet addiction can result in skipping meals and lack of personal hygiene.

And we’ve all heard about disastrous results of driving while texting, but you don’t have to get behind the wheel to su er an accident with your phone in hand. A Pew Research study from 2005 to 2010 reported a

tenfold increase in injuries related to pedestrians using cell phones.

GETTING HELP

Treatment for addiction di ers depending on the person’s specific problem.

“One of the challenges in counseling younger people is that they really don’t remember doing anything that’s not technology based,” she notes. “They’ve always had a cell phone, so it can be challenging to have them do anything that’s not related to technology.”

According to Streiter, porn is the No. 1 reason people seek treatment for internet addiction; gaming is the second most common.

“There’s an epidemic of young men in their 20s with erectile dysfunction because with real life women they’re not getting what they’re getting on the screen,” states Streiter.

GAMING ON STEROIDS

Streiter notes that China recognized gaming addiction as a national problem back in 2008.

The problem is widespread.

Dr. Simone Kuhn of the University of Ghent (Belgium) studied brain scans of “frequent gamers,” people who spend nine hours or more per week playing video games. He found that these individuals had a greater amount of gray matter on the left side of the brain’s ventral striatum, which is an area that plays a key function in reward and addiction.

“The appeal of gaming is that you can be inept socially but

be a rock star online if you’re good at gaming,” says Streiter. “Gaming creates dopamine receptors, so when someone stops playing, it’s like having a hungry belly with nothing to satisfy it. Real-life activities aren’t nearly as satisfying as what they’re getting from gaming, so initially a person with gaming addiction needs to have complete restriction from use, such as blocking software on their computer/device to restrict access.”

Can someone ever play again if they’ve had an addiction to gaming?

For someone who got fired from their job because of coming to work exhausted from staying up all night gaming, the answer might be no. In many cases, however, it’s possible to help the person break their addiction and find a degree of moderation that includes a healthy amount of use for that individual.

ARE YOU ADDICTED?

As with any compulsive/ addictive behavior, realizing you have a problem is the first step. If you think you have a problem, you probably do. (Take the short quiz in this story to get an idea.)

You can try to curb use on your own.

“There are apps that monitor and track your usage so you can see how much you’re actually using your phone,” suggests Streiter. “For some people, just knowing what they’re doing helps them control it. It’s the same principle as writing down everything you’re eating when trying to diet.”

Be aware that withdrawal symptoms will likely accompany a reduction in smartphone/internet use and may include anger, depression, mood swings, anxiety, fear, irritability, sadness, loneliness, boredom, restlessness,

procrastination and upset stomach. If you’re unable to e ectively limit your smartphone or internet use on your own, it’s time to seek help with a mental health/ addiction professional experienced in internet and technology addiction (process/ behavioral addictions). He or she will perform a personal assessment and then determine the most e ective means of treatment.

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS

You don’t have to crawl into a cave and relinquish your smartphone forever. “Healthy use means balanced use,” says Streiter.

PSYCHOLOGICAL:

* Turn off notifications.

* Don’t sleep with your phone/device.

* Charge your device in another room, not your bedroom.

* Minimize phone use when gathering with other people (dining, etc.).

* When in a group setting, use phone/ device only if your response is time sensitive.

* Use texting to complement real conversation, not replace it.

* Use an app to monitor and track usage.

* Limit the number of times you check email/Facebook/surf the internet each day.

* Set a timer when on the internet.

* Actually turn off your phone certain times of the day.

* Remove social media apps from your phone so you have to use your computer to check-in.

* Make it a point to have face-toface conversations.

PHYSICAL:

* Bring your phone or device to eye level so you aren’t hunched forward and looking down.

* Look up from your screen every five minutes or so.

* Do regular neck and back stretches.

* Get up and walk around (without your phone/device!) at least once an hour.

VIRTUAL ADDICTION TEST **

If your score is on the higher side, it would be reasonable to examine whether your use or overuse is creating any problems in work-life balance.

1. Do you feel a loss of control and/or feelings of timelessness when using the internet or smartphone?

Yes No

2. When not on the internet/smartphone, you are preoccupied with the internet or smartphone, (e.g., thinking about or reliving past experiences, planning your next time to use it or thinking of when you’ll next have access to the internet or smartphone.

Yes No

3. Do you find that you spend greater amounts of time on the internet or smartphone to achieve satisfaction similar to your previous use?

Yes No

4. Do you find yourself seeking more stimulating/interesting (e.g., exciting) material or content on the internet or smartphone?

Yes No

5. Have you had repeated unsuccessful e orts to control, limit or cut back your internet or smartphone use?

Yes No

6. Do you find yourself restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop using the internet or smartphone?

Yes No

7. Are you using the internet/smartphone as a way of escaping from problems or relieving a bad mood (e.g., boredom, frustration, anxiety or depression)?

Yes No

8. After spending what you consider an excessive amount of time on the internet or smartphone and vowing not to do so the next day, do you find yourself using it as much the next day or soon after?

Yes No

9. Do you find yourself lying to family members, therapists or others to conceal the extent of your involvement with the internet or smartphone?

Yes No

10. Do you find yourself committing illegal acts related to your use of the internet or smartphone?

Yes No

11. Have you jeopardized, impacted or lost a relationship, job or educational opportunity because of your use of the internet or smartphone?

Yes No

THE BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING

By Cynthia McFarland

If your only exposure (pun intended) to women’s breasts was through the pages of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue, you’d have a rather unrealistic view of female anatomy.

As perky and voluptuous as they may be—especially in those sun-drenched beach photographs—breasts were naturally designed to fuel babies, not fantasies.

Because August is National Breastfeeding Month, we set out to learn more about the benefits and how to’s of feeding baby through breast milk.

Christy Jergens, public information o cer at the Florida Department of Health in Marion County, and Jennifer Tartaglia, senior public health nutritionist supervisor, a registered dietitian and a certified lactation counselor in the same o ce, graciously answered our questions. Both Christy and Jennifer are also moms who’ve breastfed their own babies.

Why Breastfeed?

If you’re looking for one simple reason, it’s a budget-friendly option.

“It costs about $1,500 a year for formula and supplies, while breast milk is free,” observes Christy.

Of course, the benefits of breastfeeding extend far beyond saving money. Scientific research shows that compared with formulafed infants, those who are breastfed have a reduced risk of infections, childhood obesity, asthma, diarrhea, vomiting, type 2 diabetes and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

The benefits also extend to mom. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes, anemia and osteoporosis. It can strengthen the bond between mother and child, as well as lower the risk of postpartum depression, as compared to moms who don’t breastfeed.

“It may also help new moms lose weight and get back to their pre-pregnancy weight more quickly,” adds Jennifer.

If you’re looking for a “green” reason, breastfeeding is good for the environment, as there’s no waste and no plastic, paper or energy resources required.

Moms in Florida have obviously paid attention to these important issues, as 88 percent of them breastfeed or pumped breast milk for at least a period of time after giving birth.

When a baby nurses in the first day or two, he receives vital antibodies and

nutrients in his mother’s first milk known as colostrum. The hormones and growth factors in the milk help strengthen the immune system, develop and protect the baby’s stomach and gastrointestinal system, and also fight against bad bacteria.

The levels of fat, protein, sugar and water in breast milk naturally changes as the baby grows, and breast milk is naturally easy for the baby to digest. For the greatest benefits, doctors recommend exclusively breastfeeding through age 6 months old and then continuing to breastfeed until baby turns 1 or later.

Getting Practical

“Breast size does not determine whether or not you can breastfeed,” says Jennifer. “It’s a myth that breasts are too small or too large to breastfeed.”

No matter how small or large a mother’s breasts, her baby should latch onto the breast on the areola, not the nipple. For the best latch, the baby should take in more breast on the chin side than on the nose side, and his lips should flare out (think “fish lips”).

You may have to experiment with di erent positions that will make it easier for you and your baby. This is where a breastfeeding pillow can be a big help, as it helps position and support the baby for optimal feeding and eases the strain on a mother’s arms.

“Moms need help learning how to best position their babies and themselves to have a successful breastfeeding relationship early on,” says Christy. “We definitely recommend taking a breastfeeding class a month or two before delivery.”

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County o ers classes twice a month, and breastfeeding peer counselors are available by phone even on nights and weekends.

Two common issues that can interfere with baby getting a good latch are “tonguetie” and “lip-tie.” In both cases, a tiny piece of connecting tissue known as a frenulum is too tightly attached under the tongue or under the top lip. A simple surgical procedure is usually all that’s required to free the tissue.

How Much Is Enough?

A common question from new mothers who are breastfeeding is how to know if the baby is getting enough milk. Unlike

with formula feeding, you can’t just look at a bottle to see how much milk was consumed.

“Right after birth, the baby’s stomach is only about the size of a shooter marble, so in the first days, you’re breastfeeding every couple hours,” explains Jennifer.

Frequent nursing (eight or more times every 24 hours) in the first few days will satisfy your baby and prompt your milk to “come in.”

Weight gain is an easy way to know if your baby is getting the right amount of milk.

“When babies are born, they do lose weight, but by two weeks, they should have gained back to their birth weight,” notes Jennifer. “We like to see them double their birth weight by six months and triple it by one year.”

Diaper changes will also tell if a baby is getting enough milk. By the time the baby is 4 days old, he should have three to four poopy diapers per day and the same number of wet diapers. By day five, wet diapers should increase to six or more within a 24-hour period.

As time goes on, a baby who receives nothing but breast milk will nurse anywhere from four to 13 times a day or an average of eight times daily.

Real Moms’ Stories

Joanne Strother’s son was born early at 35 weeks. Although he had jaundice and had to stay in the hospital overnight, she was still able to breastfeed him within an hour after birth.

“Breastfeeding helped his jaundice pass quickly,” says Joanne, who had taken a breastfeeding class while pregnant. Her sister attended the class with her and was also in the delivery room.

“Her support was great. She reminded me to point my nipple toward the roof of his mouth to help him latch on easier,” Joanne remembers. “When he was 2 weeks old, I was so exhausted I was ready to give up breastfeeding, but with the support of my family, I continued.”

Joanne continues to nurse her 2-yearold son and plans to do so until he’s ready to wean himself.

Average Baby Weight Gain

Birth to 1 month: 4 1/2 oz per week

1 to 2 months: 6 1/2 oz per week

2 to 3 months: 4 1/2 oz per week

3 to 4 months: 4 oz per week

4 to 5 months: 3 1/2 oz per week

5 to 6 months: 3 oz per week

6 to 12 months: 2 1/4 oz per week

“I’m still doing it because I know it’s great for his health. He’s only had one ear infection,” she notes. “I believe breastfeeding does help you bond with your child. It’s amazing to see your child thrive o your breast milk and know that you’re nourishing your own child. It makes you feel like a super mom.”

The mother of four children ranging in age from 7 to 18, Tadamika Reyes (Tada for short) has nursed all of her children.

She chose to breastfeed primarily for the health of her children but was also happy that it was so much more economical than formula.

With each child, she found that they weren’t sick as often as their peers once they started attending preschool and beyond.

With her first child, Tada recalls that she had trouble with the baby latching on during the first few days.

“I talked with someone at the hospital, and they helped me,” she says. “It was an easy fix; they recommended more skin-toskin contact, as this calms the baby and they latch on better.”

Expect Challenges

Just because something is natural, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy from the start.

“Learning about breastfeeding and actually doing it are di erent. Even though I’m a certified lactation counselor, I asked

Helpful Products

› Breast pump and milk storage bags

› Bottle warmer

› Nursing bras

› Nursing pads

› Nursing-friendly clothing/ nursing tops

› Nursing pillow

› Lanolin for sore nipples

The Law Is On Your Side

Uninformed people may be squeamish about seeing a mother breastfeeding in public, but rest assured—the law is on the mom’s side. Under Florida law (FS 383.015), a woman has the right to breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private. Most women tend to find a private location and/or cover themselves while doing so, but that’s not required by law. And if you go back to work while still breastfeeding, your employer is required to provide time and a private space (not a bathroom!) where you can pump breast milk.

for help in the hospital,” says Jennifer. “We see all these depictions of mothers happily breastfeeding, and that’s not realistic, but help is available.”

“Every child and situation is di erent. If you expect everything to be smooth sailing, you’ll get frustrated and be tempted to quit,” adds Christy. “It’s completely normal to experience challenges with breastfeeding, but women don’t always have the shared knowledge of how common it is to have problems, and new moms are so vulnerable to feeling a sense of failure.”

In addition to regular breastfeeding classes and the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program, the Florida Department of Health also o ers a Healthy Start program.

“It’s risk-based not income-based, so if you’re having trouble breastfeeding, you can get one-on-one-help at no cost,” explains Christy. “Someone from the program can come to your home, evaluate and address any problems, and help you learn techniques for easier breastfeeding.”

Learn More:

› flbreastfeeding.org

› usbreastfeeding.org

› floridahealth.gov/programs-andservices/childrens-health/ breastfeeding

› llli.org

› lllflorida.com/lalecheleague/ groups/lll-of-marion-county

› Marion County WIC: (352) 622-1161

› Marion County Healthy Start Program: (352) 644-2717

Mama’s Must-Haves GIVEAWAY

Are you a new mom or soon-to-be mom? Then enter to win our breastfeeding essentials basket! Just stay tuned to Healthy Living’s Facebook page for prompts on how to enter and you could win our basket filled with the following:

Nanobébé Breastmilk Bottles ($10.99; $22.99/3-pack)

Lansinoh Nursie Breastfeeding Pillow  ($24.99)

Lansinoh SmartPump Double Electric Breast Pump ($145)

UpSpring Milkflow Fenugreek + Blessed Thistle Chai Tea Latte Powder Drink Mix ($17.99)

UpSpring Milkscreen ($9.99/5-pack)

UpSpring Charcoal Fusion Belly Slimming Nursing Tank ($39.99)

Lansinoh HPA Lanolin ($9.99)

Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads ($9.99)

Aging ArtTheof

A month-long event celebrates the unique beauty of getting older

By Cynthia McFarland

Photography byRalph Demilio

We live in a culture obsessed with all things new, shiny and fresh. From cell phones to vehicles, we’re encouraged at every turn to trade in the old and take home the newest model.

Sadly, this obsession extends to how we view people, as well. Youth, strength and beauty are idolized.

Millions of dollars and countless hours are spent fighting the physical manifestations that inevitably accompany aging.

Yet ironically, we’ve hit a significant milestone in this country. According to the United States Census Bureau, for the first time in U.S. history, our population includes more than 50 million people age 65 and older. Whether you credit the baby boom after World War II or the fact that people today have a longer life expectancy, every state can expect an increase in the number of older residents in the coming decades.

In fact, the Census Bureau predicts that by the year 2033, people in this country age 65 and older will outnumber those 18 and younger for the first time ever.

Sounds like it’s time to start giving older folks the respect and recognition they’re due.

Although reverence and admiration for the older generation isn’t as widespread in our country as it should be, that’s not the case with other cultures. Countries like Scotland, China, India, Korea and Greece place a high value on their aging citizens. (China has even passed a law requiring adult children to visit their elderly parents, although there are questions about how that would be enforced.)

In the United States, e orts have been made to support, honor and recognize the

contributions of seniors.

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed National Senior Citizens Day, which is recognized every August 21.

Celebrating Seniors

Closer to home, Marion Senior Services (MSS) and Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) are again partnering to highlight local seniors with Art of Aging, a month-long event that features art by area senior artists, workshops by experts on topics of interest to older residents and an exhibit of images of Marion County seniors taken by Ocala photographer Ralph Demilio.

The exhibit is sponsored by the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute and Urology Institute of Central Florida.

Art of Aging kicks o on August 3 with a reception from 5 to 6pm at Brick City Center for the Arts, MCA’s downtown gallery, and runs through August 31. During the month, MSS will host various receptions, including donor and volunteer appreciation events, a Partner Punchbowl Party and the Gifts of Aging Series, which are educational “lunchand-learn” events to promote healthy aging.

“The whole exhibit really is a celebration of aging, shown through art, stories and education. With the large percentage of seniors we have in Marion County, we want to focus on those important citizens. This is a generation who served our country well and is still going strong; we want to show them love and respect,” notes Jaye Baillie, executive director of MCA.

“Ralph’s large photos are the centerpiece of the exhibit,” adds Baillie. “We’ve also sent out a call to our artists over 55, some of whom are in their 80s, and invited them to bring in

artwork in all di erent mediums, including oil paintings, acrylics, watercolors, photography and sculpture. Last year we had 35 participating artists and over 50 pieces of art.”

Although Demilio’s photographs are not for sale, all artwork by seniors is available for purchase throughout the duration of the exhibit.

Baillie mentions that Art of Aging follows the July exhibit at The Brick, Healing HeARTS, which features art created by mental health clients from nine mental health agencies using art as therapy.

“That exhibit is about using art therapy as a healing mechanism,” says Baillie, adding that the Art of Aging exhibit is a perfect example of the use of art as advocacy.

As part of the event, The Gifts of Aging Series educational lunch-and-learns are held on consecutive Wednesdays from 11:30am to

“We have four planned and they are free to the public,” notes Baillie. “Last year they were at 100 percent capacity, so there was a real demand.”

Although there’s no cost to attend The Gift of Aging Series, space is limited and RSVPs should be made to Marion Senior Services at (352) 620-3501.

Capturing Life In A Photograph

“We have over 1,000 clients total through all our services and some of those clients, as well as Marion Senior Services volunteers, are the focus of our photos this year,” notes Jennifer Martinez, executive director of MSS. “We are celebrating 45 years in 2018, so we’re hoping to have 45 pictures to capture our work through Ralph’s amazing photos.”

Martinez says that subjects are asked if they’d like to participate by

1pm at the Brick City Center for the Arts. Last year’s topics included such concerns as nutrition and preventing cancer; this year’s Gifts of Aging Series will focus on issues that promote healthy aging.

being photographed, and the response has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic.

“Ralph has taken some of their photos on the transit bus, in the congregate dining areas and also individually,” she adds.

Ralph Demilio

“He’s so good at capturing their personalities.”

Demilio was still photographing some of his subjects at the time of this writing.

“Last year we tried to schedule all of the seniors for photos at once, but we found out that wouldn’t work,” Demilio relates. “I ended up setting appointments to meet with them individually at their convenience and that turned out to be much better.”

Although the purpose of the appointments was to take their photographs, Demilio says that each of the seniors he met with had stories to tell, and those stories made his task all the more memorable.

One gentleman in particular had many stories to tell. So many stories, in fact, that Demilio was never able to capture his

are part of the volunteer team working tirelessly on its programs, it’s no mystery how valuable the agency is to our community.

Yet many people are unaware of how much this nonprofit, charitable social agency does for the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged of Marion County. The Art of Aging event is an e ective way to help educate people about MSS.

“We help clients remain living independently in their own homes as long as possible by providing meals, transit and in-home support services,” notes Martinez.

The agency began as a volunteer-based program delivering meals to the homebound in 1973.

coordinator providing public paratransit service to elderly, disabled and low-income people throughout the county.

Marion Transit provides public transportation to all people in our service area (Marion County, FL); however, it is designed to maximize usage by transportation disadvantaged people in general.

Marion County residents who are unable to drive or who do not have family or friends to transport them may be eligible to ride with Marion Transit.

“Transit is a lifeline to many who wouldn’t have access to the outside world otherwise. Vital medical appointments, grocery shopping and some recreational activities allow our clients to remain active participants in our community,” says Martinez.

posed image. But what he did shoot turned out to be one of the most talked-about photos in last year’s display.

As the man told stories of his deceased wife, he held out old pictures of her to show Demilio, who froze the moment forever in an image that resonated with viewers at the exhibit.

“That one photo of his hands holding her pictures turned out to be the ‘big’ picture at the exhibit,” recalls Demilio, “and it was a photo I took right before I walked out the door from visiting with him.”

Helping Those In Need

For those who receive assistance through MSS or

Over the years, grants, private and donor funding have allowed MSS to evolve into a service provider that helps those in need, even if they are unable to pay. (Services are provided on a sliding fee basis from no-cost to full-pay, depending on the individual’s income.)

More than 300 volunteers work with MSS to help deliver Meals on Wheels and provide respite care and companionship for MSS clients.

“Every month, we get shipments of commodities, and we distribute this food to clients who are in need of more than just the one meal a day that is provided through Meals on Wheels,” says Martinez. “Our volunteers come in and help us pack up this food, which is distributed throughout the week.”

MSS is also the designated community transportation

Art of Aging Exhibit

August 3 - 31

BRICK CITY CENTER FOR THE ARTS 23 SW Broadway Street, Ocala

Opening Reception

August 3, 5-6pm Exhibit may be viewed Tuesday-Friday, 11am-5pm, and Saturday, 11am-4pm. There is no admission charge to the gallery.

For more information about the Art of Aging exhibit, call Marion Cultural Alliance at (352) 3691500 or Marion Senior Services at (352) 620-3501.

To learn more about programs o ered by Marion Senior Services and to apply or get involved as a volunteer, visit the website at marionseniorservices.org or call (352) 620-3501

“My Heart For You” by Grace Senior Morandi

Wildest

May All of Your Come True Dreams

How willpower and selfdiscipline can help you achieve the life you’ve always wanted.

BY JIM GIBSON

In the hit cultcomedy Napoleon Dynamite, classpresident-hopeful Pedro Sanchez stands before the student body and monotonously intones, “If you vote for me, all of your wildest dreams will come true.”

Ah, yes, if only life was that easy—then each of us could simply cast our vote for Pedro and have six-pack abs, a million bucks in the bank and be the proud parent of three beautiful Students of the Month.

Well, unfortunately Pedro isn’t real. So, with no magic “Easy Button” to push, we must find a realistic, concrete way to attain the fulfillment of our dreams—maybe not our wildest dreams but certainly practical ones that can improve and possibly prolong our lives.

Willpower & Motivation: The Key To Realizing Dreams

Believe it or not, having our dreams come true is quite similar to the simple act of getting out of bed each morning. When our alarm clocks go o , we have a decision to make each day: Do we get up, or do we stay in bed and sleep another hour or two?

Our response to those simple questions is determined by our willpower. Our will chooses to get up and go to work or start our day at home—or it chooses to sleep on. And our willpower is driven by our motivation. Simply put, are we motivated enough to get out of bed when the alarm sounds?

If we choose to get up and go to work, what is our motivation? For the vast majority of Americans, we work to have money, because money provides food, shelter, clothing, transportation and all our other basic and not-sobasic needs. Our motivation is that we must work if we want to live a comfortable life.

Psychologists have long known that motivation is the key factor when it comes to changing or controlling human actions. In fact, the study of motivation partially came about in the early 20th century as advertisers of goods sought to “control” the minds of prospective clients through manipulating their desires or motivations.

Researchers then surmised that it only makes sense—if masses of people can be a ected to change their actions by manipulating their motivation (buy my product instead of my competitor’s), then it can also be done on an individual scale.

They determined that

by manipulating our own minds through the use of internal or external motivation, each of us could control our actions, and thereby attain our goals or dreams.

Take those six-pack abs, for example.

Look around; for a large part of the American population, it isn’t “Why don’t I have six-pack abs?” It’s more like “Where are my abs?” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of Americans are obese, one out of 10 have full-blown diabetes and another three out of 10 have prediabetes.

So, in toning up those abs, we can also drop some unneeded weight and possibly avert heart disease and a host of other health problems. Well, why is it that we can’t count those ab muscles? We’ve read countless articles and watched endless health shows telling us exactly what to eat and what not to eat and most of us have a nice collection of workout videos gathering dust in that cabinet by the TV. So why aren’t we tone

“I know that I need to eat right, and I know I need to exercise, but I just don’t have it in me to do it,” says Ocala resident Lisa Smith. “I work in the food industry, and every day I see overweight people that I know are just a heart attack waiting to happen. I mean, I know that I need to make changes now, but I just don’t have the self-control to do

Smith is in her mid-40s, and she says she can sense that her metabolism is changing. She’s exactly right, now is the time she needs to be more careful than ever. But, like millions of Americans, she just doesn’t have the discipline required to change her diet and increase her amount of exercise. What will it take to help her and millions of others

finally make permanent changes that will become an established part of their daily routine?

The answer is willpower fueled by the proper motivation. In the same way that a chocolate-candy commercial can motivate us to rush right out and buy a candy bar, if we search hard enough we can discover just what will motivate us to make those permanent healthy changes in our lifestyles. It is motivation that provides the spark willpower needs to initiate long-lasting change. Psychologists used to think that humans were born with a certain amount of willpower, but, the good news is, research shows that self-control can be learned.

The Importance Of Motivation

“Every year I make New Year’s resolutions, and it never fails that No. 1 on the list is to lose weight and exercise,” says Smith. “I’ve even bought a gym membership to encourage myself to exercise. Any selfcontrol I have lasts about a month, two months at the most, and then when I fall o the wagon, I get depressed and end up worse o than when I started.”

Smith is like most of us. According to information compiled by the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America survey, more than half of all Americans resolve to lose weight and improve their health each year. Overwhelmingly they fail to meet their objectives. When asked why they fail, the most common response is lack of willpower.

At its most basic level, willpower is simply the ability to control our own thoughts and actions in order to resist immediate temptation so that we can achieve a long-term goal. So, how can we cultivate this ability in our lives?

The first step is to realize its importance. According to research done at George Mason University, people with greaterthan-usual amounts of willpower excel in almost every aspect of life. They have higher grades, better jobs, greater financial stability, better interpersonal relationships— they even enjoy better-than-average mental and physical health.

Yes, it’s that important, and now that science has shown us that willpower is fueled by motivation and that both these traits are within our control, it is up to us to

learn the new behaviors that will make us successful in life.

Motivate Yourself & Increase Your Willpower

There are two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation comes from within, and extrinsic motivation comes from an outside source. Take attending school for example. Trying to get an A in class would be a form of extrinsic motivation because it is an external reward, while our fear of failure that comes from flunking out of school would be an intrinsic motivator.

How can you motivate yourself, from either within or without to attain the goals you set for your life?

First, determine specifically what your goal will be, and then seek the perfect motivator needed to strengthen your willpower to attain it.

Do you want to lose weight? What will be your best motivator? For some people,

it might be as simple as buying a pair of jeans in a smaller size that they would love to wear and then working their way into them. For others, it might even be purchasing a gym membership that will surround them with likeminded people. (Just because it didn’t work for Smith doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.) While others still might be focusing on the health concerns that come with obesity. If you are

concerned about heart disease, you could possibly volunteer in some capacity where you can work with people su ering from the e ects of heart disease so you can witness firsthand the disability it produces. This may seem to be a rather intense motivator, but if this is what it takes to motivate you, then it may be necessary.

Just remember, this may not be an instant process. You must search carefully

More than half of all Americans resolve to lose weight and improve their health each year. Overwhelmingly they fail to meet their objectives.

for the motivator that will work specifically for you. My father smoked for more than 45 years until the day my 4-year-old son asked him to quit—for him. Dad had tried to quit smoking at least 20 times following three heart attacks and the onset of emphysema, all to no avail. However, when his grandson looked into his eyes and asked him to quit so he would have a longer life to spend with him, it worked. It was my father’s perfect motivator. His motivation had to be the extrinsic urging of his grandson.

It’s Up To You!

You know all the basics when it comes to making your wildest dreams come true: Eat healthy; exercise; eschew bad habits, such as smoking, illicit drug use or excessive alcohol use; be positive; get plenty of sleep; fill your life with laughter; do all things in moderation and the list goes on. Now you must realize that doing these things that will make you mentally and physically healthy require discipline and motivation.

Realizing goals requires strict selfdiscipline, and the key word here is self. You are the most important ingredient in your dream-quest. No one can make the needed changes except you. In a world of 7.6 billion people, only one of them truly has the power to change your life—the person staring back at you in the mirror each day. You must set your goals, you must find your perfect motivator and you must exercise your willpower. At the end of the day, it’s all up to you.

healthy habits for a longer life

A Harvard study has revealed the five secrets to a longer life, and they might not be as surprising as you think. Researchers cite exercise, a healthy diet, a healthy body weight, not drinking excessively and not smoking as essential factors to increasing longevity. These elements are nothing new, and health professionals have spoken about their benefits for years. However, the key is to practice these in conjunction with each other. The application of such lifestyle habits together creates a significant impact: 12 years added on to life expectancy for men and 14 for women. After about 30 years of data and over 112,000 test subjects, researchers concluded that those who met all five requirements listed had less risk of cancer and heart disease than those who didn’t, resulting in healthier bodies and longer lives.

luxury linens

There’s

To purchase a well-made linen, you have to know what you’re looking for. You might be under the assumption that the higher the thread count, the better the linen, but that’s not always the case. Depending on thread count, weave and fabric density, linens can feel either cool and light or on the heavier side, and which one is best depends on your preference. Ultimately, the right towel is soft, absorbent and doesn’t dry your skin out. It’s up to you to choose which one will achieve this. Read on for suggestions for towels and sheets that will make it feel like you’re bringing the spa home with you.

to

By Lisset Lanza

Noble Excellence Micro Cotton Elite Bath Towels

$8-35, microcotton.com

These bath towels are available in a rainbow of colors and are equipped with stain resilient properties that make washing them a breeze. Their moisturewicking technology results in fast-drying performance, with an added bonus of being ultrasoft to the touch.

Cotton Percale Sheet Set

$129, llbean.com

Percale sheets can be likened to a crisp set of button-down pajamas. Smooth, breathable and durable, these sheets don’t wrinkle easily and provide long-lasting comfort to even the most restless of sleepers. This set is woven from pima cotton, a long-fiber variety ranked with Egyptian cotton.

Brooklinen Super-Plush Bath Towels

brooklinen.com

Every towel is weighed based on its fabric and measured by GSM (grams per square meter). The lower the GSM, the lighter the towel. Gym towels, for example, have a low GSM. Crafted with Turkish cotton, these lavish bath towels come in a set of two and boast 820 GSM. As large as they are, reviewers note they dry relatively quickly and are worth the splurge.

Snowe Sateen Sheet Set

$188, snowehome.com

Unlike percale bedding, sateen sheets are silky and supple and can sometimes possess a lustrous sheen. This fabric is cozy and hugging, and this specific set isn’t shiny like others. The way the fabric drapes across your body has been called exceptionally comfortable by purchasers.

Nordstrom Hydrocotton Bath

Towel

$29, shop.nordstrom.com

Flu y, thick and exquisitely gentle, this towel is designed with absorbency in mind.

It’s made with untwisted yarns to soak up water with quick e ectiveness. It’s also delightfully warm and inviting.

no reason to limit luxury

special occasions. A quality linen is a worthy investment when you consider that it should stand the test of time, so instead of saving the big, flu y towels for the guest bathroom, why not pamper yourself year-round?

›

L.L Bean 280-Thread Count Pima

at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club

Friday, August 10 • 12:30pm

Registration at 10:30am • Tee-off at 12:30pm

$125 Entry Fee includes green fees, cart, lunch, drinks on course, goodie bag and 2 drinks at the after party at 100 Proof Saloon

OFMC Dermatology & Aesthetic

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IPL Photorejuvenation Packages

Hand Rejuvenation

Laser Skin & Wrinkle Reduction Treatments

Skin Tag Removal

Pharmaceutical Grade Skin Care Line

OFMC Dermatology & Aesthetic Center

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Dermatology Direct: (352) 368-1350

Aesthetics Direct: (352) 368-1333

OFMC Main: (352) 237-4133

Date: Time:

You skin purchased Enter to 2 skin care

1 $150

To RSVP

Kenneth A. Wallace III, M.D.

Board Certi ed Dermatologist

Board Certi ed Emergency Medicine

Carli sadly took her own life December 31, 2017 and left behind a 4-year-old son, Nolan Ryan Hughes.

This is a tax deductable event benefiting the Nolan Ryan Hughes College Fund, Interfaith Emergency Services, and VOCAL (Voices of Change Animal League). 501(c)(3) info can be provided.

Full-Color Tee Signs are available for $125.

Ask about our Gold and Silver sponsorships.

Email Robert Huff at Robert.Huff@goldenocala.com to sign up or sponsor. Checks made payable to Interfaith Emergency Services C/O Carli Leutbecher and mailed to Robert Huff, 5768 SW 40 Place, Ocala FL 34474

(352) 402-4357

Fellowship Trained Mohs’ Surgeon

Dr. Wallace is board certi ed in Dermatology and is a fellowship who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention and cancers. He is also accepting new

presented by

the last straw

› By Nick Steele

Each day, Americans use about 500 million straws, according to the National Park Service. In a year, we use enough to wrap around Earth two and a half times. And many experts believe these figures are actually low, as they don’t include straws attached to juice boxes and milk cartons.

All over the world, communities, businesses and brands have taken action to put an end to straws in restaurants, theme parks, hotels and other like-minded businesses. In the United States alone, cities like Seattle, Washington; Fort Myers Beach, Miami Beach and St. Pete Beach, Florida; as well as Malibu, Davis and San Luis Obispo,

California, have paved the way. Each banning or limiting the use of plastic straws in restaurants, which is encouraging others to take similar action. As a matter of fact, in early July, Starbucks announced it will phase out plastic straws from all its stores by 2020.

SeaWorld, the theme park giant, also recently banned all plastic straws, bags and lids from their parks.

“For a company that says, ‘We’re about the environment and that’s what we do day in and day out,’ this is a very simple answer,” shared SeaWorld Orlando Rescue Operations Manager Jon Peterson. The move came just

days after Peterson’s team performed emergency surgery on a sea turtle with a blockage in its abdomen, which turned out to be sea debris made up of plastic. “This is a very common thing we deal with in rescue,” Peterson added.

“Employees at the park said they’d been phasing out the plastic items for some time and had heard very few complaints from the public.” The company has made paper straws available, upon request, at the park’s restaurants.

Closer to home, Ocala’s Brooklyn’s Backyard recently announced they too would switch from plastic straws to biodegradable/eco-friendly straws.

“We want to be part of the solution not part of the pollution,” restaurant management announced on their Facebook page. “Every year the United States uses enough straws to fill up Yankee Stadium nine times. Even though our expense will increase five times, we are still committed to helping where we can. If everyone does their part, maybe this world would be a better and cleaner place.”

Diners have voiced their approval.

“This is wonderful. Such a great way to help the planet,” says Alexandra Hernandez of Ocala. “Let’s see if more local businesses follow your lead.”

Janna Gardner, also of Ocala, went a step further. “Thank you for inspiring our family to join the movement by making this small change,” she exclaimed. “No more straws for us!”

That sentiment is at the heart of the movement. Although they are among the top 10 pollutants of the world’s beaches, straws are only part of the monumental waste that enters our oceans. That larger picture can be overwhelming for consumers who struggle with convenience versus environmental concerns. But of all the single-use plastics, straws are seen as the easiest to give up. Environmentalists see the act of ditching them as a gateway for consumers to rejecting other singleuse plastics such as bags and bottles.

“A straw is not an essential

part of your daily life,” o ers Rise Above Plastics Coalition chair Davey Connor. “You use it for a couple of minutes and it’s in the ocean, it’s on the beach for 100 years.”

Organizations like Lonely Whale, a non-profit that has successfully campaigned to eliminate straws, puts that number closer to 200 years and explains why straws are not recycled.

“Plastic straws are too lightweight to make it through mechanical recycling sorters, so they end up in landfills and waterways and, eventually, our oceans,” says Executive Director Dune Ives. “Those that find their way into the marine environment break down into microplastics and

when a marine animal eats plastic they have a 50 percent mortality rate.”

Those that survive and make their way into the food chain inevitably pass those microplastics on to us, both through the fi sh on our plates and the water in our bottles. Researchers are currently investigating how harmful these toxic microplastics are to humans.

“Fifty percent of the plastic we use is single-use and is immediately thrown away,” explains Tessa Hempson, operations manager for Oceans

Without Borders. “One million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals are killed annually from plastic in our oceans.”

And experts predict that by 2050, there will actually be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

To keep our environment free of pollutants, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is asking Florida residents, visitors, schools and businesses to reduce their plastic use and pledge to “Skip the Straw” for one week. If every person in Florida participated, we could reduce pollution from plastic straws by approximately 2.35 million.

While not using a straw is best, some people prefer or need them, like those with sensitive teeth/gums. Final Straw, Steelys Drinkware and Simply Straws o er reusable metal or glass straws, and Aardvark paper straws are also a good alternative.

will work for travel

Ever dream of traveling around and getting the true sense of each new destination from a local insider. If you have, and you have skills and talents to share, there are some great opportunities that just might put you on the path to adventure.

›

By Nick Steele

sitting pretty

If you’re an animal lover who is looking to get away, TrustedHousesitters.com may be the answer for you. This online service allows pet owners to find pet sitters for both short- or long-term periods, who will care for their animals in exchange for a free

stay. Create a profile, and browse listings from all over the world (138 countries) for durations of up to six months. There is a yearly registration

fee. Soon you will find yourself minding a furry friend at a Chalet in the French Alps, a cool flat in London or a beach house in sunny California. For just $20, you could also register with global house sitting matching service MindMyHouse.com, which provides the tools for house sitters and homeowners to find each other from around the globe or around the corner.

give to get

If you’re willing to swap your skills for a stay abroad, there are plenty of online platforms that connect volunteers and

hosts. Popular among them are Workaway.info and HelpX.net

Workaway connects travelers and locals (workawayers) with families and projects around the world (hosts) to create a fulfilling experience for all parties. These programs are meant to focus on cultural exchange and learning possibilities, rather than being viewed as a way to score free food and accommodations. One of the most important things is to be honest about your skills and find out what is expected in exchange for your stay. Look for hosts with great reviews from former

workawayers, as well as the hosts themselves. You can learn a lot by reading what the hosts thought of their former guests and vice versa. Ask plenty of questions, from what your accommodations will be like, if meals are included and how many hours your hosts expect you to put in a week.

You can choose from hosts that need assistance at a horse farm in Montana or help in the o ce at a Paris youth hostel. There are even Workaway hosts right here in Ocala, looking for guests to do everything from provide extra hands around the garden to

construction projects.

Help Exchange, HelpX for short, calls their community “hosts” and “helpers” and has much in common with Workaway, although they focus more on hosts who o er stays at ranches, lodges, B&Bs, hostels, farms and even sailboats. These opportunities tend not to be in urban areas, but for those interested in learning about these sort of occupations, it can be a great experience.

If you have a passion for organic farming, however, then go directly to Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, which is an established organization and hosts a portal to connect travelers to country-specific sites around the world (wwoofinternational.org). The exchanges are a chance for growers, croppers and cultivators to share their world with like-minded travelers. But be forewarned, farm life isn’t easy—in fact, most will tell you it’s hard and humbling. If you’re not afraid of rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty, you can have a truly meaningful experience on one of these picturesque farms or ranches.

put it in park

Every year, the National Park Service (nps.gov) o ers internships, full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs to those who are interested in working at one of our nation’s more than

400 national parks and o ces, from Maine to Guam, the Virgin Islands to Alaska, and most places in between. From being a summer intern to a seasonal ranger, it’s worth checking out their career page to discover opportunities for students, volunteers and those interested in permanent paid positions.

In all these scenarios, what you’ll need to do to make the trip a mutually successful endeavor is to first do your homework. Research what

available options will best fulfill your expectations, communicate with hosts or potential employers before you commit. There are opportunities that can last a week, several months or even a year. Be honest with yourself about what you want to get out of the experience. And although you will be saving money on hotels and likely meals, you’ll still need to figure travel costs and pocket money into the equation.

If you’re not afraid of rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty, you can have a truly meaningful experience on one of these picturesque farms or ranches.

Emergency

Not all signs of an emergency are obvious. Ongoing symptoms like indigestion, shortness of breath and chest pain could be an emergency in disguise. Thankfully, an Ocala Health ER is here to help. With dedicated emergency experts and faster wait times, you can trust us for even better care. We’re here 24/7 to help you through any emergency — even the tricky ones.

symptoms are good at hiding.

“ Is a little chest pain normal? ”