Marion Healthy Living August 2017

Full Range of Cardiology Services Consultations | Nuclear & PET Stress Tests | Echocardiography | Vascular Ultrasounds & Procedures | PT -INR Clinic | Holter & Event Monitor Clinic | TEEs | Cardiac Catheterization | Peripheral Interventions | Pacemaker Clinic

Most insurances accepted. We are ICANL and AAAHC accredited. All of our physicians have hospital privileges in Marion County. Full EHR capabilities and i n-house billing.

WE GET TO THE heart OF THE MATTER

Dr. Shafeeq Ahmed

Dr. Siva Gummadi

Dr. Vijaya Koka

Dr. Jayanth Koneru

Dr. Hima Mikkilineni Dr. Jigar Patel

Dr. Srisha Rao

Dr. Prem Singh

Dr. Paul Urban

When your health or the health of a family member matters most, the professionals at Cardiovascular Institute of Central Florida are here to help. OUR

Bridget Boynton, ARNP Eddice Companion , PA

Dianne McDonaldGraber, ARNP Matt Morgan, ARNP Theresa Owens, ARNP

ARNP

Walk-In Bath

Limited Time Offer $1000 SAVE

The perfect combination: Safety and affordability.

3 MINUTES

Your blood pressure and pulse rates begin to drop.

6 MINUTES

Your circulation improves in your hands and feet, making them feel warmer.

8 MINUTES

Your muscles relax, tissues become more pliable and responsive to stretching, encouraging the release of lactic acid and other toxins.

10 MINUTES

Your minor aches and pains will experience a dramatic decrease in severity as your body releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain killer.

CALL NOW FOR A FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION & QUOTE

Only available by calling 352-619-0026 or visiting KohlerWalkInBath.com

The Lifetime Limited Warranty is good for as long as the original consumer purchaser owns his/her home. For complete details, call 800-949-7376. © Kohler Co.

First 10 callers in response to this ad will receive a $50 Restaurant.com gift certificate with every inhome full presentation of the Kohler Walk-In Tub.

352.619.0026

AUTHORIZED DEALER

CRC#050304

HEALTHY

be

ON THE COVER: look better, feel better with dermalase medical spa

http://woobox.com/sbv35h

›  PAGE 22

Ultrasound body shaping technology might sound futuristic, but here’s the good news: For those who want to improve their appearance and body image, the future is now.

the blacklist: food additives you should avoid

› PAGE 24

The old adage says you can’t buy good health. That’s true, but you can certainly buy foods that give you your best chance for good health. › By Jim Gibson

thinking ahead

› PAGE 28

How creating an advance directive brings peace of mind to life’s most difficult time. › By Cynthia McFarland

fit families › PAGE 32

beat

› PAGE 7

TRENDS | NEWS | PEOPLE

By Cealia Athanason, Laurel Gillum, JoAnn

Guidry and Melissa Peterson

› 8 What to do this month.

› 10 A man about town.

› 12 Inspiring Olympians.

› 14 A bit about business.

HEALTHY dose

› PAGE 15

INSIGHT | ADVICE | SOLUTIONS

By Brett Ballantini, Laurel Gillum and Cynthia McFarland

› 16 Life with Loki.

› 18 Googling glasses.

› 20 How safe is your sunscreen?

HEALTHY body

› PAGE 41

NUTRITION | FITNESS | BEAUTY

By Angelique Anacleto and

› 42 Peachy pie.

HEALTHY vibe

› PAGE 45

MIND | SPIRIT | FINANCE

Robin

Fannon

› 43 A little indulgence.

› 44 Year of Beauty: Core concentration.

By Laurel

Gillum

› 46 A warm warning.

› 48 To tell the truth.

on the cover

Photo by John Jernigan Featuring Amanda Gill, Dermalase Medical Spa

Local

All About You

AFTER

Women’s

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.

Craig Ackerman Public Information O cer FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN MARION COUNTY

Nicolas Blaser Vice President – Business Services O cer BB&T

All About You

Amanda Brown Director of Marketing and Communications RADIOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF OCALA, P.A.

Ashley Cauthen, M.D. Cosmetic And Clinical Dermatology MIDSTATE SKIN INSTITUTE

Kristina Donohue Mission Advancement Coordinator THE CENTERS

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

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

Amy McLaughlin, APR, CPRC Director, Marketing & Communications

SEVEN RIVERS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Katie Myers, APR Director of Marketing and Public Relations CITRUS MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM

Navinderdeep Nijher, M.D. Plastic Surgery

OCALA PLASTIC SURGERY

Carmen M. Hernandez Health Education Program Manager

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Ashley Hersey Clinical Liaison

KINDRED HOSPITAL OCALA

Chris Okonkwo, M.D. Pediatrics CHILDREN’S HEALTH OF OCALA

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

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

ASSOCIATE EDITOR & SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Cealia Athanason cealia@ocalastyle.com

FOOD & LIFESTYLE CONTRIBUTOR

Robin Fannon

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Angelique Anacleto

Brett Ballantini

Jim Gibson

Laurel Gillum

JoAnn Guidry

Bonnie Kretchik

Cynthia McFarland

Katie McPherson

Nick Steele

Sean Trapani

ART art@healthylivingmagazines.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Jessi Miller

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Kristy Taylor

Amber Laudicina

PHOTOGRAPHERS

John Jernigan

Sheila Hartley 123rf.com

SALES DIRECTOR OF SALES

Dean Johnson deanjohnson@healthylivingmagazines.com

SALES MANAGER

Sharon Morgan

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Liza Fritz

Skip Linderman

Peggy Sue Munday

Cecilia Sarco

Lori Tani

Tammy Sontag

DISTRIBUTION

Dave Adams

Debra McQueen

Rick Shaw

Buy Local

fuel for school

Every parent wants to prepare their kids for a long day by providing a nutritious breakfast. Here’s one idea for avoiding the surgary cereal temptation. Find more delicious ideas at TruMoo.com

chocolate banana muffins

Recipe courtesy of the Mommy Hates

Cooking blog on behalf of TruMoo

1 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour

1⁄2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1⁄4 cup baking cocoa

1 1⁄2 cups TruMoo Chocolate Milk

4 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 large eggs

3 medium bananas

old-fashioned rolled oats

Heat oven to 350°F. › Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and cocoa. › Add in milk, butter, vanilla and eggs. › Continue mixing until batter is formed. › Mix in bananas. › Add spoonful of batter to greased mu n tins; fill about halfway full, and then sprinkle batter with rolled oats. › Bake 25 minutes or until golden on top.

day by day

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

Plan one last summerhurrah day trip.

Chair Yoga at Blissful Life Corporation (Every Wednesday at 10:30am)

Start a summertime scrapbook. Print out photos.

Last minute back-toschool shopping Family Day: Visit the Appleton Museum.

Core Workout

Go out for brunch with family.

Lights out! Start an early bedtime routine to get ready for school.

Tobacco cessation seminar, Ocala Health Senior Wellness Community Center

Try Cardio Kickboxing this month

Bike the Withlacoochee State Trail with the family

Invite neighbors over for card games and snacks.

Knees and hips seminar, Ocala Health Senior Wellness Community Center

First Day

of School in Marion & Citrus Counties. Send them off with a breakfast wrap and OJ.

Core Workout

Clean the windows, inside and out. Vacuum carpets, and clean floor under area rugs.

Crop, mat and glue printed photos into a scrapbook album.

Take a trip to the UF bat house. (Be there before dusk.) Yoga in the Park, Tuscawilla Park, 9am

Cardio Kickboxing

Spend the day at a local spring.

Make pineapple pulled pork tacos for dinner and ice cream sundaes for dessert

Start planning your fall garden, and make a list of needed supplies.

Cardio Kickboxing

Plan a dinner out with friends or family.

Clean out the kitchen junk drawer.

Complete a Pinterest or craft project you’ve had on your to-do list.

Ocala Downtown Market (Every Saturday 9a-2p and Wednesdays, 3-7p)

Core Workout

Select paper, embellishments and captions for scrapbook, finalize layout and complete book.

Core Workout

Movie Night: Premiere of Leap!

Schedule a girls’ night out at Painting with a Twist.

5th Annual School Rules Two Miler Walk/ Run and 5K Time Trial at Lecanto High School

Plan an end-ofsummer trip to Universal’s Volcano Bay water park.

Take the family to a local high school football game.

Glo with the Flo 5K at Citizens’ Circle

Ernie Chatman Labor Day 5K at McKethan Lake Park, Brooksville

Cardio Kickboxing

Core Workout

1. The first day always seems the longest. Make sure you fit in as close to eight hours of sleep the night before as possible.

2. Eat a hearty breakfast. After all, it’s the most important meal of the day.

3. Get to know your new classmates. The more friends the merrier!

*To register for Ocala Health events, call (800) 530-1188 or visit OcalaHealthSystem.com

Shake those first-day jitters with these three guidelines that appply to grades K through 12.

Sustaining Breastfeeding Together

World Breastfeeding Week: August 1-7, 2017

This year’s theme is Sustaining Breastfeeding Together, focusing on combined work among all people to increase breastfeeding. Everyone has an important part to support breastfeeding, from mothers and families to health care organizations and national leadership. Citrus County has many programs and services that support this year’s goal. Some of the programs that the Florida Department of Health in Citrus County offer are: WIC, Healthy Start, Baby Box program and a lactation consultant to help families with breastfeeding.

The Florida Department of Health started the Florida Healthy Babies Initiative, a statewide mission to improve the health of babies and lower infant death rates. The Florida state average for mothers who breastfeed immediately after birth is 85.2 percent, while Citrus County is at 74.4 percent, behind national breastfeeding goals. The state average for infant deaths is 6.1 for every 1,000 live births, while Citrus County is at 8.2. Citrus County has linked low breastfeeding rates and unsafe sleep spaces for baby as reasons for falling below goals in infant health. The Florida Department of Health in Citrus County understands that to help decrease infant deaths we must look at the many ways to protect babies.

Why is breastfeeding so important? Breastmilk has countless health benefits for the mother and baby. When mothers don’t get the help they need with breastfeeding, they must use formula. Formula lacks antibodies and nutrients babies need for development.

Health risks increase financial burdens as well.

The U.S. Surgeon General issued an official Call to Action to support breastfeeding in 2011. In the document, it states the United States could lower medical costs and save $13 billion every year if families breastfed, using no formula, for the first 6 months of a baby’s life. This will also help lower infant illness and deaths across the country.

In FLORIDA, the Law states “A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be” (FL Statute 383.015).

Contact Maret Wachira at 352-527-0068 for more information.

Breastfeeding protects against

• Diarrhea

• Ear and lung infections

• Allergies

• Asthma

• Diabetes (for mother and baby)

• Heart disease (for mother and baby)

• SIDS

• Postpartum depression

Formula increases risk of

• Obesity

• Diarrhea

• Ear and lung infections

• Allergies

• Asthma

• Diabetes (for mother and baby)

• Heart disease (for mother and baby)

Florida Department of Health in Citrus County

Ocala roads, such as Southeast 31st Street, Baseline Road, Southeast 17th Street and Maricamp Road. Dressed in his trademark red bandana wrapped around his head, sunglasses, black T-shirt with

the walking man

Fort King Middle School teacher Gary Chotiner is known as a man about town, make that a walking man about town.

› By JoAnn Guidry › Photography by John Jernigan

Putting one foot in front of the other, over and over again. Walking is Gary Chotiner’s simple prescription for his problematic family history of high blood pressure and weight issues. He usually logs 50 miles a week, walking alongside busy

paint stains, gym shorts, white socks and Merrell Moab hiking shoes, Chotiner has become a familiar striding fi gure to drivers zooming by. Think Forrest Gump.

“I was always an active kid and played football right through

couldn’t run, I could walk,” he says. “That was more than 20 years ago, and I’ve been walking ever since.”

Most weekdays, Chotiner is walking by 3:30am—yes, you read that right—and tallies

wasn’t as active. Soon, my family history of high blood pressure and weight issues caught up with me. First, I started running and really liked it. But then I blew out a hamstring and that ended my running.”

When his blood pressure shot up into dangerous numbers and his weight reached 260-plus pounds, Chotiner decided to lace up his shoes again and hit the road.

“I figured that even if I

five miles before the school day begins. On weekends, he hits the road around 6am for longer treks of 15 miles a day. He alternates two pairs of shoes, with each lasting about 400 miles.

On his walks, Chotiner finds things—wallets, cellphones, money, passports, tools and lots of bungee cords. He returns what he can to their owners.

“I found an 1837 U.S. Eagle half dollar in a ditch,” he says. “I gave it as a reward for outstanding work to one of my students.”

And although

Chotiner enjoys deep sea fishing and spending time with his wife, Kathy, and their daughters, Sarah, 29, and Marie, 27, he rarely misses a

“In the last year and a half, I missed maybe 20 days,” says Chotiner. “That was because I had hernia surgery, hand surgery and a head cold.”

And what’s the status of Chotiner’s blood pressure and weight?

“I have a resting pulse rate of 47; my blood pressure is 106 over 70,” he says. “And I keep my weight between 170 and 180.”

The proof is in the walking.

“I figured that even if I couldn’t run, I could walk. That was more than 20 years ago, and I’ve been walking ever since.”

GOING TO BE 74 AND NOW I FEEL LIKE

William DiVitto Neurosurgery Patient

When it’s time for surgery, you can count on the team at Ocala Regional Medical Center and West Marion Community Hospital. Whether you have your surgery same-day or inpatient, our team is ready to care for you before, during and after. We want you to have the best surgical experience possible, so we make sure we’re providing a safe environment and guide you and your family through the process with care. With minimally invasive surgeries available, patients experience better results and quicker recovery. Some of our surgeries are also available with robotic-assisted technology.

Minimally

Invasive

Minimally Invasive Surgery at Ocala Health

Surgery at Ocala Health

Minimally Invasive Surgery at Ocala Health

Minimally

Invasive

Minimally Invasive Surgery at Ocala Health

Surgery at Ocala Health

Ortho Bariatric CV Oncology Women’s

Neuro

Neuro

Bypass Sleeve Revisions

Bypass Valve Replacement

Bypass Valve Replacement

Valve Repair

Valve Repair

Knee Hip Shoulder Head Neck Back

Trauma

Trauma Services

Trauma Services

For

Lung Breast Colon

Hysterectomy

Uterine Fibroids

Pelvic Floor Repair

Repair

For more information or physician referral, please call 800-530-1188 or visit ocalahealthsystem.com/surgery

For more information or physician referral, please call 800-530-1188 or visit ocalahealthsystem.com/surgery

For more information or physician referral, please call 800-530-1188 or visit

For

I’M

I’M 40!

going for the gold

Marion County’s Special Olympics is making a comeback. › Written and Photographed by Cealia Athanason

Special Olympics Florida has been around for 45 years, and John Robles’ mission is to build awareness and community support. Robles is the new director of Special Olympics in Marion County, and, after only a few months on the job, he’s diving in.

“The ultimate goal of Special Olympics is to help persons with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society at large, by o ering them a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition and by increasing the public’s awareness of their capabilities and needs,” says Robles.

Two athletes, Nikki and KC Corbin, stood near the table that was set up at TD Bank for the Special Olympics’ Meet the Olympians day on June 9. Their necks were decorated with several medals. These two are siblings, and their mother, Denise, is one of the coaches. KC competes in volleyball, cycling, flag football, paddle boarding and basketball. Nikki competes in a full list of competitive sports, too, including golf, paddle boarding, equestrian and basketball. Both of them have been involved in Special Olympics since they were 8 years old. Now, Nikki is 26 and KC is 32.

“Athletes never age out. This is for life,” says Robles, referencing one athlete who was still competing at 78 years old.

Another athlete, Adrienne Bunn, also arrived with medals around her neck, a couple of them gold from the two equestrian competitions she won recently. Adrienne is 11

years old and has been involved in Special Olympics since she was 4. She also competes in swimming and golf, and she attends three di erent practices a week.

“[It’s] exciting,” says Adrienne. “Horses are my favorite.”

This is the ninth year that TD Bank has partnered with Marion County’s Special Olympics, and it’s TD Bank Vice President John Cervellera’s second year with the fundraising campaign. This year, the campaign ran from May 15 to June 23.

“The fundraiser enables employees, customers, friends and family to support the goal of raising more than $1 million for Special Olympics in the states where TD [Bank] operates,” says Cervellera.

Marion County’s Special Olympics runs 14 di erent sports each year, and Robles is thankful for the support they’ve received because, ultimately, it benefits the athletes, who live and breathe Special Olympics.

“Special Olympics unleashes the human spirit through the power and joy of sports, every day—around the world—empowering people with and without intellectual disabilities to play, work and live side by side, creating communities of acceptance for all,” says Cevellera.

Learn more › specialolympicsflorida.org

“The ultimate goal of Special Olympics is to help persons with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society at large.”

PET/CT combines two vital diagnostic tests in a single scan, providing comprehensive details about heart disease, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders and more. Itcan even rule out Alzheimer’s disease.

For advanced PET/CT and experienced, caring professionals, the name to know is RAO.

BOARD CERTIFIED, FELLOWSHIP TRAINED RADIOLOGISTS:

from left to right: Ralf R. Barckhausen, MD, Malcolm E. Williamson, II, MD and Fredric C. Wollett, MD

for your health

The Business Women’s Alliance Women’s HEALTH and FITNESS Expo—an annual event dedicated to educating women and their families about health, fi tness and wellness resources available in Citrus County and surrounding areas— will take place Saturday, September 23 from 9am to 1pm at the National Guard Armory in Crystal River. The events o ers opportunities for pampering and discussions with health and fi tness product and service providers. Expo proceeds are dedicated to furthering the education of students from Citrus, Crystal River and Lecanto high schools and Withlacoochee Technical College. Since 2010, the Business Women’s Alliance has awarded $83,500 in scholarships to Citrus County students.

welcome aboard

Ocala Health recently announced the appointment of Gabe Bullaro to chief operating o cer for the health care system, which includes Ocala Regional Medical Center, West Marion Community Hospital and the Summerfield ER. Bullaro will provide administrative direction for the organization’s $110 million expansion projects and the operation of ancillary departments within the three facilities. Bullaro joins Ocala Health from Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center where he most recently served as associate chief operating o cer in Los Angeles. Prior to his time at Los Robles, Bullaro worked in various operational roles at Intuitive Surgical, which makes and operates the Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System where he partnered with physicians and hospitals to build strong robotic surgical programs.

A NEEDED ADDITION

The College of Central Florida recently unveiled its newly renovated, state-of-the-art Hampton Center dental clinic and laboratory at a ribbon cutting with the Ocala/ Marion Chamber and Economic Partnership. The clinic was renovated with a $416,032 grant from the Marion County Hospital District. Five chairs/dental stations were added to the clinic, increasing to 13 total. With the added seats, the clinic is able to provide more than 6,000 adult dental treatments annually, an estimated increase of 215 percent. CF partners with the Department of Health in Marion County to provide dental care to underserved populations and to provide hands-on training to students in CF Dental Assisting program.

“It’s a wonderful experience for our students,” said Deanna Stentiford, associate dean of Health Sciences. “Not only do they get to assist the two clinic dentists with patients, but the very nature of the clinic establishes the importance of community service and giving back.”

recently published

Oak Hill Hospital recently announced that Adam Alperstein, MD, PGY2, is the first member of the GME program to publish an article while in residency in the Graduate Medical Education program. The article is a case report and literature review on a rare and unusual type of blood clot in the neck veins due to certain deep neck infections. It’s titled Septic Thrombophlebitis of the Internal Jugular Vein:

A Case of Lemierre’s Syndrome

The paper was recently accepted for publication in the Intractable & Rare Diseases Research Journal. Dr. Alperstein initially presented this case as a poster at the American College of Physicians conference earlier this year.

what wrinkles?

Before you throw in the towel, new evidence recently published in Preventative Medicine suggests you should give your exercise routine a fighting chance. Turns out, in addition to its aid in weight loss, exercise can actually prevent aging. To prove this theory, researchers measured the telomeres, or protein caps on the ends of human chromosomes that mark aging and overall health, of nearly 6,000 adults. They carefully monitored the subject’s physical activities as well as how often they participated in them. Each time a cell replicates, a tiny bit of telomere is lost, in e ect getting shorter with age. During this study, however, it was observed that people who exercised the most had significantly longer telomeres. We don’t know about you, but we’re on our way to the gym.

Loki Rescue To The

A special puppy becomes a lifesaving service dog

By Cynthia McFarland

When Andrew and Amber Laudicina bought the adorable white boxer puppy with the brindle patches on his eyes, they had no idea the role he would play in their lives—in Amber’s life, particularly.

Loki, as they named the energetic 8-week-old, bred locally by Liston’s Boxers, joined their family in February 2014.

Amber had been struggling with physical issues for some time, but it wasn’t until April 2014 that she was o cially diagnosed with gastroparesis, a disorder that occurs when the stomach takes too long to empty food. This disorder, also known as delayed gastric emptying, is a result of weak or abnormal muscles in the stomach.

There’s no known cure for gastroparesis, and in Amber’s case, her stomach actually became paralyzed and surgery was required to remove most of it. Only in her 20s, Amber found herself living in the ICU and then a rehab facility for close to seven months. Eventually, she was allowed to go home but spent nearly two years on a feeding tube with home health care nurses checking on her weekly.

Amber was relieved to be home again, but life with this frustrating disease made her feel like she couldn’t trust her body. Her blood sugar and blood pressure were no longer reliable and she required medication.

“Loki was a rambunctious puppy, and we thought he was just being incredibly annoying at two or three in the morning,” says Amber. “One minute he was a couch potato, and the next minute he was totally focused on me, jumping on the bed and digging at the covers. No matter what Andrew did to try and distract Loki, he was completely fixated on me. He was moaning, smacking his lips and acting stressed out himself.”

The first time this happened, Andrew checked Amber’s blood sugar and was horrified to find it was so low, she could have died. Amber needed immediate medical attention.

“It was very stressful to think I could have fallen asleep and not woken up again,” says Amber, who’s now 30.

When Loki reacted the same way multiple times, a light bulb went o for Amber. Her young dog recognized she was in trouble

Photos courtesy of Amber Laudicina with Amberlyn Studios, LLC

before she did. It was as though he was saying, “Hey, pay attention! You need help now!”

Amber spoke to a dog trainer and learned that dogs are able to detect the lack of glucose on a person’s breath due to a drop in blood sugar. When this happened to Amber, that’s when Loki would “alert.”

Because Loki was already tuning into this on his own, Amber decided to have him trained to become a service dog. The process is intensive and took about two years, but in 2016, Loki’s service dog status was o cial.

In addition to alerting to a drop in blood sugar, Loki is also able to detect when Amber’s blood pressure is too low. When this happens, he is trained to press his body against hers to prevent her from falling. By paying attention to Loki when he “alerts,” Amber usually has enough time to sit down with her back against a wall, allowing Loki to then press against her, holding her in place until her blood pressure stabilizes and help arrives.

The first few times Loki alerted to Amber’s drop in blood pressure, he wasn’t o cially trained as a service dog, but his instinct was to try and hold her up.

Although it’s not required by law, Loki wears a custom-made service vest whenever he and Amber are out in public. The vest has a special built-in handle that Amber holds for stability, and when on the verge of passing out, she can slip her arm through it so, as she is in and out of consciousness, she doesn’t slump over and hit her head.

Loki’s vest also carries her identification, medication, keys and instructions for first responders. If she ever has to be rushed to the hospital, which has happened more than once, all the information a first responder would need is on hand. This is important, because Amber becomes nonverbal when she’s having an episode.

Loki’s sensitivity to Amber is nothing short of remarkable, especially when you consider he was aware of her problems—and doing his best to help—when he was still a puppy, long before he was trained to do so.

“He would actually make mouth noises and lick his lips like he was trying to talk,” says Amber.

Faithful Companion

Loki is always on duty. This past January Amber and Loki were at the mall when Loki alerted that something was wrong. When this happens at home, Amber doesn’t have to walk far at all to be able to sit down safely. But in a public space, a bench or something she can lean against, isn’t always close by.

“I just ignore him sometimes, and this time was no di erent,” relates Amber. “I wasn’t able to get anywhere I could safely sit down. I fell and hit my head and ended up with a concussion. I was later told that I had several seizures.”

Even though Loki was wearing his service dog vest and trying to help Amber, some people watching the event unfold tried to pull him away from her. Even more disturbing, there were people who pulled out their phones to record Amber’s distress without doing anything to help. (Those videos were later taken down when found on social media.)

Fortunately, someone called 911. When emergency personnel arrived, Loki quickly

jumped onto the gurney when they rolled Amber out to the ambulance and rode to the hospital with her, where Andrew met them both.

Looking Ahead

“I’m truly handicapped by this disease, but because I’m young and look healthy, most people don’t realize something is really wrong with me,” says Amber. “I am getting stronger every day and am hoping and praying that by the time Loki’s older, I won’t have to replace him with another service dog.”

Lately, there are more good days than bad, but Loki has to be with Amber whenever she’s alone.

“My life has become dependent on this dog,” she says. “I can’t express in words how much he means to me. It wasn’t until he came into my life that I knew God was real. He was meant to be with me.”

LEARN MORE › Check out Loki’s Facebook page to learn more about this special canine: facebook.com/groups/LokitheServiceDog

“My life has become dependent on this dog,” she says. “I can’t express in words how much he means to me.”

Photo by Phillip D Breske Photography, courtesy of Amber Laudicina

click before you blink

It’s never been easier to order eyeglasses from the convenience of your home.

›

By Brett Ballantini

test your frames

Everyone cares what they look like wearing eyeglasses, so choose a retailer that allows you to upload a photo and virtually “try on” frames you’re interested in. And because a two-dimensional screen shot won’t help you determine whether your new frames will fit comfortably or correctly, some retailers let customers try out a new pair of glasses for up to two weeks.

details matter

The terminology and measurements in your prescription can be confusing (what’s an axis, or cylinder, or sphere?), and the details of your prescription must be just right. Lean toward a site that will accept an uploaded image of your prescription to avoid transcription errors.

before ordering. It’s essential that a retailer will redo your eyeglasses in case of error.

tweak with caution

It’s possible to adjust your own eyeglass frames for a better fit, but the smarter choice is to stop in at your local eye doctor and have a professional tweak them. (Note: Adjustments could come with a fee.)

Recommended Retailers

Traditionally, buying a new pair of glasses can be a hassle. The good news? Buying online is easier than ever, convenient and often inexpensive. To make the right choice, follow these guidelines:

surf smart

Buy only from Better Business Bureaurecommended (Check reports out online at BBB.org.) eyeglass sites, and even then, check user reviews to ensure your retailer produces a quality product with engaged customer service.

check it out

In case you have trouble with your new glasses, contact the website to confirm the proper prescription was applied. If it was, you’ll need to see a local eye doctor so the lenses, and your vision, can be re-examined.

happy returns

There’s always a chance of something going wrong along the way, so familiarize yourself with a site’s return policy and warranty

Consistently the top-ranked online eyeglass shop, Warby Parker o ers a try-at-home program that allows consumers to test up to five frames at home for five days to aid the decision process. Once you’ve ordered, ship your test frames back for free.

Eye Buy Direct is the best online outpost for quality discount eyeglasses, with frequent BOGO deals and big sales.

Taking prices a step lower, Zenni Optical specializes in stylish plastic frames. In most cases, the glasses look good and don’t cost a car payment to replace if lost or broken.

Megan

Forrest

Carrol Dillon-Smith Administrator/Owner

block it out

› By Laurel Gillum

Expert Tip

Finding a good sunscreen is of the utmost importance. Replacements, such as makeup products with SPF are not enough to block powerful UVB rays. In fact, Dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., says, “You need seven times the normal amount of foundation and 14 times the normal amount of powder to get the sun protection factor on the label.” Instead, try replacing toxic sunblock with SPFs designed for people who have sensitive skin or for children. These lotions use ingredients such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to replace hazardous chemicals previously mentioned.

Sunscreens with higher SPF ratings block slightly more UVB rays than their lower-SPF counterparts. For example, SPF 15 products block about 94 percent of UVB rays, while an SPF 30 product blocks 97 percent of UVB rays. No sunblock, however, o ers 100 percent protection. And although slathering your skin in extra sunscreen may seem like a keen idea, ingredients found in the SPF that you so readily apply may be doing more harm than good. Watch out for the following ingredients on the label of your SPFs.

OXYBENZONE Heat rash? Think again. This penetration enhancer undergoes a chemical reaction when exposed to UV rays. This reaction can cause an eczema-like allergic reaction that can spread beyond the exposed area and last long after you’re out of the sun. Experts also suspect that oxybenzone disrupts hormones, which can throw o your endocrine system.

OCTINOXATE. This chemical may be a culprit for premature aging, as it produces menacing free radicals that can damage skin and cells.

RETINYL PALMITATE. FDA studies have shown that retinyl palimitate may speed the development of malignant cells and skin tumors when applied to skin before sun exposure.

OCTOCRYLENE. When this chemical is exposed to UVB light, it absorbs the rays and produces oxygen radicals that can damage cells and cause mutations. It is readily absorbed by your skin and may accumulate within your body in measurable amounts. It can also be toxic to the environment.

Sources: webmd.com, womenshealthmag.com

In case you’ve forgotten that summer in Florida lasts forever, try walking out into the blazing heat to jog your memory—just make sure you bring some sunblock along.

Melissa Singleton, PA-C

Dr. Ashley Cauthen

Dr. Christina Mitchell

Look Better, Feel Better With DermaLase Medical Spa

Ultrasound body shaping technology might sound futuristic, but here’s the good news: For those who want to improve their appearance and body image, the future is now.

Thanks to UltraShape® Power and DermaLase Medical Spa, a sleeker, more shapely you is just weeks away. If you’ve been searching for a safe, non-surgical way to banish the stubborn subcutaneous fat that is so tough to lose through diet and exercise, the solution is here.

Even more remarkable, there are no incisions, no anesthetics, no signs of treatment, no soreness and no numbness. Because there is no recovery down time, you can literally wear a crop top the same day as your treatment. No one will be able to tell you’ve had something “done.” Unless you share the secret, they’ll just notice the smooth, contoured results and your enhanced appearance.

“UltraShape® Power is FDA-approved for use on the abdomen, and that’s what most of our clients—both men and women—are doing,” says Amanda Gill, RN, of DermaLase Medical Spa. “It uses focused ultrasound energy to target fat cells just below the skin. Most clients drop one dress or pant size—or more.”

While other technologies that use heat and freezing can cause damage to surrounding tissues and even nerves, that’s not the case with UltraShape® Power. Although it’s merciless to fat cells, it will not harm surrounding skin, nerves and blood vessels. There’s no discomfort during the treatment; most clients simply describe a warming sensation. In a recent clinical study, 100 percent of clients reported the treatment as being comfortable.

“UltraShape® Power can destroy up to 32 percent of fat cells in the treated area, as compared to just 15 to 20 percent with other treatments,” notes Gill. “The destroyed fat cells are processed by the body and eliminated naturally.”

Because treated cells are permanently destroyed, the results are long lasting. Remaining fat cells can increase in size, so you’ll still want to maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper diet and exercise.

Three treatments, spaced two weeks apart, are recommended. Each treatment takes about one hour or less, depending on the area being treated. Although most clients notice an immediate improvement, optimal results are seen about three months after the third treatment. (Impressive before-and-after images can be viewed at dermalasemedicalspa.com.)

“Everyone is an individual, so your initial consultation is an important first step,” says Gill. “Your treatments will then be tailored specifically for you to obtain the best results.”

Amanda Gill, RN

All treatments are overseen by Dr. Reginald Gri n. UltraShape® Power treatments are performed by a registered nurse or a registered nurse practitioner.

Clients who come in for UltraShape® Power treatments often combine this with VelaShape technology. It’s also helpful for those who have lost weight on their own and want to have tighter skin with better texture.

VelaShape technology combines infrared light, bi-polar radio frequency energy and vacuum, which cause deep heating of the fat cells, their surrounding connective tissue and the underlying dermal collagen fibers. The result is a reduction in circumference, smoothing of skin surface and noticeable reduction in cellulite.

DermaLase Medical Spa o ers a complete array of services, including:

• Skin rejuvenation

• Pigmentation removal

• Spider vein removal

• Laser hair removal

• Cellulite therapy and skin tightening

• UltraShape® Power body shaping

• Botox injections

• B12 shots

Check the website for current specials and details on their unique hair removal membership program.

Rest assured that the professional sta at DermaLase Medical Spa always takes time to educate clients. You’ll know what you can expect to feel and experience, putting your mind at ease.

Book a consultation for any procedure, and then your appointment will be scheduled. Call for your free consultation today.

“UltraShape® Power can destroy up to 32 percent of fat cells in the treated area, as compared to just 15 to 20 percent with other treatments.”

The old adage says you can’t buy good health.

That’s true, but you can certainly buy foods that give you your best chance for good health. And, on the opposite side of that coin, you can also most certainly buy foods that give you the best chance to have health problems.

That said, which foods are the right foods to eat and which ones are on the blacklist to avoid. Well, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is, healthy foods exists in abundance. The bad news is, many of the foods found on the blacklist taste really, really good—and that is usually due to the use of food additives.

THE GOOD AND THE BAD

Want some fries with that shake?

Sure, why not. After all, what can be wrong with a potato? The answer is nothing. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a medium white potato contains approximately 160 calories, 1/4 gram of fat, 37 grams of carbohydrate, 4 grams of protein and 5 grams of dietary fiber. It also contains varying amounts of vitamins B3, B6 and C, pantothenic acid, potassium, copper, manganese and phosphorus.

But, according to the American Heart Association, when you fry that potato in saturated or trans fats, then you are introducing “bad cholesterol” into your bloodstream, increasing your chances of atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. Trans fats have been shown to increase LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while simultaneously decreasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

but instead might read hydrogenated vegetable oil or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Deciphering food labels can be a challenge, even for consumers who are well informed.”

Serrano says that Earth Fare has an online “Food Boot List” that contains approximately 150 additives that are banned from the company’s shelves and that should be avoided by consumers.

“The products we carry are free of high fructose corn syrup, artificial fats

Administration (FDA) but are known to be toxic by other U.S. regulatory agencies,” says Serrano. “A good example is butylated hydroxyanisole, or BHA. While it’s classified as ‘generally regarded as safe’ (GRAS) by the FDA, the National Toxicology Program rates BHA as ‘reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.’ Similarly, although potassium bromate, which is commonly used in baked goods, is a carcinogen in animals and has been banned in the use of food sold in Canada and the UK, its use is still sanctioned by the FDA.”

ADDITIVES ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE FRESHNESS, TASTE, TEXTURE, APPEARANCE AND TO REDUCE COST; HOWEVER, THE COMPANY FEELS THAT ADDITIVES DO MUCH MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

Trans fats are one of many, many food additives that can adversely a ect your health. These additives a ect us in two ways—some are linked to cancer and other chemically induced diseases and some cause weight gain and can lead to type 2 diabetes. Some of these additives you may have heard of, but many either have slipped under the radar or go by aliases you may not recognize.

“Even trans fats, as much as we’ve heard of them in the news, can be hidden through tricky labeling,” says Carlos Serrano, Wellness Manager at Earth Fare in Ocala. “A label will rarely say ‘trans-fats,’

and trans fats, artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, artificial sweeteners, bleached or bromated flour and administered antibiotics and synthetic growth hormones,” he says. “These are all food additives that we avoid, and we feel every consumer should avoid them also.”

What purpose do food additives serve? According to Serrano, additives are designed to improve freshness, taste, texture, appearance and to reduce cost; however, the company feels that additives do much more harm than good.

If these products are harmful to our health, then why can they be found in many of the products being sold in stores across America?

“Some additives have been deemed safe by the U.S. Food and Drug

Serrano goes on to say that companies, such as Earth Fare, are there to read the labels for the consumer and to help shoppers make the right decisions.

“We have a team dedicated to evaluating research done on food additives and determining the healthiest options for our shoppers, regardless of what various regulatory agencies might decide,” he says. “If our team feels an ingredient could potentially harm our shoppers’ health, it won’t be put on our shelves.”

If harmful food additives are so prevalent in many of the items found in stores, what are our alternatives?

“The No. 1 thing someone can do to avoid foods with unhealthy additives is to eat a diet that is rich in plants, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and to avoid processed foods that contain artificial ingredients and chemicals known to be harmful to our health,” says Serrano.

This sentiment is echoed by the USDA, which has developed the MyPlate program. This program is based on the Dietary

Guidelines for Americans that was created to help consumers make healthier food choices. MyPlate has a daily checklist that advises consumers on what foods to eat and how much to eat within their individual caloric allowance. Personalized food plans are based on age, sex, height, weight and physical activity level. The plan can be found online at cnpp.usda.gov/MyPlate.

Dietary plans, such as the Mediterranean Diet, also push natural alternatives to processed foods. This diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, olive oil, fish and poultry.

ADDITIVES TO AVOID

According to the National Research Council (U.S.) Committee on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer, “More than 2,500 chemical substances are intentionally added to foods to modify flavor, color, stability,

BECAUSE SODIUM BENZOATE IS NATURALLY OCCURRING, FOOD-PROCESSING COMPANIES CAN LABEL THEIR PRODUCTS AS “ALL-NATURAL,” EVEN WHEN IT HAS BEEN ADDED.

texture or cost. In addition, an estimated 12,000 substances are used in such a way that they may unintentionally enter the food supply.” That’s a lot of additives, and not all of them have definitively been proven to be safe. Here are five that might best be avoided.

SODIUM BENZOATE

This additive is used as a preservative in sodas and a wide range of processed foods. By itself, a small amount of sodium benzoate is considered safe—in fact it can be found naturally in several fruits. However, when it is mixed with vitamin C, it produces benzene, a known carcinogen that can be found in products such as gasoline, construction adhesives and asphalt, to name a few. When you read a food label and see sodium benzoate listed as an ingredient, always check to

determine if ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is listed also. If so, it might be best to avoid the product. Because sodium benzoate is naturally occurring, food-processing companies can label their products as “allnatural,” even when it has been added. It can be found in soda, fruit juice, salsa, condiments, jams, jellies, pickles, dip, salad dressings, etc.

BHA AND BHT

Butylated HydroxyAnisole (BHA) and Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are petroleum-derived antioxidants used to preserve foods and cosmetics. Both have been found to induce cancer in laboratory animals. These additives are regarded as generally safe by the FDA but are considered likely to be carcinogens. Both are banned in Japan and many European countries.

BHA and BHT can be found in some breakfast cereals, crackers, potato chips, beer, butter, chewing gum, dry drink mixes, etc.

TRANS FATS

These fats are created when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil during processing. This process allows oil to remain solid at room temperature and gives certain foods a longer shelf life. It is used in restaurant deep fryers because it has to be changed out less often, thus saving on costs. It goes under the names partially hydrogenated vegetable oil or hydrogenated vegetable oil.

Trans fats can be found in shortening, cookies, cakes, baked goods, frozen pizza crusts, biscuits, some candies, French fries, some peanut butter, donuts, chips, canned doughs, cake frosting, some popcorn, non-dairy creamers, stick margarine, etc.

HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP (HFCS)

The FDA has declared HFCS to be safe for use in food manufacturing. It may not have carcinogenic e ects, but it does adversely a ect our health in two ways: through added calories and increased blood glucose levels. This sweetener is manufactured from cornstarch and replaces granulated sugar in an e ort to lower food production costs.

HFCS can be found in soda, fruit juice, candy of all types, bread, steak sauce, salad dressing, ketchup, syrup (replaces maple syrup), canned fruit, peanut butter, flavored milk, canned soups, cranberry sauce, cottage cheese, boxed stu ng, etc.

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS

This list includes saccharin and aspartame. Both of these additives are hundreds of times sweeter than sugar and in some independent studies have been linked to the formation of cancer in laboratory animals. The FDA has approved them for use based on industry studies, but outside organizations, such as the Center for Science in the Public Interest has listed them as additives to “avoid.”

Artificial sweeteners are found in soda, ice cream, baked goods, canned fruit, chewing gum, jelly, fruit juice, etc.

These blacklisted food additives are only a very small portion of those used in processed foods, fast foods and prepared foods. Make yourself aware of all the ingredients found in the foods you eat, and once you have the knowledge, then make it a point to avoid foods containing additives that may be harmful to your health.

Remember another old adage, “Not everything that tastes good is good for you.”

BOTH OF THESE ADDITIVES ARE HUNDREDS OF TIME SWEETER THAN SUGAR AND IN SOME INDEPENDENT STUDIES HAVE BEEN LINKED TO THE FORMATION OF CANCER IN LABORATORY ANIMALS.

hinking headN

By Cynthia McFarland

How creating an advance directive brings peace of mind to life’s most difficult time.

ou’re healthy. You’re young. You’re busy. You don’t want to think about dying.

All of those are common excuses for putting o one important step: making a living will.

Also referred to as an “advance directive” because it outlines your wishes in advance, a living will specifies what type of medical care you want or do not want if you are unable to make that decision at the time. You can also indicate if you’d like to donate all or part of your body upon death, whether through organ or tissue donation or for the sake of scientific study.

Florida legislation (Chapter 765, Florida Statutes) recognizes that competent adults have the right to make advance directives so that their health care decisions will be respected should they become incapacitated. Such advance directives can instruct physicians to provide, withhold or withdraw life-prolonging procedures in the event of a terminal illness, an end-stage condition or a persistent vegetative state.

We get it. Those aren’t exactly pleasant thoughts. But if you don’t address these very personal issues, it will come down to someone else making those decisions for

you. And that doesn’t always work out so well, as you may remember from the tragic case of Terri Schiavo.

earning rom thers’ ain

Schiavo, who lived in St. Petersburg, Florida, was only in her late 20s when she su ered a cardiac arrest on February 25, 1990. Although resuscitated, Schiavo experienced massive brain damage due to lack of oxygen to her brain, leaving her comatose. After no improvement, her diagnosis was changed to persistent vegetative state.

Schiavo’s husband and legal guardian, Michael Schiavo, said she wouldn’t have wanted prolonged artificial nutrition and hydration without prospect of recovery and wanted her feeding tube removed.

Her parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, however, fought to continue the support that was keeping their daughter alive. What followed were fifteen years of highly publicized legal challenges, involving state and federal politicians, all the way up to the level of President George W. Bush. Ultimately, Schiavo’s feeding tube was removed for a final time on March 18, 2005, and she died in a hospice facility on March 31, 2005. All those appeals, petitions and legal suits would never have taken place if Schiavo had signed a living will designating her end-of-life wishes before that fateful day in 1990. Schiavo’s family would still have been heartbroken, but at least there would have been no doubt as to what she wanted under the circumstances. Perhaps the greatest benefit of Schiavo’s sad story is that when her case was in the news, it prompted many Americans to think of their own mortality and to make their final wishes known via living wills.

hinking head

“People do not like to think about dying so they delay executing estate planning documents. Less than 50 percent of Americans execute a living will and last will and testament,” notes Susan Dean of Dean and Dean Attorneys at Law, which has o ces in Ocala, Beverly Hills and The Villages, Florida. “The fact of the matter is that failure to address these issues in an

“People do not like to think about dying so they delay executing estate planning documents. Less than 50 percent of Americans execute a living will and last will and testament.”

— Susan Dean, Dean and Dean Attorneys at Law

estate plan is a disservice to your family and loved ones.”

Dean emphasizes that every adult should execute a living will if they do not want artificial life-prolonging procedures in the event of a terminal illness or a situation such as Terri Schaivo’s.

“Additionally, people should execute a health care surrogate naming an individual to make health care decisions, carry out their wishes and receive health care information in the event of their incapacity,” adds Dean. The person you choose as a health care surrogate should be someone you know well and completely trust to

uphold your requests. This person should be able to stand in as your surrogate if disagreements arise between other family members about your care. Realize that if you do not have a living will and are not able to express your wishes at the time, treatment will be determined by your doctors and family members.

Here’s the best part: You can create a living will and designate a health care surrogate at no cost, so there’s really no excuse to put it o . Free forms are available online and at the information desk of your local hospitals.

A popular website, agingwithdignity.org, o ers Five Wishes, a free living will that is written in everyday language. You can order a printed Five Wishes document to be mailed to you or complete it online and print copies.

o awyer eeded

Advance directives can be part of comprehensive estate planning, but a lawyer is not necessary to prepare a living will or health care surrogate. Requirements vary from state to state, but in Florida, the forms don’t even have to be notarized to make them legally binding.

“A living will and health care surrogate must be signed by the individual in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, one of whom is neither a spouse nor a blood relative of the individual,” Dean explains. “Also, the person who is designated as a surrogate in the health care surrogate document is not able to act as a witness to execution of the document designating such person as the health care surrogate.”

Once you have completed and signed the forms, you should provide copies to your health care provider(s), attorney (if you have one) and family members/significant people in your life. Obviously, whomever you have chosen as your health care surrogate should have copies, as well.

Keep a copy for yourself wherever you file important papers. It’s also wise to keep a card in your wallet/purse stating that you have a living will and the location of this paperwork.

“When a health care surrogate’s authority has commenced, if the health care surrogate is not the individual’s spouse, the surrogate must notify either the individual’s spouse or adult children of the individual’s designation of the surrogate,” adds Dean.

What if you’re a “snowbird” or live in another state part of the year?

“Snowbirds do not need separate documents for each state, although we recommend they keep their living will and health care surrogate with them when they travel,” says Dean.

If you’ve already completed a living will in another state according to that state’s law, but end up needing medical treatment

Grown children should raise this topic with their parents—ideally before there’s a health crisis, because then it could be too late.

in Florida, that document can be honored in Florida.

Family Matters

OK, so you’ve taken the steps and executed a living will and health care surrogate. Now, what about your parents? Have they done the same?

Grown children should raise this topic with their parents—ideally before there’s a health crisis, because then it could be too late. Dean highly recommends initiating discussions concerning estate planning when family members are healthy.

One way to introduce the topic is to share with them that you have executed a living will and wondered if they have one, as well. Emphasize your concern that their wishes being upheld are of utmost importance.

aking lans

What if you’ve executed a living will and health care surrogate and then change your mind about certain details?

Not a problem. All you have to do is destroy the existing directive, write a new one and have it signed by witnesses, as required by Florida law.

If you simply want to make a change or addition to an existing directive, just write in that information, sign and date it. Don’t forget to make new copies of the paperwork and give these updated copies to everyone who received the original forms.

ills vs. iving ills: hat’s the ifference?

A “living will” (also known as a “health directive”) addresses end-of-life medical care and ends when the person who executed the document dies. A “last will and testament” directs the distribution of the individual’s assets after death and becomes legally binding at the death of the person who made the document.

etting own o etails

Your living will can address a variety of medical care decisions. Just so you know, it’s not necessary to have an advance directive or living will to have do not resuscitate (DNR) and do not intubate (DNI) orders. Your physician can include this preference on your medical records at your request. When you do create a living will, it should specify if such orders are already on file.

Not sure about the details involved with end-of-life care? Before executing a living will, you can ask your health care provider if you have questions or concerns about if—or for how long—you would want any of the following measures:

As a competent adult, you have the right to make decisions about your health care. This includes the right to choose—or refuse—medical treatment or intervention. Take action today. Execute a living will and choose a health care surrogate. You’ll be doing your loved ones—and yourself—a favor, saving everyone confusion and uncertainty at one of life’s most di cult moments.

Learn more › Receive forms for free by calling (888) 594-7437 or visit agingwithdignity.org for the Five Wishes living will. Or visit floridahealthfinder.gov, click on resources and click on Health Care Advance Directives.

RESUSCITATION: Restarts the heart if it’s stopped beating using cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or electric shock

TUBE FEEDING: Nutrition and hydration via intravenous or stomach tube

MECHANICAL VENTILATOR: Breathes for you if you can’t

DIALYSIS: Provides kidney function if yours aren’t working

PALLIATIVE CARE: Interventions to manage pain and keep you comfortable (may include being allowed to die at home, etc.)

fit

Local families who make fitness a priority.

BY CEALIA ATHANASON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN JERNIGAN

For some, exercise is an outlet. For others, not so much. Healthy eating habits share a similar story. Making health and fitness a priority for the whole family can be just one more thing to add to the schedule. Isn’t life busy enough? Hey, we understand. But, if it’s health you’re after, take a look at the lifestyles of three local fit families. They share what makes it all worth it.

the business of fitness

Ted and Karen Dreaver are no strangers to working out. At Ted’s gym, CrossFit Iron Legion, both of them are used to climbing ropes, jumping boxes and crushing personal records. And now, with three young children, Ted and Karen are still going strong and raising their children to do the same.

“I mean, why not teach your kids early that there is no shortcut,” Ted says. “You have to work, and you have to commit to the things that are going to change your life. And they’re only going to learn that from their parents.”

Though Ted and Karen have always been active and fit, Ted first got into CrossFit eight years ago when Karen was

pregnant with their first child—their now 7-year-old son, Logan.

“I was always just looking for something that’s not the standard back-bis-and-tris boring routine,” Ted says. “And, when CrossFit came on the scene, it was just so unique that you could actually pull o a workout in four minutes and feel like you’ve

“The day starts at 6, and you’ve got to get everything taken care of, including your family life. But I can’t not work out—I’ll go crazy.”

The Dreavers

been training for 45 minutes. And it really kind of blew my mind.”

He started training at CrossFit Firebase in Orlando, and it wasn’t long until he was certified and training families in his own backyard. But, when more and more families showed up to his backyard CrossFit session, he and Karen realized they could do something with this.

“He took three weeks of vacation, and I asked him what it would take for him to break even. He said 30 members.” Karen says. “When the three weeks was up, he had 30 members, and he called and gave his two weeks’ notice. And it’s just blown up from there.”

Ted left his career in construction and adds, “I just jumped in and went full head first, and I’ve never looked back. But I love the risk of it; I love the adventure of it.”

And since then, the gym has grown to 500 members, and Ted has several di erent coaches who train gym members in classes of all kinds. He focuses on running the gym and then fitting in his own workouts.

Meanwhile, Karen manages more than 100 horses at Glen Hill Farm, along with caring for their three children—ages 7, 2 and 3 1/2 months. But she makes it a point to get to the CrossFit gym between two and three

times a week. For her, it’s all about time management and staying organized.

“I’m anally organized and good with time management—which, I mean, I’ve had to be,” says Karen. “The day starts at 6, and you’ve got to get everything taken care of, including your family life. But I can’t not work out—I’ll go crazy. I’ve been a competitive swimmer since first grade, and so I’d go absolutely insane if I couldn’t work out.”

She swam through her entire first pregnancy when Ted had just gotten into CrossFit. She laughs and remembers that he just kept getting fitter, and she kept getting fatter. After she had Logan, she kept swimming but couldn’t shake the last 10 pounds.

“[Ted] was like, ‘You gotta do CrossFit with me,’ so I started doing it just twice a week in the backyard with him, and that 10 pounds flew o so fast,” says Karen. “Then, I did CrossFit almost my whole pregnancy with Kiera. I adjusted what I needed to, but it made for a speedy delivery.”

Now, just three-and-a-half months postpregnancy with her third child, Karen is so close to being back in the fit shape she was pre-pregnancy. Karen and Ted feel it’s their personal responsibility to stay fit and healthy. This drives them to raise their kids to be just as active, fit and healthy as they are.

“[Logan] grew up in the gym. At 2 or 3 years old, he was swinging from rings and jumping o of boxes. For him, it’s a natural environment,” Ted says.

CrossFit Kids classes are set up so that the kids feel like they’re playing the whole time rather than being in a structured, boring environment. The kids learn functional movements, and that’s basically how the adult classes are set up, too.

“They’ll have a di erent life growing up in this gym and in this environment than most kids will have anywhere,” Ted says. His advice for other families trying to adopt a fitter, healthier lifestyle?

“It’s OK to prioritize yourself a little bit. If you don’t take care of you first, you’re not going to be able to take care of your family at all,” Ted says. “Keep your family involved, but never make an excuse where you know, ‘I can’t do this because I have kids.’ You may not be around for those kids if you don’t start taking care of yourself.”

Both Ted and Karen have worked hard to introduce their values to other families, and their CrossFit family continues to grow.

a family affair

Julia Crisp knew it was time to make a change. Her husband, Derek, had to start losing weight if he wanted to qualify for an operation. Derek is medically retired from

Karen and Ted feel it’s their personal responsibility to stay fit and healthy. This drives them to raise their kids to be just as active, fit and healthy as they are.

The Dreavers The Crisps

the military, and several months ago, Julia felt it was her job to support her whole family in developing a healthier lifestyle. Her excuses had reared their ugly heads enough, she thought.

One day, Julia scrolled through Facebook. A studio she had never heard of crossed her feed. She read that Studio SC focused on a holistic approach to health— taking care of mind, body and spirit. It was January, and new beginnings stared her in

the face. Julia and her 7-year-old daughter and sidekick, Anyiah, decided to look into it.

“We’re like ‘Oh, let’s go check it out.’ And we just loved it,” Julia says. “We do unlimited classes, so we’ll do barre, hip hop, Zumba.

“For me, the gym is more intimidating with the machines. With this, I’m working out with my own weight.”

The Crisps

We do all sorts of yoga—I do restorative yoga and then aerial yoga as well.”

Julia says everything just clicked in her mind. She had reached a point where nothing was going to stop her. After about a month of faithfully attending all the di erent classes o ered at Studio SC, Derek saw that she was serious, and he joined The Zone and started meeting with a personal trainer.

“He started to see results immediately because he cut o all those comfort foods. We got rid of everything,” Julia says. “So, he lost 10 pounds quickly. He started to feel good about himself, and that changed everything—even the way we were communicating.”

Julia’s life changed, too. Her mindset, perspective, energy levels, eating habits, happiness—all of it improved. She and Derek started going out more, and they did more fun things together as a family. And Anyiah has benefited, too. She loves the barre class the most—just like Julia.

“You know, she’ll grab her little weights— whatever she feels. I don’t push her,” Julia says.

Julia has adopted a new way of eating after getting into her exercise routine. It all goes hand in hand for her and her family. Now, they only go to the produce section when grocery shopping, and she finds she can make complete meals out of whole foods and produce.

Before Julia started going to Studio SC, she wasn’t nearly as active. Because she and Derek moved around a lot for a couple of years while he was in the military, she adopted the role of a stay-at-home mom. Studio SC has been the perfect fit for her.

“For me, the gym is more intimidating with the machines. With this, I’m working out with my own weight,” says Julia.

Julia’s had her fair share of excuses, though. Working out takes time, and she had to get to a point where her whole family was in it together, supporting each other. And for her, the goal to feel better trumps any physical goal she could have because it’s continually encouraging. Her advice for anyone trying to squeeze fitness and nutrition into their life is to go in with a clean mind and no expectations.

Julia is also excited for Anyiah to develop an active, healthy lifestyle at an early age. Besides the exercise she gets

at Studio SC, Anyiah also does ballet, jazz and tap at The Dance Company of Ocala.

“I want her body to just be ready for anything,” Julia says. “For me, I started out older, so it’s something that I’ve had to fit into my life. So, if I start this now where it’s a part of her life, whether it’s through dancing, she can use this for the rest of her life.”

Not only have Julia and Anyiah developed completely new lifestyles, but Julia’s husband has already met and exceeded his weight-loss goals.

making the time

Chris and Yvonne Whitler have four kids—ages 12, 10, 4 and 2—and they make it a priority to talk with them about making healthy choices.

“They’re very into talking about nutrition because we talk about that a lot at home. So, you know, what foods are good for you, what foods aren’t good for you,” Yvonne says.

When Yvonne was pregnant with their first child, they decided it was time to make the move to a family gym. The YMCA has been perfect for them. Yvonne can drop o her two youngest children in the child care center, which they call Y School, while she goes to her classes. And her children actually love it.

“There’s been plenty of times I’ve finished my class and they’re like ‘Mommy, not yet, not yet,’” Yvonne says. “They’re getting something out of it, too.”

For Chris, being active has always been part of his lifestyle. He’s always been a runner, and he has completed one Ironman and several triathlons and half marathons. He graduated from the College of Central Florida before graduating from the Florida

State Fire College and paramedic school. Because he’s a firefighter, he has to work around an unconventional schedule to get his workouts in.

“I try to do cardio in the morning, and then lift later in the afternoon or in the evening. I do swim a lot, I run a lot, I ride my bike,” Chris says. “[With] my schedule, I just make it work.”

Yvonne works as a substitute teacher and tutor with Blessed Trinity Catholic School. She grew up active and maintained a healthy lifestyle through high school sports, but once she became a working mom, her exercise routine became a bit more sporadic. With her fourth child only 2 years old, she’s been back at it and has almost reached her goal.

“Sometimes I’m working more, so I have less freedom to be here, and it’s a mood-changer for sure,” Yvonne says before mentioning that she used to have ‘mom guilt’ about taking time to work out. “I thought, ‘Oh, I can’t take another hour away from the kids,’ but I feel like when I am active and healthy, I’m a better mother because of it.”

Yvonne’s favorite class is the Wednesday morning boot camp class with Diane. She gets to the gym around three to four days per week, and when she started taking the boot camp class in January, she saw that there was a core group of people who attended without fail, and she loves that.

“They have become my friends, so it’s a nice atmosphere,” Yvonne says. “But I notice that it’s that way with every class I take.”

Both Yvonne and Chris believe in modeling a healthy and active lifestyle for their kids, and their kids love all the sports teams and activities they’re part of. But, as a family, they enjoy playing at parks like Jervey Gantt Park, Brick City Adventure Park and the Greenway Park.

“We’ll go to Jervey Gantt, and the big kids will run o and the little kids will play on the [playground],” Chris says.

“We used to jokingly say we were ‘playground connoisseurs’ because we knew every [playground] in town,” Yvonne adds.

Their advice for adopting a healthier family lifestyle?

“You have to create time. It’s not just going to appear,” Chris says.

And Yvonne says, “Just take that first step. That’s the hardest one, I think.”

“I feel like when I am active and healthy, I’m a better mother because of it.”

Healthier

Want to reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes? Eat more foods containing ber, like peas, beans, broccoli, blueberries and blackberries.

Up Marion

Eat Healthy What We Are Doing

Everyone wants to live better, longer, right? When you take a step toward living a healthier lifestyle, it’s easier to stay on track when healthier options are easy to nd. Measure Up Marion brings the resources of community organizations together to make it easier to be healthy where we live, learn, work, worship and play.

Measure Up Marion is making it easier to choose healthy, even at work! Thanks to employers that have partnered with us since 2015, approximately 12,200 employees working in Marion County have access to worksite wellness programs.

Let’s Eat Healthy

Who’s Helping Us?

• City of Belleview – Penny Byrd

• City of Ocala – Lyn Viselli

The unique support and accountability found in workplace settings enable employees to take initial healthy steps that, in turn, become habits. From simple programs like Sit for 60–Move for 3 and healthier vending options, to diabetes prevention and management classes, employees throughout Marion County are given the opportunity to improve their health. Those engaged in worksite wellness programs take their new habits home, further expanding the impact of the initiative.

Let’s Eat Healthy

Want to reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes? Eat more foods containing ber, like peas, beans, broccoli, blueberries and blackberries.

Eat Healthy

Everyone wants to live better, longer, right? When you take a step toward living a healthier lifestyle, it’s easier to stay on track when healthier options are easy to nd. Measure Up Marion brings the resources of community organizations together to make it easier to be healthy where we live, learn, work, worship and play.

Want to reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes? Eat more foods containing ber, like peas, beans, broccoli, blueberries and blackberries.

Measure Up Marion helps local employers support and encourage healthy steps.

What We Are Doing

CATCH Kids Club teaches healthy eating choices in 45 locations including preschools and 37 elementary schools

• College of Central Florida –Jennifer Klepfer

1,674+ Residents have access to housing with Tobacco-free grounds

12,209 Employees have access to Wellness Programs at work

1,674+ Residents have access to housing with Tobacco-free grounds

55,795 Patients of 97 providers can access MyHealthStory to better coordinate their health information with multiple providers

12,209 Employees have access to Wellness Programs at work

45 Locations

CATCH Kids Club teaches healthy eating choices in 45 locations including preschools and 37 elementary schools

12,209 Employees have access to Wellness Programs at work

55,795 Patients of 97 providers can access MyHealthStory to better coordinate their health information with multiple providers

Find

• Florida Department of Health in Marion County – Jessie Driggers

• Florida Medical Reimbursement Services – Tina Probst

• InTec – Marcella Hughes

• Jenkins Auto Group –Karen Edsall, Brianne Inman

• Lockheeed Martin – Angela Lennon

Marion County Board of County Commissioners – Katrina Meeks

Who’s Helping Us: Local Restaurants • Gator Joe's • Harvest Market and Deli • La Hacienda • Mojo's (x 3) • Molly's MaGuires • Ocala Fresh Produce • Pineapple Pam's Cafe • Shuckers • The Lunchbox Concessions • Big Sun Youth Soccer League • Blessed Trinity Catholic School Athletics • College of Central Florida Concessions • Highland’s Youth Baseball • Oak Griner Youth Baseball • Ocala Shocker Park • Ralph Russell Park • Rotary Sportsplex of Marion County • Scott Carrigan Baseball • St. John Lutheran School Athletics • Wrigley Ballpark Concessions 1,674+ Residents have access to housing with Tobacco-free grounds 12,209 Employees have access to Wellness Programs at work 55,795 Patients of 97 providers can access MyHealthStory to better coordinate their health information with multiple providers 85,000+ Residents have access to free Diabetes management classes 45 Locations 190,000+ Residents have access to healthier restaurant menu options Find Restaurants With Healthier Menu Options download the Let’s Eat Healthy APP www.MeasureUpMarion.org • Todd and Fresh • Wayne's Local Restaurants Chain Supporters • Burger • Snappy • Subway • Uncle

85,000+ Residents have access to free Diabetes management classes

Healthier download

Are

Find Restaurants With Healthier Menu Options download the Let’s Eat Healthy APP www.MeasureUpMarion.org • Todd and Shellys Farm Fresh Produce • Wayne's Kitchen Local Restaurants Chain Supporters

Marion County Public Schools –Nancy Seaman, Lori Lively

55,795 Patients

97 providers can access MyHealthStory to better coordinate their health information with multiple providers

190,000+ Residents have access to healthier restaurant menu options

CATCH Kids Club teaches healthy eating choices in 45 locations including preschools and 37 elementary schools

• Munroe Regional Medical Center –Mike Griggs, Brad McLarty

On Top of the World – Edie Gandy

•

Peterson and Smith Equine Hospital

Cyndi Ray

Seminole Feed – Christine Gledden

• Southeast Milk – Lane Radford

97 providers can access

Who’s Helping Us: Local Restaurants • Gator Joe's • Harvest Market and Deli • La Hacienda • Mojo's (x 3) • Molly's MaGuires • Ocala Fresh Produce • Pineapple Pam's Cafe • Shuckers • The Lunchbox Concessions • Big Sun Youth Soccer League • Blessed Trinity Catholic School Athletics • College of Central Florida Concessions • Highland’s Youth Baseball

Let’s Be Active At Work!

Whether at the desk, driving, or in meetings, many employees sit for long periods of time. Frequent momements of movement throughout the day can help combat “sitter’s disease” and lead to happier and more productive employees.

The Sit for 60-Move for 3 program reminds employees to get up and get moving and encourages them to increase their activity level throughout the day. The average US worker spends about 50 hours per week on the job, so employers who support physical movement throughout the day can have a major impact on employee health.

Let’s Make a Healthy Turn Around

With the help of Measure Up Marion’s Worksite Wellness Team, the City of Belleview implemented an active workplace initiative and My Healthy Turnaround, a CDC-approved diabetes prevention program. Employee Angilia Pittsley enrolled in the program and encouraged her husband to make healthy behavior changes too. Together they lost almost 80 pounds and are reaping the benefits of a healthier lifestyle.

Angilia shared, “My husband and I changed our eating habits together. Our doctor is amazed at the weight we both have lost and the changes we have made. We are both grateful my employer provided this opportunity!”

It’s leaders like Belleview Mayor Christine Dobkowski and the other worksite CEOs partnering with Measure Up Marion that will make stories like Angilia’s a common occurance. Let’s All Choose Healthy!

Marion County Children’s Alliance

Brianna Liles, MS, RD, LD/N • 352-438-5996

When the worksite emphasizes wellness, employees find it easier to succeed.

Heather Wyman • 352-438-5988

QuitDoc Foundation

Tammy Slaughter • 352-359-5383

Manette Cheshareck • 352-682-1915

Co-workers are a great source of accountability and motivation to help one another achieve goals.

Sarah Damien • 352-538-1941

My Health Story

Kendra Siler-Marsiglio, Ph.D.

Community Health IT

Call/Text: 904-318-5803

CommunityHealthIT.org

Educational opportunities in the work setting can teach employees how to reduce risks, or better manage chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.

Community Health Workers Kimberly Pike Florida Department of Health Marion County 352-629-0137 x2025

Barrett, Liner and Company

How Worksite Wellness Programs Help Improve Overall Community Health Support Teamwork Education Priorities

Bess Gortemoller

Laurel Lingle, MS,CNM,CPT 352-622-9124

When employees learn healthy habits and see the benefits of their new lifestyle, they share their knowledge and enthusiasm with those who matter most–their families!

Made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through Heart of Florida Health Center.

The Measure Up Marion icon makes it easier to find the healthier choice at vending machines.

Contact Maclyn Walker • 352-877-7364

www.MeasureUpMarion.org

Let’s Snack Healthier at Work

“I have more energy and have been more physically active since we started the program.”

Angilia Pittsley City of Belleview, FL employee.

Photo by John Jernigan

the perfect peach

A peach is a versatile, sublime combination of tart, sweet, juicy and refreshing. Consider it the ideal summer ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.

› Photos and recipe by Robin Fannon

The New York Times recently published a report on the historically poor 2017 peach season taking place in the South. And although this may in fact be the case in America’s cobbler belt, backyards in Florida are experiencing bumper crops. New and innovative recipes dance in my head like sugar plum fairies, and I can barely keep up with their abundance. The following is one of my favorites.

Bon Appétit!

Peach Galette th esh Berries

The beauty of this recipe is that you can really control how much sugar is used. If your fruit is ripe, let their natural sugars shine. If you are watching your sugar intake, as most of us should, use as little as possible or substitute with Stevia, a touch

of maple syrup or wild, local honey. I do not recommend artificial sweeteners. If you are avoiding white flour, you can also substitute all-purpose flour with coconut or almond flour. There are some good organic frozen pu pastry products on the market, and you can certainly make a gluten-free rendition of this recipe, if desired.

1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, thawed

3 tablespoon of Turbinado sugar (or your choice of sweetener)

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)

2 cups peeled and pitted fresh peaches (approximately 4 large peaches)

1⁄2 cup fresh blueberries

1⁄2 cup fresh raspberries

1⁄2 teaspoon Himalayan sea salt

Alternatives

• A creamy filling can be used between the pu pastry and the fruit, such as cream cheese, jam, pastry creme or pudding.

• Once you remove the galette from the oven it can be brushed with melted peach jam to give it a nice glaze.

Pre-heat oven to 425°F. › Line baking sheet with parchment paper. › Roll puff pastry to 12x14-inch rectangle; place on baking sheet. › With a fork, prick a 1-inch border all the way around and in a few places in the center of the rectangle. › Bake in oven for approximately 10 minutes or until golden brown. › In a bowl, toss fruit with flour, 1 tablespoon of sugar and salt. › Remove crust from oven, and gently press down in the inside of the border. › Arrange fruit as desired on top of puff pastry. › Cover the crusts with strips of foil to prevent burning. › Bake for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, removing the foil the last 5 minutes. › Remove from oven, and cool on a rack. › Serve with your favorite ice cream, whipped cream, yogurt or frozen yogurt.

rsvprobin.com

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.

to cheat or treat

Does one diet cheat day actually help?

› By Angelique Anacleto

It’s good to be bad. Finally! Wait, sneaking a snack is surely bound to throw your diet completely o course, right? Not entirely. Quieting an excruciating craving has its benefits.

scheduled cheating

Medical authorities like Dr. Mehmet Oz, trainers and, yes, celebrities, profess inserting one cheat day (“Faturday” or “Sunday Fun Day”) into your weekly regimen to maintain long-term weight goals. Better to allow one bite than gorge and fall o the wagon for good.

More scientifically, a Good Morning America report contends that permitting a snack amid strict dietary standards can increase leptin, the satiety hormone that signals when to stop eating after storing adequate energy. (Restraining calories for prolonged periods can cause leptin levels to drop, possibly building toward binge blowouts.) The body then increases metabolism, burning more calories after overeating.

Psychologically, cheating releases pent-up dieting tension. And looking forward to this weekly built-in feature can maintain morale and court a sustainable mindset.

Now lean in for the catch: Cheat within reason. Your goals still necessitate staying somewhat cognizant of that day’s calories. Plus, celebrations shouldn’t mutate into cheat weeks or months.

80/20 rule

The 80/20 Diet author Teresa Cutter purports eating less healthfully 20 percent of every week. In short, cheat four meals weekly.

mindful treats

Cynthia Johnson, a registered dietitian for the Florida Department of Health in Citrus County, notes that punitive cheat labels set dieters up for failure. Instead, she promotes a responsible, evenkeel outlook that positively recognizes indulgent food as a sensible treat.

“Clients end up on a diet because of poor self-control,” says Johnson. “When they have a cheat day, they don’t know when to hit the brakes. If you label a food as o -limits, you begin to obsess and crave and will likely overeat. I encourage a treat-aday instead. When we listen to

our appetite and occasionally add favorite foods in small amounts, we don’t have cravings. Mindful eating is vitally important to staying satisfied on a meal plan. Savor every bite, and don’t deprive yourself. If you eat a small treat, you won’t miss it so much that you crave it and cheat.”

For more nutrition information and diet tips, Johnson recommends choosemyplate.gov, which features supertracker.usda.gov to calculate daily intake.

exercise rest day

A mandatory rest day from exercise is equally beneficial, allowing muscles and joints to recover, as well as preventing untimely wear and injury from overuse. Rest days can still incorporate mental breaks, like casual walks, light sports playing or yoga.

CHEAT WITHIN REASON. Your goals still necessitate staying somewhat cognizant of that day’s calories.

hard core

Ferocious abs can be a workout warrior’s mightiest asset.

› By Angelique Anacleto

You can tell a lot about a person based on abdominal muscles: health, strength, endurance level, ability, attractiveness, age, vanity. Located at the body’s core, you quickly assess whether to rely on a teammate during a grueling grudge match or size up if she’s boot camp material. To slay with abs of steel, there are no quick fixes beside the “eat clean, move more” mantra.

straighten up

Not only does good posture create a tall, confident demeanor, it enlists opposing back muscles to flatten and strengthen front abdominals.

For Brenden Ramsey, personal training coordinator at Ocala’s Frank DeLuca YMCA, proper posture creates the stable foundation for all other movement.

“Good posture consists of keeping the neck, shoulders and hips in a neutral position, and the core is responsible,” says Ramsey. “Abdominals keep hips in a neutral position by counteracting the posterior chain.”

Ramsey proposes tightly clenching the core while performing planks, squats, overhead presses, weight deadlifts, anti-rotation holds and presses (using arm cable tension from either side), and hollow rocks (tensing abs while rocking on back with outstretched arms overhead).

laced with hot air

Celebrities buzz about corset training, but the cinch-an-inch obsession should stick to the

Victorian age, as genetics determines body shape. Sucking in to invent an exaggerated hourglass figure is useless because relatively quickly, the torso inevitably snaps back after removing.

The Doctors television medical panel cautions against tightly constricting your internal organs because it causes indigestion, chest pain and shortness of breath by crushing the diaphragm.

Ironically, corseting prevents developing bu musculature and only creates an illusion that redistributes fat and organs. To occasionally smooth out clothing lines, opt for flexible shapewear like Spanx.

more fashion faux pas

There’s also no real evidence behind strapping on weight belts or compression wear. To prevent straining the abdominal wall or herniating spinal discs, focus on controlled motion. And rather than encouraging circulation, compression clothing only makes users sweatier.

stomach smoothing

Although cocoa butter has been renowned for smoothing stretch marks due to pregnancy, puberty, weight gain or weightlifting, a New York Times health report cites a double-blind study dubbing vitamin E (tocopherol) as the true champion of keeping lines at bay.

belly laughs

Start giggling, especially because this mimics a mini crunch by working the diaphragm, contracting abdominals and engaging shoulders. A case of hahas also releases stress, lowers blood pressure, boosts immunity, and improves respiratory

and cardiovascular systems. Laughing 100 times a day is equivalent to 15 minutes of cardio exercise!

the cinch-an-inch obsession should stick to the Victorian age since genetics determines body shape.

sleep tight

A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience suggests that missing out on sleep may cause your brain to turn on itself. Astrocytes are the type of cell that rid the brain of worn out cells and unneeded debris at the end of each day. These cells go into overdrive when the body chronically lacks sleep, making it possible for the cells to attack more of the brain than necessary. Microglial cells, which have been linked to a variety of brain disorders, are also more active when sleep is deprived. With prolonged sleep deprivation, a person may be more susceptible to disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia due to an overactive brain. Make sure you’re getting your eight hours of Zs each night! Your brain health may depend on it.

burnin’ up

disposable lighters

Warning labels instruct users to never expose lighters to heat above 120 degrees or direct, prolonged sunlight.

water bottles

cellphones and laptops

canned soda

› By Laurel Gillum

For some families, a car seems to serve as a second home. Although it’s common knowledge not to leave children or pets in a hot car, there are a few other items that are better left inside.

sunscreens and medications

Storing sunscreens and medications in extreme heat can alter the molecular structure of the formulas and change their composition. Most medications and personal care items are meant to be stored at room temperature and should never be left in the heat.

Studies have linked BPA and phthalates, chemicals found in plastic water bottles, to health conditions like cancer and heart disease. These same chemicals have been proven to leach into the water contained in plastic water bottles as the temperature rises. In addition to this hazard, if the bottle has been lying around for a while, it could start harboring unsafe microorganisms.

Extreme heat can damage your electronics’ processor, lower the battery life and expand the hard drive. In Florida’s humidity, condensation can build up on the inside of the device. If you must leave your electronics in your car, it’s extremely important to leave them out of

cds and dvds

CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs are made mostly from polycarbonate plastic, which can easily warp and melt if left in summer weather.

lipsticks

Remove your shades from the sunglasses compartment once you’ve reached your destination. Heat can warp plastic frames and make metal ones too hot to wear.

Made up of pigments, oils, waxes and emollients, lipstick melts in environments just slightly above room temperature. In addition, storing lipsticks in the hot car can alter their composition, creating a di erent color result than before. Think it can’t get much worse? The stains that melted lip color leave on upholstery are irreversible.

Carbonated beverages are sealed tight to keep the air inside and the soda bubbly. Because soda cans are made from aluminum and metal conducts heat, an increase in temperature on the outside of the can will result in the increased temperature of the liquid inside. As the can heats up, the liquid molecules expand, increasing the pressure inside the can. Once the pressure has reached its maximum, the can has the potential to explode—messy and dangerous.

At 80 degrees on a sunny day, the temperature inside a car parked in direct sunlight can quickly rise to above 130 degrees.

be honest

Talk to your child early on and let them know how much you value honesty. Share with your children how being honest has benefited you in your lifetime. Share with them how lying has a ected you. In parent-child relationships, honesty helps build mutual trust and respect.

monkey see, monkey do

Actions speak louder than words. Model honesty for your children—not only in your words but also in your lifestyle.

KEEP CALM AND...

Do not ever act impatient, suspicious or angry with your children—especially when you suspect they are about to lie or fabricate a story. If you initially feel hurt or angry, take a step back from the situation before acting on those feelings. After

truth counts

Have you ever heard the story of the little boy who cried wolf?

›

By Laurel Gillum

Fables such as these are sometimes used to teach children the importance of telling the truth. Other times, a few more steps are needed when it comes to teaching honesty. Follow these tips to make the lessons go smoother.

show and tell

With younger children, explain that it’s hard to get along with people who lie. Play a game of Chutes and Ladders as an example to explain how you can’t play the game if one person is lying. Pinocchio is a classic Disney movie with a great message for younger audiences.

trust issues

With older children, introduce the concepts of trust and reputation. Explain to your children how it may be harder to reestablish trust once it’s lost. You might use examples from your own personal experiences or from others to help them grasp the penalty of having an untrustworthy reputation.

consequences

If you choose to discipline your child, consider that the punishment for lying should be made clear in advance of seeking a confession, and the punishment should always be relevant to whatever initiated it. Don’t be too harsh. After all, fear of punishment is the most common reason children and adults lie. If habits continue or worsen, you may want to seek the advice of a professional counselor.

Sources: pbs.com, askdrsears.com

the anger has passed, explain to your child that you understand that everyone makes mistakes and you would like them to be truthful with you about any mistakes they have made.

The Nature Coast’s LOCAL radio stations!

More music & less talk.

We know why our audience listens to our stations…because they LOVE THE MUSIC! So we avoid DJ chatter and deliver the greatest Top 40 and classic hits of all time, along with important information like news, sports and weather. As a result, our listeners listen longer!

The Nature Coast’s #1 hit music station

Classic Hits

Classic Hits

From chest pain to open heart surgery to

Our patient-centered heart experts are committed to giving you the very best in individualized care while incorporating modern technology to ensure you have the highest quality outcomes. We offer a continuum of care from diagnosis to treatment to rehabilitation so you can have peace of mind knowing that access to the region’s best cardiac care is right in your backyard.

With emergency services in three locations, we’re ready to care for your heart 24/7!