expertise meets

Mid Florida Eye Center has been advancing eye care in Lake County for over 25 years. Now, with Laser Cataract Surgery, our patients have more options than ever before for restoring their vision and being independent of glasses. Bladeless

Laser is the most advanced cataract surgery technique available today. Our renowned cataract surgeonsDr. Jeffrey D. Baumann, Dr. Gregory J. Panzo, and Dr. Keith C. Charleshave performed more than 150,000 cataract and laser procedures, they understand how to effectively leverage laser technology to achieve the best possible visual outcomes. Schedule your cataract consultation today by calling 1-888-820-7878 or 352-735-2020 to see if Laser Cataract Surgery is an option for you.

You Are What You Eat

Fast food, greasy pizza and ice cream may satisfy our hunger cravings now, but they’ll likely lead to a life of illness and obesity in the future. It is important to understand that the recipe for a happy, healthy life is simple: nutrition. But how do we know what to eat? What’s healthy and what’s not? Our comprehensive nutrition guide helps answer those questions while steering you away from the world of fried foods and desserts.

WRITERS: JAMES COMBS AND SHEMIR WILES

Forever Young

If you think living beyond 100 means being bedridden, sick, and miserable, you better think again. We recently visited six local centenarians who defy those outdated stereotypes. Through laughter, positive thinking, relationships and exercise, they continue living a life of fun and fulfillment.

WRITER: JAMES COMBS

AN APP A DAY … MAY HELP YOU LIVE ANOTHER DAY

Apps these days do much more than simply entertain us. They are lifesavers … literally. From learning about side effects of various medications to sharing important health tips with fellow diabetics, apps can potentially save our lives or help us save the life of a loved one.

WRITER: GARY CORSAIR

A Ray Of Hope

Some doctors may simply prescribe medication to mask symptoms of a disease. Innovative doctors would rather reverse the disease altogether. One of them is Dr. Shalesh Kaushal of Retina Specialty Institute. He is hosting a seminar this month that brings together some of the country’s brightest clinicians to discuss the possibility of reversing certain diseases.

WRITER: JAMES COMBS some of possibility of reve WRITER: COMB

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 65

Health Pros

Our special Health Pros section features doctors who are not only talented in their respective fields but also display a great deal of care and compassion. Find out why they are respected among colleagues and patients alike.

What other lessons can be gleaned besides the obvious “slow and steady wins the

In Every Issue

EAT FIT/NOT FAT

110 CAN THE SODIUM TO HAVE A SOUPER MEAL

The scoop on soup: Why homemade soup delivers superior health benefits.

WRITER: ANNA GUNTER

SHAPE

112 GET ON THE BALL

If used correctly, dumbbells can help transform your body.

WRITER: KRIS HALL

LOOK

114 WINTERIZE YOUR SKIN

Read about these important tips to prepare your skin for the cold season.

WRITER: RUTH ANN BYRD

HOMEGROWN

116 VOCAL ABOUT LOCAL

Staying local and fresh is always best when it comes to food.

WRITER: MARYANN HOLDEN, CHHC AADP LPN

AROMATIC

117 CHECK YOUR OIL, MA’AM?

Learn about oils that are absolutely … well … essential.

WRITER: STEPHANIE CLUNN

Healthymind

GUIDELINES

120 A CLICK AWAY FROM MAJOR CONSEQUENCE

High-tech cheating and plagiarism may leave students in a tangled web.

WRITER: GREG FRESCOLN

BRAIN GAMES

121 WHEEL WORDS AND MORE Challenge your mind and see what kind of game you’ve got.

DESTINATION

122 RESOLVE TO NOT RESOLVE

None of your New Year’s goals are attainable without a starting point.

WRITER: SCOTT PERKINS

ENDEAVOR

123 READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY

According to studies, America needs to become a nation of readers.

WRITER: GREG FRESCOLN

Healthyspirit

DIRECTION

126 LET YOUR ‘YES’ MEAN ‘YES’ When it comes to children, how do you balance discipline and love?

WRITER: DAVE BRABHAM

MENCOURAGEMENT

128 OLD SPIES DON’T RETIRE You’re never too old to serve the Lord with purpose and courage.

WRITER: RICHARD BURQUET

NOURISHMENT

129 CHEW ON THIS Nutrition is not the only source or nourishment.

WRITER: MARYANN HOLDEN, CHHC AADP LPN

BALANCE

130 A THEME FOR 2015: SLOW DOWN

AGRICULTURE

134 EAT HEALTHY, BUT DON’T SPEND MORE MONEY

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to eat healthy without spending a fortune.

DAVE SAYS

136 TEACH HER TO BE RESPONSIBLE FIRST Renowned financial expert Dave Ramsey offers common ‘cents’ advice on being financially smart.

WRITER: DAVE RAMSEY

PRIVACY

138 CREDIT CHECKS AND YOUR FICO SCORES

Why do collection agencies pull your credit score and how is your score affected?

WRITER: RICHAR

RICHARD BOSSHARDT

Even in our fast-paced society, we should slow down and savor the simple DR.

The old and admittedly tired, but true adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” now has been given new life. This perfect on -the-go preworkout snack now comes with a side of protein, magnesium, iron, and of course, a drizzle of dark chocolate. (Besides, chocolate is practically good on anything.)

More on page 113

KENDRA AKERS publisher/editor-in-chief kendra@akersmediagroup.com

DOUG AKERS vice president doug@akersmediagroup.com

JAMIE EZRA MARK chief creative officer jamie@akersmediagroup.com

SABRINA CICERI associate publisher sabrina@akersmediagroup.com

EDITORIAL // DESIGN // PHOTOGRAPHY

GARY CORSAIR executive editor gary@akersmediagroup.com

SHEMIR WILES senior staff writer shemir@akersmediagroup.com

BOB TENNANT copy chief bob@akersmediagroup.com

JAMES COMBS staff writer james@akersmediagroup.com

CAL GAINES staff photographer cal@akersmediagroup.com