Healthy Living July 2014

SUPER SAVER

Tammy puts the whammy on spending

YOU GOTTA SEE MY DOC

Pleased patients praise physicians

SAYING “I DON’T”

Divorce your bills, not your spouse

Limbstitute has made giant strides utilizing the latest techniques and technologies to improve limb health—but the first steps are yours. Simply put, the Limbstitute was created to save legs. We provide comprehensive vein care and incorporate

the latest technologies—closing off veins with radio waves for example—to get the best results. We’re also wound care specialists and experts in artificial skin grafts. We do whatever it takes to save a limb and give a patient their life back.

TomTran PA-C, MPAS • Phlebologist

MikeRichards PA-C, MPAS • Phlebologist

INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL EXCELLENCE

Summerfield 10435 SE 170th Place // 352.233.4393

The Villages 1950 Laurel Manor Dr., Bldg 240 // 352.509.9295

Williston 412 W. Noble Ave. // 352.528.0790 ocalaice.com

LIMBSTITUTE

Summerfield 10435 SE 170th Place // 352.233.4393

Tavares 2754 Dora Ave. // 352.259.5960

The Villages 1050 Old Camp Road // 352.259.5960 limbstitute.com

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 140,000 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.

FINANCIAL FITNESS

Your bank account can be ripped and rocksolid no matter where you are at in life.

WRITER: SHEMIR WILES

SHOP WHEN IT DROPS

Tammy Jennings has dozens of tried-and-true ways to stretch a dollar … and she’s always looking for more ways to cut costs.

WRITER: GARY CORSAIR

CONTINUED

HEALTHYBODY

SHAPE

56 DO MORE FOR YOUR CORE

Lose ab flab with Pilates.

WRITER: TRACY DRAPER

LOOK

60 ASSESSING ASTRINGENTS

Facial toners have come a long way.

WRITER: RUTH ANN BYRD

EAT FIT/NOT FAT

62 GOTTA HAVE FRIES?

Give fries a meal makeover.

WRITER: ANNA GUNTER, M.S., R.D., L.D./N

HEALTHYMIND

COGNITIVE

66

HEALTHYSPIRIT

BALANCE

IN EVERY ISSUE

10

14

16

22

76

78

82 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

HEALTHYFINANCE

SECURITY

I’M NORMAL … AT LEAST I THINK I’M NORMAL … WHAT’S NORMAL?

Mental health is important, so how’s yours?

WRITER: RICHARD T. BOSSHARDT, M.D., FACS

70 JUGGLING ACT

Financially challenged couples need checks and balances.

WRITER: ROBERT H. BLANCHETTE, ED.S.; M.ED.

MENCOURAGEMENT

72 DRAMA-FREE VACATIONS ARE OVERRATED

Overcoming challenges produce best memories.

WRITER: RICHARD BURGUET

74 SIX STEPS TO ESTABLISHING GOOD CREDIT

From buying a house to getting a job, you’ll need a good credit profile.

WRITERS: THOMAS FROSS AND ROBERT FROSS

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

EDITORIAL // DESIGN // PHOTOGRAPHY

HEALTH COSTS

This month, we feature finance in Healthy Living. What, you may ask, “does managing money have to do with my health?” Let me explain.

When you think of health, you most likely think of someone in good physical shape who eats well and looks great. For us at Healthy Living, being healthy means so much more than good physical health. It means being in balance. For example, have you ever known a person who was in great physical shape but suffering from relationship and financial problems? If so, that person was most likely suffering from stress, anxiety or depression stemming from his/her personal issues. Even though that person looked healthy, there were most likely things happening within the body that caused major health issues. Stress and anxiety trigger many medical problems such as high blood pressure, mental fatigue, digestive issues, depression and even stroke or heart attack. If certain aspects of a person’s life are in disarray, this can cause a person to be uneasy, which can lead to disease.

For this reason, Healthy Living has built its foundation on four core pillars of health. Each month we touch on aspects of mental, financial, spiritual and physical health. If these four aspects of a person’s life are stable and healthy, that person is living a balanced life.

In order to help our readers stay in balance we have put together a great financial issue for you. First, we focus on the health benefits of being financially stable. Then we share some insightful tips on saving money.

It is our goal to serve as a self-help publication and keep our readers healthy and thriving. In fact, if you have a story you would like to share because you think it would help someone else, we invite you to visit our Facebook page and share it with us. Here is our Facebook link: facebook.com/HealthyLivingMag.LakeCounty.

I hope you enjoy this month’s issue.

Stay healthy,

GARY CORSAIR executive editor gary@akersmediagroup.com

SHEMIR WILES senior staff writer shemir@akersmediagroup.com

BOB TENNANT copy chief bob@akersmediagroup.com

MARY ANN D ESANTIS editor-at-large maryann@akersmediagroup.com

JAMES COMBS staff writer james@akersmediagroup.com

FRED LOPEZ chief photographer fred@akersmediagroup.com

STEVEN J. CODRARO creative director steve@akersmediagroup.com

JOSH CLARK senior designer/advertising josh@akersmediagroup.com

ANTHONY CASTO senior designer/editorial anthony@akersmediagroup.com

MICHAEL GAULIN production director michael@akersmediagroup.com

MATTHEW GAULIN photography assistant matt@akersmediagroup.com

CONTRIBUTING

contributing writers

ROBERT H. BLANCHETTE, ED.S

RICHARD T. BOSSHARDT, MD, FACS

RICHARD BURGUET RUTH ANN BYRD

ROBERT AND THOMAS FROSS

ANNA GUNTER, MS, RD, LD/N

FRED HILTON

contributing photographers

AUBREY AKERS RON VANDEVANDER

SALES // MARKETING

TIM MCRAE vice president of sales and marketing tim@akersmediagroup.com

MIKE STEGALL senior marketing representative mike@akersmediagroup.com

MELANIE MELVIN marketing director melanie@akerscreative.com

HEIDI RESSLER marketing representative heidi@akersmediagroup.com

AUBREY AKERS production coordinator aubrey@akersmediagroup.com

LACEY MORGAN marketing assistant lacey@akerscreative.com

ADMINISTRATION

TINA MORRISON office manager tina@akersmediagroup.com

BRITTANY BUELL administrative assistant brittany@akersmediagroup.com

DISTRIBUTION

SCOTT HEGG distribution manager scott.hegg@akersmediagroup.com

Kendra Akers Akers

Comments or questions for our publisher? Please email kendra@akersmediagroup.com. Our goal is to provide you with the best quality publication, so your feedback is vital.

LIVE AND LET SAVE

I’m lousy with money, a curse I inflicted upon myself in high school when I declined to take economics and opted for graphic arts.

I can’t balance my checkbook, but I can silkscreen a T-shirt.

But I’m getting better with money. I’ve learned a few tricks. I’m not in the same league as Super Saver Tammy Jennings, a legendary shopper profiled in this issue, but I’ve discovered a few ways to save money you might find helpful:

• WLBE AM 790 radio. Tune to the “Party Line” program, where callers buy, sell and trade each weekday morning. I scored a Cub Cadet riding lawnmower with a 46-inch deck for $150, used it a few weeks, sold it for $300, and then purchased something newer. You can also nab great deals on WLBE’s Lake County auction program, where callers bid on gift certificates from local businesses.

• Air filters. Your car’s air filter affects your gas mileage. And since air filters are inexpensive and easy to change, there’s no excuse for having a dirty one. Also, check the air filters in your home. The dirtier they are, the more you spend on electricity.

• eBay. I’ve purchased shoes, doggy pee pads, Crystal Light drink mix, a car cover, cameras, CDs, cellphone batteries, books, bubble mailers, a car fender, replacement taillight lens, a trophy, baseball pants, a Shark floor cleaner, shock absorbers, plastic record album sleeves, baseballs and even two cars from eBay. It’s a great place to shop if you’re not in a rush.

• Customer loyalty websites. Your favorite restaurant or store probably offers discounts to loyal customers. My wife and I enjoy Sweet Tomatoes, and we plan our trips to the restaurant around online coupons we receive via email each week. Many restaurants and stores also give punch cards. Get them and don’t hesitate to ask for extra punches. Most servers and cashiers are happy to comply.

• The Villages. Bargains are routinely found at TalkoftheVillages.com and yard sales in The Villages. A likenew Snapper riding mower was my latest great buy from TalkoftheVillages.com. I paid $525. And there’s no need to yard sale any place else. Villagers take care of their stuff.

• Craigslist. I purchased three used laptops and a barely used tablet on Craigslist for $600, and all four items are still going strong. But be forewarned — a lot of scammers and lowlifes hang out here. Don’t give out personal information and never meet at your home or a secluded spot. Get the person’s name and see if they have a Facebook page. Check them out. Better yet, search their name on the Clerk of Court website in the county they live in. You’ll find traffic infractions, lawsuits and judgments. Or you won’t. That’s the point. Say goodbye if something doesn’t sound right.

• Pawnshops. Two years ago, we purchased our 46-inch flat-screen TV at a pawnshop for $319. You’ll find great prices on tools, musical instruments and jewelry, too. Great place to buy; lousy place to sell.

• Big Lots. No one sells beef jerky for less. ‘Nuff said.

• Tin Can Pam’s. Check the expiration dates at this scratch-and-dent on U.S. Highway 301 in Wildwood and you’ll realize many items haven’t reached the “do not consume after” date. I picked up 10 bottles of World Harbors teriyaki marinade for $1 a bottle, which saved me at least $30.

• Priceline. Use the “Name your own price” option. I’ve scored four-star hotels for well under $100.

• Goodwill. A friend buys designer clothes and handbags and sells them for 10 times what he paid. Keep in mind that location is everything. Goodwill stores in Sarasota, Naples, and Fort Lauderdale are designer boutiques compared to Goodwill stores in smaller, less-affluent communities.

Those are just a few of my pointers. Drop me a line and tell me how you save money.

Until next time, Gary

Corsair

Erica Harden, ARNP

“As a nurse practitioner, I help patients manage their hypertension by teaching them how they can be their healthiest. I encourage my patients to be involved in creating their treatment plan. I try to teach each patient that healthy life style changes can help reduce their cardiac risk and try to reduce their medication

I’ve been with Heart of The Villages since January and I absolutely love the doctors, the patients, and the staff.

Overall, I believe we as a practice are focused on offering compassionate, patient-centered care that makes a difference, and that makes me proud to be a part of this organization.”

I am the Heart of the Villages

Sources: “What makes our feet fall asleep?” by Paige Williams. MSNBC. nbcnews.com/id/3076701/t/what-makes-our-feet-fall-asleep/ “What causes arms, legs, and feet to fall asleep?” HowStuffWorks.com. health.howstuffworks.com/ human-body/parts/question552.htm; “What causes arms, legs, and feet to ‘fall asleep’ ” TodayIFoundOut.com. todayifoundout.com/i ndex.php/2012/01/what-causes-arms-legs-and-feet-to-fall-asleep/; “Why does my foot always fall asleep?”

Medical mysteries

SHHH! DO NOT DISTURB. FOOT IS SLEEPING.

WRITER: FRED HILTON

ZocDoc Answers. zocdoc.com/answers/10576/why-does-my-foot-always-fall-asleep#.; “Tingling in Hands and Feet,” WebMD.com. webmd. com/brain/tingling-in-hands-and-feet

Having your foot fall asleep isn’t unusual. It happens to all of us. For example, one Saturday last fall I was sitting quietly and reading Beowulf in the original Old English for the seventh time. Ok, I’m lying. Full disclosure: I was in a bar watching college football and thoroughly enjoying the Seminoles stomping some poor souls in a total blowout. When I tried to get down from my barstool and my right foot hit the floor, there was nothing there — just a lump of size 11½ numbness. My foot was dead. Luckily, I was able to steady myself before I fell flat on my keister.

So, what went wrong? There is a common misconception that a limb that falls asleep is caused by a lack of blood flow to the entire limb. Actually, when your foot or arm goes to sleep, blood flow hasn’t been blocked to the whole appendage — only to certain nerves. Cutting off blood flow to the entire limb could cause extremely severe health problems.

Dr. Robert Daroff, a professor of neurology at Case Western Reserve

University in Cleveland, explained to Paige Williams of MSNBC News that when “sustained pressure is exerted on a portion of your leg, or any distal limb, one of two things usually happens. In some cases, arteries become compressed, making them unable to supply local tissues and nerve cells with the nutrients (mainly oxygen and glucose) they need to function properly,” or “the nerve pathways can become blocked, preventing normal transmission of electrochemical impulses to the brain.” The result is a loss of feeling in your foot.

Once you move your foot, the nerve impulses begin to flow properly again, but you don’t regain feeling immediately. The “pins and needles” sensation can remain for a short while.

Technically known as “paresthesia,” the syndrome is explained by Today

I Found Out with an analogy to a garden hose. “Think of a person standing on a garden hose. It’s hard for the water to get to the nozzle when the person’s feet get in the way. If the person’s heavy enough, or she stands on the hose for too long and the hose fully compresses, water will eventually stop flowing entirely. Once this pressure is relieved, your nerve will start to function normally again.”

Excessive vibration can also lead to paresthesia. There are, however, no reported cases of paresthesia being caused by reading Beowulf

FRED HILTON spent 36 years as the chief public relations officer/spokesman for James Madison University in Virginia and 10 years as a reporter and editor for The Roanoke Times in Virginia. He is now happily retired in The Villages with his interior designer wife, Leta, their Cadillac Escalade golf cart, and their dog, Paris. (Yes, that makes her Paris Hilton).

INSIDE SCOOP

July is National Ice Cream Month, but you shouldn’t go overboard on the tasty dessert I scream, you scream, we all scream for. The chilling truth is ice cream is high in milk fat and sugar, which can contribute to heart disease, stroke, obesity and cavities. Consider screaming for frozen yogurt or sherbet instead.

A COLD, HARD FACT:

The average person in the U.S. consumes 48 pints of ice cream each year.

Source: icecream.com/funfacts/funfacts. asp?b=105

WELL, SON OF A BUN

Americans typically eat 150 million hot dogs during the Fourth of July holiday, according to the National Sausage and Hot Dog Council. And many find their pants a bit tighter on July 5. That’s because one hot dog can contain 150 to 400 calories. If you want to maintain your killer buns, strongly consider ditching the bun holding the hot dog, which adds 80 to 130 calories, depending on bun size.

A TOMATO A DAY MAY KEEP THE DOCTOR AWAY

THE SKINNY ON EXERCISES

How many calories would a 200-pound person burn in one hour by performing the following exercises?

BACKPACKING

637 CALORIES BASKETBALL GAME

728 CALORIES BICYCLING (LESS THAN 10 MPH)

Lycopene is part of the carotenoid group that gives tomatoes and other foods their deep red color. However, lycopene is best known for its health benefits, including being a powerful antioxidant and cancer-fighting agent. Lycopene also helps prevent the following:

othe its he h cancer-fig

• Plaque buildup, which narrows and hardens arteries

• Diabetes

• • Diabete

• Age-rel

• Age-related macular degeneration and cataracts

364 CALORIES CANOEING

• Aging of skin

• Agging o

• Osteop

• Osteoporosis

In addition to tomatoes, high concentrations of lycopene can be found in watermelon, pink grapefruit, papaya, rosehips and pink guava.

Source: fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/health-benefits-of-lycopene.html

fast fact! July 31 is National Heat Stroke Prevention Day. Never leave your child unattended in a car, even if you’re going to be gone for several minutes. In 2013, 39 children died of heat stroke after being left in vehicles.

POP QUIZ!

NEVER TOO OLD FOR TAG

Even if you’re no longer in your teens or early 20s, playing tag or flag football is a great way to stay in shape. Speaking of football, several scenes from a popular movie starring Adam Sandler, Kathy Bates and Henry Winkler were filmed along Lake Louisa. What was the name of the movie?

Visit lakehealthyliving.com to see if you answered correctly.

319 CALORIES BALLROOM DANCING

273 CALORIES WALKING (2 MPH)

255 CALORIES

STAIR TREADMILL

819 CALORIES

Source: Mayo Clinic

Channel better health

Lake Sumter Television has added a program to help local residents achieve healthier lives.

“Waterman Wellness,” a monthly health and wellness program, debuted in May. The show features Florida Hospital Waterman experts who shed light on important medical topics, as well as ways for viewers to easily enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Each episode features medical practitioners discussing health and wellness and a registered dietitian and chef demonstrating delicious recipes from the Conry CREATION Health Center Kitchen. The program also provides information on public seminars and events that the community can attend.

“Waterman Wellness” airs more than 40 times throughout the month, so there’s no excuse to miss an episode.

than 40 times the so no excuse to an available at

The programming schedule is available at LakeSumterTV.com/ Programming.

Robo Doc

In May, Central Florida Health Alliance became the first hospital system in the region and the fourth in the nation to install the da Vinci Xi Surgical System. This robotic-assisted surgery system was introduced at The Villages Regional Hospital. The da Vinci Xi delivers real-time 3D, high-definition video and uses thinner robotic arms with a greater range of motion than previous versions. That creates a more natural extension of the surgeon’s eyes and hands. The goal is to reduce the size of surgical incisions and decrease the amount of tissue damage during surgery. As a result, patients should experience less pain and quicker recovery times.

NURSING PROGRAM RECEIVES BOOST

The Charles and Mary McLin Foundation graciously donated $21,950 to the Lake-Sumter State College Foundation Inc. to further support simulation technology curriculum for nursing students with the utilization of the Demo Dose Medication Dispensing System.

“The goal of the LSSC nursing program is to create graduates that will be highly competent and safe practitioners of nursing and this provides us with a significant tool that will help students meet that goal,” said Cindy Griffin, interim director of nursing at Lake-Sumter State College.

The Demo-Dose Medication Dispensing System provides LSSC students the opportunity to experience firsthand what real patient care is like. With this new technology, students will learn how to dispense practice medications in a secure environment, learn the different types of medications and their uses, learn how to accurately prepare and dispense the medications and understand the inventory tracking of medications.

For more information on how to support Lake-Sumter State College Foundation Inc., contact Rosanne Brandeburg, executive director, at 352.365.3518.

THERE’S HOPE IN SIGHT

If you have macular degeneration or other low-vision conditions, consider attending New Vision for Independence’s Low-Vision Technology Open House on July 7. The event features hands-on demonstrations of the latest technology available for people with low vision. This technology can improve the quality of life for visionimpaired people by helping them read, write, see loved ones and enjoy hobbies again. David Christensen, a representative of Enhanced Vision will answer questions.

The event is 10a.m. to noon inside Lake-Sumter State College’s Magnolia Room. Call 1.800.440.9476 ext. 2231 to RSVP.

WATERMAN WELLNESS

When it comes to orthopaedic procedures as complex as total ankle replacements, reverse shoulder replacement and joint replacements of the hip and knee, why trust anyone besides a specialist?

Our board certified orthopaedic surgeons are specialists who are fellowship trained in their areas of expertise. They are known for their advanced skill, training and experience. It’s their names you will find scrawled on referral notes from physicians from across the state or featured on the front covers of a surgeon’s training manual. From conservative care for sports injuries to advanced ankle, shoulder, hip and knee replacements, trust the specialists trusted by other surgeons.

NO MEAT, NO DAIRY … NO PROBLEM

WRITER: JAMES COMBS

JIM MILLER HAS NO BEEF, BUT RESTORED HEALTH, BEING A VEGAN

The beef? Where’s the beef, you ask?

Nowhere to be found. Not if you’re Jim Miller, who no longer eats animal or dairy products.

Believe it or not, that still leaves him plenty of food options. They’re quite tasty, too, he says.

Some of Jim’s favorites include black bean burgers, salads with avocado and balsamic vinegar, and fresh green juice consisting of organic sunflower sprouts, celery and cucumber.

“Sunflower sprouts are 35 times more nutritious than broccoli,” says Jim, a Realtor with Grizzard Commercial Real Estate Group.

Jim’s voyage to veganism began when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s leukemic lymphoma in 2007. After six cycles of chemotherapy, he was referred to the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, where doctors recommended he undergo a bone marrow transplant. Instead, he followed his sister-in-law’s advice and in late 2007, spent three weeks at the Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach. There, he was introduced to a diet rich in

plant-based proteins, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Since then, he has stuck faithfully to the diet, which includes other vegan dishes such as bean soup, lentil soup, vegan chili and hummus. He drinks wheatgrass juice daily because it cleanses the body and acts as a strong anticancer agent. Today, his cancer remains in remission and his blood counts are excellent.

“I have no regrets about being diagnosed with cancer,” Jim said. “It was a wakeup call for me. I never would’ve changed otherwise.”

He doesn’t intend for his newfound health to be a solitary journey. He’s made a YouTube video demonstrating the proper method to grow wheatgrass (search “Jim Miller wheat grass class”). He also encourages as many people as possible to watch the popular documentary film “Forks Over Knives” and read its companion book.

“The movie shows people why they should adopt a plantbased diet, and the book tells people how to do so,” he says.

“If you understand why you are eating what many consider to

be a strange diet then it will be easier to achieve. In my case, I was dying. I could either make a drastic change to my diet or die. It was an easy choice. I used to eat to feel good; now, I feel good because of the way I eat.”

In addition to changing his diet, Jim, 65, receives private weekly lessons from a yoga instructor. “I’m much more flexible these days. With all

another five years and I’ll feel like I’m 30.”

Most importantly, he spends no time worrying about whether his cancer will return.

“My goal is to win the Education Foundation of Lake County’s Stepping Out for Education dance competition at age 70,” he says.

“I suffered from pronation in both feet, as well as rheumatoid arthritis. I could not walk for three months. I visited Dr. Felix Esarey, who prescribed custom orthotics and recommended special footwear. Now I walk three miles a day and also do yoga and ride horses. Dr. Esarey is an excellent doctor who strives for the best results. He makes you feel like you are the only patient in the entire office.”

—Pauline Piazza Pauline

LAKE EAR NOSE THROAT & FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY

Q&A

By providing quality, comprehensive care tailored to the unique needs and desires of each patient, our accomplished board-certified physicians, physician assistants and doctors of audiology can effectively diagnose and treat individuals who come to our offices looking for answers and solutions.

Q:

A:

Q:

A:

Should I have Botox or fillers?What is parathyroid disease?rough a blood test g

Learn more about sinus conditions and the Balloon Sinuplasty procedure at our dedicated website www.LakeSinusRelief.com

Scan

It depends. If the wrinkles are secondary to facial expression and animation, Botox is the answer. If the lines are present when the face is relaxed, fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm will do the trick. Sometimes you may need both. Every treatment should be tailored to the needs of the individual. Having realistic expectations of what can be achieved is important. Sometimes laser or surgery is the optimal treatment. Come in for a Face 2 Face consultation and we can decide together.Dr. Dino Madonna

ARE SAGGING, PUFFY LIDS IMPACTING YOUR VISION AND APPEARANCE?

If baggy, swollen, in-turning or out-turning eyelids are impacting your vision and appearance, you may be a candidate for cosmetic blepharoplasty, a safe, effective surgery that removes excess skin and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. Locally, one of the most respected and experienced doctors performing this procedure is Board-certified Comprehensive Ophthalmologist, Shelby Terpstra, DO.

“Every service I provide is designed to help people see and feel better,” says Dr. Terpstra, “but blepharoplasty is unique in that it can actually enhance a person’s appearance to match their improved vision and outlook.”

Board-certified ophthalmologist: SHELBY L. TERPSTRA, DO

The surgery is relatively simple and can correct an array of pathologies, functional problems and cosmetic disfigurations, and is often covered by insurance. Post-op, Dr. Terpstra’s patients report enjoying improved peripheral vision, restoring for many the ability to watch TV, read, drive and so much more.

Additionally, patients look more alert and refreshed. Says Dr. Terpstra, “I’ve done countless blepharoplasties and seeing the boost to patients’ function and self-esteem is rewarding every time.”

If you think blepharoplasty might be right for you, call us today for a consultation. It will be an eye-opener.

What Dr. Terpstra’s patients have to say:

“Everything about Dr. T and this procedure exceeded my expectations. There was no pain, no bruising, the healing process was extremely quick. My friends have all commented on how wonderful I look, and requested Dr. T's information so they could get it done as well.”

– Simone Hasker

“My experience with this procedure was excellent. The results have been amazing – so much so, I sent my husband to Dr. Terpstra to have the same procedure. Now both of us are seeing better!”

– Mary Allen

While the majority of patients report a positive result, surgical outcomes may vary.

Simone Hasker BEFORE AFTER

Mary Allen BEFORE AFTER

FINANCIAL FITNESS

The old saying holds money can’t buy happiness. But not having enough can most certainly cause you stress, which can affect your health and impact your relationships, job performance and overall outlook on life. Take control of your finances with these healthful tips no matter where you’re at in life.

WRITER: SHEMIR WILES

DID YOU KNOW?

Maarr r i ied men ty typicalllly y earn more e than singlle e me m n, accor o diing to the 20012 1 U.S Annuual a So S ciial and Eco c noommiic c Su S ppleeme m nt n surrveey.

SINGLE & SECURE

ESTABLISH GOOD MONEY HABITS

No kids, no husband or wife, no immediate responsibilities… it can be easy to ignore the need for a solid financial plan because “it’s just me.” However, establishing a strong financial base (e.g., building an emergency fund, limiting debt, establishing good credit) while single could actually mean less financial stress when you do decide to marry. And since money problems are the leading cause for divorce, it can’t hurt to start making sound money plans before marriage.

PREP FOR RETIREMENT

When you’re young and single, retirement can seem so far off, but really retirement should be just as important as paying off student loans.

As a single woman, licensed massage therapist and yoga instructor Michele LaFever realized the need to save for retirement in her early 30s. Now 48, she is still a proponent of saving for her golden years.

FAMILY FINANCES

MAKE YOUR MEALS

money into a Rot access to a 401K, I put my to th oney I can also c and safe to put my m esn’t carry sa my money grows and it do

“I try to pay 10 percent of what I earn toward myself, and since I’m a small-business owner and don’t have access to a 401K, I put my money into a Roth IRA,” says the Fruitland Park resident. “I find it to be the most efficient and safe place to put my money. I can also control how my money grows and it doesn’t carry the same risks as stocks do.”

Balancing work and family can leave a person feeling like he or she doesn’t have enough time to make a home-cooked meal. Make time by planning your family’s meals on a weekly basis. With planning, you can provide healthy meals for $2 (or less) a serving. This will eliminate stops for fast food, which can bust your budget and waistband. Need help making a weekly menu? Try a free meal-planning website such as Foodonthetable.com or Saymmm.com.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 90 percent of working-wife families reported spending on food away from home.

SHOP SMART

When she hears people making excuses for not saving, Michele tries to encourage them to dig deep and set aside something, even if it’s only $5.

“Sure, there will always be that question of is it enough. It might not be, but at least you can feel a little bit secure that you have something,” she says.

e excus l When she peopl courage them to Michele tries to enc f $5. set aside even i ys questi “Sure, there will alwa tatleastyoucan t enough It not be but secure you have says

PRACTICE SELF-CONTROL

With four children — ages 15, 16, 18 and 22 — Leesburg resident Jeanie Rutledge has learned over the years how to shop economically.

“I’m not as big into couponing as I once was, but I still get the coupon books and use my favorite website, Coupon Divas,” she says. “I see what’s on sale that I need and then Coupon Divas tells me if there will be a coupon in the Red Plum or SmartSource coupon book.”

To keep coupons in order, Jeanie said it is important to have a filing system. And for shopping in general, she always follows this rule of thumb: “If it’s not on sale, I’m not buying it.”

You’ve landed a and some extra to spend The init your heart desires. Pu

You’ve landed a promotion and realize you have some extra dough to spend. The initial impulse is to buy whatever your heart desires. Pump the brakes.

TRACK EXPENSES

When urge to make an to wait 30 day still want it. Quite often, the ur subside, you mon essentials perc and

When the urge strikes to make an impulse buy, challenge yourself to wait 30 days to see if you’ll still want it. Quite often, the urge to buy will subside, leaving you with money to spend on essentials.

Another tip: Allot 50 percent of your income for dining out and other entertainment.

Tricia Merrill admits she and her husband Jason are not poster children for good money management.

“We made a lot of bad decisions before we had our two children,” she says. “Plus, we’re not good savers.”

To get on track with their finances, this Umatilla couple invested in the accounting software QuickBooks. They now have a better understanding of their spending habits.

“I love how I can run a report and see how much we’re spending on things like eating out, gas and groceries. It gives you ways to measure your spending and helps you make better choices,” says Tricia. “Finances can be very stressful for a marriage and this helps lift that burden.”

In addition to tracking expenditures, QuickBooks also allows Tricia and Jason to give each other a monthly allowance.

“It shows us how quickly we’re spending it so if we need to slow down we can. It also lets us see that once it’s spent, it’s gone,” explains Tricia.

SAVVY SENIORS

DON’T CLOWN AROUND; THINK AHEAD

“I keep a careful budget of what I can afford and I avoid spending too much. I am a widow so I never travel, eat out or spend money on clothes. Because I’ll no longer receive a pension in several years, I am saving as much as possible to prepare for a big hit in income.”

- Doris Turio, The Villages

FIGHT FRAUD

Heed these classic red flags, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation:

• Unsolicited phone calls or emails that require you to pay large amounts of money before receiving the goods or services.

• Requests for personal information, such as bank account or credit card numbers.

• Offers too good to be true.

• Any pressure to wire money and/or keep a transaction secret.

BEGIN ESTATE PLANNING

No one wants to talk about it, but estate planning is necessary to make sure the right parties receive your assets once you’re gone. Must-have legal documents include a will for distribution of property, a living will for any health care decisions, and a durable power of attorney to designate a representative in the event you become incapable of handling matters on your own. Also, the National Council on Aging suggests having a plan for distributing untitled personal property (e.g., jewelry, furniture and collectibles) to heirs or charitable organizations to reduce confusion and family conflicts.

$ 381

The amount the average senior in good health needs to spend each month to cover basic health needs. This figure increases to $511 per month for a senior in poor health.

SOURCE: Gerontology Institute The average older adult receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) receives just I $ 423 each month.

SOURCE:Social Security Administration

$117,951

The average American household debt

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau

SMALL-BUSINESS SUCCESS

DODGE COMMON PITFALLS

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers these helpful tips for young entrepreneurs.

1. Build a six-month cash reserve to make sure you can cover your expenses.

2. Consider your debt-to-income ratio before going into business. Your debt (e.g., student loans and credit card debt) could affect your chances of securing a business loan.

3. Keep personal and business finances separate. It not only gives your business credibility, it decreases personal liability and helps you oversee your taxes, bills and additional payments.

4. Don’t overinvest in your business. The lure of fancy computer systems and swanky office furniture can be strong. Instead, focus on building a good product and strong customer base.

5. Pay yourself. Give yourself a salary based on what you need to keep your personal finances in shape.

BE ABOUT BUDGETS

“Even though I am the owner of six businesses, I always take into account that the monies coming in are the businesses’ money, not my personal money. That is the biggest mistake, in my opinion, business owners make. For each of my businesses I set a balance, which I never go below. Once I reach a certain milestone, I set this balance higher to watch the account balances slowly grow.

“Also, I concentrate on paying off business loans first, especially the ones with higher interest rates. Saving money for anyone in general is hard; we just have to remember all the hard work and savings will pay off.”

- Michael Brashear, owner of several local Anytime Fitness gyms y gy

DID YOU KNOW?

About half of all new establishments survive five years or more, and about one-third survive 10 years or more.

SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The future of orthopedic surgery

Dr. Vrej Manoogian is the only doctor in Florida to offer this revolutionary tendon-sparing BioPro TKO knee implant

Dr. Vrej Kristapor Manoogian is offering the most advanced treatments available for hip, knee, and shoulder problems.

Dr. Manoogian is the inventor of the “Living Hip” total hip replacement. This is the most bone-conserving total hip available and has the ability to maintain bone integrity throughout the entirety of a patient’s life.

With regards to shoulders, Dr. Manoogian performs arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs through incisions only millimeters in length. He also performs a multitude of other completely arthroscopic shoulder treatments, open procedures, and, when necessary, total shoulder replacement arthroplasty.

When it comes to knees, Dr. Manoogian offers the TKO implant, a complete ligament-sparing total or partial knee replacement. He offers other surgical knee replacement procedures, as well. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, he carefully examines the ligament and functional status of the patient’s knees to see which option would best suit the individual patient.

Dr. Manoogian’s treatment philosophy has been and always will be to proceed with the most conservative treatments available to restore function to normal or as normal as possible.

SHOP WHEN IT DROPS

Tammy Jennings won’t pay retail unless she absolutely must.

Tammy Jennings is a bargain-hunting, salesniffing, coupon-clipping, money-saving legend. Everyone who knows the Fruitland Park mother of two has a story about the lengths Tammy goes to save a buck.

The granddaddy of them all?

“I was at a store in the mall and asked for the employee discount,” she said. “The girl said, ‘Sure, which one of our stores do you work in?’ I said, ‘I don’t work anywhere. I just want the employee discount.’ And they gave it to me.”

Tammy’s shopping philosophy is set in stone: It can’t hurt to ask.

The approach has been very good to Tammy’s pocketbook.

“I was in J.C. Penney the day after a coupon expired and said to the cashier, ‘You mean if I was here yesterday I could have used that coupon?’ I just looked at her until she said, ‘I’ll let you have the discount.’ Five minutes later, my friend tried to get the discount and

was told no.”

Tammy obviously has something special working for her.

“I can find deals, but not like Tammy,” her sister Deborah Guions says. “She’s the master.”

It’s all in the approach.

“If you’re nice, you can get practically anything at the store. I’m friendly and I smile, and if I think I can negotiate, I will,” she says. “My motto is always ask because if they say no, you haven’t lost anything. And if you don’t have a coupon, ask for one. If they don’t give you one, you’re in the same position as if you didn’t. More often than not, they’ll let you have the discount anyway.”

Which brings to mind another story. Tammy once asked an employee if she could have a blouse for free. Really.

“It was marked way, way down, like to a couple of dollars,” she said. “I figured if they could mark it down that much, they could give it away.”

The sales clerk figured

differently. That’s one of the few times Tammy didn’t get her way.

From clothes and food to rental cars and medicine, Tammy has saved money on all of them.

She has never held a fulltime job in 40-plus years of life, but she doesn’t need to. Tammy works parttime as a secretary and sells aprons online to help pay bills. Being self-employed and working parttime allows Tammy to pursue her biggest passion: door-todoor Bible education work all Jehovah’s Witnesses share in.

Tammy isn’t materially rich, yet she has everything she needs, and she didn’t pay retail for most of it. There was a time all she had was her faith and her husband Leon.

“We didn’t have a lot of money when we got married,” Tammy recalls.

“I remember taking a jar of pennies and rolling them up. I rolled $9 and said, ‘Let’s go to the grocery store and see what we can get.’ Leon was shocked

WRITER: GARY CORSAIR PHOTOS: MATTHEW GAULIN

“Do your research. Be armed. If you are going to fight in a battle, be prepared. Have your helmet and armor on.”

the groceries I bought for $9 lasted nine days. I remember him being so impressed.”

Tammy’s introduction to couponing was born of desperation. Her clipping has since evolved into, if not a science, an effective routine.

“We get the Sunday paper and I have my daughters help clip coupons. I don’t spend a lot of time, maybe a couple of hours. I don’t do extreme couponing. I don’t go overboard.”

For Tammy, couponing is not about how much she can save; it’s about how much she saves on things her family uses, such as toiletries. Having two teenage girls means makeup, nail polish and all sorts of girly things. However, Tammy doesn’t spend big bucks; she saves plenty with CVS’s Extra Care bucks.

CVS customers use the bucks like cash toward new purchases.

Super savvy customers like Tammy combine manufacturers’ coupons with Extra Care bucks for sensational savings. Here’s how it works:

“Say I buy $10 of toiletries,” she says. “CVS gives me $4 in CVS bucks. Then I use a $10 off coupon to buy $15 worth of makeup. With my $4 in CVS bucks, I get $15 of makeup for a $1 out of my pocket.”

The practice is called “rolling” and few people do it better than Tammy.

Not everyone can master the art. Tammy has to pinpoint which CVS items are on sale, how many bucks she will earn and then go to websites in search of manufacturers’ coupons to multiply her savings.

Nevertheless, there is an abundance of websites filled with coupons. Mommysavesbig.com is one of Tammy’s favs.

“Research is very important,” Tammy says.

“A lot of people don’t have the time. They’re working people, so they just pay whatever is asked.”

But you can still save big, even without clipping coupons and doing online research.

“When we go into a store, our eyes are only focused on sale and clearance signs. We love Kohl’s, but we don’t even look that way if we don’t have a coupon. I have passed by things that I wanted and later found them reduced to 90 percent off. The key is to be patient.”

Tammy is obviously thrifty, but that doesn’t mean she’s cheap.

“I like to buy things that last. If you buy things that are cheap, you’re wasting money because they wear out sooner,” she says. “Some things I won’t go cheap on. I’m not going to go to a shade tree mechanic, and I stay away from preserved and generic foods. We try to eat healthy.

In the long run, eating healthy saves you money because you have fewer visits to the doctor.”

Tammy even has a strategy for when a doctor prescribes medicine.

“You can get some medicines for free. For example, when we didn’t have insurance and needed Nexium, I went to the Astro Seneca website and filled out some forms. They sent me Nexium three months at a time. Anybody can do it.”

And anyone can be a super saver.

“Do your research,” she said. “Be armed. If you are going to fight in a battle, be prepared. Have your helmet and armor on.”

Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Fellow: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Fellowship: Sports Medicine

NEVER TOO LATE TO FEEL GREAT.

“FMI has performed thousands of surgeries, but I felt like their #1 priority. ”

With knee replacements, one size does not fit all. That’s why among my many specialties, I perform the “gender knee” procedure, which accommodates different knee shapes and sizes. After all, each patient is different, so not every approach should be the same. I get to know each patient thoroughly to customize my care, beginning with effective conservative treatments and, when necessary, advanced surgical techniques.

Total Joint Replacement (including gender-specific knee)

Sports Medicine

Shoulder Surgery

Arthroscopic Surgery

Trauma & Fracture Care

Occupational Medicine

H. ANDREW HUNTT, MD

JOHN A. COWIN, MD

CARL O. OLLIVIERRE, MD, FACS CHAD WATKINS, DPM, FACFAS

HEALTHY REFERRALS

Doctors could spend hours talking about how great they are and how their practice differs from others. What else would we expect them to say? But when we hear the words “great doctor” coming from the mouths of patients, it is much more powerful and lends more credibility.

In the following pages, you will read several touching stories about patients who encountered various conditions and regained their quality of lives thanks to the expertise and talents of local doctors. Because they received outstanding care and enjoyed excellent results, these patients were more than happy to talk about their overall experience with their doctor. That speaks volumes.

LouisHoover

Each time Louis Hoover visited his cardiologist, it was as if his doctor had one foot in the office and the other one out the door.

“I would say, ‘I have a question.’ His response was I’ll see you in 30 days,” he says. “I was tired of not having my questions answered.”

For years, Louis heard nothing but great things about Dr. Asad Qamar. It was enough to motivate him to make a change.

“His assistant Michelle Stopher got me in right away,” he says, “and I’ve been happy ever since.”

Louis describes Dr. Qamar as a caring, gentle, and compassionate physician who makes the effort to learn about his patients. He carries no air of arrogance; he’s down-to-earth and personable.

“The fi rst thing you notice when interacting with Dr. Qamar is his compassion. Then you see is his passion. He sits with you and talks openly and honestly,” Louis says.

He also saves lives. During his fi rst visit with Dr. Qamar, Louis learned he had a serious circulation issue.

“He told me I had venous reflux, which was causing my ankles to swell and become discolored. He wrote a plan to fi x it that day,” he says. “He performed radiofrequency ablation and now my legs feel better than they’ve ever felt. My circulation has greatly improved.”

Institute

4730 SW 49th Rd., Ocala FL 34474

352.854.0681

ocalaice.com

Limbstitute

10435 SE 170th Place, Summerfield, FL 34491

2754 Dora Ave., Tavares, FL 32778

1050 Old Camp Road, The Villages, FL 32162

352.854.0681

limbstitute.com

While Dr. Qamar drives the overall vision for ICE, Louis is eager to recognize the staff that follows in footsteps, displaying the same level of passion and compassion.

“PA Tom Tran is a fabulous person who is very professional and thorough. And Alex and his staff in the CT lab are kind and caring individuals,” he says. “I honestly feel Dr. Qamar is the best of the best, but his staff is the very best of the best. For example, when I needed a prescription fi lled, I called Michelle and within an hour, Walgreens was calling to say it was ready. If I call her with a question, she immediately calls me back with an answer. And I think Kevin Noon is a clone of Dr. Qamar. They both care so much about the patients. I’ve never experienced that before with any other doctor’s office.”

In addition to stellar patient care, ICE also employs the best medical technology available, but the latest gadgets are no substitute for old-fashioned customer service.

“At ICE, you are treated like a human being who needs help and they want to help you. You’re not a number,” Louis says. “It’s great because I don’t have to worry about my health. I know Dr. Qamar is taking care of me. Before, I never liked going to the doctor, but now I fi nd myself wanting to go to ICE every time I drive past it. They’ve become a cherished member of my family.”

10435 SE 170th Place, Summerfield, FL 34491

1950 Laurel Manor Dr., Bldg 240, The Villages, FL 32162

412 W. Noble Ave., Williston, FL 32696

352.854.0681

ocalaice.com

Michael&EmilyGaulin

Bentley has brought much joy into the lives of Michael and Emily Gaulin since they adopted him as a puppy at a kill shelter in North Carolina.

“The moment I saw him my heart was filled with love,” says Emily. “We cannot have children, so Bentley is like a child to us.”

That’s why the couple was devastated when they took Bentley to Central Florida Pet Crematory in Belleview to be euthanized. Several days earlier, Michael was cooking ribs on the grill and Bentley consumed butter and grease that had dripped into the dirt. Bentley’s intestines were filled with sand and aluminum foil. A veterinarian in Leesburg recommended immediate surgery that would cost between $2,400 and $3,800.

“We did not have the money to pay for surgery,” Michael says.

Belleview Veterinary Hospital

10725 S.E. 36th Ave., Belleview, FL 34420

352.347.3900

belleviewveterinaryhospital.com

“We decided to euthanize Bentley so he would not suffer. I am not an emotional person, but I cried when we drove Bentley to the crematory.”

Central Florida Pet Crematory is affiliated with Belleview Veterinary Hospital. When they arrived, Dr. Rick Erwin and Dr. Cara Erwin-Oliver of Belleview Veterinary Hospital recommended delaying euthanasia and trying an alternative, non-surgical treatment. For the next six days, Bentley underwent extensive medical therapy to saturate his intestines and break up the sand.

Today, Bentley is active as ever.

“The entire experience was amazing,” Emily says. “Thanks to the genuine care provided by Belleview Veterinary Hospital, Bentley can continue to fill our lives with love and joy.”

Being a firefighter and athlete means Brian Sheppard is no stranger to aches and pains.

However, in late November when he noticed an ache in his back wasn’t getting any better, he realized he had sustained a serious injury.

“It’s been tough for me,” he says. “I used to run in 5Ks and 10Ks and play beach volleyball. I also have two little boys who are very active and it pains me when they ask me to pick them up and I can’t. It’s been very depressing.”

For months, Brian tried the latest high-tech medical treatments, visited chiropractors who couldn’t seem to fix the problem, and even missed work. Then one day, he paid a visit to Dr. John Theeck of Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic. With years of experience in sports medicine, Dr. Theeck uses his knowledge and skills to create personalized paths to wellness for all his patients. Nothing he does is cookie-cutter.

“I immediately felt relief in my hips and lower back,” says Brian. “It was amazing.”

Brian also praises Dr. Theeck’s staff for being warm and attentive.

“They really try to get to know you on a first name basis,” he says. “They make you feel welcomed.”

And while other doctors just covered up Brian’s symptoms, Dr. Theeck was able to immediately recognize the source his pain and implement a plan to fix it.

“He figured out what would work for me and set me on a corrective track. The difference is night and day,” says Brian. “I don’t know where I would be without him.”

Martha SueHowell

Martha Sue Howell has given birth to six children at four different hospitals.

When she became pregnant with her most recent child — a healthy 6-month-old girl — she had the option of having her baby delivered at one of Central Florida’s larger hospitals. Instead, she chose South Lake Hospital’s Centre for Women’s Health.

“That is where my previous child was born, and I’ve never had a better experience than the Centre for Women’s Health,” says Martha Sue, a resident of Winter Garden. “They treated me as a patient rather than a number, and the staff goes above and beyond to help you in any way they can to make you feel more comfortable. Everybody there is very professional and personal.”

South Lake Hospital

1900 Don Wickham Drive

Clermont, FL 34711

352.394.4071

southlakehospital.com

Martha Sue was also impressed with the amenities, such as spacious mother-baby suites that include a couch, recliner, and television set. “It’s great because you can actually walk around in the room instead of feeling like you’re in a tiny cave. The room is perfectly made for a woman.”

In addition, highly trained obstetricians and gynecologists deliver babies at the Centre for Women’s Health, providing excellent service and results. One of them is Dr. Kristina McLean, who delivered Martha Sue’s last two babies.

“Dr. McLean was right by my side the entire time. She is supremely confident, which makes me feel very safe. The entire team of doctors and nurses are spectacular. I am glad I put my health and the health of my newborn baby in their hands.”

Chad Watkins, DPM, FACFAS

Florida

Musculoskeletal Institute

The Villages • 352-753-4366

Leesburg • 352-728-3000 bonesandmuscles.com

DouglasFeatherston

Douglas Featherston severely injured his Achilles tendon during a zip-line training exercise as a member of the U.S. Army. Throughout the years, his pain would flare up periodically but became increasingly worse when he moved to The Villages and participated in shuffleboard, bocce ball, and dancing.

“One night I was sitting on a barstool and swinging my feet when I accidentally struck the injured part of my heel against the footrest. It felt like someone took a hot poker and stuck it in my foot. Walking became painful and difficult.”

Nine days later, he visited Dr. Chad Watkins, a podiatrist with Florida Musculoskeletal Institute. Douglas immediately knew he was in capable hands.

“He took an X-ray and within minutes realized my Achilles tendon was inflamed. He prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication and advised me to never walk barefoot and stop all activities for two weeks so the tendon could heal. I’ve visited many Army and civilian doctors but Dr. Watkins was able to tell me valuable things I had never heard before. Rather than recommending physical therapy or surgery, he simply told me what to do and what not to do.”

He carefully followed Dr. Watkins’ advice and was pain free two days later. So far, the pain has not returned. To say Douglas is a big fan of Dr. Watkins would be an understatement.

“On the initial visit I could tell he was genuinely concerned about my health. He is personable, knowledgeable, and compassionate. I was also impressed with his office staff because they make the process of scheduling an appointment simple and convenient.”

BobHoge

Bob Hoge has always lived an active and healthy lifestyle. A competitive tennis player for 50 years, he moved to The Villages from Texas to enjoy the endless choices of sports and activities.

Unfortunately, participating in tennis, pickleball, and other sports became impossible because of Bob’s arthritic knees.

“There wasn’t much I could do because my knees would hurt whenever I made quick movements. Going from being an active guy to being dormant was very frustrating.”

That’s when Bob made one of the most important health care decisions in his life. He visited Dr. Andrew Huntt of Florida Musculoskeletal Institute.

“He recommended surgery because both knees were in bad shape. However, he did not pressure me into surgery, and I appreciated that. I felt very comfortable with him as a person and as a physician. Because I wanted to be active again, I felt surgery was the best option.”

Dr. Huntt performed a total knee replacement on Bob’s right knee in November 2013 and a total knee replacement on his left knee in March 2014. Between Dr. Huntt’s meticulous surgical skills and Bob’s unyielding commitment to the rehab program, recovery far exceeded Bob’s expectations.

“I only used a walker for a few days after both procedures,” he says. “Dr. Huntt is an excellent physician. He spent lots of time answering my questions, which is something that does not happen often enough in medicine.”

So where exactly is Bob today? He is back to playing tennis pain free and walks four times a week.

HowardDonaldson

Life was rather miserable for Howard Donaldson, who suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for five years. He used three inhalers and required oxygen 24 hours a day.

“I did not want to wake up in the morning because I had no quality of life whatsoever. It’s ridiculous to spend all day gasping for air and not being able to do any activities. I could not even walk the length of my driveway, and I spent three years sleeping in a recliner because I had trouble breathing.”

Fortunately, his life would change dramatically after he received a flier for The Salt Room, which is located in The Villages. “I figured I should give it a try because I had nothing to lose,” he says.

One year ago, Howard began visiting The Salt Room, where he would lie peacefully for 45 minutes inside a spa-like,

The Salt Room at The Villages

480 N. U.S. Highway 27/441

Lady Lake, FL 32159

352.750.9909

info@SaltRoomVillages.com

saltroomvillages.com

salt-covered room listening to soft background music. During that time, he was breathing in salt particles, which act as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent and help remove mucus and pollutants inside the respiratory tract.

For Howard, this unique form of therapy provided a breath of fresh air.

“Within three weeks I quit using inhalers and was off oxygen. I now walk three miles each day and haven’t visited my doctor in three months. Life is wonderful again.”

Howard has faithfully visited The Salt Room each day for an entire year.

“I’ve had a wonderful year because my quality of life has improved tremendously. The staff is very outgoing and treats me like a member of the family.”

TamaraBlaze

It started with a little flutter, and with a family history of heart problems; Tamara Blaze thought it would be best to see a doctor. She found out she had a heart murmur.

Then after experiencing a stroke last year, Tamara learned she had atrial fibrillation (afib). Because she doesn’t experience symptoms from it, she was required to wear a bulky heart monitor.

In an attempt to correct her afib, Tamara underwent a cardiac ablation. However, an unforeseen obstacle kept her from fixing the problem.

“My aorta and esophagus sit on top of each other so Dr. Omar Shams couldn’t go all the way around my heart to fix my afib,” explains Tamara.

As a result, she agreed to be the first patient in Central Florida to receive the Medtronic Reveal LINQ Insertable Cardiac Monitor. Leesburg Regional Medical Center was the first hospital in the region to implant the device successfully.

The Medtronic Reveal LINQ is an option for patients at risk for cardiac arrhythmia or those who experience symptoms such as dizziness, heart palpitations, fainting and chest pain that may suggest a cardiac arrhythmia.

Placed just beneath the skin, through a small incision, the monitor is virtually invisible to the naked eye. And unlike traditional monitors, which have to be worn for 30 days and then returned to a patient’s physician so the information can be retrieved, this monitor can wirelessly transmit a patient’s data to his or her doctor from any place in the world.

For Tamara, she says having the monitor helps her have more peace of mind.

“I’m very grateful to have it,” she says. “It’s not bulky or intrusive and it helps me enjoy a certain quality of life I didn’t have when I had to wear the other monitor.”

JessicaFlinn

Catering is a very active job that requires agility and swiftness. Sadly for Jessica Flinn, owner of Gourmet Today in Leesburg, she is sometimes clumsy.

“A few days before I was supposed to do a gigantic offsite wedding I twisted my knee dancing in the kitchen. I could barely stand on it,” she says.

o

She limped into Glover Chiropractic Clinic in desperate need of help. Dr. Jeffrey Glover decided to use LiteCure laser therapy, a deep tissue laser treatment that has the power to eliminate or significantly reduce pain.

“During the first treatment I could feel the muscle in my knee start to relax,” says Jessica. “I was actually able to walk out of his office instead of limping.”

By the second treatment, Jessica was back to normal and able to work her wedding with no pain. And because Dr. Glover and his phenomenal staff were able to help with her knee, it was a no-brainer to return to him for her feet.

n And because able to with im for her feet.

dding my feet.

“I was working 18-hour days and shredding my feet. They felt like they were on fire all the time,” she says. “Now, Dr. Glover does the laser therapy on them and they feel fantastic. He saved my feet.”

e,” she says. on them and ults, not

After experiencing such incredible results, Jessica made it point that Dr. Glover treat not only her staff but also her entire family.

“I’ve referred at least 20 different people to him. My sister, who lives in Orlando, probably drives past 30 chiropractic practices to come see him. He’s that good,” she says. “And his staff is so friendly and warm. They remember your name after the first visit. That is truly what sets him apart from others.”

The Advanced Prostate Cancer Institute is dedicated solely to treating prostate cancer. The center is designed for patient comfort and convenience with innovative technology and the highest standards of quality.

There are many ways prostate cancer may be treated. Our team of board-certified urologists, pathologists and radiation oncologists personalizes treatment based on each patient’s unique needs.

Adjacent to The Villages, the Advanced Prostate Cancer Institute offers a variety of techniques and treatments including:

• RapidArc IMRT with IGRT Utilizing ConeBeam CT

• Hormone Therapy

• Watchful Waiting

• Minimally Invasive Surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System (performed by our urology team at local hospitals)

Together, our clinical team is dedicated to finding the best prostate cancer treatment option for you.

The Advanced Prostate Cancer Institute has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in radiation oncology as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology. Our patients can trust that it meets standards for radiation safety and image quality.

As an interventional and invasive cardiologist, Dr. Moises Fraifeld enjoys working alongside a team of physicians who share his goal of exceeding the expectations of patients and their families. That’s why he has worked at the practice since 1999.

“The teamwork and trust among our physicians is phenomenal,” says Dr. Fraifeld, who completed his fellowship training in interventional cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center. “We all have a great deal of respect for one another.”

Dr. Fraifeld treats both coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease. “The best thing about my profession is seeing a patient’s health improve considerably and allowing them to enjoy a better quality of life.”

As one of the oldest and most experienced private cardiology practices in Central Florida, at Cardiovascular Associates of Lake County, we are dedicated to bringing innovation in cardiovascular care to our patients. Since 1992, we have been your partners for life.

SHAPE

DO MORE FOR YOUR CORE

WRITER: TRACY DRAPER

80-YEAR-OLD EXERCISE ROUTINE STRENGTHENS ABS AND BACK

Pilates, an exercise craze that began about 80 years ago, is unlike many traditional weightlifting plans. The rationale is to strengthen the core (back, glutes, abs, and hips) by holding various positions, incorporating deep breathing, and using big, bulky tables with pulleys.

SIDE LUNGE

Modifications were originally made so many students could participate at once rather than just small groups. But you won’t find the original Pilates tools at most health clubs, just yoga mats and large classes full of people want longer, leaner muscles.

If you could do the Warrior Pose from the April issue, you will be able to do the side lunge; it is just a little more difficult.

START POSITION: Stand feet together, take a deep breath in, and relax the shoulders.

MOVE IT: Take a giant step to the left, turning the left foot out. At the same time, reach arms overhead away from the center of your body. The right foot remains facing forward and leg straight.

FINISH POSITION: Breathe deeply three times while contracting core muscles. On the final exhale, push hard off the left foot and return to start position. Repeat on the right side.

TRAINER’S TIPS

• Practice deep, slow breathing.

• Gently squeeze the glute of the straight leg.

• Hold in the transverse abdominis muscle just like in the prior exercise.

MUSCLE GROUPS TARGETED: core, quads, glutes

DID YOU KNOW?

Joseph Pilates, a German immigrant, developed Pilates for dancers to help them with conditioning and rehabilitation after injury. It has been practiced for 80 years.

Source: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/06/06/ kettlebell-exercises/ Photo: kettlebellscience.com

(Accessed April 29, 2014)

BANANA “SPLITS”

While there is no set ‘diet’ for Pilates work, remember you will be contracting your abs a good bit so you will want to have an empty stomach. Eat something an hour or so before your workout and eat foods that are light and easy on the gastrointestinal tract.

DESK JOCKEY

Stuck at work? Take the abdomen crunch with you to your desk every day. Every hour, be sure to get out of your chair and take a short walk to the water cooler or break room. As soon as you return, get some crunches in. Make it a habit and you will notice your lower back doesn’t bother you as much from sitting all day. Share the idea with an office friend and keep accountable by reporting how many crunches a day you did. Perhaps a friendly competition could ensue. Your waistline and spine will thank you.

Source: www.acefitness.org/acefit/fitnessfact-article/2657/pilates-primer/ (Accessed May 23, 2014)

Second position

TRANSVERSE ABDOMINIS

START POSITION: Lie on the floor in a supine position, body relaxed.

MOVE IT: Place fingertips on your belly as you exhale and press your lower back into the floor.

FINISH POSITION: Inhale while continuing to press your back down (pelvic tilt).

TRAINER’S TIPS

• Do this five to eight times.

• This helps you find your transversus abdominis muscle and teach you how to hold it in.

• Once you get the hang of this, you can do it in various postures: standing, sitting, or even while walking.

MUSCLE GROUPS TARGETED: transverse abdominis

ABDOMEN TUCK

START POSITION: Sit on the edge of a chair with back straight.

MOVE IT: Exhale while rounding shoulders forward and tilting the pelvis to the back. Draw the navel in toward the spine as you curl forward. Hold for three counts.

END POSITION: Inhale and return to start position. Repeat five to 10 times.

TRAINER’S TIPS

• Move slowly and intentionally.

• Visualize the abdomen muscles contracting.

• Practice this while in your car as a passenger, at your office desk, or while watching TV.

WRAP UP

The abdomen tuck is one of the easiest exercises to do and can be done just about anywhere you can sit down. While you might not want to do it while dining out or in an office meeting, look for opportunities to practice it. Each of these three exercises this month will help your core become stronger, give your spine more support, improve your posture, and help you to look and feel more confident.

MUSCLE GROUPS

TARGETED: rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis

MODELS: Tracy Draper and John Hockley on location at Gold’s Gym, Mount Dora SOURCES: Yorke, Mary. Personal Fitness Training: Th eory & Practice, Sherman Oaks, CA: 2010

TRACY DRAPER is an AFAA-certified personal trainer with more than 12 years experience in personal fitness training. As a wife and mom, she discovered a few years ago that she could once again be an athlete, as well. In 2014, she is leading a team of cyclists on a cross-country ride. Visit RideAcrossUSA.com for more details. As of this publishing, Tracy and the Ride Across USA team is on their cross-country bike ride.

LOOK

ASSESSING ASTRINGENTS

WRITER: RUTH ANN BYRD

HOW NECESSARY ARE FACIAL TONERS?

Clients often ask if a facial toner is a necessary part of their skin-care routine. That’s a tough question because “toner” is a loosely used term that can mean just about anything or nothing at all, depending on the ingredients. So, what purpose do toners serve, and do you need one?

When you use the proper cleanser for your skin type (and I don’t mean bar soap), your skin should be completely clean with little disruption to the pH balance and no leftover grime or makeup residue. On the other hand, a high-quality toner can serve as a cost-effective way to get a wide range (albeit small dose) of ingredients in one bottle.

Toners can be especially helpful for acne-prone and oily skin types. For specific skin-care concerns, stronger effects can be obtained with serums, which contain highly concentrated ingredients designed to easily penetrate the skin.

Although I do not believe all skin types necessarily need toners, the general guideline for a skin-care routine is to cleanse,

tone, and then apply serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens. Saying that is one thing but doing it is another. I’m happy if I can get some people to wipe off their face with a wet paper towel at the end of the day, while others will follow the above routine methodically.

In the past, when facial cleansers were harsh and disruptive to the skin’s pH, it was common to apply a “toner” to restore balance and remove oil, grime, and makeup residue left behind.

Now, the health and beauty aisle can be overwhelming. Keep in mind ingredients make a quality skin-care product, not the pretty packaging. It is helpful to consult with a specialist, such as an aesthetician, first. However, if you opt to proceed on your own, here is a basic guideline of toner ingredients to look for based on skin type:

DRY SKIN: Look for toners with hydrating hyaluronic acid, low dose lactic acid, grape seed extract, DMAE, and antioxidants such as vitamin C and green tea.

OILY SKIN: Oily skin has overactive sebaceous glands and a good toner should help tame them. Ingredients such as salicylic, glycolic, and mandelic acids will help dissolve dead skin cells that accumulate in pores and cause clogging and breakouts.

ACNE PRONE SKIN:

This condition is often (but not always) oily and will usually benefit from ingredients similar to oily skin. Benzoyl peroxide can be helpful with bacterialrelated acne. Vitamin C has also been shown to improve acne.

HYPERPIGMENTED AND SUN DAMAGED SKIN:

Look for toner ingredients such as vitamin C, kojic acid, azaleic acid, licorice root, and phytic acid, which are designed to control pigmentation and restore vitality without causing excess inflammation.

SENSITIVE SKIN: This can be very difficult because almost any skin type can have the added problem of being super sensitive. Skin sensitivity is an indicator of distressed skin due to a number of factors, including exposure to toxins in your environment, cosmetics, foods, allergens, and lifelong accumulation of sun damage. Sensitive skin responds best to mild toners containing soothing ingredients such as green tea, aloe, chamomile, and hyaluronic acid. Always avoid toners containing artificial fragrances and dyes as these cause inflammation and a host of other skin conditions. You now have lots of important ingredient information, so head out to the store with a copy of this article and your magnifying glasses and go read some labels.

RUTH ANN BYRD owner of Aesthetic Skin Solutions in The Villages, is a licensed aesthetician specializing in skin rejuvenation and clinical treatment of sun damage, rosacea, and acne. She is also licensed in electrolysis, laser hair removal, and permanent makeup. She can be contacted at 352.874.3653.

EAT FIT/NOT FAT BODY

GOTTA HAVE FRIES?

Before placing your next order at the drive-through, consider the typical order of french fries from a fastfood restaurant is not only loaded with calories but also a high amount of saturated fat. Saturated fat leads to increased levels of LDL cholesterol (“bad cholesterol”) in your blood and increases the risk for heart disease.

Fortunately, many fast-food restaurants now offer healthier alternative side items. For example, McDonald’s has apple slices and a fruit and yogurt parfait with low-fat yogurt, strawberries and blueberries.

And healthier eating doesn’t necessarily mean higher costs. For example, at McDonald’s in Eustis, the healthier alternatives to fries are actually less expensive. A medium order of french fries costs $1.79, while the side of apple slices costs 75 cents and the fruit and yogurt parfait costs $1.

BE AWARE

NOT ALL FRENCH FRIES ARE CREATED EQUAL.

A medium order of Burger King’s fries contains 410 calories and three grams of saturated fat, while a medium order of McDonald’s fries contains 380 calories and 2.5 grams of saturated fat. Your best choice is neither. Eating only 500 excess calories per day can lead to a weight gain of one pound per week.

BETTER

A SALAD MAY SEEM LIKE A HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE SIDE ITEM, but that depends on how you top it. A low-fat vinaigrette salad dressing is a better choice than a creamy Caesar or ranch dressing. At McDonald’s, the side salad with creamy Caesar dressing has 200 calories, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, and 20 milligrams of cholesterol. However, if you order the same side salad with the low-fat balsamic vinaigrette dressing, it has only 50 calories and no saturated fat or cholesterol.

WRITER: ANNA GUNTER, M.S., R.D., L.D./N // PHOTOGRAPHER: MATTHEW GAULIN

ANNA GUNTER, M.S., R.D., L.D./N is a registered dietitian and American College of Sports Medicine Certified Health Fitness Specialist. She earned a bachelor of science degree in food science and human nutrition from the University of Florida and a master of science degree in nutrition and physical performance from Saint Louis University. Anna is the outpatient dietitian at Florida Hospital Waterman in Tavares.

R.D Certified Health Fitness Specialist. She earned degre Wat

BEST

For a healthy alternative to typical fast-food french fries, try this recipe for oven-baked fries. The slices of baked potatoes taste like french fries, but they’re baked with calorie-free, oilflavored cooking spray instead of being fried. Cooking with calorie-free cooking spray is a good way to reduce the amounts of calories and fat in the foods you cook.

If you use four medium potatoes, one-fourth of the recipe will contain 163 calories, less than 0.5 grams of saturated fat, zero milligrams of cholesterol, and 3.6 grams of dietary fiber. You can use sweet potatoes, white potatoes, or red potatoes in this recipe.

OVEN-BAKED FRIES

Ingredients:

4 potatoes (peeled or unpeeled depending on preference)

Nonstick, calorie-free cooking spray (olive oil- or canola oil-flavored)

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

• Slice potatoes 1/4-inch thick.

• Place potatoes in a baking pan. Spray

both sides of slices with cooking spray.

• Bake slices for 25–35 minutes until lightly brown, crisp on the outside, and soft on the inside. Halfway during cooking time, flip slices over.

• Sprinkle potatoes with spices.

NOTE: As an alternative to salt, you can use spices such as cumin, red pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or cinnamon (for sweet potatoes). Unlike salt, these spices do not contribute sodium.

Rain or shine, good is always there. I don’t wait for something bad to happen to do something good. That’s why I offer things like free coverage checkups and rewards for safe driving. I’m here to help you live the good life every single day.

Dr. Cheryl McFarland-Bryant

COGNITIVE

I’M NORMAL … AT LEAST I THINK I’M NORMAL … WHAT’S NORMAL?

WRITER: RICHARD T. BOSSHARDT, M.D., FACS

Iam often grateful others can’t see what’s going on in my head. Most of the time my inner thoughts seem normal, but there are times when they are surreal and sometimes weird and a bit scary. Being a curious sort, I wonder where do these thoughts come from? Am I “normal” or am I crazy? How would I know? The issue of mental health has relevance for everyone. According to Mentalhealth.gov, mental health is a state of emotional, psychological, and social well-being. For those whose worldview includes a spiritual side, I would also add spiritual wellbeing. I suspect it is a universal phenomenon for people to wonder at times if they are “normal.” I know I do. Of course, for the question to make any sense, there must be some standard for “normal.”

A practical definition of normal mental health would be a state of optimal functioning. This state of being should allow us to live productively, cope with the many challenges of life, function well in society, and feel a sense of contentment and happiness. If any of those elements are missing, one should question his or her mental health and consider a mental health assessment. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to see a mental health professional. You consult a family member, trusted friend, your primary care physician, or even a clergy member — someone who can offer an outside perspective.

mental health issues in the U.S. But in 2012, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, reported 1 in 5 Americans experiences a known, diagnosable mental health disorder.

The first step in getting help for your mental health is recognizing there is a problem. Can you be less than mentally healthy and not know it? Absolutely. Some of us are so used to our circumstances we don’t see them for what they are. Denial, as they say, is not just a river in Egypt. Even so, on some level, most people know things could be better but simply don’t have enough insight to identify and rectify the problem. Even people who are severely psychotic may suspect, or know, they are not functioning normally. The critical step is to take such awareness and use it as a first step toward making a change and/or seeking help. For those who do not have such self-awareness, it may require the intervention of a friend, family member, acquaintance, or some other outsider to get them help.

There are a number of questions you can ask yourself to assess your state of mental health. Are you…

• Eating or sleeping too much or too little?

• Pulling away from people and usual activities?

• Having low or no energy?

• Feeling numb or like nothing matters?

hrenia. Howe

In the minds of many people, the term “mental illness” is synonymous with being “crazy” or “insane.” Mental illness can certainly include disorders that are recognized as true illnesses, such as primary depression, which is not related to one’s life circumstances; bipolar disorder; and schizophrenia. However, it can also include anything that disturbs our ability to cope and live life fully. This could be a situational depression; an otherwise appropriate response to a major life stressor, such as the loss of a loved one; or simple anxiety that prevents you from reaching your full potential.

In the past, and even to some extent today, there has been a stigma attached to seeking help for mental issues. That makes it difficult to know the true incidence of

r, such as the revents oday, ing

• Having unexplained aches and pains?

• Feeling helpless or hopeless?

• Feel

• Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual?

• dr

• Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared?

• Yelling or fighting with family and friends?

• unu or

• Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships?

• Experien

• Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head?

•

“IN HOLLYWOOD, IF YOU DON’T HAVE A SHRINK, PEOPLE THINK YOU’RE CRAZY.” — JOHNNY CARSON

• Hearing voices or believing things that are not true?

• Thinking of harming yourself or others?

• Unable to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school?

Depending on your answers to these questions, and others that might apply to your current circumstances, you may wish to seek help. Perhaps you have nothing more than a sense of unease about your current situation. Don’t ignore that. Take a personal inventory and commit to making changes to improve your lot. Life is more than just “getting by.” It is too short and precious not to do everything in our power to ensure we are living it to the fullest. Getting help

There are many local resources for receiving mental health help. Most pastors, priests, and rabbis receive instruction in counseling and can be very helpful in providing help or directing you to resources.

LifeStream Behavioral Center provides comprehensive mental health services in Lake and Sumter counties. www.lsbc.net or call 866.355.9394

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline www.samhsa.gov/treatment/index.aspx or call 800.622.HELP (4357)

National Suicide Prevention Hotline www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call 800.273.TALK (8255)

RICK BOSSHARDT, M.D., graduated from the University of Miami School of Medicine in 1978. He founded Bosshardt & Marzek Plastic Surgery Associates, Lake County’s first practice to provide fulltime cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery services, in 1989.

BALANCE

JUGGLING ACT

WRITER: ROBERT H. BLANCHETTE, ED.S., M.ED.

MAINTAIN BALANCE BETWEEN HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND FINANCIAL DEMANDS

Arguments about money are by far the top predictor of divorce — not children, sex, in-laws or anything else. It’s money — for both men and women.

It does not matter how long a couple has been married. If husband and wife have argued about money from the beginning of their relationship, there is a good chance they are going to have poor relationship satisfaction.

It takes longer to recover from money arguments than any other kind of argument. And such disputes are more intense. Couples often use harsher language with each other, and arguments last longer.

In these tough economic times, even the healthiest and strongest relationships — ones that have always thrived and been established for years — could be blindsided by fi nancial pressures, such as a spouse losing his or her job. Not surprisingly, being jobless often affects self-esteem and selfconfidence significantly, and that can snowball into the spouse emotionally withdrawing in the relationship and feeling he or she is not pulling his or her share. Such a stressful situation can also impact a person’s sex life; many people avoid intimacy when they’re under pressure.

Of course, consulting with a fi nancial adviser and establishing a strict budget in the throes of a fi nancial crisis are obvious steps to ease tension; however, here are some additional guidelines to help reduce the strain money challenges place on even the most solid of relationships:

Establish a channel of open communication. Set aside a scheduled time at the end of each week to take inventory and update your fi nancial status. Begin each meeting with giving thanks for all of your blessings. Be willing to share each other’s concerns, fears, and hopes — without criticizing or judging. Talk about how both of you can work together to improve the situation. When you and your partner stop talking to each other, relationship problems escalate.

Show your affection. Make it a point to tell each other “I love you,” and say it often. When you are in the middle of something awful, that is the worst time to just assume your mate knows how you feel. It’s during the tough times your partner needs the reassurance of your love even more.

No matter how terrible the stress is, you should give yourselves a rest now and then. Date nights are critical. Carve out time in your schedule as often as

possible to take a walk together. If possible during the walk, try to talk about anything but money matters. Go out to dinner, have a picnic in the park, get up 30 minutes earlier than usual so you and your spouse can have a quiet breakfast in bed before work. Get out of the house and go out for coffee on a Sunday morning. If you cannot fit date time into your busy schedule, you need to reprioritize your time commitments so you can.

Finally, look at a fi nancial crisis (like any other significant life challenge) as a potential opportunity to strengthen your marriage. Within a crisis can hide opportunity. The rough spots you and your partner face can actually bring the two of you closer. If you make a conscious effort to work through fi nancial trials in a constructive way you are communicating, you are appreciating each other, you are putting each other’s needs above your own, and you can actually come out stronger and closer in the end.

BOB BLANCHETTE is in private practice, providing educational psychology/counseling services in Lake County. He can be reached at 352.217.0131 or humcollab.b@ comcast.net.

This column is based on a scientifi c investigation by Sonya Britt, a Kansas State University researcher who concluded that argu ments about money are the top predictor for divorce. Her research study looked at longitudinal data from more than 4,500 couples.

MENCOURAGEM

DRAMA-FREE VACATIONS ARE OVERRATED

WRITER: RICHARD BURGUET

Just yesterday I was bemoaning how I miss the old days. Growing up in the ‘60s and ‘70s meant summertime memories of playing with my friends until after dark, catching lightning bugs climbing the neighbor’s mimosa tree, and hanging out in the neighborhood treehouse. Summer was trips to my grandparents’ farm, going to camp for a week or two, swatting mosquitoes into bloody spots on my arms and legs, lazy days at the pool and a trip to the beach.

Those are the memories I carry with me. But what about my children? What kind of memories did we create for them to carry into their middle-aged adulthood? I know of at least one. I planned for our family to backpack a short section of the Appalachian Trail. We prepared for weeks and gathered the appropriate gear. The trip was to be a memory-maker for our four children since our son was a senior in high school, our daughter was a junior and the other two were not far behind. We figured it might be the last opportunity for an unforgettable family vacation. It was a memory-maker for sure, but not what we expected.

The National Park Service closed the section and nearby sections of the trail we had planned to backpack because of a manhunt. So, we found ourselves in North Carolina, two vehicles loaded with kids and camping gear, and all of us surprised,

a little frightened and clueless as to what to do next. Not being one to be put off from my goals, I proposed we find a place in the nearby Smoky Mountains to backpack the next day. So, we secured a commercial campground for the night, and at bedtime, I discovered our youngest daughter had been playing with the school hamster in my wife’s sleeping bag. That night, I roamed from tent to tent in the campground looking for someone with Benadryl to relieve her allergic reaction.

On day two, we set out again on a nice trail. All six of us were pretty happy… until lunchtime when a couple of hillbilly boys came up the trail behind us, began flirting with my two oldest daughters and followed us for the next few hours. When we finally arrived at our planned stop for the night, it started raining. I had to set up the tent and cook dinner in the rain. So much for sitting around the fire making s’mores and memories. We were all in the tent by dark, and being tired, I fell asleep immediately. It rained hard all night long, which soaked a couple of sleeping bags and caused the family to keep waking me every time I fell into a deep sleep.

Day three wasn’t a happy morning. We were all damp, cold and hungry. We ate granola bars for breakfast because no one wanted to cook. After packing the wet tent and two of the wet sleeping bags into my

backpack, I just wanted us to make it to the trail’s end as fast as we could. After a forced march for a couple of hours, our family saw the most beautiful thing: our 1981 white Volvo 760 wagon.

We were laughing about that trip just a few weeks ago when we all gathered for my youngest daughter’s college graduation, and I found the best memory anyone has of that trip doesn’t involve creepy hillbillies or even my snoring. It was how good it felt to eat breakfast for dinner at Cracker Barrel after three days of backpacking.

Family summertime memories are not always made of beautiful golden days spent at a resort beach; they are about the time we share together. Intentionally planning to do something as a family outside of our day-today routine is what makes it all worthwhile. It really doesn’t matter how well you plan, how much you decide to spend, where you go or even what you do. What matters is investing the time in being together and sharing the experiences. It may not turn out quite how you hoped but the memories will be fantastic.

I still want to hike the Appalachian Trail, by the way.

RICHARD BURGUET, B.A., M-Div., has been ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America for more than 30 years. He has served churches in South Carolina, Mississippi, Maryland, and Georgia. Richard is pastor of New Hope Presbyterian in Eustis and is co-author of Covenants Disciples Workbook. New Hope is at 19535 Eustis Airport Road and on the web at www. newhopepca.com.

SECURITY

SIX STEPS TO GOOD CREDIT

Asolid credit history and a good credit score are vital to a healthy financial life. Financial institutions and lenders use your credit history and credit score to make lending decisions, set interest rates and determine whether to allow you to open a bank account. Employers have started to incorporate credit checks as part of a background investigation, which means poor credit could affect your ability to get a job. Between credit terms, interest rates, and hiring decisions, the difference between good and bad credit could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of your lifetime.

Here are some basic steps to establishing good credit. If you’re worried about your credit, or don’t know how to get started, a financial adviser can help you understand your personal circumstances and develop a plan to get you on the right track.

1. OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT

If you are just starting out, establishment of banking relationships should be your first step. Though checking and savings accounts don’t appear in your credit history, most lenders and financial institutions will also run a banking history check to ensure your financial accounts are in good standing.

2. PUT UTILITIES IN YOUR NAME

By opening gas, electric and telephone service accounts and paying your bills on time, you help establish a good record of on-time payments. If you have no credit history, your service provider may ask you for a deposit against future payments. Once you’ve established a payment history, you’ll usually get your deposit back as a credit against your account.

3. APPLY FOR A CREDIT CARD

Responsible use of a credit card is a great way to build a good credit rating and pave the way to future loans. Use your credit card sparingly, and charge only what you can afford to pay in full on a monthly basis. Many credit cards available to new borrowers carry high interest rates and account fees. Read the fine print on any credit card application carefully to be sure you understand all payment and interest terms.

If you’re not able to open an unsecured credit card, you may qualify for a secured card, which will require you to put down a security deposit and then borrow against that deposit. Initially, your credit limit will be the amount of your security deposit, but banks will often reward you for consistent payments by increasing your limit; after a defined period, the lender will return your deposit and allow you to open a regular credit card.

4. APPLY FOR AN INSTALLMENT LOAN

Once you have a credit card and have built some credit history, an installment loan, such as a car loan or personal loan from your bank, can help diversify your credit history. Before offering you large loans, e.g., for a mortgage or home repair, many banks want to see that you are capable of managing loans and making regular payments on time. Try to borrow as little as possible and keep the loan term short to avoid incurring significant interest expenses. If you don’t qualify for (or don’t need) a car loan, consider asking your bank for a secured personal loan, which will essentially allow you to borrow against your savings at the bank.

5. MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY OVER TIME

The consistency of your payments is the single biggest contributor to your credit score. Additionally, lenders will want to see stable employment, residency and a good history of payments before extending loans. Online bill paying and auto-pay features can make it easy to pay your bills on time each month.

6. CHECK YOUR CREDIT REPORT EACH YEAR

The three credit bureaus are required by law to accurately report items on your credit history. Monitoring your credit report for accuracy will help you find and dispute errors that may harm your credit score. You can also

WRITERS: THOMAS FROSS AND ROBERT FROSS Securities and advisory services offered through SII Investments, Inc., member FINRA, SIPC and a Registered Investment Advisor. Fross and Fross Wealth Management and SII Investments, Inc. are separate companies. SII does not provide tax or legal advice.

use your credit report to identify fraudulent activity and spot possible identity theft. While many sites promise a free look, the only authorized site for your free credit report is annualcreditreport.com.

CONCLUSIONS

Bottom line, establishing a good financial reputation takes time and consistency. As you build your credit history, make sure you follow the basic rules of personal finance: Live below your means, pay your bills on time, don’t carry high-interest credit balances and make sure to build an emergency fund to cover unexpected events. Credit can be very useful when used wisely, but it’s important to understand its limitations: Loans do not represent extra income; they are simply a way to use your current income differently. If you’re able to use credit responsibly, you’ll be able to develop a good credit score, which will help you get better deals on future loans, and may even help you in your career.

ROBERT AND THOMAS FROSS founded Fross & Fross Wealth Management with the shared vision of creating a truly world-class experience for their clients. Specializing in offering comprehensive financial planning to high net-worth retirees, Fross & Fross manages over $300 million in assets and maintains a stellar reputation of professionalism and experience throughout The Villages.

Serving Lake, Sumter and Orange Counties since 1991

The focus of our practice is to provide the very best surgical care available to patients. We are committed to achieving this goal through continuing education and training in most current robotic and laparoscopic techniques. Our practice treats our patients, nurses, and staff like family. It is our belief that all patients deserve the best medical care available. We provide the most advanced, compassionate surgical care that has helped thousands live longer, healthier, happier lives. For more information regarding each of the surgeons, please visit our website: www.MidFloridaSurgical.com

1804 Oakley Seaver Dr. Suite A Clermont, FL 34711

P 352.243.2622

Fax 352.243.6277

Diabetes Self-Management Education

Class to help you understand how medications, nutrition, exercise and blood sugar monitoring play a role in developing a healthy lifestyle. Please bring lunch with you. Spouse or guest welcome. Free. South Lake Hospital, Outpatient Service Entrance, 3rd floor. 1900 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont.

Information: 352.394.4071, ext. 4419.

Freedom on the Lakefront

Fireworks and special effects on Lake Dora. Live music, kids’ activities, food vendors. Free. Elizabeth Evans Park & Simpson Cove, Mount Dora.

Independence Day Parade

Traditional downtown parade kicks off on Donnelly Street at Seventh Avenue. Route includes Alexander Street, Fourth Avenue and Tremain Street. Free. Downtown Mount Dora.

Mended Hearts Support Group

Mended Hearts is a national nonprofit organization offering the gift of hope to heart patients, their families and caregivers. Florida Hospital Waterman, 1000 Waterman Way, Tavares.

Yin Yoga

Connective tissue such as fascia, tendons and ligaments are stressed, rehabbed and restored. This modality is particularly beneficial to those with fibromyalgia, osteopenia, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. $12. Windhorse /Vitruvian Health Center, 353 Plaza Drive, Eustis. Information: 352.223.8761

1, 15 3 4 8 11 12

ROA Fun/Obstacle/Mud/ Training Day

100 acres of obstacle courses, water slide and leap of faith. Music, food vendor and more. $25 online, $35 at event. Roper Ranch, 17701 Old YMCA Road, Winter Garden. Information: RockOnAdventures.com, 407.467.4397, Jonny@RockOnAdventures.com

American Cancer Society: Look Better Feel Better

Class teaches female cancer patients beauty techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Florida Hospital Cancer Institute Waterman Conference Room, 1000 Waterman Way, Tavares.

NTC One-Mile Ultimate Series

One-mile run will start after 5K run. $5. National Training Center, 1935 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont Information: Call Jami Bishop at 352.241.7144 or email jami. bishop@orlandohealth.com

First Aid Course

The American Heart Association course to train anyone who might be the first to respond in an emergency. Course provides skills to effectively assess and maintain life from the critical minutes immediately following an emergency until arrival of emergency medical services personnel. Textbook is required and included in cost. $10. LiveWell Fitness Center, South Lake Hospital Campus, 1935 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont. Information: Call 352.241.7109 to register or for more information.

Stepping Out for Education

Local version of “Dancing with the Stars” featuring Heath Nailos, Sheri Olson, Sandi Moore, Dr. Melissa DeJarlais, Bobby Rhodes, Freddy Williams and professional partners. $125. Lake Receptions, 4425 State Road 19A, Mount Dora. Information: Call 352.326.1265 or email cullen-battc@lake.k12.fl.us.

Amputee Support Group “W.A.L.K”

“W.A.L.K” (Waterman Amputee & Limb Loss Konnections) Mattison Conference Room B, Florida Hospital Waterman, 1000 Waterman Way, Tavares. Information: Anne Keller at 352.267.5592

14 23 26 28 29

The Yum Yum Club

Cooking demonstrations by a professional chef and a registered dietician. $30. Conry CREATION Health Center, 1000 Waterman Way, Tavares.

FOOT AND ANKLE CARE

Board-certified foot surgeons Dr. Michele McGowan and Dr. Timothy Henne offer a number of foot and ankle services for comprehensive foot care and ankle disorders. They are trained to handle problems as small as ingrown toenails and warts to as large and complex as bunions, hammertoes and heel pain.

Community

FIGHTING CANCER

“Evening for a Cause” was held at the home of Dr. Maen Hussein, an oncologist with Florida Cancer Specialists and Reseach Institute. The catered event raised money for cancer patients who cannot afford treatment. The honoree was Dr. Jennifer Cultera, a dedicated advocate who raises awareness and funds for patient care and cancer research. She was recently named the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year for the Northern and Central Florida chapters.

PHOTOGRAPHER: RON VANDEVENDER

1. Christopher Marsha

2. Michelle and Dr. Maen Hussein

3. Darrell and Leslie Spires

4. Jimmy and Danielle Spears

5. Jeff Jackson, Dr. Jennifer Cultrera, Cathy Keller

6. Dr. David Casper and Dr. Jorge Freire

7. Dr. Kehinde Layeni, Donna Wilson, Dr. Jeffrey Brabham

8. Dr. Mark and Patty Jacobson

9. Dr. Richard and Cecilia Truesdale

10. Ninotte and Dr. Ralph Gousse with Teri and Debbie Bergin

11. Andrea Purdon and Tomoka Brabham

Gift in Kind Sponsors

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Hepner

Heron Cay Lakeview B & B

Trista Hobbs, LMT

Hometown Health TV, LLC

David Hurley

Dr. Maen Hussein, Florida Cancer Specialists

InitialsInc.comTammie Vinson

Jacksonville Sharks

Scott & April

Kauffman

Kennedy Space Center

Lake County Quilters Guild

Lakeside Inn

Miami Dolphins, Ltd.

Miss Daisy's Flowers & Gifts

Morinda Bioactives

Annual 5 th Celebration of Lif of Lif e Gala

Florida Hospital Waterman Foundation would like to thank its sponsors

Ruby & Technology Sponsor

Mrs. Theodore C. Wheaton, 3rd and Family

Ruby Sponsors

Adventist Health System

JLR Medical Group

Johnson-Laux Construction

Sapphire Sponsors

Dr. Randy Glisson

Hayes Brothers

Funeral Home

Dr. & Mrs. Peter A. Marzek

Medical Imaging Professionals, PA

Jennings & Ann Rou

Weiss

Financial Strategies

Tom & Sharon Werner

Dalton & Barbara Yancey

Florida

Healthy-Living Magazine

Mount Dora Olive Oil Company

Origami Owl -Debbie Sturgill

Kenny & Joan Ordazzo

Orlando City Soccer

Orlando Solar Bears

Pampered ChefLindsey Matulia

Pisces Rising

Timothy J. Pruett, DMD, PL

RedTail Golf Club Golf Shop

Jennings & Ann Rou

Steven Roundtree SAK Comedy Lab

Leslie Sarmiento

SeaWorld Orlando

Segway of Central Florida

Smallwood Sign Company, Inc.

Sonnentag Theatre at the Ice House

Strickland Properties, LLC - Mr. & Mrs.

Ralph Strickland

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Rays

Tastefully SimpleAshlee Roberts

Mr. & Mrs. Paul C. Thomas

Trinity Spa

United Southern Bank

University of Central Florida

University of Florida Athletic Association

University of Miami Athletic Department

Village Framer & Art Gallery

Walt Disney World

David L. Weiss

Bobby & Paula Welter

Wendy Lyn Unlimited, Inc.

Wade G. Winker, D.D.S., P.A.

Marly Youmans, Author

Ron & Anita Young

Cardiovascular Associates of Lake County, PA

Florida Emergency Physicians

Medical Staff of Florida

Hospital Waterman

Osceola Anesthesia Associates

Shared Health Services, Inc.

Pearl Sponsors

Avante' at Leesburg

Avante' at Mount Dora

Gresham Smith and Partners

Maen & Michelle Hussein

Morrison Management Specialists, Inc.

Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Amethyst Sponsors

Dr. Gary S. Allen

David & Debra Beckman

Bella Toscana Spa

Danny & Susan Caddell

Central Florida Pathology Group, P.A.

Data Graphics, Inc.

Electric Services, Inc.

First National Bank of Mount Dora

Florida Women Care, LLC

Media Sponsors

Healthy Living Magazine

Hometown Health TV, LLC

Printing Sponsor

Ford Press, Inc.

Supporter Sponsors

Doug & Kendra Akers

Central Florida Cardiology & Vascular Center

Joseph & Lynda Comfort

Fran Crunk

David & Sherrie Douglas

Michael & Andrea Freedman

Dr. Wayne & Dawna Friestad

Hepner Wealth Management

Dave Hurley

Kevin & Gina Johnson

Scott & April Kauffman

Kevin & Brenda Mulholland

Richard & Cheryl Pearce

Merrisa Purvis

Dr. Floriano & Niesa Putigna

Marc & Nanci Robertz-Schwartz

Keith & Pat Shamrock

Dr. Kehinde Layeni & Ms. Donna Wilson

Dr. Fred Wittenstein & Ms. Laurie Levin

Ron & Anita Young

Please join us next year!

Sunday, April 19, 2015 – The Westin Lake Mary

Entertainment by VoicePlay

GLORIOUS GALA

The Lake-Sumter State College Foundation held its 29th annual Gala Auction at the Savannah Center in The Villages. The event raised $60,700 to provide scholarships to students and strengthen the college’s existing programs. Attendees participated in live and silent auctions and enjoyed a gourmet dinner.

PHOTOGRAPHER: AUBREY AKERS

1. Lori and Felix Esarey

2. Tom and Reenie Suskiewich

3. Cecelia and Chuck Rivers

4. Fred and Jan Tucker

5. Isaac Deas and Emily Lee

6. Nate and Anita Carver

7. Junie and Jeff Biddle

8. Jennifer Rivera

9. Wayne and Ann Stone

10. Eric and J.J. Dahl

Back in action

Dr. Cheryl McFarland-Bryant focuses on holistic preventive care.

It is a common public misconception that chiropractic care is just about neck and back pain. What most people do not realize is the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the nervous system control every aspect of the body and help it function. Therefore, when this vital system is compromised, it interferes with the body’s ability to regulate and heal itself.

“Chiropractic medicine removes those boundaries to enable the healing process,” says Dr. Cheryl McFarland-Bryant of Better Health Chiropractic. “Everyone should be under chiropractic care as a form of proactive, preventive care. It helps guarantee your body functions at its maximum potential.”

To give her patients access to the best in chiropractic care, Dr. McFarland-Bryant uses her orthopedic training and experience in sports medicine to zero in on the source of people’s pain and discomfort to offer relief. She also has an active medical technologist license, which enables her to diagnose certain problems through lab work, and uses a high power Erchonia laser to target inflammation and speed the course of recovery.

“In using the laser, my patients report feeling better much faster with very little discomfort,” she says. “Also, by being an orthopedic specialist, I am able to treat other joint issues besides the spine. We specialize in treating problems such as tendonitis, arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. We are also experts in

relieving pain experienced in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles — the most common areas people experience joint pain.”

Staying on the cutting-edge when it comes to the future of health care, Dr. McFarland-Bryant is a staunch proponent of natural methods to care for the whole body. Better Health Chiropractic offers hormone testing, natural weight loss solutions, and nutrition counseling.

“I introduced hormone testing into my practice after experiencing my own post-menopausal hot flashes, loss of libido, and difficulties in weight loss. I wanted to help other women overcome these symptoms and have balance again,” says Dr. McFarland-Bryant. “I use salivary testing to determine if there is an imbalance. From there, we offer nutritional support, bioidentical hormone replacement, and supplementation. In the past year, I have helped women lose weight and regain their sex drive. It’s been amazing.”

At Better Health Chiropratic, it’s not just about spinal health; it’s about overall health and wellness.

“It’s fun to come to work every day and watch people get better,” says Dr. McFarland-Bryant. “Monetary compensation is just the icing on the cake. The real joy is helping people enjoy relief.”

Dr. Cheryl McFarland-Bryant graduated with honors from Lake Michigan College with an associate degree in medical laboratory technology. She then continued her science major at Breneau University of Gainesville in Georgia. Dr. McFarlandBryant graduated magna cum laude from Life University with a doctorate of chiropractic. She has been practicing in Citrus County for 20 years.

Dr. McFarland-Bryant has one year of rehabilitation specialist education and four years chiropractic orthopedist specialist education. She has studied the natural treatment of addictions at the American College of Addictionology and Compulsive Disorders and nutrition at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.

Dr. McFarland-Bryant offers natural weight loss, anti-aging, and addiction treatment using micro-current acupuncture, supplementation, and counseling, in addition to chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitative exercise, and massage therapy.

Things you should know… BEFORE THE STORM

SOURCE: LAKE COUNTY EMERGENCY DIVISION

ILLUSTRATOR: ANTHONY CASTO

One month down, five to go in Florida’s 2014 Hurricane season.

Five more months of listening for weather radio tones, watching the Weather Channel and checking the radio before loading up the cooler and hitching the boat trailer to the truck.

But you don’t have five months to prepare. You should already have your storm survival kit together because hurricanes can develop quickly.

“The last major hurricane to strike the U.S. was Wilma in 2005, so we are due for another,” says Tommy Carpenter, Lake County’s Emergency Management Division manager. “While the 2014 forecast seems to indicate unfavorable conditions for hurricanes, it only takes one major storm to create a bad season.”

Lack of hurricane awareness and preparation can be deadly. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. The time to plan is now.

Families should learn where the closest county emergency shelter is in Lake County, whether it is Astatula Elementary, Leesburg Elementary, Lost Lake Elementary, Mascotte Elementary, Round Lake Elementary, Spring Creek Elementary, Treadway Elementary, Umatilla Elementary or The Villages Elementary.

Everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected. Your friends and family may not be together when disaster strikes. How will you find one another? Will you know if your children or parents are safe? You may have to evacuate or be confined to your home. What will you do if water, gas, electricity or phone services are shut off?

In addition to being able to answer those questions, every family should have a survival kit. Here are items the Lake County Emergency Management Division suggests should be in your kit:

• WATER. Put aside one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days for drinking and sanitation

• FOOD. Have at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food

• RADIO. Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, flashlight, and extra batteries

• FIRST-AID KIT

• MOIST WIPES, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

• CELLPHONE with chargers, inverter or a solar charger

• PRESCRIPTION medications and glasses

• INFANT FORMULA and diapers

• PET FOOD and extra water for your pet

• CASH or traveler’s checks and change

• A PHONE LIST of friends, relatives, police, fire, utility companies, hospitals, etc.

FOR ADDITIONAL HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS tips, call The Lake County Emergency Management Division at 352.343.9420 or log on to www.lakecountyfl.gov/departments/public_ safety/emergency_management.

Because sometimes belly-aching doesn’t mean complaining.

We’rEReady

You know that funny feeling in your gut? What if that feeling turns into something decidedly NOT funny? You’re never really ready for an emergency. The good news is, we are. When fever and nausea set in, our specialists are ready to assess and treat you.