B.E. INFLUENTIAL

Each month I tell you how excited I am to present the newest issue of Healthy Living magazine. However, this month I am extremely excited. As I’m sure you noticed on the cover, we are featuring one of my dear friends, B.E. Thompson. I met B.E. years ago when I was joining several different community boards on which B.E. also served. B.E. instantly became my friend but back then, he was different. You see, B.E. was overweight and what the medical professionals call obese. It was difficult to watch B.E. struggle with his weight and all the health issues that accompany obesity.

Shortly after meeting B.E., he shared with me that he was going to begin a journey to become healthier and requested that Healthy Living magazine sponsor him and follow him through the process. He was certain that publicizing his journey would not only keep him motivated but also inspire others along the way.

We featured B.E. as the cover story in the June 2011 issue, and he shared his amazing and very successful story. At that time, B.E. had lost more than 300 pounds. He had done it — or so we thought. We soon discovered that his journey had actually just begun. B.E. continued to lose weight and become healthier day by day, but he had no idea at that time how much of an inspiration he would be to others.

B.E.’s courage and willingness to share his journey has affected so many people within our community and across the nation. He continues to receive emails, letters, and phone calls from people who are experiencing the same struggles that he went through. And most importantly, B.E. takes the time to respond to them all.

It has been such a great pleasure to be involved in B.E.’s journey and follow him through it in the magazine. It seemed only appropriate to have B.E. as our main feature again in our annual Look Good, Feel Good issue.

Here’s to you B.E.! Thank you for being such a fantastic inspiration to us all.

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

TINA MORRISON editorial/community relations director tina@akersmediagroup.com

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

SHEMIR WILES copy editor/writer shemir@akersmediagroup.com

JAMES COMBS staff writer james@akersmediagroup.com

HEATHER TOOTLE office manager heather@akersmediagroup.com contributing writers

RICK BOSSHARDT RICHARD BURGUET

TRACY DRAPER

LORI ESAREY

ROBERT FROSS

THOMAS FROSS

FRED HILTON

DEBBIE INGRAM

DAVE RAMSEY

THOMAS H. RUGGIE, CHFC, CFP

STEVEN J. CODRARO associate creative director steve@akersmediagroup.com

CIERRA CHAPPELL production manager/designer cierra@akersmediagroup.com

JOSH CLARK senior designer/advertising josh@akersmediagroup.com

ANTHONY CASTO senior designer/editorial anthony@akersmediagroup.com

CALEB WAYNE JENSEN contributing designer caleb@akersmediagroup.com

FRED LOPEZ chief photographer fred@akersmediagroup.com

AUBREY AKERS receptionist contributing photographer SHAENA CHASTAIN

SALES // MARKETING

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

MIKE STEGALL senior marketing representative mike@akersmediagroup.com

LORI STRONG marketing representative lori@akersmediagroup.com

HEIDI RESSLER marketing representative heidi@akersmediagroup.com

JIM LAW marketing representative jim.law@akersmediagroup.com

MICHAEL GAULIN production director michael@akersmediagroup.com

Until next month,

Until next

DISTRIBUTION

SCOTT HEGG distribution manager scott.hegg@akersmediagroup.com

Kendra Akers publisher

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Sparkle With Safety On Independence Day

The Fourth of July is one of the most festive, fun-filled days of the year. People love to spend precious time with family and friends, enjoy nice picnics or barbecues, and conclude the evening watching a dazzling display of fireworks. Don’t spoil this fun day by being careless. There are things you can do to prevent accidents.

• Many people enjoy swimming on the Fourth of July. Do not allow children to swim without adult supervision. Statistics show that most young children who drown are only out of sight for less than five minutes.

• Drink alcohol responsibly. Mixing alcohol with swimming, fireworks, and driving is extremely dangerous.

• If you are eating outdoors, make sure to cover food and beverages to avoid being stung by bees and wasps.

• If you plan to spend the day outdoors — particularly at a lake, beach, or pool — be sure to wear sunscreen to prevent serious sunburn or skin cancer.

• It’s hot this time of the year. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration or other heat-related illnesses.

• Make sure children stay a safe distance from campfires and grills. Grill fires and explosions can occur with gas leaks, blocked tubes, and overfilled propane tanks.

Lowering The Boom

15,500 In 2010, fires were reported due to fireworks, including 1,100 total structure fires and 300 vehicle fires.

8,600 In 2010, estimated people were treated in emergency rooms throughout the country for fireworks-related injuries. Of those, 57 percent suffered injuries to their extremities, and 37 percent suffered injuries to the head.

5–14, Children ages had the highest risk of injury with more than twice the risk for the general population.

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‘BERRY’ HEALTHY

When you are feeling tired, sluggish, and unhealthy, there is something out of the blue that may help — blueberries. A diet rich in blueberries can help lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce risk for heart disease and diabetes. According to a study presented at the 2009 Experimental Biology conference, blueberries have at least five other health benefits including the following:

• Blueberries contain the highest amount of antioxidants among all fresh fruit, including vitamins C, E, A, and B complex.

• Because they have a high amount of antioxidants, blueberries can neutralize free radicals that cause disease and aging in the body.

• Blueberries are rich in anthocyanosides compounds that help preserve vision.

• Blueberries are considered natural antidepressants that help to keep you in a good mood.

• Blueberries are good for digestive health because they contain vitamins, sodium, copper, fructose, and acids. Source: www.womenfitness.net/blueberries.htm

WHERE CAN YOU FIND FRESH BLUEBERRIES IN LAKE COUNTY?

Green Acres Fernery, Blueberry & Peach Farm: 8635 High St., Yalaha. 352.324.3333

Blue Bayou Farms: 26921 Bloomfield Ave., Yalaha. 352.324.4069

H&H Berry Farms: 15217 County Road 455, Montverde: 321.436.5830

Lake Catherine Blueberries: 5849 Lake Catherine Road, Groveland: 352.551.4110

Lake Jem Nursery: 27205 County Road 448A, Mount Dora: 352.223.4445

Lazy Bear Blueberries: 46002 State Road 19, Altoona: 323.420.8663.

Mark’s U-pick Blueberries: 18900 County Road 561, Clermont: 352.394.2135

Southern Blues Berry Farm: 5410 Mitchell Bridges Road, Clermont: 352.267.0468

Valley View Vineyard: 22310 County Road 455, Howey-in-the-Hills: 352.243.4032

Note: Always make sure to call ahead to check availability.