See

When Nutrition Smart, Wesley Chapel’s original and, once again, it’s only “green” grocery store, opened in 2009 on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. just south of S.R. 56, I was at the store’s Grand Opening.

And, even though I never felt the need to eat only organic produce and unprocessed foods, I knew there was a huge — and growing — demand in our community for food, beverages, vitamins and supplements that supported peoples’ efforts to live a healthier lifestyle.

But for me, it was more about the snacks. More than 15 years before Nutrition Smart opened, when I still lived in Westchester County, NY, I lost more than 35 pounds with a Registered Dietitian who didn’t need her degree in nutrition to figure out the biggest challenge to my ability to lose weight and keep it off was that I was a “carbaholic.”

The most important of her solutions was to get me to stop eating my body weight in processed sugars and starchy, salty snacks. And, until I tore a calf muscle playing basketball and couldn’t work out, I was able to keep the weight off for a few years.

But, moving to Florida, working long hours to try to grow the Neighborhood News, visiting and writing about every new restaurant in our area and spending all of my free time with my sons and their love of fast food ultimately got me back to an unhealthy weight.

But years later, when Nutrition Smart opened, I found a new oasis of healthy (L.-r.) Knowledgeable vitamin and supplement specialists Joe Geier and Gary Kyle and general manager Fausto Soriano are a big part of why Nutrition Smart on BBD Blvd. (south of S.R.

56) is becoming more and more popular. (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George) snacks, including the same delicious cookies and chocolate bars with little or no processed sugar and healthier alternatives to the chips and pretzels I craved.

A Little History

The first Nutrition Smart store opened in Pembroke Pines, FL, in 1996. Today there are four stores in this Florida mini-chain — Coral Springs, Port St. Lucie, Wesley Chapel and the flagship store in Pembroke Pines that actually had to move to a larger location in a better plaza in the same community because it became so popular. It was in 2010, before the store had moved to its current location, that Wesley Chapel general manager Fausto Soriano joined the company.

“I was interested in nutrition, so I stopped in and got hired part-time in the produce department,” Soriano says. “Within three months, I became the produce manager. But, I wanted to keep learning, so I eventually became the grocery manager and then the store manager, where I had to learn about every department, including vitamins and supplements, which is the largest department where some guys work 20 years to learn and keep up with all of the new products. You have to be able to cater what you sell them to each customer’s specific needs. When I became the GM at the new Pembroke Pines store, it already was a monster that outsold (and still outsells) our other stores in terms of vitamins and supplements.”

Soriano took over as GM of the Wesley Chapel location in March of 2020, at the start of the pandemic. “I wanted to buy a home and couldn’t afford anything in the South Florida area,” Soriano says, “but when the owner told me the Wesley Chapel position was available, I jumped at the chance because homes were so much less expensive here — at least at that time.”

He says that although Pembroke Pines is still the king of Nutrition Smart’s stores in terms of vitamins, “the Wesley Chapel store actually does a higher volume on the grocery side.” He also is proud that Nutrition Smart’s selection of vitamins and supplements is the largest of any store in Wesley Chapel or New Tampa.

Soriano also credits his vitamin and supplement experts — Gary Kyle and Joe Geier (photo on this page) with keeping customers coming back.

“They’ve both been here for a long time and people trust them to give them good advice. You don’t get that kind of help or knowledge in grocery or pharmacy stores. When they go on vacation, customers will say, ‘I’ll come back when Gary (or Joe) comes

(Above) The Wesley Chapel Nutrition Smart prides itself on selling only organic produce. (Below center) Our editor loves the amazing selection of healthier cookies from the Alternative Baking Company. (Bottom left) If you’re looking for unpasteurized “raw” milk, you’ll find it in Nutrition Smart’s dairy case. (Bottom right) The store also carries a wide variety of CBD products , and Joe or Gary can help you pick the right CBD products for your needs.

back. That’s a big part of what separates Nutrition Smart from other stores.”

Soriano also says that the reason Nutrition Smart finally started advertising with us and wanted us to write a story was because, “There are so many people here who moved from other states who never heard of us. We hope the Neighborhood News can help us get the word out because everyone reads it.”

Despite the fact the store only carries organic produce, as well as everything from unpasteurized “raw” milk to organic meats and meat alternatives to breads, grains, bulk nuts and dried fruits and of course, an evergrowing roster of my beloved snacks, Soriano says that the fastest-growing category in terms of sales at the store these days are immune support products, “like zinc, elderberry and silver, because of Covid.”

He adds, “Even though Publix and pharmacies carry some of our same products, we are Wesley Chapel’s one-stop shop for all of these items — and we definitely offer competitive pricing and price-matching (with other stores) on the same products.”

He adds, “And, as the GM, I have to try everything. How can I recommend something to a customer I’ve never tried myself?”

He also notes that the store should be bringing back its popular juice bar soon.

Customer Appreciation Day!

Soriano says that Nutrition Smart’s Customer Appreciation Day — which is being held this year on Saturday, September 24, is one of his favorite days each year, but they stopped having the event during Covid.

“We’ll have live music, free samples, giveaways, raffles, discounts, cooking classes and other demonstrations,” he says, “but it’s also an opportunity for customers to slow down, spend some time in the store and get to try some things before you buy, plus our people will be on hand to answer questions. Everything moves so fast these days. We really hope the community will come out and see why Nutrition Smart is different and special.”

Nutrition Smart (1821 BBD Blvd.) is open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m., and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (813) 3414444, visit NutritionSmart.com or see the ad on pg. 33 of this issue, which also has a coupon for 20% off your next in-store purchase (some restrictions apply; see ad for details).

By ISABELLA DOUGLAS Correspondent

Candy Spitzer searched extensively for the perfect retirement home. Her criteria included a place near her children, where she didn’t have to cook or clean and where she could still have neighbors. She found the community she was looking for at Blue Heron Senior Living & Memory Care.

“I wanted to be with people who would be similar to my age so that we could still talk to and really communicate with each other,” says Spitzer, a 78-yearold Blue Heron resident. “Blue Heron was so far above any of the other places that I went because I never saw that ability for us to be able to get together as much as we can here.”

Blue Heron Senior Living, located on Eagleston Blvd. off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Seven Oaks near the new (opening in 2023) BayCare Hospital, had a staggered opening in June 2021. The 159,000-sq.ft. retirement home offers four distinct lifestyle communities for residents — including assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation.

“We are a very unique community,” says Community Relations Director Lilly Gonzalez. “We are the only community in the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa area that combines assisted living, memory care, skilled rehab and long-term care, all on one campus.”

Even beyond Wesley Chapel/New Tampa, the combination of all four services is rare.

Gonzalez says the goal of Blue Heron is to provide care and services to its residents, so they can have the independence to do the things they enjoy. Family members, she says, can visit and spend quality time with their loved ones knowing they are being cared for properly.

“When their family comes, they can enjoy the visit without having the burden of having to care for [and ask], ‘Did you take your pills, did you take a shower, did you drink your water?,’” Gonzalez says. “They can rest assured that we took care of those responsibilities.”

The sunsets at Blue Heron Senior Living in Wesley Chapel are an added bonus to go with a long list of amenities for residents in Assisted Living and Memory Care. (Photos courtesy of Blue Heron)

An Array of Choices

Spitzer is just one of about 83 residents who currently live in the assisted living community. There are 18 studio apartments, 43 one-bedroom apartments and 12 two-bedroom apartments to choose from. Residents of the 73 apartments — some are occupied by couples — can partake in social, educational, spiritual and health-oriented activities.

Residents also are welcome to leave their homes to shop or go out to eat, Gonzalez says, which is something Blue Heron residents like to do often. Residents also receive a pendant, often worn like a necklace, that they can press in case they need a care team member for assistance.

Blue Heron offers a host of amenities. In each assisted living apartment, there are full-sized refrigerators, a washer and dryer, television and telephone service, as well as WiFi, which along with the other utilities, are all included in the monthly price. The lobby has comfortable seating and a gas-fired fireplace, ideal for small gatherings or just relaxing.

The main dining area, which serves up to three meals a day to residents, is behind the lobby, and also has an open kitchen area, called The Bistro, for graband-go snacks and drinks, including coffee and a wine tap for residents to enjoy while watching television or mingling with new friends

When the weather is right, an outdoor patio beckons. It features a gas grill, a putting green and plenty of umbrellacovered seating for those who choose to look out over a sizable pond. It also is a perfect area for live music, which residents are treated to on occasion.

Blue Heron also has an art studio/ gallery, a spa/salon and a life enrichment center.

Gonzalez says the fourth floor might be the residents’ favorite — “It has a lounge area and it’s really a pretty place to watch the sunsets,” she says.

Some apartments have balconies that overlook a courtyard and the pond as well, offering beautiful views.

To provide peace of mind, Covid-19 regulations are in place at all Blue Heron communities. Employees are regularly tested for Covid-19 and residents are required to wear masks in the common areas.

This has not, however, done away with the community aspect of Blue Heron, Gonzalez says.

She recalls a time when residents did not want anyone to be excluded, so they pushed two tables together in the dining room. Gonzalez says the residents take pride in the community and make it comfortable and inclusive for everyone, which is something management also encourages.

“It’s really a precious thing,” she says. “They’re able to feel comfortable

enough to display this and engage other new residents and make them feel comfortable — that’s unique.”

For Blue Heron residents with dementia, the community offers a secured, but intimate memory care community, which allows residents to thrive and not be overwhelmed. Offering a smaller homelike environment also ensures the personalized attention and programming these residents deserve.

Gonzalez says that with Memory Care, “it’s all about engagement with planned events, scheduled outings, meaningful and purposeful programs that keep our residents stimulated, within their own familiar environment.”

She adds that the Memory Care community provides a supervised neighborhood for residents, while also allowing them to maintain their independence.

“For those who may have a tendency to try to walk away and go look for a loved one or go look for their home and wander off, well then, the independent area in assisted living is no longer safe for them,” she says. “Memory Care is a secured neighborhood and provides that safety and peace of mind.”

While the 22 Memory Care studio apartments may all be similar, the front of the “cottages” vary, with some designed with brick, stone or wood. Skilled Nursing & Rehab

“Skilled nursing and rehabilitation services are for patients who need more acute services for varying surgeries, injuries or illnesses,” says Lenee’ Cedeno, the Director of Admissions for the skilled nursing side.

It is the only assisted living community in Wesley Chapel or New Tampa that offers both short-term rehabilitation services and long-term nursing care on-site. There are 106 private suites in the health and rehabilitation center, as well as a “Return to Home” program that includes advanced therapy equipment, physical, occupational and speech therapies, virtual reality workouts and neighborhood amenities.

“Our whole vision is for rehab to home,” Cedeno says. “To get patients stronger so that they can return home or to assisted living.”

Assisted Living or Memory Care residents who have a medical need that requires a skilled nurse or intense rehab can just transition over and get the help they need before returning to their regular apartments.

Assisted Living and Memory Care are independently licensed with the state of Florida, and the skilled nursing has a distinct license for their service specialty, Gonzalez says. Both areas of the community offer skilled, certified and licensed staff members through Resident Aides, Medication Technicians, Certified Nursing Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses. A variety of doctors visit residents and patients, including cardiology, podiatry, psychology and many other specialties. Residents in Assisted Living can maintain their current primary care physicians if they choose to do so.

Another unique touch offered by Blue Heron is its respite stay program. If a family caregiver needs to go out of town for a few weeks and can’t leave a parent or older relative alone to care for themselves, they can stay at Blue Heron like they would a hotel, provided they meet the same requirements as a regular resident. These respite stays won’t be available forever because, eventually, Gonzalez says, Blue Heron will be at 100-percent occupancy. But until then, “it is a service to the community.”

Those same caregivers also can benefit from a free support group offered by Blue Heron on the third Wednesday of

Memory Care is its own separate neighborhood, and features its own dining room (top left) and 22 studio apartments (top right), as well as a number of security measures to keep the residents safe. every month, from 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Eileen Poiley from the Byrd Alzheimer’s Center & Research Institute at USF hosts the free monthly forums. The forum are designed to help Tampa-area caregivers cope with any stress and guilt, deal with loved ones who may no longer recognize them, are caring for a relative who is exit-seeking or are in physical and cognitive decline. Gonzalez says roughly a dozen or so caregivers attend, and everyone is welcome. The long list of amenities and the growth of the community are two of the main reasons why Spitzer is overjoyed with her choice. For people wondering about living at Blue Heron, she says it is the best senior living community she’s looked at in the area. “I just wish more people would understand that it’s not a punishment for their children to take them like my sons brought me,” Spitzer says. “It’s become a joy and I would hope that older people will begin to look at this as being their new home and that you can live a very nice life.” Blue Heron Senior Living is located at 5071 Eagleston Blvd. in Wesley Chapel, and its hours are MondayFriday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on the weekends. For more information, call (813) 454-0513, visit SeniorLivingAtBlueHeron.com or see the ad on page 29 of this issue.

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN

Correspondent

Music touches people creatively and socially, but it also deeply affects our brains.

Jennifer Bugos, Ph.D., first considered that idea when she was much younger, as a secondary caregiver for her grandparents. With her grandfather’s ability to speak declining to the point where he could barely utter a sentence, she would play the piano, and he would sing every word to “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Nearby, her grandmother was in a near vegetative state, but her toe would still tap along to the music.

These experiences led Dr. Bugos to her life’s work, studying, as she says, “what it is about music that is so special.”

Her background in music education includes Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master of Education and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Education, plus studies in gerontology and postdoctorate study in neuropsychology. She serves as Associate Professor of Music Education in the School of Music at the University of South Florida (USF), with two decades of research and a 22-page curriculum vitae detailing the research she has done to understand the connection between music and cognitive performance, among other accomplishments.

“Music is a powerful stimulus that we know can help to improve memory,” she says. “It’s a powerful way to exercise the brain.”

Last year, the National Endowment for the Arts chose USF as one of just six nationally designated research labs in the area of “the arts, creativity, cognition and learning.”

As principal investigator, Dr. Bugos will lead researchers who will study the effects of music training interventions — specifically, subjects will participate in music classes — on memory and motor function.

The study is called Cognition and Coordination Across the Lifespan in Music, or the acronym CALM. It is open to adults ages 18-25, as well as to adults over age 60, with plans to recruit children ages 8 to 12 in

the future. Participants should have no or very little formal training in music. “One of the key components of the study is that the task must be novel — or new – to participants,” explains Dr. Bugos. “We’re looking for people with three or less years of previous formal private musical training and not currently reading music and engaging in musical performance.” She defines “previous formal private musical training” as one-on-one instruction. If someone has participated in a band or chorus in high school, or something similar, that would not disqualify them from participating in the study. Those who do participate will be randomly assigned to a group for their music lessons. Because the groups are assigned at random, participants will not get to choose the type of music lessons they will receive. The classes will meet twice a week for 12 weeks and study participants are asked to also practice at Jennifer Bugos, Ph.D., is heading up a study at the USF School of home 30 minutes a day, or three hours a week. There Music that will examine the effects of music training interventions are various classes available to accommodate different on memory and motor function. (Photo: Charmaine George) schedules. Cognitive training interventions contain task novelty, progressive difficulty, practice components, social elements, and are “ecologically valid,” which means that individuals can use the new skill in everyday life. “Many of our previous participants can play for their own enjoyment or report playing ‘Happy Birthday’ for their grandchildren. Dr. Bugos says. “Some even perform at church or just for their own enjoyment.” She adds, “It’s a very rewarding experience. Music See “Music” on pg. 26

Continued from pg. 24

training contains all of the active ingredients of a cognitive training intervention.”

Because the programs are structured as cognitive training programs, Dr. Bugos says, “They are a bit more intense than a traditional music lesson.” She explains that it’s important for the lessons to be rigorous — and for participants to attend regularly and practice at home — so they can see gains.

She also notes that the programs are engaging and that people who participate will notice benefits in terms of cognitive performance. They also will make social connections. She says previous participants still sometimes get together for coffee, for example.

Lessons are offered free of charge, and participants will receive all materials and access to instruments for the duration of the program. In addition, they are required to participate in four research sessions, for which they will be compensated. USF parking passes also are provided.

“It’s a great program,” Dr. Bugos says. “There are cognitive benefits, motor system benefits, and learning a new skill that can last a lifetime.”

Additional studies are open for participants who are currently cancer patients or have experienced heart failure.

All studies require participants to follow Covid-19 procedures, including wearing masks during the lessons.

The first session begins in September, but new sessions will begin every four months, so those who are interested can feel free to reach out, even if their schedule doesn’t permit them to participate in the September sessions.

Partners include Kuumba Dancers and Drummers and the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. The Gasparilla Music Foundation also is a partner on a series of studies examining the effects of music training on coordination and cognition in children.

To see if you qualify to participate in the study, or for more information, contact Dr. Jennifer Bugos at (813) 974-2753, email her at BugosJ@usf.edu or see the ad on page 32.

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN

Correspondent

If you would love to have a new kitchen, but the thought of months of remodeling fills you with dread, Tampa Palms residents Al and Zein Aita want you to know they have the perfect solution for you.

As owners of the local franchise of Kitchen Tune-Up, they offer fast, clean, and affordable solutions for a complete kitchen makeover.

Kitchen Tune-Up has been around for more than 35 years and has more than 200 locations throughout the United States. Over the last few years, the company has grown tremendously, including the Aitas’ expansion into the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area a little more than two years ago.

It’s the best of both worlds, says Al, because, “we are locally owned and operated, but we have the support of a large company.”

That means lower prices because the corporate entity buys in bulk. And while, these days, everyone is experiencing delays and supplier shortages, being a larger buyer, Kitchen Tune-Up is able to get priority faster than other companies, so access to materials hasn’t been as delayed as it has been for others in the industry.

Kitchen Tune-Up can help if you are looking for a complete, custom kitchen remodel, but they also offer much easier and quicker solutions that can update and refresh nearly every home.

First, if you still love your kitchen but it’s looking a little worn, the “original tune-up” includes a deep cleaning and wood reconditioning. Cabinets are cleaned to remove all dirt, grease, wax, smoke and dust, and any imperfections or discolorations are restored, includ-

Al and Zein Aita’s Kitchen Tune-Up franchise can provide a custom complete or partially remodeled kitchen, or just some updates that can make your kitchen look more modern and new

without the big price tag. (Photo by Charmaine George) ing repairing scratches and dents. They’ll make your old cabinets look like new with a penetrating oil or fresh coat of finish, and you can even add new accessories, such as hardware, roll-out drawers inside your cabinets, or new countertops or backsplashes. If you no longer love your cabinets, but you still like the color, Kitchen Tune-Up can replace all of your doors and drawer fronts with new ones that are color-matched to your existing cabinet boxes in a process called “redooring,” which includes new, soft-close hinges, pulls and knobs.

Changing the color isn’t hard, either. Al says most customers choose this option, which is called “refacing.”

“Refacing is perfect for customers who like the layout of their kitchen and don’t want demolition mess,” he says.

This includes redooring, but also adding a veneer layer to the cabinet boxes so you’re not limited to your current kitchen color.

“Most kitchens are done in four days at about half the cost of a new kitchen,” Al says. “It’s a beautiful transition without the hassle and the mess.”

He says his job is something like being a detective, listening to the customer and making recommendations about what would work best for them. With any of the available options, Kitchen Tune-Up technicians can customize the job to include upgrades such as adding an island, additional cabinets, or whatever the customer wants in order to have the kitchen of their dreams.

For those who don’t like their current kitchen layout or need more extensive help, Al says working with Kitchen TuneUp allows customers the benefits of the large corporate backing for full kitchen See “New Kitchen” on pg. 30

Continued from pg. 28

redesigns, with 3D designs and quality technical support for any unusual circumstances.

He says current trends include twotone kitchens, with white cabinets on the top and grey or blue cabinets on the bottom. Many customers are choosing natural colors — such as a soft green — for their cabinets. Al says having the support of the national Kitchen Tune-Up corporation helps him to stay up-to-date on all trends and new ideas.

With any option, customers can add on accessories, such as a farmhouse sink, which is a popular option right now. Al says his customers also love having rollout trays inside the cabinets.

“They don’t have to go digging deep in a bottom cabinet anymore,” he says. “Just roll it out, and it’s very smooth and practical, so you don’t have to be on the ground looking for your pots and pans.”

The process starts with a phone call, where Al strives to understand exactly what each customer wants and needs, and then schedules a free, in-home consultation and estimate. Everything is custom made, so careful measurements are taken, and then it takes about three weeks to order and receive materials. The Five Trust Points

Al says he often hears stories about problems with contractors, but Kitchen Tune-Up has a very strict set of “Trust Points” that every franchisee is expected to provide:

These Trust Points include: • We listen carefully. • We communicate promptly. • We respect your home. • We arrive on time. • We provide solutions.

“We want to ensure our customers have a good experience, so we emphasize these trust points,” Al says.

Al and Zein have lived in Tampa Palms for six years and say they always dreamed of running a business together. Al’s background is in retail and sales, and Zein’s is in accounting, although she also holds a Master’s degree from the University of South Florida in Project Management. So, Al works with the customers to ensure they get the kitchen of their dreams, while Zein handles the accounting for the business.

The couple has a 16-month-old daughter, Julia.

“It’s been challenging taking care of a baby and running a business,” Al says, “but we’ve gotten used to it and are getting better every day.”

He says they love it when they get to reveal a finished kitchen to their customers.

“It’s very rewarding to start on a Monday with one kitchen and end on Friday with a completely different kitchen,” Al says. “It’s the best part of the job and we’re happy to help our customers with that.”

Cheryle White recently had her cabinets refaced, after buying a new home with cabinets she didn’t like.

“They didn’t have handles, didn’t open and close properly, and my kitchen looked old and dated and needed to be refreshed,” Cheryle says. “At the same time, it had brand new quartz countertops that we didn’t want to waste, so we looked at our options.”

She says she’s thrilled with how her kitchen turned out.

“A lot of people don’t know that if your cabinets are in good shape, you don’t need to tear them out,” she says. “If you just don’t like the aesthetics, you can change them.”

Kitchen Tune-Up offers several options for financing, which currently includes a 12-month interest-free option.

Kitchen Tune-Up will come to you for a free inhome consultation. For more information, (813) 8225911, visit KitchenTuneUp. com/tampa-north-fl or see the ad on page 39.

Above is a typical kitchen before “refacing”. Below is that same kitchen after refacing by Kitchen Tune-Up.