Panache Vue' Tampa Bay Magazine May 2014

Tampa Bay May 2014

SIZZLING SUMMER SKINCARE HEALTHY EATING On A Budget

DOES SPENDING MONEY MAKE YOU HEALTHY “PROGESTERONE - The Little but Mighty Hormone”

THE SIPS YOU TAKE THIS SUMMER May Be Destroying Your Teeth

DALI HERNANDEZ...

PROFESSIONAL, LOYAL AND HONEST

www.PanacheVue.com

PANACHE VUE’

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DO YOU REALLY NEED BACK OR NECK SURGERY?

M

ore than 465,000 spinal fusions were performed in the United States in 2011. It is estimated that patients spent over $200 million on those surgeries. The United States leads the world in spinal fusions and surgeries. In fact, on average, up to 4 times more surgeries than any other nation, BUT DID ALL OF THESE PATIENTS REALLY NEED SURGERY??

As chiropractors in the Tampa Bay area for over 14 years, Dr. Carl Conforti and his team of doctors have been fighting to reduce those numbers and provide safe, surgery free options for patients who truly want to be well and avoid the pain shots and surgeries.

WHAT IS THE DRX9000?

The DRX9000 is a state of the art machine that allows us to perform spinal decompression in the comfort of our offices.

WHAT KIND OF CONDITIONS DO YOU TREAT WITH THE SPINAL DECOMPRESSION? The DRX9000 allows us to treat quite a few conditions. We have both neck and back decompression, so we treat for neck pain, sciatic DRX9000

Dr. Carl Conforti, D.C. Dr. Todd Bodanza, D.C. & Dr. Damien Rogers, D.C.

pain, lower back pain, auto injuries, sports injuries, bulging and herniated discs, and many other injuries.

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE IF SOMEONE IS A CANDIDATE FOR YOUR TREATMENT?

In our candidate assessment, we review MRI’s, x-rays, and we utilize our computerized spinal exam (EMG) to evaluate the problem. After reviewing all of the tests, we discuss medical history and the complexity of the issues.

ONCE YOU DETERMINE THAT SOMEONE IS A CANDIDATE WHAT CAN THEY EXPECT NEXT?

Once we have determined that someone is a candidate for the spinal decompressions treatment, we lay out a treatment plan and start treatment as soon as possible. Many times we can start the patient that same week, and sometimes that same day. With the treatment plan in mind, we start the spinal decompression and therapies to ensure optimal results.

DO THE TREATMENTS HURT?

No, not at all. In fact, many of our patients fall asleep during treatment. Others choose to read books and listen to music. It is actually a very

relaxing treatment.

WHAT IS YOUR SUCCESS RATE WITH THE TREATMENT?

As opposed to traditional surgery, which is about 50% success, our treatment process is successful over 80% of the time. Our careful attention to specific needs and our full in office treatment process allows our patients to be back enjoying their lives pain free and full of life!

COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION AND CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT (A $295 VALUE) In this consultation you will receive a consultation, exam, and x-rays (if necessary). Dr. Conforti and his team of doctors will explain their recommendations for your treatment plan and their plan to eliminate your pain, burning, restlessness, and altered nerve function! Call the office nearest you today to schedule your consultation.

Offer expires 06-15-14

THE PATIENT & ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR ANY PAYMENT OR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE FREE, DISCOUNTED, OR REDUCED FEE, SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT.

WITH 3 TAMPA BAY AREA LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU: Pinellas Conforti Chiropractic & Wellness 4040 Tampa Rd Oldsmar, FL 34677

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813.749.8331

PANACHE VUE’

Pasco Conforti’s Crossroads 1811 Healthcare Dr Trinity, FL 34655

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Hillsborough Benttree Clinic 10935 N. Dale Mabry Tampa, FL 33618

813.969.2225

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PANACHE VUE’

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MAY 2014

FEATURES

26

20/DOES SPENDING MONEY MAKE YOU HEALTHY? 23/WHY SHOULD I FORGIVE? 24/FABULOUS WORK STYLE AT EVERY AGE 26/DALI HERNANDEZ… Professional, Loyal and Honest

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Tampa Bay May 2014

SIZZLING SUMMER SKINCARE HEALTHY EATING

32/WATER FITNESS BENEFITS

On A Budget

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PANACHE VUE’

DOES SPENDING MONEY MAKE YOU HEALTHY “PROGESTERONE - The Little but Mighty Hormone”

THE SIPS YOU TAKE THIS SUMMER May Be Destroying Your Teeth

34/17TH ANNUAL BERN’S WINEFEST 36/ENJOY THE TASTE OF EATING RIGHT

36

DALI HERNANDEZ...

24

PROFESSIONAL, LOYAL AND HONEST

www.PanacheVue.com

MODEL DALI HERNANDEZ

PANACHE VUE’

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e d F a o n r o L i m v e y L S a e d F a o n t r t o a L i m s v e n y L o S dd a H t t a s n o H to Help Fund Epilepsy Research to Help Fund Epilepsy Research All proceeds are donated to the Epilepsy Foundation All proceeds are donated to the Epilepsy Foundation

July 2 July 26th 6th

4th 4ntnhual A ual Ann

• Epilepsy is a chronic that affects • disorder Epilepsy is a chronic people of all ages disorder that affects people of all ages • 360,000 people in within 360,000live people • Florida Epilepsy Florida live with Epilepsy • Every two minutes, case of Every two minutes, • another Epilepsy is diagnosed another case of Epilepsy is diagnosed • Epilepsy has no cure can affect Epilepsy has noanyone, cure • and anywhere at anytime and can affect anyone, anywhere at anytime

• Choose a location register your • and Choose a location stand online and register your stand online • Make your stand & creative Make your stand • fun fun & creative • Tell your friends familyfriends and get Tell your • and the word out and family and get the word out • Have fun while a • supporting Have fun while great causea supporting great cause

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For more information about For more information about Lemonade For Livy Lemonade For Livy and the Kids Crew, andvisit the LivysHope.com Kids Crew, please please visit LivysHope.com

PANACHE Don’t Give VUE’ Up. Give 5Back.

Don’t Give Up. Give Back.

DEPARTMENTS MAY 2014

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 5 MAY 2014 Publisher | Editor In Chief Nina Stanley Executive Art Director Shaun Drees Fashion Editor Dali Hernandez Photographer| Photo Editor Lisa Sibley Media Consultants Tallia Keene Milinda O’Daniel Erica Turchin

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IT | Social Media Director Jason Longo Founder | CEO Nina Stanley

22 HEALTH & WELLNESS

11/The sips you take this summer may be destroying your teeth 13/“Progesterone – the little but mighty hormone” 14/Self-Esteem: a powerful predictor of living and aging well 16/The key to living long and aging well 22/Veggie Boost 6

PANACHE VUE’

38 30/Healthy Eating on a Budget

FITNESS

19/Get Fit With Pilates

BEAUTY

15/Sizzling Summer Skincare

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

38/Cuba: A Charismatic Country in the Crux of Change

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Andrew Ashton Dr. Laurie De Luca Dr. Cesar Lara Dr. Larry Lieberman Audrey Mabrey Dana Martinez Patricia Welter Panache Vue’ Magazine PO Box 14033 Clearwater, FL 33766 Telephone: 727- 459-2361 Letters to the Editor: editor@panachevue.com Advertising Inquiries: advertising@panachevue.com www.PanacheVue.com Panache Vue’ Magazine is published by Panache Group. All rights reserved. Copyright 2008-2014.

Reproduction of or use of editorial, pictorial, digital, advertising or design content in any manner is strictly prohibited without written permission of the publisher.

Panache Vue’ Magazine is not responsible for statements made by advertisers and writers.

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PANACHE VUE’

7

CULTURE & ARTS

George Inness, Jr. (American, 1853-1926) Tarpon Springs Port, c.1915 Oil on canvas, 26 ¼ x 32 1/8 in.

On loan from the Cici and Hyatt Brown Collection

AN ARTS LEGACY: GEORGE INNESS, JR. IN TARPON SPRINGS

On view May 4 - August 31

T

his exhibition on the legacy of George Inness, Jr. will include paintings from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tarpon Springs. Additional works from the private collection of Cici and Hyatt Brown include paintings of the Anclote River, Lake Tarpon, Spring Bayou and the Sponge Docks. Few of these paintings have ever been exhibited in this area.

A companion show, The Legacy Continues, will present a sampling of works by fine artists who’ve made Tarpon Springs their home, including Kevin Grass, Elizabeth Indianos, Mitch Kolbe, Christopher M. Still and Joseph Weinzettle. Also on view is Historic Tarpon Springs, a collection of prints

by Tarpon Springs architect Edward C. Hoffman, Jr.

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PANACHE VUE’

Jack Barrett (American, 1929-2008) Fantastic Flight, c. 1996-97 Watercolor, 31 x 40 in.

On loan from Louise Barrett

MYSTÈRES DE L’AQUARELLE: WORKS ON PAPER BY JACK BARRETT June 1 - August 31 Jack Barrett worked for 20 years as a well-known illustrator for the St. Petersburg Times. After retirement, he devoted 19 years to his own art style. His works came from a variety of sources, but were mostly fantasies from his vivid imagination with playful images executed through dynamic gestures and exuberant color.

This exhibition of nine watercolors and collages demonstrate the masterful quality and vision of Jack Barrett’s art.

ISABELLE’S MUSEUM STORE

It’s all about the art of shopping! You’ll find creative gifts for all ages including works by local artists and craftspeople.

Discover unique wearables by textile artist Diane Prekup, fused glass creations

by Jeannine Talley, gorgeous ceramics by Christa Stanelun and Chihuly Art Kits for the kids. Isabelle’s is open to the public year-round during regular museum hours.

600 Klosterman Road Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 727-712-5762 www.spcollege.edu/museum Spring Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Thursday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Sunday 1 – 5 p.m.

Closed Mondays and national holidays Admission: $6 adults $5 seniors Free to children, college students and active military Sunday admission free – suggested donation $5 Parking: free

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

D

uring the month of May we celebrate Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, two very special days.

On Mother’s Day we honor our mother’s, the very reason we are here. A mother’s role takes on numerous and challenging experiences, not for a day, a week, a month, nor a year… but for a lifetime. I am blessed beyond what words can say that my mom is still here with me, 85-years old and in relatively good health. Our roles reversed almost thirty years ago when my father past suddenly and she has been with me ever since. I have now taken care of her longer than she did of me, but I would not want it any other way! She is my rock, my biggest supporter, my cheerleader, my angel and the woman who is the most selfless person I have ever had contact with in my life. She has taught me the gift of giving, even when you feel you have nothing more to give. I love her and cherish all of our years spent together, arguing as mothers and daughters do, but loving even harder.

Memorial Day is also very special for us to remember and thank all those who have fought so hard for ALL of us. They are our fathers, sons, daughters and mothers with families who need them. They give up so much in order to protect us and those in other parts of the world who have no one else to count on. When and if they do have the opportunity to come home, life is not what they envisioned. We need to be more compassionate of what they have gone through, to enable us to have a safer way of life.

Some of you may recognize the gorgeous and intriguing woman on the cover, our very own fashionista, Ms. Dali Hernandez! Dali is our resident fashion editor; her column “House of Dali” in each issue receives rave reviews! Dali is not only the head designer and Creative Director with her “House of Dali” brand, but a luxury home realtor in Tampa Bay. This elegant and oh so beautiful native from New York has truly made a name for herself. Read all about Dali on page 26!

We would love to hear from you! Email us at editor@panachevue.com with story ideas, suggestions or events you feel we should be a part of. Don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Panachevue and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Panachevue. Enter our contests and read featured articles on our website at www.panachevue.com.

Most of all please support all of the advertisers and organizations within the pages of Panache Vue’!

Publisher | Editor - in - Chief

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3

DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW+LOCAL

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The Florida Orchestr a

Upcoming Concerts Tampa • St. Pete • Clearwater Rock Concert

The Music of the Eagles

May 9 - One Night Only!

Tampa Bay Times Masterworks

Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique May 16 - 18

Raymond James Pops

A Stars & Stripes Hit Parade May 23 - 25

Tampa Bay Times Masterworks

Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé © Thomas Bruce Studio

Panache Vue’ is for you! Stylish, Classy and Full of Flair!

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PANACHE VUE’ 3/26/2014 1:25:08 PM 9

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PANACHE VUE’

S K AT E T O B E C O O L .

HEALTH

The Sips You Take This Summer May Be Destroying Your Teeth THE SIPS YOU TAKE THIS SUMMER May Be Destroying Your Teeth

Debbie and Larry Lieberman, D.D.S. Debbie & Larry Lieberman, D.D.S.

TT

he beautiful beautiful weather we he we all alllook look forward here! It’s aa time timetoto forward to to is here! dust oldold barbque, enjoyenjoy some dustoffoffthethe barbque, delicious grill time some delicious grill with time family with andand friends some cold, cold,thirst thirst family friendsand andsip sip on on some quenching soda. Although this image quenching soda. Although this image appears appears heavenly - the soda you are drinking heavenly - the soda you are drinking can create can create a dental nightmare! a dental nightmare!

I have told my patients for years that Ibesides have toldsmoking my patients for yearssoda that becigarettes, (this sidesincludes smokingdiet cigarettes, soda (this includes soda too) is the worst thingdiet you soda can too)do is to theharm worstyour thing you For can many do to people, harm teeth. your soft teeth.drinks For many people, soft drinks are the are the beverage of choice.

But you may not realize the may two-fold damage beverage of choice.

But you not realize

the two-fold damage it is doing to your teeth.

First, soft drinks can contain 10-12 teaspoons of it is doing to your teeth. First, soft drinks sugar per serving. So, when you drink a soda, can contain 10-12 teaspoons of sugar per you are essentially bathing your teeth in liquid serving. So, when you drink a soda, you sugar.

The bacteria that naturally live your are essentially bathing your teeth in on liquid teeth feed on that sugar and produce acid.

Withsugar. The bacteria that naturally live on out proper care, theon acid dissolves the surface your teeth feed that sugar and produceof your teeth and creates a cavity. acid. Without proper care, the acid dissolves drinkssodastheSecond, surface soft of your teethespecially and createsdiet a cavity.

Second, soft and drinksdiet contain phosphoric citric especially acid to enhance sodas-The contain to flavor. acidsphosphoric wash over and yourcitric teeth,acid affectenhance flavor. acids wash ing the entire toothThe structure.

Overover time your , they teeth, the affecting entire toothenamel, structure.causing Over erode hard,theprotective time , they erode the hard, protective enamel, your teeth to get thinner and expose the sensicausing your teeth to get thinner and expose tive dentin layer inside your tooth. As your the sensitive dentin layer inside your tooth. As teeth to getto thinner, the the edges can yourcontinue teeth continue get thinner, edges crumble and lose their natural shape.

When can crumble and lose their natural shape. the enamel worn away, isit exposes the denWhen isthe enamel worn away, it tinexposes layer tothe both decay and pain.

Tooth enamel dentin layer to both decay and pain.lost Tooth enamel that’s lost to grow decayback. or that’s to decay or erosion won’t erosion won’tthegrow back.but Wethe canbest repair the We can repair damage, solution but the best solution is prevention. isdamage, prevention.

This is not a problem for adults.

This is not a problem onlyonly for adults.

ChilChildren and who teenshave who frequent have frequent dren and teens accessaccess to soft

drinks can greatly damage their teeth because their teeth are still forming. to soft drinks can greatly damage their teeth Sodas (regular and diet), sports drinks, enbecause their teeth are still forming. ergy drinks, vitamin waters, fruit juices, teas, Sodas (regular and diet), sports drinks, blended coffeevitamin drinks and winefruit all contain energy drinks, waters, juices, the sugars that can damage your teeth.

A 16-ounce teas, blended coffee drinks and wine all blended coffee drink can contain 500 calories contain the sugars that can damage your and 69 of sugar. teeth.

A grams 16-ounce blended coffee drink can contain 500best calories andfor 69 agrams of sugar.

Your choices beverage are milk best choices a beverage are soft andYour or course, water. for If you must drink milk and- or water.

If you must drinks usecourse, a straw, do not drink for drink extended soft drinks use adostraw, do not drink in foryour periods of -time, not hold the liquid extended periodsswallowing, of time, docut not down hold the mouth before on the liquid in your mouth before swallowing, amount you consume, and after you drink, cut down on the amount you consume, and rinse your mouth with water and brush your after you drink, rinse your mouth with water teeth.

Theyour bestteeth. decision is todecision choose is thetovery and brush The best best thirst quencher.

Water has no fat, no cafchoose the very best thirst quencher. Water feine and no acid! has no fat, no caffeine and no acid!

Withsmarter smarterchoices choicesand andregular regularcheckcheck-ups, With ups, can protect theofhealth of for your you you can protect the health your teeth years. teeth foryou years. have a safe and I hope haveI ahope safe you and enjoyable summer! enjoyable summer!

Larry Lieberman,DDS

LARRY LIEBERMAN,DDS

Summer is here – tans fade but the memories last forever!

Let us help you create a healthy, memorable smile.

-Debbie & Larry Lieberman

To complement our dental services, we now offer Botox and facial fillers!

Larry & Debbie Lieberman

727.785.8017

Providing state of the art cosmetic, laser and family dentistry since 1984

HIGH TECH DENTISTRY WITH A HUMAN TOUCH

To read other patient stories and get more information go to

WWW.DENTIST-LIEBERMAN.COM 35691 US 19. N Palm Harbor, 34684 www.PanacheVue.com

PANACHE VUE’

13 11

“ADOPT ME!” Super Cooper

Hi There! Don’t let my age fool you. I may be 10 years old…but I just love to run and play with the younger pups. Yessiree, no couch for me! I am a male “chewennie” and the best of both worlds: maturity and playfulness. And do’t worry, I am as healthy as a horse. The only thing I need is my forever family.

We can be found at www. dunedindogs.com, and on Facebook (Dogeden Rescue). Ken Koenig is the founder and he can be reached at 813-205-0156 or kk@dunedindogs.com!

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PANACHE VUE’

HEALTH

César A. Lara, M.D.

PROGESTERONE - The Little but Mighty Hormone

P

rogesterone begins declining before menopause. Many women in their 30s and 40s begin to experience symptoms of declining levels, such as; breast swelling and tenderness, mood swing, “fuzzy” thinking, irritability, trouble sleeping, water retention, PMS, and weight gain.

These symptoms largely are due to an imbalance of progesterone to estrogen, in which case women become “estrogen dominant”.

Testosterone levels also begin to decline prior to actual menopause, and finally, estrogen production decreases significantly causing the common menopausal symptoms we are familiar with: night sweats, insomnia, hot flashes, and mood swings to name a few.

Declining hormonal production is in large part why we have diseases as we reach what should be, some of the best years of our life. Heart disease, osteoporosis, breast cancer, arthritis, memory loss and depression are just some of the health issues related to a decline in hormones. And yet, we consider this a “natural” part of aging!

We have heard much information about the roles of estrogen and testosterone in the body, but what is the role of progesterone?

We cannot isolate one hormone as being solely responsible for certain functions – they must work together in balance. However, progesterone affects every area of our body – from the brain to the bone, our organs and even dental health!

Let’s start with emotions – those mood swings we can’t control. When estrogen and progesterone are out of balance, production of serotonin is interrupted. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that sends signals to the body about appetite, memory and emotional

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mood. With just this one effect, we can easily see how we can have mood swings and fuzzy thinking.

Bone health is another area where progesterone is important. A decline in progesterone can lead to brittle bones and osteoporosis. We think of spine and hipbones, but even consider the jawbone. Wearing away of the jawbone can cause receding gums and loss of teeth. Progesterone actually stimulates the formation of bones!

Heart and liver are affected by declining progesterone. This hormone affects clotting which affects vascular health. It also stabilizes copper and zinc in the body, which affects liver health.

Brain function is an important role of progesterone. It improves memory and thought development processes. Clinical data shows that progesterone, in combination with other hormones, has been beneficial in treatment of traumatic brain injury and some neurodegenerative disorders. Its anti-inflammatory effects are important to the brain as well as the rest of the body.

Progesterone has many other functions in the body, but one of prime importance to women is its protection against breast cancer. There is a connection between a woman’s natural progesterone levels and her risk for breast cancer. Studies have found that women who supplement with natural progesterone have a significantly reduced chance of getting breast cancer, while those who take synthetic progesterone actually increase their risk.

A 2008 clinical study from Fournier(Breast Cancer Res Treat 107: 103111, 2008) looks at the relationship of both synthetic vs. natural progesterone, in combination with estradiol, on the risk of developing breast cancer. The takeaway: natural progesterone had the lowest risk—and that risk was actually lower than no hormone treatment at all.

Further, in a different study, scientists ad-

ministered estrogen alone, progesterone and estrogen together, and progesterone alone topically to 40 women 12 days prior to surgery to remove a breast lump. As expected, when given alone, estrogen caused a 62% increase in breast cell proliferation rates compared to a placebo. When adding natural progesterone to estrogen, there was a significant decrease in breast cell proliferation rates. Most impressive was the finding that the group receiving natural progesterone alone had a 76% lower breast cell proliferation rate compared to the placebo group.

Armed with all of this information, we can easily see why we need natural hormonal supplementation as we age, and why progesterone is such an important part. First, our bodies decrease production of the very hormones that keep us energized and feeling great when we are younger; and secondly, we need those same hormones to protect our cells, bones, and organs to improve our sense of well being and keep us at optimal health. And don’t we want to feel like our “old” self again – the time when we had energy and enthusiasm for life?

You can receive bio-identical hormone therapy with an expert, Cesar A. Lara, MD. Dr. Lara has studied extensively the role of hormones in the body. He individualizes your “age management” plan according to your individual hormonal needs.

César A. Lara, M.D. is Board Certified in Obesity Medicine, a Diplomate in Family Practice and a leading expert in the field of medicine, the treatment of obesity, and Age Management. For more than 25 years, it has been Dr. Lara’s passion to become a positive force in America’s ever-growing obesity crisis…one patient at a time. Dr. Lara’s dream of helping men and women overcome diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and other chronic conditions related to obesity was realized with the emergence of the César A. Lara, MD; Center for Weight Management as a premier weight loss center in Tampa Bay. A graduate of the University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Dr. Lara is known for his strong personal faith and his generous contributions to the Tampa Bay community.

Dr. Lara regularly appears on television as a medical contributor to Brighthouse Network’s Bay News 9 en Español and WTSP-TV Studio 10. He frequently participates in corporate health fairs promoting an active lifestyle and healthy weight loss options. He is the founder of St. Michael’s Free Clinic and Weight Away Tampa Bay, charitable organizations that provide free medical treatment to those who cannot afford it. Call 727.446.3021 or visit www.bestmedicineforweightloss.com

PANACHE VUE’

13

HEALTH tant predictor of a long and independent life. Think poorly of yourself, and your risk of illness and even death increases threefold. It is for this reason that I always look on the positive side and have as a major goal to make patients I see feel better at the end of their visits than they did before.

So what can we do to improve our self-esteems? Here are some suggestions: --Think well of yourself. Just because you are pleasantly plump, have some wrinkles and are less shapely than you used to be, does not mean you are not beautiful.

SELF-ESTEEM A Powerful Predictor of Living and Aging Well

BY DAVID LIPSCHITZ

T

hree sad words in the English language are: “Get Into Shape.” With every new resolution, Americans almost always use the common refrain, “I am definitely going to get into shape”.

When we see someone who looks healthy, we say, “She is in such great shape.” Shape is a national obsession, and although it refers to health, it reflects the way we wish to look. The news media and advertisers portray being thin as a measure of beauty. Pictures of young men with perfect bodies or women wearing scanty clothes, a bare midriff and sporting jewelry in their belly buttons are everywhere.

It is a rare person who can ever aspire to being “one of those beautiful people,” and as we look in the mirror, all we see are flaws or images of our parents or grandparents staring back at us. It’s not

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PANACHE VUE’

surprising that my patients universally scoff when I tell them they are beautiful.

If not being perfect is devastating to the self-esteems of teenagers, young adults and baby boomers, the effects on older individuals are particularly severe.

Just recently, one of the most beautiful 80-something people I know, with a beautiful face, blazing blue eyes and a tummy that is average for her age, complained about her wrinkles and double chin, and asked quite seriously if she should have a tummy tuck. She was desperate to bring back her youth. No matter how hard I tried, it was impossible to convince her that she is beautiful.

Subjected to the most discrimination are those who are significantly overweight. One 75-year-old woman who weighed much more than 300 pounds came to see me regularly because she said, “I was the only physician who seemed to respect her as a person.” The indignities she had suffered amounted to serious discrimination.

The reason this topic is so important stems from the results of a study by the MacArthur Foundation of thousands of people over age 50. It showed that high self-esteem was the single most impor-

--Feel good about yourself and appreciate your inner and outer beauty. I, for one, love telling men they are beautiful. They look at me askance. I respond that beauty is not merely the way you look, but who you are, what you have done, the contributions you have made and what you stand for. Universally, women often say the man in their life is beautiful.

--Always look on the bright side. No matter the afflictions, the future must have hope and purpose. Forget the negative stereotypes of aging -- the best is yet to come. Retirement is not the end of anything. It is the beginning of a new phase, so treat it that way.

--Getting and staying busy is the best approach to sustaining self-esteem. Life has to be full to have meaning. Cultivate your creative side. Remain a lifelong learner. Write, paint or develop an avocation. Stay occupied and involved. Stay close to your family. We are now the older ones. It is up to us to mentor our children and grandchildren.

--Be aware of depression. Remember, depression is not a weakness but a disease.

Depression adversely affects self-esteem and is treatable.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if each of us felt comfortable with a bare midriff and belly-button jewel? So what if it jiggles and moves from side to side and up and down, always remember your inner and outer beauty and tell yourself you are gorgeous.

BEAUTY

SIZZLING SUMMER SKINCARE BY: VALERIE KELLEY

A

hhh… summer. Sun, sandals, swimsuits and bare skin. But with double the fun of beach hair and short-shorts comes the double the danger — wrinkles, freckles, skin thinning, sunburn, sunspots (also known as age spots), uneven pigmentation, melasma are the aftermath of sun exposure. Ninetypercent of wrinkles are caused by the sun and while intentional overexposure (tanning, sunbathing) is incredibly harmful, two-thirds of all sun damage is, surprisingly, incidental (walking the dog, driving).

Thus said, sunscreen is not limited to the poolside or beach – it should be applied, religiously, on a daily basis. Opt for moisturizers and body lotions with SPF and if possible, always choose a higher SPF for your face. Don’t forget your hands especially when driving. Hands are an instant giveaway to your true age, so invest in a hand treatment that offers SPF protection.

Meanwhile, grab your favorite widebrimmed, floppy hat and follow these easy tips to your skin healthy and cancerfree this summer… and hopefully many summers to come!

• Moisturize with SPF. Applying moisturizer with SPF is essential regardless of the season. With the onset of warmer weather, however, consider switching your current moisturizer for another with higher SPF and lighter formulation to prevent sun spots, freckles, and early signs of aging. Revision Skincare’s Intellishade, an anti-aging tinted moisturizer with SPF 45, is a favorite of Modern Family’s Julie Bowen, and the winner of NewBeauty magazine’s Beauty Choice Award.

• and then moisturize again. Summer sun – in combination with the heat, humidity, and air conditioning – will wreak havoc on your skin. Moisturize with

www.PanacheVue.com

•

•

•

•

•

SPF before sun, and use a richer lotion after sun, after bath and before bed to keep skin hydrated, soft and smooth.

Don’t forget your feet. With summer comes open-toed shoes and sandals, so be sure to exfoliate, moisturize, and protect exposed feet as well. Take into account that sunscreen will rub off faster than it would from the rest of your body from rubbing against the straps of your shoes and abrasive sand. Thus, it is recommended to reapply more frequently to prevent burnt feet.

Boost your block with antioxidants.

Skincare products containing antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and green tea can help reverse sun damage.

Try switching your regular iced tea for iced green tea, and layer on antioxidant rich serums such as Revision Skincare’s Vitamin C and Vitamin K. Keep hydrated. Drink water throughout the day. If you’re on the go, try bringing a bottle and a container of fresh fruit to prevent dehydration and heat stroke.

Exfoliate. “A light fruit-fusion peel or microdermabrasion once a month helps rejuvenate skin, leaving it soft and brighter,” says Dana Martinez, owner of Lecada Medical Artistry. “It clears up dulling, dead skin cells, which not only helps even out any discoloration, but also draws excess oil out of the pores and leaves skin less shiny.”

If you aren’t a sun Goddess, and can commit to staying covered up, a chemical peel might not be a bad idea either.

“It helps remove existing skin damage, clears out the pores, slows oil production, and it tightens the look of pores.”

Treat sunburns. “It’s all about getting the inflammation down as soon as pos-

sible to curb damage in the skin and to calm redness,” Martinez cautions.

“Soak a facecloth in a bowl of skim milk and ice and apply it to the area for five to ten minutes. Taking an aspirin or ibuprofen will also help with redness and swelling.”

• Treat sun spots immediately. Dark splotches on the forehead, cheeks and upper lip (also known as melasma) make their peak appearance in summer, and it’s often triggered by heat as much as sun exposure. A facecloth soaked in ice water, then wrung out and held to the neck, cools the blood that’s flowing to the face and reduces redness. Keeping a vitamin spritzer or atomizer in the ice chest is a great idea. And when dark spots do appear, consider Fraxel Laser Treatments or ask your physician for a prescription strength melasma cream, like the custom-compounded one by Trinity Medical Pharmacy.

• Go easy on the eyes. The summer elements can be particularly harsh on the fragile skin around the eyes. Sunglasses are chic, but they’re also instrumental in protecting our eyes. Wear them diligently alongside a fast-absorbing, peptide-rich eye cream like Revision Skincare’s D-E-J eye cream.

So, no excuses, get with the program.

Some effort on your part will result in healthy, radiant skin long after the summer glow fades.

The aestheticians at Lecada Medical Artistry can create a specially tailored skincare regimen for you to ensure your skin’s optimal health in any season. Lecada is located at 3710 West Azeele Street in Tampa. Call 813-8742332 to schedule your appointment.

PANACHE VUE’

15

HEALTH

THE KEY TO LIVING LONG AND AGING WELL

BY DAVID LIPSCHITZ

I

recently received a frantic call from a baby boomer who had moved in with her father who had memory loss and was unable to live alone. Her mother had just been admitted to the hospital with cancer. Her father was becoming very agitated, and she was concerned that he may need to be in a nursing home. And what was she to do with her mother?

Many of us are facing similar dilemmas as our parents approach their 80s and beyond. Simultaneously, those aches and

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pains we are beginning to feel, those minor heart attacks and stories of friends with serious illnesses are daily reminders that we are not getting any younger. Yes, we the baby boomers are concerned about aging, and rightly so. Are memory loss, frailty and dependency inevitable? Will we have the needed financial resources? Will our health care system be able to cope with the aging baby boom generation?

These possibilities are truly frightening, but the future is much rosier than we think.

Half the over-85 demographic is independent, remains sharp as a tack and enjoys life to the fullest. My mother has moved in with her 94-year-old boyfriend, and my friend’s 80-year-old mother just gave up riding her Harley. We can be like this, provided we pay close attention to our health. Those negative stereotypes of aging could not be further from the truth.

And some of the rules of successful aging are not what you think. Believe it or not, there is compelling evidence that weight has little to do with health and lon-

gevity. Pleasantly plump people live longer and better than those who are excessively thin. Throw out those expensive diet books and avoid high-fat, high-carb, grapefruit or other fad diets that are doomed to failure.

Eat sensibly and right for a long and healthy life. Losing and gaining weight is far more dangerous than having a constant weight.

Because exercise is so unpopular, current recommendations suggest that all we need is a little exercise to stay healthy. A half-hour a day, even in 10-minute segments, is better than no exercise.

But the goal must be to do as much rather than as little as possible. Walk at least 10 miles a week but preferably more. Get your heart rate up. The benefits are huge.

And also consider exercising with weights that build muscle and prevent osteoporosis.

Strength will increase, as will gait and balance. Even in the very old, weight training prevents frailty and reduces fall risk by 80 percent or more. It is far better to be fat and fit than thin and sedentary.

Forget those treadmill stress tests that are done almost annually for no good reason. But do make sure your cholesterol does not increase, your high blood pressure is treated, and that annual screening for cancer becomes routine. Many of us have elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine that is an important risk factor for heart disease and that can be readily lowered by taking a daily folic acid supplement. A baby aspirin tablet a day is a must after age 50.

Stay calm and tranquil and, no matter your age, engage fully in life. For men, staying in a loving, intimate marriage prolongs life by 10 years, and married women live four years longer than single women.

Spirituality and faith are strong predictors of good health.

And finally, self-esteem is critical for lifelong health. The better you feel about yourself the better the future. We complain about our weight, the wrinkles that line our faces and our broadening waists. We must recognize the inner and outer beauty in all of us. It is for this reason that I recommend to all of you that you follow my most important rule -- wake up in the morning, look in a full-length mirror, and tell yourself with true enthusiasm that you are indeed gorgeous.

BEAUTY

THE DAY YOU HAVE DREAMED OF… Your Wedding.

Andrew Ashton LaPosh Salon

T

he day you have dreamed of and spent months planning is around the corner. There are so many things to do to ensure your wedding day goes smoothly and offers once-in-a-lifetime memories. You have already picked out your dress and have chosen the flowers.

You have decided on the venue, food and

music for which your guests will enjoy.

And let’s not forget the chore of the seating chart! While these details are all a part of the wedding planning process, it is also important to make sure you, the bride, feel pampered! Have you selected what you want for your Hair and Makeup? You may know exactly what you want but given that its your special day, you deserve the help of an expert Stylist and Makeup Artist. Here are a few expert tips to consider to as you prepare to be a flawless, beautiful bride: Schedule a consultation with a Stylist/Makeup Artist a month in advance to discuss how you want to look.

This timing will allow your needs to be met and any pre-planning to take place well ahead of time. For example, we have been known to create hairstyles you never thought possible, with the help of extensions, and you will want to ensure you have done a dry run with your stylist

several weeks out from the wedding. As for makeup, don’t be afraid of it on your wedding day. Most brides want a natural look but this doesn’t mean not applying makeup. Makeup should look natural while giving you color and definition, and enhancing your natural beauty. Your wedding day can be long and you will be photographed hundreds of times, so applying a bit more make up for these photos is wise. When applied properly, it can still appear natural. The team at LaPosh Salon has been fortunate enough to share in hundreds of brides’ special days and we look forward to adding yours to the list. With 20 years of experience, allow us to create an unforgettable look for your wedding day, one that will always be remembered. Call LaPosh Salon today and schedule your consultation at 727-7261600 and remember, have fun and relax for this is the day you have dreamt about.

class, elegance and luxury...

727.726.1600

Follow us on Facebook www.salonlaposh.com

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2566 D McMullen Booth Road - Clearwater

PANACHE VUE’

17

PHOTOS • KEEPSAKES ARTWORK • DIPLOMAS POSTERS • NEEDLEWORK

EXCELLENCE IN PICTURE FRAMING SINCE 1990

is for you!

Call:

727.459.2361 Email Us At:

Advertising@PanacheVue.com Find us on FB:

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PANACHE VUE’

50% OFF ANY ONE CUSTOM FRAME! (*Offer Expires 06-15-14)

727.791.0704

2784 Summerdale Drive (Conveniently Located Just North Of Countryside Mall)

www.frameworx123.com

FITNESS

SUNCOAST P I L A T E S

NORTH PINELLAS COUNTY’S FIRST AND PREMIER PILATES STUDIO Offering One-on-One, Duet and Group Pilates Equipment Training Mat Pilates Classes Barre Classes Authorized Balanced Body® Pilates Instructor Training Facility Listed under the PMA® Registry of Schools

727.772.6772

WWW.SUNCOASTPILATES.COM 34080 US Hwy 19 N. Palm Harbor

GET FIT WITH PILATES

BY PATRICIA WELTER

A

s the weather warms up, tanks, shorts, t-shirts and swimsuits appear. Do you feel good in your clothes? Do you feel fit? Are you energized or are you fatigued? Want a workout regimen that leaves you feeling better in your clothes, makes you feel fitter and energizes you all at the same time? Pilates exercise can

By Patricia Welter, B.S. PMA®-CPT, and does do all that plus more.

Lolita San Miguel Pilates Master™, Pilates can improve posture, Second Generation Pilates Teacher, strengthen the back, increase Balanced Body Faculty and flexibility and range of motion Suncoast Pilates Owner and help prevent injuries. Pilates exercise can be done on the floor at your home, office or just about anywhere. Pilates is also a system, utilizing floor or what is called Mat exercises as well as incorporating specialized equipment including the Reformer, Cadillac / Tower, Chair, Barrels and other small pieces of equipment designed

by Joseph Pilates. Pilates incorporates breath into movement that moves the spine in all directions (flexion, extension, rotation and lateral flexion) and exercises in all planes and positions (lying, kneeling, sitting, standing). Pilates equipment utilizes spring resistance which gives assistance or resistance, depending on the goal of a particular exercise.

Pilates helps one gain long, lean muscles. More conventional or traditional workouts are weight bearing and tend to build short, bulky muscles - the type most prone to injury. Pilates elongates and strengthens, improving muscle elasticity and joint mobility. A body with balanced strength and flexibility is less likely to be injured. Pilates creates an evenly conditioned body and improves sports performance while helping to prevent injuries. Traditional conventional workouts tend to work the same muscles. This leads weak muscles tend to get weaker and strong muscles tend to get stronger. The result is muscular imbalance - a primary cause of injury and chronic back pain. Pilates conditions the whole body, even the ankles and feet. No muscle group is over trained or under trained. Your entire musculature is evenly balanced and conditioned.

If one is seeking to do Pilates, work with a Certified Pilates Instructor, who has taken a minimum of a 480 hour comprehensive training program and is experienced. Suncoast Pilates has some of the Tampa Bay area’s most experienced and highly trained Pilates instructors. Come get fit at Suncoast Pilates.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF EXULTING IMAGES

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PANACHE VUE’

19

HEALTH

DOES SPENDING MONEY MAKE YOU HEALTHY? 20

PANACHE VUE’

WE CURRENTLY HAVE SICK CARE, NOT HEALTH CARE

Last year Americans spent $2.8 trillion on healthcare. That is around $8,000 per person. So does this mean that we are all healthy and living well?

Absolutely NOT! In fact, we lead the world in heart disease, obesity, and cancer.

Astonishingly, 5 out of 6 Americans will be diagnosed with either heart disease or cancer.

If we were spending the most money in healthcare and had the healthiest people, maybe it would be worth it. But we are spending the most money AND have the unhealthiest people. In a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association, of 37 different developed countries the United States ranked 37th (dead last) in terms of overall health of the population.

SO WHERE ARE WE SPENDING ALL OF THIS MONEY?

When we are sick or in pain, we go to the doctor. We get prescriptions to help cure and prevent illness and pain. What do we do when that medication has a side effect or no longer works? We go back and get more medications for the next side effect. Americans take up 5% of the world’s population, yet we consume 85% of the world’s medications. You would think that if drugs make you healthy then we would be the healthiest nation, and that is far from the truth. We had 1.1 million people die last year because of drugs and these are not street drugs like heroin or other illegal drugs. These are prescription drugs that were prescribed for the right condition, the right amount, the right time.

Prescriptions are not the only culprit,

a large amount of that money is spent in nursing homes and cancer treatment centers. We have so many sick and ailing people in our population that we are seeing more and more long-term nursing facilities. People may be living longer, but we are not living better.

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH

A lot of people believe that genetics are to blame for the disease we see in our society today, but only 2-5% of degenerative illnesses are actually caused by genetics.

So that leaves 95-98% of disease that is caused by lifestyle. The foods we eat, the drinks we drink, and the habits we live are the main cause of the increase in disease.

Our offices are focused on HEALTH care. We recognize that health is not just about what you eat and whether or not you exercise. Our offices implement maximized mind, maximized nutrition, maximized nerve supply, maximized oxygen and lean muscle. We personalize each care plan and work with our patients to establish health and wellness goals that create a healthy lifestyle that maximizes each patients’ quality of life.

BUT WHAT TRULY SETS US APART FROM ALL OTHER WELLNESS CLINICS It is our dedication to whole health well-

ness. Our patients are not just adjusted and sent on their way. We spend time focusing on spinal CORRECTION not just spinal alignment. By providing our patients with in office and at home stretching, strengthening, and lifestyle changes, our patients are the healthiest they can possibly be without introducing toxins. It is truly about balance and focus on health.

WHAT DOES CORRECTIVE CARE MEAN? If your spine and Central Nervous System are “abnormal,” there is a need for corrective chiropractic care. This type of care will restore “normal” spinal position and alignment. By properly restoring normal curves to the spine and aligning the vertebrae, it will eliminate interferences allowing your body to function and heal “normally.” This optimizes your chance to live at 100% of your body’s peak performance. A healthy spine will allow your body to express a normal body temperature, a normal blood pressure, and other measureable norms for the spine itself.

Much like braces straighten teeth, it is our aim to restore the proper alignment of your spine. Recent research allows us to now know the measurements and proper alignment of your spine. There is a normal body temperature, a normal blood pressure, and there are measureable norms for the spine. We take the necessary steps to restore the regions of abnormal alignment to nor-

Dr. Carl Conforti, D.C.

mal through whole health wellness.

Take the next step and allow your body to function at 100% of peak performance.

$27 NEW PATIENT EXAM

($295 value) Includes exam, x-rays (if necessary), and consultation with our team of doctors.

CHIRO OFFER EXPIRES 06-15-14.

THE PATIENT & ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR ANY PAYMENT OR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE FREE, DISCOUNTED, OR REDUCED FEE, SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT.

WITH 6 TAMPA BAY AREA LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU 4040 Tampa Road Oldsmar, FL 34677

813.818.7499

1811 Healthcare Drive Trinity, FL 34655

727.376.9611

10935 N Dale Mabry Tampa, FL 33618

813.969.2225

“The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” -Thomas Edison www.PanacheVue.com

2312 Crestover Lane Ste. #102 Wesley Chapel 33544

813.994.6111

2206 4th Street N. St. Petersburg, FL

727.822.6700

1502 S. MacDill Ave. Tampa, FL 33629

813-251-0246

Conforti

CHIROPRACTIC

AND WELLNESS CENTER, INC. www.confortichiropractic.com PANACHE VUE’

21

NUTRITION

VEGGIE BOOST

BY CHARLYN FARGO

W

e’ve all heard that we need to eat more vegetables -- up to nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day. But how do you really accomplish that?

One of the best ways is to add fruits and vegetables at breakfast. Here are a few tips from Environmental Nutrition Newsletter to help boost your intake: 1. Think veggies with eggs: Add tomatoes, pepper and onions to your morning scramble, omelet or frittata. Experiment with greens, mushrooms, zucchini and asparagus.

2. Try a new spread: Instead of topping whole grain toast, waffles or pancakes with butter or syrup, try an apple or pumpkin butter to boost fiber and vitamin A. 3. Eggs Benedict modified: Take the traditional Eggs Benedict and add steamed spinach or serve it over a roasted Portabella mushroom.

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PANACHE VUE’

4. Be creative with your muffins: Improve a homemade whole grain muffin by adding pureed pumpkin or shredded carrots or zucchini. Make a big batch and freeze the extras for a quick breakfast.

5. Super smoothie: Add fresh greens, avocado, cooked sweet potatoes or frozen fruits to your favorite smoothie to boost your daily intake.

6. Flavor your morning potatoes with more than onions: Add chopped bell peppers, zucchini, asparagus, parsnips, turnips or fennel or use leftover vegetables.

Q AND A

Q: Is it true that interval training is better than regular aerobic forms of exercise? If so, how does that fit with the recommended 30 minutes of daily physical activity A: Interval Training, technically referred to as High Intensity Interval Training, refers to short bursts (intervals) of intense activity mixed into more moderate activity. HIIT is not necessarily better, but the American College of Sports Medicine and American Council on Exercise say that it allows you to increase fitness faster and with shorter workouts than through traditional aerobic exercise at one continuous pace. It is still important for cancer prevention and overall health for you to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily. If you are already exercising regularly and want to try interval

training, start by incorporating intervals of one or two minutes that are faster or more challenging into walking, bicycling or almost any type of activity. Begin with a few of these intervals in your activity, and perhaps work up to 10 or more intense intervals per session. Follow each highintensity period with a block of lower-intensity activity that’s as long or even twice as long as time spent with intense activity.

For example, after the all-important five to ten minutes of warm-up, you might jog or bike for 30 seconds to two minutes exercising hard enough that carrying on a conversation would be difficult. Then slow down for one to five minutes. Repeat this back-and-forth as desired. Be sure to allow for five to ten minutes of cooldown activity before you stop. Athletes have used this technique for many years, though it is now widely used by people of all ages and fitness levels even in people with heart disease. However, because HIIT does impose demands on the body, those at increased heart-related risk should discuss this with their doctor in advance.

That includes people with known heart disease, as well as people who have ever been given chemotherapy (some of which may have heart-damaging side effects) and people taking medication for high blood pressure. Experts advise using HIIT exercise some days, and even-paced aerobic activity on others, because both offer benefits.

Information courtesy of the American Institute for Cancer Research.

RECIPE

“Cook This, Not That,” a cookbook by David Zinczenko offers skinny comfort foods, including this recipe for a bananamango smoothie.

• Banana-Mango Smoothie • 1 ripe banana • 3/4 cup frozen mango pieces • 1/2 cup orange juice • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth and creamy, at least 30 seconds. If the smoothie is too thick (which depends on the size of the banana), add a few splashes of water and blend again. Makes 1 serving.

Per serving: 100 calories, 70 g carbohydrates, 2 g fat.

ASK AUDREY

WHY SHOULD I FORGIVE?

BY AUDREY MABREY

I

f you are a human being, chances are someone throughout the course of your life has hurt or betrayed you.

Perhaps they broke a promise, broke your heart, deceived you, abandoned you, or even violated you. Although forgiving them may seem as impossible as driving your car to the moon, I can assure you that just as we are all capable of inflicting pain on one another, we are also capable of forgiving anyone for anything. I know because despite the fact my ex-husband attempted to murder me by bludgeoning me with a hammer and setting me on fire

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in 2009 I have been able to forgive him.

However, knowing we are capable of forgiveness is one thing but understanding why we should forgive is completely different and often foreign territory.

Imagine yourself driving on the freeway. Someone side swipes you and your car starts spinning out of control until it abruptly stops once you’ve hit the guard rail. Your steering wheel air bag deploys but you still have a broken arm and a gash on your forehead. Naturally EMS is called and you’re taken to the hospital for a doctor to properly tend to your injuries. Being hurt by someone isn’t very different in that we need to tend to our wounds. If the doctor ignored your broken arm it would eventually heal but it definitely wouldn’t heal correctly which would mean you could still function but not to the best of your ability.

Anger and pain are internal wounds that INFECT our hearts and spirits. It is vital to our mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing for us to remove the thorn from our hearts by forgiving those who have hurt us and also forgiving ourselves.

Forgiving someone doesn’t mean that we agree with or condone whatever it is

they did to us. Instead it means we recognize that not only is it beneficial to us but it is a choice. After being brutally attacked I realized life was about choices. Forgiveness wasn’t the first choice I made but it was the most important one. Knowing it was not only a choice but MY choice gave me back my sense of power and actually forgiving brought me an endless amount of peace. This further led me to feeling empowered. Being at peace, feeling in control, and feeling empowered brought forth happiness and happiness is what we’re all after anyway. So this means part of achieving happiness is forgiveness.

To further understand why we should forgive we need to go back to a time when someone we deeply cared for forgave us.

For me, I immediately think of God. There have been many times I bowed my head, closed my eyes, and asked God to forgive me. There have also been many times I felt unworthy of his forgiveness but he believed I was worthy and so he forgave me. The fact that he forgave me filled me with joy and gratitude. So, if someone we care for can forgive us and in turn we experience the joy, relief, and gratitude it brings then we should comprehend how important and powerful forgiving someone else can be.

Acknowledging that in order to obtain mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being as well as recognizing in order to achieve happiness we must forgive is a huge move in the right direction. This process is often difficult but it promotes substantial amounts of self-growth. I urge you to embark on your journey of forgiveness with the hope that once you complete it you will pass the wisdom from your experience along.

If you have any questions regarding life, love, family, faith, or career please email me at AskAudrey30@outlook.com

In November of 2009 Audrey Mabrey was attacked by her estranged husband and nearly lost her life. Since then she has become an advocate and public speaker and travels around the world sharing her story in the hopes of raising awareness and inspiring others to believe in themselves.

PANACHE VUE’

23

HOUSE OF DALI

FABULOUS W

STYLE At Every Age

24

PANACHE VUE’

PH: Jerome Lim HMUA: Kristina Gilbert Location: Las Vegas

WORK

E

S

electing work clothing that is fashionable and professional does not have to be boring. You can still be stylish and presentable in the work place. Whether your office is casual, corporate or creative, get inspired with these work-appropriate looks.

You can transform this chic Bebe suit featured on model Angee Killian Huntley from day to night in no time. At work wear it with a button down blouse and at night pair it up with a trendy tee

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for something fun and different.

Of course don’t forget the high heels!

Some Rules to Keep in Mind: • Never show of your midriff • Avoid too much cleavage, • Keep your bra straps from showing • Don’t wear anything seethrough • Keep your hemlines in check • Try not to go too tight Use your best judgment.

Dali Hernandez is the Creative Director and head designer for House of Dali. She is also a Real Estate Agent operating in the Tampa Bay area.

Dali’s arrival to the fashion industry has been making numerous headlines; however designing is nothing new for this NY native. She recalls her childhood’s obsession with fashion magazines, and with the help of a pair of scissors, she would cut various designs to mix and match and ultimately transform her bedroom walls into the latest fashion show.

The days she went fabric shopping with her mother gave her an early perspective on quality variation and how the same design can be completely altered due to fabric choice.

Dali’s fashion line is for the woman who still maintains her social status and is not afraid to make a fashion statement. She feels that there shouldn’t really be a target age or group for her line, because she feels that women are sexy and edgy at any age.

Dali was featured on FOX13, What’s Hot Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Pulse, Vocess International, Creative Loafing, tbttimes, St. Pete Times, Panache Vue, Remark Magazine, Libertine Magazine, Envie, and was Semi Finalist for “Fashion Star” NBC. Follow me Website: www.houseofdali.com Instagram: @houseofdali Facebook: www.facebook.com/dalifashiondesigner Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/houseofdali Twitter: twitter.com/HouseofDali E-mail: dali@panachevue.com PANACHE VUE’

25

FEATURE 26

PANACHE VUE’

DALI HERNANDEZ PROFESSIONAL, PROFESSIONAL, LOYAL & HONEST PROFESSIONAL, LOYAL LOYAL & & HONEST HONEST

P

anache: Who you are, what do you do, when and why did you go into business for yourself?

Dali: I am a Real Estate Professional servicing the Tampa Bay area & Creative Designer for House of Dali. I enjoy working in a flexible environment, which allows for my creativity and my strongwilled character to shine; while helping my clients achieve the homeownership dream.

Panache: Why did you choose this business?

Dali: My combined passion for Real Estate and the Arts provides the synergy to stay on top of trends on the runway and into luxury homes.

Runway trends often inspire interior designers and home décor. It’s about a lifestyle and having a great eye for detail, sophisticated methods and staging homes.

Panache: What is your company focus?

Dali: I work for Dianaty Real Estate a luxury boutique real estate brokerage firm in South

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Tampa, specializing in marketing expertise to the luxury residential real estate market while delivering a sophisticated level of service.

Panache: What sets you apart from the competition?

Dali: I am determined, competitive, enthusiastic and inspiring. It’s never about me or selling a house. It’s about putting my clients first and making their dreams turn into a reality. I am loyal and compassionate and my actions reflect that. I don’t talk the talk. I walk it and my clients, friends, and family are able to see that.

Panache: Any name brands you’re associated with?

Dali: Dalihernandez.com and Houseofdali. com Panache: What are your 5 and 10 year business goals?

Dali: I want to dominate the luxury market and be the powerhouse of luxury real estate.

PANACHE VUE’

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FEATURE 28

PANACHE VUE’

Panache: What areas do you service?

Dali: Tampa Bay and Waterfront properties.

Panache: Are you a member of any associations or community affiliations?

Dali: Realtor, NAR, FAR, Tampa Bay International Real Estate Council Panache: What is your most memorable or interesting work related experience?

Dali: My memorable work experience is when my clients close on their home and stop by my office to bring me a card and flowers. Or even just for thanking me for helping them achieve their dream of getting a custom built www.PanacheVue.com

home. It’s very touching. I always feel humbled because I am just doing what I enjoy. I also had a couple that went through some difficult personal issues throughout the process of waiting for their custom built home. Still, they wrote “We can’t thank you enough for helping us get this wonderful home.

We absolutely love it, it’s so beautiful.

Thank you for making this past nightmare of a year worth it! I feel you add a personal touch with you clients and we really appreciate that. Thanks again.”

Panache: What is your favorite part of owning a business and working for yourself?

Dali: I am fully accountable for my own destiny & success.

Panache: Family life and hobbies, anything else personal you would like to share with our readers?

Dali: My friends call me a fish. I love swimming, rollerblading, the Oxford Exchange and my 7 year old Boston Terrier Bozak. I am also involved in various local fashion charity events.

Panache: 3 words that best describe you and your business Dali: Professional, Loyal, Honest Panache: Who do you owe your success to?

Dali: I owe my success to my faith and relationship with God, my hard work ethic and my desire to inspire others.

PANACHE VUE’

29

NUTRITION

HEALTHY EATING ON A BUDGET

I

BY CHARLYN FARGO

t really is possible to eat healthy and stick to a budget, says Erin Huffstetler, frugal living expert for about.com. She recommends skimping on processed foods and heading back into the kitchen with ingredients.

“Go for whole foods -- whole grains,” she said. “They are so much better for you than processed. Buy ingredients instead of finished products. With processed foods, you are paying for the packaging and labor.”

Her No. 1 tip for saving money?

“Cook from scratch.”

And if you don’t know how to cook or have no confidence, jump online to find a video to help you learn.

Here are a few other tips from Erin: 1. Buy reduced produce. It’s no secret that fruits and vegetables are good for you, but the price of fresh produce isn’t nearly as good for your budget. To stretch your shopping dollars, look for a reduced rack at the grocery store. You can often pick up ripe produce for a fraction of the regular price.

2. Go frozen. Frozen vegetables are usually fresher and cheaper than anything that can be found in the produce and canned sections of the store. The freezer aisle offers big bags of veggies at bargain prices -- sometimes as little as $1 a bag.

3. Shop locally. Your local produce stand or farmer’s market can be a great source

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for healthy bargains. For the best deals, shop often and look for reduced produce or end-of-the-day specials.

4. Grow your own. Start a plot in your backyard or a container garden on your patio, and enjoy homegrown fruits and vegetables all season long. Like fresh herbs? Grow your favorites in small pots by the kitchen window, and take a snip whenever you need it.

5. Find a coupon. Look beyond the Sunday papers to produce companies such as Earth Bound or Driscoll. Their newsletters often offer coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables. Also look for ads online and digital coupons.

6. Browse throughout the store. Some of the wine companies have begun partnering with meat companies with coupons; cereal companies often have coupons for fruit.

7. Go with a list. It’s OK to be flexible if there’s a better deal, but try to buy what you need rather than what simply is appealing.

Q AND A

Q: I’d like to eat more whole grains, but I need to limit sodium, and many are surprisingly high in sodium. What do you suggest?

A: One easy way to get whole grains is with breads and cereals, though whether whole grain or not, these do often contain high amounts of sodium. So, to keep sodium in check, try expanding your vision of whole grains to less-processed options.

Compare labels to find lower sodium options like old-fashioned or one-minute oatmeal rather than instant, and shredded wheat rather than higher-sodium types of cereals. Instead of prepared whole-grain mixes, like boxed seasoned brown rice, that include large amounts of sodium (some contain about 500 mg of sodium per serving), choose plain, unseasoned whole grains (0 mg sodium) and add your

own herbs, lemon juice and other sodium-free flavorings. Some whole grains that cook in less than 15 minutes include bulgur, quick-cooking brown rice, wholewheat couscous, quinoa and whole-grain pasta. Try wild rice, millet, barley, wheat berries, amaranth and freekeh (“freekuh”) when you have more time. If some of these grains are unfamiliar to you, check the Whole Grains Council website or recipes from the American Institute for Cancer Research for ideas.

Information courtesy of the American Institute for Cancer Research.

RECIPE

Here’s a recipe for Root Vegetable Minestrone with Bacon that fits healthy eating on a budget from Cooking Light magazine -- it’s $2.45 per serving.

Root Vegetable Minestrone with Bacon • 5 center-cut bacon slices, chopped • 1 1/3 cups chopped peeled butternut squash • 1 cup chopped onion • 2/3 cup chopped carrot • 1/2 cup chopped parsnip • 1/2 cup chopped celery • 4 teaspoons unsalted tomato paste • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 2 2/3 cups unsalted chicken stock • 1/4 cup uncooked ditalini pasta • 3/4 cup unsalted cannellini beans, rinsed and drained • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; reserve 1 tablespoon drippings in pan. Increase heat to medium-high.

Add butternut squash and next 8 ingredients (through garlic) to drippings in pan; saute 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add chicken stock, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Stir in uncooked pasta; cook 10 minutes.

Stir in cannellini beans, salt and pepper; cook 2 minutes or until vegetables and pasta are tender. Divide soup evenly among four bowls; top evenly with bacon. Serves four (serving size 1 1/2 cups).

Per serving: 202 calories, 11.5 g protein, 33.7 carbohydrate, 3.3 g fat, 9 mg cholesterol, 6.4 g fiber, 426 mg sodium.

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PANACHE VUE’

31

HEALTH & FITNESS

WATER FITNESS

BENEFITS

T

he unique properties of water combine to offer one of the most effective environments for an exercise program. Water fitness is the great equalizer – participants of a wide range of skill and fitness levels can enjoy this low-impact, total body conditioning workout. With the addition of high-quality equipment, the benefits of a water workout are endless.

GETTING FIT: TOTAL BODY CONDITIONING

• Studies have shown convincingly that water workouts decrease body fat as effectively as land-based exercise programs.

• Without performing a single sit-up, a water workout tones and strengthens the abdominals as a result of maintaining a vertical posture against the water’s resistance.

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• Water offers a three-in-one workout for cardiovascular and muscular conditioning and enhanced flexibility. This timeefficient, total body conditioning workout results in increased strength and endurance, and improved biomechanics and balance.

• Low-impact aquatic workouts can prevent the injury, strain and re-injury common to many land-based exercise. Water supports 90 percent of the body’s weight – resulting in reduced stress on joints, muscles, tendon and ligaments.

• Water is a natural and instantly adjustable weight-training machine. Resistance is approximately four to 42 times greater in water than air. A workout can be as vigorous or light as desired by effectively utilizing the water’s resistance.

• Unlike most land activities, water provides resistance in all directions, so both sides of the muscle pair can be strength-

ened simultaneously. For example, an arm curl works both biceps and triceps, since there is resistance to the movement in both directions.

• An upright water workout can be more effective than swimming, because the body’s vertical position increases resistance 75 percent over swimming laps.

Water Fitness Benefits -- 2

FEELING GOOD: FITNESS FOR A LIFETIME

• A regular water fitness program can result in the permanent reduction of blood pressure. Water’s hydrostatic pressure helps the heart circulate blood, which accounts for lower blood pressure and heart rates during deep water exercise versus similar exertions on land.

• Practical daily movements such as walking, lifting and reaching can be incorpo-

• Buoyancy equipment, such as the patented AquaJogger® belt, suspend the body securely and comfortably, supporting the head and neck out of the water, so hair stays dry and glasses can be worn.

Water Fitness Benefits -- 3 • Especially beneficial to individuals with disabilities is the fact that water workouts offer a greater range of motion and freedom of movement than many land-based exercise.

LIQUID ASSETS: INJURY PREVENTION AND HEALING

• •

•

•

rated into a water fitness workout to enhance functionality. This can result in the ability to enjoy and perform the activities of daily life with greater energy and ease.

A water workout can be a social activity just like fitness walking or riding side-byside stationary bikes.

With access to an indoor pool, water exercise becomes a great year-round activity, as well as a safe workout option during inclement weather. It can also be an affordable alternative to at-home workouts which often involve more expensive equipment.

Water exercise is both exhilarating and therapeutic – reducing stress-related symptoms such as high blood pressure and muscle spasms. The water’s full body massage action provides a vigorous yet deeply relaxing workout that is usually pain free.

Water exercise involves all muscle groups, yet virtually eliminates muscle soreness – leaving the muscles relaxed instead of

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tight and sore.

WATER WALKING: NO SWIM SKILLS REQUIRED

• Water walking and running movements are simple to learn and require no swim skills, making deep water workouts accessible to virtually everyone – from those just beginning a workout program to those looking for a great cross-training option.

• Whether in peak condition or recovering from surgery, the water’s forgiving environment supports and offers a light or challenging workout according to the person’s need – for both fragile physical therapy clients and intense athletes.

• The water’s buoyancy helps even the uncoordinated land exerciser achieve a measure of grace with movements that are easy to learn. The fact that water obscures less than stellar bodies also makes this exercise appealing to the self-conscious.

• Water exercise demands the continual use of the abdominal and back muscles as well as the arms and legs in order to maintain erect body alignment and balance. This strengthening of the core abdominals and back can assist in managing and preventing back pain.

• Water exercise enables a person to preserve as much fitness and function as possible while rehabilitating an injury. Many people heal to over 100 percent of preinjury strength and may actually improve their fitness level. Some individuals who have committed to aquatic therapy found their recovery time is reduced by half.

• Heat is lost 25 times faster in water than air, allowing for longer and more comfortable workouts. This natural cooling of the body is particularly beneficial for people who tend to overheat during exercise, and in conditions such as pregnancy or multiple sclerosis, where maintaining a lower core body temperature is very important.

• The water’s pressure helps the heart circulate blood which accounts for lower blood pressure and heart rates during deep water exercise. As a result of this hydrostatic pressure, water exercise may be one of the best and safest activities for cardiac patients. It also helps reduce swelling, allowing many people with arthritis or injuries to exercise. n To find a retailer near you visit www.AquaJogger.com or call 1-800-922-9544.

AquaJogger® is a division of Excel Sports Science, Inc.

PANACHE VUE’

33

EVENT

17TH ANNUAL BERN’S WINEFEST Last weekend the 17th annual Bern’s Winefest hosted a celebration of food and wines from around the world! The festival offered a long list of tasty foods paired with divine libations for those with exquisite palates to savor. The Moët Hennessy Oasis was the talk of the festival featuring a dazzling decor for guests to enjoy while they indulged in several types of Dom Pérignon & Moet, and snacked on delectable dishes and sweet deserts. The festival was brought to you by Bern’s Steak House, SideBern’s, Berns Fine Wines and Spirits, The Epicurean Hotel and Moet Hennessy.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY THADDAEUS MCADAMS

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PANACHE VUE’

35

NUTRITION

ENJOY THE TASTE OF EATING RIGHT

BY CHARLYN FARGO

T 36

he president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Glenna McCollum, has a message for consumers: “Take risks that yield rewards.”

PANACHE VUE’

McCollum brings her message during March, designated as National Nutrition Month.

One of those risks can be to try to make half your plate fruits and vegetables, one of the guidelines of USDA’s “My Plate” and a way to add color, flavor and texture, along with vitamins, minerals and fiber. Make 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables your daily goal.

Here are 20 tips from the McCollum and the Academy to help you boost your fruit and veggie intake: 1. Use vegetables as pizza topping. Try broccoli, spinach, green peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms and zucchini.

2. Mix up a breakfast smoothie made with low-fat milk, frozen strawberries and a banana.

3. Make a veggie wrap with roasted veg-

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

etables and low-fat cheese rolled in a whole-wheat tortilla.

Try crunchy vegetables instead of chips with your favorite low-fat salad dressing for dipping.

Grill colorful vegetable kabobs packed with tomatoes, green and red peppers, mushrooms and onions.

Add color to salads with baby carrots, grape tomatoes, spinach leaves or mandarin oranges.

Keep cut vegetables handy for mid-afternoon snacks, side dishes, lunch-box additions or a quick nibble while waiting for dinner. Ready-to-eat favorites: red, green or yellow peppers, broccoli or cauliflower florets, carrots, celery sticks, cucumbers, snap peas or whole radishes.

Place colorful fruit where everyone can easily grab something for a snack-

13. Top a baked potato with beans and salsa or broccoli and low-fat cheese 14. Microwave a cup of vegetable soup as a snack or with a sandwich for lunch.

15. Add grated, shredded or chopped vegetables such as zucchini, spinach and carrots to lasagna, meat loaf, mashed potatoes, pasta sauce and rice dishes.

16. Make fruit your dessert: Slice a banana lengthwise and top with a scoop of low-fat frozen yogurt. Sprinkle with a tablespoon of chopped nuts.

17. Stock your freezer with frozen vegetables to steam or stir-fry for a side dish.

18. Make your main dish a salad of dark, leafy greens and other colorful vegetables. Add chickpeas or edamame (fresh soybeans). Top with low-fat dressing.

19. Fruit on the grill: Make kabobs with pineapple, peaches and banana. Grill on low heat until fruit is hot and slightly golden.

20. Dip: Whole wheat pita wedges in hummus, baked tortilla chips in salsa, strawberries or apple slices in low-fat yogurt, or graham crackers in applesauce.

Q AND A

on-the-run. Keep a bowl of fresh, just ripe whole fruit in the center of your kitchen or dining table.

9. Get saucy with fruit. Puree apples, berries, peaches or pears in a blender for a thick, sweet sauce on grilled or broiled seafood or poultry, or on pancakes, French toast or waffles.

10. Stuff an omelet with vegetables. Turn any omelet into a hearty meal with broccoli, squash, carrots, peppers, tomatoes or onions with low-fat sharp cheddar cheese.

11. “Sandwich” in fruits and vegetables.

Add pizzazz to sandwiches with sliced pineapple, apple, peppers, cucumber and tomato as fillings.

12. Wake up to fruit. Make a habit of adding fruit to your morning oatmeal, ready-to-eat cereal, yogurt or toaster waffle.

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Q: I got too busy to exercise for a few weeks. Have I lost all that I worked for, or can I pick up where I left off?

A: How quickly you lose fitness depends on long you have stopped and how fit you are to start. The more fit you are and the longer you’ve been exercising, let’s say at least several months, the more slowly you lose aerobic condition and strength. You may lose some ground after two or three weeks of not exercising, but you probably are still ahead of where you started. People new to exercise, however, can end up back where they started in endurance and strength after a month or less.

If you are ready to return to your former physical activity and it’s been more than a couple weeks, start back with an easier workout than where you left off. Tune in to how your body feels, and adjust to a pace and intensity that let you exercise using good form. Some experts say a good guideline for aerobic exercise is to work hard enough that you wouldn’t want to

sing, but can still talk. Again, depending on your fitness level and the length of time you stopped exercising, expect it to take weeks or even a few months to get back to your previous fitness level. Next time you find yourself tight on time, studies show that if you exercise for a shorter period or less often, without cutting it out completely, you can hold your ground. If you’re getting bored with what you’re doing, or if a change in season ends the activities you’ve been doing, start something new.

Participation in different kinds of physical activity can add more benefits than sticking with one form of exercise alone, and it keeps activity fun.

Information courtesy of the American Institute for Cancer Research.

RECIPE

Here’s a dessert that will help meet your daily fruit goal and give you something new to try. It’s Orange Gratin, served with a dollop of yogurt, from Cooking Light magazine.

ORANGE GRATIN • • • • • • •

2 large navel oranges 1 small ruby red grapefruit 1 large Minneola orange (tangelo) 3 Clementines 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon minced candied ginger 1/2 cup plain 2 percent reduced-fat Greek yogurt • 1 tablespoon orange marmalade • 2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted Peel oranges, grapefruit and Minneola orange; cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices.

Peel Clementines; cut in half crosswise.

Arrange citrus in a single layer on a jellyroll pan. Sprinkle with sugar and candied ginger. Preheat broiler to high. Broil citrus 15 minutes or until lightly charred, rotating pan occasionally. Combine yogurt and marmalade in a small bowl. Divide citrus evenly among 4 shallow bowls. Drizzle evenly with pan juices. Top each serving with 2 tablespoons yogurt mixture and 1 1/2 teaspoons almonds. Serves four.

Per serving: 187 calories, 5.3 g protein, 40.1 g carbohydrate, 2.3 g fat, 2 mg cholesterol, 4.3 g fiber, 16 mg sodium.

PANACHE VUE’

37

T R AV E L

CUBA: A Charismatic Country in the Crux of Change

BY JIM FARBER

W

aves crash sporadically with a thundering sound against the five-mile seawall, reaching foamy heights and spilling over onto the Malecon -- Havana’s popular promenade. Couples and habaneros (locals) amble along, while men casually cast their fishing lines and families relax upon the wall engaged in conversation as they peer out into the distance. Others joyously listen to Afro-Cuban beats pulsating past the lull of the water. These vibrant rhythms are the overriding sounds that permeate most of Havana’s neighborhoods, restaurants, street corners and historic squares.

As I continue along the waterside, I experience an ebb and flow of time that shifts back and forth from past to present. The cars and taxis passing me on the right are brightly colored 1950 Buicks and Chevys reminiscent of my childhood days in New York. With the absence of cell phones and iPads in the hands of the youth, life could

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be just as it was some 50 or 60 years ago, except for the array of architecture surrounding me that ranges from Spanish colonial and baroque to neo-classical, art nouveau and ultra-modern.

Thanks to President Obama’s opening up doors in 2008 for U.S. Cuban residents to visit their families and for Americans like me in conjunction with humanitarian and educational organizations, I was able to have this unique travel opportunity. I didn’t realize that during my 10-day sojourn with U.S. Global Exchange I would develop an increased knowledge and appreciation for the Cuban people and their sense of sustainability and community.

One of the major attractions for me was that Cuba is considered the salsa capital of the world, and dance happens to be my passion. However, the human spirit and vibrant arts scene soon became the more prominent lure.

Many mornings began with an informative lecture by experts who ranged from a noted filmmaker to an urban planner. This was followed by a visit to a museum or local arts group with lunch at a popular establishment. The tour also afforded me the opportunity to have several hours free to explore and observe the sights, sounds and colors around me.

It was easier and more enjoyable to walk when I wasn’t on the tour bus because of the lack of public transportation throughout the different districts of Havana. I noticed only two major bus lines. A taxi or Coco taxi (a three-wheeled yellow bubble

powered by the driver on a Moped) from the residential districts to Old Havana costs 6 to 10 Cuban dollars. The exchange rate was approximately 90 U.S. cents to the Cuban CUC or dollar.

Near our hotel in the Vedado District, just below the more manicured Miramar, sits Havana’s residential area. Off the Avenida de Paseo are mansions, with many behind the main boulevard sadly dilapidated and decaying. I could envision what grandeur and aristocracy epitomized this area in its heyday during the 1930s and ‘40s. Many of these buildings have been converted into particulares where tourists can stay overnight as well as privately owned restaurants or paladares. Decameron, once the house of a prominent doctor, was one such restaurant. The generous fresh fish entree served with a rice pilaf and squash was a great deal for around $10.

I was taken farther back in time when I entered Havana’s grand, well-preserved Hotel National (circa 1930) off La Rampa on the edge of Vedado toward the Central District. A visit to the Hall of Fame featured a massive mural of international stars, dignitaries and notorious characters -- the Cuban-born actress Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner and mobster Meyer Lansky.

Finally I arrived at the Old Town (La Habana Vieja), called a corner of Europe in the Caribbean. Our tour group had visited the day before to familiarize ourselves with this tourist area. Now I was surrounded by an array of artists, musicians and never-

ending outdoor cafes along with a slew of shops selling local crafts, books and jewelry. Restoration signs showing the area before and after renovation were apparent throughout the main squares.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Havana is the pulse and heart of the city.

Life flourishes here day and night with appearances by colorful costumed locals and entertainers. It wasn’t considered unusual to get up while eating in a restaurant or cafe and start dancing to the musicians playing for diners. At Havana’s oldest hotel, Hotel Inglaterra built in 1875, I savored salsa dancing and cafe con leche on several occasions.

At the main square, Plaza de la Catedral, sits the baroque Catedral de San Cristobal where Christopher Columbus was once buried. Our group lunched one day at Ernest Hemingway’s hangout, the famed bar and restaurant La Bodeguita del Medio -- a fun place of photos and signatures of American and European celebrities covering every inch of wall space.

Not far away stands Plaza de Armas, the oldest square, which dates back to the Spanish explorers of the 1500s. Here there’s a distinctly bohemian feel, with artists and book stalls shaded by towering palms.

Cuba sets itself apart with its vibrant communities of muralists and artists in and around the old town and in Havana’s outskirts. We visited several, such as Callejon de Hamel and Muraleando, which artfully beautify the distressed www.PanacheVue.com

neighborhoods. Most memorable was our day trip to Callejon de Tradiciones Community Project in the city of Matanzas, lying eastward to Varadero, the site of Cuba’s pristine beaches. The creatively painted murals have become a backdrop for a young Afro-Cuban dance troupe, who offered us local fruit to take back after their engaging performance.

Today Cuba, since the throes of the revolution in 1959 when Fidel Castro created a socialist state, is a country of approximately 11 million people (2.2 million in Havana alone) and of almost constant internal and external struggles and a movement toward change. Much has changed for Brooklyn, N.Y., resident Dr. Juan Emilio Carrillo, who returned to Cuba after living in the United States for more than 40 years to share his roots with his son and wife. He had last visited Havana in 1987, and now he was here with our tour group. He said the city has undergone much advancement in restoration, development of businesses and the general sense of close community among the habaneros.

“I am witnessing more business activity and less overt signs of poverty on the streets in this country than before -- especially since 1990, when the Soviet Union dropped out of the picture here,” he said.

“Even the farmer’s lifestyle has exhibited improvement.”

This was further evident in our group’s side trip on our final day to Alamar’s Urban Gardens, a sustainable organic farm developed in 1997 from an empty lot. We

donned plastic bags over our feet as we carefully stepped on the softened earth amid greenery on 25 acres of fertile land.

Presently 400 tons of produce are farmed here by 162 workers each year. Though the average Cuban income is $20 per month, the farmers outside the city earn around $400 per month.

At our final morning lecture, respected Cuban architect and planner Miguel Coyula stated, “Of course we need a new kind of housing system to be initiated with approximately three houses collapsing daily. We need to move forward with a model that is economically feasible and ecological friendly.”

I realized on this day how many diverse perspectives of Cuba I had experienced -from the eyes of the artist and architect to the farmer. As the doors of Cuba continue to open and its economy improves, hopefully more of this vibrancy, creative expression and human spirit will be further revealed for visitors from around the world to experience firsthand.

WHEN YOU GO

Global Exchange’s Reality Tours for 10 days to Cuba organizes the visas and charter plane from Miami to Havana: www. globalexchange.org, www.realitytours.org.

A visit to Ernest Hemingway’s home in San Francisco de Paula, nine miles from Havana, includes the seaside town of Cojimar, where Hemingway docked his boat and socialized with locales. The cost is $40: www.hemingwaycuba.com.

PANACHE VUE’

39

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