KENDRA AKERS publisher kendra@akersmediagroup.com
DOUG AKERS vice president doug@akersmediagroup.com
JAMIE EZRA MARK chief creative officer jamie@akersmediagroup.com EDITORIAL // DESIGN
FLOSSING CAN BE FUN Let’s be honest. How many of us assume that maintaining good oral health entails brushing two or three times a day followed by a swig of Listerine? I am not trying to chew you out, but you simply cannot brush off flossing as insignificant. Fact is food particles become lodged between our teeth after each meal. Flossing is the only way to remove these particles. Unfortunately, many of us come up with every excuse imaginable to avoid flossing. Some say it hurts, others say they do not have enough time to floss, and some do not like putting their fingers inside their mouth. Well, one of Lake County’s bright, young dentists, Dr. Tim Pruett, has invented a marvelous device that takes the hassle out of flossing. His creation, Flossolution, uses sonic energy that effortlessly glides floss between the teeth, and it also has special “guard” that protects the teeth and gums from becoming injured. Although he originally created the product to make flossing easier for his dental patients, he now realizes Flossolution can make a positive impact on the oral health of countless people throughout the country. With any luck, Dr. Pruett will have the dental world on a string. Since April is National Oral Health Month, I urge you to read about his invention in this month’s issue and I hope you strongly consider flossing on a daily basis. After all, who wants to deal with cavities and gingivitis down the road? Our April issue is also highlighting another Lake County resident who is equally inspirational when it comes to health. Traci Oliver of Fruitland Park has spent her entire adult life battling obesity. After numerous failed attempts to land a spot on the television show The Biggest Loser and having no success with fad diets, Traci has come to the realization that the proper way to lose weight is through nutrition and exercise. It has taken her only ten weeks to go from 298 pounds to 265 pounds. For Traci, embarking on a lifestyle change was critically important because weight not only affected her physical health but also her emotional health. Traci is living proof that losing weight is never an insurmountable goal. It simply takes effort, dedication, and hard work. Our readers will easily relate to Traci’s past struggles, and I think she will ultimately become a source of inspiration for others to begin their own weight-loss journey. Keep up the excellent work, Traci! We are extremely proud of you! Here’s to health, hope, and happiness in the month of April. As always, I encourage your feedback and story ideas.
JIM GIBSON STEVEN J. CODRARO executive editor associate creative director jim@akersmediagroup.com steve@akersmediagroup.com TIFFANY ROACH CIERRA CHAPPELL managing editor production manager tiffany@akersmediagroup.com cierra@akersmediagroup.com JAMES COMBS JOSH CLARK staff writer senior designer/advertising james@akersmediagroup.com josh@akersmediagroup.com SHEMIR WILES ANTHONY CASTO copy editor/writer senior designer/editorial shemir@akersmediagroup.com anthony@akersmediagroup.com TINA MORRISON production director tina@akersmediagroup.com contributing writers HEATHER TOOTLE TABATHA ARCARO-ORTIZ office manager RICK BOSSHARDT heather@akersmediagroup.com CHRIS BRIDGES TRACY BROSMAN CALEB WAYNE JENSEN TRACY DRAPER graphic designer MARY EDWARDS caleb@akersmediagroup.com FRED HILTON STEPHANIE VERAGHEN FRED LOPEZ chief photographer fred@akersmediagroup.com contributing photographer MORGAN ELLIS ANDREW GRUNTHER
SALES // MARKETING TIM MCRAE vice president of sales and marketing tim@akersmediagroup.com MIKE STEGALL HEIDI RESSLER senior marketing representative marketing representative mike@akersmediagroup.com heidi@akersmediagroup.com DISTRIBUTION SCOTT HEGG distribution manager scott.hegg@akersmediagroup.com
Thanks and God bless. Phone: 352.787.4112 // Fax: 352.323.8161 P.O. Box 490088 Leesburg, FL 34749 www.akersmediagroup.com
Kendra Akers publisher
10 // HL // APRIL 2013
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All contents are copyright © 2013 by Akers Media Group, Inc. DBA Lake County’s Healthy Living Magazine. All reproduction or use of content without written persmission is strictly prohibited under penalty of law. The contents of the Lake County’s Healthy Living Magazine are for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be an alternative to professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new diet or exercise program. The ideas and opinions contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of Akers Media Group.