BURSTING WITH PRIDE

Happy Fourth of July!

This is a great holiday; it’s an opportunity to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the greatest place to live in the world — the good ol’ USA!

Although a life in Tahiti seems appealing at times when I just want to run away and float in the clear, blue ocean, I am blessed and thankful every day that I am able to live and raise my family in such a great country.

I’ve never been very patriotic, or particularly active politically. But, I always have felt a wonderful sense of pride when I see someone displaying patriotism. I still feel a warm glow when I think of my days in school singing songs that honor America.

KENDRA AKERS publisher/editor-in-chief kendra@akersmediagroup.com

DOUG AKERS vice president doug@akersmediagroup.com

JAMIE EZRA MARK chief creative officer jamie@akersmediagroup.com

SABRINA CICERI associate publisher sabrina@akersmediagroup.com

EDITORIAL // DESIGN // PHOTOGRAPHY

JAMES COMBS staff writer james@akersmediagroup.com

KATIE LEWIS staff writer katie@akersmediagroup.com

FRED LOPEZ chief photographer fred@akersmediagroup.com

CELIA JACOBSON intern intern@akersmediagroup.com

STEVEN J. CODRARO creative director steve@akersmediagroup.com

JOE DELEON senior art director joe@akersmediagroup.com

JOSH CLARK senior designer josh@akersmediagroup.com

MICHAEL GAULIN production director michael@akersmediagroup.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS//PHOTOGRAPHERS

CANDACE BOOTH, N.D. JOCELYN BREALEY MARY ANN DESANTIS MATTHEW GAULIN SCOTT PERKINS

DAVE RAMSEY ALLEN SPEEGLE RUTH STERN RON VANDEVANDER

SALES // MARKETING

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

MIKE STEGALL senior account representative mike@akersmediagroup.com

HEIDI RESSLER account representative heidi@akersmediagroup.com

And, while enjoying the holiday here in Florida, near the water, in the sun… What comes to mind next? How do I look and feel going into the heat of summer? Did I hold true to those commitments I made back in January? Do I need to shop for that perfect cover up to help me look “cute” at the pool?

It all boils down to body image and how we see ourselves. It is true we constantly should be improving ourselves in one way or another (through education, physical fitness or other skills). However, we also must have a respect and appreciation for ourselves in the process.

This month, learn how to love yourself more and see the REAL beauty that each and every one of us possesses.

MELANIE MELVIN director of client services melanie@akerscreative.com

DEB MATLOCK account coordinator deb@akerscreative.com

DAVID COTÉ account representative david@akersmediagroup.com

ADMINISTRATION

AUBREY AKERS office assistant aubrey@akersmediagroup.com

SAMANTHA KURK receptionist samantha@akersmediagroup.com

DISTRIBUTION

SCOTT HEGG distribution manager scott.hegg@akersmediagroup.com

Sabrina Ciceri Associate Publisher Sabrina@akersmediagroup.com

The Florida Department of Health in Lake County offers STI assessment testing every second and fourth Wednesday at the Clermont Health Center at 875 Oakley Seaver Drive, 9a.m-3p.m. HIV, blood/oral rapid tests cost $10. HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea - urine and blood tests cost $40. To schedule an appointment or for more information please contact the departments’ Clermont Health Center at 352.989.9001 or visit the website at http://lake. floridahealth.gov/

Dr. Shalesh Kaushal and Dr. Ali Al-Rajihi, of Retina Specialty Institute in The Villages, are setting their sights high in the world of eye care.

In January, the practice became first in the world to participate in a clinical trial with OcuStem, a nutritional supplement and stem cell inducing agent that may reduce retina damage in diabetic patients.

“OcuStem is basically a pill that is a combination of various nutraceuticals that stimulate bone marrow stem cells to be released into the blood stream and eventually re-establish the leaky blood vessel lining that is affected in diabetic retinopathy,” Dr. Kaushal said. “In addition, this novel therapy has the potential to reverse vision loss and possibly be useful in dry macular degeneration.”

Cody is one of 2015’s hottest health apps, which allows members of the fitness community to share their workouts with new friends. Users can like and comment on your daily workout activity and offer advice based on their personal experiences.

75% of Americans experience some type of foot pain, causing many to believe they must learn to live with it, but I’m happy to report that arthritis, bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, neuromas and other foot and ankle disorders can be improved – even cured – through the specialized reconstructive and reparative surgeries I’ve performed on thousands of revitalized patients.