With the invention and subsequent popularity of MySpace, Facebook and Twitter, it’s easy for someone to hide behind their computer and use social networking as a means to communicate with family, friends and neighbors. Although these online tools are great for a quick and easy way to stay in touch, communities like Avalon Park and Vista Lakes are still promoting the use of green space and outdoor activity to stay in touch and stay healthy. Used for all types of recreational activity, green space is incorporated into neighborhoods throughout the East Orlando area equipped with parks, playgrounds, bike trails and other facilities that allow residents to get outside and be active in their neighborhood. Most importantly, the green space throughout East Orlando allows for neighborhoods to become communities.

“Green space, in the form of parks, is important to be integrated into neighborhoods and towns as these places promote social interaction, incidental neighborly contact and recreational opportunities,” says Ross Halle, the vice president of town planning and architecture at Avalon Park Group. “They promote public activity, and they establish an identity and central gathering place for the neighborhood and community.”

Aside from strengthening a community, Halle believes that the public activity on green space results in safer streets and is also a necessity for our environment. “Preserved natural green space is equally important for the peaceful coexistence of the natural and manmade environment,” he says. “Natural green space woven through a community is critical in establishing wildlife corridors and promoting the continued working of natural ecological conditions.”

Gary van der Laan, the senior association manager of Leland Properties, which manages the Vista Lakes community, has similar views as Halle in regards to the purpose of green space.

“It gives people a place to gather, and it gives them a place to have an event, like block parties,” says van der Laan. “I think it just really establishes the neighborhood.”

The Vista Lakes community holds different events throughout the year that utilizes their green space, such as block parties, movies in the park, committee meetings, and picnics, much like Avalon Park.

One event, held in communities with access to green space annually, is National Night Out, packing in crowds in Vista Lakes, Moss Park and Avalon Park locally as well as communities across the country. The event aims to build a bond between neighborhoods and police departments across the nation in order to build safer communities and promote the importance of neighborhood watch communities. Van der Laan says attendance at this annual event will sometimes draw crowds of 500-600 people, and without green space, the communities wouldn’t be able to partake in this gathering.

Vista Lakes isn’t the only property that van der Laan works with. Many communities that Leland Properties manages don’t have access to green space, and van der Laan says there’s a noticeable difference between communities with and without it. The continuity of the neighborhood is lost without it, because events, such as neighborhood watch meetings, can’t be held without relocating to a spot outside of the community, van der Laan says.

“People don’t know each other. They don’t talk to each other. They drive in, park in their garages, and that’s it, they don’t see each other. There’s no reason to go outside,” says van der Laan. “But, in the communities where we have those spaces and park areas, you see a lot more neighborhoods that tend to be a lot stronger. They know each other, or at least have seen each other’s faces around, so then people tend to be a lot friendlier.”

Van der Laan also believes that his company benefits from the neighborhoods that have the ability to access green space. He thinks that communities with green space have a “real community feel and a real neighborhood feel” and believes that communities are easier to manage when they have that characteristic.

“It’s not just an individual living in a house. They’re living in that community and they take pride in that community.”

Article by Nicole Lauber

You hear it from your doctors at every check up: “Staying active and eating a well-balanced diet are the main components to live a healthy lifestyle.” Unfortunately though, with the economy in its current condition, it may seem like trying to do that will cost more than you can fit into your budget. Between a gym membership, a new iPod for your music, workout clothes, tennis shoes and protein/vitamin supplements, the cost of living a healthy lifestyle can add up. What’s necessary to include in your active life, what could you do without, and how can you get the most out of your buck?

One thing is for certain, according to Camille Bristow, manager of Anytime Fitness of Orlando: “With the rising cost of healthcare, we really can’t afford not to be healthy and get in better shape. For about one dollar a day at Anytime Fitness, individuals can make the commitment to get their bodies moving in the right direction, whether it be to lose a few pounds, get stronger, get more flexible or to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.”

If someone doesn’t have the resources to get a gym membership, Bristow still stresses the importance of a fit lifestyle. “Getting fit is a life choice based on need and overall wellness,” she says. “If someone does not have the ability to get to us, walking every day and eating a balanced diet will certainly help.”

But what about supplements that claim to enhance your workout results? Frank Marinaccio, owner of Nutrishop in Waterford Lakes, thinks that protein and vitamin supplements are necessary for someone trying to live a healthy lifestyle because most people don’t get the nutrients they need in their daily diet. He recommends a mixture of the three supplements: Nature’s Greens, Nature’s Fruits, and Nature’s Fuel.

“I have people cutting back on the fruits that they’re buying at the grocery store, because half the time it gets rotted in the refrigerator,” Marinaccio says. “They’re buying their necessary vegetables to cook with, but they’re drinking these three on a daily basis which is filling in the big gaps and voids of your eight servings of fruits and vegetables.”

Nu-Tek, the makers of these supplements, maintains that Nature’s Greens and Nature’s Fruits are made with certified organic ingredients, and will both support immune function and the body’s resistance to infection. While Nature’s Greens is supposed to help lower the risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, Nature’s Fruits asserts that it helps meet the USDA recommended five to nine servings of fruits per day. Nature’s Fuels is said to increase natural energy, strength and vitality. Although Nu-Tek’s supplement claims haven’t been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, Marinaccio stands behind the products he sells in his store.

“Every person that comes into this store that either wants to lose weight, build lean muscle, or just get a good foundation of vitamins has seen results.”

Another factor to include in your fit lifestyle budget are workout clothes. The cost of workout apparel varies based on the fabric, says Bristow. While cotton clothing is the most cost efficient, Lycra, poly-blends and clothing that use a combination of fabrics are generally lighter weight and longer lasting than cotton-based clothing. Bristow says tops range from $10 to $30, while bottoms range from $17 to $68, but most retailers have sales on fitness clothing.

Shoes are also an important element of workout gear, but don’t last as long as clothing, according to Bristow. She suggests replacing shoes two to three times a year, and even more often if someone is an avid runner. “Most people wear sneakers well past the time to retire them,” Bristow says. “Shoes are not only protectors of your feet but of your knees and lower back.”

Budgeting for a fit life can seem like it costs a lot, but the results are worth it.

“The pros most certainly outweigh the cons,” Bristow says. “Feel better, look better, a lower cost of medical care, have more energy, sleep better, and potentially live longer.”

Article by Nicole Lauber

Imagine you’re a king or queen who has risen from poverty to rule the land, your every decision affecting millions. Or maybe you’re more into action - bullets whizzing by your head, explosions on your left, squad mates on your right as you fight for freedom. Now picture yourself barreling into a corner at Daytona International Speedway topping 190 m.p.h., your foot on the throttle and second place just inches away from your back bumper.

It’s all possible with a press of a button and the spin of a disk. Video games can take you where you want to go, let you be the person you want to be and live out your mildest, or wildest, dreams. A multi-billion dollar industry today, video games are how millions of Americans, both children and adults, choose to spend their recreational time.

“As far as the pros for gaming go, I think games do a wonderful job of making us more mentally active in our recreational time versus something like watching T.V.,” says Ron Weaver, production faculty member at the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy at UCF. “Compared to just sitting and watching your favorite show, at some point you may be required to think about what’s happening onscreen, but, for the most part, you’re passively just watching. In games, however, you’re going to have to think and strategize a lot harder, demanding far more mental acuity and problem solving skills.”

Other pros include increasing hand-eye coordination and natural dexterity, studies show. “Games force us to think, just like our education system is designed to do, and I think games are very underrated for that aspect,” Weaver says. Research has also found that games can improve children’s logical thinking ability and decision making skills.

Weaver notes that there are cons that can associated with gaming, much like any other entertainment media. “There are definitely a number of games and personality types in our culture that are creating unhealthy habits with regards to their relationships with games,” he says. “There are risks for creating problems; or not taking care of your loved ones because you’re caught up in something else, similar to alcohol and gambling. Games can do that, too.”

Still, he says that the Wii console has also opened up gaming as a fun, recreational activity for completely new demographics, generating far more interest in older generations and women. “It has exposed a whole new segment of the market to the idea that games are not just about shooting people,” he says. “I believe that no matter who you are there is a game out there for you.”

The casual game market has exploded recently, with many who wouldn’t dare pick up a controller donning plastic guitars for games like Rock Band and balance boards for games like Wii Fit. “I never really played games before Rock Band,” says Christina Gutierrez of East Orlando. “I thought they were mainly for guys, but since picking up the band stuff, I have started to play others and I really like it.”

For those looking for the next step in interactivity, they may want to ditch the plastic instruments and head to Hard Knocks in Oviedo. Described as being similar to a real life video game by owner Joe Wheeler, Hard Knocks is considered the ultimate combat simulator combining laser tag with themed environments and weapons modeled after their real world counterparts.

“We ask you to enjoy video games and then we challenge you to walk into one,” Wheeler says. “It’s that next level of challenge.” Home to Florida’s largest gaming lounge, the center also hosts special events and video game tournaments. “It’s good clean fun. It doesn’t replace being outside running around, but we have youth customers to adult customers, male and female, that thoroughly enjoy gaming and combat simulation, competitively and recreationally,” he says.

Whether you’re saving the world, living out your rock star dreams or even farming (yes, there’s a game for you, too), the entertainment experience for the price can’t be beat, according to many gamers.

“I think one of the great things about good games is that they’re able to keep you immersed and inside that enjoyable world better than any other media,” says Weaver. “You come out of the experience feeling like you really enjoyed yourself the whole time and there’s a story you can tell about what happened; games are incredible for harnessing that power.”

Article by Corey Gehrold

What do you picture when you think of the term “workout?” Is it lifting heavy weights? Attending a judgmental gym? Perhaps a boring, repetitive routine? If any of that sounds familiar, it may be time for you to change the way you work.

Over the past several years, many fitness experts have begun to move to a functional training methodology, meaning training the body in the same manner it is used during everyday activities. Have you ever carried your kid upstairs with groceries hanging on the other arm, trying to get the key in the door? Sitting on machines at the gym doesn’t really prepare your body for that. “The body is one unit that consists of individual muscles working together to create movement. Muscles don’t work in isolation, so they shouldn’t be trained that way,” says local fitness trainer and Owner of Breakthrough Fitness, Dominic Lucibello. When training, you should use movements that involve multiple muscle groups, as in the exercises pictured. These movements emphasize your torso “core” and transfer over to how you perform on a daily basis.

For an exercise to be truly functional, it should be done standing, with free weight, using multiple muscle groups and at a variety of speeds. “Always master a movement before adding speed,” says Lucibello. “So, say goodbye to the machines that do the work for you.”

“Only 16 percent of the population belongs to a gym and most of the functional training equipment can be used anywhere - something that caught a lot of people’s attention,” Lucibello says. Training equipment includes bands, medicine balls, kettlebells and the ultimate free weight, your body. Great for exercising in a small space, functional training techniques are perfect for home or backyard fitness routines.

Today, one of the most popular training methods is circuit training, combining strength training with endurance training. Exercises are done for a prescribed amount of time or repetitions, followed by a short rest period and then followed by the next exercise. If you’re looking to lose weight, creating a circuit routine may be your answer. “Circuit training is great because it promotes muscle growth, increases metabolism and burns calories, all of which are essential for fat loss,” says Lucibello. “Kettlebells are a great tool to use during circuits because you can get a muscle building response as well as a great cardio workout all in one.”

Besides the obvious fat loss benefits, circuits are useful.  “Being fit is more than just lifting weights or running endless miles. A good routine should address flexibility, power, balance, strength and endurance.” says Lucibello. One way to make exercises challenging without adding weights is by controlling the tempo of the exercise and rest periods between exercises. “Workouts need to be intense, not long. Movements should be simple, but simple doesn’t mean easy,” he says. By adjusting rest time and tempo you’ll be able to continually challenge yourself without straining your muscles.

If you’re just starting a circuit routine, consider working twice a week and then progressing into three or four times per week, depending on your level of fitness. “The most effective routine is a routine that is designed specifically for the individual,” says Lucibello. “For customized results you need a customized plan.”

When shifting to a functional workout or circuit routine, experts advise you start off with your bodyweight. Until you can move your bodyweight efficiently, there is no need to add weight. “Proper execution and good form are the foundation of a sound exercise program,” says Lucibello. Not only will this help avoid injuries, but it will also give you better results.

The first question you should ask yourself is why you are changing your workout. “If you like your plan and it’s working, stick with it. “You have to set goals, know how much time you can commit and then figure out the best way to reach those goals.” says Lucibello.

Article by Corey Gehrold

At Vascular Vein Centers, veins are their main focus; but, complete leg health is their goal. They provide expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of vein disorders while their on-site lab includes thorough ultrasound duplex scanning, which allows for a detailed understanding of each patient’s problems. Since their inception, the Vascular Vein Centers have provided Central Florida with medically-proven, cutting-edge technology in the pursuit of non-operative vein therapy.

The same techniques and expertise will continue when the East Orlando Center moves into its new location on Lake Underhill on March 1. But, what really makes the center stand out, according to past clients, is their long-lasting results and personalized care. Below are some of the more common questions VVC encounters regarding diagnosis and treatment of incompetent veins.

1. What exactly do my veins do and why do I have varicose veins on my legs?

Essentially, veins in the legs have valves. These valves keep blood flowing in one direction - from the legs to the heart. If these valves don’t function properly, they “leak” and blood flows back toward the feet, creating a pressure that causes normally small veins to enlarge and bulge. Veins at the ankle and lower leg level can leak fluid, which inflames the surrounding tissue and skin.

Varicose veins are diseased veins that have become permanently dilated with “leaky” valves. In the United States, it’s estimated that 25 million people have varicose veins. By the time we reach our 60s, it’s estimated that 72 percent of women and 42 percent of men will experience varicose veins.

2. What are some of risk factors for vein disease?

The risk factors vary. Some of the most common include: family history of vein disease; pregnancy; being overweight; prolonged standing or sitting on a daily basis; hormonal factors; advancing age; clots in the superficial or deep vein system and injury.

3. What does a vein procedure typically involve? Will I miss any work because of it?

Therapy consists of a combination of laser treatment of the major incompetent veins, followed by chemical schlerotherapy for the branches. The procedures are short, require minimal local anesthesia and patients are able to resume their normal activities very quickly. Post-procedural pain is minimal compared to traditional stripping procedures.

4. What can I do to improve my leg health?

Veins are controlled, they are never completely cured. However, some steps you can take to improve leg health include:

Exercise daily: Exercises that use the muscles of the legs help veins pump blood. The calf pump pushes blood back to the heart and every step lowers pressure in your legs.

Maintain a healthy weight and diet: Being overweight puts extra pressure on the veins. Foods high in sodium may cause water retention and swelling.

Maintain healthy skin: It’s important to keep your skin lubricated with lotion or baby oil to prevent dryness or itching.

Wear compression stockings every day: Specifically made for treating vein disease and for people who stand a great deal by assisting in supporting weakened vein walls, they provide graduated compression on the leg, with the greatest pressure at the ankle to help pump blood up the leg. As a result, blood flow is increased which helps reduce swelling, pain and possible clots in the legs. It is critical that these stockings be properly fitted for your legs and of medical grade.

5. Will my insurance cover the costs of a procedure?

Most insurance companies, including Medicare, recognize the treatment of painful varicose veins as medically necessary and will cover the procedures if three to six months of conservative treatment (depending on the particular insurance) have been unsuccessful in eliminating signs or symptoms.

Would You Like More Information?

If you have questions not answer above by Vascular Vein Centers or you would like to schedule an appointment, call their office today.

Vascular Vein Centers - Waterford Lakes
11317 Lake Underhill Rd  Suite 300
Orlando, FL 32825
407.380.8878

www.BestVeinTreatment.com