New Year, New You

Keeping resolutions can be a daunting task; however, Southwest Orlando Bulletin’s first New Year, New You section provides a plethora of advice from local experts to help readers achieve and maintain their goals.


Better Studying Habits in the New Year!

by Natalie Alamdar

Edu World Tutors

eduworldtutors.com

407-413-3961

The new year brings a time to start fresh. If your New Year’s resolution is to help your student or even yourself get better grades, follow these simple tips to get on the path:

Learn your learning style. There are many types of learning styles: visual, auditory, logical, verbal, solitary and social. It’s important to know your learning style, as it will help to make studying come easier if you are learning in the style that best fits you.

Create a routine. Make studying a part of the routine you do daily. Don’t wait until three days before an exam to cram. Along with having a quiet space, structuring your time and prioritizing your tasks, make time and be flexible with your daily schedule to include a small amount of studying each day.

Another great studying habit is to know when to stop and ask for help. Knowing when you need to reach out and get help with your studying is very important. Consider finding a tutor who fits your learning style, and schedule an appointment if you need that little push to help you get the grades.


The Benefits
of Hormonal Restoration

by John C. Carrozzella, M.D., MSMS, ABAARM, FAARFM

Florida Center for Hormones and Wellness

www.hormonesandwellness.com

407-505-6345

Hot flashes, night sweats, forgetfulness, irritability, weight gain, nothing happening in the gym, and a terrible sex drive. Menopause and the accompanying symptoms can be just downright miserable. Beyond that, the health challenges of hormonal imbalance can lead to a shorter unhealthier life.

Sound like you? If so, it is time to take control and turn things around in 2017. You have spent the past two months shopping, cooking, cleaning and making everything nice for everybody else, isn’t it time to do something for yourself?

Current medical research has clearly shown the benefits of hormone restoration. Women with balanced hormones feel, function and age better. They also get fewer diseases of aging. Hormone restoration reduces the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, dementia, diabetes, cholesterol problems and the risk of dying from all causes. Balanced hormones also restore that sexual spark! So why continue down the same old miserable road? Make an appointment with a qualified medical professional to see if bioidentical hormone therapy is right for you!


Enrich Yourself With Arts & Culture

submitted by United Arts of Central Florida

unitedarts.cc

Help enrich your life in 2017 by exploring and immersing yourself in the diverse array of arts and cultural offerings that are available throughout Central Florida. Orlando is known around the world as a mecca for tourism, but many visitors and residents alike are unfamiliar with the area’s vibrant arts and cultural jewels.

Whether your interests are in music, theater, dance, visual arts, history, science or nature, on just about any night of the week and all throughout the Central Florida region, you can find world-class cultural options to suit anyone’s tastes.

Beyond the obvious entertainment value of arts and cultural events, performances and exhibits, immersing yourself in arts and culture also has educational benefits, can inspire creativity and promote critical thinking, and helps foster a deeper connection with the local community.

You can sample a wide variety of the area’s arts and cultural offerings — all on one day and in a single location — during a new community event called Arts for All Day (www.artsforallday.com) when 60-plus presentations will happen Feb. 4 in Loch Haven Park. You can also visit www.orlandoatplay.com for a complete events calendar of local arts, culture and entertainment offerings taking place year-round throughout the region.


Improve Grades With a New Year Plan

by Aziz Kabani
Huntington Learning Center

huntingtonhelps.com

407-290-1111

Want to make 2017 the year of straight A’s for your child? Here are some steps you can share with them to make this the best semester yet!

1. Be proactive! Don’t wait until the last minute to start studying. If you know that there will be a test next week, start reviewing now. Pick one section to look over each night before bedtime.

2. Have a growth mindset! Science has proven that you can get better and smarter, regardless of whether you think you’re “naturally good” at something; you just have to work toward your goals consistently. If you believe and work hard, you will do it!

3. Organize, organize, organize! Keep a planner or a to-do list for all your assignments. Keep all papers in one place and divided by subject. This makes studying for tests so much easier and keeps you on top of your assignments.

4. Break it up! Break up your homework, projects and studying into small, easy-to-handle pieces. If you have a test on 10 vocabulary words on Friday, plan to learn about three each night, with a night to review the day before the test. Putting things into manageable chunks makes the task less daunting and cuts down on stress.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask! Your teacher might not know that you’re having trouble or that you don’t understand something. He or she can’t help until you ask. If you need additional help, don’t be embarrassed to look into tutoring. Many schools and centers offer tutors that can help you get back on track, a grade level ahead, or well-prepared for a test.


Gift Yourself With Beautiful Skin

by Michael Steppie, M.D.
President, Medical Director

Associates in Dermatology

www.dermorlando.com

800-827-7546

Sparkling jewelry, a comfy sweater or a designer purse may have been on your holiday wish list, but what do you truly want for 2017? How about a smoother, tighter, more youthful complexion?

The following are a few ways you can give yourself the gift of beautiful skin:

• Juvéderm: Each day, exposure to the sun’s damaging rays, as well as a myriad of environmental pollutants, subject your skin to a barrage of unhealthy and unflattering effects. Topping the potential troubles is the gradual loss of hyaluronic acid, the naturally occurring fluid in connective tissue that helps to keep your skin smooth and taut. As a result, the skin becomes dehydrated and the elastin and collagen fibers lose their integrity, leaving you with dry, thin, loose and wrinkled skin. A top solution is Juvéderm, a biodegradable gel that replaces hyaluronic acid, and infuses collagen and elastin with new moisture and restores volume, all in less than an hour and requiring no downtime.

• Radiesse — It’s been said that a genuine smile is the most glamorous accessory. But those marionette lines and pre-jowl folds that form around the mouth as we age can do a number on your otherwise gorgeous grin. That’s when you need Radiesse. Formulated with tiny calcium-based microspheres suspended in a water-based gel, this popular, highly effective dermal filler temporarily restores volume, smoothing the lines and plumping the sagging skin that forms around your smile and in the chin area. Over time, it actually works to stimulate your body’s natural production of collagen, the structural protein that keeps the skin’s underlying connective tissue strong and taut. The result is a long-lasting, youthful look.

• Xeomin — This prescription medication utilizes botulinum toxin type A to temporarily improve the appearance of wrinkles. It is a highly effective solution for glabellar frown lines — those two vertical lines that form between your eyebrows after years of frowning, squinting and stressing that make you look older and angrier than you truly are. Just like Botox, Xeomin visibly reduces muscle contraction and leads to a visible smoothing of the lines and furrows, virtually erasing years from your look.


Enrich Your Childs Life With Music

by Sally Seeley, Administrative Assistant/Program Director

Orlando Premier Music Instruction

opmi@opmi-lessons.com • www.orlando-premier-music-instruction.com

407-963-5529

Enrich your child’s life with music in 2017! Music provides children with a means of self-expression. There is an undeniably strong correlation between musical education and the development of skills that children need to become successful in life. Self-discipline, patience, sensitivity, coordination and the ability to memorize and concentrate are all enhanced in the study of music. These skills will follow your child on whatever path he or she chooses in life.

You have the chance now to introduce a formative influence that may be second only to the love you give your child. If you’re looking for a way to provide your child with a source of lifelong joy, satisfaction and accomplishment, childhood music education is an excellent first step.


Kick Off 2017 With Clean Air

by Thomas Tomarelli, Owner

AC Guys Cooling and Heating Services

www.ac-guys.com

407-654-7420

Professionally cleaned air ducts contribute to improved indoor air quality for you and your family. Over time air condition and heating ducts can become contaminated with dust, bacteria and pollutants. According to industry statistics, a typical six-room home creates up to 40 pounds of dust annually.

The following is a checklist for hiring a reputable duct-cleaning company:

1. Should be experienced in duct-cleaning systems like yours.

2. Should follow procedures that protect against contamination.

3. Should be experienced with industry air-duct cleaning standards.

4. Should be a properly licensed HVAC professional — licensed, bonded and insured.

5. Should provide an upfront quote based on the number of vents and returns in the home.

Additionally, routine periodic maintenance tuneups for your heating and air conditioning system will help keep the entire system cleaner, help minimize allergens and pollutants in your home, and keep your entire system operating at top efficiency.


Happy Home, Happy New Year!

by Rob Rahter, Broker Associate

Stockworth Realty Group

rrahter@stockworth.com • www.stockworth.com

407-497-4526

‘Tis the season for a fresh start and promises to do better. But as experts tell us, most New Year resolutions rarely last. Instead, real commitment after meaningful reflection to change will last for years to come.

As we evaluate our surroundings, we cannot neglect to view the place where our lives happen: our homes. Maybe it’s time to freshen up the kitchen and baths, change the floors or even add a room or two. Or maybe it is time for something more, time to change your surroundings entirely. Whether upsizing, downsizing or just resizing, finding a new home can be the perfect fit for the new year.

The first step is determining your needs and wants. Taking an honest approach to what really matters in a home will help you have a realistic expectation in your search. Naturally it’s important to include all decision-makers in the process. But keep in mind: the perfect home does not exist, even if you build it. What’s most important is finding the closest match in a potential property to what will satisfy as many wants and needs as possible. This is the time to enlist the help of a local neighborhood real estate broker. In fact, it’s best to consult a Realtor and recommended lender before even stepping foot in a house. Taking an honest approach to finances now will alleviate disappointment later and not waste time. Just like buying a car, if your budget is a Honda, you should not be test-driving a Bentley. And similar to hiring a doctor, you should hire a real estate professional who will do the best job for you. A full-time, seasoned Realtor who specializes in the area where you want to buy is worth his or her weight in gold. He knows the neighborhoods, schools and many times off-market homes that no one else knows about. Many people spend more time researching a restaurant than they do finding their Realtor, and since a house is likely the biggest purchase you will make, it is critical to make sure you do your homework and are correctly represented.

Same advice when you’re ready to sell. A good Realtor doesn’t just list a house in MLS and pray for a buyer. They should have a strong database, proven marketing plan and track record of results. The right real estate broker will get you top dollar and more than make up for the professional fee they charge.


Tips for Keeping New Year Resolutions

by Michelle Campbell, Admissions Director

Foundation Academy

foundationacademy.net

407-877-2744

Welcome to 2017! A new year brings us a time to start fresh: “And He who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’” Revelations 21:5 ESV

The following five tips of wisdom and encouragement may help you keep those resolutions for the new year:

• Research is very clear that people with well-written goals are much more likely to achieve them. The three most important factors for achieving any goal is that it is specific (losing 10 pounds instead of simply losing weight), measurable and put into writing. Keeping goals somewhere visible or easy to review also helps.

• Pray for God’s direction in goal setting and continuing to keep with your goals.

• Visualize the end result.

• Accountability is key. The incentive of knowing someone else is aware of the commitment will help you stay on track.

• Constantly review and revisit your goals. Otherwise, it’s just something written on a piece of paper. Some find keeping a journal helpful, or taking advantage of technology and all the great free apps that are available.


Teaching Your Child Water Safety in the New Year

by Marc Jablon, Owner
Safety First Swim School

www.safetyfirstswim.com

321-236-0240, ext. 5

If your baby is old enough to crawl, you should get him or her into swim lessons. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1-4. Survival swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent.

Swim lessons only take 10-15 minutes per day for four-six weeks. Children who have had swimming lessons have a respect for water, know they have limitations, understand the work involved with swimming, and learn there are rules that go with swimming.

Arm floaties should not be used on children, as they cause them to remain in a vertical position in the water. This gives children a false sense of security and may actually increase the risk of drowning.

Pool time can be fun, but it’s important to incorporate layers of protection to prevent a fun day at the pool from becoming a family’s worst nightmare. Swimming and floating are motor skills that can be taught to babies through repetitive exercises.


Because Memories Last Forever

submitted by Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows

www.sleuths.com

407-363-1985

Years are fleeting but memories aren’t! Make 2017 all about spending time with loved ones, laughing and making memories that you can take with you forever. What better way to make memories with loved ones than planning a regular evening of entertainment?

As the years go on, our lives become more and more hectic. With all of the events and appointments that we have to do, it can be easy to neglect doing something for the fun of it. Don’t let 2017 pass you by with just more of the same. Taking the time to get together with loved ones, whether they are family or friends, can reduce overall stress and remind you of what is important in life. Consider dining out, seeing a live show or attending a comedy act to build memories that will last a lifetime.


Optimal Health for Women

by Wendy Vasquez, M.D.

The Womens Center

www.wcorlando.com

407-857-2502, ext. 1600

As the new year begins, it is common to be ambitious and overly motivated about ways to make this year better than the last. For the most part, women are the nucleus of the home and often have greater responsibilities. Therefore, optimal health should be first on their resolution lists.

When it’s time for a baby, prenatal care is the single most important thing a women can do to optimize her health and the health of the fetus. Ideally, a woman should seek medical care before trying to conceive.

One of the most common problems a woman faces is abnormal and heavy uterine bleeding. In the past, it was common to get a hysterectomy for this condition. Thanks to better medical treatment and improvement in technology, a hysterectomy should be considered the last treatment option for this problem. Physicians are now able to fix most bleeding issues in minutes with little or no downtime.

As women approach menopause, they experience a different set of health issues, some of which are vaginal dryness, hot flashes, mood swings, urinary incontinence, hormonal imbalance and bone health. An annual exam remains the prime opportunity to identify any problems and intervene. 💓