Families on TV show us every week what it’s like to raise 8 and even 19 children.  But what about just one?

Raising - and being - an only child definitely has its benefits and challenges, but to find out exactly what those were, Insight sat down with two local parents of “onlies” as they’re sometimes called, Laura Sutphin, mother of 6-year-old Ian, and Annabelle Snyder, mother of 8-year-old Lili.

After talking with the parents, one of the most obvious differences made apparent in raising an only child as opposed to a child with siblings is the attention that the child receives.   Parents have more time for their only because they don’t have to perform the balancing act of trying to give each child equal amounts of love and attention.   However, even though only children don’t have siblings to compete with, they also don’t have any to play with; but Annabelle believes that where siblings are absent, friends can fill the void.

“An only child may feel lonelier in terms of less family, but definitely richer in terms of friends. Lili has a wide circle of friends and [she] makes them very easily,” says Annabelle.

Both Annabelle and Laura agree that only children tend to be more self-reliant and self-sufficient.   The task of learning to entertain themselves results in only children developing their own unique sense of creativity and resourcefulness.

“I think there is probably more pressure on an only child, whether put on by the parents or by him/her self, to succeed,” says Laura.  “They have to learn to be more on their own, whereas children with siblings have each other - which can be either good or bad.”

With siblings out of the picture, parents of onlies tend to find it easier to give their child everything they might need, and sometimes anything they want.  This presents the challenge of finding a healthy balance of how much to give without spoiling them.

“We are always reminding Lili of how many of her friends don’t have her opportunities.  Unlike her, they need to share toys, and may not be able to pick up a toy while out,” says Annabelle.

For Laura, her son must earn the things he wants. “We expect our son to have good manners, earn special treats - not just assume he can have them,” she says.  “We’ve tried to instill good values in him, not spoil him.”

But at the end of the day, the parents know their children do get special treatment.  The trick, they say, is to not let it go to their heads.

“Lili may be spoiled in certain areas but we never give her everything that she wants,” says Annabelle.  “We are always reminding her about what she has and how blessed she truly is.”

Article by Erika Finnimore

As we grow older, the world around us never stops changing. Online banking, cellular phones, web-based college courses and even how people go about purchasing a vehicle.

Ten years ago people, purchased newspapers or car magazines in order to find vehicles for sale. Many found their next automobile by driving by a dealership and looking over the fence. Today’s shoppers are different. The advent of internet shopping has changed both the way dealerships attract their customers, and how customers decide where to take their business.

Internet pricing, social networking sites, consumer reviews, eBay, appraisal websites and many more have gone a long way in educating the consumer as to what they should expect when making their next automotive purchase.

Today’s automotive customers have access to a dealership’s invoice costs, dealer hold backs, annual percentage rate (APR) offers and true market value. They know if they inquire through a dealer’s website they can almost always receive a discounted price prior to ever speaking with a sales representative, or physically seeing the vehicle of interest.

These customers have also discovered the advantage of online trade appraisal sites, which allow them to factor the value of their current vehicle into the car buying equation. These appraisal websites even offer to purchase the customer’s trade outright.

The various brand websites have developed unique interactive portals in which the customer can build a virtual model of the exact vehicle they would like to own and, often times, these sites even provide them with the exact manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the vehicle they built.

Some customers are even choosing to obtain their own financing prior to visiting a dealership in today’s market. What this adds up to in the end is a consumer who knows what they want, how much it should cost and what the dealer can do to help them.

The internet has also provided the consumer with options other then dealerships from which to make their next vehicle purchase. Craig’s List and eBay are the leaders in this front, however there are others. Why haggle to lower a price when you can bid against other consumers up to the point where you would no longer be interested in the vehicle?

Outside sites also allow consumers to create accounts in which they can add various vehicles and watch them over the course of a period of time. This allows the consumer to keep track of pricing on similar vehicles at different locations and watch as the seller slowly lowers the associated pricing as the inventory becomes aged. Somtimes these sites even include vehicles being sold by other consumers. These options open up the market for consumers to include vehicles from all across the country as opposed to just down the street like the olden days.

Although this plethora of information is available to the computer savvy shopper, there are still tricks of the trade available to them from those in the business. Often, shoppers will see advertisements for where they can choose either cash back or a great APR offer. But which is better? While the fine print may confuse a consumer untrained in finance lingo, these incentives are almost always equal in value. The benefit comes from knowing which one is right for the customer depending on how they intend to pay for their purchase.

This is where the expertise of a good finance manager comes into play for the consumer. With each option being of equal value, the finance manager is truly working for the customer at this point.

In today’s world, a bad reputation can do a lot of damage, while a good reputation can win you countless referrals. What customers have to say about their experience when they leave can make or break a dealership in the always on the go, always in communication society we live in.

The benefit is that sales personnel and dealers are on their best behavior and they’re willing to make deals. As they actively adapt to the changing communication and car buying environment, the real winner is the consumer.

About the Author:

Daniel Ward is a Client Advisor at Fields BMW in South Orlando. With more than 13 years in the auto industry, Dan has sold numerous classes of vehicles for several of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers.

Article by Daniel Ward

Walk more, eat well, and you’ll live longer. It’s a simple premise, but it’s the foundation of the American Heart Association’s Start! Movement. Research has shown that you can gain about two hours of life for every hour of regular vigorous exercise you do. You couldn’t find a better two-for-one deal if you tried! It’s a good thing too because the American workforce is becoming more and more sedentary.

As a result, our waistbands are growing and so are our healthcare costs and the number of preventable illnesses. Start! is here to stop the trend by promoting walking as a simply first step toward a healthier lifestyle.

As the signature fund-raising event for the American Heart Association since 1994, the Start! Heart Walk, the cornerstone event associated with the Start! movement, promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living in a fun, family environment. Each year, more than 1 million walkers participate in more than 350 events across the country, raising funds to save lives.

Registration is now open for the more than 11,000 Greater Orlando residents expected to take steps to improve their heart health on October 2^nd, when they participate in the American Heart Association’s Start! Heart Walk, to be held at Loch Haven Park at 8 a.m.

The celebratory event, co-chaired by Sherrie Sitarik, Orlando Health Executive Vice President and Brian Paradis, Florida Hospital Chief Operating Officer, raises funds to fight heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of our community and all Americans. Teams of employees from local companies, along with friends and family members of all ages, will participate in the non-competitive 5K (3.1 miles), following a program emceed by Dave Collins & Leslye Gale of Magic 107.7. A one-mile route is also available for survivors.

More than 100 companies have already formed Start! Heart Walk teams including many in East Orlando such as Airmark, Florida Emergency Physicians, Florida Hospital East, Hewitt Associates, Lake Nona, Massey Services/Massey Communications, Target, University of Central Florida, Valencia Community College, Wachovia and Walgreens, with additional participation expected.

With executive level support, company leaders take an active role to engage employees through the recruitment of team captains who then register walkers using a variety of fun and educational activities to encourage participation and raise funds. Hewitt Associates has aligned both nationally and locally with the American Heart Association through associates’ fundraising contributions that go towards supporting research.

“Through its community service and the Choose Health wellness program, Hewitt is focused on promoting a culture of health and wellness. Taking part in Start! Heart Walk is one more way we can encourage associates to get and stay healthy,” said Marita Newkerk, team manager, Hewitt Associates.

“To motivate associates to reach their fundraising goals, we’re offering the opportunity to win a Wii Fit! We’re enjoying healthy competition between departments as we strive to reach our $15,000 company goal. With the hard work and dedication of our associates, we know we can help make an impact on cardiovascular disease research,” added Cheryl Fitch, Location leader, Hewitt Associates.

Walkers can plan to visit three communities set-up throughout the park that morning with festivities kicking off at 7:00 a.m. The communities, Create Hope, Inspire Change and Celebrate Success, provide family fun and education. Everything from health screenings, kid’s activities, healthy snacks, survivor celebrations, massages, company photos and more will be available. The event provides an opportunity for every participant and team to put the mission of the American Heart Association and the Start! program into action.

To learn more, join a team or to form your own team, visit GreaterOrlandoHeartWalk.org. There is no registration fee, however participants who raise at least $100 will receive a Start! Heart Walk t-shirt, with other incentive opportunities.

Article by Nancy Devault

A group of scientists are trying to prove that an 800-year lifespan is possible.  While that may seem a little unlikely, we absolutely can increase the length, and more importantly, the quality of our lives.

Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D., discovered after a thorough study of scientific literature that diet is a factor in eight of the top 10 causes of death in the United States. One revolutionary study of centenarians (those who are older than 100-years-old)  showed that these people all had a diet high in fruits and vegetables.

Everyone knows fruits and veggies are good for you, but in recent years scientists have begun to clearly understand why we need them. The key to our good health may actually be antioxidants. The natural source for antioxidants is in fruits and vegetables. As a general rule of thumb,  the darker the food, the better.

But why do we need antioxidants and what do they do? Antioxidants get rid of the free radicals in our bodies and repair the damage they cause.

Free radicals are a type of molecule in our bodies that cause oxidation; and they are created in our normal, everyday living. The very air we breathe causes oxidation in our bodies. When something oxidizes, it begins to deteriorate. A good example of this is when you slice an apple, it begins to turn brown very quickly. It’s also why our cars rust. You could say we are rusting from the inside out because of this oxidation.  Stress increases free radicals, as do environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides.

How important are antioxidants? Dr Richard Cutler, a researcher at the anti-aging department of the National Institute of Health says that, “The amount of antioxidants we maintain in our bodies is directly proportional to how long and how healthy we will live…”

The good news is that your secret weapon to fight disease and old age is as close as your grocery store’s fresh produce isle. Longevity experts say we should be eating ten servings of fruits and vegetables per day. The bad news, however, is nearly 90 percent of Americans are not even getting the minimum of five servings per day.

The solution may be a good supplement. By making some simple, smarter choices each day, you can have smoother looking skin, higher mental acuity, greatly reduced inflammation, lessen the plaque in your arteries and have more energy. The list goes on and on. Just Google any health issue you currently have along with the word “antioxidant” and see for yourself.

The USDA rates fruits and vegetables  with a system called the ORAC score. The higher the score, the higher the antioxidant value. In general, it’s good to remember that fruits and vegetables in their most natural state are going to be the best. Darker foods like blueberries, prunes and pomegranates will have higher values than grapes or corn for instance. Kale, spinach and strawberries rank fairly high. There is a lot of buzz about the Brazilian acai berry right now for its level of antioxidants as well.

Then there is  everyone’s favorite food, chocolate. Yes, the cocoa bean grows on a tree and is considered a fruit.

Again, the closer chocolate is to its purest form, the better. The Spanish conqueror  Hernando Cortes declared in the 1500’s that a bitter cocoa drink was, “The divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink permits man to walk for a whole day without food.”

So forget the fads and stick with the basics. In conjunction with a diet low in greasy foods, plenty of sleep, water and exercise, a variety of fresh fruits (including chocolate) and vegetables rich in antioxidants are a very important part of your overall longevity.

Scientists may or may not crack the code for living several hundred years, but whatever your age, with a few smart, healthy choices, each day you’ll look and feel much younger for years to come.

About the Author:

Mike Greenfield is an entrepreneur with a passion to help others live their best life personally, professionally and spiritually. Mike, his wife Julie, and their family live in Stoneybrook. Visit him on the web to learn more at www.iCraveHealthyChocolate.com.

Article by Mike Greenfield

Your current state of health and fitness is something you’re no longer willing to live with. You have to make a change and make it now. You’re committed and ready, but you’ve got a small problem: you don’t know where to start.

You could join a gym, try a fitness boot camp, buy one of those “extreme fitness” DVDs advertised on TV, get a personal trainer - the list goes on and on. Having choices is a good thing, but when the choices are so numerous, it can be overwhelming. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re more likely to do nothing. So this month I want to share with you some tips that will help you narrow down your fitness options, then you can make an informed decision that will lead to your fitness success.

Know What You Want To Accomplish

I’ve spoken to this point many times before, but it bears repeating. You have to know what you want to accomplish. Being clear about your dreams, desires and goals will help narrow your choices. Conversely, if you don’t know your destination, any road could lead to somewhere you don’t want to be. So get crystal clear about what you want to accomplish. When considering a program does the organization/trainer ask you about your goals? Can they explain how their program can help you achieve those goals?

Assess Your Current State of Health and Fitness (Honestly)

Your current level of fitness also plays an important role in determining your choice of fitness programs. Quantifying your current level of fitness is a challenge for most. After all, it’s one thing to know that you’re out of shape; it’s another not-so-easy thing to quantify just how out of shape you are. Do the programs you’re considering have a system in place for determining your starting level of fitness? And if so, how do they use the information they learn about you to adjust their program to best serve you?

Choose a Program You’ll Enjoy Doing

You can’t underestimate the importance of fun when choosing your fitness program. The truth is: if you don’t like what you are doing, you’re not going to stay with it. And make no mistake about it, no matter how well suited your fitness program is for you, if you don’t like doing it you’re not going to be consistent enough to see the results you desire.

Choose a Program That Has Passed the Test of Time

There are a lot of gimmicks in the fitness industry. These gimmicks prey on individuals who genuinely desire change by manipulating their emotions. These fad programs promise fast, effortless change while others claim to have “unlocked” the secret to achieving a fit, trim, healthy body. Be wary of fitness fads - they simply don’t have the track record to demonstrate their long term safety and effectiveness.

Remember, One Size Doesn’t Fit All

No matter how good a program may be there’s no single program that’s right for everyone. More specifically, just because a particular program worked for someone you know doesn’t mean it’s right for you. On the other hand, if a program has a documented success record, it can be customized to meet your specific needs and you feel good about the program, it’s probably a good fit for you. At least it’s a program worth looking into more closely.

At Fitness Together of East Orlando we provide customized, one-on-one personal training in a non-threatening atmosphere of private, fully equipped training suites. While we believe that we provide the absolute best personal training services available anywhere, we also understand that we’re not the best solution for everyone. That’s why we encourage individuals interested in our services to take advantage of our free F.I.T. consultation. The F.I.T. consultation is a no risk way of determining whether or not Fitness Together is right for you. Remember, when it comes to fitness programs one size doesn’t fit all, but the right program will get you to the size you want.

To schedule a free F.I.T. consultation call 407-208-0620 or visit www.PrivateTrainingGetsResults.com. Be sure to ask about our Back to School Specials!

Article by Glenn Beard, PT, Owner of Fitness Together East Orlando