As we all know, we cannot become what we want by remaining what we are. Thus, New Years resolutions are a must to get ourselves in check each year. Maybe you have a bad habit you’d like to kick, a skill you’d like acquire, or maybe you’d simply like to be a better parent, friend, or employee.

 

Let’s face it though; everyone wants to look better in 2016. With the confetti and fireworks come more than enough gym commercials to eventually convince you to commit to a membership. However, on many occasions, we forget that the most important part of any physical change can be achieved in the kitchen.

 

Hahira mother, Lang Smotherman, is a perfect example of nutrition success. In 2013, she was between a size 24 and 26, had high blood pressure, and joint pain. The thought of not being around for her family motivated her enough to commit to the paleo diet in full force. And it certainly worked for her. Today, she is between a size six and eight and the quality of her life has improved drastically. She even found a way to turn her success in weight loss into a business to help you too.

 

Being that Health & Life is a bi-monthly publication, we couldn’t possibly print a February engaged magazine without mentioning the one true thing that keeps us all ticking: love! Jake (88) and Dorothy Parker (78) of Valdosta just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Their story will warm your heart and remind you that marriage is no casual commitment.

 

Seeking stories to publish in Health & Life is sometimes challenging and sometimes simple. However, we also occasionally come across great stories on accident. Stuart MacCiver heads up a knitting club at the Greenville Public Library; however, his story was in fact more than we had bargained for. As a child, MacCiver first picked up knitting from his mother as she advised him that keeping his hands busy would cure his poison ivy. Still today, he not only teaches the skill to others but is also an advocate that knitting has far more benefits than the dainty throw blankets we place in our dens.

 

We hope you enjoy this issue of Health & Life and we look forward to bringing you fun, encouraging, and informative stories throughout 2016!

 

 Sarah Turner, Editor