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WELLNESS - COCOABEACHLIFESTYLEPUBS.COM - INFINITY YOGA AND WELLNESS OF COCOA ...
JANUARY 2019

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WELLNESS
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WELLNESS - COCOABEACHLIFESTYLEPUBS.COM - INFINITY YOGA AND WELLNESS OF COCOA ...
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LIFESTYLE LETTER

                                                                                                                          JANUARY 2019
                                                                                                                                   PUBLISHER
                                                                                                      Mandy York | mandy.york@lifestylepubs.com

                                                                                                                        EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
                                                                                                   Rebecca West | rebecca.west@lifestylepubs.com

                                                                                                                        CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
                                                                                                                  Rebecca West, Justin Connors

                                   Bring on the New Year!
                                                                                                                 CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
                                                                                                                   Hassan Patterson, Darin Back

    JANUARY MARKS THE BEGINNING OF NOT ONLY A NEW CALENDAR YEAR
               BUT ALSO THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SETTING PERSONAL GOALS.

    Perhaps you’ve resolved to exercise more regularly, take up a new hobby or volun-
    teer at the local animal shelter. Whatever your goals may be, we hope the people,
    places, recipes and tips and tricks in this issue will inspire you to focus on wellness
                                                                          in the new year.

    In this issue, we feature ways for you to take care of yourself and your pets! We are
    featuring a super-healthy smoothie recipe from Café Surfinista; workout routines
    and treatments from Infinity Yoga and Wellness; aging gracefully without the use
    of pills or invasive surgeries with Regenerative Matrix; and last but not least taking
                    care of our pets in a natural, holistic way at Animal Wellness World.

    We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we did putting it together. Thanks for                                    CORPORATE TEAM
         reading Cocoa Beach Lifestyle, and from our family to yours, happy New Year!              CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
                                                                                                             CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry
                                                                                                         CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore
                                                                                                                      ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor
                                                                                                        OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson
                                                                                                            EDITORIAL MANAGER Nicolette Martin
                                                                                                                      AD MANAGER Chad Jensen
                                                                   Mandy York, Publisher                         REGIONAL SALES DIRECTORS
                                                                                                                      John Newman | Eric Williams
                                                                                                            WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

                                                  CocoaBeachLifestylePubs.com                   ARIZONA | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO | CONNECTICUT | FLORIDA | GEORGIA
                                                                                              IDAHO | ILLINOIS | KANSAS | MARYLAND | MINNESOTA | MISSOURI | MONTANA
                                                                                                NEVADA | NEW JERSEY | NORTH CAROLINA | OHIO | OKLAHOMA | OREGON
                                                                                                                TENNESSEE | TEXAS | VIRGINIA | WASHINGTON

     ON THE COVER Stephanie Testa,                                                                                514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

     Infinity Yoga & Wellness                                                                                                    Proverbs 3:5-6

     PHOTOGRAPHY BY HASSAN PATTERSON                                                          Cocoa Beach Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed
                                                                                              via the US Postal Service to some of the Cocoa Beach areas’ most affluent neighborhoods.
     COVER LOCATION Beach Place                                                               Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions.
                                                                                              No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
     Guesthouses, Cocoa Beach                                                                 Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers
                                                                                              or editorial contributors. Information in Cocoa Beach Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources
4    Cocoa Beach Lifestyle | January 2019                                                         considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.
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INSIDE THE ISSUE
          JANUARY 2019

          FEATURES
          12 Animal Wellness World
             Offers Alternatives for
             Healing to Pet Owners and
             Their Animal Companions
               Experience a Different Kind of
               Veterinary Care

          18 Infinity Yoga Offers
             the Holistic Tradition
             of Ayurveda
               Heal Your Mind, Body and Soul
               with Yoga and Ayurveda

          28 Regenerative Matrix,
     12      Aging Gracefully
               An Anti-Aging Facility Where
               Success Is in Your Blood

34   18   34 Parting Thoughts
               Justin Connors, Founder/CEO of
               Connors Wealth Management

     28
          DEPARTMENTS
          4    Lifestyle Letter

          8    Good Times

          10   Around Town

          12   Animal Kingdom

          24   Culinary Creations

          28   Local Limelight

          32   Lifestyle Calendar

          34   Parting Thoughts
WELLNESS - COCOABEACHLIFESTYLEPUBS.COM - INFINITY YOGA AND WELLNESS OF COCOA ...
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GOOD TIMES

     Village Flooring Plus Celebrates Grand Opening
     Village Flooring Plus in Merritt Island proudly celebrated its grand opening. The Cocoa
     Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce and 98.5 FM The Beach Radio were front-and-
     center to help them kick off the unveiling of their beautiful, one-of-a-kind showroom.
     They had a great turnout filled with food, drinks, kids' activities and awesome
     prize giveaways including a grand prize of exquisite granite counter tops. Visit
     VillageFlooringPlus.com or better yet, come check out their amazing showroom at
     358 Hibiscus Ave., Merritt Island. 321.453.2413.

8   Cocoa Beach Lifestyle | January 2019
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WELLNESS - COCOABEACHLIFESTYLEPUBS.COM - INFINITY YOGA AND WELLNESS OF COCOA ...
AROUND TOWN

                                                                                       MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL
                                                                                       AIRPORT TO CONSTRUCT NOISE
                                                                                       BARRIER WITH GRANT MONEY
                                                                                            As part of the Florida Job Growth Grant
                                                                                       Fund, the Melbourne Airport Authority has been
                                                                                       awarded $4 million to design and construct an
                                                                                       enclosure structure at the Orlando Melbourne
          It’s 9:35 on Saturday night.                                                 International Airport to serve as a noise barrier for
                  Who’s looking out for your                                           aircraft engine testing. Residents in the surround-
                    financial well-being?                                              ing neighborhoods are pleased with the news.
                                                                                            The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund provides
      Together. Wherever life takes you.                                               funding for improving public infrastructure and
                                                                                       enhancing workforce training in Florida.

     We’re here to help.                                                               LUNA FOOD & WINE NOW OPEN IN
     Providing confidence that your financial well-
                                                                                       DOWNTOWN COCOA BEACH
                                                                                            Luna Food & Wine recently opened in downtown
     being is being cared for at every moment.                                         Cocoa Beach. Featuring the finest in food and wines
     Whether you’re planning for retirement,                                           plus great service, Luna is conveniently located on
     saving for your child’s education or seeking                                      A1A just south of the Minuteman Causeway.
     comprehensive financial planning, we’re here                                           Chef Filadi has 35 years of cooking experi-
     to help you along life’s journey.                                                 ence from fabulous restaurants all around the
                                                                                       world. He brings to Luna the culmination of all
     Visit crossleyshear.com to learn more.                                            the experiences. His years owning the Mango
                                                                                       Tree restaurant in Cocoa Beach gave him a love
                                                                                       of the area and the people. Using only the fresh-
                                                                                       est ingredients and quality products from around
                                                                                       the world, he will tantalize your palate!
                                                                                            For more information on Wine Pairing events,
                                                                                       visit LunaFoodAndWine.com.
       1515 International Pkwy | Suite 2019 | Lake Mary Fl 32746
     2395 N Courtenay Pkwy | Suite 201 | Merritt Island Fl 32953
        p: 407.215.7575 | p: 321.452.0061 | crossleyshear.com                          We      are    always     accepting      submissions      for
         CrossleyShear Wealth Management is not a registered broker/dealer and is      announcements           you’d    like   to   see   included
       independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Securities offered through     in    our     Around     Town     section.    Submissions
     Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory
          services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.     are    accepted     via    the    Contact     Us    tab   at
                                                                                       CocoaBeachLifestylePubs.com.
10   Cocoa Beach Lifestyle | January 2019
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ANIMAL KINGDOM

                                                                                                   Animal
                                                                                                   Wellness
                                                                                                   World Of fers
                                                                                                   Alternatives for
                                                                                                   Healing to Pet
                                                                                                   Owners and
                                                                                                   Their Animal
                                                                                                   Companions
                                                                                                   EXPERIENCE A DIFFERENT KIND OF
                                                                                                   VETERINARY CARE

     Boutique Boarding: Mini Suite

                           ARTICLE REBECCA WEST
                           PHOTOGRAPHY HASSAN PATTERSON

                           PETS ARE LIKE KIDS, AND FOR A LOT OF US, THEY'RE LIKE
                           OUR OWN CHILDREN. We worry about them and want to ensure
                           they get the best care possible in order to lead long, healthy, happy
                                                                                                                              Dr. Donna Ragona
                           lives. We also don't want to see them go through unnecessary
                           treatments when they're in pain or suffering from an illness.
                             For many pet owners in Brevard County, Animal Wellness
                           World in Merritt Island with Dr. Donna Ragona, who special-
                           izes in noninvasive animal care, is the answer. Dr. Ragona’s
                           practice combines traditional Western veterinary care
                           with Eastern Chinese veterinary medicine. It was her vision
                           to create a place where clients could have all of their animal
                           companions' needs fulfilled in one beautiful location, and
                           she's managed to accomplish just that.
                             The location is beautiful, and the expert and compassionate
                           care patients receive there is phenomenal. It can all be chalked         Laser therapy with Patti Campbell,
                                                                                                    Dr. Ragona and dog Lucky
                           up to hard work and dedication fueled by a dream. But before
12    Cocoa Beach Lifestyle | January 2019
Animal Wellness World Team, L-R: Dr. Ragona, Robin Peacock, April Mouton-Poullard,
                                              Jordan Krueger, Hannah Fowler, Patti Gil and dogs Shank, Apollo and Dare

ANIMAL WELLNESS WORLD
3149 N. COURTENAY PARKWAY
321.684.7060
AnimalWellnessWorld.com     that dream could come to fruition, there were years of training and
                            hard work with other facilities that had to be tackled first.
                              From the age of five, it was Dr. Ragona's dream to become a veterinar-
                            ian, but she actually started her career as an artist designing kitchens and
                            working as an animal portrait illustrator for about three years before join-
                            ing the Air Force, which paid her way through veterinary school.
                              Wanting to be a zoo veterinarian initially, she worked with exotic ani-
                            mals. As a matter of fact, her internship at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago
                            in 1996 saw her there when a female gorilla famously cradled a 3-year-
                            old boy who fell nearly 20 feet into the primate's enclosure. Crazy, right?
                              After graduating in 1998 from the University of Wisconsin – Madison,
                            however, she decided she'd rather work with companion animals and
                            their owners, saying once she started down that road she knew it was                     CONTINUED >

                                                                                         January 2019 | Cocoa Beach Lifestyle      13
ANIMAL KINGDOM                  (C ON TI N U ED)

                                                                             where she needed to be. Additionally, she
                                                                             did a year with the humane society, which
                                                                             she feels all vets should do. Most of her
                                                                             job now is comforting people, but her
                                                                             favorite part about the role she's chosen
                                                                             for herself is working with the animals.
                                                                                With those two things in mind, she
                                                                             designed AWW for animals and people,
                                                                             creating a space that is both comfortable
                                                                             and calming. Everything about it is feng
                                                                             shui, and from the minute you step through
                                                                             the door you feel as though you've been
                                                                             transported to China. Her admiration
Acupuncture with Hannah Fowler, Dr. Ragona and cat Joy
                                                                             for the wisdom of Eastern medicine was
                                                         and continues to be so strong that she took it a step further
                                                         and purchased an acupuncture school from Dr. Bo Shih Ni,
                                                         a well-known acupuncturist in the area. This falls completely
                                                         in line with her affinity for holistic therapy. Since learning the
                                                         skills of acupuncture herself, she now incorporates them into
                                                         her treatment plans, whenever applicable.
                                                           "Surgery and emergency medicine is phenomenal, but
                                                         when it comes to chronic disease, I think that Eastern med-
                                                         icine really has a better idea of how the body functions,"
                                                         Dr. Ragona says. "Chinese medicine wants to heal you and
Animal Wellness World
                                                         move on. Its purpose is also to increase your qi, and raising
                                                         your qi is going to make you healthier and help you live lon-
                                                         ger. Long-term, Chinese medicine is the way to go."
                                                           When it comes to cancer cases, which AWW treats
                                                         quite a few of, the approach to treatment is integrative.
                                                         That simply means she uses both conventional and holis-
                                                         tic medicine as ways of healing, viewing the combination
                                                         of the two as just having a bigger toolbox to work from.
                                                         In that toolbox are acupuncture, spinal manipulation, the
                                                         use of essential oils, laser therapy, hyperthermia therapy,

14   Cocoa Beach Lifestyle | January 2019
Robin Peacock with dog Apollo

                                           stem cell treatments and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatments. In her
                                           practice, she's found the use of stem cell therapy to be a permanent
                                           solution to hip dysplasia in dogs. She also just started offering physical
                                           therapy at the clinic, conducted by fellow vet Dr. Diego Sobrino.
                                             "Probably the most important thing I do is design homemade diets for dogs,"
                                           she says. "Cereal in a bag is not ideal because it lacks moisture. Eating dry kibble
                                           every day is pulling the moisture from their bodies, and it can lead to Cushing's
                                           disease, bad teeth, excessive shedding, etc. I can't even begin to tell you the differ-
                                           ence between dogs on kibble and dogs on a balanced homemade diet structured
                                           for their Yin/Yang needs. There's no comparison. So it's one of the most import-
                                           ant things you can do for your pet. When I get a dog on the right food with the right
                                           vitamin/mineral balance, I rarely have to see them except for checkups.
                                             "With cancer—Cushing's disease is the biggest problem right now next to
                                           cancer, obesity, allergies and arthritis in dogs—the first thing I do with these ail-
                                           ments is design the right homemade diet. All of a sudden, the dog's got a ton of
                                           energy, and that's all that people want to see is that their dog doesn't feel bad."
                                             When it comes to tumors, Dr. Ragona prefers the use of hyperthermia
                                           treatments for shrinking them. Hyperthermia reportedly doesn't make you
                                           feel bad, and it doesn't kill good cells—a win-win situation—so it's nearly
                                           perfect for treatment. It works by producing a fever in the body (raising the
                                           temperature to about 104 F) and the cancer cells die. The noncancerous cells
                                           surrounding the mass, on the other hand, become more active in fighting the
                                           tumor. As an alternative to radiation, it's far less punishing all the way around.
                                             Beyond veterinary care, Animal Wellness World also provides boutique
                                           boarding. That means AWW limits the number of pets it will take for over-
                                           night stays at any one time with the knowledge that boarding can be one
                                           of the most stressful experiences an animal can undergo. Stress feeds on
                                           stress. The higher the number of animals, the more it begins to feel like
                                           a kennel or pound, leaving the creatures within frightened, confused and
                                           ultimately feeding off one another's fear.
                                             Instead, there are three themed mini suites decorated in murals that come
                                           equipped with beds and stairs leading to upper-level lofts. The dogs get
                                           plenty of exercise and have access to the grounds, which contain six different
                                           gardens with gridlines falling to the north, south, east and west planted with
                                           trees from China on 4 acres of land. It really is a beautiful facility.
                                             Speaking of beautiful, Dr. Ragona hasn't given up on her art. She's quite
                                           accomplished with a vast array of works featuring animal companions. Her
It's doggie TV time!
                                           work can be viewed in several universities around the country, publications
                                           by the AVMA and even on Animal Planet. Her collection consists of prints,
                                           plaques and cards celebrating the human/animal bond and veterinary med-
                                           icine. You can view it at VetMedArt.com.
                                             Finally, AWW offers an annual “Mini Vet School” for children ages 9
                                           to 13. The half-day course allows kids to explore the behind-the-scenes
                                           world of working in a veterinary clinic while learning valuable information
                                           about the career of veterinary medicine as they move through interactive
                                           hands-on labs and lectures.
                                             With all of this going on, at the end of the day Dr. Ragona is exactly where
                                           she wants to be and credits her amazing staff for making her dream possible.
                                             3149 N. Courtenay Parkway, 321.684.7060, AnimalWellnessWorld.com
                                                                                                     January 2019 | Cocoa Beach Lifestyle   15
Interior Stylings
 Retail Furniture Boutique and
     Interior Design Studio

     126 N. Atlantic Ave.
      Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
        321-543-3509
Do you know
    what Santa
  & Mrs. Claus
  do in Brevard
  County after
   Christmas?
 T h e y Vo l u n t e e r
  at Hospice of
   S t . Fr a n c i s !

                                          NEW VOLUNTEER TRAINING CLASS
                                        BEGINS ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019
                                                FROM 1 PM TO 5 PM.

                                         There are many ways you can share the gift of your time with our patients
                                            and their families. Some of the ways our volunteers help include:

                                                •   Companionship Visits to Elderly Patients
                                                •   Care Center Greeter
     SERVING ALL OF                             •   Crafts/Sewing/Quilting
    B R E VA R D C O U N T Y
                                                •   Staffing Community Outreach Events
                                                •   Hospice of St. Francis Office Assistance
                                                •   Pet Therapy Visits

Please call 321-269-4240 for more            W E H AV E A V E R Y T H O R O U G H O R I E N TAT I O N
 information about volunteering at
Hospice of St. Francis, and visit our           P R O C E S S D E S I G N E D T O H E L P YO U F E E L
 Website at hospiceofstfrancis.com       C O M F O R TA B L E I N YO U R R O L E A N D W E S T R I V E T O
and click on the Volunteer button at      M AT C H YO U R S K I L L S A N D I N T E R E S T S W I T H T H E
            the top right.                            R I G H T VO LU N T E E R P O S I T I O N .
HEAL YOUR MIND, BODY AND SOUL WITH YOGA

Infinity Yoga of Cocoa Beach
Offers the Holistic Tradition
of Ayurveda
YOGA IS BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH BODY AND                      some changes were in order. Years earlier, she had

                                                                                                                  ARTICLE REBECCA WEST | PHOTOGRAPHY HASSAN PATTERSON AND DARIN BACK
MIND, RESTORING YOUR ENERGY LEVELS,                       toyed with hot yoga and liked it but admits she was
REDUCING STRESS, IMPROVING MUSCLE                         a bit wishy-washy as to dedication and attendance.
TONE, BALANCE, SLEEP AND GENERAL                          She kept at it off and on for about five years, but
OUTLOOK ALL WHILE BRINGING A SENSE                        when Vinyasa hit the scene in her area, she went
OF CALM INTO YOUR LIFE. It teaches you tech-              all in, even going so far as to purchase an unlimited
niques for focus and gives you the tools to step          pass and putting her gym rat days of lifting weights
back and bring things down a notch whenever the           behind her. During this time, she saw a difference
need arises. In fact, if you practice it long enough,     in her own physical and mental health, but not her
feeling stressed out is seldom a factor in your day-      co-workers, which got her thinking.
to-day inner workings.                                      That's when she decided to go back to her alma
     All of these benefits, and then some, is what        mater and became the director and faculty chair for
drew Stephanie Testa, owner of Infinity Yoga and          the surgical program at the college. She eventually
Ayurveda of Cocoa Beach, to take it up in the first       started teaching yoga to her colleagues and then
place. With a background in medicine—which, with          the school's basketball team, all while retaining her
a healthy dose of irony brought on ill health—she         professorship. On a trip to Louisville, a friend who
managed to find a place and a profession for herself      worked as the director of one of the largest hospital
in life that is exactly where she wants to be.            chains in the city encouraged Stephanie to take a
     Originally from Kentucky, Stephanie moved            position at the Foundation Center and actually pub-
to Florida after visiting her parents who already         lish her thesis on yoga and health workers. It was an
resided here. She was looking to make a change            opportunity for her to help those in healthcare get
anyway, but with her folks getting on in life and the     healthier and the community as well.
lure of the balmy weather, she pulled the plug on           Fast forward to the trip to Florida to visit her
her life in Kentucky and made the leap. Before leav-      folks, and the rest is history. She began instruct-
ing Kentucky, however, she'd gotten her degrees           ing at a local studio here in Brevard and gained a
at St. Catharine College in Bardstown, where she          following. With her classes growing steadily, it was
received her AS degree as a surgical technologist,        decided—at the nudging of her then boyfriend/now
her BHS and her masters in healthcare leadership.         husband—to open her own place. Between her
Without knowing yet that she'd eventually end up          years of yoga and the introduction of Ayurveda,
owning her own yoga studio someday, she actually          something she discovered years earlier during
did her thesis on the subject, discussing how yoga        a prolonged illness, she was able to offer clients
can change your life.                                     not only a comfortable yoga studio with a number
     It was during her managerial career in the operat-   of classes encompassing different disciplines but
ing room that the stress began to get to her and she      also an opportunity to learn about “the science of
had a probable heart attack at age 40. Obviously,         life,” which is what Ayurveda means.    CONTINUED >

18    Cocoa Beach Lifestyle | January 2019
Stephanie Testa

                  January 2019 | Cocoa Beach Lifestyle   19
INFINIT Y YOGA AND WELLNESS OF COCOA BEACH   (C ON TI N U ED)

     Ayurveda

                                                     Described as a holistic tradition from India that
                                                   uses a systemic and highly complex model of health
                                                   and disease restoration, Ayurveda aims to provide
                                                   guidance regarding diet and lifestyle so that healthy
                                                   individuals can stay healthy and those with health
                                                   challenges can improve their overall well-being.
                                                   Ayurveda also stresses the usefulness of natural
                                                   therapies, such as massage, herbal medicines,
                                                   yoga and other exercises as well as psychological
                                                   and meditative counseling.
                                                     "Ayurveda changed my life. When I first discov-
                                                   ered it, after turning to holistic medicine when noth-
                                                   ing else was working, I couldn't even spell it. But in
                                                   the end, it truly changed my life," Stephanie says.
                                                     The yoga mistress was also trained in power
     Stephanie and husband Dr. John                yoga by none other than Bryan Kest, a who's who
     Hearin, co-owner of Infinity                  in the yoga world. When asked what message she
                                                   wanted to bring, she says:
                                                     "I want to cultivate health and wellness to the
                                                   mind, body and soul and to encourage people
                                                   to live a life of kindness and compassion. I want to
                                                   bring this awareness to the masses."
                                                     She puts her money where here mouth is and
                                                   practices what she preaches. During the holidays
                                                   she sets up a Christmas tree at the studio with tags
                                                   on it reminiscent of the Salvation Army's Christmas
                                                   Angel program where people can remove a paper
                                                   ornament with the name of a child who might other-
                                                   wise not receive a gift for Christmas. Stephanie's tree
                                                   included the name of an orphanage in Haiti where
                                                   people could donate in order to aid its young residents.
                                                     If you're looking for a simple routine to try at
                                                   home in order to get a feel for what you can expect
                                                   when practicing yoga, Stephanie suggests trying
                                                   out a routine known as the Sun Salutation. We've
                                                   provided a breakdown for beginners that most any-
                                                   one should be able to successfully participate in.
                                                   Remember, as with all forms of exercise, it's advised
                                                   you consult your physician before embarking on a
                                                   fitness program—even one as gentle as yoga.

20   Cocoa Beach Lifestyle | January 2019
1   Mountain - Inhale       2   Forward Fold - Exhale                               3    Plank - Breathe

                                    S u n Sa l u tat i o n s
                                Sun Salutation
                                   Sun Salutations, known in Sanskrit as Surya Namaskar (pronounced
                                Sir-yah Namah-skar), are a series of movements that flow with the
                                breath. They help strengthen the heart, improve circulation, and
                                lengthen and strengthen all major muscles in the body. Sun Salutations
                                have been described as the most complete exercise available. Even
                                if you don't have time to work out on a regular basis, performing Sun
                                Salutations every day will bring vitality and aliveness into your life. The
                                poses included in the "A Series" are designed to awaken the connection
4   Up Dog/Cobra - Inhale       between the sun and your agni, or inner fire, kindling your inner fire and
                                radiating your innate love and happiness out into the world.
                                   Performing Sun Salutations helps us to celebrate the sun and life in
                                general as well as our inner life and our connection with the universe.
                                The celebration of life in the poses represent the full experience of
                                life, with all its highs and lows and beginnings and endings. By cel-
                                ebrating our inner life, we are acknowledging that we are ultimately
                                beings of light, like the sun, and performing Sun Salutations rejoices
                                in this aspect of our being. We celebrate our connection with the
                                universe because the sun is the source of all life on this planet.
                                   Namaste!
                                   157 N. Orlando Ave., Suite 102, Cocoa Beach, 321.785.3232,
                                InfinityYogaAndWellness.com
5   Down Dog - Exhale
                                                                                        January 2019 | Cocoa Beach Lifestyle   21
“Un-Wine”
                                                at   BALIBAR
                                                WINES & FINDS
                                                an Indonesian Escape
Specialty Wines from Around the World | Craft Beers | Cheese & Charcuterie Platters
Outdoor Patio | Live Entertainment | Unique & Eclectic Gifts from Around the World

                      Live Entertainment
                  THURSDAY - SATURDAY               SUNDAY
                     7:00 - 10:00 p.m.          12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
          See our website and facebook for specific musician dates and times.

             Happy Hour Wednesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
       Pilates - Every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. & Yoga - Every Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

  321.305.4328 | BalibarWinesAndFinds.com | 110 McLeod Street, Merritt Island, FL
CULINARY CREATIONS

                                  ARTICLE REBECCA WEST | PHOTOGRAPHY HASSAN PATTERSON

                T ry a D e l i c i o u s,
          H i g h - E n e r gy S m o ot h i e
           f r o m Ca f e S u r f i n i s ta
          Yo u C a n M a k e at H o m e
                                        COCOA BEACH’S GATHERING PLACE FOR SURFERS,
                                       SKATERS AND OTHER HEALTH-CONSCIOUS FOODIES

               IT STARTED OUT AS A GATHERING PLACE FOR
                                                                              THE MANA (HAWAIIAN FOR “LIFE ENERGY”)
               SURFERS LOOKING FOR AN ENERGY BOOST
               BEFORE OR AFTER A SESSION. A demanding
               sport, surfing requires a lot of energy, and Cafe              INGREDIENTS
               Surfinista met that need, with its cold-pressed                8 ounces organic unsweetened coconut milk
               juices, healthy food choices and delicious smoothies           1/2 banana
               loaded with fresh ingredients chock-full of vitamins           1/2 cup pineapple chunks
               and antioxidants. Since that time, it has become a             1 teaspoon coconut flakes
               place health-conscious foodies in Cocoa Beach often            1 cup spinach
               say feels like home.                                           1 cup kale
                 Adorned in an assortment of vibrant art influenced           1/4 cup ice
               by both the surf and skate culture, the cafe is the cre-       Note: The cafe recommends freezing your fresh
               ation of owners Bruce and Diane Reynolds. Diane is a           fruits before blending. It offers a nice consistency
               yoga practitioner who wanted to provide a Zen space            and reduces the amount of ice you will need.
               where people could come together and enjoy food
               that made them feel good.                                      DIRECTIONS
                 "I can’t take credit for the creation of the Surfinista...     Place all ingredients in blender, replace lid,
               my husband, Bruce, who is a lifelong surfer and artist,        blend on high until desired consistency.
               is responsible for the artwork and the relaxed surfer            Spinach is packed with antioxidants; anti-can-
               vibe," she says.                                               cer and cardiovascular properties; and magnesium,
                 Besides their smoothies and juices, the Surfinista           which is necessary for energy, metabolism, main-
               serves up organic acai bowls, coffees, salads,                 taining muscle and a healthy immune system. Kale
               wraps and a number of locally baked goodies. While             is not only loaded with iron and vitamins, but it’s also
               you're there, you can hang out in their groovy art             great for digestion, as well as a great detox food.
               gallery lounge, surf the net on their free Wi-Fi, play           For the skeptics wondering if a smoothie can
               pingpong in the back room or just relax. It's up to you.       still taste good with greens in it, the answer is a
                 For a delicious and easy-to-make smoothie you                resounding yes! Don’t be turned off by the idea,
               can try at home, Diane shared the cafe's recipe for            because it’s delicious, and you really should give
               one of her favorites highlighted here.                         it a try. You only live once...

24   Cocoa Beach Lifestyle | January 2019
+
THE SURFINISTA
86 N. Orlando Ave.
Cocoa Beach, Florida
321.613.3864
Facebook.com/TheSurfinista

                             January 2019 | Cocoa Beach Lifestyle   25
YOU’LL ALWAYS BE
IN STYLE WITH A

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smile                                                NEW PATIENT
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                                                                                          ROOT C ANAL S

                                                                                      DENTAL SE AL ANTS

                                                                                             DENTURES
                                         Dr. ERIN KAHLON                           COSME TIC DENTIS TRY

                                         30 Woodland Avenue                      PERIODONTAL CLE ANING
                                         Cocoa Beach, Florida 32931
                                                                                              ·BONDING

                                         321-783-7415                                 TEE TH WHITENING
                                         cocoabeachfamilydentistry.com             CHILDREN ’ S SERVICES
new year
 NEW YOU
KICK OFF YOUR NEW YEAR WITH A BRAZILIAN
      BLOWOUT & COLOR CHANGE OR REST YLE!

              C A L L 3 21 . 3 0 5 . 3 0 0 9

  Award Winning Full Service Hair and Beauty Salon featuring Brazilian Blowout, Color,
  Highlights, Hair Cut Designs, Natural Skin Care Products, Waxing and Teeth Whitening

BRAZILIANBEAUT YSTUDIO.COM
5675 North Atlantic Avenue STE 106, Cocoa Beach FL 32931
(Between T-Mobile and Diva Nails in the Publix Cornerstone Plaza)
LOCAL LIMELIGHT
                                                                                                                                   Cosmetic Fillers - Dermagen,
                                                                                                                                   Botox, Aquashine and Princess
                                                                                                                                   Volumina treatments

REGENERATIVE MATRIX, AGING
G R A C E F U L LY W I T H O U T T H E U S E
OF PILLS OR SURGERY
AN ANTI-AGING FACILITY WHERE
SUCCESS IS IN YOUR BLOOD

EMBRACING THE "EVERYTHING IN MODERATION" PHILOSO-
                                                                             ARTICLE REBECCA WEST | PHOTOGRAPHY HASSAN PATTERSON

PHY, AS WELL AS GENETICS, LIFESTYLE HABITS, DIET, WHAT
WE DRINK, SLEEP AND MANAGING STRESS ALL PLAY A
LARGE ROLE IN AGING GRACEFULLY. There's no getting around
it. They haven't invented a magic pill yet that allows you to lead a
sedentary life of overindulgence and still come out on top—yet!
     But would you really want to go that route? For many, the answer
would be yes, but there are great rewards to a healthy lifestyle, and
now there are a number of ways to mitigate the cumulative damage
of aging beyond popping a pill or going under the knife.
     At Regenerative Matrix in nearby Merritt Island, there are steps
you can take to enhance your health and beauty efforts that don't
require either. It is an anti-aging wellness regenerative center that
employs only the best practices to promote healing and tissue
regeneration, and their goal is to assist you with aging gracefully
without the use of extreme measures.
     While they offer a list of services aimed at rejuvenation and
well-being, there are three treatments in particular that have shown
great success and proved popular among clients.

PLATELET-RICH PLASMA
     Platelets live in your blood. They are little fragments of cells that
are stocked with growth factors and initiate clotting. When you get
a cut, it bleeds, and the platelets are nanomachines that help to
stop the bleeding through clotting. The clot is more than just glue to
stop the flow of blood out of the damaged vessels. It's also nature's
advanced biologic scaffold to initiate and support healing. Within
that healing matrix are billions of platelets that excrete growth fac-
tors. These specialized chemicals "speak" to other cells, telling them
what to do and energizing the construction effort.           CONTINUED >

28    Cocoa Beach Lifestyle | January 2019
Hydrafacial Beauty Treatment

4245 N. Courtenay Parkway
Merritt Island
321.298.9514
RegenerativeMatrix.com

                            January 2019 | Cocoa Beach Lifestyle   29
LOCAL LIMELIGHT                    (CON TI N U ED)

     "We like to tell patients that these growth factors inside platelets act
like espresso shots for the cells that are repairing damaged tissue."
     At Regenerative Matrix, their Platelet Lysate Preparation third gener-
ation PRP can be concentrated to ultra-high levels, so they call it SCP
(Super Concentrated Platelets). PRP works by concentrated platelets
slowly releasing growth factors over approximately a week—sort of like a
time release version of a pill. PL is very anti-inflammatory and hence can
be used more easily around nerves. At this time, Regenerative Matrix is
the only PRP clinic in Brevard County using this third generation PRP
called Platelet Lysate (PL). They can treat shoulders, neck (C-spine),
thoracic spine (mid-back) and lumbar spine (lower back). Also knees,
ankles, feet, hips and elbows, as well as hair restoration.
     In their experience, PRP is known to slow down or stop completely the
progression of arthritis, tendonitis and bursitis. When you compare PRP
to steroid injections or surgery, you will find a longer lasting, natural and
organic alternative from your own body which will speed up and promote
                                                                                               PRP Treatment
healing with minimal to no downtime that is minimally invasive.

VAMPIRE FACIALS
     PRP is taken from your blood and applied to the PRP facial and
re-injected into the facial, neck and decollete tissue. The PRP utilizes
the nutrients and growth factors from a sample of the patient's own
blood and combines them with the benefits of microneedling. A vampire
facial for face, neck and decollete will reduce the appearance of fine
lines and certain types of scars. With a series of treatments, collagen
production is stimulated leading to smoother, younger, softer-look-
ing skin. Regenerative Matrix is also combining the vampire with its
Nanofractional Device, the Venus Viva, to remodel skin and take back
the hands of time, especially for sun-damaged older skin.

HYDRAFACIAL
     The hydrafacial treatment not only resurfaces your skin to provide
cleansing, exfoliation and extraction, but it also simultaneously bathes
the newly revealed skin with serums of antioxidants, peptides and
hyaluronic acid. Each serum targets specific skin issues, including sun                   Medical Director Dr. Omar Hussamy
damage, blackheads, whiteheads, enlarged pores, acne, brown spots,
uneven skin tone and fine lines and wrinkles from early aging. The
hydrafacial treatment improves the quality of your skin, helping to make
it healthier, and reveals your true beauty from the inside and out.
     Now at the Merritt Island location for two years, Regenerative Matrix and the   L-R: Regenerative Matrix Team
Beauty Box welcomed as their medical director Dr. Omar Hussamy, an ortho-            Anna Ferrara, Jose Vidal and
pedic surgeon who grew up in the U.K. and then came to the U.S. to study             Christina O'Dell

more than 30 years ago. He received his medical degree from the University of
Virginia School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 30 years.
The multi-talented doctor speaks multiple languages, including Spanish and
Arabic. With his primary offices located in Vero Beach and Melbourne, he's
well-liked, and his patients have given him an overall average rating of 4.4 out
of 5 stars. The team at Regenerative Matrix are absolutely thrilled to have him.
     The team also takes part in regular events with the public.
A list of their monthly events can be found on their website at
RegenerativeMatrix.com. Regenerative Matrix, 4245 N. Courtenay
Parkway, Merritt Island, 321.298.9514.

30    Cocoa Beach Lifestyle | January 2019
Stay on par with your
                                                            financial goals.
                                                              321.868.0732
                                                         www.CONNORSWEALTH.com

   Offices: Cocoa Beach | Suntree | Vero Beach
Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Independent Financial Partners
       (IFP), a registered investment advisor. IFP and Connors Wealth Management are separate entities from LPL Financial

                                                                                             January 2019 | Cocoa Beach Lifestyle   31
LIFESTYLE CALENDAR
JANUARY
            5                                            19
            SPACE COAST FARMERS' MARKET                  EIGHTH ANNUAL FLORIDA
            First United Methodist Church                KEY LIME PIE FESTIVAL
            of Cocoa Beach                               Brevard Veterans Memorial
            Fresh from Florida produce, local            Park in Merritt Island
            eggs, raw honey, homemade bread,             The Florida Key Lime Pie Company
            sweet treats, boiled peanuts, arts           will be presenting its Eighth Annual
            and crafts and more await you at             Florida Key Lime Pie Festival on
            the Space Coast Farmers' Market.             Saturday, Jan. 19, at Brevard Veterans
            9 a.m.-3 p.m. 3300 N. Atlantic Ave.,         Memorial Park in Merritt Island. It’s
            Cocoa Beach, Florida                         a fun-filled day with live music, food
                                                         trucks, street performances, Key lime

            5
                                                         pie contests and Florida’s BEST Key
                                                         Lime Pie! 10 a.m - 6 p.m. Facebook.
                                                         com/FloridaKeyLimePieFestival
            CAREER PILOT OPEN DAY
                                                         23-28
            2Fly Airborne Merritt Island
            2Fly Airborne is hosting a career
            pilot open day at their Merritt Island
            facility from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.          22ND ANNUAL SPACE COAST
            on Jan. 5 in an effort to recruit new        BIRDING & WILDLIFE FESTIVAL
            pilots. The free event will consist of       Eastern Florida State College
            a presentation, a facility tour, and         North Campus
            meet-and-greets with 2Fly staff and          One of the largest birding and wild-
            flight instructors. 900 Airport Road,        life festivals in the United States!
            Merritt Island, Florida, 321.453.2222,       Discover why Florida’s Space Coast is
            2FlyAirborne.com                             your launch pad to incredible nature-
                                                         based experiences. The Space Coast

            18
                                                         Birding and Wildlife Festival features
                                                         world-class     photographers,      field
                                                         trips, workshops and presentations.
            COCOA BEACH FRIDAY FEST                      SCBWF.org
            Downtown Cocoa Beach on

                                                         23
            Minutemen Causeway
            Look forward to live music, food
            vendors,    family-friendly     activities
            and much more at the Cocoa Beach             DELTA IV LAUNCH
            Friday Fest.                                 Cape Canaveral
            Event takes place in downtown                Air Force Station - SLC 37B
            Cocoa      Beach     on       Minutemen      WGS 10 will launch the 10th wideband
            Causeway between Orlando and                 global SATCOM spacecraft formerly           We are always accepting sub-
            Brevard avenues and is organized             known as the Wideband Gapfiller satel-      missions for events you'd like to
            through the Cocoa Beach Area                 lite at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.   see included in our Calendar sec-
            Merchants        Association.       Third    Times and date may vary accord-             tion. Submissions are accepted
            Friday of the month, 6-10 p.m.               ing to weather. Check for updates.          via   the   Contact   Us   tab   at
            MainStreetCocoaBeach.com                     SpaceCoastLaunches.com                      CocoaBeachLifestylePubs.com.

    32   Cocoa Beach Lifestyle | January 2019
NOW OPEN FOR
    BRUNCH ON
SATURDAY & SUNDAY.
CURBSIDE TAKEAWAY
  NOW AVAILABLE.

     Bonefish Grill was founded on
    perfecting every detail for you,
    because we believe that a great
    meal is more than just food on a
    plate. It is the entire experience
     from start to finish. From our
       seasonal fresh fish, to our
     hand-crafted cocktails, to our
   personalized memorable services.

         That is the Bonefish Way.

         795 E. Merritt Island Causeway
             Merrit Island, FL 32952
       (321) 453-3011 | BonefishGrill.com

                        HOURS
   Mon-Thurs, 4 pm to 10 pm | Fri - 4 pm to 11 pm
     Sat - 11 am to 11 pm | Sun - 10 am to 9 pm

                                                    January 2019 | Cocoa Beach Lifestyle   33
PARTING THOUGHTS
                                                                     AS I REFLECT UPON 2018, IT OCCURS TO ME THAT THIS
                                                                     PAST YEAR SEEMS TO HAVE HAD A LOT OF DISTRAC-
                                                                     TIONS AND NOISE—AND NOT THE PLEASANT KIND. The
                                                                     TV seems louder and less interesting, the political noise was
                                                                     much louder and more obnoxious on ALL sides (spoken like
                                                                     a true independent). And things that really just aren't that
                                                                     important seem to have become front and center. Material
                                                                     things once again seem to dominate conversations, and
                                                                     "keeping up with the Joneses" is, unfortunately, alive and well.
                                                                       As each year wraps up, we often make plans for the
                                                                     next year, making resolutions and goals to better ourselves

      Parting
                                                                     and our lives. So for 2019, I have decided to focus as much
                                                                     as possible on the things that truly matter: my family, my
                                                                     beautiful and selfless wife, my three precious daughters,

     Thoughts
                                                                     our friends, our partners and colleagues. I look forward to
                                                                     finding more balance between professional and personal
                                                                     commitments and just enjoying all of the blessings and
                                                                     opportunities life has to offer.
 JUSTIN CONNORS, FOUNDER AND CEO                                       I plan to focus more on being thankful for what I have,
  OF CONNORS WEALTH MANAGEMENT                                       less preoccupied with constantly pushing to get more out
                                                                     of myself and others, and simply enjoying the blessings
                                                                     which have been bestowed upon me and my family, both
                                                                     personally and professionally. It is my hope that we all can
                      ARTICLE JUSTIN CONNORS                         work toward this goal, focusing on the "true wealth" in our
        PHOTOGRAPHY HASSAN PATTERSON                                 own lives, that which money can't buy and death can't take
                                                                     away, making 2019 a more fulfilling and enjoyable year for all
                                                                     of us. Here’s to the best year yet. Cheers!

                                                                                                                   Justin and Corine Connors with
                                                                                                                   daughters Emma, Abby and Ava

                                       Justin Connors (front,
                                       center) with Connors Wealth
                                       Management Team

34   Cocoa Beach Lifestyle | January 2019
TO T H E E XT R A O R D I N A RY

    Individually appointed ocean front and pool side rooms from traditional
to contemporary await you as you cross the threshold and step into a tranquil,
    idyllic environment worlds apart from the ordinary. Our guests enjoy the
 finest in oceanfront comfort in a European-styled hotel. Enjoy a fresh-baked
  breakfast and wine and cheese social every evening. Conveniently located
      on Ocean Beach Blvd. close to shopping, restaurants, and night life.

              R E S E R V AT I O N S : 3 2 1 . 7 9 9 . 3 4 6 0
R E S E R V AT I O N S @ T H E I N N AT C O C O A B E A C H . C O M

             4300 Ocean Beach Blvd., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

                        TheInnAtCocoaBeach.com
HAPPY
NEW YEAR
                                     please join us...
                        F OR SEL EC T 1/2 PRICE BOT T L E S
              BE T WEEN 4- 6 PM MONDAY, WEDNE SDAY, T HUR SDAY

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