Many of us are determined to kick off the new year with the ambitious goal of losing weight. Here are some foods that will help you reach that goal. 

Source: Webmd

According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are five health benefits to consuming blueberries: they are rich in antioxidants, full of vitamins and minerals, help manage cholesterol, manage blood sugar and they reduce blood pressure. 

Of course, blueberries are tastier when you pick them yourself.  To do so, visit one or more of these u-pick blueberry farms in the tri-county area or search for others near you:

Southern Hills Farms  |   16651 Schofield Road, Clermont  |  407.986.5806

Back Road Berries  |  13578 County Road 103, Oxford  |  352.303.3213

B&G Blueberries  |  10203 NE 10th St., Fort McCoy  |  352.236.4410

The Florida Department of Health’s Sumter County office is asking residents to provide feedback by completing a survey for a community health assessment. Results allow the department and other organizations to better address health issues facing the county. You must be 18 or older to complete the survey.

The link is https://tinyurl.com/SumterSurvey.

Florida’s beautiful wilderness of palm trees, bushes, pine trees and oaks provide havens for a wide variety of colorful birds, so why not consider bird watching? Birding provides mental health benefits according to the National Audubon Society. 

Here are some spectacular sites for birding in Lake, Sumter and Marion counties:

Lake: Flat Island Preserve, Trout Lake Nature Center, Alexander Springs, Lake Louisa State Park.

Marion: Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area, Carney Island Recreation and Conservation Area, Ocala Wetland Recharge Park,
Juniper Springs Recreation Area.

Sumter: Half Moon Wildlife Management Area, Sharon Rose Wiechens Preserve, Marsh Bend Outlet Park, Fenney Nature Trail.

Kayaking brings numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular fitness, increased muscle strength and reduced risk of wear and tear on joints and tissues. If you’re looking for a beautiful place to kayak, consider the crystal-clear waters of Marion County’s Rainbow River in Dunnellon. The 5.7-mile river was designated a Registered Natural Landmark in 1972.

January is National Blood Donor Month. Automobile accidents, cancer, surgery, burns, childbirth and other medical situations are part of the reason why someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds, according to the American Red Cross. Here are some locations where you can donate blood in Lake, Sumter and Marion counties: 

OneBlood Clermont Donor Center

1200 Oakley Seaver Dr., Ste. 106  |  352.241.7543

OneBlood Leesburg Donor Center

10601, U.S. Hwy. 441 Unit C11  |  352.728.1223

OneBlood The Villages Donor Center

550 Bella Cruz Dr.  |  352.750.4088

It’s never too early to make reservations for New Vision for Independence’s Dining in the Dark event February 29 at the Venetian Center in Leesburg. The event creates awareness about blindness and raises funds so the organization can better serve visually impaired individuals. You will experience food, drink and conversation as you may never have before — without your sight as your other senses are stimulated by the smell, taste and texture of your dining experience. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team will don night vision goggles as they serve guests.

Visit newvisionfl.org for more information. 

Don’t forget that next month is American Heart Month. This is a reminder that heart disease does not discriminate based on celebrity status and wealth. 

Famous heart attack survivors:

A few celebrities who have succumbed to heart attacks: 

Orlando Health South Lake Hospital was named one of the nation’s top 100 hospitals according to an independent quality analysis provided by PINC AI, a technology platform that gathers healthcare data. The purpose of the PINC AI 100 Top Hospitals program is to inspire hospital and health system leaders to pursue higher performance and deliver added value to patients and communities.

Consider these eye-opening statistics about heart disease in the U.S.:

• 1 person dies every 33 seconds from heart disease. 
• 1 in 20 adults age 20 and older have coronary artery disease. 
• Each year, 805,000 people in the U.S. have a heart attack. 
• 1 in 5 heart attacks are silent, meaning that the person is unaware of damage done. 

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention