Hydroponic farming has many benefits, including saving the resources involved in soil cultivation and avoiding the uncertainty of weather conditions, according to Seedo, an innovator in the field of commercial growth containers.

Approximately 40 percent of the costs of produce in large city supermarkets are used to cover logistics and shipping. Commercial containers such as those from Seedo would expand the potential for urban farming to anywhere, anytime. Plants can be cultivated 24/7, regardless of location.

For example, the automated urban farm is ideally suited to the growing market for medical cannabis and medical cannabis products. Seedo is the technology behind the world’s first automated medical cannabis farm, which will yield significantly more plants than traditional controlled greenhouses.

Another opportunity for the Seedo technology is to improve the agriculture of at-risk countries, where global warming and other concerns threaten consistent farming and food production.

In some areas, farmers can use Seedo equipment and technology for growing not only medicinal herbs, but also greens such as lettuce, kale, and wheatgrass; herbs such as parsley, dill, and basil; and vegetables such as cherry tomatoes and bell peppers, and even strawberries. In the home, individuals can set up a small unit that grows plants easily and effectively without intervention.

Seedo, a pioneer in agriculture and technology with 20 years of experience, is now delivering indoor growth systems to homes and businesses across the country. Currently, Seedo has sold more than 3,000 home units through pre-orders.

The Seedo products use artificial intelligence software to control and monitor plant development from the moment the seed is planted. The software tracks each plant’s development, and responds by taking action to optimize growth. The hermetically sealed systems are designed to yield consistent results regardless of the local climate.

Growers need only to plant seeds or seedlings and monitor the growth process via the Seedo app.

Other features of the Seedo system include a unique lighting system that self-adjusts based on an individual plant’s stage of growth, and a smell-proof cover with built-in CO2 cartridges to prevent smell leaks.

Equally important to note is that all produce cultivated with Seedo’s technology (both home and commercial) is pesticide-free, of high quality, and has a significantly extended shelf life.

Visit seedo.com for more information about investing in the growth industry of indoor gardening, and to learn more about the Seedo technology and products.

Seedo is a publicly traded company with the ticker symbol OTCQB:SEDO.

The Caribbean remains a hot spot all year round, including August, and island breezes keep the heat at bay.

Calabash Cove, a secluded luxury resort on the island of Saint Lucia, is a place where adult singles and couples can enjoy an intimate beachfront location with no crowds and plenty of peace and quiet for reading, relaxing, and reflecting.

Some top reasons to choose the Caribbean in August:

– Good deals: August is often a slower travel time, so flights are often cheaper than they were earlier in the summer and many resorts, such as Calabash Cove, offer special promotions for the end-of-summer vacationers.

– No kids: August is a great time to send the kids to camp or to Grandma’s, so busy parents can take a break and recharge on their own before school schedules take over with the soon-to-be hustle and bustle of the impending holidays.

– Special events: Summer is festival season at many Caribbean islands and Saint Lucia is no exception. Visitors considering an August trip may want to include the Roots & Soul Festival, which takes place August 23-25. The festival features musicians on the cutting edge of reggae, conscious hip-hop, Afro-punk, and R&B, and includes performances and master classes.

Whatever the reason or season, Calabash Cove offers a perfect change of pace.

The Unconditional All-Inclusive package covers all food and drinks, including room service, daily specials, an in-room bar, lobster (in season), and more than 20 wines by the bottle from an extensive wine list. For those who want to relax, but not unplug, WiFi is included (as are tips).

Calabash Cove’s property of 26 guest suites features not only a private beach, but also a nearby coral reef, tropical gardens, and architecture designed to promote relaxation and enhance the sunset views.

Guests looking for a bit of adventure can explore the nearby Rodney Bay Village, which boasts approximately 40 bars and restaurants, and those craving action can take advantage of Calabash Cove’s paddle boats, kayaks, and snorkeling gear at no charge.

Guests who miss their traditional workouts can work up a sweat at the resort’s Cybex cardiovascular fitness center, while those who seek more pampering can indulge in a full range of services at the spa.

For more information, visit www.calabashcove.com/summer-days/

Joanne’s hard work paid off. She has regained much of her strength and movement and can walk again. In large part, she credits her SilverSneakers exercise classes – offered through her HumanaChoice® PPO, a Medicare Advantage preferred provider organization (PPO) health plan – as key to her successful recovery.

Being a SilverSneakers member helped keep Joanne in good physical condition before her stroke. “SilverSneakers helped me be familiar with many of the exercises they had me do in physical therapy and gave me the confidence and strength to persevere through a difficult rehab process,” Joanne says.

Numerous studies, including Tivity Health’s SilverSneakers Annual Member Survey of 2016, confirm that exercising, especially with others, improves older adults’ physical and mental health.1,2, 3

However, there are challenges that prevent many Medicare beneficiaries from joining gyms and fitness classes.

By offering SilverSneakers through its Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, Humana is working to overcome those barriers so more people with Medicare can benefit from exercising.

For those on a fixed income, joining a gym can be expensive. SilverSneakers provides gym access at no additional cost to many of Humana’s MA members across the country, including those in Florida and Texas. SilverSneakers has partnered with almost 14,000 fitness and wellness centers around the U.S. and, with national reciprocity, SilverSneakers members can go to any one of those facilities.

The program is designed with the Medicare population in mind and taught by certified instructors who offer classes and modifications for all fitness levels. These instructors are specifically trained to help members avoid stress-related injuries to muscles and joints.

There’s also a wide variety of classes offered, including circuit training, yoga, Latin dance and even an outdoor boot camp. SilverSneakers members also have access to all of a facility’s amenities, which can include a range of exercise equipment, weight rooms and swimming pools.

“According to Tivity Health’s annual survey, SilverSneakers has made a significant difference in the lives of many of our Medicare Advantage members, not only in their physical health, but also in their social life,” says Lauri Kalanges, M.D., Humana’s Medical Director of Medicare Products for the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Tivity Health’s Annual Member Survey of 2016 found that 91 percent of SilverSneakers participants reported an improved quality of life. SilverSneakers has had a substantial impact on the health of its participants, reducing hospitalizations and the risk of depression.3

For more information about SilverSneakers, go to www.silversneakers.com.

Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization with a Medicare Contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply. Benefits may change each year. SilverSneakers is not offered on all Humana MA plans in all areas.

1. Nguyen Q, Ackermann RT, Maciejewski M, Berke E, Patrick M, Williams B and LoGerfo JP. Managed-Medicare Health Club Benefit and Reduced Health Care Costs Among Older Adults. Prev Chronic Dis 2008;5(1).

2. Nguyen HQ, Maciejewski M, Gao S, Lin E, William, B, LoGerfo JP. Health Care Use and Costs Associated with Use of a Health Club Membership Benefit in Older Adults with Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2008; 31:1562-1567

3. Nguyen, Koepsell, Unutzer, Larson and LoGerfo. Depression and Use of a Health Plan-Sponsored Physical Activity Program by Older Adults. Am J Prev Med 2008;35(2):111-117