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Healthy Living Expo 2011 A Great Success

By John Disque

erins meadow herbal farm
Healthy Living Expo 2011 (photo by John Disque). More photos

Over 250 exhibitors were on hand at the 7th annual Healthy Living Expo held at the Convention Center in Downtown Knoxville on January 21 and 22. The Expo is the area's largest annual event highlighting fitness, health, nutrition and green living with over 100 companies and organizations on-site offering information and resources.

On a beautiful "blue sky morning," I headed over to the Convention Center to see how things were going and was shocked to see so many visitors in attendance.

Upon entering the floor of the convention center, it was very colorful. Everything was brightly lit and every exhibiter seemed to be using cheerful spring colors. There was an almost overwhelming number of exhibitors throughout the Expo.

Not really knowing what to expect, I had a walk around and came across doctors and nurses giving free health checkups including pulmonary screenings, blood typing and cholesterol checks. Other medical booths included therapeutic massages, sleep assessment, spinal scans, oxygen tests, monograms, reflexology, bone density screenings, fitness assessments, sun damage assessments, blood pressure and more. It was all quite impressive and was just the beginning of a good experience at the Expo.

The entire Expo was set up to involve active participation and fun with door prizes, raffles, scheduled walks, bike riding, dancing, bingo, cooking and sampling. People of all ages were found hula hooping, a popular trend in the 60s and 70s, which appears to be making a comeback while focusing on the areas of health and fitness. From there they would run to one of the new pieces of exercise equipment or to the all new Rhodes Car (the 4 wheel bike that drives like a car).

Other booths centered on allergy control, mold control, home medical, asthma and sinus centers, Diabetes, Arthritis, water safety, food, weight loss, plastic surgery, healthy beverages, breast cancer, prescription medication, and much more.

There were also stages set up with guest speakers on hand as well as live performers. The talent level was higher than I thought it might be.

The sponsors for this year's event were WBIR-TV, UT Medical Center, Cornerstone Chiropractic, Exodus Chiropractic, Sulack Chiropractic, The City Of Knoxville, Knox County Government, NuStep, Cigna, KCBC, Earth Fare, Natural Awakenings, PBC, TMHN, National Fitness Center, Court South, CAC, All Occasions Party Rentals, PCM, Pfizer, Star 102.1, Folly Publishing, Knox Ivi, and Healthy Living Magazine.

If the thousands of smiling faces and laughing children are any indication, then I'd say this year's event was a smashing success. I think it also conveyed that living a healthy life certainly doesn't have to be boring.

Published January 25, 2011

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