New Horizons
For many of us, this time of year is full of excitement. It presents us with a reset, new horizons and goals to pursue.
But for others, January can be a reminder of failed attempts from years past and the burden of expectation that this year will be different.
We approached this issue that focuses on your health and wellbeing, from a mindset of not supplying quick fixes to check boxes in the short term but, valuing what is sustainable over the long haul. We wanted to provide inspiration for making lasting, realistic, long-term improvements to your physical, emotional and mental health.
Instead of the frustrating wash, rinse, repeat cycle that has yielded very little return for you, let's take a leap of faith and do something different. How about just keeping it simple this new year.That could mean adding a 15 minute walk to your day or sitting quietly with an inspirational book to kick start the morning.
In this issue we will introduce fun exercise routines, help you reset your thought patterns and aim to spark your culinary design inspiration to create a new and healthy eating environment.
When it comes to anything in life - business, finance, food, home and personal health – it’s not what you do some days that move the needle - it’s what you do MOST days. For better or worse!
For instance, taking a vacation every day would be financially and practically unfeasible, but taking a trip a few times a year could be doable. Having a beautiful steak dinner with a few cocktails and creme brûlée every night for dinner isn’t best for your health, but doing so once in a while might be fine!
It’s not the sometimes choices we make, it’s the most of the time choices.
So plan the vacation AND work to establish more regular rest in your work week. Join a fitness community or gym AND enjoy that dessert you’ve been wanting to try at How Delish(downtown West Orange). It’s not what you do some days - it’s what you do most days that will lead to a more peaceful, filling and fabulous year.
Here’s to you- and me! Let's root for each other this year!
Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2025!
MONIQUE DOMINIQUE, PUBLISHER @WESTORANGE.CITYLIFESTYLE
January 2025
PUBLISHER
Monique Dominique monique.dominique@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Angelina Silvester
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Martta Kelly, Angelina Silvester, Amy Cox-Martin
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Angelina Silvester, Martta Kelly
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh QUALITY
Learn how to start your own
/franchise.
Cagle
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Mariola Koldys/ Chelsea at West Orange and Mikolt Fodor/Marriot Courtyard have a chance to chat 2: Marriot Courtyard hosted the West Orange Chamber of Commerce sponsored networking meet and greet event. 3: Zufall event panelists included Amanda Schaller, Connie Pizarro, Maeghan Scott, Lisa Bayer and Tezeta Roro 4: Zufall Health hosted the event- Navigating the Sandwich Generation: Support for Caregivers 5: 460 Bistro hosted a Lunch and Learn for The Chelsea West Orange (Assisted Living Facility) 6: Community Connections were made 7: Linda Caminiti cheerfully shares blueprints of The Chelsea West Orange over lunch.
business monthly
Valley Psychotherapy Celebrates 30 years and Introduces New Services
Amy Cox- Martins, MS, MSW, LCSW of Valley Psychotherapy Associates has been serving her community for 30 years and continues to excel in her dedication to “Help you find solutions to life’s more difficult questions whether you are seeking help for yourself or someone close to you.” With this milestone anniversary Amy is delighted to offer additional services to her clients. She is introducing EMDR and Brain Spotting techniques along with her specialization in counseling.
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Got Snow? George’s and Sons Constuction Now Offers Snow Plowing
The cold weather is looming and that could mean SNOW. If you are planning on who to call when the white stuff starts falling, now is a great time to reserve your plowing service or remember them when the storm hits. George’s and Sons General Construction, as seen about town, not only does quality GC work but, can also take care of all your snow plowing needs. Reach out for an estimate, be prepared.
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Ana Villeda- Interiano has excelled in the financial and banking industries for 15 years. She offers her industry knowledge and passion for numbers everyday to businesses that are not only looking to maintain portfolio health but, to thrive. Services include accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation, year end planning, advisory on business topics such as the formation of an LLC and more. Free Consultation available. anatheaccountant.com
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTTA KELLY
HELPING SENIORS REDESIGN THEIR KITCHENS FOR BOTH BEAUTY & SAFETY
BEAUTIFUL “TUNE- UPS”
If you ask 10 people what features they would like to see in the kitchen of their dreams, you will probably get 10 different responses, although there may be some overlap. At the top of many lists are adequate lighting, spaciousness, plenty of cabinets and additional
business opportunities before deciding to pursue kitchen design. “It was the remodeling of our own home that led us here today,” he says. Together, with the help of their assistant general manager Patty D’Angelo, they have designed hundreds of kitchens.
“KITCHEN TUNE-UP CUSTOMERS TELL LIVINGSTON THAT THEY WISH THEY HAD REMODELED EARLIER”
storage areas, an island that includes informal barstool seating in addition to a more traditional dining area, and state-of-the-art appliances.
According to a recent survey of 2,000 adults conducted by OnePoll for Whirlpool, the average American spends more than 1,000 hours a year in the kitchen, nearly three hours a day. The survey also revealed that nearly half (49%) of the respondents entertain guests at least once a year.
Older adults, however, have specific needs for a kitchen that is not only pleasing to the eye, but that aligns with their lifestyle.
The team at Kitchen Tune-Up, which has been in business for five years, two of them at their Bloomfield location, is aware of the needs of older adults when it comes to designing their dream kitchen, according to Bloomfield resident Steven Livingston, owner with his wife, Takia. The Livingstons explored a number of
“A layout that reduces bending and reaching is key when creating kitchens for older adults,” Livingston says. “Features such as pull-out drawers, Lazy Susans, and adjustable shelves are also desirable. These customizable options can help maximize the functionality and enjoyment of the kitchen, ensuring a place for everything in one of the busiest rooms in the home.”
Lighting that enhances a kitchen’s visibility is especially critical, not only for older adults, but for everyone. Many older homes lack optimal lighting in the kitchen, Livingston notes. “Welllit spaces enhance a modern kitchen, especially under-cabinet lighting, to make the space safer and easier to navigate,” he says, adding that Kitchen Tune-Up offers solutions that incorporate brighter, energy-efficient lighting.
While cooking and entertaining are enjoyable for many, most people don’t want to spend an inordinate
amount of time cleaning and maintaining their kitchen, Livingston adds. “Lowmaintenance materials are best and our Rigid Thermal Foil Cabinets are perfect for seniors, offering durability and easy upkeep, which is ideal for hassle-free cleaning and ensures the longevity of the kitchen,” he explains.
Having adequate storage is also on many wish lists. For older adults, this means easy accessibility and keeping frequently used items within reach, with features such as deep drawers and pullout shelves, Livingston notes, adding that the Cabinet Redooring or Refacing plan is optimal for achieving this.
“Cabinet resurfacing is popular with our clients,” he says. “It can give a kitchen a new look by replacing door fronts while keeping the existing cabinet boxes intact. We can also add features like soft-close drawers and larger, easy-to-grip handles, minimizing strain on hands and preventing accidents.”
The team at Kitchen Tune-Up observes that clients’ kitchen design preferences have changed in the past few years. “We’re getting away from white and grey and moving towards more colorful neutrals such as deep blue,” Livingston says, adding that most of today’s clients prefer wooden versus synthetic materials for cabinets. For quartz countertops, people are choosing a softer look, with less veining. Other popular touches are goldplated hardware, floating shelves, and the farmhouse sink, with its deep basin and an exposed apron that extends down from the countertop to the sink’s base.
“…WHAT A POSITIVE
EXPERIENCE IT IS.”
Houzz , an online community with information on home design, offers additional suggestions when creating kitchens for older adults:
• Keeping the sink close to the stove will prevent having to carry heavy pots of liquid from the sink to the cooktop.
• A shallow sink (6” to 8”) will make it easier to rinse produce and dishes.
• Rounded countertops and open-shelf edges are safest.
The Livingstons take pride in the fact that they work with their own crew. “It’s the same crew that customers meet at the start of a project through its completion,” says Steven Livingston. “And all crew members have received training that meets national standards.”
Many Kitchen Tune-Up customers tell Livingston that they wish they had remodeled earlier. “Prior to remodeling, they envisioned a stressful and chaotic experience, but are always surprised to find out what a positive experience it is,” he says.
KITCHEN TUNE-UP
1285 Broad Street
Bloomfield, NJ
https://www.kitchentuneup.com/ Phone: 855-429-7858
Memory Care is All We Do
• 100% Memory Care Facility
• Expertise in Dementia and Alzheimer’s care extends over 25 years
• Consulted with John Hopkins Alzheimer’s Association
• Care for Early Stages Through End-of-Life
• Personalized, Therapeutic Programming
• Purpose-Built Communities
GLIDE INTO 2025
JOJO STARBUCK ON SKATING, TRAINING, AND WHERE TO START
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGELINA SILVESTER
When I slid across the ice into the hockey box at the Codey Arena, I felt starstruck. It’s not every day you get to sit in on a class led by a former Olympian! Her love for the sport was evident, if not in the class itself, then during the answer to my first question: what drew her to figure skating?
She recalls the first time she stepped into a rink. “It had a high, arched ceiling, and someone was playing the organ while everyone skated around.
And I saw it and I went I have to do this. This is me, this is who I am.”
Later, at a rink in her hometown, she would meet her skating partner, Ken Shelley. When the school closed down, the two of them began skating at Mr Zamboni’s rink (yes, that Zamboni), where they learned, competed, and trained for the Olympic Games. Despite all the magic she experienced on the ice, she said what she loved the most was “the feeling of speed and the wind in your hair and on your face. You just feel like you're soaring through space, you know?”
She recalled her first Olympic team, whose theme was Snowflakes and Roses-- fitting, since she and Ken performed as snowflakes in their first winter show. From there, she turned to Broadway, led by fellow figure skater John Curry, whose love of dance brought her a new perspective on skating. The stage itself had been turned into a rink, and she recalls Curry demonstrating exercises to them, saying that “we felt like we were learning all over again.”
After her professional career, she realized that it had come time to turn in a new direction, and found a love of teaching after years of producing shows.
For people that are looking to find a new hobby in the new year, Jojo recommends finding a good coach “right off the bat”, and to carry a notebook to record what you learn each lesson.
“I have to do this. This is me, this is who I am.”
If you’re nervous about getting on the ice, her students said it best: “You're in good hands. It's a little scary to get on skates if you haven't before, but you take things slow, one step at a time, and Jojo is really supportive of people who are new to this, so yeah, give it a go.”
info@jojostarbuck.com
Jojo demonstrates a skill for the class
FITNESS BEYOND THE HORIZON
ARTICLE BY ANGELINA SILVESTER
With the new year comes resolutions, and within a few weeks of 2025, many of us will be wondering how to get our goals to stick. With this in mind, I sat down with Dr. Christina Hector, the medical director of West Orange’s Onyx Aesthetics and Sports Medicine, and asked how to start getting fit in the new year.
Aesthetics and sports medicine don’t seem to have much overlap, but the one thing that links them together is regenerative medicine. One of the services
Christina applies is Platelet-Rich Plasma, which is used in sports medicine to improve conditions like tendonitis and arthritis. In aesthetics, it has been shown to help with scarring and hyperpigmentation, as well as giving an overall youthful look. As medicine begins to focus more on regeneration, using procedures like PRP can help your body heal itself inside and out.
Both areas of her job require individualized care and time with patients, which is her favorite part of the job.
Embracing New habits: One Step at a Time
With that in mind, I asked her how to keep active as the weather changes. Her biggest advice was to add more steps into your routine. Things like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking farther from a store entrance, or going for a walk during your lunch break can add up in the end!
Ultimately, Christina recommends to start slow and increase as you go. Exercise can help with diabetes, hypertension, and more, and can lead to changes in medication. Because of this, consulting a sports physician is a must before jumping right in to exercise. As the new year comes around, doctors like Christina are here to help you keep your resolutions and support you along the way.
• Integrate walking into your daily routine! 10 thousand steps is recommended, but start where you feel most comfortable. Even a few extra steps can help in the long run!
• Exercise doesn’t have to be done alone. You can turn a quick workout into a family activity!
• Don’t rush into things- start small and build from there.
• Keep exercise accessible. Stick to gyms that are close to you or do a home workout!
• When starting out at a gym, don’t be afraid to ask a trainer for help! They can help you start to exercise safely.
• Consult a sports physician before starting exercise if you have medical conditions. They can help you find a routine that works!
onyxaasm.com 973-520-0302
SPORTS MEDICINE CARE
Treatment for athletes of all ages, including strains, sprains, tendinitis, joint injuries, and sports-related injuries.
MUSCULOSKELETAL CARE
Comprehensive management of back and neck pain, arthritis, and other joint issues.
REGENERATIVE AESTHETIC TREATMENTS
• Microneedling for skin rejuvenation
• Chemical peels for skin renewal and treating hyperpigmentation
• Hair restoration treatments
• Injectables (e.g. Botox and Jeuveau neurotoxin ) for wrinkle reduction
SKIN CARE SOLUTIONS
Tailored treatments for skin health and beauty, focusing on natural enhancement.
WELLNESS AND PREVENTATIVE CARE
Emphasis on overall wellness, helping patients stay healthy on the inside and outside.
Brain Power-Renew Your Thoughts
Happy New Year! Start the New Year by Strengthening a Different Muscle
As the new year approaches many of us set resolutions to accomplish in the new year, attending the gym to build up your muscles is one idea, however you can build up another muscle in the body without having to pay a dime to a facility. The muscle you can build and strengthen is your brain! Our brains have what is called neuroplasticity and we can rewire our anxious brains if you have thoughts that impede your functioning such as fear. For example, you are now a sixteen year old person who in childhood had experienced a car accident and currently you are of age to take driver’s ed to obtain your license. The thought of driving a car has developed into a fear to the point that the teen will not take the driver’s ed course. This teen is able to rewire their brain in order to accomplish this driving feat but, it will require several steps. It takes time to rewire one’s brain. On the one hand the teen must have a desire to re-wire their fear response and practice the new experience over and over by getting in and out of the car. Essentially the teen is creating a new neural path in the brain, overlaying the old fear response with positive experiences by being in the car and practicing driving.
ARTICLE BY AMY COX-MARTIN, LCSW
In addition to “rewiring” an anxious brain, scientists have found that the brain has the capability to heal pain without the use of opioids. The study I am referring to is sited in the book The Brain’s way of healing by Norman Doidge. The prescription of Opioids in pain management made pain problems worse as the physicians did not take into account the neuroplasticity of the pain centers in the brain. Even on opioids, patients became tolerant of the medicine to the point that it no longer worked. Natural pain management requires strong determination. To begin with the patient must believe in the possibility of the brain releasing its own “pain medication”. Physicians trained in this natural method of pain management can verbally talk the patient through the process…
The natural treatment of emotional pain resulting from trauma and other situations has had great advances in the past few decades. Treatments such as EMDR (Eye movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing) Francine Shapiro, involving lights
and eye movements have demonstrated success. Another treatment called “Brainspotting, David Grand, where only a pointer is used, activating the optic nerve which connects to the memory centers of the brain and by reprocessing upsetting events, while staring at a point activate the inner pain-relieving centers of the brain bringing relief.
A person can also heal themselves by what David Grand has coined as “Gazespotting”. Sitting comfortably and pick a point to stare at and think about the upsetting incidents you
want to overcome. After a while the brain will heal your upset. You must relive the upset for it to be released.
In addition, learning how the brain works and how to work with our brains and our emotions and anxious brains, we can help ourselves instead of lengthy therapy sessions. There are benefits to long term therapy, being able to fully process through difficult situations. However when simply alleviation of anxiety is the goal, shorter brain focused sessions is all that is truly needed. This is not to say that medication is not helpful, it certainly can be and in some situations medication is essential. If we can learn how to manage our emotional pain and physical pain, medication may not be as needed.
amycoxmartins.com
201-725-4972
ARTICLE BY SYBIL VELARDE
whirled PEAS!
Vegetable juice is a great addition to your diet especially if you want to lose weight, gain energy, and feel great. Sometimes life gets too busy and you don’t have the time to cook healthy meals. Fall in love with leafy greens, fresh fruit, nut milks, and chia seeds all combined to make a quick, easy, and delicious contribution to your day.
Veggies And Blenders Bring The Health We Need
ENERGY ELIXIR
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 beet
• 1 carrot
• 1 celery stalk
• 1-2 inches of ginger
• 1 lemon
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together in a blender until smooth.
BLUEBERRY MINT
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1 fresh or frozen banana
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup fresh mint and/or 1-3 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 1 cup ice if using fresh fruit
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together in a blender until smooth.
GREEN SMOOTHIE
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups cucumber
• 1 cup Granny Smith apples
• 1 cup celery
• 1 handful baby spinach
• 1/3 cup fresh pineapple (for a sweet smoothie or zest and juice of a small lime for tart smoothie)
• 1 sprig parsley
DIRECTIONS:
Mix all together in a blender until smooth.
PINK FLAMINGO
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 2 cups strawberries
• 1 cup chopped mango
GREEN MACHINE
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 cups water
• 1 avocado, peeled
• 1 cup chopped mango
• 1 banana
DIRECTIONS:
First, blend the spinach and almond milk in a blender until smooth. Then add the berries and mango and blend again until smooth.
DIRECTIONS:
Place spinach and water in the blender and blend until smooth. Then add avocado, mango, and banana and blend again until smooth.
KALEFORNIA ENERGIZING
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups kale, stems removed
• 1 cup water
• 2 oranges peeled
• 1 cup chopped pineapple
• 1 cup chopped mango
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds (soak in water for 10 minutes)
DIRECTIONS:
Blend kale, chia water, and oranges until smooth. Add pineapple, mango and blend again.
Nutrient-Rich Dessert To The Rescue
ARTICLE BY MEL BOBAN
smart SWEETS
This recipe is a classic favorite. If you cut the bars into 16 pieces, they are around 270 calories each. They are very filling, packed with healthy goodies and taste oh so delicious. If you can’t finish them yourself (it makes a lot!), bring samples along to your next workout class to share the love. Your accountability group will be asking you for the recipe! These come in handy for a quick breakfast on-the-go or an afternoon snack. You’ll want to taste these out of the oven once they cool a bit... simply scrumptious.
Combine:
• 1 cup wheat flour
• 2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
• 2 cups oats
• 2/3 cup of your choice of chopped nuts
The beginning of the year is packed with inspiration and motivation to get back on track after a sweet-filled holiday season. It can feel extreme, and it also can be depleting to cut oneself off from everything indulgent after weeks of eating favorite sweet and savory recipes. For sugar lovers who believe going cold-turkey feels intimidating or overwhelming, nutrition-packed desserts are a great way to stick to healthy food goals without the guilt.
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 2/3 cup raisins
• Optional: chocolate chips as desired
• Optional: add additional seeds or nuts on hand such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.
Notes: Boil quinoa at a 2:1 water to rice ratio. For estimating, 1/3 cup of uncooked quinoa yields 1 cup cooked quinoa.
Add this mixture slowly to combine:
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 banana
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until when the edges get golden brown. Bake in a 9x13-inch glass dish. After they cool, slice and enjoy. Keep them covered to maintain freshness.
8 6 2 3 7 2 - 9 4 4 5
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