Health + Wellness in 2024
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LIFESTYLE LETTER
Happy New Year!
January 2024 PUBLISHER
Marisa MacLean | marisa.maclean@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R
Robin Moyer Chung
The end of every year signifies the start of a new one. Every fresh beginning begins with goals for health and happiness, so in this issue, we focus on both. On the wellness front, the Noa Center presents acupuncture, an ancient and effective method for addressing infertility and providing comfort for chronic pain and difficult pregnancies. Additionally, we feature the newly opened Connecticut Children’s in Westport, which offers holistic healing for kids. Craig Melvin of The Today Show tragically lost his brother to colon cancer. Explore his story and learn how Craig and his wife, and fellow journalist Lindsay, are assisting others through the Bottom’s Up Invitational—a golf and concert event aimed at raising money for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. A significant aspect of both health and happiness is maintaining a proper diet. Therefore, we include two meal services and their chefs, delivering nutritious and delicious meals to Westport and throughout Fairfield County. On the fitness front, Zac Mathias of The Classic Chic highlights five exceptional instructors. If you prefer a more luxurious experience, you'll appreciate Life Rewards' list of the best wellness retreats. Lastly, allow us to introduce you to Harry Putman, one of the participants in Staples’ “job site” program for special education, emphasizing why this program holds importance for everyone. Happy New Year and happy reading!
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Robin Moyer Chung, Life Rewards, Meredith Guinness, Zac Mathias, Angela Broockerd C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S
Jerri Graham, John Videler, Scott Rosenthal Photography
Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman LAYOUT DESIGNER Eva Tucker
M A R I SA M AC L E A N , P U B L I S H E R @WESTPORTLIFESTYLE
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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R
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inside the issue JANUARY 2 0 2 4 | HEA LT H & W EL L N ES S
36 60 Featured
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48 Departments
From Connecticut to the Caribbean Life Rewards’ List of The Best Wellness Retreats
Iris of the Needle
Noa Center Uses Ancient Medicine in Modern Medicine
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Lifestyle Letter
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Kids Corner PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
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City Scene
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Get Active HEALTH + WELLNESS
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Business Monthly
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Eat Right FOOD + BEVERAGE
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Trend Setter TRAVEL
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Locally Sourced LOCAL SERVICES
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Our Town HEALTH + WELLNESS
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Culinary Creations FOOD + BEVERAGE
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Education Corner LIFE + CULTURE
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Events
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Giving Back HEALTH + WELLNESS
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Healthy Lifestyle HEALTH + WELLNESS
Normalizing Colon Cancer The Bottoms Up Event Honors and Educates
Fitness Favorites Zac’s Trainer Picks
On the Cover Shana Swanson from Westport’s Yoga45.
It’s Simple. Work. Life. Balance.
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JANUARY 2024
city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
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1: The Westport Book Sale First Annual Fundraiser. Deirdre Price, Bill Harmer, and Dan Levinson. 2: Jeff and Pat Wieser. 3: Volunteer Kenji Hosokawa and employee Chris Lau. 4: Steven Tanzer, Robin Berggren, Brad Berggren. 5: Nancy Wilson and Andrea Pecoriello. 6: Jocelyn Barandiaran, Sharuna Mahesh, Linda Hopper, and book store employee Dylan Curran. 7: Volunteer Mimi Greenlee.
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D R . M A S H A KO G A N & D R . V I R G I N I A R O M A N O
READERS’ CHOICE 2022
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city scene CONTINUED
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1: Matthew Mandel with wife, Cary Aber. 2: The revelers wore some great costumes! 3: Bat couple. 4: Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce Halloween Concert and Costume Ball. 5: Party-goers around the winner of best costume! (Third from left.) 6: The band Bella’s Bartok. 7: The Weinbergs.
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EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTS PERSONAL SISTANTS ESTATE AND HOUSEHOLD MANAGERS CHIEFS OF STAFF PERSO AL CHEFS PERSONAL DRIVERS HOU KEEPERS NANNIES/GOVERNESSES D MESTIC ASSISTANTS BUTLERS CHAU Invites you to treat yourself to the ultimateESTATE luxury this year: FEURS DRIVERS MANAGERS MULTI-PROPERTY MANAGERS FAMIL ASSISTANTS HOUSEHOLD COUPLES HOUSEKEEPERS HOUSEMAN NANNI MANNIES PERSONAL ASSISTANTS PE SONAL SECURITY BODYGUARDS EXE TIVE ASSISTANTS PERSONAL ASSIST Through our premium staffing and real estate solutions, ANTS ESTATE AND MAN we free up your time so you can HOUSEHOLD focus on what you do best. AGERS CHIEFS OF STAFF PERSONAL CHEFS PERSONAL DRIVERS HOUSEK KEEPERS NANNIES/GOVERNESSES D MESTIC ASSISTANTS BUTLERS CHAU FEURS DRIVERS ESTATE MANAGERS MULTI-PROPERTY Based in Westport and serving a MANAGERS national clientele, our firm offersFAMIL best-in-class staffing solutions for high-net-worth individuals, ASSISTANTS HOUSEHOLD COUPLES multi-generational families/family offices, busy executives and corporate offices. HOUSEKEEPERS HOUSEMAN NANNI MANNIESExceptional PERSONAL ASSISTANTS PE staffing and real estate solutions. SONAL SECURITY BODYGUARDS EXE
time Tel: (203) 454-5404 | THECALENDARGROUP.COM
city scene CONTINUED
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1: Saugatuck Rowing Club’s Junior Women’s team held in partnership with Lululemon. Victoria Bazarko and Sofia Martin. 2: Hannah Makmale and Leighton Davis. 3: Hannah Clemens, Jane Leahy, Anna Cuesta, Charlotte Seymour, and Alex Cowan. 4: Carolina Proctor, Luka Kuokalas, Hannah Makmale, Kate Weitz. 5: Coach Cody Silvester, Head Junior Women’s Coach Mike O’Hara, Coach Casey Fuller, Head Junior Rowing Coach Dave Grossman. 6: Rowers and Erg-ers! 7: Mackenzie Fozdick, Coach Casey Fuller, and Kate Weitz showing Olivia and Quinn Dunev how to erg. Photography by Hayley Jill Photography
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C E L E B R A T I N G 47 Y E A R S O F C U S T O M P O O L DE S I G N & C O N S T RU C T IO N
C OM M ERCI A L & R E SIDE N T I A L 20 3 - 4 8 7-5 7 79 • a l l a m e r i c a n p o o l s .c o m 153 Dewey Street, Bridgeport, Ct 06605
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1: Stand Up 2023 - Homes With Hope: An Evening of Comedy. Allyson Gottlieb and Becky Martin. 2: Lauren Schiler with guests. 3: Everyone enjoyed a comedian Roy Wood Jr. 4: Lynn Abramson, Pat Weiser, Alan Abramson. 5: Bruce Paul, Roy Wood Jr., Vicky Lopez. 6: Jeff Scanlan, Lauren Schiller, Katharine Murray, Jacque Hogan, Carmen Ayala, Roy Wood Jr., Helen McAlinden, Paris Looney, Maureen Liebergall, Naeema Livingston, Bruce Gaylord. 7: Michelle Murphy, Liz Videler, September Stevens. Photography by John Videler
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Justin Charise uses Saugatuck Financial as a marketing name for doing business as a representative of Northwestern Mutual. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (NM) (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Justin Charise provides investment advisory services as an Advisor of Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company®(NMWMC), Milwaukee, WI, a subsidiary of NM and federal savings bank. Justin Charise provides investment brokerage services as a Registered Representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS), a subsidiary of NM, registered investment adviser, broker-dealer and member FINRA and SIPC. Justin Charise is an Insurance Agent of NM. Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group is a select group of Northwestern Mutual advisors and representatives. Saugatuck Financial and Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group are not registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, insurance agencies, federal savings banks or other legal entities. Forbes Top and Best-In-State Top Financial Security Professionals and Best-in-State Wealth Advisors research and ranking provided by SHOOK Research, LLC. Northwestern Mutual and its advisors do not pay for placement on 3rd party rating lists, but do pay marketing fees to these organizations to promote the rating(s). Rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success. Westport Lifestyle Magazine Readers Choice Award for Best Financial Advisor (2021, 2022) is based on online voting, September & October each year. No compensation is provided for eligibility.
DERMATOLOGY & LASER CENTER
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JANUARY 2024
business monthly A ROUNDUP OF NEWS F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S
Iris Netzer-Greenfield
Kim Schwartz-Finkelstein
Proudly serving Westport! PRACTICING FOR OVER TWO DECADES* NOA HEALTH & ACUPUNCTURE (203) 635-5151 IRIS@NOACENTER.COM WESTPORT, CT: 37 FRANKLIN ST, SUITE 1 NOAC E NT E R .C OM
Cindy Raney Selected to the International Luxury Alliance We're thrilled to announce Cindy Raney's selection into the International Luxury Alliance. This distinctive honor recognizes Cindy’s expertise and commitment to the luxury real estate sector. Representing Fairfield County luxury markets, Cindy joins a prestigious international network of 77 real estate professionals across 48 global luxury markets. This appointment expands Cindy Raney & Team's extensive reach even further, offering unparalleled real estate service and connections, and instantly exposing her client’s properties to affluent markets worldwide. Photography by Alex Torres, Park City Studios
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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY
Start the new year with healthier hair color choices. Good Witch/Bad Witch Don’t miss this concert of Diva Showstoppers, featuring a Glinda and Elphaba from the Broadway company of Wicked, at it flies in to Westport for one magical day. Good Witch/Bad Witch has been thrilling audiences coast to coast with stunning vocals and playful banter and is fun for the whole family! January 20, 2024 3:00 p.m. WestportPlayhouse.org
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Writers Mic If you write and need a place to read your work in front of a group of friendly, non-threatening fellow writers, this is the place for you! We meet in person and on Zoom from 7 to 9 pm on the third Tuesday of every month in a casual open mic format. We welcome fiction, essays, memoirs, non-fiction, and poetry. WestportLibrary.org
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260 Post Road East, Westport 203-222-0344 www.artistexsalon.com CONTINUED > JANUARY 2 0 2 4
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business monthly CONTINUED
We are proud to be the only women owned and operated tattoo studio in Fairfield County. P: 203-221-5000 | rebelandrosetattoo.com rebelandrosetattoo
New Haven Bird Club Field Trip: Sherwood Island State Park January 3, 2024, 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Join a midweek trip to this outstanding Long Island Sound birding spot. The fields are a good place to look for Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, and sparrows. Meet at Sherwood Island State Park: take Exit 18 off I-95 in Westport and head south on the Sherwood Island Connector. Drive into the park and meet at the main parking lot. Leader: Tina Green, 203-247-2660 or tina@renaissancestudios.com CTBirding.org Photography courtesy of Toquet Hall
Want to be featured? G E T I N T O U C H AT CIT YLIFEST YLE .COM/ WESTPORT
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your life. your home. your realtor. Girls' Rowing Win Gold Medal at Head of the Charles Congratulations to Saugatuck Girls' Rowing who took home the gold medal at the elite Head of the Charles in Boston! (l to r) Grace Baker, Kate Weitz, Madeline Casano, Anne Studnicky, Ryle Corrdella, Coach Cody Silvester. Photography by Alison Reilly
Toquet Hall Charity Concert Toquet Hall hosts their Charity Concert, Friday, January 26 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. ToquetHall.org
annual
SEE WHY
MICHELLEANDTEAM.COM | 203.454.4663 (HOME)
your life. your home. your realtor.
JANUARY 2 0 2 4
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WE ARE ON SALE! Up to 50 % off Holiday decor, furniture, apparel, jewelry & more! While supplies last millieraes.com | 203.259.7200 | b Millie Rae’s v @millie_raes 1011 Post Rd. East · Westport, CT 06880
We’re thrilled to announce Cindy Raney’s selection into the International Luxury Alliance. This distinctive honor recognizes Cindy’s expertise and commitment to the luxury real estate sector. Representing Fairfield County luxury markets, Cindy joins a prestigious international network of 77 real estate professionals across 48 global luxury markets. This appointment expands Cindy Raney & Team’s extensive reach even further, offering unparalleled real estate service and connections, and instantly exposing her client’s properties to affluent markets worldwide.
203 - 62 5 -102 5 C I NDY RA NEY.COM
Equinox
ARTICLE BY LIFE REWARDS
From Connecticut to the Caribbean LIFE REWARDS’ LIST OF THE BEST WELLNESS RETREATS
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T R E N D SE T T E R | TRAVEL
The Retreat
The Retreat
“Their magnificent 5,000-square-foot spa is open to both guests and drop-ins.” Equinox
Whether you want to start a new wellness program or simply workout in some of the best facilities in the country, here are some of the best places to do it.
EQUINOX HOTEL, NEW YORK CITY
Think, an indoor saltwater lap pool, cold and hot plunge pools, and a 15,000-square-foot outdoor pool. With 126 classes on offer each week—ranging from high-intensity boxing to Pilates sculpting to hot yoga—the two-floor fitness center provides many opportunities to experience the Equinox community. Recovery is taken just as seriously with sound-proof rooms, temperature-regulating beds and an on-call sleep coach. Restoration is also found in the hotel’s outdoor barrel saunas and at the spa, where treatments are curated into ‘circuits’ designed for specific goals like beauty, performance healing and sleep.
THE RETREAT, COSTA RICA
Created by celebrity chef Diana Stobo following her own experience healing her body with an anti-inflammatory diet, everything at The Retreat is intended to promote healing. For Stobo, that begins with the food. All stays include three meals a day at their signature restaurant Boca Dulce, where guests savor colorful, vegetable-forward plates overlooking the lush rolling hills and learn how to cook some of Stobo’s recipes. Healing is also found in daily classes like ‘Pranayama’ (breathwork sessions led by an Ayurvedic practitioner) and ‘Sound Bowl Healing,’ and at Vida Mia Spa, which offers an impressive range of treatments inspired by modalities from around the world. CONTINUED > JANUARY 2 0 2 4
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Winivan Farms
Ten Thousand Waves
Winvian Farm
Ten Thousand Waves
LIFE Rewards is a real-life travel, experience, and event booking ticketing engine accessible via the metaverse. It offers flights, hotel reservations, sports and entertainment tickets, and other unique experiences.
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T R E N D SE T T E R | TRAVEL
TEN THOUSAND WAVES, NEW MEXICO
Ten minutes from Santa Fe, the Ten Thousand Waves resort— with its lantern-adorned wooden structures, grounded atmosphere and simple, clean lines—feels straight out of Japan. Inspired by the Japanese mountain hot spring onsen, communal pools invite guests to alternate between hot and cold plunges. Relaxation is also found in the meditation room, complete with floor pillows and headphones, and at the spa where massage therapists with a collective 650+ hours of training offer Japanese shiatsu massages (in addition to more typical massage styles). The onsite restaurant, Izanami, attracts locals for its healthy izakaya experience: small plates of sustainably raised proteins and organic produce.
WINVIAN FARM, MORRIS, CONNECTICUT
Winvian Farm might be the perfect retreat for the office cube-dweller, who sorely needs to detox or distracted from their inbox for a day or two. The design of each of its 18 cottages (and a single suite) on the 113-acre Relais & Chateaux property is based on a different, fanciful, concept, like the Library or Treehouse, In the Camping cottage, for example, stars illuminate the ceiling and marshmallows are laid before the fireplace for roasting. Executive Chef Chris Eddy cranks out clean, bold, farm-to-table fare with organic produce plucked from the farm's gardens. Pair it with a velvety glass of Dominus 2008 Cabernet from the farm's well-stocked wine cellar which spans roughly 13 countries and 37 regions. Their magnificent 5,000-square-foot spa is open to both guests and drop-ins.
COMO PARROT CAY, TURKS AND CAICOS
There's nothing more reinvigorating than a few days at this health-centric resort, huddled away on its own private island in the Caribbean. Guests should take full advantage of the brand's wellness program, COMO Shambhala, which has offers enzyme-rich cuisine; a medley of fresh and creative courses like zucchini carpaccio and pineapple sundaes, complimentary yoga and pilates classes (the yoga retreats offered throughout the year are led by a rotating cast of characters, including yogi superstars the Curry Sisters), and holistic therapies, including reflexology and Ayurveda. The resort will also coordinate fishing and diving trips, biking excursions on nearby islands, windsurfing lessons, and more. Enjoy! We’ll be relaxing at the spa's infinity pool, overlooking the ocean.
COMO Parrot Cay
COMO SHAMBHALA ESTATE, BALI
Nestled alongside the Ayung river with panoramic views of a revered valley, this property exudes a spiritual atmosphere. Regular visits from Hindu priests, who bestow blessings upon the estate's therapeutic pool, amplify this transcendent aura. Merely arriving at this idyllic locale invites the unravelling of tension, and a tranquil morning by the natural rock pools accelerate it. For seekers of profound stress relief, the staff can tailor a personalized treatment regimen encompassing a spectrum of practices, from meditation and acupuncture to massages and chakra balancing. CONTINUED > JANUARY 2 0 2 4
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Six Senses
“The restaurant serves produce grown on-site.” Six Senses
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Six Senses
schedule today! CAMP BOW WOW® BRIDGEPORT campbowwow.com/bridgeport 475-999-2691 SIX SENSES, IBIZA
With a presence spanning over 20 properties across Asia to Israel, Six Senses has established itself as a leading wellness brand. One of its most exceptional retreats is on the vibrant party island of Ibiza. Situated amidst olive trees on a breathtaking clifftop in the northern part of the island, the family-oriented experience begins with a shamanic smoke cleansing. The restaurant serves produce grown on-site. An extraordinary feature known as The Cave, a literal cave housing two bars and hosts live music performances. It’s a truly remarkable destination in the Six Senses empire. LIFE Rewards is a real-life travel, experience, and event booking ticketing engine accessible via the metaverse. It offers flights, hotel reservations, sports and entertainment tickets, and other unique experiences. liferewards.ai JANUARY 2 0 2 4
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I S 2 0 2 4 YO U R Y E A R FOR A CHANGE?
Danna & Jen are the Team to Choose Buying or selling a home can be a stressful process if you don’t have the right real estate agent. With a proven track record, 20 years experience, over 250 properties sold, and our signature “hand-holding” service, you can rely on us to get you the best possible result. We are proud to be a part of the Higgins Group, 2023 Winner for Westport Lifestyle’s Reader’s Choice for Best Brokerage!
30 Elm Street Bedford Square, Westport CT 06880
dannarogersandjenkass.com Danna Rogers
(917) 282-6292 • dannakrogers@gmail.com
Jen Kass
(203) 368-8032 • jenkass32@gmail.com
IR I S
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NOA CENTER USES ANCIENT MEDICINE IN MODERN MEDICINE ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG
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Left: Iris Greenfield, owner and acupuncurist. (Photo: Scott Rosenthal Photography)
“Bodies are like factories with feedback signals, and feedback systems need to be balanced” - Iris About 24 years ago, Iris sat down for the California Acupuncture Licensing Exam. Having graduated from the four year program at Samra University of Oriental Medicine with a Master’s Degree, Iris had already passed the national exam. But California, with stricter standards, is one of the few states that requires their own test. The exam, laughs Iris, “It’s as if the test were written by acupuncturists whose purpose was for you to fail, just so you leave the state to eliminate competition.” She studied rigorously, even changing her diet and habits to increase her alertness. Then she sat down to tackle questions like: Which of the following conditions would lead to a differential diagnosis of chronic rather than acute bronchitis? A. Weak spleen causes phlegm damp to rise to the lung, and wind cold invades the lung B. External excess hinders spreading functions of the lung Qi, and phlegm damp prevents Qi from descending C. Weak spleen causes phlegm damp to rise to the lung, and deficient kidney cannot make lung Qi descend
D. External excess hinders spreading functions of the lung Qi, and excess in the lung coincides She passed on the first try. Today, in one of the two offices of her thriving acupuncture business, Iris looks around and smiles, “My parents didn’t want me to do this. They wanted me to get a ‘real job.’” Though Eastern medicine was introduced to the US in the 1800s, it was quickly overwhelmed by advancements in Western medicine. It was “re-introduced” in the 1970’s, after Pulitzer prize-winning journalist James Reston visited China with Henry Kissinger. James underwent emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix and doctors administered acupuncture to alleviate post-operative pain. He wrote a feature extolling the experience for the New York Times in 1971, “Now, About My Operation in Peking.” In 1997, the World Health Organization approved acupuncture, which validated its efficacy. Coincidentally, people were growing weary of invasive medical treatments and the troublesome side-effects of popular medicines. CONTINUED > JANUARY 2 0 2 4
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“Acupuncture helps the body do what it alreadywants to.” - Iris Greenfield
Noa Health and Acupuncture (Photo: Scott Rosenthal Photography)
Still, in 1999 it was considered fringe, a career for “granola-y” folks or those who study Asian culture. For Iris, a young woman who worked part-time in retail, it seemed a bit incongruous. “It wasn’t a popular career choice at the time,” she states. She left Los Angeles and moved to NYC in 2000, worked for hire in NYC and in 2006 opened her own midtown office. Most of her patients then were new to the world of acupuncture.
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At that time, people were embracing organic food and homeopathic remedies. The opioid crisis was brewing and individuals wanted alternatives to pain medication. Her practice thrived. In 2013 she and her husband moved to Westport. She kept her NYC office and opened a second office in Westport. Then, as now, she and her staff specialize in infertility and gynecology, as well as pain management and allergies.
So, how does acupuncture work? “It helps the body do what it already wants to,” Iris explains. “[Women are] born able to reproduce, we have to figure out what’s getting in the way.” Thin needles are inserted into certain points on the body that stimulate the central nervous system. This re-balances your “Qi” (a body’s energy flow) and helps your body release natural chemicals organs run at “optimal level” thereby aiding in healing and restoration. “Bodies are like factories with feedback signals, and feedback systems need to be balanced,” says Iris. The points are determined by the problem and the symptoms. Determining “acupoints” requires knowledge of Western medicine and biology. “If your symptoms include 'a cold uterus' you need to warm it up,” she instantiates. “The underlying issue can be completely different for each woman.” “Most women have ‘liver-y’ stuff. There are points along the feet and hands for this. Two points are a dual function, like a recipe - one or two things, then add one more and it takes it to another level.” Determining the core problem requires talking. “I’m like a therapist sometimes,” she says. Especially in areas of infertility and pregnancy, women are typically exhausted of pokes and prods, of well-intentioned but unwanted advice, and the emotional toll. “My patients want someone they can confidently share their personal struggles with, without judgement." These discussions, along with clinical experience and help determine the course of action. Lab work helps, too. Acupuncture has become so entrenched in today’s medicine that to describe it as “alternative” sounds inexact. Much prefer “complementary”; Iris and her staff treat patients alongside physicians and other healthcare practitioners. Noa Health & Acupuncture NoaCenter.com
Cheers to New Beginnings in 2024
As we embrace the new year, I extend a heartfelt thank you to my amazing clients who’ve entrusted me with their real estate needs.
Celebrating Success Together
I’m thrilled to announce the recent closing of a stunning new construction home in Westport by award-winning Tanner White Architects and Joe Feinleib of Coastal Luxury Homes.
Your Dreams, My Commitment
Guiding clients from start to finish is my pleasure. Homes aren’t just structures; they represent realized dreams and transformed futures. Whether you’re buying or selling this year, I’d love the opportunity to assist you!
Let’s Connect!
203.257.6037 @erinmelson.realestate
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Trusted Tesla vehicle maintenance and service is now available in Fairfield County. We built our reputation on European auto service and repair. Yet, many of our clients have been asking us to work on their Teslas as well. Servicing Teslas was a logical evolution for us as we’ve already been servicing EVs from Porsche, Audi and Mini. Our shop foreman has completed extensive EV training and leads our Tesla service department. We’ve invested in EV specific tools and safety equipment, including Tesla factory scan tools and Tesla software support. SST Auto is registered with Tesla, affording us the ability to purchase and sell Tesla parts directly from the factory. We’re also registered to access all of Tesla’s model specific repair information. We’ve even installed Tesla charging stations in our parking lot! You can trust SST Auto for all of your Tesla maintenance needs. Our Tesla specific services include:
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Brake Fluid Check Brake Fluid Flush A/C Desiccant Bag Replacement Cabin Air Filter Replacement Tire Rotation
Conveniently located next to the Danbury Airport. Servicing Audi, BMW, VW, Mini, Mercedes and Porsche. Proud supporters of The Ridgefield Playhouse
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Wheel Alignment and/or Check Remove and Clean Belly Pans of Road Debris Hepa Filter Replacement
203-730-0311
email: service@SpeedSportTuning.net
52 Miry Brook Road, Danbury, CT 06810
HELLO Internships are in school and around town.
Harry with Special Education Teacher Jessica LoCastro.
Harry with speech pathologist Christy Frederick.
Jobs for Disabled Students Teach Everyone ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG
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Harry Putman
One recent day I entered the Edge gym and saw a teenager I thought I recognized but had never met: Harry Putman. Teens come to the Edge ever day. But seeing him didn’t make sense. Harry is a senior at Staples with cerebral palsy, he cannot speak and is reliant on a wheelchair and an assistant. I walked past him, noting the computerized device before him. I recognized it; it was similar to what Wynston Browne, a non-verbal autistic teen used to “speak”. For 14 years no one knew he was capable of communicating and assumed his capacity for learning leveled out at 3rd grade. The technology allowed him to prove he was, in fact, a very intelligent and knowledgeable young man. Next time I saw Harry, I approached his speech pathologist, Christy Frederick, and asked if he was here to talk to people. “Yes,” she replied. “He’s here to greet people.” “It’s great that the Edge does this!” Again, I addressed her. Not Harry. I, and many others, did not grow up with regular exposure to disabled people. They had separate classes and schools, I rarely saw them at stores or business. I had a cousin who volunteered in a “home” where some of them lived. And I mean “them” as anyone labeled as having a disability. Back then, they didn’t self-identify and they were rarely, if ever, mainstreamed.
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Today it is possible to mainstream, but everyone needs to be educated and familiar with a population they may not know much about. But how could they be mainstreamed if we didn’t know they had voices? Or if we had any commonalities? Even now, as an adult, I didn’t think to interact with him. Instead I spoke to the person who looked like me. With advancements in technology, activism, and inclusivity, individuals with special needs are achieving far more than they ever could. They’re able to work in - and be welcomed into - the workforce. Suddenly, we see them. They’re taking our orders, helping us at CVS, and, in Wynston’s case, dreaming of becoming neuroscientists. On certain days, Harry goes to the Edge Fitness in Norwalk. This is his “job site,” and his job is to say hello. Monday mornings he’s at Rhythm and Rhyme class. He says hello to kids and their parents/caretakers, lets them know if the class is full, and helps out where he can. Both of his jobs are arranged through Staples. The goal for him, and to others who benefit from these jobs, is to teach “soft skills” picking up on social cues, greeting strangers, and following directions, for instance. Currently, there are about 12 high schoolers with disabilities and their jobs are specific
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to their needs. Which means Jessica LoCastro, a Staples Special Education Teacher, spends a lot of time contacting area businesses to craft meaningful positions. “We consider where there interests are, what the parents want, their strengths and challenges,” explains Jessica. Though these jobs are important to the teens, consider how helpful it is to, well, me and hopefully others. Today it is possible to mainstream, but everyone needs to be educated and familiar with a population they may not know much about. It’s a learning curve, and an important one. I imagine many gym-goers he greets have no idea he’s capable of conversing; now they know. The children he sees at Rhythm and Rhyme will grow up knowing physicality is only a small part of any person. I learned to ask him for a quote for this article. ”I like my job at the library because people talk to me,” said Harry. “I feel like I'm helping the librarian. It is not hard, but it is fun." The jobs, the special education staff at Staples, and the places in which they work (The Porch, MoCA, Edge Fitness, and so many more), are teaching everyone in the community life skills.
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NOR M A LIZING Colon CA NCER THE BOTTOMS UP EVENT HONORS AND EDUCATES
ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG PHOTOGRAPHY BY JERRI GRAHAM
“There’s no ‘cure’ for colon cancer. It’s like cutting grass, just cut it back, cut it back, cut it back until it dies.” - Lawrence Meadows When Lawrence Meadows - pastor, co-owner of a funeral home in South Carolina, and brother of Westport resident and Today Show anchor Craig Melvin - was in his late 30’s he began experiencing abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss. Due to his healthy lifestyle he wrote it off as an ulcer and made note to eat more fiber.
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In 2016, at the behest of his doctor, he agreed to a CT scan. The scan revealed a tumor “the size of a tangerine,” and he was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. He was 39. Everyone was shocked. Craig interviewed him in a Today Show segment around that time, exclaiming, “I couldn’t get my head around it being you. No smoking, no drinking, no partying.” “Yeah,” Lawrence smiled, “Gosh I should have been drinking and smoking and all that other stuff, too!” African Americans are twice as likely to develop early onset colon cancer as white people. Further, oncologists are noticing an uptick in early onset colon cancer - individuals younger than 45 - and expect the number to increase by “over 50% in the next 15 years,” according to Dr. Kopetz. Lawrence, with his wife and primary caregiver, Angela, flew over 1,000 miles to Houston every two weeks for 28 rounds of chemo treatment. He suffered from fatigue, hair loss, and painful tingling in his hands and feet. None of the discomfort stopped him. Instead, he volunteered for experimental drugs and “crisscrossed the country” educating others about cancer at health fairs and conferences. Says Craig, “When terrible things happen you can do one of two things - let it define you and curl up into a fetal position or figure out how to use that terrible thing for good.” Lawrence was in good health for a year a half. When his heath began failing he continued his drug trials, knowing the results would help others. “Motivation wasn’t prolonging his life,” recalls Craig. "It was about helping other patients in the future.”
“We want to normalize the talk to honor Lawrence’s life.” In December 2020, Lawrence died, leaving behind his wife and two young children. If you’ve known someone suffering from cancer, you can understand that the end brings a bit of relief. Both the patient and the caregiver are victims of this horrific disease and finding any type of respite is difficult, if even possible. There’s unrelenting pain, sleepless nights CONTINUED >
Lindsay Czarniak and Craig Melvin.
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Craig Melvin and brother, Lawrence Meadows. (Photo: Unknown)
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thing for good.” and stress. Fear. There is filth to clean and lungs filled with liquid needing to be drained. The caregiver becomes a nurse, medical assistant, and therapist. There’s indignity: the patient becomes wholly reliant on others. Before his death, Lawrence made Craig promise to continue advocating for cancer patients and their caregivers. So Craig and his wife, Lindsay Czarniak, host the annual Bottoms Up Golf Invitational and Concert on behalf of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. This year’s concert featured performances by musicians from Hootie & the Blowfish, Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors, saxophonist and composer Branford Marsalis, and many more. (Of note, Lawrence was not a golfer. Once Craig spotted a golf club in his bedroom and he asked why it was there. “In case someone breaks in,” shrugged Lawrence.) This year alone, they raised $1.2 million for education, testing, and help for the often-overlooked caregivers. “[We want people] to know how much cancer f&*king s@cks; we’re all affected by it. People don’t like to talk about colons and rectums and blood in the stool,” asserts Craig. Then he adds, “We want to normalize the talk to honor Lawrence’s life.” Colorectal Cancer Alliance CCallience.org
WESTPORT,CT JANUARY 2 0 2 4
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CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S OPENS IN WESTPORT
Whimsical hallways.
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As a pediatric kidney specialist, Robyn Matloff, M.D., is deeply thankful for the high-tech wizardry at Connecticut Children’s, the 30,000-square-foot facility where she and her colleagues bring life-saving care to some of the state’s youngest patients and adolescents.
for families facing both routine and acutely stressful situations. “We treat everything from constipation to cancer,” Robyn says of the wellplanned facility, which has had much to celebrate in recent months. In December, the facility marked its
“SHE JUST THINKS IT’S A FUN PLACE WHERE SHE’S COMING TO PLAY.” But what really made the nephrologist beam with pride recently was seeing the Post Road West site through the eyes of a little girl she was treating. “She said, ‘That’s where I play with Emily every Friday!’” says Robyn, a Westport mom herself who is the site’s medical director. “She’s getting physical therapy and didn’t even know it. She just thinks it’s a fun place where she’s coming to play.” And that’s just the magical balancing act leaders at Connecticut Children’s hope to achieve: providing cutting-edge care in 20 specialties, including cardiology, orthopedics and speech-language pathology, in a welcoming space that makes kids and their families feel comfortable, safe and valued. From its 187-bed hospital in Hartford to specialty care clinics in Westport, Danbury, Shelton, Farmington and Glastonbury, Connecticut Children’s offers crucial care, outreach and advocacy
first year in Westport. Team members also celebrated the donor naming of its pediatric infusion center, the only site of its kind in Fairfield County. There, children can receive intravenous treatments that can routinely take one to eight hours to complete, Robyn explains. The centrally located facility – close to I-95 and the Merritt Parkway and on a bus line – is a godsend for busy families and children with Crohn’s Disease, cancer or in need of growth hormone stimulation treatments who might be scared or bored in a traditional infusion site catering to adult patients. “If you’re talking about being somewhere for up to eight hours, taking some of the travel time out of the equation is huge for families,” Robyn adds. Founded as a 10-bed hospital for children who suffered incurable conditions like cerebral palsy, spina bifida and polio, Connecticut Children’s is now one of only two independent children’s hospitals in New England and the CONTINUED >
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Robyn Matloff, M.D. with a patient.
only independent children’s hospital in Connecticut. The primary pediatric teaching hospital for the UConn School of Medicine, it has a teaching partnership with the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University and is a research partner of The Jackson Laboratory. With each of its facilities, Robyn said, Connecticut Children’s tries to add elements to make children feel at home. The Westport facility includes bright cheerful rooms with plenty of toys and video games in the waiting rooms. “Some of them enjoy it so much, they don’t want to leave,” she says. Leaders are also sure to make inroads into the community: At Westport, Connecticut Children’s held a vaccination clinic at Staples HIgh School, protecting more than 700 children against Covid-19. In addition to partnerships and outreach with the local schools, which sometimes facilitate in-school treatments, the facility includes relationships with hundreds of doctors. “Every pediatrician in Fairfield County has my cell phone number at this point,” Robyn jokes. She and others also participate in Connecticut Children’s advocacy for children’s medical issues throughout the state. The main focus, of course, is children’s health and finding ways to get each patient the individualized care he or she needs efficiently. Connecticut Children’s operates the
Check-in at the facility.
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“THIS IS HOW HEALTHCARE SHOULD BE GOING. WE’RE BRINGING COMPLEX CARE CLOSE TO HOME.” state’s only pediatric dialysis center in Hartford; well-considered orthopedic facilities in Westport mean children with a suspected broken arm can get it evaluated, x-rayed, casted and rehabbed all on one hallway. Ties to the network mean specialists can consult with each other, forming an expert team that extends across boundaries. “We have a fetal surgeon who works with babies in the womb,” Robyn says. “I can meet my patients before they’re even born.” With traditional hospitals cutting down on services specialized for pediatrics due to budget constraints, Connecticut Children’s is a good option for families looking for comprehensive care for their youngsters, Robyn says. And it’s a rewarding place to work, she adds. “I go to bed at night happy that I’ve made a difference during my day,” she adds. “This is how healthcare should be going. We’re bringing complex care close to home.” ConnecticutChildrens.org
Christmas cheer for the kids.
Ribbon cutting.
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Happy New Year! JANUARY 2 0 2 4
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N E T S I S F
FAV O R I T E S
(Photo: Julia Dags)
ZAC’S TRAINER PICKS ARTICLE BY ZAC MATHIAS
Hi, I'm Zac Mathias, an interior designer, content creator, and the founder of The Classic Chic – the go-to destination for individuals who are unapologetically themselves and constantly in search of the chicest must-haves. This month, I'm excited to share my favorite fitness instructors at Westport's most stylish fitness studios because, yes, chic and fitness belong in the same sentence. Join me as I highlight these exceptional instructors. You can also follow along with all my favorite workouts on Instagram @zac.mathias.
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Shana - Yoga45 Yoga45 is a welcoming community for everyone, whether you’re an experienced yogi or taking your first class. Shana’s practice is rooted in Ashtanga, and it’s all about having fun and getting your body moving for 45 minutes while enjoying the best music.
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Jess - Pure Barre If you’ve ever tried barre, you know that those small movements may seem easy at first but are quite challenging! Jess teaches at Pure Barre Westport on Wednesdays and Sundays and will leave you feeling sore the next day. I love to double up with a classic class followed by an align class on Wednesdays.
(Photo: Sydney Sheehan)
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Andrea - [solidcore] [solidcore] classes are held on a megaformer, which I love because it offers a more intense and challenging workout compared to a traditional reformer. Andrea is a senior master coach, and her classes are truly amazing – you’ll never work your core harder than in her class! I also appreciate the energy she brings to the class; it makes the workout genuinely enjoyable. CONTINUED >
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(Photo: Megan Mills)
Lauren - ClubSweat Lauren is the choreographer for ClubSweat, so you can expect a challenging class when you walk into the studio. I particularly enjoy her Sweat45 class, which is 45 minutes on the cross trainer, somewhat similar to spin but with a modern twist. She also offers a Sculpt class, focusing on strength training.
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(Photo: Dave Dellinger)
Rhodie - Equinox Yes, that Rhodie! Westport’s original spin instructor, Rhodie, who co-founded JoyRide, is now back in the saddle at Equinox. The JoyRide community has always been special in Westport, a true testament to what Rhodie and Amy built. You can now find that same community at Equinox in Southport, and Rhodie’s classes are as fantastic as ever. JANUARY 2 0 2 4
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Don’t Make DINNER TWO AMAZING LOCAL MEAL DELIVERY SERVICES
MealJOY Winter Nourish Bowl.
Chef Josh Wechsler, owner of Edibolics.
Edibolic Basil Shrimp Curry.
ARTICLE BY ROBIN MOYER CHUNG
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Edibolic Fajita Style Chicken. Chef Josh Wechsler, owner of Edibolics. MealJOY Chicken Chipotle.
Plating Edibolics.
Edibolic Southwest Steak.
F
or several years I’ve written about cleanses for our January issue. For 3-5 days I document my consumption of juices and/or salad-y type things while secretly pitying myself. In the end, of course, I feel terrific, I feel accomplished. I smugly encourage everyone in my orbit to subject themselves to the same torturous diet, promising scads of energy and a healthy glow. Yet now, as I storm through life as a mom with hungry teens, I look forward to long days of an all-liquid diet as enthusiastically as one might anticipate a bone marrow transplant. Which means… meal delivery!
Meal delivery is wildly popular for many reasons. First, you don’t have to cook. Second, you don’t have to grocery shop. Third, you don’t have to find a recipe. Fourth, it’s cheaper than take-out. Fifth, if your kids don’t like it you can blame it on someone else. In many cases, you’ll even save money on groceries or, at least, won’t be tossing out ingredients you don’t use. There are many great local meal delivery services catering to all tastes in Westport. Because I love the image of my being a mom who bestows healthful guidance upon her charges, despite… well, no need to get into that, I chose two services that promise tasty, healthy, fresh meals: MealJOY and Edibolic Kitchen.
While the meals I received were delicious, and I’ll get into that, there’s more to it. I, as many of you, believe in the importance of family meals. They, and chefs like them, made this possible for me after a busy day. It’s dining without the despair of having to cook it yourself. As I was sitting with my kids at the dinner table, watching my kids tuck into shrimp scampi and chicken fajita style, I was struck by what these men are truly doing. Meal delivery isn’t an easy task. Moreover, ensuring every last one of them is nourishing and healthful, visually appealing and varied… Woah. Cooking comes from a place deeper than simply having a job or career; it’s a life choice stemming from a passion to CONTINUED >
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Chef Sergio Labrosciano, owner of MealJOY.
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MealJOY Veggie Bowl.
“If I could run this and not have to charge people, I would … we’re really strong on getting the proper nutrition in a meal .” effect joy. Says chef Josh, “If I could run this and not have to charge people, I would… we’re really strong on getting the proper nutrition in a meal.” Both chefs became interested in cooking as kids. Chef Sergio whipped up dinner for his two older brothers and worked in a senior home where a food service wrote him a recommendation for his now-alma mater, the Culinary Institute of America. He worked in restaurants, including Michelin-starred One Market (“I peeled garlic for the first few weeks”), but then realized that eatery employ wasn’t feeding his soul. He went to WWE, became “a little bit of a health nut,” and decided his real passion was food prep. He turned to his boss one day during the pandemic and remarked, “I think I’m going to start doing meal prep services.” And so, he did. Chef Josh was a pudgy, soda-swilling boy who got sick of being unhealthy. He started working out, cut out the junk food, and taught himself to cook nutritious meals. He lost 50 lbs of baby fat, studied for his associates degree from Johnson & Wales, and earned a bachelor’s in nutrition. After, he worked at, and became disenchanted with, a medical weight-loss clinic. In 2012 he dropped $10,000 on an old pizza kitchen and, by himself, developed, cooked, and delivered 40 meals a week. Today, he has his staff work in a commercial kitchen five times the size of the original.
Now, this talk of nutrition doesn’t mean they’re packing up leafy things and unsalted, skinless chicken. They use a range of ingredients, including olive oil, pasta, and rice, to cook-up a well-balanced repast that won’t depress us. For MealJOY, we dined on six dinners, including shrimp scampi with pasta, chicken masala, Mexican picadillo, feta turkey patty, and two grain bowls with an assortment of grilled chicken, farro, roasted vegetables, and spinach, and dressing on the side. It was all wonderful, but the grain bowls knocked my socks off. My daughter loved the feta turkey even though she insists she dislikes feta. I sheepishly added some salt to the masala before realizing that it was okay to do so; no one was going to slap me with a penalty for doctoring my dish. They also threw in pumpkin overnight oats topped with crispy, sweet toasted pecans and a generous oatmeal-chocolate chip ball. They both rocked. Edibolic sent us basil shrimp curry, fajita style chicken, and southwest steak. I was delighted by the generous portions of shrimp and steak in each meal, although my son ate all the steak before I could try it. I added some salsa to the fajita chicken, but just because I like salsa. For us, the quantities were perfect. I kept the grain bowls to myself and made two meals out of each. But Edibolic and MealJOY have options to add more protein.
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Personalized journeys that change your perspective.
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Ommm... Holistic Healing and Well-Being in Westport
ARTICLE BY DISCOVERWESTPORTCT.COM
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LOCA LLY SOU R CE D | LO CAL SE RVICE S
1. Pause + Purpose Studio In downtown Westport, their waterfront studio offers a well-rounded selection of daily classes, encompassing meditation, journaling, discussion, and sound healing. Some classes also incorporate movement such as yoga, pilates, breathwork, qigong, and other somatic practices, all tailored to support holistic wellbeing. PauseAndPurpose.com
2. ElixirSpa In a loft-like setting overlooking the Saugatuck River in Westport, CT, ElixirSpa is a fully integrated aesthetics and wellness practice, providing a uniquely personalized world of skincare, aesthetic enhancement, anti-age, Naturopathic and wellness services. ElixirSpa.com
3. Hummingbird Healing Center The Hummingbird Healing Center is a wellness destination welcoming individuals and families alike to experience the transformational power of sound through a variety of different modalities. HummingbirdHealingCenter.com
6. Veda Healing Spa Harpreet Kaur’s mission is to spread a healing and positive touch as an esthetician and an energy healer. Having grown up in India with Ayurvedic traditions she understands the balance between eastern and western methods of healing. VedaHealingSpa.com
7. Zhang’s Acupuncture At Zhang’s, patients always see the benefits just minutes after their first visit using the “one key opens one lock” technique. This technique involves fewer needles for each treatment, dramatically improving the effectiveness while reducing the cost. ZhangsAcupunctureCT.com
8. Vanguard Health and Wellness A family health and wellness business, Vanguard offers board certified chiropractic physicians with extensive post-doctoral training in acupuncture and functional medicine. They incorporate targeted supplements, lifestyle and state-of-the-art treatments to help patients win against the diagnoses they are struggling with. VanguardHW.com
4. Kaia Yoga While every class is different, the Kaia Yoga Method is a consistent element which influences them all - from hot yoga and inferno pilates to yin and gentle flow. They combine therapeutic practices and alignment techniques with traditional yoga to give you a rich, healing experience. KaiaYoga.com
5. Arogya Holistic Healing Arogya Holistic Healing is a wellness center for individualized treatments rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, from holistic and integrative therapies to the largest selection of wild harvest and organic loose leaf teas. Arogya.net
9. Nefaire Nefaire is an end-to-end skincare brand around this philosophy, starting with contextualized skincare products, personalized facials/self-care services, and supportive content via skinfoodmag. Nefaire.com
10. Restore Hyper Wellness Restore’s whole body cryotherapy sessions expose the entire body to sub-zero temperatures for up to 3 minutes. This moves blood to your core, and in doing so, the body increases its oxygen levels and certain proteins that can decrease swelling. Restore.com
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SMOOTHIE BOWLS
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES Start your day with a nutritious and vitamin-packed breakfast. Smoothie bowls are a great way to add a variety of fruits and vegetables. Top with chia or flax seeds for an extra omega-3 boost, nuts or seeds for added protein, or sliced fruit for additional vitamins and fiber. Including a hint of turmeric or ginger can aid in digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables can aid in cellular repair and gut health, and smoothie bowls are a delicious way to incorporate more into your day. Try some of these simple recipes, or create your own combinations to give your health a boost.
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INGREDIENTS: • 1 orange or 2 clementines • ½ cup carrots • 1 cup frozen mangos • 1 cup frozen peaches • ½ banana • ½ cup vanilla yogurt • ½ teaspoon turmeric, ground • small pinch of pepper Blend all ingredients until smooth. Top with desired toppings.
TOPPING SUGGESTIONS: • granola • sliced almonds • berries • ground flax seeds
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Pine ap p
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INGREDIENTS: • 2 cups frozen pineapple • 1 frozen banana • 1 handful spinach (optional) • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice • 1 tablespoon manuka honey (or other natural sweetener) • ¼ inch fresh ginger • ½ cup coconut water TOPPING SUGGESTIONS: • fresh fruit • seeds • pomegranate seeds
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Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a bowl and top with desired toppings.
EXPERT VASCULAR CARE Largest Group of Board-Certified Vascular Surgeons in the Country • DVT/Venous Disease/Varicose Veins
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Vascular Experts
Where every member of the team knows and deeply cares for you, and the big city benefits of high-tech, innovative concepts and practices of the modern world of medicine.
Personalized vascular care in your community At The Vascular Experts, our desire is to marry the small-town clinic feel of old.
The Vascular Experts:
They don’t just take care of you, they care for you.
• Hemodialysis Access
Expert vascular care close to home We are dedicated to serving our richly diverse communities by providing high quality vasular care to all of our patients.
Spanish Speakers Available at Each of Our Locations CT: Danbury • Darien • Fairfield • Farmington • Manchester • Middletown • New London • Norwich • Old Saybrook • Stamford • Stratford • Watertown Affiliates: NY: Cornwall MA: Brockton RI: Westerly • Wakefield
Call Us at 844-4-VASCULAR (844-482-7285) or visit us at TheVascularExperts.com
H NN 1 6 0T A
IVERS
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Celebrating Family & Community for 160 Years THE GAULT WAY
INTEGRITY We act with honesty, fairness and respect at all times, no matter what.
CARING We act quickly, keep people safe and build strong relationships.
STONE & LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES
TEAMWORK We are one team united in meeting the needs of our customers and each other.
OWNERSHIP We take complete responsibility for every aspect of our work.
ENERGY & HOME SOLUTIONS
gaultfamilyco.com | 203.227.5181 JANUARY 2 0 2 4
| C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / W E ST P O RT
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P R I VAT E E V E N TS | T E A M O U T I N G S C H R I ST M A S PA RTY D E TA PA S S PA N I S H G A ST R O B A R I S S PAC I O US A N D F U N CT I O N A L R E STAU R A N T TO ACCO M M O DAT E S M A L L TO L A R G E G R O U PS FO R YO U R O CC A S I O N . C A L L US N OW TO B O O K YO U R N E XT S P E C I A L E V E N T ! !
JANUARY 2024
events A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LO C A L E V E N T S
JANUARY 3 R D
Tell A Yarn Westport Library | 1:30 PM What could be better than working on your favorite knitting or crocheting project while someone reads out loud to you? Join our yarn circle/adult story time for your dose of productive relaxation! Our current book is The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes. Yarn Circlers get a chance to hear this book before it is officially published in January! WestportLibrary.org JANUARY 4 TH
Sunset Boulevard ACT of CT, Ridgefield | 7:00 PM Directed by Grammy nominated Artistic Director Daniel C., Sunset Boulevard tells the magnificent tale of Norma Desmond, a silent-screen star living in her Sunset Boulevard mansion clinging to a fantasy that audiences still long for her, but in reality, hardly remember her. This seven time Tony Award winning masterpiece has been called Andrew Lloyd Webber’s finest scores and weaves a compelling tale of romance, obsession, and faded glory. ACTofCT.org
TA PA S & PA E L L A AT H O M E ? C A L L US N O W TO F I N D O U T M O R E A B O U T O U R P I C K U P, C AT E R I N G O R D E L I V E RY O PT I O N S W I T H U B E R E ATS
W W W . D E T A P A S R E S T A U R A N T. C O M •
BV
180 POST ROAD EAST • (203) 557-0257 82
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JANUARY 6TH
Free First Saturdays Westport Museum for History and Culture | 11:00 AM First Saturdays are a great opportunity to experience what we have to offer at the Westport Museum free of charge on the first Saturday of each month. Young visitors can enjoy a scavenger hunt in the museum, the diorama of Westport featuring an audio tour by Joanne Woodward, coloring pages, colonial games and more. Adult visitors will enjoy our wide array of exhibits. WestportHistory.org
JA N UA RY 7 T H
Motorsports 101 with World Junior Champion, Vivek Kanthan Westport Library | 2:00 PM Join us for a multi-generational event featuring World Junior Champion and Westporter, Vivek Kanthan. Vivek entered kart racing just four years ago and, at the age of 14, is currently competing in Europe against the world's best racers. Vivek will be in conversation, sharing his journey to the top of motorsports and answering questions from the audience. Register at WestportLibrary.org
SEE WELL LIVE WELL
JA N UA RY 1 3T H
Take It Apart! Westport Library | 3:00 PM Ever wonder what's inside that thing or how it works? Join us for Take-itapart and find out. We will supply things to disassemble (such as consumer electronics or old tools), or you can bring your own (subject to safety approval). We'll see what we can reuse, recycle and learn! Tools also provided. Ages 8 and up. Just drop in; no registration needed. WestportLibrary.org
state of the art technology and compassionate eye care in your community
CLEAR
JA N UA RY 1 7 T H
Writers Rendezvous
eye health + eyewear
Westport Library | 12:30 PM Take a break from your keyboard or quill and get energized! Third Wednesday of each month. Tell us what you're working on, get some feedback, come to congratulate or commiserate, exchange tips, brag, and compare notes. We try to keep you updated with places to submit, contests, workshops, and conferences, plus ways of getting published. Led by award-winning author Gabi Coatsworth. WestportLibrary.org
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T:203-557-8426 | www.DrShreyaPatel.com
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NEW LOCATION 1240 Post Road East, Suite 1, Westport CT 06880 JANUARY 2 0 2 4
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WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING SERVICES • Concierge concussion practice • Individualized care • Baseline testing • Concussion treatment and clearance
Dr. Audrey Paul MD PHD
Garden City Location 901 Stewart Ave. Suite 212 Garden City NY, 11530 516-726-9884 kidsconcuss@gmail.com
Westport Location 127 Kings Hwy North Westport CT. 06880 203-936-6805 kidsconcuss@gmail.com
The things you love, LOCAL. Shop SAVVYANDGRACEWESTPORT.COM THE BEST place for gift BASKETS. Made to ORDER! | CORPORATE • BIRTHDAY • BABY • HIS & HERS
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SPORTS
www.SaraHollandSports.com 833 Post Rd. E - Westport IttyBitty Sports, Birthday Parties, Private & Group Hitting, Basketball Instruction, Bike Lessons & more. Batting Cage and 8-10ft Hoop
JANUARY 2 0 2 4
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L E T ’ S TA L K A B OU T Re c o n s t r u c t i o n ARTICLE BY DR. MARK FISHER
Like most health-conscious people, you probably use sunblock and get regular skin checks from a dermatologist. So what happens when the dermatologist says “I don’t like how that looks. Let’s take a biopsy”? Most likely, nothing. It’s often a regular mole or a pre-cancerous mole that can be easily removed. However, if you are the 1 in 5 Americans who develop skin cancer by the age of 70, this may be alarming news. The good news is that skin cancer is almost always cured by removing the cancer. In fact, even the scariest skin cancer, melanoma, has a 5-year survival of 99% when detected early. So, that’s the good news. What’s the bad news? Depending on where the cancer is found, removing it can result in noticeable scarring and deformity. This is especially true for skin cancers of the face.
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What you might not know is that you have a choice when it comes to reconstruction. Plastic surgeons work closely with dermatologists and Mohs surgeons to ensure you have access to the best reconstruction. Even small cancers on areas like the cheeks, lips, eyelids, or nose benefit from the expertise of a plastic surgeon. This may mean the difference between a noticeable scar and one that is almost invisible. As a board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon, Dr. Fisher performs skin cancer reconstruction in the comfort of his office under local anesthesia. Rarely, extensive reconstruction may require a trip to the operating room. Trust your face to an expert. If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer, call or email to schedule a consultation with Dr. Fisher to discuss your immediate reconstruction.
TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT PLEASE CONTACT:
Dr. Mark Fisher 1391 Post Road E Westport, CT 06880 203-557-4356 info@drmarkfisher.com For examples of Dr. Fisher’s work with skin cancer patients, please visit www.drmarkfisher.com
CELEBRATE with diamonds 136 MAIN STREET WESTPORT 203.227.1300 GLASTONBURY MOHEGAN SUN WEST HARTFORD WELLESLEY BOSTON CONCIERGE
SHOP ONLINE AT LBGREEN.COM OR CALL US AT 800.524.7336