O2-Willoughby Living-Vol.562

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Closet Designs to Fit Your Style and Budget

A closet is more than a place to stow your suits and sweaters… it’s the place where you prepare for the day ahead and where you begin to undress and unwind at the end of the night! So it should be a soothing space, one that doesn’t add to your stress.

The spacious walk-in closets from Closets by Design of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast allow you to dress and undress in style while your clothing and accessories are neatly displayed within easy reach. There’s no clutter or chaos, just expert craftsmanship and aesthetically-pleasing design; and, it can all be achieved within your budget!

Closets by Design of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast is passionate about maximizing home storage without affecting the beauty of your interior. They design, build, and install custom reach-in closets, walk-in closets, and kids’ closets. Additionally, the company offers custom designs along with production and installation of garage

cabinets, home of ces, laundries, pantries, media centers, hobby rooms, wall beds, wall units, and so much more. Ask Closets by Design of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast about their garage wall organizers, garage ooring, work benches, custom jewelry drawers, wine racks, book shelves, cedar paneling and hampers, too… they do it all!

The process starts with the experts at Closets by Design of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast measuring your space and itemizing your belongings, then showing you ideas and samples to help you nd a style that’s just right for you. From there, your designer will work with you to custom design your space using dozens of material options and hundreds of features from one of their 4 collections.

Once your designs are exactly the way you want them, your units are custom built using the nest materials from the Closets by Design of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast factory. The company then professionally installs everything exactly to the speci cations of your designs from the collection you chose.

There are four collections to choose from at Closets by Design of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast: the Everyday Collection, Classic Collection, Regency Collection, and Brio Collection.

Everyday Collection™

Fresh and modern, the Everyday Collection™ offers a sleek solution for your closet clutter. This design includes 3/4-inch straight-edge panels, adjustable shelves, and half-overlay at face doors. Best of all, it’s available at a price that’s equally as pleasant as its appearance.

Classic Collection™

Combine simplicity and style with the Classic Collection™. It unites essential organization with stylish design to create the practical closet you’ve been looking for. This collection features our exclusive soft edge treatment and half overlay doors and drawers.

Regency Collection™

The Regency Collection™ incorporates 1 1/8”

thick panels with 3/4” shelving for a sophisticated look you’ll love for years. Add tilt-out hampers, islands, and countertops to create a convenient, stylish space that has everything you need.

Brio Collection™

When you’re in the mood for something modern and bold, the Brio Collection™ answers the call. Sleek corners and clean edges surround the system of at-front doors and drawers. Display your carefully curated wardrobe against a clean nish for a timeless look.

Closets by Design of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast has been earning a reputation for integrity since 1982. As the industry leader in customer service and innovative home design, their values are rooted in a deep passion for delivering

home transformations that transform lives. So what are you waiting for?

Schedule a FREE in-home design consultation and estimate from Closets by Design of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast!

Closets by Design of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast is open Mondays through Fridays from 8AM-5:30PM. For more information, call 772-207-3265 or visit palmbeach. closetsbydesign.com.

When it comes to nding medical

(MMJ) doctors, you can trust the helpful and professional sta at MMJ Health. Serving patients in Palm Beach, Martin, & St. Lucie Counties.

950 SE INDIAN STREET

(772) 888-1854

MeroMeroCantina.com

FOOD FIESTA FAMILY

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Sun-Thurs: 11:30AM-10:00PM

Fri-Sat: 11:30AM-11:00PM

PORK CARNITAS QUESADILLA

Sometimes, you want to enjoy not only a tasty meal, but also a fun environment. Well, Stuart has a wonderful new restaurant for you to try, wherein you can have both a delicious meal and a festive experience — Mero Mero Mexican Cantina.

e name of the restaurant, “Mero Mero,” comes from a Spanish slang term that loosely translates to “head honcho” or “big boss.” Why? Because the restaurant aims to lead the pack and set the new standard for Mexican cuisine with experimental and elevated versions of beloved classics thoughtfully cra ed in a scratch kitchen!

Indeed, Mero Mero o ers a modernized Mexican dining experience unlike any other in our community. It’s a vibrant, fun, and fresh setting complete with bright, electric color schemes, mixed media murals, and cheery Latin American-inspired music playing in the background… the absolute perfect place to grab a drink and/or delicious meal a er work. A er all, the restaurant boasts a wide-ranging menu, not to mention a full bar and extensive tequila collection that you won’t nd just anywhere!

A great appetizer to start you o is the Taste of Mexico ($15), which comes with bottomless warm tortilla chips and a generous sampling of salsa verde, guacamole, and queso dips. You receive complimentary salsa roja (chunky and addictively refreshing with bursts of heat) and chips already, so this starter gives you the opportunity to try a little bit of everything in terms of sauces/dips.

My favorite of all four options was the queso dip, with its thick, creamy, cheesy spiciness. Abby’s, on the other hand, was the salsa roja because of its “incredibly fresh taste.”

VEGGIE FAJITA RICE BOWL

POLLO ALA PARRILLA

You absolutely, positively, and unquestionably have to order the Birria tacos (3 for $16). Full of extraordinarily tender adobo short rib beef, the tacos boast sweet onions and a rich cheese blend, and are served with a consommé that “is good enough to drink,” declared Abby. I took my rst bite and actually rolled my eyes to heaven, wondering how I could have possibly lived this long without eating these juicy, savory, cheesy avor bombs.

DiningOutReview

by Gabby Gregory

Questions/Comments? diningreview@mediaoms.com

with Gabby, Abby, Luis, & Paul

In the mood for an enchilada? Select the short rib one ($19), which includes a cheese blend, salsa roja, rice, and beans. e portion is very generous, so there’s no way you’ll leave the restaurant hungry! Abby raved about it, saying, “It’s amazing that they’re able to get so much avor into the meat!”

BIRRIA TACOS

We ordered these for the table, but honestly, each of us would have been happy to order our own plate of them… they are THAT good! Crisp on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth goodness on the inside, and a consommé that is literally simmered all day long to ensure maximum piquancy… how could you say no? Don’t go to Mero Mero without ordering the birria tacos!

For his main course, Luis took our server’s recommendation and ordered the pork carnitas quesadilla ($15). Genuinely, we have never seen such a thick quesadilla! Loaded with mouthwateringly juicy shredded pork and a luscious cheese blend, the quesadilla comes with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, and sour cream. “Oh wow,” Luis remarked upon taking his rst bite, “that’s a GOOD quesadilla! It doesn’t even need the lettuce or sauces. It’s perfectly seasoned on its own.” Luis was so complimentary about his meal, in fact, that Paul felt compelled to steal some of it! He heartily agreed with Luis’ assessment, and added, “It’s the best blend of savory and salty!”

If you’re not a meat eater, then you can de nitely still nd plenty of yummy, lling meals at Mero Mero! For example, the fajitas rice bowl ($16) with vegetables ($2) is a large portion of coriander rice, guajillo black beans, charred onions, red and yellow bell peppers, guacamole, salsa roja, and sour cream topped with corn, sweet potatoes, and zucchini. Colorfully presented, the dish rst dazzles your vision, then astounds your palate as all of the fresh, rustic avors charm you with their vibrancy. I especially loved the addition of the tender roasted chunks of sweet potato because they rounded out the more intense avor pro les of the peppers and onions. I was very happy with the vegetarian rice bowl not only when I was eating it at the restaurant, but also when I was enjoying round 2 of it at midnight.

For your next meal, experience the endless fun and avor at Mero Mero Mexican Cantina! Its scratch kitchen, cheerful setting, and endless creative drink options are a refreshing addition to our local dining scene.

BIRRIA TACO FREE

With the purchase of any food item (With exception of sides) One coupon per visit. Cannot be combined with other coupons. Expires 3/15/23

For What It’s Worth by Dr. Melfi, Ph.D.

It appears that my last two columns regarding the di culty which many patients are facing when attempting to make an appointment with their physician, or attempting to get someone to call them back regarding their medical issues, from doctors who are employed by the large hospital(s) in our communities have struck a nerve. I am used to receiving responses (thank you very much) from some of my articles, but never have I received so many at one time, and they keep coming. I thought this was a big problem for me personally, but apparently, it is an even larger problem than I thought. e emails that I have received are upsetting and at times heartbreaking. Elderly people without a doctor, when their physician of many years suddenly takes a leave of absence or retires, with no one to replace them. People who have to wait months, some nearly a year, to get on their physician’s schedule for treatment, some without the resources to know where to turn, and without guidance from the very institution with which they placed their trust.

In my opinion, and the opinion of others, the system is broken. We all deserve better than this. When people are sick, when people are hurting, when people expect to be treated, and are turned down, they feel abandoned, lost, bewildered, and angry. What’s worse, many of you have asked me to help. I wish I could, but like you, I don’t know where to turn. Still, since I have some public

voice, and a conscience that realizes we all have to do our part to help, I reached out to the hospital to see if they employed a patient advocate who could eld all the calls/complaints and frustrations, and guess what? I found a department that allegedly can help. It is known as the Patient Experience O ce, and the phone number is 772-223-4995. A er two phone calls and several hours later, my call was returned by a very nice woman who was willing to give me the opportunity to voice my concerns. She said she understood the frustration of having to wait for appointments for months, or having a doctor who no longer works there, nor replaced, leaving patients without a physician. She told me her o ce is open to any and all concerns, and she does what she can to allay those concerns, and will contact individual physician o ces to attempt to get earlier appointments.

When I asked her why there is such a long wait to get appointments, even for long-standing patients with doctors of record, she said that with the growth of the community and the large in ux in the population coming to Florida, there are simply not enough doctors to see patients. I nd that answer truthful, but frankly, unacceptable. She also stated that many doctors have le this facility, and have not been replaced, but that they are “working on it.” I don’t doubt what she says is true, but why are doctors’ leaving, and by leaving, I mean leaving our community unattended? Something has to change. is should not be accepted

as the new normal. Sick people need to get well, it’s as simple as that. e question is, how can we do that without appointments or physicians? I am all for nurse practitioners. I am a nurse, rst and foremost, but nurses are not doctors, regardless of how intelligent they are (and they are!).

As well, I reminded the woman I spoke with that at the least, the front line of sta workers elding calls should be held to a higher standard of professionalism, by being kind, considerate and courteous, not rude and dismissive, like some of you have encountered. She agreed. So how much can she help? I don’t know, but personally, I still have to wait until the end of August to see my physician, even though I have been a patient of his for the past ten years.

For What It’s Worth, l appreciated her empathy on behalf of all of us, but it didn’t get me into my doctor any sooner. Maybe a few letters to the administration would be the incentive for change. en again, maybe not.

By Gabby Gregory

Every 5,000 miles, like clockwork, you take your car to get its oil changed and tires rotated. It’s basic, routine maintenance, but that consistent attention and upkeep is vital for your vehicle to run e ciently, especially over a number of years. Your body, much like your vehicle, requires regular care and treatment to keep it healthy. And, again like your automobile, your body needs support from someone other than yourself, a professional who can guide it to achieving its utmost abilities and to retaining its peak performance.

Getting older, playing sports, or having a condition like sciatica or arthritis shouldn’t hold you back from living your life! You can feel like your younger self again, the one who didn’t feel any aches or pains when walking, running, jumping, or even sitting… all you have to do is visit Stretch Zone.

Drew Brees, former quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, is the newest partner at Stretch Zone who advocates for people to regularly get stretched. A er personally going to Stretch Zone for an assisted stretching session, Drew was impressed with the uniquely e ective and nationally accredited Stretch Zone Method®, which is administered by a highly-trained and Stretch Zone-certi ed stretch practitioner.

Here’s How It Works:

1.) Your rst session begins with lling out an intake form and having a consultation with your experienced and knowledgeable stretch practitioner. Based on your medical background and your personal goals, the stretch practitioner will personalize the ensuing 30-minute assisted stretching session to meet your individual needs. On subsequent visits, you’ll simply do a check-in with the practitioner to update your medical pro le with any recent changes and/or any new pain or discomfort that you might be experiencing.

2.) e

stretch practitioner initiates the rst steps of the approved Stretch Zone Method®, utilizing Stretch Zone’s special patented

straps to encourage your body to relax and ease into the stretches. You won’t nd these straps anywhere else! Comparable to a thunder jacket for your pets, they are meant to calm your mind so that your entire body is perfectly loose, thus allowing the stretch practitioner to stretch your body to its full potential and, as a result, provide you with both preventative maintenance and pain relief.

3.) Assisted stretching (a/k/a passive stretching) is di erent from physical therapy in that your body is being stretched by someone else, you’re not actually doing any work. roughout your 30-minute session, the stretch practitioner will be steadily interacting one-on-one with you, ensuring that you are completely comfortable and not experiencing any pain. Ultimately, you are in control of the stretch, even as your practitioner guides your body through each and every step, because you tell the practitioner when you feel your best stretching position. e more you communicate, the better results you’re going to get!

Take advantage of Stretch Zone’s incredible New Year Special: get one FREE 30-minute stretching session! Anybody and everybody can and should be stretched. In fact, one Stretch Practitioner I spoke with at Stretch Zone says, “98% of the people I see in front of me really need to be stretched. is is something you should not live without.” Remember, it’s just like getting your oil changed! Plus, celebrities and professional athletes have been getting stretched for years, so it’s time for the general population to be clued into the secret!

Get Stretch Zone’s New Year Special for yourself or get them for a friend or loved one… what better way to say you care than to give the gi of making life easier, of feeling healthier, lighter, and younger, and of feeling like yourself again?

Do you want to:

✓ 3 HAVE MORE ENERGY TO DO ALL OF THE THINGS YOU LOVE?

✓ IMPROVE YOUR GOLF GAME, TENNIS SKILLS OR OTHER SPORTS PERFORMANCE?

✓ MANAGE TENSION AND STRESS MORE EFFECTIVELY?

✓ EASE FRUSTRATING MUSCLE ACHES AND PAINS?

✓ INCREASE YOUR OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS?

51 Boston team, for short DOWN

1 Day light?

2 “-- Had a Hammer”

3 Relating to Plato’s teacher

4 Dugout seating

5 Plumbing woe

6 Einstein’s birthplace

7 CBS logo

8 Semitic language

9 Region

10 Sediment

11 Seeger or Sampras

16 Winslet of “Titanic”

19 Pen uids

20 “Huh?’

21 Sitarist Shankar

22 Odometer reading

23 On the rocks

25 Cracker spread

26 Natives of Rome

27 Poet Sandburg

28 Young foxes

30 Borscht veggie

33 Gushes with pride

34 Street edge

36 Bakery array

37 Canyon sound 38 Incite

39 Actor’s quest 40 Gulf War missile

42 Old CIA foe 43 -- -de-France 44 Zodiac cat 45 Superman foe Luthor

Marvelously Made-From-Scratch

I’mjust going to come out and say it — Abby and I have a top-5 list of our favorite restaurants in Martin County, and The Brick Oven Pizza Company is on it. Why? Well, for one, the homemade family recipes, which are all made to order, are enough to make you swoon. For another, the owners/operators of the restaurant — Bobby and Lisa Castoro — are a longtime local married couple who put an incredibly impressive amount of love and care into pleasing their customers. It’s a passion that you can feel and taste, and one that, once you’ve experienced it, quickly becomes addictive!

Begin with an appetizer — fresh, made-to-order chicken wings (10 for $16.99; 20 for $25.99), which are available in a variety of avors. Abby and I chose the classic mild version, which is perfect for anyone who likes just a hint of heat. Covered in a dry rub seasoning versus a messy wet sauce, the meaty mild wings are baked, then fried, so their deliciously crispy exterior is complemented by a juicy, tender interior. “It can be dif cult to nd good wings,” Abby

dance of crunchy and velvety with sweet, salty, and savory avors. Abby and I both highly recommend it.

If you’re not in the mood for pizza, then try any of The Brick Oven’s veal dishes… the meat is so tender that it cuts with a fork! Abby’s veal parmigiana hero ($12.99) came stuffed full of thin, ultra-tenderized cutlets, which were lightly handbreaded and fried, then topped with shredded mozzarella and homemade marinara sauce. “The ratio of bread to sauce, cheese, and meat is excellent,” Abby complimented, continuing, “and the sauce itself is not acidic or too sweet. It’s classic!”

6 FREE

GARLIC KNOTS WITH PURCHASE OF ANY 2 ENTRÉES

DiningOut Review

Lighter appetites will adore the summer strawberry salad ($10.99), which is an elegant arrangement of bright, freshly-sliced strawberries, almonds, and creamy mozzarella cheese over a bed of crisp romaine lettuce. Served with a delightfully-tangy honey balsamic dressing, the salad is refreshingly simple, yet avorful. The portion is very generous, too, so it will easily make for a meal!

The Brick Oven now has a FULL BAR, so Abby nished our trip with a chocolate martini, which she said was “to die for.” Essentially, the drink is like the adult version of chocolate milk… do with that information what you will! If I were you, though, I’d get one with a cannoli. If you’re going to enjoy dessert, then just go big and do it as both a drink and a dish!

Abby and I cannot say enough about The Brick Oven Pizza Company. There are too many things to rave about, and, frankly, you just have to experience the food, the setting, and the service for yourself to understand why we love it so much. Say “hello” to Lisa and Bobby while you’re there! They’ll be so happy to share Bobby’s marvelously made-from-scratch meals (and his Sicilian grandmother’s!) with you.

The Brick Oven Pizza Company is located in the Martin Downs Village Center at 3138 SW Martin Downs Boulevard in Palm City. The restaurant is open TuesdaysThursdays from 11AM-8PM, Fridays from 11AM-9PM, Saturdays from 4PM-9PM, and Sundays from 4PM8PM. To place an order for pick up or delivery, call 772-219-7747 or visit thebrickovenpizzacompany.com.

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