BC the Magazine Health, Beauty & Fitness Spring 2015

SPRING 2015

It's Almost Beach Season!

Get That Body Rockin'

Healthy Finances Weigh Your Portfolio

The Truth About Juice Cleanses Stop Slouching!

That Smartphone Is Killing Your Back

NatioNally RaNked top 50 CaNCeR Hospital 4 CoNseCutive yeaRs. Hackensack University Medical Center, with its prestigious John Theurer Cancer Center, is the highest ranked Cancer Hospital in New Jersey by U.S. News & World Report.

led by RCCa, one of the largest oncology physician networks in the nation, the Hackensack university Medical Center and its John theurer Cancer Center, is proud to again be among the top cancer programs in the nation and #1 in New Jersey. our center is a place of life and hope, where our physicians are hard at work refining disease treatments and creating novel therapies for you. our mission is your life. discover our center, one of the nation’s trusted names in cancer care, by visiting JtCancerCenter.org.

Š 2015 John theurer Cancer Center

Limp in. Leap out.

Blew out your knee playing basketball? Made one too many throws last season? Fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon Raphael Longobardi, MD, can get you back in the game of life. Dr. Longobardi specializes in arthroscopic reconstructive surgery of the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle; shoulder and knee replacements, and “Tommy John” elbow surgery. He’ll tailor care to your special needs, whether you’re a weekend warrior or accomplished athlete. When you hurt, he’s here to help.

To make an appointment with Dr. Longobardi call 201-343-1717.

Raphael S. F. Longobardi, MD, FAAOS Continental Plaza • 433 Hackensack Avenue, 2nd Floor Hackensack, NJ 07601 Most insurance plans accepted Convenient parking available

www.universityorthopaedic.com

www.holyname.org/network

Dr. Longobardi was formerly: • NY Islanders Assistant Team Physician • Florida Marlins Assistant Team Physician/Consultant • NY/NJ MetroStars Team Physician • Minor League (AA) Baseball and Hockey (ECHL) Assistant Team Physician Dr. Longobardi is currently: • Team Physician for Bergen Catholic High School’s athletic program • Consultant to the University of Tennessee sports teams • Consultant to MLS, MLB and NFL players

To learn more about dealing with sports injuries visit stopsportsinjuries.org.

Health, Beauty & Fitness

Spring 2015

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John N. Kallis, DMD oral and maxillofacial surgeon NJ Specialty #3656

Patricia R. Marrone, DMD, MS periodontist NJ Specialty #5018

SPRING 2015 PUBLISHERS SHARON & STEVEN GOLDSTEIN

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER BRANDON GOLDSTEIN

EXECUTIVE EDITOR JUSTIN HENRY DAVIDSON

DESIGN DIRECTOR DEANA IVORY

MARKETING & SALES LINDA BARBA AMY SCHWARTZ

617 East Palisade Avenue Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 tel: 201-567-7500 fax: 201-567-7505

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Our mission is to set the standard for excellence in oral and maxillofacial surgery with respectful and compassionate care.

The Fine Art of Revision Rhinoplasty Rhinoplasty is regarded as one of the more difficult cosmetic surgery procedures for consistent results. The difference between an optimal or undesirable outcome can often be measured in mere millimeters. Some patients may opt for additional surgery to revise or repair their original nose job.

Count on Dr. Rick Winters to get it right for you.

- Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

- 18 years experience with practice focused on rhinoplasty - Vanguard Surgical Center

DR. RICK WINTERS: THE “REVISION” RHINOPLASTY SPECIALIST OF NORTHERN NJ & BERGEN COUNTY

PLASTIC SURGERY 113 W. Essex St., Maywood, NJ 07607 p 201 291 9100 www.vanguardsurgicalcenter.com www.cohenwintersplasticsurgery.com p 201 487 3400

SUZANNE AKIAN DARIA AMATO MONICA ANELLO JENNIFER BONAZZO-PETERS ABBEY BRAVERMAN JULIA BRAVERMAN AUDRA BURSAE SHEILA M. CLANCY TARA DELORENZO CAROL FENSTER SHANE FRANKEN LOUISE B. HAFESH JESSICA HUMPHREY-CINTINEO SEAN KELLY LOIS KRAMER-PEREZ TRACY LENOK ROY NELSON BESSIE NESHAN DR. NANCY D. O’REILLY DAVID ROMAN BOB WILCOX BC Health, Beauty & Fitness is published four times a year. Mail all editorial and advertising materials to: 297-101 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 135, Oradell, NJ 07649. Or email materials to: steven@bcthemag.com.

For advertising and information, please call 201-694-5197 or 201-694-5196.

For subscription information or to contact us, go to www.bcthemag.com.

Copyright 2015. All materials are the property of Bergen County The Magazine, LLC. and may not be copied or reproduced without written consent from the publishers.

AFTER THE HOSPITAL, WE ARE THE BRIDGE THAT LEADS HOME Allendale Community Rehabilitation Center and Kessler.Core, A Team You Can Trust.

The Allendale Community Rehabilitation Center is proud to announce that Kessler.Core, in affililiation with renowned Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, is our new therapy and rehabilitation services provider.

Our newly renovated 2,000 square foot rehabilitation center offers state-of-the-art exercise equipment where our team of therapists provide the very latest programs in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Pathology.

Experience “Care You Can Trust,” at a luxurious senior living and healthcare community that’s been Family Owned and Physician Operated since 1967.

Most Major Insurances Accepted.

Rehabilitation Assisted Living

For more information and to schedule a tour Memory Care V i s i t u s a t : w w w. a l l e n d a l e c o m m u n i t y. c o m or Call: 201-825-0660 Long-term Care Visit us at GPS address 85 NJ-17 South, Allendale, NJ Mail us at 85 Harreton Road, Allendale, NJ 07401 w w w. a l l e n d a l e c o m m u n i t y. c o m 2 0 1 - 8 2 5 - 0 6 6 0

Publisher’s Letter

Yes, we had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad winter here in Bergen County. I probably wasn’t the only one to quickly ditch his New Year’s resolutions for a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate with a few extra marshmallows. If I was, I salute those of you who took last issue’s “New Year’s Revolution” article to heart. You’re the real deal.

So, since we now have to get back on track for bikini and Speedo season—I heard the Speedo has made a triumphant return, by the way—we have compiled a quick checklist to help you get back to your summer self in no time. Looking forward to seeing you jogging through the neighborhood!

Stay happy and healthy,

Brandon Goldstein

Checklist Read this issue from cover to cover Replace hot chocolate and marshmallows with lean protein shakes Cook more Commit to an overall wellness plan that ties in your personal nutrition and exercise needs while fulfilling you both mentally and physically Love yourself. You are amazing!

ACTIVE ORTHOPEDICS & SPORTS MEDICINE SPECIALIZED CARE FROM SPECIALIZED PHYSICIANS WHERE YOU GO FOR TREATMENT CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE At Active, we strongly believe in the team concept of care.

We work closely together sharing knowledge, expertise and state-of-the-art medical technologies, so that every patient receives the full benefit of our shared resources.

Our full-service, multi-specialty practice features board certified and fellowship trained physicians who are all recognized as being tops in their fields.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TEAM IN ORTHOPEDICS Michael L. Gross, MD Specialty: Sports Medicine Knees & Shoulders A. Ylenia Giuffrida, MD Specialty: Hand & Elbow Oscar Vazquez, MD Specialty: Sports Medicine Ira Esformes, MD Specialty: General Orthopedics

James C. Natalicchio, MD Specialty: Back & Neck Richard D. Rhim, MD Specialty: Spine Surgery Thomas K. John, MD Specialty: Joint Replacement Michael T. Benke, MD Specialty: Sports Medicine

THE MOST IMPORTANT TEAM IN ORTHOPEDICS

EMERSON, NJ • HACKENSACK, NJ • MONTCLAIR, NJ • 1-844-ACTIVE-ORTHO www.activeorthopedic.com

Contents

Health, Beauty & Fitness Spring 2015

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38

56

76

The Pritikin Longevity Center + Spa A rejuvenating wellness vacation

Flywheel Englewood A new spin on cycling

Bye Bye Bunions Hello heels!

Workout Clothes For kids of all ages

10 Kids in the Kitchen Skip the drive-thru and make healthy food preparation a fun activity for the entire family. Your children will thank you later 12 Emotional Eating and Depression What’s the connection?

16 Ask Audra Audra Bursae answers all of your questions about diet sodas, juice cleanses and kid-friendly recipes 22 A Healthy Way to Lose Weight …and keep it off for a lifetime 24 Give Up Gluten, but Not All Grains Sorghum is a great alternative 30 Rehabbing the Right Way The Allendale Community for Senior Living offers some of the best rehabilitation services in Bergen County 32 Get Out of Your Way and Exercise Working out at the gym can be an intimidating experience.

If you’re prepared, it won’t seem as daunting

46 Flowing With the Go Feng shui into spring 48 Healthy Finances Many people don’t realize the heavy toll that financial distress can take on their health 50 Senior Housing Services Pioneers in providing affordable adult care for everyone 52 Understanding the Cycle Conceived by a Paramus native, KNOWHEN is an empowering tool that is changing the women’s health landscape

60 No Need to Feel Alone ARCH is a wonderful partnership aimed at helping the thousands of American families affected by lymphoma every year 62 Stop Slouching!

Smartphone use affects spinal health

34 The Coach’s Corner with Sean Kelly Athletic tips from the staff at Sean Kelly’s Performance Center

64 It’s All About Connecting The future of business and beyond is all about connecting and now is the time to get better at it

40 Can You Say Sleeveless?

Sculpt your upper body in time for tank top season

72 The Parker Center for Plastic Surgery A personal touch you can trust

44 The Tri-State Sports Nutritionist Glen Tobias helps people become fitter and healthier every day of the week

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material provided in this publication is provided for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition before undertaking any diet, exercise, other health program, or other procedure set out in this publication.

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Introducing

A state of the art multi-disciplinary medical plaza home to:

Services offered include preventative cardiology vascular disease screening and therapy leading edge treatment for varicose and spider veins minimally invasive procedures for peripheral arterial disease lipidology, nutritional and wellness counseling. To learn more about the services offered at the Heart and Vascular Institute or to schedule an appointment, please call 201-996-9244 or visit www.heartandvascularinstitutenj.com.

Angel J. Mulkay, MD, FACC

Scott D. Ruffo, MD, FACC

Soo Mi Park, MD, FACC

Michael B. Cohen, MD

Luis Febus, APN

INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGIST

CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIST

CARDIOLOGIST

INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGIST

CARDIAC NURSE PRACTITONER

493 Essex Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601

201-996-9244

www.heartandvascularinstitutenj.com

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN SKIP THE DRIVE-THRU AND MAKE HEALTHY FOOD PREPARATION A FUN ACTIVITY FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. YOUR CHILDREN WILL THANK YOU LATER

BY DARIA AMATO Getting your kids in the kitchen is the key to unlocking a healthy lifestyle. In addition to being a fun and hands-on art project, whole-food preparation, cooking and eating is a valuable life skill that will follow your kids for the rest of their lives. From a parent’s perspective, I know I am passing on to my daughters a legacy of invaluable information, good habits and an awareness of what it takes to maintain a vibrant body and life. Our time in the kitchen is filled with laughter, ideas, creativity and conversations and this list of recommendations is based on positive experiences with them!

• •

• • • • • • • •

• •

•

“Seed-to-plate” teaches your children about where the food they eat comes from in addition to demonstrating what is required to grow the plants—and themselves.

Show your children how to navigate the perimeter of the supermarket to find real plant-based foods.

This teaches them to be selective in purchasing fresh, whole-foods as opposed to processed foods and they will feel like they’re contributing to your family’s health goals.

Bring your kids into the kitchen regularly to help with food preparation and cooking. This builds selfesteem and can help fussy eaters explore new foods.

Allocate routine jobs for your children. My daughter is in charge of making her favorite salad dressing and pesto sauce.

Keep a grocery list in a visible place. Make sure everybody adds his or her favorite vegetables, fruits and meal ideas to the list every week.

Encourage your kids to be detectives. Have them research recipes that cover plant-based foods that come in a rainbow of colors. Let the artist in them shine by allowing them to experiment in the kitchen.

Create a “You Are What You Eat” poster. Draw or cut out plant-based food pictures to use in making a poster of their body.

Mix it up by adding a variety of fresh fruit to seltzer to make a tasty drink.

Have cook-off contests. Challenge your children to cook a meal with no more than five to seven ingredients.

Visit a farm or farmers’ market. Then, ask your kids to write a recipe and prepare a meal from just the ingredients they purchased.

Have an international dinner night once a month.

Grow your own herb garden year-round. Include basil, parsley, cilantro, thyme and oregano to use when they are cooking.

Encourage your kids to take pictures of the meals they prepare and design.

Daria Amato is a photographer and health coach. Find out more about her at www.transformativelivin.com.

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Tap Into Your

HOME’S EQUITY HOME EQUITY

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For the life of the line* 20-Year Revolving Term Minimum line $75K

Visit our website for an application or contact one of our experienced loan officers today!

Michael Catania (973) 494-6036 Joseph Viganola (201) 870-2759 David Zurheide (201) 638-4383

Or, ask about our great rates on a fixed rate home equity loan!

*Floor is start rate of 2.50%; based on NY Prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal. Line is a 20-year revolving term with a maturity balloon payment due at the end of 20 years. Minimum line amount is $75,000 and maximum line amount is $500,000. Line amounts over $300,000 may require title insurance at borrower’s expense. Maximum rate is 15%. Appraisal required showing a maximum loan to value ratio of 60% on a 1-2 family owner-occupied dwelling in many NJ counties. Rate valid as of February 25, 2015. A non-refundable application fee of $99 is required and a renewal fee of $50 will be charged each year on the anniversary month of the line. Adequate property insurance is required. Flood insurance is required where applicable. Other loan products, rates and terms are available. Subject to change without prior notice. Subject to all bank underwriting conditions.

(201) 862-0660

www.BogotaSavingsBank.com

60 East Main Street, Bogota

819 Teaneck Road, Teaneck

Open 7 Days A Week

EMOTIONAL EATING AND DEPRESSION What’s the Connection?

By Roy Nelson

K

athy has it all. She has a supportive husband, capable and active children, a successful career and many friends. But she struggles with her weight. Her weakness is sugar and she eats a lot of it. She loves to indulge in chocolate and junk food but she always crashes later and ends up feeling terrible. She berates herself for her lack of control and often feels depressed on account of her growing waistline. Her doctor puts her on anti-depressants but they don’t help.

Depression is complicated, and it’s caused by several varying factors—physiological, emotional and even spiritual. Most doctors treat symptoms of depression with medication, but that isn’t always the best solution, especially when depression is actually a symptom of a person’s unhealthy relationship with food.

Research shows that people who eat junk food are 51% more likely to experience symptoms of depression. This is due in part to the fact that junk food is highly processed and stripped of the nutrients our brains need in order to make us feel happy. It’s a vicious cycle: People who eat junk food get depressed because their bodies are depleted of vital nutrients and when they’re depressed, they soothe themselves with the quick fix of junk food.

Many people who eat junk food do so for emotional reasons. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women who experience “burnout” at work are more vulnerable to emotional eating and find it harder to make positive changes in their eating behavior. Most people know what to eat and what not to eat, but when anxiety, stress and unhappiness enter the picture, it becomes harder—if not impossible—to make healthy food choices.

Emotional eating can be defined as eating to relieve uncomfortable emotions.

Many people who struggle with their weight don’t relate to being emotional eaters; they simply believe that they like food. But people who regularly eat food in excess of what their bodies need for sustenance are usually emotional eaters. The reason why 98% of all diets fail is because people fail to recognize that they don’t have a weight problem, as much as they have an overeating problem. Overeating is usually driven by one’s emotions.

Continued on Page 14

Pictured above: Hillary Cohen, MD, Chief of Emergency Medicine; Tanganyika Barnes, DO, Internal Medicine; Alexandra Gottdiener, MD, Chief of Medicine; Minaxi Jhawer, MD, Hematology/Oncology; Christina Seo, MD, Surgery.

With you every step of the way.

6 a.m. spin class. 8 a.m. school drop -off. 9 a.m. meeting. We get it.

We’re moms, daughters, sisters and wives, too. Which is why we know how important it is to keep you going. People are counting on you, and you can count on us. Highly trained, board-certified physicians who have you covered from head to toe – one more reason to make Englewood Hospital and Medical Center your hospital for life.

Why is it that some people are more likely to turn to food to cope with stress and negative emotions? From my experience in helping people overcome food addiction for over 25 years, I know that emotional eaters tend to be more emotionally sensitive than others. They feel their emotions more deeply, therefore carrying a heavier emotional load than the average person. They get their feelings hurt very easily. People often tell them that they “wear their heart on their sleeve,” or that they “take things too personally.” They are also extremely empathetic toward others, sometimes to a fault, and can assume the problems of others as if they were their own.

Being so sensitive drives them to seek relief from their emotional burden through food, the most accessible and socially acceptable drug there is.

Many emotional eaters have experienced trauma in their past, such as physical, emotional or sexual abuse. They overeat to escape subsequent feelings of anger, low self-esteem and self-hatred. Such experiences will make a person vulnerable to feelings of depression and anxiety as well, which will drive them to self-medicate with food. Emotional eaters who lack self-confidence will try to please others in an attempt to gain a feeling of acceptance.

This habit of “people-pleasing” sets up a vicious cycle of physical exhaustion and resentment, two drivers of both binge eating and depression.

Someone like Kathy who “has it all” but struggles with her weight and depression won’t necessarily solve her problems by just going on a diet or taking medication. There are deeper issues at work that must be addressed if she is going to find any real relief from emotional eating and depression.

Kathy must first evaluate her level of stress and determine what activities she can eliminate or delegate so she doesn’t need to turn to food to help her power through her day. Adopting a practice of meditation can also help her feel more relaxed throughout her day. Kathy must also find more constructive ways to identify and handle her emotions, perhaps by spending time each day writing down her feelings and processing events that occur. Taking time to talk about her real emotions with a supportive friend or her spouse will help alleviate her burden of stress and emptiness. She must also become more aware of the ways in which she is seeking approval from others, and instead strive to find true acceptance of herself.

Working to make improvements in her

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food choices by taking time to shop for organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains and hormone-free meats, as well as cooking at home with her family, will make a significant impact on her feeling of connection with herself, her loved ones and her world. When we feel more connected, we have a greater sense of well-being.

Depression is complicated, and it’s caused by several varying factors— physiological, emotional and even spiritual.

Finally, finding a spiritual source to draw upon when life seems hard or overwhelming will bring an unparalleled sense of comfort and peace. When we develop a spirituality that is both personal and meaningful to us, we can turn to it, rather than to food, to help us cope.

We all deserve to be free and to enjoy our lives.

Today is the best day to begin.

Known as “the last resort” for those who cannot stop their self-destructive habits, Roy cracked the code of his addictive personality over 35 years ago. As a result, he lost 120 pounds and overcame a myriad of addictions, emotional eating, as well as depression, panic attacks and phobias. Based on his personal experience of total freedom, Roy developed The Nelson Method—a plan of spiritual healing that is designed to help people heal from their own personal hell, even when all other approaches have failed. For more information, visit RoyNelsonHealing.com.

DR. BRUCE G. FREUND

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Ask Audra

“I am addicted to diet cola. I drink at least four or five per day and realize that I need to cut back. Is it really bad for me or is it OK because there’s no sugar in it?”

I receive this question at least a few times a week from new clients who come in to see me. Many people seem to be suffering from the same addiction that you speak of and really don’t realize how bad diet soda truly is for their health.

The short answer is that diet soda is BAD. There are truly no redeeming qualities to it and it should be minimized as much as possible, with the goal of complete elimination. I know this sounds extreme but once you understand why, I think you may be on board in throwing your diet sodas away for good.

To start, most people assume that drinking diet soda will not cause weight gain and some hope that it will actually help them lose weight. More and more research is proving this to be entirely false. Artificially sweetened low-calorie or no-calorie drinks and other “diet” foods actually tend to stimulate the appetite, increase carbohydrate cravings and accelerate fat storage and weight gain.

A report published in Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism actually suggests that diet soda drinkers suffer the exact same health problems as those who drink regular soda. These problems include excessive weight gain, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Diet drinks typically contain either aspartame or sucralose (Splenda), both of which are classified as excitotoxins. Excitotoxins are a class of chemicals (usually amino acids) that over-stimulate neuron receptors. Neuron receptors allow brain cells to communicate with each other, but when they’re exposed to excitotoxins, they fire impulses at such a rapid rate that they become exhausted. Within a few hours, these depleted neurons die. This affects the hypothalamus and temporal lobes, which are the parts of the brain that directly control behavior, emotions, onset of puberty, sleep cycles and immunity. Essentially, your brains cells are being excited to death.

Excitotoxins also excite our taste buds (think MSG). The chemicals produced by excitotoxins stimulate taste cells in the tongue, causing the flavor of the foods we eat to be greatly enhanced. This makes foods or drinks containing excitotoxins to be addictive and very tasty. Have you ever wondered why it’s hard to stop eating while consuming Chinese food? Often it’s due to the excitotoxins within the meal. So when you say you’re addicted to diet soda, you actually are. Caffeine contributes to this addiction as well.

So what does this mean long-term? Some very scary research has linked excitotoxins to an increased risk of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Lou Gehrig’s disease and multiple sclerosis. I highly recommend reading “Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills” by Russell Blaylock. His book is a great resource if you want to learn more.

To sum up, diet drinks and diet foods do nothing to help with weight loss and are highly linked to major health issues and diseases in the long-term. Like I said before, there is absolutely nothing beneficial about consuming any kind of artificial sweetener and I would suggest that you wean yourself off of the diet soda. Also, take a look at your diet and notice if you use Equal or Splenda in your coffee or tea, consume “light” yogurts or other “light” or “diet” foods. If so, start the process of swapping these foods out with whole-food alternatives. If you need guidance, come in and see me and I can walk you through the entire process. It can feel a little overwhelming but once you have the right tools, it becomes easy. Also, I guarantee you will feel much better once you’re off all the artificial sweeteners and excitotoxins.

As an alternative, try infusing sparkling water with fresh fruit. I love to squeeze lots of fresh lime, mint and cucumber into a pitcher of sparkling water. It’s incredibly refreshing and surprisingly flavorful. Become creative with your choices and you’ll find variations that you love.

Ask Audra

“I’m constantly hearing and reading about juice cleanses. Most of my friends have done them but I never have and I’m wondering if I should.

Do you feel that juice cleansing is a healthy and effective way to lose weight?”

You’re right: Juice cleanses are everywhere right now. From big to small companies, juice cleanses seem to be the diet trend of the moment.

For those who are unfamiliar with the term, a juice cleanse—more accurately, a juice fast—is a diet consisting exclusively of unpasteurized, fresh-pressed vegetable and fruit juices. Some people make the juices themselves but the bottled varieties from different companies and health food stores are more popular. A juice fast can last anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks. Some people even stay on them for months! Many of the claims made about the benefits of juice fasting include weight loss, detoxification, a reduction in appetite, increased energy and clarity of mind, reduction of bloating or gas and clearer skin.

It’s fascinating to hear the varied experiences that people have while juice “cleansing.” Some say they feel better than ever and almost euphoric while others find the experience utterly miserable and feel terrible through the entire process. Truthfully, there is very little scientific evidence currently available that proves any of the beneficial claims. Of all the research that I have done, I have only been able to find one very small study done in Germany in 2003 that suggests that juice fasting may temporarily lower cholesterol. Keep in mind that this study was done with only five people who were restricted to 150 to 300 calories daily. This is important to highlight because the popular juice cleanses available are much higher in calories than this, ranging typically from 1,000 to 1,500 calories per day. So all in all, I wouldn’t say that this study proves very much other than extreme calorie restriction could potentially affect cholesterol. This is something that I in no way recommend.

Incorporating fresh green juices into your daily diet can be extremely beneficial due to the increase in vitamins and minerals. Increasing consumption of high-quality produce is great for your body but doing so at the expense of other key nutrients is not necessarily wise. All in all, I personally do not recommend juice fasts or cleanses, but would suggest you steadily increase your daily consumption of vegetables and fruit and enjoy a green juice as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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Ask Audra In my opinion, juice cleanses are not a great diet option.

Here’s why: 1. Many people end up gaining weight once the fast is over Any weight loss experienced while on a juice fast is usually a loss in water weight, not actual weight. Unfortunately, juice fasts are typically low in protein. If you fast for more than a few days, the body starts to cannibalize muscle tissue for protein. What this means is that when you go back to your regular diet you have less muscle to burn calories, resulting in more of your food being stored as fat. Another interesting factor is that the body doesn’t register liquid calories as efficiently as solid calories. Even though you may be consuming the same amount of calories as usual, you may experience a lot of hunger. This may reach ravenous levels that make it difficult to stay on the fast.

2. Spikes in blood sugar occur which can lead to feeling worse than you did before the cleanse began Juice cleanses typically remove the pulp from the produce used to make the juices, meaning that very little fiber is left.

The body doesn’t have to work very hard to digest the juice, so it hits the bloodstream almost immediately. This spikes the body’s blood sugar levels. What this results in is that “crash” that we have all experienced at one time or another after eating too much refined food or sugar. This can lead to headaches, fatigue and mood swings—the exact opposite of what one would hope to feel while “cleansing.” It is also important to note that most of the juices people consume while cleansing are quite high in sugar. Some of the popular brands have as much as 50+ grams of sugar per bottle! That’s as much, or more, than a soft drink! Yes, the sugar is coming from fruit, but without the fiber, it’s far too much sugar for the body to consume in one sitting. Remember, that 50 grams is just for one juice. Most cleanses provide five to six juices per day. You do the math.

3. Juice fasts often lead to digestive issues instead of resolving them Due to the lack of fiber, many people experience either diarrhea or constipation while fasting. Also, certain fruits (apples, pears, peaches and cherries) contain a type of sugar called sorbitol, which can actually lead to gas and bloating.

If a few apples or pears are added to some of the juices, as is often the case, you may experience more gastrointestinal discomfort than usual.

4. You most likely will not experience any kind of true “detox” There is currently no evidence that proves that juice fasting actually reduces toxins within the body. Most doctors, scientists and health experts agree that the body naturally does a very good job at detoxifying due to the efficiency of our kidneys and liver. It’s also important to remember that while juice fasting, the body may lack certain key nutrients including essential fatty acids, protein and calcium. Long-term fasts often lead to electrolyte imbalances as well.

5. Juice fasts/cleanses are not right for everyone It is very important to note that juice fasts can be dangerous for certain populations. Diabetics, pregnant women, children and teens, anyone currently or previously suffering from an eating disorder, the elderly and anyone undergoing chemotherapy should not partake in juice cleanses.

Ask Audra

“I have two young children and am so sick of feeding them unhealthy snacks. Could you give me some ideas for sweets and snacks that my kids will actually like?”

I am thrilled to hear that you would like to clean up the snacks that your children are eating. It’s such a beautiful gift to give them. The good news is that there are so many delicious and healthy options available. I love doing cooking sessions with kids and seeing the look of excitement and satisfaction on their faces when they taste things they never thought they would like! Please let me know if you have success with these recipes.

Soft Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients

(Makes 12 cookies) �3 cup plus an extra ½ cup oat flour. (You can grind rolled oats in a coffee grinder or small blender until it forms a flour, or you can purchase pre-ground oat flour. If you’re avoiding gluten completely, make sure the oats are certified gluten-free) ¼ teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 �3 to ½ cup coconut palm sugar (healthier option) or organic sucanat (less healthy but better than regular sugar) ¼ to 1�3 cup vegan mini chocolate chips 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 tablespoons unrefined coconut oil (melt by running jar under hot water and then pour and mix in) 3 to 5 tablespoons unsweetened non-dairy milk, as needed 2

Directions • • • •

Preheat oven to 380°. Combine all dry ingredients and mix very well.

Add wet ingredients and form into a big ball. From the big ball, roll out little balls. For soft cookies, refrigerate until cold (otherwise, just bake right away).

Bake 7 to 9 minutes, or until they’ve spread out and look just a little undercooked.

Remove from oven. Allow cookies to cool at least 10 minutes before trying to remove from tray, as they’ll continue to cook while cooling. They will seem very soft when they come out of the oven but will firm up as they cool.

*For soft cookies, store in a lidded plastic container. For crispy cookies, store in a lidded glass container.

Audra Bursae is the founder of Nourish Mind + Body, a holistic wellness center in Cresskill. In her Ask Audra column, Audra offers her insights on nutrition and fitness. Readers are encouraged to submit any questions they may have and she will personally answer them by email or by addressing them in her column if she believes the topic would be beneficial to share with our readers.

You can contact Audra at audra@nourishmindandbody.com. Find out more at www.nourishmindandbody.com.

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Ask Audra Chocolate Pudding Ingredients (Serves 4)

1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk or other non-dairy milk ½ cup pure grade B maple syrup 3 tablespoons arrowroot starch ¼ cup cashews (soaked in water for a couple hours or overnight in the fridge) ½ cup non-dairy mini chocolate chips 2 teaspoons vanilla extract ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions • • • • • • • • •

In a medium saucepan, combine milk, maple syrup and arrowroot starch.

Whisk together completely until there are no lumps.

Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Remove from heat and set aside.

Drain soaked cashews and rinse thoroughly; place in the bottom of a high-speed blender or food processor.

Add chocolate chips, cinnamon and vanilla extract.

Pour hot milk mixture over the top and blend on high speed until mixture is completely smooth. (The pudding will seem thin.

Don’t worry as it will thicken upon cooling.)

Pour the pudding into four ramekins or serving dishes and allow to cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes.

Transfer pudding to the refrigerator for two hours or until pudding is set and completely chilled.

Sour Cream and Onion Kale Chips Ingredients 1 bunch organic kale ½ cup cashews, soaked at least 30 minutes or overnight. (Hemp seeds work really well if you’re nut-free and they don’t need to be soaked) ¼ cup water 1 tablespoon unpasteurized apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 tablespoons onion powder ¼ teaspoon garlic powder 2 teaspoons dried chives ½ teaspoon sea salt, or more, to taste

Directions: • • • •

Preheat over to 350°.

Clean and dry kale very well. It is incredibly important that the kale is not soggy and wet. Remove the hard middle stem and cut or tear kale leaves into large pieces. Remember, kale will shrink once cooked so don’t make pieces too small. Place in a large bowl.

In a blender or food processor, combine all remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour topping over kale and massage until all of the kale is evenly coated. At this point, taste the kale. It should taste amazing. If not, adjust seasonings to your taste.

Arrange the kale in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes. Turn baking sheet around and cook for another 14 to 18 minutes, until the kale leaves are completely dry and crispy. Kale chips often bake unevenly depending on the size and amount of topping on each leaf, so you'll have to frequently check as they finish baking and remove the chips that are done so that they do not burn.

A Flexible Way to Lose Weight ….and keep it off for a lifetime

By David Roman

W

hen it comes to losing weight, finding an eating plan that offers flexibility and food variety can make it easier to create a sustainable foundation for healthier lifestyle choices. Understanding how your body uses the food you consume and selecting a program you can live with long-term are two important aspects of weight loss.

On average, a person following a balanced diet consistent with dietary guidelines eats 2,000 calories a day, which translates into approximately 225 to 325 grams of carbohydrates a day. When you consume more carbohydrates than your body can handle, your body will store the carbs you are eating as fat. This has a direct impact on weight gain which is why keeping track of the types and amount of carbohydrates in your diet will help you shed pounds. A scientifically proven approach to maintaining weight loss is eating an optimal protein, high-fiber, healthy fat and low-carb diet. Doing so can keep you feeling full and satisfied and eliminates unnecessary snacking or overeating.

Atkins 40 is designed for people who have 40 pounds or less to lose. With a daily allowance of 40 grams of net carbs, people can customize their diet with a wide variety of nutritious foods to lose weight and maintain it.

This approach focuses on the quality and quantity of carbs consumed, while avoiding or limiting added sugar and overly refined carbs that are low in nutritional value, such as white flour. Instead, you get your carbs from high-fiber vegetables and other goodfor-you foods such as nuts and seeds, a variety of fruits, whole grains, legumes and dairy.

“Atkins 40 fits a variety of lifestyles and teaches people how to eat wholesome food for life,” said Colette Heimowitz, vice president of nutrition and education for Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. “It’s a simple approach that sets you up for long-term success by letting you eat more of the right foods without letting hunger take over your life.”

To understand how carbs can fit into a healthy meal plan, consider this typical day of meals for a person on Atkins 40: • • • • • •

Approximately 15 grams of net carbs from high-fiber vegetables Remaining 25 grams of net carbs from a list that includes foods such as Greek yogurt, fruit, nuts, whole grains and legumes Three 4 to 6 ounce servings of protein from sources such as fish, poultry, meat, eggs or vegetables 2 to 4 servings of healthy fats throughout the day 6 to 8 glasses of water A daily multi-vitamin

For example, on an average day you might start with ½ cup of oat bran with ¼ cup of strawberries and ¼ cup of pecans, followed by a mid-morning snack of ½ cup of red peppers and half a dozen cherry tomatoes with a side of 2 tablespoons of creamy dressing or hummus. Lunch could consist of a salad with romaine lettuce topped with 4 to 6 ounces of salmon and 2 tablespoons of Caesar dressing. For a late afternoon snack, you could have ½ cup of cottage cheese with half a peach. To conclude your day, you could eat 4 to 6 ounces of grilled chicken with a side of asparagus and a fresh mozzarella and tomato salad. In addition to a well-rounded eating plan, your path to success can be smoother if you rely on resources such as a meal tracker to record what you eat, ready-made meal plans and shopping lists.

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Spring 2015

S A L O N & S P A 23

Give Up Gluten, but Not All Grains Sorghum is a great alternative

By Carol Fenster Whether for medical reasons or by choice, consumer interest in gluten-free foods is on the rise. The U.S. market for gluten-free foods is expected to exceed $6.6 billion by 2017, signaling the practice of cutting consumption of wheat, barley and rye has gone mainstream.

According to research conducted at Texas A&M University, sorghum offers slow digestibility and a lower glycemic index. Foods that have a lower glycemic index like this cereal grain that is grown throughout the world are believed to increase satiety. This can assist with weight management by helping people feel fuller for a longer period of time.

Thus, the growth of the gluten-free market has led to a renewed interest in sorghum.

Globally, sorghum is used primarily as a human food product, often in the form of thick porridges, popped sorghum or fermented and unfermented flat breads. It is also often cooked and served as a whole grain, malted into both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, made into hard cookies, tortillas and more.

Domestically, sorghum is proving to be a strong substitute for other grains.

White, food-grade sorghum can be milled directly into whole-grain flour to produce a wide range of baked goods and flour-based foods such as pizza dough, pastas and cereals.

Giving up gluten doesn't have to mean giving up the treats you love. This recipe for Dark Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cookies is a great way to incorporate sorghum into something that tastes delicious.

Getty Images

Dark Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe provided by Carol Fenster Makes 48 cookies Ingredients: 20 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips (at least 60% cocoa), divided 3 tablespoons butter or buttery spread 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter 3 large eggs 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract ½ cup sorghum flour ¼ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup finely chopped walnuts

Directions: 1. In medium microwave-safe bowl, heat 8 ounces (1 heaping cup) of chocolate chips, butter and peanut butter on low power in microwave oven for 1 to 2 minutes, or until melted. Stir; set aside to cool.

2. In large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, vanilla, flour, baking soda, xanthan gum and salt with electric mixer on low speed until very well blended. Beat in melted chocolate mixture until no flour streaks remain. Stir in walnuts and remaining chocolate chips. Dough will be soft. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

3. Preheat oven to 375°. Line 15 x 10-inch baking sheet (not nonstick) with parchment paper. Shape dough into 48 walnut-sized balls and place 12 balls, at least 1 ½ inches apart, on sheet.

4. Bake just until cookies are shiny and crust starts to crack (about 10 to 12 minutes). Do not over-bake. Cool cookies 2 minutes on baking sheet, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough. Or, freeze balls up to 1 month and bake later.

Adapted from "1,000 Gluten-Free Recipes," written by Carol Fenster; reprinted with permission from the publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

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THE PRITIKIN LONGEVITY CENTER + SPA A REJUVENATING WELLNESS VACATION

BY LOUISE B. HAFESH

R

ecently, my husband Joe and I embarked on a different kind of vacation. We went on a fitness retreat and it literally changed our lives for the better.

Nestled in a beautiful private enclave surrounded by 650 acres of tropical paradise in Miami, the one or two-week programs at The Pritikin Longevity Center + Spa not only engage participants in health, nutrition and fitness—a top-tier education in healthy living—but also the enjoyment of relaxing swimming and serenity pools, golf courses, tennis courts, a vast array of spa and massage services, and much more. The experience advises balance, not deprivation. You eat more while losing weight. The blissful escape in sunny South Florida has devised the perfect

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strategy to help you achieve and maintain a fit body.

The late Nathan Pritikin developed his pioneering program as a way to improve his own coronary artery disease. What he had discovered was that by eating a low fat (less than 10 percent), nearly vegetarian diet with a reduced intake of refined sugars and salt, and excluding caffeine, most people could substantially lower their cholesterol levels. This, coupled with aerobic exercise and stress management techniques, became the basis for his program for healthier living, a regimen that was considered radical in its day, but has since been validated in more than 110 clinical studies with results published in top medical journals.

What makes Pritikin stand out from other spas or health resorts is its extensive medical workup and supervised exercise regimen. Most participants are motivated to attend the center because of major health problems like diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. Pritikin is world-renowned for its success in treating these conditions. In fact, many patients are taken off their medications by the time they leave.

However, a growing number of participants, such as my husband and I, are healthy individuals looking to enjoy a wonderful holiday with the additional benefit of starting a wellness strategy or taking preventive measures toward continued good health. This trend has inspired a popular seven-day program. Obesity has reached epic proportions in America—just witness the huge success of “The Biggest Loser.” The new program offers an opportunity to kick-start a healthy regime while enjoying a restorative retreat.

Regardless of the plan, each participant begins his or her stay at Pritikin with a stress test and a comprehensive physical which includes blood work. Given individual results, a personal wellbeing program is prescribed by both an assigned doctor and fitness instructor. Guests are placed in homogeneous groups and given a schedule that involves a morning mix of treadmill, aerobics, weight training and water exercises. The rest of

your time is spent listening to expert professionals lecture on stress, lifestyle and diet, as well as participating in cooking classes and attending personal appointments with physicians and nutritionists.

The food is fantastic as well. A typical day at the center includes a mix of natural, nutrientrich, high fiber foods served in an elegant dining room overlooking the serene grounds of Trump National Doral. Breakfast and lunch are bountiful buffets; sit-down dinners consist or four courses that typically include five entrée choices. Seafood lovers that we are, we particularly enjoyed the pepper-crusted and seared tuna with saffron polenta and sweet potato salsa. There was even a lobster dish, and everything was totally satisfying and tasty. Meat lovers were treated to the likes of grilled bison tenderloin with sunburst squash and creamed spinach, as well as other options. You are encouraged to take soup and snack breaks that are scheduled in between meals. These breaks include whole-wheat pastas, salads, fruits and lots of fresh vegetables. While salt and fats are big no nos, you would be surprised by how fast your palate adjusts and how satiated you feel, especially since healthy spice options are plentiful.

As for the other major centerpiece of the Pritikin plan, a daily posting of activities allows guests to pick and choose their schedule. Joe and

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Spring 2015

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I whooped and hollered our way through a myriad of aerobic classes, even took yoga sessions (a first for us), and while he booked a round of golf, I enjoyed a relaxing massage and spa treatment.

In cooking classes, we watched the Pritikin chefs whip up tasty meals, snacks, and deserts such as pastas, crepes and chocolate mousse. We discovered that fruits and vegetables can be easily transformed into great–tasting treats like smoothies, sorbets and pizzas.

As for evening events, many of which were planned by a social director with input from participants, they included lectures and even an excursion to the local Whole Foods to test out new “label reading prowess.” Of course, we went to the shopping mecca at Bal Harbour. Pritikin can easily accommodate your desire to check out all the hot clubs and activities of nearby South Beach as well.

By program’s end, all attendees come away with workable strategies for fitting fitness into everyday life. We were exposed to some real eyeopeners, like the number of teaspoons of sugar that are in each can of Coke (more than 10!), and how smooth arteries can turn “gnarly with cholesterol boils” after years of eating the wrong foods.

Everyone received a final medical exam and follow-up with their assigned physician before

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leaving. This includes a before and after comparison and wellness update. Joe and I were ecstatic with our results. We both lost some weight—although he lost more than me—as did every other participant in our group. We also experienced the added benefits of a sizeable drop in cholesterol counts and an overall feeling of wellness. To our astonishment, Joe, a self-proclaimed salt fiend, announced that he could live with nixing the substance from his diet.

I came away with a slew of delicious sugar-free desert recipes to accommodate my sugar fix.

Amazed at what we had accomplished, and having enjoyed a fun-filled escape, we returned home energized. We knew our lives had been forever changed for the better, and in such a short span of time.

The Pritikin Longevity Center + Spa is located at 8755 NW 36th Street, Miami, FL 33178. For more information, visit www.pritikin.com or call (888) 254-1462.

Louise B. Hafesh, an award-winning artist and journalist, is the president of AdVantage Publications, Inc. Reach her at www.louisebhafesh.com.

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Rehabbing the Right Way The Allendale Community for Senior Living offers some of the best rehabilitation services in Bergen County

By Tara DeLorenzo The Allendale Community for Senior Living has come a long way in its almost 50 years of existence.

Back in 1967, it was a nursing home with 80 beds but since then it has grown to accommodate 336 beds in all levels. Through a partnership with the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Allendale has developed a new, state-of-the-art rehabilitation center. This physician-owned care facility already offers a vast array of services including assisted living, a dementia unit, a nursing home and special day care but the redone physical therapy unit has greatly enhanced the overall experience at Allendale.

Dr. Tim Giancarlo, the president and CEO at Allendale, saw a need to ramp up the physical therapy services that the facility offered. Nowadays,

more people want to go home. He knew it was time to make a change and he had to think outside the box. After partnering with Kessler, Allendale now offers a myriad of different machines, ultrasound and electric stim, as well as “Wii-hab.” There’s a big screen at Allendale so patients can play Wii tennis or bowling to work on their range of motion. All of the rehab equipment is the best in its class. Dr. Giancarlo wanted to create an environment where he would feel comfortable sending his father or inlaws, and he has done just that. He felt that it would be in the best interest of the facility if he brought in a team such as Kessler that had a perfect track record. Kessler’s expertise and belief in the staff and facilities at Allendale was pivotal to creating a

Dr. Tim Giancarlo, president of Allendale Community for Senior Living, along with occupational therapist Alissa Bonjuklian and director of rehabilitation Loretta Hutchinson-Lenihan.

The Allendale Community for Senior Living is located at 85 Harreton Road. For more information, call (201) 825-0660 or visit www.allendalecommunity.com.

successful rehab program.

“Kessler offers a lot of modality that a lot of other places wouldn’t have,” Dr. Giancarlo said.

“They’re orthopedic specialists, and they study and know a lot about neurological diseases. They specialize in pain management, injuries, burns and strokes so they’re really good at what they do.”

Allendale is a place where people genuinely have fun. By no means is it institutional looking.

Rather, it has a ton of personality. With the help of a great staff, Allendale has become a tremendous environment for Bergen County seniors to receive the best possible care. From a personal standpoint, Allendale’s success has given Dr. Giancarlo a great deal of satisfaction. Patients will go home, but while at Allendale, they will have the best experience possible.

“The biggest reward is that we have a lot of satisfied customers, and there are a lot of people who like to call this place home,” Dr. Giancarlo said.

Allendale has a rich history that dates back nearly 50 years, and the strong traditions live on with the help of a great staff. Dr. Giancarlo has put together a staff that is both knowledgeable and compassionate. His facility is a terrific place to work and families always tell him how great they are.

“We have a happy staff,” Dr. Giancarlo said. “We have some people here who have been here for 40 years. We work well together as a team, and we’ve adjusted very well with all the changes we’ve been through.”

According to Dr. Giancarlo, the facility is one of the least expensive places in Bergen County.

Everything from activity fees to meals is included in the all-inclusive price. Additionally, the facility also includes waterfalls, a lounge, a movie theater, a game room, a card room, a library, an Internet cafe, a recreation room, a beauty parlor, a diner and miniature golf. This rate and the many amenities allow for the residents to benefit from the idea of having a continuum of care. For instance, if a patient needs rehab, a nursing home, or something else, everything is under one roof.

“My father was one of the first people to come up with the concept of continuum of care—that’s a big phrase you’ll hear nowadays,” Dr. Giancarlo said.

“Basically, it’s another fancy way of saying aging in place. Like with the day care, eventually you come into the assisted living and then as things progress, you have it all here.”

Patients have called Allendale one of the best-kept secrets in Bergen County. As a familyrun operation that is smaller than many chains, Dr. Giancarlo and his staff have consistently provided top-notch care and the highest degree of compassion for the most important people at Allendale: the patients.

“Being a doctor first, I had to take the Hippocratic Oath, so my first obligation is to the residents, always, and the families,” Dr. Giancarlo said. “We have an awesome product here. We have a really good health care facility. When you come here, you will get very good service. You will get treated very well and I really put us up there with one of the best facilities in the country.”

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Get Out of Your Way and Exercise Working out at the gym can be an intimidating experience. If you’re prepared, it won’t seem as daunting

By Sheila M. Clancy, M.S., C.H.E.S. Did you ever want to join in with your friends and go to the gym or take a class but backed out because you felt uncomfortable? For some people, the gym can cause unnecessary stress. You might worry that people are looking at you, or that you won’t be able to keep up. The machines can be tricky, and you simply might not know exactly what “rep,” “set” or “core” means.

Exercise is good for everyone and it is worth the effort to add it to your routine. Our bodies are meant to move. Once you’re exercising consistently, you will have more energy. Find a class or an exercise that you enjoy and put your trip to the gym into your calendar just as you would any other appointment. We’re all busy, but the people who are exercising regularly have made it one of their top priorities.

These tips will help you get over or around your fears so you can start an exercise program. Move it to the top of your to-do list. You’ll be glad you did!

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1.

Call a few different gyms in your area and find out what they offer. How do they handle a new member? Do they take your money and send you on your way or do they offer an orientation to the facility and equipment? Will they help you figure out what setting to use on each machine and will they write a beginner program for you? You want to join a facility where the staff is on-call to help.

It will be beneficial to have some more direction when you first arrive.

2.

Do some research on your own. Head over to the bookstore and read through a few exercise books that will explain the various components of exercise and how to fit them into your program. There is no one exercise that is best. You will need to work into exercising slowly and use the machines or exercises that work for you. Just because your coworker goes to the ABC Gym and runs on the treadmill for an hour doesn’t make it right for you.

3.

Find out from the staff when the gym is least crowded and try to work out during that time. Gyms will typically have peak times— usually before work, during lunchtime and right after work. If you are self-conscious about exercising, going to the gym when it is not crowded is a great way to get started. Ask if they have any programs geared towards beginners like a stretching class or a shorter version of a regular class.

4.

Ask if you can watch a class before committing to taking it. Talk to some of the class participants afterward to get their feedback.

It also might be helpful to chat with an instructor after a class. Tell him or her that you were thinking about participating in the class but you had never done one before. Ask if it is geared for beginners or what you should do to prepare yourself for that class.

5.

If you are worried about appearing clumsy or doing things incorrectly, hire a personal trainer to help you get started. A trainer will show you how to do things the right way while helping you choose the appropriate weight or resistance for your exercise. He or she will be there to constantly correct you, spot you and explain the reasons behind what you are doing. Trainers can ease you into the gym and make you look like a pro in no time. After five to ten sessions, you’ll feel more comfortable and potentially able to continue on your own.

6.

If you are uncomfortable changing in front of other people, come to the gym dressed in your exercise clothes. Bring a towel, extra deodorant and baby wipes for a quick wipe down and then head home where you can shower in the privacy of your own home.

7.

If you don’t have any sneakers, head out to a sporting goods store where the salespeople can help you find the right shoe for you. Your feet are generally at their biggest around 4:00 PM because your feet swell a bit after you’ve been on them for a while. Your sneakers should immediately feel good; you shouldn’t need to “break them in” or loosen them up. Get yourself a new pair if your current sneakers are more than two years old. If your feet are not supported correctly, you could develop problems with your feet as well as your knees, hips and back. It’s worth the money to get the proper footwear.

8.

Don’t worry about getting “an outfit” for the gym. You want to wear something that is comfortable and non-restrictive. You don’t need headbands, wristbands or legwarmers.

It’s not the 80s! A short-sleeved t-shirt, shorts or sweatpants usually works well.

Health, Beauty & Fitness

Spring 2015

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The Coach’s Corner

VISUALIZE IT

Improve your chances of victory on the field while lying in bed

By Sean Kelly

The power of the mind is as miraculous as it is incomprehensible. Take the case of the POW who was in captivity for over four years and used golf as a way to keep himself going. Twice a day, he visualized himself playing 18 holes of golf on his home course. He imagined every single stroke. When he was finally free, he stepped onto that course after four years of not picking up a golf club and lowered his score by 10 strokes. How crazy is that?

Visualization is one of the most basic mental conditioning strategies, and it’s probably the most underused.

It has been scientifically proven that the brain processes experiences the same whether you physically execute them or vividly imagine them. This technique should be used to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of your physical preparation.

Also known as mental imagery, visualization is a technique that is used to exercise the mind by mentally creating the environment of performance competition and mentally performing the competitive tasks required in your sport. In simpler terms, if you lie in bed the night before a game and you play the next day’s game in your mind, you are imprinting the blueprint of your performance in your mind and making it more likely that you will achieve performance excellence during the actual game.

Let me repeat that. You are imprinting the blueprint of your performance in your mind and making it more likely that you will achieve performance excellence during the actual game. If you’re constantly striving to maximize your ability like me, then visualization is an essential tool you should add to your routine.

Follow these guidelines to get the most out of visualization: • Construct a psychological replica of your sport’s competitive arena in your mind (a lacrosse field, hockey rink or gymnasium, for example).

• Place you and your opponent within that arena, performing your sport.

• Build in the senses of sight, sound and touch. The more senses involved in your mental imagery, the more successful it will be.

• Experience the face or faces of your opponent and the energy in the arena.

• See yourself making the plays that will make the difference in the game.

Sean Kelly graduated cum laude from Fairfield University in 2000, where he was a two-sport Division I athlete. After college, Sean spent 12 years on Wall Street and was the head of a very successful sales trading desk for the final eight years of his career. Throughout these years, Sean always yearned to be back in the gym full-time so he could help athletes learn the tools he had mastered. As the founder of Sean Kelly’s Performance Center in Wyckoff, Sean is now working hard to bring his 20 years of training experience to a new generation of athletes. He is currently working on his masters in Sports Psychology at Seton Hall University. For more information, call (201) 485-7455 or visit www.kellyperformance.com.

The Coach’s Corner

FOUR TIPS FOR IMMEDIATE RESULTS

One thing is certain: There are no shortcuts to success. With that being said, you can use these “hacks” to rapidly improve your performance

By Shane Franken

1. Drink Warm Lemon Water in the Morning After you wake up and brush your teeth, squeeze the juice of one lemon into a glass. Add four to eight ounces of warm or hot water and drink it down. Make sure it’s not too hot so you don’t burn yourself first thing in the morning. This detoxes the liver, boosts your immune system and reduces inflammation.

2. Turbocharge Your Coffee In the morning, brew one to two cups of coffee and add one to two tablespoons of both organic coconut oil and grassfed butter. (Kerrygold is a great kind of butter found at many supermarkets.). Blend it together and enjoy! Consume a breakfast filled only with protein and veggies and eliminate any cereal and fast-acting carbohydrates. The healthy fats from these products will provide energy to boost cognitive function and help mental clarity. I recommend limiting this to one cup of coffee a day and combining it with a healthy nutrition plan.

3. Box Breathe To help you focus on the present and to reduce stress, practice box breathing. While diaphragmatically breathing, inhale through your nose for four seconds, hold your breath for four seconds, exhale through your mouth forcefully for a minimum of four seconds and then hold again for four seconds. Practice this daily for five minutes and you will experience a new sense of calm and focus.

4. Improve Sleep Begin improving your sleep environment by using heavy and dense curtains to eliminate any outside light. Research has shown that the optimal room temperature for sleeping is between 60 and 67 degrees. Experiment with what works for you. Use a sleeping app on your phone such as Sleep Cycle.

This app analyzes your sleep and wakes you up in the lightest sleep phase so you do not wake up feeling groggy. Listen to delta sound waves through an app or sound machine to promote a deeper and more restful sleep.

Shane Franken is a physical, athletic and wellness specialist at Sean Kelly’s Performance Center.

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Flywheel Englewood A new spin on cycling

By Abbey and Julia Braverman

F

lywheel took off back in 2010 when it first came to New York City, and since then, this heart-racing and music-amplifying indoor cycling class has spread around the country. Now that Flywheel is in Englewood, it has quickly become one of the hottest new workout trends in Bergen County. Your body will be challenged, and your mind will be relaxed as you race your peers—all in good fun, of course. After pushing your body for either 45 or 60 minutes, you’ll feel inspired and energized.

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Spring 2015

The class works your glutes, quads, hamstrings and heart. It’s a full cardio workout that helps you burn fat and up to 800 calories as anything from classic rock to bumping Top 40 fills you with positive energy. Flywheel offers ‘80s and Broadway-themed rides, as well as many others which are also tons of fun.

Regardless of your musical preference, you’ll always be jamming out on your bike. You can even track your Flywheel performance on a private account through flywheelsports.com or by using Flywheel’s iPhone app.

Above, Michelle Zevi Foont, to the right, Marissa Sallen Kochnover.

In addition to the Flywheel classes, the Englewood location also offers FlyBarre, an intense body-sculpting class that focuses on toning the muscles. FlyBarre is the perfect balance of light weight training and corestrengthening exercises. The class targets the small muscles that are not typically worked.

In doing so, your arms become sculpted, your core becomes chiseled, and your seat is lifted.

The class consists of choreographed interval sequences that are focused on movements or “pulses.” As you push yourself to stay in a “pulse” for an extended period of time, the muscles fatigue and reshape. Classes typically last an hour, but if you have a busy schedule, the “Power 45” class delivers the same vigor.

The instructors are always supportive, personable and very knowledgeable about the body. Many devotees often find themselves taking both Flywheel and Flybarre. Pat Boig is one such person.

“I love both Flywheel and Flybarre. The instructors for both are all so positive and amazing. Doing both back to back makes me feel balanced and ready to go,” said Boig. “It's

also great to have friends in the classes. It’s very motivating and fun.”

FlyBarre’s Michelle Zevi Foont and Flywheel’s Marisa Kochnover are two particularly popular instructors in Englewood. These two “it instructors" provide fabulous results which can be felt instantly.

Michelle's keen focus on form, flexibility and determination helps her guide students so they can perform each exercise successfully.

Marisa’s infectious energy drives her team of riders to reach or even surpass their goals while crossing the finish line.

The “fly family" is super friendly and creates a sense of community. Exercising is about the individual's fitness journey. Positive energy and constant encouragement should always be flowing in a class setting, and Flywheel Englewood is the hottest place in Bergen County where you can get that experience.

Flywheel Englewood is located at 25 South Van Brunt Street. For more information, call (201) 654-6535.

Health, Beauty & Fitness

Spring 2015

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Can You Say Sleeveless?

Sculpt your upper body in time for tank top season!

By Bessie Neshan We all want defined arms and shoulders that pop and we certainly crave those sexy upper-back muscles. Ladies, does it have to be a daunting and delusional pipe dream?

Not at all! You can get those results you want and it doesn’t have to be a completely time-consuming process. Sure, it takes some knowledge, time, effort and plenty of focused determination to carve your body successfully, but you can do it. These guidelines will help you get ready for spring and summer.

FREQUENCY To develop arms, shoulders and upper-back muscles, targeted upper body exercises should be performed twice a week, though three times a week is preferable.

INTENSITY Choose the right amount of weight using the Rate of Perceived Exertion scale (RPE). The RPE scale goes from 0 to 10. Zero indicates no effort and 10 indicates maximal effort.

To reach optimal results, you should strive to achieve an 8, 9 or 10 fatigue effort on the RPE scale towards the last four repetitions on your last set. For example, if I perform two sets of 12 repetitions of a bicep curl, I don’t want to reach fatigue on my first set. Rather, I should reach it on my second set when I have about four reps left. At that time, I should “perceive” an exertion level of 8 to 10. This is something that extends beyond training the upper body.

One of the biggest issues with a lack of results is not using the right weight. Question your perception as to how the exercise feels using the RPE scale. You can then “grow” in weighted increments from that point and you’ll see results within weeks.

If you think you’re at the beginner or intermediate level, start with only one or two sets and select a weight that allows you to perform 12 to 15 reps of each exercise to fatigue.

(Remember, the last four repetitions should be difficult.) Start doing three sets after two weeks. If you’re more advanced, start with 15 reps of each exercise to fatigue and bump it up to four sets after two weeks.

EXERCISE TYPE Choose a variety of arm, shoulder and back exercises that you can perform weekly to develop these muscle groups. We cannot expect great results if we do the same exact exercises every time we train. Different moves, angles, weights and repetitions will activate the entire motor unit of the specific muscle and will speed up results. Choose at least two exercises from each muscle group listed and perform the number of sets and repetitions as described above based on your level.

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CHEST Perform on bench or floor • • • •

Chest Press (arms out wide - palms out – press up) Chest Fly (arms out wide - palms facing each other – lift towards each other) Push-ups (hands out wide – lower body down) Push-ups (stagger same movement two pulses down and two pulses up)

CHEST FLY

Note: Push-ups can be performed full-body or from bent knees.

ONE ARM ROW

BACK Perform standing with the body leaning forward • One Arm Row (single arm - palm in – lift back) • One Arm Row (single arm - palm out and twist arm in as lifting back) • Dual Bent-Over Row (palms out facing the body – pull back arms) • Upright Row (perform standing up – palms facing body - lead with elbows)

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Spring 2015

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SHOULDERS Perform standing

REAR DELT FLY

• Front Delt Raise (palms facing down – lift up towards front) • Lateral Delt Raise (palms facing in – lift up towards side) • Overhead Press (starting at the shoulders - palms facing in – lift up) • Rear Delt Fly (body leans forward, bent at hip – lift up towards side)

BICEP CURL BICEPS • Standard Bicep Curl (palms out – lift up) • Hammer Curl (palms in – lift up) • Hammer with Twist (palms in then twist arms out as lifting) • Single Angled Bicep Curl (curl one arm towards opposite shoulder)

TRICEP KICKBACK

Note: Keep elbows close to the waist throughout the movements.

TRICEPS • Tricep French Press (use two hands to clasp one weight above head - keep elbows close to head – lift up) • Tricep Kickbacks (body leans forward, bent at hip – dual arms facing in – keep elbows up high – press back) • Tricep Push-ups (hands in very close – elbows touch the body – lower body down) • Tricep Squeezes (arms fully extended - lift up and down; you can also squeeze fully extended arms in and out) Note: Tricep push-ups can be performed from bent knees.

CARDIO AND NUTRITION Of course, cardiovascular exercise and clean nutrition is also a must if you want your arms and shoulders to develop properly and “pop.” All the exercises in the world will not contour shapely and sexy shoulders, biceps, triceps, chest and upper-back muscles.

Cardiovascular activity helps to burn the fat on the body, specifically the back of the arms and back fat, which many women commonly complain about. Choose any aerobic activity that uses large muscle groups and keeps you breathing lots of oxygen for a sustained period of time. Try to do cardio four times a week, for a minimum of 20 minutes.

Regarding nutrition, protein provides the building blocks (amino acids) to allow all muscles to grow, including the muscles of the upper body. Therefore, don’t skimp on lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, fish, eggs and whey protein. Vegetarians can consume incomplete proteins that will still allow the body the building blocks necessary for muscular growth and development.

Water also cannot be underestimated. It’s probably the most neglected macronutrient. Water will help the body burn fat and shed excess water weight so your hard-earned muscles will be visible! Drink at least 64 ounces of water per day.

There you have it! Sexy arms, shoulders and upper-back muscles ready for tank top season isn’t a dream after all! It can be your reality. It doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming. You simply need a plan.

Bessie Neshan is the owner of Carve Your Body Lifestyle, LLC. She is an IFPA-certified group instructor, personal trainer, lifestyle fitness coach and sports nutrition specialist. For more information, visit www.carveyourbody.com.

The Tri-State Sports Nutritionist

Glen Tobias helps people become fitter and healthier every day of the week

By Tara DeLorenzo Glen Tobias is a busy, busy man. A registered dietitian, Tobias works with clients at THE GYM of Englewood and THE GYM of Montvale, but when he isn’t there, he’s somewhere in Connecticut, New York or New Jersey, working with anyone from elementary school kids to the New York Jets.

Originally from Cresskill, Tobias started to become interested in nutrition at a young age.

His father was a chef so food naturally piqued his interest. He was studying pre-med at Rutgers back in the late ’80s and early ’90s when he took an elective course that led him to take a more serious look at making nutrition a career. From there, he changed directions and went on to earn a master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University. His specialty soon became sports performance.

From 1998 to 2002, Tobias worked at APEX Fitness, a research and development company that had a fitness program and supplement line. His co-workers at APEX all left an impression on Tobias, but it was Neal Spruce, the company’s founder, who was the most influential on Tobias. According to Tobias, Spruce “started out getting people to know what’s real and helpful and not just a fad.” After Tobias left APEX, his career began to take its own shape.

With over 20 years and counting of a successful private practice under his belt, Tobias founded the e3 Weight Management System. The development of this program came from countless hours spent with clients and reading up on everything in the industry.

“The Internet has caused a lot of damage to my industry because crazy people post things, and you have to decipher what’s real and what’s not,” Tobias said. “I read everything, and I have worked with countless clients. I didn’t really focus on the program per se; it’s more of a software. It’s just how I do what I do. It’s eating, it’s exercising, and it’s education.”

As a leader in his field, Tobias, 45, has become a highly respected and sought-after nutritionist. For instance, he was working with two young athletes at his Connecticut office back in 2010. Their dad was sitting in on the session, and he liked the work Tobias was doing. It turns out that the father was one of the top spinal surgeons in the country and he asked Tobias to be a part of his team. In 2011, this doctor connected him to Manhattan Sports Medicine through an affiliation with the Spine Care Institute at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

He has also worked as the sports performance nutritionist for the athletic department at Yale University in addition to assisting MMA fighters and NFL Combine programs.

The Jets soon became interested and after interviewing with the team, he was offered a position. Soon he’ll begin his third season as the team’s nutritionist.

“There are only 32 football teams in the country, so being one of 32 of anything is pretty cool,” Tobias said. “I really enjoy working with the team, and now when I watch

the games, it’s a little bit different because I know everybody, and I just like trying to help doing whatever I can to help the team.”

The amount of knowledge on the subject of nutrition has become the biggest obstacle in his career.

According to Tobias, there are too many voices in the nutrition world since every person eats and everyone holds an opinion on the matter. In order to clear up some misconceptions, he has lectured at various conferences in the area. Back in March, he spoke at the Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey’s 29th annual conference. Tobias relishes these opportunities to share his wisdom on how to craft a realistic eating plan.

“Everyone wants to know the ideal menu or meal plan, or the ideal diet, and ideal doesn’t exist. [That ideal] is a mental construct, and if you strive for something that doesn’t exist, you’ll always fail and you’ll feel like a failure, but you’re not,” he said.

“I give people meal plans based on what they’re eating, their ethnicity, what they do for a living. So many different aspects go into it, and if you can eat the way we talk about eating for the next 10 to 15 years, that’s a success.”

His love of helping people inspired his return to THE GYM of Englewood and THE GYM of Montvale, where he worked from 2003 to 2009. His ability to be in so many places in one week demonstrates how devoted he is to making people feel better. He gets tremendous satisfaction from helping someone put on clothes that they haven’t worn in a long time, or helping people cut back or eliminate certain medications because they aren’t so overweight anymore. It’s rewarding when he can help a grandfather play with his grandchildren in a way that he never thought was possible.

“If I can help with that, that’s helping with someone’s quality of life and not many other professions or people can say they do such a thing,” Tobias said. “How many people get to say they have fun and enjoy what they do? I’m lucky because I do.”

Flowing With the Go Feng shui into spring

By Lois Kramer-Perez Are you itching to begin a new project or to just get outside and do something? Do you find yourself drawn to the color green, or craving fresh flowers? It’s no wonder that you’re feeling this way. You are already aligning with the energy of spring! The principles of feng shui guide us to make the most of what nature has to offer. I call this connecting to “bonus energy” because all we need to do is learn the basic principles of nature, open our awareness and ride along. Besides, we already inherently know that it’s much easier to go along with the flow than to go against the grain. I like to call this “flowing with the go.”

The principles of feng shui have been around for thousands of years, and the universal aspect of the practice, which appears in all of its applications, is referred to as the “Five Elements Theory.” These five elements, which we find in nature and in our space, also exist within each of us. We all have the ability to align with each of them but some of us resonate more with some than others. The five elements that we refer to are water, tree, fire, earth and metal. Each element has a unique characteristic and many layers of information. These elements support each other. For instance, water feeds the trees so they may grow. Subsequently, trees fuel the fire so it may burn and the ashes from the fire nourish the earth for a solid, strong foundation.

The minerals from the earth create metal. Metal contracts to its pure form to make liquid and thus we have water. The cycle begins anew.

Let’s take a closer look at the cycle we just completed and the one that has just begun. Feng shui is all about finding balance, and Mother Nature is our greatest teacher. She teaches us that the essence of winter and midnight is a dreamy floating energy, cultivating ideas as we prepare for spring. Winter is a reflective time with a sense of stillness, ease of movement and flow. Those of us who express a “watery” aspect to our nature are right at home, as horizontal is our favorite position. Staying up late, reading, watching movies or just daydreaming is exactly what we know. This is the element of water.

Water feeds the trees so that they may grow, and after the dark cold winter, we are ready to embrace the burst of spring. We may have noticed that we indulged a bit more than usual and that we feel a bit bogged down from all the cold and darkness. We may have expressed our energy like the trees and enjoyed participating in winter sports, but many of us are looking forward to getting out and aligning with the bright and uprising energy of spring. There is nothing better than an early morning hike in the woods to nourish the soul and spirit of someone who has the expression of tree nature.

Spring brings the essence of early morning and the birth of all that is fresh and new. We are bursting with ideas just as those green buds are beginning to peek out of the bare brown dirt.

Waking up after a sleepy winter, we are filled with energy and optimism. This is the energy of tree.

Like the freshness of the newly sprouted greenery, the energy of spring brings about a time of new beginnings. Our enthusiasm is renewed; we are ready to begin all the things we have dreamt about during the winter. We are bursting with ideas, so this is an excellent time for us to begin initiating projects. We clean up and clear out, lightening the load so that we move forward, onward and upward, agile and free.

The tree element also connects us with our loved ones. We may find ourselves preparing for a birth or welcoming a new member of the family. This year, 2015, brings the energy related to this essence of the tree element. We will find a resurgence of family appreciation, healing relationships and a fresh start all around. There is an opportunity for kindness and humanitarianism to bloom. We may band together to help end suffering, whether it’s in our circle of friends, family, community, or in the world. This is a time to cultivate our patience and for us to become aware that we do have the ability to be in control of ourselves, regardless of what is happening around us. Some things are easier than others, but if we just find a few moments each day to exercise patience within ourselves as we create a new relationship with our thoughts and feelings, we can create a new way to experience all that awaits us.

We can enjoy bringing our creativity to fruition as we experience boundless energy filled with a steady stream of ideas. This is why we find ourselves benefiting greatly as we manage our impulses with an unlimited resource for patience deep within. Enjoy this spring. Go out there and create something. Be active, and don’t forget to breathe—it only takes a moment to take a breath. It only takes a moment to become inspired.

Lois Kramer-Perez, C.Ht., is a certified feng shui practitioner who utilizes feng shui principles to help people create a healthy and abundant lifestyle. She can be reached at lois@loiskramerperez.com, or by calling (201) 906-5767. Find out more at www.loiskramerperez.com.

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Healthy Finances Many people don’t realize the heavy toll that financial distress can take on their health

By Suzanne Akian Pass on the Paleo Diet, forget fat flushes and grab some gluten. When it comes to achieving a healthier you, it might be wise to skip some of the current health fads and instead focus on an aspect of your life that can surprisingly improve your health: your finances. Credit card debt, unpaid bills, loans and an insecure financial future can worsen existing health problems and create new ones.

There has long been evidence that debt is associated with adverse psychological health. Researchers from McGill University and Northwestern University discovered a connection between household financial debt and poor physical health. In their study, test subjects, even those aged 24 to 32, with high amounts of debt were more likely to have higher diastolic blood pressure and lower self-reported physical health. As expected, these test subjects reported higher perceived stress and depression levels.

Just as a pattern of over-eating can be seriously detrimental to your health, a pattern of over-spending may hurt your financial health.

Sticking to a strict eating plan can help resolve the former, while creating a budget could be the antidote to the latter. Review your spending habits and ask yourself if it’s really necessary to buy every new “toy” or gadget on the market.

Must you dine at restaurants several nights a week?

A weekly weigh-in helps you gauge whether or not you are meeting your goals at the gym.

Similarly, you should reevaluate whether or not you are meeting your financial goals. Is it time to readjust those goals? Major milestones like graduating college and beginning a job, getting married, buying a home and having a baby necessitate a readjustment in financial goals.

And, just as many successful dieters track what they eat, you should consider tracking your spending and saving. Ignoring your weight might be just as damaging as ignoring your portfolio.

To “weigh” your portfolio, start by figuring out your net worth, which is the difference between what you own and what you owe.

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Calculating your net worth is simply subtraction. To begin the calculation, take stock of all your debts and liabilities. How much are you paying out for bills each month? How much do you owe on credit? Do you have student loans and car loans? What are your food, entertainment, clothing, gym membership, healthcare and transportation expenses? Don’t forget to estimate special expenses such as gifts, vacations, charitable contributions and money put aside for an emergency.

Then, list all your assets. This is more than the house if you own one. Assets include alimony, rents and royalties, tips, salary and child support. Don’t forget insurance and investments. By the way, are you taking advantage of your 401(k) plan at work?

Many employers will supplement what you invest.

Once you have a list of your assets and your

liabilities, simply subtract the liabilities from the assets to arrive at your net worth figure. Your net worth represents your financial health at that moment. It is normal for the figure to fluctuate over time.

If your net worth is positive, your surplus can be saved or invested. If, however, your expenses exceed your income, adjustments in spending or earning are in order.

Now, factor in your financial goals. Are you saving for your child’s education? How far away is your retirement? How much financial risk can you tolerate right now? Do you have a nest egg you can put away for the future, letting it accumulate slowly over time, irrespective of the market’s ups and downs?

Regardless of your age, a diversified portfolio is crucial. Typically, for older people nearing retirement, the portfolio should be more heavily weighted towards income-producing securities such as higher yielding blue chip companies and a mix of bonds and preferred stock. It may be important to obtain tax-free income and that means municipal bonds may be a good choice.

For younger people, a program of regular investment is key, resulting in what is typically called dollar-cost averaging. Depending upon an

individual’s financial goals and the time horizon needed to achieve those goals, a selection of growth stocks may be appropriate.

Of course, researching the performance of any individual stock is critical. It is nevertheless important to remember that past performance is no guarantee of future results.

When creating your diversified portfolio, despite news accounts of countless trouble spots around the world, it is still important to consider diversification with companies based outside the United States.

Just as you visit a doctor for a regular physical, or a nutritionist to make sure you are eating right, it might be worth your while to visit a financial advisor to address the well-being of your portfolio. He or she will easily be able to prescribe the best financial “medicine.” Is it adequately diversified? Buying a bond or selling a stock might help you stay as healthy as possible.

Suzanne M. Akian, CFP, a resident of Hoboken, is a senior vice president and financial advisor with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management at the firm’s offices at One Penn Plaza in New York. She can be reached at (212) 613-6773.

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Senior Housing Services

Pioneers in providing affordable adult care for everyone

By Tracy Lenok The team that revolutionized care for seniors 25 years ago with the belief that every older adult deserves supportive health and social services, a philosophy that inspired and shaped Bright Side Manor, is now expanding its vision to additional projects that ensure quality, affordable care for the older adult. Due to this recent expansion, the Geriatric Services team recently changed its name to Senior Housing Services.

To further address the severe shortage of affordable senior housing in Bergen County, Senior Housing Services has recently begun construction of a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) subsidized 62-unit affordable senior apartment building in Teaneck for low-income independent seniors. The building will have a design and infrastructure that will allow tenants to “age in place” by providing a variety of social and other support services to keep them safe, healthy and comfortable. It will be completed and ready for occupancy by December 2015. Applications will be taken through the HUD program three months before the building is ready for residence.

Senior Housing Services is also launching a new program called Portable Assisted Living Services (PALS). This program will provide a 24hour umbrella of health care support for elderly tenants. They can remain in the apartment they have come to call home while receiving the health and living assistance they need. The program will soon begin serving residents of Westwood House, a 182-unit subsidized senior apartment building. The program’s license allows for expansion throughout Bergen County and even into adjacent counties. Its impact will be great as the population in senior housing continues to age.

The team’s success is largely due to the leadership of Elizabeth Davis, the executive director of Senior Housing Services. Recently, Davis was honored at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new 62unit affordable independent living facility in Teaneck. In addition, she was recognized at a fundraising event with a Joint Legislative Resolution from Senator Loretta Weinberg, Assemblyman Gordon Johnson and Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle, and a proclamation by Kathleen A. Donovan, the County Executive of Bergen County. Davis has worked diligently to improve the lives of the senior community and was recognized for her tireless dedication and determination.

It all began with Bright Side Manor. With a long, rich history dating back to 1916, Bright Side Manor had long been serving the needs of older adults as a boarding home and residential health care facility.

It was a standard for the time. However, when the licensing of assisted living facilities went into effect in New Jersey, Senior Housing Services saw the potential in the landmark home and starting in 1990, it began transforming Bright Side Manor into what it is today. A $5 million renovation and expansion project brought it up to the standards for licensure as an assisted living facility and increased its capacity to 65 residents.

Bright Side Manor’s mission has always been to provide affordable and accessible assisted living and health care services to seniors, while honoring their individuality, dignity, privacy and choice. While living up to that mission is rewarding, it is also a challenge. Across the nation, assisted living facilities are

caring for a more frail and vulnerable population.

Many seniors struggle with dementia and other chronic illnesses. The experience at Bright Side Manor is consistent with this trend; in the last year, several of its residents have turned 100 years of age and over 60% have been diagnosed with dementia. Approximately 45 employees who staff the facility 24 hours a day care for these residents.

“Who else will care for this population if we don’t?” said Davis.

“Keeping rates affordable while maintaining ongoing standards is an ongoing challenge.”

Nearly every nonprofit organization depends on generous donations.

Please consider a taxdeductible donation today.

For more information, please visit www.brightsidemanor.org.

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Understanding the Cycle Conceived by a Paramus native, KNOWHEN is an empowering tool that is changing the women’s health landscape

By Jessica Humphrey-Cintineo

B

ecoming a grandmother for the first time is special. When that grandson is a KNOWHEN baby, it’s extraordinary.

“A couple days ago, I became a grandmother,” said Helen Denise, the founder of KNOWHEN, a lipsticksized, highly accurate medical marvel for home use that allows women to take an active role in their fertility and birth control choices. “I devoted my time and life to that, and it has happened.”

Denise and her daughter are both KNOWHEN users. Originally from Paramus, Denise has been using KNOWHEN for nine years.

“It’s not just about pregnancy,” she said. “[It’s about] a woman’s overall health.”

When she was 40, Denise nearly died due to an ectopic pregnancy and post-operational complications.

Soon afterward, she became determined to develop a cost-effective and accurate product that could help women monitor and understand their reproductive cycles. As a result, KNOWHEN was born.

KNOWHEN provides women with a holistic, natural approach to understanding if they are ovulating, when they are most fertile and the exact time of the month to have sex or seek professional help.

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“Personal awareness is crucial for women’s health at every stage of life,” she said. “If you know your body and your cycle, you can do whatever you want to do.”

Registered and cleared by the FDA, KNOWHEN is a noninvasive and discreet saliva-monitoring device. It works when a woman places a drop of saliva on a lens and lets it dry. When viewed through a glass optical piece, the crystallized salts in the woman’s dried saliva reveal a distinct fern leaf pattern

if she is ovulating. Millions of women in America deal with fertility issues and it was important for Denise to develop a product that was so simple to use.

“KNOWHEN is committed to taming the infertility epidemic caused by a lack of education and inappropriate products and it also helps preventing pregnancies,” Denise said.

Accompanying the KNOWHEN device is an “Ask the Experts” CD which explains ovulation and answers many questions that women may have. This audio CD is helpful in explaining why it is important for women to understand their individual cycle and how the KNOWHEN ovulation

monitor microscope works in conjunction with the knowledge women gain.

“There’s a lack of knowledge,” said Denise. “There’s a gap and we can solve this problem if we share information with women that they don’t know.”

In addition to the education kit, KNOWHEN offers a free personal ovulation tracking mobile app with the purchase of the device. The app tracks daily results as part of KNOWHEN’s promise to allow women to easily and accurately find out when they are ovulating. Eva, a spokeswoman for KNOWHEN, is there to help women stay on track with alerts and reminders that

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she personally sends to them.

“It’s amazing and it works,” said Denise. She has the endorsement of medical professionals to prove it.

Dr. Hugh Melnick is a key member of Denise’s team. Since 1976, Dr. Melnick has been treating infertile couples. He is considered a pioneer in the field of outpatient in vitro fertilization and is the founder and director of Advanced Fertility Services, a private, freestanding in vitro fertilization center in New York City. Dr. Melnick found a close correlation between actual ovulation as determined by sonographic examination of the ovaries and the presence of a fern pattern in saliva as determined by the KNOWHEN Ovulation Predictor System.

On top of medical endorsements, Denise also has clinical studies to prove KNOWHEN’s merit. In 2000, Denise sponsored the first-ever U.S. clinical study in compliance with FDA requirements to test the effectiveness

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of its saliva ovulation microscope versus urine-based testers. After achieving a 98 percent accuracy rate and submitting her clinical results, the FDA granted Denise approval to market in 2003.

More than a decade later, KNOWHEN is expected to hit the shelves at CVS this May. “It’s really starting to happen,” said Denise. “It’s the right time for us to bring this device to women. It’s something that is missing from the shelves.”

Denise is working towards launching more family planning products. For hope, freedom of choice and peace of mind, KNOWHEN is a woman’s best friend.

“I hope KNOWHEN will be more than a product,” said Denise. “I hope it will be a movement empowering and guiding women in achieving their fertility goals.”

Visit www.knowhen.com for more information.

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BYE BYE BUNIONS HELLO HEELS!

BY BRANDON GOLDSTEIN

T

he weather is finally warming up and you finally put those snow boots away for another year. Rummaging through your closet, you chose a pair of fashionable heeled shoes. Gently, you attempt to snuggle your foot in only to realize it no longer fits. That bunion that was small in fall has grown larger. Now your entire wardrobe of shoes stares at you saying “good bye.”

Women who love high heels find bunions unacceptable because the big toe joint is further misaligned from the shape of these fashionable shoes. Therefore, the front of the foot or forefoot becomes unstable, allowing a structural change in the bones. Some women are genetically predisposed to bunions, and the condition is further compromised by the choice of footwear. Limb shortening, scoliosis of the spine and muscle tightening in the lower extremity can contribute to the causes of bunion formation.

For some people, bunions are an impediment for proper gait and footwear. For others, they're painful and they are deforming for all. Today, the advancements of modern medicine allow people with bunions to return to the lifestyle of their choosing very quickly. There is no longer a need for casts, crutches or wheelchairs in the postoperative period when the correction is performed.

During a career of over 30 years, Dr. Paul G. Klein has performed many of the over 100 known bunion procedures.

Measuring patient success over the last three decades, Dr. Klein has combined the knowledge and techniques of surgeons from around the United States, France and Germany to offer patients the “Bunion Makeover.”

All Bunion Makeover patients are offered local anesthesia or regional anesthesia with sedation in a same-day surgical setting. Dr. Klein utilizes plastic surgery techniques that allow for an appealing surgical scar on the inside of the foot incision with very fine sutures.

A thorough examination is performed of the bunion, including in-office digital radiographs and Dr. Klein will talk to you about your bunion and answer any questions you may have. Depending on the type of bunion deformity, Dr. Klein will present the most-advanced Bunion Makeover procedures to you. For all Bunion Makeover procedures, you can expect to immediately walk in a

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A good breast surgeon knows where to draw the line.

You’d be surprised to know how many who don’t. Aesthetic breast surgery requires an infinite level of skill and impeccable judgment in the area of reconstructive surgery, especially concentrated on the breast.

DR. STEPHANIE COHEN is a board certified surgeon and one who’s dedication to the craft has earned her the nickname of the “breast whisperer” from her fellow colleagues and patients. You’ll find her and other top surgeons at the game-changing Vanguard Surgical Center.

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postoperative shoe. In most cases, you will be able to wear an athletic shoe in one week.

Once upon a time, the only people who received bunion corrections were between the ages of 20 and 40. Now, patients as young as 12 and as old as 86 get proper treatment. There is no need to think you're too old to have beautiful, pain-free feet. Many patients have bunions on both feet, and in many instances, one surgical session is all that is required.

Dr. Klein is also an expert in revision surgery—a procedure that can repair a failed bunion correction. These failures usually represent instances where the bunion has returned with stiffness to the big toe joint, excessive shortening of the toe and lack of toe purchase to the ground. A failed correction may involve a peripheral nerve entrapment in some cases.

This surgery requires an advanced understanding for the cause of failure and experience for the correction. As a Fellow of the Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons, Dr. Klein is fully qualified to perform these procedures.

Dr. Klein’s ultra-modern office in Wayne, N.J., offers the latest technologies to ensure that his patients are completely satisfied.

State-of-the-art digital x-rays, digital ultrasound, video biomechanical evaluations, vascular laser analyzers and advanced nerve testing with PSSD units offer patients advanced methods of in-office testing. If you want to start wearing those shoes you used to love and return to your normal life again, Dr. Klein is the man to see.

Dr. Paul G. Klein, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., is a podiatric surgeon who specializes in not only bunion makeovers but also all foot and ankle conditions. From pediatric flatfoot and sports medicine related injuries to adult arthritic ankles, Dr. Klein provides modern treatment options with personal care. He is a boardcertified foot and ankle specialist with over 30 years of experience and he has given lectures around the country about foot and nerve pain and its treatments. Dr. Klein has taught surgery for over 20 years to resident doctors in New York and New Jersey and he is currently the Division Chief for Podiatric Surgery at St. Joseph's Wayne Hospital. He is affiliated with St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Wayne Hospital, St. Barnabas Hospital, Hackensack Surgery Center, McBride Surgical Center and New Horizon Surgical Center.

Call (973) 595-1555 for more information.

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No Need to Feel Alone ARCH is a wonderful partnership aimed at helping the thousands of American families affected by lymphoma every year

By Bob Wilcox Receiving a cancer diagnosis often comes as a shock for the person who is diagnosed as well as family and friends.

It can be challenging to know the right questions to ask, or how to get the right information heading into treatment.

Erica Campbell can attest to this experience. After a routine doctor’s visit last year, she was diagnosed with stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma.

“When I was first diagnosed, I was scared and there were a lot of unknowns,” said Campbell. “But soon I realized that I’m not alone—my friends and family are 100 percent behind me, and my doctor made sure I had access to detailed information about Hodgkin lymphoma and understood my treatment options.”

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Lymphoma Research Foundation, CancerCare, Association of Community Cancer Centers and Genentech recently partnered up to create ARCH—a new resource to help the nearly 80,000 people who are diagnosed with lymphoma each year and those who care for them. ARCH’s website, www. lymphomaresources.com, includes free downloadable materials for community cancer centers and it’s a tremendous resource for people affected by lymphoma. These materials are for educational purposes and not intended to replace the advice and guidance of a doctor.

There are actually over 60 different types of lymphoma, ranging from aggressive to slower growing or chronic. A better understanding of the specific diagnosis may help people feel more empowered during treatment discussions and better prepared for the emotional and physical challenges that may come later.

“Cancer can be an isolating experience, but if you are living with lymphoma you don’t have to feel alone,” Campbell emphasized. “Getting accurate information about your diagnosis is an important first step.”

Visit www.lymphomaresources.com to: • Learn about lymphoma • Explore treatment options • Find information about specialists • Search financial support options • Connect with patient communities

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STOP SLOUCHING! Smartphone use affects spinal health

By Monica Anello

D

espite the many benefits of having information at your fingertips, smartphones and tablets can do damage to your body and overall health in unexpected ways. You may not realize it, but all that time spent with your head down checking email and texting may be creating more than a social gap; you may also be harming your spine. Research suggests that spinal pressure actually doubles with each inch you bend your head down.

According to Dr. Kenneth Hansraj, chief of spine surgery at New York Spine Surgery & Rehabilitation Medicine, smartphone users spend an average of two to four hours per day hunched over. As a result, back and neck pain have increased among users of electronic gadgets, and the effects may linger for years.

“Poor posture is easy to spot in the hunched over forms of older adults who have carried bad habits for a lifetime,” said Stephen Gubernick, Doctor of Chiropractic at The Joint Chiropractic. “However, few people realize that there are health implications that make good posture essential for healthy living at any age.”

A misalignment of your spine can affect your overall health and well-being, according to Dr. Gubernick. Your spine protects your nervous system, which controls and coordinates all the different functions of your body. Any disruption in nerve communication to your organs and tissues may result in abnormal function.

Poor posture negatively impacts your muscles and ligaments, as well as your spine. This can lead to a host of health problems ranging from neck and back pain to gastrointestinal problems and even hyperkyphosis—a condition in which

the spine curvature is significantly exaggerated, with increased risk of pulmonary and arterial health problems. When posture or other factors cause a misalignment, a spinal adjustment is one way to help restore normal nerve function and communication, thereby allowing your body to work normally and naturally. In addition to recommending exercises that strengthen your core postural muscles in an effort to sustain and improve posture, a chiropractor can also assist you with identifying proper posture techniques to use during daily activities that help reduce the risk of injury.

Why Posture Matters There are many benefits to practicing good posture. According to the American Chiropractic Association, keeping your spine aligned properly does the following: • Ensures bones and joints are correctly aligned so the muscles can be used properly. This diminishes the abnormal wear that can cause degenerative arthritis and joint pain.

• Places less stress on the ligaments that link the spinal joints and decreases the chance of injury.

• Creates efficiency within the muscle groups so the body uses less energy and avoids fatigue.

• Reduces the likelihood of back and muscular pain, overuse disorders and muscle strain.

Maintaining Good Posture Ditching your smartphone probably isn’t a practical solution for improving your posture. Instead, try working to keep your posture in check with these tips: •

•

•

•

Avoid angling your head down for prolonged periods while using your phone and other electronic devices. Raise the device closer to eye level, or use a stand to prop the screen.

Treat back and neck pain with regular chiropractic adjustments to keep your body balanced and flexible.

When sitting, avoid crossing your legs and keep your knees at or below hip level. Use a back pillow to support your lower and middle back. Relax your shoulders and avoid sitting in the same position for extended periods of time.

While standing, keep your feet shoulder width apart and your knees slightly bent. Stand straight with your shoulders pulled back and your stomach tucked in.

IT’S ALL ABOUT CONNECTING Making meaningful connections with other people can change your life, but many of us don’t know how—or where—to do it. The future of business and beyond is tied to connecting and now is the time to get better at it

By Nancy D. O’Reilly, Psy.D.

In case you haven’t already gotten the memo, competing with others is out but connecting with others to share ideas is most definitely in. The changes brought about by the global economy have made collaboration and innovation “must-have” skills, and taking your own connections to the next level doesn’t have to be as difficult as you may think. In fact, it might even be fun.

The world is making a shift to what I call “Connecting 2.0.” It’s more meaningful than the “milewide and inch-deep” type of connecting we associate with social media. It’s based on sharing and co-creating, not self-interest. It’s authentic. It feels good and it works. This deeper approach to connecting works so well, in fact, that individuals all over the country and across the world are creating an ever-expanding network of resources offering expertise and support to people in business, government, education, philanthropy and other fields. The idea is not just to advance our careers and make money, but also to make life itself richer, more exciting and more creative.

The Connecting 2.0 movement is nothing like the phony, self-serving, let’s-exchange-cardsand-move-on networking that most of us hate. Sure, connecting with other people does pay off in amazing ways, but the rewards flow organically from a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others. You may be wondering, “Where do I sign up?” The answer is “everywhere.” This is not some exclusive club; it’s open to anyone with passion, enthusiasm, and a yearning to live a richer, more fulfilling life.

You might not be accustomed to thinking this way, so I’ve come up with the following tips: Aim for a good mix of online and face-to-face connecting It’s easy to send an email message, and it’s really easy to like, share or follow something using social media. That’s why so many people do it. And while there is nothing wrong with social media, it’s also no substitute for real-world human interaction. If you’re burning up social media, consider taking an online contact offline. Tell that person you’d love to meet up for lunch the next time he or she is in town. Conversely, if you’re proudly “old school” and are neglecting your social media presence, dive in.

You really need a foot in both worlds.

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Join a new group that interests you and really attend the meetings It doesn’t matter what activity it’s based on. This may be a book circle, a kayaking club or a community cause. What’s important is that you’re getting together with other people who share a common interest—and that you go to meetings and events often enough to let these strong connections develop. It’s the shared passion for the activity that generates the connections. You may end up forging alliances, finding jobs and winning clients—even though that’s not the “purpose” for the group.

Get involved in a philanthropic cause that speaks to your heart People who care enough about others to volunteer their time and talents are the kind of people you want to meet. They tend to be “other-oriented” and want to make new connections, too. So whether your “cause” is homeless animals, kids with cancer, adult literacy or clean oceans, get involved.

Get on a different team at work We tend to stick to our comfort zone but shaking things up from time to time keeps you sharp and puts you in the path of exciting new people. When you work with people you don’t know on projects you’re unfamiliar with, you will learn, grow and often discover vital new talents and interests.

Think about what you need to learn Then, seek out mentors who can help you learn it. Let’s say you have a small catering company specializing in weddings, parties and family reunions. You’d like to expand into the health care conference arena but know nothing about the field. You might reach out to someone who plans such conferences and offer to trade services—perhaps cater an upcoming event for free or for a greatly reduced price—in exchange for the chance to learn and get a foot in the door. You’re not asking for something for free. You’re bringing something to the table. Who knows: The other entrepreneur’s clients may love your fresh approach, and it could result in the two of you starting a whole new venture.

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Give back to men and women who need your expertise In other words, don’t just seek out mentors. Be a mentor to people who can benefit from your knowledge and experience. It’s “good karma” and it can pay off in unexpected ways.

Take a class Don’t just sit there. Talk to your neighbor! Whether it’s continuing education for your job, a creative writing class at the local community college or even a martial arts training session, actively pursue new knowledge and skills. This will bring new and interesting people into your life. Just by being there, these people show that they have a zest for life and learning.

Volunteer your speaking services Yes, yes, you hate public speaking. Many of us do, but taking to the podium is a powerful way to get your voice heard, build up your confidence, and of course, make new connections with those who hear you speak. There are many civic and service organizations that need speakers.

Handpick five to ten powerful individuals in your community and ask them to participate in an event This might be a roundtable discussion that takes place at an industry conference or a community fundraiser, for example. Don’t assume that busy, important men and women won’t have time for you. Many successful people love sharing stories, best practices and ideas.

If you’re invited, go When someone invites you to an event or gathering—whether it’s an industry trade show, a party or a hiking trip—go if you can. Yes, even if you’re tired, out-of-sorts and feeling blah. Say yes if it’s remotely possible. There are always reasons to say no and some of them are good reasons. Overall, life rewards action. Life rewards yes. The more times you say yes, the more connections you will make. The more connections you make, the richer and more creative your life will be.

Set a goal to meet “X” new people per month Insert your own number, depending on your circumstances and personality. Hold yourself to this number.

(It will help to keep track in a journal or calendar.) If you take this metric seriously, you’ll figure out how to make it happen. While meeting isn’t the same as connecting, it’s the essential first step. Let’s say your goal is to meet five new people this month, and it’s the last day of the month and you have two to go. You can always pop into the spin class at your gym, or maybe go to an open house or political rally. While you’re there, strike up conversations with at least two individuals and introduce yourself.

THE CONNECTING CHEAT SHEET Before you attend the next conference, fundraiser or team meeting, make sure you know how to connect with others in ways that yield real relationships and change lives (including yours) for the better. Here, excerpted from my book, “Leading Women: 20 Influential Women Share Their Secrets to Leadership, Business, and Life,” I offer 10 tips to help you supercharge your new connections.

1. Make the mental shift from “What can I get from you?” to “What can we create together?”

Simple as it sounds, this really is the first step and the key to successful connections. When we think of networking as a self-serving exercise, we really don’t want to do it. It feels bad. When we infuse sharing and giving into the process, it suddenly feels good and it works.

Start playing again.

Watch on TV.

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2. Go to functions alone This will force you to meet people rather than spending the whole time chatting with friends and colleagues.

At first, it’s really hard for some people to do this but we are hardwired to connect. Remember, no man or woman is an island. When you get over your initial anxiety, you will see how natural and fun it feels.

3. Sit beside someone you don’t know Like showing up alone—though perhaps a bit less scary—this will force you to get to know someone new. Be friendly and introduce yourself. Then, introduce your neighbor to others and find something in common.

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4. Have three or four good “go-to” questions in the bag This will be a huge help in case a conversation grinds to a halt. It doesn’t matter what the questions are, but you might consider a thought-provoker like, “If time and money were no object, what would you be doing right now?”

5. Practice being interested rather than interesting The old style of networking involved a lot of “selling” your skills and showcasing your knowledge.

Resist the urge. Instead, when you’re talking to someone new, ask her about herself and really listen to her answers.

6. Probe for people’s passions You can tell when someone is excited about a subject. Her eyes light up. Her voice gets animated.

When this happens—whether it happens when she mentions snow skiing, travel, a new business idea or her work with unemployed veterans—keep the conversation going along these lines.

7. Read three relevant articles before the event If you’re attending a business convention, you might want to scour the trades for new trends, products and processes. This gives you fodder for discussion. The idea isn’t to use it to “show off” or impress the other person but rather to bolster your own confidence, which makes you comfortable enough to connect.

8. Gravitate toward people who are smarter than you Don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to be the smartest, most interesting and most successful person in the group. Try not to feel threatened by other amazing individuals. Instead, ask yourself what you can learn from them.

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9. Ask, “What can I do to help you?”

Then follow through. This may catch people off guard. They probably expect you to ask for an interview or a chance to pitch your product. When you ask a person if you can, say, introduce her to an influential colleague or bring your therapy dog to the children’s hospital she runs, anyone would be delighted.

10. Avoid phoniness at all costs Be real. Don’t hide or downplay your true nature or your beliefs to fit in or to make sure the person you’re connecting with likes you. Healthy relationships are built on transparency, and people respect this…even if you don’t agree on everything.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Nancy D. O’Reilly, Psy.D., is the author of “Leading Women: 20 Influential Women Share Their Secrets to Leadership, Business, and Life.” As a clinical psychologist, motivational speaker and women empowerment expert, O’Reilly helps women create the satisfying and purposeful lives they want to benefit themselves, their families and their communities.

For more information, please visit www.drnancyoreilly.com.

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The Parker Center for Plastic Surgery A personal touch you can trust

By Jennifer Bonazzo-Peters

For over 20 years, Paul M. Parker, M.D., F.A.C.S. and his staff at the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery in Paramus have been committed to customizing treatments and providing satisfaction to every individual. Countless patients around Bergen County have experienced real and lasting results to their skin because of Dr. Parker’s expertise and care. He has always strived to provide the most cutting-edge technology for his patients, and recently there has been a great deal of buzz around his facility due to the arrival of the first Halo Hybrid Fractional Laser in the New York metropolitan area. Arriving at his facility in January 2015, this tool first became popular in Hollywood.

Dr. Parker’s office has long been the go-to place for plumpers, chemical peels and fillers, but the Halo device is now the biggest attraction due to its low downtime and enduring outcomes.

Skin is something that is close to the heart for Dr. Parker. He tried the laser treatments out himself and it served as a testament to his devotion to his patients and family.

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“My dad has skin cancer,” Dr. Parker said.

“Therefore, caring for and protecting my skin is that much more important to me. Halo gives the results seen with an ablative fractional laser but the downtime of a non-ablative fractional laser. It's the best of both worlds.”

Almost a dozen members the Parker Center team decided to undergo the long-awaited Halo treatment as well and they are already doing double takes when they look at themselves in the mirror. They’re pleasantly surprised with the amazing difference in skin age and texture and they are simply blown away by how quickly the positive outcomes have appeared.

The Halo Hybrid Fractional Laser, often referred to as “Halo,” provides excellent results within just a few months. It is the picture-perfect formula people have been waiting for. Before this unique laser was created, the other lasers on the market lacked the extraordinary traits of the Halo. Those which were effective in reducing fine wrinkles on the skin were associated with a prolonged recovery. The Halo is a breakthrough in

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LOVE YOUR HAIR EricAlt.com

laser technology due to its hybrid nature.

The device utilizes the effects of two lasers: one to treat the epidermis and another that travels deeper to the junction between the epidermis and dermis. Together, these two wavelengths create dramatic results that improve fine wrinkles, tone and texture of the skin, as well as acne scarring. In addition, pore size is reduced and discoloration of the skin is improved. As a fractional laser, the Halo only treats a fraction of the skin. It does this by creating holes the width of a human hair which allow these laser beams to pass so patients can recover rapidly. Halo can be combined with other modalities such as Botox or other neurotoxins. For example, Botox is first injected into areas of facial wrinkling to reduce or eliminate wrinkles. Next, the Halo laser treatment is administered to a smoother skin surface that yields superior results. The entire process is virtually pain-free.

Some results are visible right away but patients will experience the most vivid improvements after three to five months.

In addition, Dr. Parker and his team have combined the Halo laser with Ulthera, a highly focused ultrasound device that transmits ultrasound energy into the deep layers of the skin as well as tissues beneath it to tighten and lift the skin. If a patient wishes to go this route, he or she first receives an Ulthera treatment and then receives the Halo laser treatment two weeks later. Typically, these treatments take about 30 minutes. Many people simply aren’t ready for a full face lift and they may never even want to go that route. The Halo treatments alone, or in conjunction with other treatments such as Botox or Ulthera, are perfect for these people.

The only required prep is topical anesthesia that is administered about 45 minutes prior.

After treatment, the patient’s face merely mimics the redness of a day in the sun for less than a week. This is easily concealed with your everyday makeup.

Patients feel right at home at the Parker Center. The sparkling facility is filled with the warmest people who make you feel safe immediately upon entering. Every member of the staff is totally committed to customer service, and they are all glad to share their endless knowledge with you.

“Our patients truly love their results,” said Angela Parisi, a registered nurse at the facility.

Spring is here and summer is right around the corner. Now is the perfect time to start looking better than ever before.

The Parker Center for Plastic Surgery is located at 122 East Ridgewood Avenue in Paramus. For more information, visit www.parkercenter.net and call (201) 967-1212 to schedule a consultation.

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For Kids of All Ages Whether you’re walking into Equinox with your trendy K.Deer Laura Stripe pants or just lounging around the house, designer Kristine Deer has shrunk your favorite crazy colors and patterns down for the mini-mes in your life. Shouldn’t every day in your child’s life be a party?

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Repairing Hearts Without Surgery A dvances in the treatment of structural heart disease have enabled patients with heart defects and complex related cardiovascular issues to live longer and thrive. We recently spoke with structural heart disease interventional cardiologist Sean R. Wilson, M.D. about structural heart disease and treatments available at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood. Dr. Wilson recently joined Valley Medical Group and developed a “heart team approach” to treat these patients.

For more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Wilson, please call (201) 447-8418.

explain what a structural heart disease interventional cardiologist is and what conditions Q: Please you treat.

a:

Cardiac structural interventionalists specialize in treating defects in the heart—including congenital abnormalities of the valves, aorta or cardiac chambers—as well as conditions acquired over a patient’s lifetime that disrupt the natural pumping action of the heart and flow of blood. We treat these conditions through the use of minimally invasive percutaneous techniques that involve catheters, fluoroscopy, balloons, stents, closure devices and clips.

This technology allows us to access the heart through the patient’s blood vessels. These procedures do not require open-heart surgery or a heart-lung machine.

does a cardiac structural interventionalist differ from a cardiac surgeon or an interventional Q: How cardiologist?

a:

Cardiac surgeons perform open-heart surgeries through large and small incisions. Once the heart is exposed, the patient is typically placed on the heart-lung bypass machine. Structural heart disease interventionalists like myself access the heart by threading catheters—that are thin flexible tubes—up to the heart through blood vessels in the arm, groin or chest. Interventional cardiologists also work within the blood vessels, but while we treat structural defects of the heart itself, they treat coronary artery disease through angioplasty and stenting procedures.

Q: What specialized training did you undergo?

a:

After medical school, I completed my residency in internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and then did fellowships in cardiovascular medicine and interventional cardiology at New YorkPresbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. I completed my training as a structural heart disease interventional fellow at Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Q: What types of procedures do you perform?

a:

All the procedures that I perform are minimally invasive. Some of the most common procedures are advanced hemodynamic assessments, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for aortic stenosis, repair of the mitral valve, valvuloplasty, ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, closure of atrial septal defects, patent foramen ovale and paravalvular leaks.

Q: What is the “heart team approach” that you developed at Valley?

a:

This concept is being adopted as the new standard of care in cardiovascular medicine. A patient’s heart team comprises cardiac specialists—such as structural heart disease cardiologists, interventionalists, surgeons and heart imagers—as well as other physicians. The group collaborates to assist the patient and his or her family to make the best treatment decisions while optimizing procedural outcomes. The heart team’s ultimate goal is to manage patients’ complex cardiovascular issues over their lifetime to help them maintain a good quality of life.

Your Key to a

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is a FREE Heart Screening Prevention is at the heart of staying healthy. This comprehensive and noninvasive evaluation by a board-certified Advanced Practice Nurse helps detect your potential risk for heart disease so you can take steps toward prevention.

Call 201-447-8535 for more information or to schedule your screening.

FREE Heart Screening includes: ● ● ●

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A medical history Blood pressure screening

Heart auscultation measurements, including heart rate, rhythm, and presence of murmur

Lung auscultation measurements

Pulse assessments including carotid and peripheral pulses

Blood glucose evaluation

Limited neurological assessment

Ankle-brachial index

Reynold’s Risk Score

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#1 hospital in new Jersey. again. hackensack University health network congratulates hackensackUMC for being ranked the #1 hospital in new Jersey by U.S. News & World Report.

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