Monmouth Health & Life: December 2011

’ttheisseason GIFT IDEAS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST DELICIOUS ALLERGY-FREE COOKIES SPARKLING WINE & CHAMPAGNE IDEAS A FRESH TAKE ON HOLIDAY DECORATING

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Contents on the cover: Getty images. this page: roey yohai

december 2011

FEATURES

28

GIFT GUIDE

Find something special for ever yone on your list with this assortment of intriguing locally sourced gifts.

30

winter whites

Who says holiday decorations have to be red and green? Tr y an elegant white table.

34

MENOPAUSE? NO SWEAT New developments in the treatment of symptoms can smooth the change-of-life transition.

38

LIVE WELL AT EVERY AGE How to maintain your health and feel young from your 30s to your 70s—and beyond i n e v ery i s s ue

30 2

december 2011

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CYNThia

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Contents december

DEPARTMENTS

17

LOCAL BUZZ

Our guide to new ideas, tips, trends and things we love in Monmouth County

22

LOCAL FASHION

Get the party started by shopping for the perfect outfit for your holiday gatherings.

24

LOCAL JEWELRY

64

50

Jewelry’s not just for women. See what men are wearing to complete their look.

26

AT HOME

Stay warm in style with these new fireplace accessories.

27

SHOP LOCAL LEADER

Meet Bob Sickles of Sickles Market in Little Silver.

37

From mummified pharaohs to ancient medicine, cinnamon has a spicy history—and its health benefits may surprise you.

48

TASTES

48

18

No gluten, no eggs, no dairy? No problem. These holiday desserts are free of allergy-aggravating ingredients.

50

WINE + SPIRITS

26

Toast the New Year with sparkling wine and champagne.

52

GATHERINGS

Photos from recent charity and social events

62

FINANCIAL BALANCE

What’s your money style? Take this quiz to find out.

64

ESCAPES

Steal away to serenity at the luxurious Twin Farms resort in Barnard, Vermont.

Left (top to bottom): courtesy of twin farms, Jason Wyche, courtesy of Montebello. right (3): shutterstock

POWER FOOD

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10/25/11 5:40 PM

SPE C IAL PROMOTION

new ‘geM’ unit

at MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER caters to sPecial needs oF elderly er Patients

the new GeM unit at MonMouth MeDical center Features siX priVate encloseD rooMs attuneD to special aGe-relateD neeDs with wall sconces that can Be DiMMeD to proViDe a More relaXinG enVironMent anD Floor liGhtinG that reFlects to preVent Falls.

WIth the aGING popuLatIoN and the demographic shift of older adults in the health care system, emergency departments are increasingly challenged with the complexities of providing care for geriatric patients.

Estimates are that by 2030, one in five Americans will be 65 or older, and, while the aging of the U.S. population will impact all areas of health care, emergency departments

mmcurogyn.barnabashealth.org

MMC_SS_1211fin.indd 2

in particular will be affected. In response, Monmouth Medical Center has introduced a dedicated Geriatric Emergency Medicine (GEM) unit to better meet the complexities of providing care to this vulnerable geriatric patient populations.

The new GEM unit at Monmouth Medical Center, which debuted in November, features six private enclosed rooms in a separate area of the hospital’s Emergency Department

specially designed to meet the complex needs of the frail elderly and their caretakers.

“The environment is specifically designed for privacy and quiet and to reduce anxiety, noise, confusion and risk of falling,” says Catherine Hanlon, M.D., chair of emergency medicine at Monmouth, who notes that the nursing station in the center of the unit also was specially designed to increase visibility. “The rooms

to learn more about the GeM unit at Monmouth Medical center, call 732-923-6740. to learn about other programs or service for seniors, call 888-724-7123.

11/4/11 9:10 AM

geriatriC eMerge

nCy MediCine unit

✓ SPECIALLY TRAINED & DE ■

are attuned to special age-related needs with wall sconces that can be dimmed to provide a more relaxing environment and floor lighting that reflects to prevent falls.”

Other amenities of the unit include special beds with extrapadded mattresses to help reduce pressure and equipped with alarms to prevent patient falls by alerting staff if a disoriented patient attempts to get out of bed. Large face clocks, special pillow speakers to make watching television and listening to music more comfortable, and blanket warmers are among the host of amenities for the new unit.

“The physician and nursing staff have been specially trained and are dedicated to caring for seniors, and Angela Soldivieri, a nurse practitioner trained in geriatrics is our program coordinator and will be in close communication with the referring physician,” Dr. Hanlon says, adding that all patients 65 and older will be screened for a host of risk factors and, if appropriate, will be admitted directly to the GEM unit. “The unit also has a dedicated pharmacist who will focus on medications commonly prescribed for seniors with special attention to issues that can result in dangerous interactions.”

Soldivieri will contact all discharged patients and/or their caregivers within 24 hours to follow up on any issues and assess the patient’s status, according to Dr. Hanlon. For patients who are admitted

DICATED STAFF. ✓ DEDICATED PHARMACIST ■ . ✓ PRIVATE ENCLOSED ROOM ■ S. ✓ SPECIALLY DESIGNED NU ■ RSES STATION TO INCREASE VISIBILITY. ✓ REDUCED ANXIETY, NOIS ■ E, CONFUSION AND RISK OF FALLING. ✓ HOST OF SPECIAL AMEN ■ ITIES. ✓ FOLLOW-UP CARE TO DE ■ CREASE CHANCE OF RETURN VI SIT. PHYSICIAN/NURSING

to the hospital, the coordinator will work with the patient and their family, throughout their hospital stay, to help prepare for the patient’s discharge.

“The discharge process begins in the ED with continuity and coordination of care throughout Monmouth Medical Center, as well as with community providers, agency staff and nursing home staff as appropriate,” she says.

“The goal is for the transition to be seamless and to decrease the possibility of a return visit to the ED.” Jessica Israel, M.D., chief of geriatrics and palliative care at Monmouth Medical Center, notes that the GEM Unit is the latest in a host of initiatives taken by Monmouth to meet the special needs of its elderly patients.

She points to Monmouth Medical Center’s longstanding and comprehensive geriatric program, which coordinates health and social services for the elderly and their families with a focus on comprehensive care and education.

Monmouth’s Anna Greenwall Geriatric Program—which is led by geriatrician Priya Angi, M.D., specializes in medical care for the older adult, assessment of memory disorders and support for caregivers and the health professional, through a network of hospital-based and community-based services.

In addition, Monmouth Medical Center will be the lead hospital in the Barnabas Health Transition Program for the Frail Elderly with Dementia, a program designed to improve patients’ self-management of their care and decrease hospital readmissions among this vulnerable population afflicted with multiple chronic health conditions. The program is funded through a Robert Wood-Johnson Foundation grant awarded to Barnabas Health Foundation, and will be developed and initiated at Monmouth Medical Center under Project Director Allan Tunkel, M.D., chairman of the Department of Medicine at Monmouth, and then expanded to other Barnabas Health affiliates throughout New Jersey.

.

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11/4/11 9:10 AM

SPE C IAL PROMOTION

robotiC

Prostate CanCer surgery

has BallooninG enthusiast BacK aloFt QuicKly

IN 2003, GeNe BurNsteIN, an active 52-year-old hot-air balloon pilot was getting ready for a ballooning event in Canada and scheduled a check-up to obtain the FAA medical clearance needed for the event.

During the routine exam, his doctor noticed something out of the ordinary when he examined his prostate and recommended that Gene see a specialist.

Over the next few years, Gene’s urologist kept a careful eye on his PSA (prostate specific antigen) screening test and in 2007, when his test levels went up, he underwent a biopsy that showed he had prostate cancer.

Gene learned he had early stage prostate cancer and immediately began extensive research to determine his treatment options.

“I asked my urologist a whole slew of questions, and he recommended full open surgery, but I had been reading about robotic surgery. I decided to seek a second opinion from urologists Michael Esposito, M.D., and Vincent Lanteri, M.D., who are world-renowned experts in robotic surgery and pioneers of robotic prostatectomy,” Gene said.

He reviewed the video on the doctors’ website and brought a full list of questions with him to his initial visit.

“Dr. Lanteri appreciated that I had done my homework and we ended up having a nice, really open conversation. From that point on, I have had an incredible relationship with both doctors and decided to schedule my prostatectomy as a robotic surgery procedure at Monmouth Medical Center.”

“Robotics, in my opinion, was a cleaner option than traditional surgery,” he added. “It uses small incisions and

monmouthfoundation.org barnabashealth.org MMC_SS_1211fin.indd 4

to learn more about robotic surgery at Monmouth Medical center, or for a referral to a Monmouth-affiliated robotic surgeon, call 888-724-7123.

11/4/11 9:10 AM

Monmouth Medical Center First in New Jersey to Perform

Two Groundbreaking Robotic Surgeries N o n - I n va s i v e A p p r o a c h O f f e r s B e t t e r Pat i e n t O u t c o m e s

Gene Burnstein, hot-air balloon pilot

the recovery time is much shorter. My surgery was scheduled to take place in early June, and one thing I didn’t want to do was miss the international balloon festival in Canada in August. I wondered if I could wait a few months to have the surgery, but Drs. Lanteri and Esposito recommended against that.”

On June 4th, Gene went to Monmouth Medical Center, the first robotic surgery program in the region and one of the busiest in the state, to undergo his prostatectomy. He stayed overnight and was released after lunch the next day. He was walking shortly after, and he was able to participate in the big balloon festival in Canada, which was a great success.

“Robotic surgery was an all around good experience,” he said. “Both the surgery itself and everything associated with it have been so successful, and that took a big load off my mind. It has been four years since my surgery and I am feeling great.”

Urologist Michael Esposito, M.D., is medical director of the Robotic Surgery Program at Monmouth Medical Center.

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When it comes to robotic surgery, Monmouth Medical Center is leading the way in New Jersey.

In addition to recently performing two groundbreaking robotic surgery procedures that were each firsts for the state, the hospital offers the only program in Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer counties with two of the most-advanced da Vinci robotic surgery systems. Monmouth Medical Center is among the top five hospitals in New Jersey in terms of the volume of robotic surgery performed.

Monmouth’s reputation as the region’s leader in robotic surgery has also been solidified by two groundbreaking robotic surgeries that have taken this innovative technology to the next level: a partial nephrectomy (kidney removal) using fluorescent imaging and simulation technology and a scarless single-incision laparoscopic hysterectomy. These innovative procedures offer patients a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery with better results, as robotic surgeons can perform the most complicated surgeries more precisely. The outcomes are better, the recovery time is shorter and patients often return home the same day.

Urologist and robotic surgeon Pierre Mendoza, M.D., performed the first partial nephrectomy in New Jersey for a patient with kidney cancer using a new near-infrared fluorescence imaging guided system available on the da Vinci Si Surgical System. Monmouth Medical Center is among a select group of hospitals in the country to utilize this advanced technology that uses specially designed camera and endoscopes enabling surgeons to capture images of tissue and surrounding blood vessels by injecting a unique fluorescence dye that is activated by near-infrared light. The result is more precise visualization, allowing finer assessment of tissue while using a minimally invasive approach.

“Using fluorescence imaging is revolutionary as it may allow surgeons to differentiate between malignant and normal tisue in real time, as cancerous tissue glows less brightly than normal organ tissue,” Dr. Mendoza says. “By using this technology, we can perform complex kidney surgery in a more accurate, less invasive manner.”

Real-time application of the technology, combined with 3D visualization, provides a more accurate identification of critical vessels and tissue during surgery. This surgical approach enables surgeons to pinpoint and remove the diseased portions of the kidney with more precision, without removing the entire kidney. The enhanced imaging system incorporates a green-colored dye called IndoCyanine Green (ICG) and is used for identification of the renal vessels, allowing selective arterial clamping during surgery.

“Fluorescence imaging technology further

Martin P. Michalewski, M.D., F.A.C.O.G

Pierre Mendoza, M.D

advances robotic surgery by adding a tool to potentially minimize vascular complications during robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy, ” said Dr. Mendoza. “It’s an advantage for both patients and surgeons.”

For women requiring pelvic surgery, the single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) hysterectomy offers shorter recovery times and often enables patients to return home the same day. Performed by urogynecologist Martin P. Michalewski, M.D., F.A.C.O.G with the da Vinci Robot, the SILS hysterectomy also offers a major advantage over traditional minimally invasive surgery in that there are no visible scars.

Rather than making three or four separate onequarter inch abdominal incisions, SILS uses a single one-inch incision with the only scar hidden within the umbilicus, or belly button, according to Dr. Michalewski.

“Since there are fewer incisions, there is significantly less pain as there is less tissue trauma, less bleeding, and less risk of infection or injury from multiple port insertions,” Dr. Michalewski says. “Laparoscopic surgery has moved to a whole new level by adding SILS and robotics, enabling us to perform even the most complex procedures previously limited to open abdominal surgery.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, doctors in the U.S. perform approximately 600,000 hysterectomies a year, making it the second most common surgery for women. Traditional hysterectomies require a vertical or horizontal incision across a woman’s lower abdomen and a two- or three-day hospital stay followed by up to eight weeks of recovery.

“As the use of mimimally invasive technologies such as robotics and SILS is changing medicine dramatically, it’s critical for people to research their treatment options to be sure they are receiving the most effective approach that will yield the best results,” Dr. Michalewski says. “At Monmouth Medical Center, we offer our patients the most experience in the the region, with hundreds of robotic cases performed annually.”

11/8/11 2:06 PM

EDITOR’S NOTE

BREAST

FL

A NE W

WAY O

MINDFUL HOLIDAYS

We here at Monmouth Health & Life know the importance of feeling good and leading a balanced life, and over the past year, we have guided your quest for the “good life” in Monmouth County with authentic advice from local experts, including cutting-edge doctors and other healthcare practitioners. So with this issue, we set out to help you keep that balance—in mind, body and spirit— through this stressful holiday season with practical tips.

You’ll learn your money style, which will help you to stay on track financially (page 62), how to ward off stress with the top five superfoods (page 19) and how to get a great workout outdoors while snowshoeing (page 18). Our art director, Meredith McBride Kipp, along with New Jersey florist extraordinaire Anne Miller, shows you how to glam up your holiday decorating and delight your family and friends with her chic yet practical guide to setting the perfect holiday table (page 30). If you’ve run out of gift ideas already, see page 28 for “Our Favorite Things”—a gift guide featuring a little something for everyone, on every budget. Those looking for the perfect party attire will want to check out our fashion page (22) for some great local finds.

This holiday season, try to step away from the hustle and bustle and take time to share the true spirit of Christmas by giving to others—and not just under the tree. Whether you donate your time, talent or other gifts to those who are ill or less fortunate, it makes you feel good. For those of you who need scientific proof, research suggests there is a biochemical explanation for the positive emotions associated with doing good. And if you thrive on literary inspiration instead, heed the poet Maya Angelou, who said, “Among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”

Happy Holidays!

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O

IN K O

THE T A G

SPEAKING OF GIVING BACK...

Musician and Middletown resident Jon Bon Jovi recently opened Soul Kitchen (732.842.0900, jbjsoulkitchen.org), a pay-what-you-can restaurant in Red Bank offering gourmet comfort food. Guests who can’t afford to pay at all are able to earn their meal by volunteering in the restaurant, which Bon Jovi hopes will empower individuals to participate in their community. “At a time when one in five households is living at or below the poverty level, and one out of six Americans is food insecure, this is a restaurant whose time has come,” said Bon Jovi. Reservations are recommended if you plan to visit.

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editorial

senior editor timothy kelle y associate editor liZ donovan

Check our website for all of our

SPECIAL EVENTS!

contributing editors alli son ander son, eli Z abe th l arner, fr ancesca moi s in, maureen c. petrosky, nicole es pos ito polly, audre y regan sol arino, carole soule interns michele corriston, maureen scully editorial director, custom media rita guarna

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We Want to hear from you!

Send your feedback and ideas to: Editor, Monmouth Health & Life, 110 Summit Avenue, Mont vale, NJ 07645; fa x 201.782.5319; e-mail editor@wainscot media.com. Monmouth Health & Life assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or art materials.

monmouth health & life is published 4 times a year by Wainscot Media, 110 Summit Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645. This is Volume 10, Issue 4. © 2011 by Wainscot Media LLC. All rights reserved. Subscriptions in U.S. outside of Monmouth County: $14 for one year. Single copies: $3.95. Material contained herein is intended for informational purposes only. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Gina L. Louie, M.D. 766 SHREWSBURY AVENUE, STE 300 • TINTON FALLS, NJ 07724

732-345-VEIN (8346) • www.345vein.com

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11/3/11 4:49 9:05PM AM 10/25/11

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When's the right time for a hearing evaluation?

Probably sooner than you think.

Jennifer Schaal Sampson, Au.D., American Family Hearing Center As the old story goes, there’s good news and bad news about hearing loss. The good news is that the human brain – your brain – is amazingly good at adapting to many different kinds of obstacles, including things like hearing loss. You may be suffering from a slight decline right now and be hardly aware of it, because you’ve found ways to compensate – simple things like turning your head and leaning forward to hear better; or asking people to repeat what they’ve said; or waiting for the conversation to move on so you can catch up. Maybe you’re adapting by simply avoiding social situations like noisy restaurants and parties, where the background noise makes it so hard to understand the conversation that you really have to strain to hear. Still, by coping and adapting, you feel like you’re getting by.

Know what you’re missing.

So what’s the bad news? You may be adapting so well that you don’t know what you’re missing. You’re unaware of lost information, lost opportunities, and the lost energy you spend just trying to keep up. You just know that social situations are more tiring than they used to be. Those embarrassing moments when you don’t catch someone’s name or some other important bit of information are growing more frequent.

If you’re like many people with age-related hearing loss, the condition progresses as you get older. And as it progresses, you work harder to cope, maybe without even realizing it.

As good as your brain may be at adapting, the effort it takes tends to diminish the parts of your life that matter most: sharing with friends and family, keeping ahead in your business, and spending time out in the community.

Myth 1: Hearing instruments are just amplifiers... and I don’t need more loudness.

Hearing aids used to attempt to help just by upping the volume of every sound. But that’s not how it’s done today. Devices like Intiga use the latest breakthroughs in microprocessor design, audio signal processing technology, and materials science, not to indiscriminantly raise the volume of what you hear, but to sharpen the focus of what you hear. So you’re better able to hone in on a conversation in a wall of party noise, and shift attention from one voice to another as you choose. With Intiga it’s easier to understand and respond to a soft, high-pitched voice – a child or an elderly person, for example –because your hearing instrument works to help your brain recognize natural speech cues and keep competing noise less distracting. Intiga even uses Bluetooth™ technology to let you stream sound from a TV, phone, computer, or other Bluetooth device, for a high-end audio entertainment experience.

So this is not your grandmother’s ear trumpet. Nor is it your father’s case-and-cord hearing aid. A hearing instrument like Intiga is exquisitely programmable to match your hearing profile. Intiga works with your brain to help you hear more naturally, even in difficult hearing situations.

Myth 2: Hearing instruments are uncomfortable and unattractive.

People with advanced hearing loss describe this state as a feeling of isolation, of being trapped. They find it physically and emotionally tiring to strain to hear a conversation in a noisy setting. It’s just too hard to make the effort. So they give up.

Ironically, this myth persists because modern hearing instruments like Intiga are so well concealed that most people never see them. The styles most people see in public are actually older generation units worn either directly in the ear or in a large behind-the-ear case. Instruments like Intiga are an astonishing blend of camouflage and miniaturization that disappear behind the ear, tinted to blend with your hair or skin color. They are ultra-light, and you barely feel the Intiga receiver as it hovers over your ear canal and delivers sparkling, vibrant sound.

Break through the isolation with new hearing technology.

Myth 3: Hearing instruments are not for me.

Not yet, anyway.

There is help for people with hearing loss: a wonderful array of modern hearing solutions that can make it easier to break through the wall of noise and focus on what’s important.

Modern hearing technology, like the new Intiga instrument from Oticon, can not only help bring you back to a fuller and more vibrant social life; it can make things like concerts, radio, telephone and TV much more rewarding experiences than ever before.

People who believe they have only slightly impaired hearing often make the mistake of thinking that they don’t have much to gain from a hearing instrument like Intiga. It’s a shame, because they waste years of their lives coping and adapting, and missing out on the joy of being more fully engaged with family, friends and colleagues.

But what happens is that people tend to put off getting help later than they should. They adapt a little more, and miss out a little more, every year. They don’t realize how much they’re struggling, and living increasingly isolated lives.

Don’t let old myths about hearing aids delay your chance at a fuller life.

There are a variety of reasons that people put off getting help. The main one is a lack of understanding of what modern hearing technology is and how it helps. We’ve found that there are at least three big myths that keep people from trying out hearing technology, putting them on the road to years of frustration and isolation instead of a happier life.

American Family Hearing Center

There’s only one way to dispel this myth: see your hearing care professional, get a hearing evaluation, and try Intiga risk free. The only way to understand what you’re missing is to try these state-of-the art hearing instruments in your own home, your own office and your own daily life. If you’re suffering from hearing loss, you’ll see how Intiga helps pull you back into the more vibrant life you love, in a way that adapting, coping, and older hearing technology cannot.

Hearing technology has come a long way.

In the beginning, there was the ear trumpet. Its advantages were that it did the job (more or less) and didn’t require batteries. That was a good thing, because a battery in those days weighed about 30 pounds.

Disadvantages? Just look at it!

With the development of battery powered amplification about a hundred years ago, thanks in part to development in the telephone industry, hearing aids became more effective. At their most basic they were simple amplifiers that added volume to unfiltered sound, much the same as an ear trumpet, but in a smaller and (slightly) more practical package.

The development of more compact batteries and electronics in the mid–20th century helped make the hearing aid wearable, though not so fashionable. Even so, the portable, transistor-powered hearing aid made a real difference in the lives of millions of people with hearing loss in an increasingly mobile society.

The Space Age spawned a huge wave of innovation in the miniaturization of electronics, audio circuits and batteries. In the late 70s the industry began to see instruments that could actually be custom molded and fitted to be worn in the ear. A revolution in comfort and convenience was in full swing, but the best was yet to come.

The last 20 years have seen quantum leaps in hearing technology performance due to the rapid miniaturization of microprocessors and sophisticated audio signal processing circuits.

Today, with nearly all the adjustment and sound processing controlled by a tiny on-board computer, Oticon has eliminated the need for most manual controls and has shrunken the modern hearing instrument to an astonishingly small size.

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subscription services To inquire about a subscription, to change an address or to purchase a back issue or a reprint of an article, please write to Monmouth Health & Life, Circulation Department, 110 Summit Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645; telephone 201.573.5541; e-mail christine.hamel@wainscotmedia.com.

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The Knitty Gritty Studies show that the hobby of knitting can relieve stress, lower heart rate and blood pressure, ease muscle tension—and even help ward off dementia, but isn’t it hard to learn? Not at all, says Dori Kershner, owner of Wooly Monmouth in Red Bank. “Anybody who wants to knit can knit,” she says. “It is as easy as paint-bynumbers if you have the right guidance and the right equipment.”

And though knitting can be somewhat addictive itself, it also helps break habits that are bad for you. “It’s very useful with behavior modification—it gives people who are trying to stop smoking or overeating something to do with their hands,” says Kershner.

For even more warm and fuzzy feelings, use your knitting skills to help those in need. Check out knit-a-square.com, which makes blankets for AIDS orphans in Africa. Or to help out closer to home, find organizations that will welcome your work by going to knittingforcharity.org and searching “New Jersey.”

For supplies or knit ting cl asses: Carriage Yarn & Boutique 895 W. Park Ave. Ocean 732.493.3334 carriageyarn.com Wooly Monmouth 27 Monmouth St. Red Bank 732.224.9276 woolymonmouth.com Yarn Crafters 3333 Route 9 North Freehold 732.308.0181 yarncrafters.com

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LOCAL BUZZ

Lentil Crackers, Plantain Chips and Popcorn Chips are healthy and locally made.

DID YOU HE AR?

New Jersey just became the first state in the nation to require downhill skiers and snowboarders age 18 and under to wear helmets.

IT’S SNOW EXCUSE

Don’t blame that powdery precipitation for hindering your winter workout: Use it. “Snow sports are a way to cross-train. When the ground is snow-covered, walking or running may be eliminated, but you can still get your workout in with snowshoeing or cross-country skiing,” says Rob Krause of Eastern Mountain Sports in Eatontown (732.460.0188; ems. com). Either of those two activities burns more calories in an hour than the same amount of time on a stationary bike or elliptical machine or an hour spent jogging.

Conveniently, you can rent snowshoes for $25 a day at Eastern Mountain Sports. For beginners, ailing athletes or for those looking for additional resistance, a trekking pole can enhance the workout. “Poles give you better balance, like two extra legs,” says Krause. “They take pressure off your knees and ankles.”

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BOTTOM LEFT: ELIZABTH LARNER. RIGHT: SHUTTERSTOCK

Atlas Elektra 923 snowshoes ($160) are available at EMS.

It’s holiday time again, and that means navigating a minefield of finger foods, appetizers and other high-calorie treats.

Consider arming yourself with these tasty, health-conscious treats, all made in New Jersey: Lentil Crackers from Boonton-based Mediterranean Snack Foods (mediter raneansnackfoods.com) are gluten-free, high-protein and low-fat. They’re available in Rosemary Herb, Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper and pair nicely with hummus or yogurt dip for a low-calorie snack. Find them at Sickles Market in Little Silver (732.741.9563, sicklesmarket.com).

Plantain Chips, made by Grab ’Em Snacks (grabemsnacks.com) in Hillsborough, are gluten-free and come in seven flavors including Cinful Cinnamon, Chili Garlicious and Ragin Cajun. Part of the banana family, plantains are high in protein and rich in fiber, making these a smart alternative to most other kinds of snack chips. You can order them on the company’s website.

Popcorn Chips: Air-popped popcorn is already a fiber-rich and figure-friendly alternative for snackers, so a makeover may not seem necessary. But Chip’ins, a new line of chips from the Popcorn, Indiana company (which, despite the name, is based in Englewood), are a fun and flavorful popcorn variation. Available in four flavors—Sea Salt, Jalapeño Ranch, White Cheddar and Hot Buffalo Wing—these chips can accompany finger sandwiches or a low-fat dip. Find them at Sickles Market.

TOP LEFT: SHUTTERSTOCK

light bites

STRESS-FIGHTING SUPERFOODS

CHRISTMAS AT 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE Glen Ridge resident Coleen Christian Burke has a passion for holiday decorating at the White House. Chosen as a volunteer decorator for then-First Lady Laura Bush, Burke has been decorating the White House since 2008. She runs a seasonal holiday decorating business called Sugar Plums, through which you can decorate your home in a theme chosen by a first lady for the White House, from Jackie Kennedy through Michelle Obama (visit haveawhite housechristmas.com).

And now Burke has come out with Christmas with the First Ladies (Insight Editions, $29.95), a glossy inside look at how the recent women of the White House have decorated and celebrated during the holiday season. Behind-thescenes photos gathered from the Library of Congress and anecdotes from Burke’s years as a White House Christmas decorating volunteer add a special touch.

NOT-SO-EASY RYDERS

RealRyders (realryder.com) are all the rage these days— even Rihanna and the cast of HBO’s Entourage are using these almost-stationary bikes. Although they may look like ordinary spin bikes, RealRyders are cycles that allow you to tilt, lean and rock—and even turn the handlebars— for a total-body workout. “As people ride on the RealRyder, they learn how to use it to benefit their arms, shoulders, chest and core,” says Kathleen Conover, owner of Hammer House in Colts Neck, Monmouth’s only RealRyder indoor cycling facility. “We offer three free classes to newcomers because it takes that long to truly understand the bike.”

To further enhance the experience, Hammer House has just introduced complementary (and complimentary) lean-body workouts to follow each RealRyder session, with additional core, arm and leg work for those who want it.

Did you know that ignoring signs of stress is a more dangerous risk factor for cancer and heart disease than either cigarette smoking or eating high-cholesterol foods?

There are numerous steps you can take to reduce stress, including daily exercise and relaxation techniques.

But the simplest way may actually be by eating!

To combat stress, add these healthful foods to your diet.

Packed with essential vitamins and nutrients (including stressfighters), these delicious bites will fill you up without excess calories and leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

Almonds

Vitamins E and B Vitamin E strengthens the immune system and fights cellular damage from free radicals linked to chronic stress. B vitamins stabilize mood by stimulating production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that sends calming signals to the brain and fights anxiety. They also build up protective fat around brain cells, which gets depleted under stress.

STRESS-FIGHTING NUTRIENTS HEALTH BENEFITS

Blueberries Vitamin C Vitamin C helps stabilize blood sugar, fight free radicals associated with stress and lower stress hormone levels.

STRESS-FIGHTING NUTRIENT HEALTH BENEFITS

Eggs B Vitamins and L-Tryptophan With the help of B vitamins, L-Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, converts to serotonin, which improves mood and mental health, and melatonin, which aids in sleep.

STRESS-FIGHTING NUTRIENTS HEALTH BENEFITS

Salmon, Mackerel, Herring, Lake Trout, Sardines and Albacore Tuna STRESS-FIGHTING NUTRIENTS Omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins HEALTH BENEFITS Omega-3 fatty acids prevent increases in stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline and help produce serotonin. (There’s also evidence that they may reduce depression.)

Skim Milk Calcium Calcium alleviates tension and decreases muscle spasms. It may also lessen symptoms of PMS, including anxiety, mood swings and irritability.

STRESS-FIGHTING NUTRIENT

BOTTOM LEFT: ELIZABTH LARNER. RIGHT: SHUTTERSTOCK

TOP LEFT: SHUTTERSTOCK

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Spinach STRESS-FIGHTING NUTRIENT

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Magnesium stops blood pressure from rising and works to relax tense muscles.

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MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM

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local buzz Meet Judy, an English Setter from Little Silver

And the winner is…

where’s the boss?

Bruce Springsteen sings about coming home, and now he has— figuratively speaking. Last month, the largest memorabilia collection dedicated to the rock star was moved from Asbury Park Public Library, where most of it was archived, to Monmouth University in West Long Branch. It features almost 15,000 documents such as magazine and newspaper clippings, tour souvenirs and personal items, including the songwriter’s yearbooks. To view the collection, call 732.571.3512.

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The Kite Flyer ride at iPlay America, a new indoor theme park

a place to play Freehold just got a bit more fun with the debut of iPlay America (732.577.8200, iplayamerica.com), an indoor theme park that opened this fall. iPlay America is home to more than 115,000 square feet of rides, two-floor laser tag, bumper cars, go-karts and more than 200 midway and arcade games.

Private party rooms, three different eateries and sweet shops make this an ideal setting for a child’s birthday party.

There is no parking fee, and the games and rides are pay-as-you-go. Your $20 entrance fee gets you an iPA card loaded with points good toward anything in the park. If you run out before you’re done, you can refill your card, and if you have points to spare, you can save them for your next visit.

monmouthHEALTHandLIFE.com

11/8/11 1:46 PM

clockwise from top left: courtesy of the infernos, shutterstock, Laurie Giamella

a sweet spot

Some of us are content to choose from whatever array of cupcakes is set before us. Others want to pick the exact type of cake, filling, icing and toppings they’ll consume. For them, the place to be is Sugarush (732.414.9044, experiencesugarush.com) in Red Bank, home to the state’s first “cupcake bar.”

Co-owner Chris Paseka says the idea for Sugarush’s abundant options came from his personal preferences. “I am a picky eater and when I used to get cupcakes, I’d scrape the icing off right away. So I decided this wasn’t going to be another shop where people were told what to like.”

The shop sells cake pops, cookies and candy as well. Paseka and co-owner Jesse Bello-Paseka can also create centerpieces and party favors, bring a portable cupcake bar to your party and even provide full-service event planning.

Their business leaves this pair with little time to volunteer for good causes, but they still want a way to give back to the community. So a portion of the proceeds from their signature Sugarush Cupcake—a confetti cupcake with vanilla cream inside and blue-tinted buttercream and sprinkles on top—goes to a different charity every month. In December, proceeds will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

You submitted the best photos of your furry friends and then voted for a winner. The results are in! This year’s “cutest pet” award goes to…(drumroll, please)…Judy, a lovable and spunky English Setter. Seven-year-old Judy and her owner, Abby Westgate, live in Little Silver. “Judy is a real character,” says Westgate. “Her favorite hobby is probably chewing—we’ve named the furniture she’s enjoyed ‘The Judy Chew Collection.’” When she’s not eating the couch, Judy loves to lounge around on it lazily, which earned her the nickname “Lump-A-Dump.” Visit mon mouthhealthandlife.com to meet the runner-up: Wrigley, a Maltese/Pomeranian mixed breed from Tinton Falls.

clockwise from top left: CHRIS PASEKA, courtesy of Abby Westgate, iPlay America, shutterstock

A custom candy buffet at Sugarush in Red Bank

LOCAL BUZZ

New Jersey’s own Infernos Band

Z-“APP” STRESS

HOT HOLIDAY MUSIC

Most wedding and corporate-event bands cannot include performing for President Obama and Governors James McGreevey and Jon Corzine on their resume, but New Jersey’s own Infernos Band can. The Infernos have been performing since 1977 and have opened for big-name bands like Chicago.

The Infernos traveled to Rome and L’Aquila—a city that was devastated by an earthquake in 2009—last year to perform a series of benefit concerts, and proceeds from that tour’s documentary, Italy Earthquake Relief Fund Tour, are going to earthquake survivors and their families.

Founder and lead singer Bobby Wells says that was the least they could do. “We’ve had the honor of playing shows all over the world for over 30 years, and we feel lucky to be able to do what we love day in and day out,” says Wells. “This is just one small way we can give back.” Wells was given the East Hanover Italian-American Club “Humanitarian of the Year” award in October.

The band’s documentary DVD will be for sale at all of their upcoming shows. Visit theinfernosband.com for a list of concert dates. To download a version of The Infernos’ “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “I’m So Glad That It’s Time To Be Christmas” head to monmouthhealthandlife.com.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF THE INFERNOS, SHUTTERSTOCK, LAURIE GIAMELLA

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CHRIS PASEKA, COURTESY OF ABBY WESTGATE, IPLAY AMERICA, SHUTTERSTOCK

Camp Bow Wow’s caring counselors

With the recently released app Stress Free with Deepak Chopra (deepak chopramobile.com), you can relax without the cost and time commitment of a yoga class or a massage.

The $1.99 app, which is compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, is a six-week interactive program coached by Chopra, an expert on mind– body healing. Stress Free includes interactive exercises, music therapy, meditations, questionnaires, personalized nutrition advice and yoga postures. Check out Chopra’s other apps that focus on meditation and yoga— and get inspirational tidbits with the free app Daily Gift.

CAMP FOR CANINES

Don’t like leaving your furry friend at home during a family vacation? While you’re away, your pooch can play at the recently opened Camp Bow Wow (732.728.WOOF, campbowwow.com) in Eatontown, a franchise of a national doggy day-and-overnight camp company. The 8,000-square-foot Eatontown facility has three climate-controlled indoor play areas with adjoining outdoor yards filled with toys, ramps, stairs and tunnels to keep your pet entertained all day. “Campers” are supervised by certified camp counselors trained in dog behavior, safety and health management. And when it’s time for lights out, each overnight camper gets his/her own climate-controlled cabin with a bed and a fleece blanket—and a campfire treat! You can even check up on Fido with the online Camper Cam, available on the website or as an iPhone app.

CORRECTION

We inadvertently left out the winning antiques stores in our “Best of Monmouth Readers’ Choice Awards” article in the September issue.

Here’s what should have been included:

1ST PLACE: Antique Center of Red Bank 195 W. Front St. Red Bank, 732.842.3393

2ND PLACE: Shore Antique Center 413 Allen Ave. Allenhurst 732.531.4466

3RD PLACE: Antique Emporium 646 Cookman Ave. Asbury Park 732.774.8230

MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM

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LOCAL FASHION

OH NIGHT DIVINE PART Y-WORTHY PIECES FOR E VERY OCCASION

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5 4 1 The fun and flirty pale gold metallic Georgie Clutch, $250, from Lauren Merkin will add interest to your look but won’t steal the show. The Bee, Long Branch, 732.923.0505. 2 Tory Burch’s Eddie Glitter Ballerina Flats in bronze, $198, are fun and comfortable—perfect for those playing hostess this winter.

Footnotes, Deal, 732.531.9734. 3 Ooh, la, la! The Brian Atwood Pazza Bis Sandals, $1,340, in python leopard with a flirty red ribbon are to die for! When you wear these heels, keep your clothing simple and let your shoes do the talking. Coco Pari, Red Bank, 732.212.8111. 4 In need of a good old-fashioned cocktail dress? Look no further than Theia’s Crystal Beaded Strapless Dress, $1,995. It can be worn with your favorite boyfriend blazer, a black leather jacket or simply on its own, no jewelry needed. neimanmarcus.com. 5. As ladylike looks rule the runway, now is the perfect time for your Mad Men moment. Finish off your chic ensemble with Oscar De La Renta’s silk-lined Hunter Fox Fur Stole, $1,650. Saks Fifth Avenue, Short Hills, 973.376.7000.

6 The most fabulous cover-up this season is courtesy of Va Et Vien exclusively for BHLDN. The Snowdrift Jacket, $500, mixes the feel of sumptuous silk charmeuse with the comfort of a down vest and comes with a detachable jeweled brooch closure. bhldn.com. 7 Color is one of the season’s biggest trends. Diane Von Furstenberg’s blue sequined Judith Dress, $1,600, will complement any skin tone. Coco Pari, Red Bank, 732.212.8111. —ALLISON ANDERSON

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LOCAL JEWELRY

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9 1 Give your everyday look a dangerous edge with Poor Cat’s handcrafted silver Skull Charm.

The three-dimensional skulls come in three sizes ($200, $250 and $350) and hang on an adjustable leather cord. Goldtinker, Rumson, 732.530.9696. 2 Show that you don’t take yourself too seriously with these lighthearted Winking Owl Cuff Links by Jan Leslie, $400. janleslie.com. 3 Breitling, whose first Transocean wristwatch drew acclaim in 1958 for its refined look and aviation-worthy precision, has launched a modern version. The high-performance Transocean Chronograph Limited, available in stainless steel ($7,500) and red gold ($17,000), is shock-resistant, antimagnetic, self-winding and watertight. Leonardo Jewelers, Red Bank, 732.747.7880. 4 This Lanvin carabiner makes it easy to keep track of your keys. The utilitarian Cord Keyfob, $125, features an “L” pendant and is available in blue, green and red. lanvin.com.

5 Designer John Hardy found his inspiration for the Kali collection along the rivers of Bali. The fluid Leather Bracelet, $225, with its pebble-like details and smooth black woven leather says cool, calm and collected. Hamilton Jewelers, Red Bank, 732.741.9600. 6 The masculine lines and the simplicity of solid sterling make this 1837 Basics Cuff, $450, truly timeless. Tiffany & Co., Red Bank, 732.345.8150. 7 Celebrate your favorite MLB or NFL team with this silver-plated Money Clip, $45, or pay homage to your alma mater by donning one with an NCAA team logo.

Go team! cufflinks.com. 8 David Yurman uses mixed metals and strong details to create pieces that win a ringing endorsement. Black Onyx Signet Ring, $495, Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry, Manalapan, 732.577.1030. 9 Join the ranks of the stylish with Gucci’s sterling silver Dog Tag Necklace, $350. The two logo-engraved tags hang from a ball-chain necklace. Nordstrom, Freehold, 732.308.1117. —MEGHAN BASHAW

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1 Soften the look of a stark mantel or an empty hearth with this chic Golden Circles Fire Screen, $625, made of iron and finished in Italian gold; 51˝ W x 0.5˝ D x 32˝ H. neimanmarcus.com. 2 The Teflon-coated linen Mit, $130, is fully lined and wrapped in leather to protect your hand and forearm while you’re tending the fire. Design Within Reach, Princeton, 609.921.0899. 3 A purveyor of good style, John Lyle has created lighthearted Bulldog Andirons, lending wit to a usually utilitarian space. Shown in white bronze; 9˝ W x 15˝ H. To the trade at Holly Hunt, New York, 212.755.6555.

4 Try the wall-mounted Sahara Fireplace, $499.99, for a simple and affordable way to update your space. Use a remote to control the thermostat for year-round comfort. The gunmetal finish and wide screen won’t go unnoticed; 39.5˝ W x 6.86˝ D x 27.63˝ H. Thomasville, Eatontown, 732.460.1400. 5 The durable Wood Carrier, $250, has reinforced side panels and double-stitched leather handles. Design Within Reach, Princeton, 609.921.0899.

6 EcoSmart’s portable Cube Jr. Ethanol Fireplace, $2,795, uses plant-based bioethanol resulting in clean emissions, and its size (33.9˝ W x 17.7˝ D x 33.9˝ H) suits almost any interior space. viesso.com.

7 The Freestanding Malm Fireplace, starting at $1,600, has a modern aesthetic and, unlike traditional masonry, heats up rapidly.

The wide mouth provides a panoramic view of the fire and allows heat to be distributed more efficiently throughout a room. It’s available in 10 different colors of porcelain or stainless steel. Andiron Fireplace Shop, Holmdel, 732.671.0919. 8 Cozy up on your deck or patio next to the Laguna Concrete Propane Fire Table, $1,995, with ample tabletop space for serving. It is made with fibercast concrete that will develop a patina over time. Flames are surrounded by ¼˝-thick tempered glass, and the receptacle is filled with decorative lava rocks; 60˝ W x 42˝ D x 25˝ H. Restoration Hardware, Red Bank, 732.212.0991. 9 Enjoy your fire from multiple rooms with the Montebello SeeThrough Gas Fireplace, starting at $5,499.

It can reside between two interior walls or, for a truly unique look, install the Montebello between an indoor wall and an exterior wall. The broad opening, fiber ember top and true-to-life logs make a bold statement even when the flame is off; 50.5˝ W x 27.44˝ D x 46.59˝ H. East Coast Fireplace, Manalapan, 732.792.0300.

CHECK OUT THE WORK OF ST YLE CONSULTANT MEGHAN BASHAW AT MEGHANBASHAW.COM.

MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM

11/8/11 5:59 PM

shop local leader come back to the business. But I did—and it was the best decision I ever made.

Ge t ting there

What are some of your store’s most popular

sickles market 1 Harrison Ave. Little Silver, 732.741.9563 sicklesmarket.com

Bob Sickles

Sickles Market was just named New Jersey Small Business of the Year by The Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Selling it farm-fresh

In Bob Sickles of Sickles Marke t, a three-century agricultur al tr adition meets up-to-the-minute marketing ideas a lot has changed on the scene since 2003, when Monmouth Health & Life last checked in with Bob Sickles of Little Silver’s Sickles Market—the introduction of mobile apps, for example. So we figured it was time for another visit with this third-generation entrepreneur, now 55, who guided the expansion of a small, seasonal farmer’s market into a year-round specialty foods store, gourmet grocer, garden center and general store.

Courtesy of sickles market

Remind me: How long has your family been farming in this area? Since the 1600s—at first, family lore says, it was under a charter granted to my ancestor by England’s King Charles II.

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Yes—I started working in the business at 12. My dad is a farmer, and my grandfather began selling produce from his farm in 1908. Even when I was a kid, this was the last farm standing in Little Silver, and there weren’t many others left in Monmouth County.

I gather the work was hard. A farm never stops, even when you’re not open and selling stuff. When I was in high school and started driving, I made runs to Newark with vegetables to sell in markets there.

Often we would sit at night packing tomatoes in cases and cutting flowers. I went away to college and studied horticulture, and for a while I wasn’t sure if I would You got involved early on, right?

send your ideas for “shop local leader” to shoplocalleader@wainscotmedia.com.

products? Jersey tomatoes, Jersey corn and Jersey peaches are three of the big ones. In the butcher department, we have a fabulous cowboy steak. In the bakery, we make our own brownies and lemon bars. In prepared foods, we’re famous for our homemade soups and chicken pot pies. We have many great sandwiches—one is the Simpson, a roast beef sandwich designed to imitate the flavor you get from Burger King’s Whopper—and a really nice cheese department with two varieties of homemade mozzarella that we buy locally. Our gourmet grocery has canned Jersey tomatoes. Our garden center specializes in plants not widely available, but we also have common plants like boxwoods and hydrangeas at the highest quality we can find.

Is your food organic? We have a mixed selection, similar to Whole Foods.

What’s most important to me is not that items be either organic or traditional, but that we’re editing our products for our customers to make sure they’re top quality and a good value.

Is your dad still farming? On a small scale. For him, it’s like a big garden.

He tends about 15 acres of blackberries, and he’s used to farming 200. But at age 84, he loves it.

Have your children gone into the business?

So far, one of them has. My wife, Leslie, and I have three kids: Tori, 28; Sasha, 21; and Tristan, 14. After graduating from college six years ago, Tori went to work for a higher education lobbying firm in D.C. for about three years. Now she’s a marketing assistant at Sickles Market. I think many people end up deciding that a family business is a great place to be—as long as they’re given the time and opportunity to look at other things.

Is that Sickles Market I see on Facebook?

We’re there—and on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr. And we have a blog and online shopping—we ship products as far away as England. We launched a new, redesigned website in April. Going forward, our mantra is about sharing quality and sharing education about products. We’ve been using a social media consultant for over a year. There are things like mobile apps that come along in retail that we need to be on top of. Connecting with people electronically is a growth industry we can’t ignore. —michele corriston

monmouthHEALTHandLIFE.com

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OUR FAVORITE THINGS THESE UNUSUAL FINDS WILL DELIGHT THE SMART, CHIC, QUIRK Y AND CREATIVE FOLK ON YOUR LIST!

BY NICOLE ESPOSITO POLLY

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1 The certified organic Bamboo Grow Pot, $20, from Potting Shed Creations puts fresh ingredients at the cook’s fingertips.

Viburnum Designs, Princeton, 609.683.8800.

2 Each of the teas in Teavana’s Shizuoka Collection Green Tea Gift Set, $80, comes beautifully wrapped in traditional Japanese origami paper. Teavana, Freehold, 732.308.0050. 3 Style meets function in the four-wheel, 22˝ Plume Polycarbonate Carry-On, $199, from Lipault. Its light weight makes maneuvering through airports easy. flight001.com. 4 The Spiffy Lumberjack Bifold Wallet, $38, from Jetsam is constructed from vintage plaid shirts and packaged in a box made from recycled paper. Foolish Ginger, Asbury Park, 732.455.8068. 5 Those who love to entertain will enjoy Kim Seybert’s Holiday Ornament Napkin Rings—a whimsical addition to any place setting. $100 for a set of four. Aquaviva, Holmdel, 732.946.9500. 6 Riders 16 and up can travel on Razor’s battery-powered EcoSmart Metro Electric Scooter, $400, which reaches speeds of up to 18 m.p.h. with no emissions. amazon.com. 7 Ideal for the conservationist, the Adopt-a-Polar Bear Gift Box, $39, from Gift Republic, enables the recipient to adopt a polar bear for 12 months, helping protect polar bears through a partnership with the nonprofit Polar Bears International. langtoninfo.com. 8 S’well’s double-insulated Stainless-Steel Wine Bottle, $40, keeps wine perfectly chilled, and 10 percent of all sales help provide clean water to poor communities in Africa and India. swellbottle.com. 9 Tiffany & Co.’s Satin Bracelet Bag in Chartreuse, $795, is lined in the store’s signature blue and adorned with a ball-chain handle—perfect for the hardto-please fashionista. Tiffany & Co., Red Bank, 732.345.8150. 10 Velvet Jingle Bell Collars, $5–$12, from Harry Barker stretch easily over your pet’s head, transforming a plain pooch into a hip hound. Paws and Pose, Long Branch, 732.222.8033. 11 Music lovers and home decorators alike will fall for the Geneva Sound System Model S, $300. The sleek, sonorous PowerDock for iPod/iPhone is also a clock-radio. Crate & Barrel, Cherry Hill, 856.662.5499. 12 Leave yourself colorful notes from the Writer’s Block Message Pad, $10, from Bob’s Your Uncle, boasting 550 pages of recycled paper. bobsyouruncle. com. 13 Organize keys and other accessories easily on the Bird On Branch Deluxe Wall Hook, $38, from These Creatures.

Budd & Finn, Asbury Park, 732.272.4180.

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whites

winter

this year, curb the urge to use those same old red and green holiday decorations. these entertaining ideas will help you break old habits and embrace a new palette written & styled By meredith mcbride kipp floral design by anne miller ¡ Photography by roey yohai

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opener and this page, left: roey yohai for the little flower shoppe in ridgewood. right (2): shutterstock

Flanking doorways and the fireplace with preserved juniper trees will make a large room feel more intimate.

Potted topiaries like these are also a chic alternative to a traditional Christmas tree.

’

opener and this page, left: roey yohai for the little flower shoppe in ridgewood. right (2): shutterstock

Add dimension and a punch of color at each table setting with a sculptural piece of seasonal produce like an artichoke or pomegranate.

’T

is the season to be jolly, and setting the tone for such a sentiment is all about creating great atmosphere. When it comes to holiday decorating, the hardest part is staying away from the expected. Resist the temptation to use all of your saved decorations from years past. Instead, try something new: Pick a color palette and stick to it. What doesn’t fit the bill goes back to the attic or gets a fresh coat of paint. This year, think white. White is the epitome of modernity, elegance and balance. Mixing snow white with traces of green, black and silver is on trend and très chic.

To bring greenery and life into your dining room, New Jersey florist extraordinaire Anne Miller recommends hanging an

Coordinate your food with your color palette for added impact and elegance.

oversize wreath. Decorate it with items found in nature such as pinecones, acorns and berries to enchant guests. Flank the hearth and doorway with preserved juniper topiar y trees for an instant dose of warmth and intimacy.

For your holiday table, choose crisp white linens and layer them with a wide, black ribbon or runner down the center of the table and across at each place setting. This will add dimension to the table and visually anchor each setting. When it comes to flatware, glassware and china, you don’t need to have the best; you just need to know how to use what you’ve got. Don’t be afraid to mix like-colored pieces—whites with off-whites, stainless steel with silver and mercury glass

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your local stationer do them for you. Place a menu on top of each napkin, then wrap the napkin and menu with ribbon or a paper strip that matches the invite (as pictured at right).

Top it all off with a fresh artichoke to add unexpected texture, dimension and a punch of color.

Lastly, make sure the lighting is just right—if you don’t have dimmers on your fixtures, just use candles (always unscented around food) aided by the glow from an illuminated room nearby. Cluster large mercury glass pieces and other silver objects together to bring a little sparkle to darker areas of the room. Carry elements of this onto your table by way of mercury glass votives and a few small silver objects, and you’ll have plenty of sparkle to go around during this festive season.

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top left: © Loupe Images/Sandra Lane. top right: © Loupe Images/Martin Brigdale. bottom right: shutterstock

or crystal with glass. Place your white china on a clear, silver or white charger—layering adds dimension to the table. To add sparkle, use clear glassware and stemware and mix styles to vary the height and look. For centerpieces, Miller says to keep the botanicals simple and seasonal. The velvety texture of Vendela roses and silvery grey Tilandisa is warm and wintry and helps create the mood for a luxurious cold-weather soiree.

For an intimate dinner party, keep the arrangements under 12 inches high so as not to disrupt the festive repartee.

Bring the black-and-white theme from your mailed invitation through to the place card and menu—it’s really chic and your guests will appreciate the detail. Keep the design simple and modern, and make things easy for yourself by having

this page and opposite (top center and bottom left): roey yohai for the little flower shoppe in ridgewood

Adorn the table with a few beautiful objects, like these antique silver pheasant salt and pepper shakers.

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top left: © Loupe Images/Sandra Lane. top right: © Loupe Images/Martin Brigdale. bottom right: shutterstock

this page and opposite (top center and bottom left): roey yohai for the little flower shoppe in ridgewood

4 1 the little things

Something simple like a sachet full of lavender or a bag of homemade cookies makes a nice gift for your guests. Tie it off with a ribbon and an ornament and place it on their chairs.

own vases to the florist and have him or her create arrangements that work for your table. If flowers are out of the budget, cluster like-colored objects of varying heights in the center of the table.

2 get centered

3 keep it coming

A dramatic flower arrangement is a great way to wow your guests. You can bring your

Always keep your guests’ water and cocktail glasses filled—your service is very

to share this article with a friend, download a dinner playlist, or get more floral tips from Anne Miller, go to monmouthhealthandlife.com.

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important and much appreciated. For great champagne and sparkling wine ideas, see page 50.

4 put it on paper

Despite the multitude of e-mail and Web-based invite options these days, it’s a nice gesture to send guests a printed invitation to your party.

Use the same style in your

place cards and menus to create a consistent theme.

5 easy does it

Food, especially desserts, that you can prepare beforehand (or buy) will save you time. French macaroons are always an elegant supplement to your homemade desserts, and they come in a multitude of colors to fit any theme.

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Menopause?

No sweat!

M.D., past president of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

“The menopause transition results in lower levels of estrogen and other hormones, and it’s caused by reduced functioning of the ovaries due to aging.” In today’s youth-centered society, that may be a bitter pill to swallow. The good news?

Modern treatment options, both natural and hormone-based, can help ease women through this phase with comfort and

grace. “The average age of menopause is 51, but five percent of women experience it after age 55, and another 55 percent start menopause between ages 40 and 45,” says Steven A. Morgan, M.D., an OB/GYN at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Ocean.

To further blur the lines about the start of menopause, symptoms brought on by ever-shifting hormones often begin two to eight years before its official start.

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shutterstock

If you’re a woman, menopause is as inevitable as puberty once was, and as natural as an inherent love of chocolate.

Yet, despite the fact that every female will eventually go through it, this transition is not typically greeted with good-natured equanimity. Perhaps that’s not surprising. After all, menopause marks the permanent end of fertility.

“Menopause literally means the final menstrual period,” says Cynthia Stuenkel,

Mimi Haddon for Digital Vision/getty images

Today, a number of tre atmen t options offer women relief from change-of-life symptoms By Francesca Moisin

The period in which these symptoms occur is called perimenopause, literally meaning “around menopause.” It ends once a woman has missed her period for 12 full months, at which point she is postmenopausal. A common saying that counsels women to “Ask your mother if you want to know when the big change will start” does reflect a truth: Hereditary factors come into play, though cigarette smoking and chemotherapy have been shown to lower the age of menopause.

There is no definitive procedure one can undergo to conclude unequivocally that this phase has begun. “And because there are no absolute predictors to test for the onset of the menopause, other potentially more dangerous medical conditions need to be ruled out before any menopause therapy can be pursued,” says Robert A. Graebe, M.D., chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.

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Mimi Haddon for Digital Vision/getty images

Symptoms of the change The most obvious physical symptom is cycle irregularity, which may even be experienced by women who were previously very regular. This can continue until menstrual periods stop completely.

“Some women also experience sleep disturbances, headaches, mood shifts and anxiety,” says Dr. Graebe. “Night sweats, decreased libido, sexual dysfunction and associated medical problems such as osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease may also occur.”

Of course, the most common complaint is hot flashes. Though doctors think this unpleasant flushed-face, body-sweating condition results from alterations in the hypothalamus, the region of the brain that regulates body temperature, that theory remains unproven. “It’s amazing,” says Dr. Stuenkel with a smile. “We’ve sent men to the moon and mapped the human genome, yet we still don’t fully understand a woman’s menopausal hot flash!”

Every menopause experience is different, and each woman will deal with changes in her own way. “Many don’t want to do the medication dance, so I start by suggesting simple lifestyle modifications,” says Dr. Stuenkel. Avoid alcohol, spicy foods and hot liquids that might make you overheat. Dress in removable layers that can be peeled off easily, and wear lightweight pajamas to bed. A Wayne State University School of Medicine study found that paced

respiration—expanding and contracting the abdomen through slow, deep breaths—can cut in half the frequency of

“We’ve sent men to the moon and mapped the human genome, ye t we still don’t fully understand a woman’s menopausal hot fl ash!” ­

—cynthia stuenkel, M.D. irksome hot flashes. Exercise to reduce stress, or take the herbal supplement St. John’s wort for mild depression, says NAMS. “Acupuncture, yoga and over-the-counter remedies like black cohosh and soy-based products have also helped many women through this difficult time in their lives,” says Dr. Morgan.

For those whose symptoms aren’t relieved by these lifestyle changes, there are several available forms of hormone treatments:

Estrogen Therapy (ET) Approved by the Food and Drug Administration and used for more than 50

years by millions of women, this is the most effective treatment for hot flashes and vaginal discomfort. “Estrogen also helps maintain bone mineral density, which is important for preventing osteoporosis in older women,” says Dr. Stuenkel. It can be administered orally in tablet form, through the skin via a patch or gel or as a vaginal ring. However, taking estrogen alone for five or more years can triple one’s chance of developing uterine cancer, according to NAMS. This is why progesterone, another hormone, is often added to the equation.

Estrogen-Progesterone Therapy (EPT) “Progesterone protects the lining of the uterus from the cancer-promoting effects of estrogen, so if you have a uterus we recommend this second hormone,” says Dr. Stuenkel. (Women who’ve undergone hysterectomy can just take estrogen alone.) EPT hormones are usually administered orally or by patch, as the FDA has not yet approved progesterone skin creams for menopausal use. Benefits for hot-flash relief and vaginal dryness are identical to those provided through ET, but there is an additional hazard: A Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study found that the risk of breast cancer increased by 24 percent (or about five cases out of 1,000 women) after five

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Male menopause:

years of EPT. Also, women 65 or older should not start EPT, as it may cause a slight increase in the risk of dementia, heart disease and stroke.

“Patients should feel confident that they will find the therapy that works for them.”

—steven A. Morgan, M.D. “Women must decide on an individual basis if the benefits are worth the risk,” says Dr. Stuenkel. New data from studies done at the University of California, San Francisco, suggests that breast density as measured on mammography may help distinguish which women are most at risk. “In the studies, women with the most dense breasts have a twofold increase risk of breast cancer while on EPT, compared with women with fatty, low-density breasts,” Dr. Stuenkel says.

Bioidentical Hormones Molecule by molecule, these hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and others) are chemically identical to the ones produced in our bodies. Derived primarily from wild yams and soybeans, the prescriptions are specifically prepared by compounding pharmacists for every patient based on his or her hormone levels. Many feel this personalized treatment method is superior to ET or EPT, yet controversy still abounds. “The FDA does not approve of these individually mixed recipes because there is no standardization in either manufacturing or content, nor any labeling requirements for communicating risks and benefits for safety’s sake,” says Dr. Stuenkel. “Furthermore, clinical trials haven’t clearly shown that bioidentical hormones are better at relieving symptoms or safer from a risk-benefit standpoint than their FDA-approved counterparts.”

The bottom line? There are many ways in which a menopausal woman can improve her quality of life. “Patients should feel confident that they will find the therapy that works for them,” says Dr. Morgan.

Sometimes known as andropause, the age-related hormone changes experienced by men are very real, say experts. Men’s gradual decline in testosterone beginning in their mid-30s is not comparable to the abrupt estrogen drop experienced by menopausal women. “Yet symptoms can mimic those of perimenopause, and men going through andropause may even experience hot flashes,” says Robert A. Graebe, M.D., chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch. Other symptoms may include reduced sexual desire, insomnia, increased body fat, decreased bone density, mood changes or mild depression.

Bioidentical hormones and testosterone supplements (both natural and synthetic) are marketed to men and used occasionally to treat andropause. According to the Mayo Clinic, “For some men, testosterone therapy relieves bothersome signs and symptoms of testosterone deficiency.” Yet the therapy is controversial, and a New England Journal of Medicine study recently reported that testosterone supplements were associated with higher rates of heart attacks and elevated blood pressure.

Thus Mayo Clinic experts recommend that instead of using supplements, men who feel the effects of hormonal changes should stick to a healthy diet and incorporate plenty of physical activity into their daily routines to naturally combat the effects of male menopause. “A patient’s primary care physician should also be able to help sort out some problems, or refer him to a medical endocrinologist,” says Dr. Graebe.

top: Mimi Haddon for Digital Vision/getty images. bottom: shutterstock

Fact or fiction?

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power food

Spice Up the Season cinnamon, that aromatic, sweet spice that makes holiday dishes special, has myriad health benefits—and a surprising history

buy · store · grow

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did you know?

The spicy powder you sprinkle on your morning latte has a rich history spanning centuries. One of two varieties of cinnamon now available, ceylon (“true” cinnamon), was craved by Egyptians as early as 2000 B.C., when they imported the precious spice from its native Sri Lanka and used it to embalm dead pharaohs. Ancient Romans used ceylon as currency worth more than gold, paying tribute to the sun god Apollo by laying it in his temple as a gift. In medieval times, people appreciated ceylon for its more practical powers such as treating sore throats and preserving meat. But this sweet treat also has a dark past: The Dutch, Portugese

and English enslaved natives on the island of Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka, in efforts to monopolize production of ceylon and reap the pricey spice’s rewards.

By the late 18th century, however, the Arab delicacy had begun to lose prominence with the emergence of cassia cinnamon as an acceptable substitute. Dating back to 2800 B.C., Chinese doctors used cassia to treat colds, the flu and digestive problems.

While Europeans still prefer the citrusy taste of ceylon, Americans favor cassia, made from the bark of the Cinnamomum cassia, an evergreen found throughout Asia.

powers Cinnamon packs a lot of healthy heat: These deceptively sweet sticks are high in fiber and nutrients like calcium and iron.

Studies have shown the spice can relieve arthritic pain, combat E. coli bacteria and curb the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cells. People living with diabetes may find cinnamon especially powerful, as it has been shown to regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol. But beware: Cassia could cause liver irritation if you get too sprinkle-happy. Modern cooks are wise to do as the Romans did, using cinnamon as a food preservative.

Check the supermarket for ground cassia powder. Ceylon can be found in specialty spice stores and ethnic stores. Buy small quantities so the cinnamon doesn’t go stale and lose its flavor. To crush your own cinnamon from sticks, try using a coffee grinder. Both cinnamon powder and sticks are best stored in the cool darkness of your spice drawer. —Michele Corriston

RECIPE Mexican hot cocoa

By Whole Foods Market Serves 2 Ingredients 4 tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder 4 tbs. sugar 2½ cups whole milk 3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped ½ vanilla bean, split ½ tsp. ground cinnamon ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg 2 cinnamon sticks Whipped cream Chocolate shavings (Use a vegetable peeler on a block of semisweet chocolate to make shavings.)

Preparation Mix together cocoa powder and sugar.

Heat milk in a medium saucepan over very low heat with vanilla bean, chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg and cocoa mixture.

Whisk thoroughly until chocolate has melted and milk begins to simmer. Do not boil. Pour into two mugs and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

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live well at e very age Stay healthy and feel young through the years with these easy tips

by Audrey regan solarino

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gotten a little easier too: We can do it in 10-minute increments.

Exercise is crucial to living well, but there’s more we need to do.

Kenneth M. Granet, M.D., section chief and an assistant program director in the Division of Internal Medicine at Monmouth Medical Center, believes that it’s important to adopt healthy behaviors early—behaviors such as eating well, managing stress and getting the recommended screenings and vaccinations that will help us prevent disease as we age. “Health maintenance is very important to catch potential problems before they develop,” says Dr. Granet.

Both doctors have given us their specific Rx for living well at every age, and much of it has to do with prevention.

“Many of us have long felt that it is easier, less expensive and more effective to prevent disease than to treat it once it is there,” says Dr. Rahl. “That view is becoming more mainstream as the costs of healthcare climb.” shutterstock

There’s good news on the healthy lifestyle front. Are you sitting down? Well, stand up—you’ll burn more calories that way—and repeat after me: I need do only one, that’s one, set of strength-training exercises, twice a week, as part of my exercise program. So says Riva L. Rahl, M.D., medical director of Cooper Wellness Program at Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas and preventive medicine physician at Cooper Clinic. Dr. Rahl is the author of Physical Activity and Health Guidelines: Recommendations for Various Ages, Fitness Levels, and Conditions from 57 Authoritative Sources (Human Kinetics). “Strength-training exercises are important to prevent injury, maintain lean body mass, build bones, lower cholesterol and reduce risk for diabetes,” she explains. And in case you haven’t heard, the other half of our exercise program—that 30 minutes of cardio we sweat through five days a week—has

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guidelines for every age MANAGE YOUR TIME IN THE SUN “The sun has positive and negative effects,” says Dr. Granet. “It’s great for vitamin D and helps with seasonal affective disorder, but it also can cause skin cancer.” The American Academy of Dermatology suggests wearing an SPF of at least 30 and looking for “broad-spectrum” on the product’s label, which means it also filters out dangerous UVA rays that are not as easily blocked as UVB rays. Reapply every two hours.

KEEP STRESS AT BAY “Stress kicks up a lot of hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, that affect us physically, behaviorally, emotionally—even cognitively,” says Dr. Granet.

“I can’t tell patients not to have stress, but I can tell them to control the way they respond to it.” He recommends exercise, meditation, yoga, deep breathing and “making sure you have time to rest and relax.”

EXERCISE At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week is suggested; 300 minutes is even better, says Dr. Rahl, and you can do it in 10-minute increments. “You don’t have to be in a triathalon,” says Dr. Granet. “Just get up and walk and try not to be sedentary.” Add strength-training exercises, one set of eight to 10 exercises, doing eight to 12 repetitions of each, twice a week.

EAT CAREFULLY Cut back on carbohydrates and high-fat dairy products, increase fruits and vegetables, limit red meat and do not drink soda or diet beverages. “Enjoy eating, but don’t eat too much,” Dr. Granet says. Both he and Dr. Rahl recommend following the 2010 Dietary Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Gone is the food pyramid and in its place is a new graphic: a plate, which is half full of fruits and vegetables. The other half is split between lean protein and grains. A small side of dairy sits aside the plate. Visit choosemyplate.gov for healthy choices to make at restaurants and an eating plan customized to your age and activity level.

TRY TO STAY IN A HEALTHY WEIGHT RANGE Both doctors recommend knowing and controlling your body mass index, or BMI. Use this formula to calculate it: [weight in pounds/ (height in inches x height in inches)] x 703. Scores between 20 and 25 indicate a healthy weight. A BMI of less than 20 may mean you are underweight; one more than 25 usually means you are overweight.

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KNOW YOUR FAMILY’S MEDICAL HISTORY and discuss it with your doctor to prevent or better manage diseases that run in the family.

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This is a time to establish healthy habits and set a good example for family. Manage stress by finding coping mechanisms that work for you.

Exercise Do 150 (300 is better) minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise each week. To determine your cardio intensity, Dr. Rahl says to do the “talk test.” If you can carry on a conversation but feel somewhat out of breath, then you are at 70 to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate, where you want to be to burn fat and get the best cardiovascular benefits. Strength train twice a week, not on consecutive days.

Pick eight to 10 exercises and perform one set of eight to 12 repetitions for each. There are many ways to get a good strength-training workout, says Dr. Rahl. Any routine will do as long as it covers every major muscle area, and as long as your last repetition is a difficult exertion. nutrition Don’t overeat. Think about the USDA’s new plate: ½ fruits and veggies, ¼ lean protein, ¼ grains, with a little side of dairy. “Keep fat consumption down,” says Dr. Granet.

We all need to eat a little fat, but which fats we choose can help determine whether cholesterol levels are high or healthy.

Stay away from saturated and trans fats such as coconut oil and palm oil. Opt for unsaturated fats, such as olive and peanut oils, and omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish. Also, men and women should consume 25–35 grams of fiber a day, and try to get 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium daily from dietary sources, recommends Dr. Rahl. supplements Consider taking 1,000–2,000 international units (IU) vitamin D3 and 1,000–2,000 mg fish oil, says Dr. Rahl, particularly if you are not getting adequate amounts of either in the diet. Dr. Granet stresses that women should take a folic acid supplement (400 micrograms) daily if they plan to become pregnant.

speak to your doctor about vaccinations.

vaccinations Get a seasonal flu shot, says Dr. Granet. Also get vaccinated for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough)—even if you were given these shots in childhood. They need to be renewed every 10 years.

anD don’t smoke or use illegal Drugs, and drink alcohol in moderation. (That means no more than one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)

health screenings Women need annual pelvic examinations and periodic pap tests. Men over age 34 should be screened for high cholesterol at least once before age 40, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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As Benjamin Franklin said, “At 20 years of age, the will reigns; at 30 the wit; at 40 the judgment.” Now is the time to use good judgment and not let busy schedules thwart healthy habits. exercise In our 40s, our bodies begin to lose flexibility.

Maintain muscle mass and continue cardiovascular conditioning by following the same exercise regimen as is recommended for people in their 30s, says Dr. Rahl. But add stretching exercises such as a seated toe touch to maintain flexibility: Sit on the floor, legs together straight out in front of you. Reach toward your toes slowly, as far as you can, and feel the stretch in your legs. Hold for at least 10 seconds.

You should not feel pain. The American Council on Exercise offers several stretching exercises at acefitness.org. nutrition Continue to follow the government’s guidelines for good nutrition, opting for foods lower in sugar, salt and trans fats. Too busy to come up with meal ideas? Visit choosemyplate.gov for recipes. supplements People in their 40s may need to take 1,000–2,000 IU vitamin D3 and 1,000–2,000 mg fish oil, says Dr. Rahl. vaccinations A yearly seasonal flu shot is recommended.

A tetanus-diphtheria booster is recommended every 10 years. health screenings Women should start annual mammograms and continue with Pap testing. The NIH recommends women start cholesterol screening at age 44, repeating every five years. If there is a family history of prostate cancer, men should be screened using the prostatespecific antigen (PSA) test and have a yearly prostate exam.

Both men and women should get their blood pressure checked every two years, more often if it is high. Everyone age 45 and over should be screened for diabetes and rescreened every three years if the fasting glucose is normal.

50s

For women, menopause begins, and with it, major changes in their bodies. “Women need to think about the accelerated bone loss that occurs in the first few years of menopause and emphasize the muscle/bone strengthening exercises,” says Dr. Rahl.

exercise Continue the same cardio and strengthtraining routine as in your 30s and 40s. Remember to add stretching exercises to your workout. nutrition “Women will typically need to be more cognizant of calcium intake, focusing on getting 1,200 mg/day,” says Dr. Rahl. “Supplement only if your intake is quite low. There may be a higher risk for hear t attack in individuals taking calcium supplements, so it is best to tr y to get it from dietar y sources.” Dr. Granet recommends people over 50 eat more for tified foods such as cereal.

40s

supplements Continue vitamin D and omega-3 fish oil supplements, says Dr. Rahl. Men and women this age should avoid supplements containing iron. “They may contribute to iron overload in susceptible individuals,” she cautions. vaccinations Continue getting the seasonal flu shot yearly and a tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years. health screenings Ever yone over 50 should be screened for colon cancer with a colonoscopy or other screening method. If they haven’t by now, men should talk to their doctor about prostate cancer screening.

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Exercise is still crucial in one’s 60s, and for new reasons. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says for adults in their 60s and beyond, regular exercise helps prevent falls and improves cognitive function and mood. Recent studies show that regular exercise can lower the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. exercise Continue with 150 minutes of cardio and two strength-training sessions per week; however, balance becomes an issue in the 60s, and with it the very real threat of falling, which is a precursor to many health problems. Yoga, Pilates and tai chi are beneficial to maintain and increase balance. Dr. Rahl recommends getting medical clearance if you are initiating an exercise program at this stage of life.

70s & beyond

nutrition According to the government’s dietary guidelines, older adults need fewer calories, so they should focus on getting the most nutrition out of food. Choose foods rich in vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as potassium, calcium, fiber and magnesium. Fruits and vegetables contain potassium, fiber, magnesium, and vitamins A and C. Choose fat-free or low-fat milk for calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin E is found in many nuts, cereals and vegetable oils. supplements Continue taking the same supplements as in your 50s (i.e., no iron), but add a multivitamin that contains B-12, says Dr. Rahl. (There are multivitamins on the market that do not contain iron.) B-12 deficiency is more common in the older population, due to decreased absorption in the GI tract. vaccinations You can get vaccinated against shingles at age 60. (The shingles vaccine can be costly and is not always covered by insurance. Check with your provider.) Get vaccinated for pneumonia if you’re over 65. Remember your yearly seasonal flu shot. health screenings Women in their 60s are post-menopausal, so they should have a bone-density test to screen for osteoporosis. Men should talk to their doctor about whether to have regular prostate exams and osteoporosis screenings.

Socialization becomes crucial at this age.

“Staying active mentally and physically is so impor tant,” says Dr. Granet. “Have interests, stay involved, volunteer and get enough sleep,” he advises. exercise The focus at this age is on maintaining muscle and bone integrity and minimizing your fall risk.

Memor y loss may star t to occur, but studies have shown that regular aerobic exercise can of fer some protection against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Believe it or not, the recommendation is still 150 minutes of cardio and two strength-training sessions per week, if possible.

Lower-impact exercises are suggested. “Brisk walking is the best form of exercise in this group, although any thing equivalent will work, such as ballroom dancing and gardening,” says Dr. Rahl. Remember to get medical clearance if you are initiating an exercise program at this stage of life. nutrition Metabolism slows; maintain a balanced diet and watch caloric intake.

60s

supplements Dr. Rahl says cer tain individuals— par ticularly those taking statin medications—should consider adding CoQ10, 50 –100 mg daily, to the supplementation regimen of 1,000 –2,000 IU vitamin D3 and 1,000 –2,000 mg fish oil, and a multivitamin that does not contain iron. As the body ages, it can’t manufacture CoQ10 as well as it used to. vaccinations Get vaccinated for pneumonia if you didn’t in your 60s. A seasonal flu shot is even more impor tant at this age, as older populations are more prone to complications from the flu.

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A QUICK test TO DISCOVER YOUR ‘REAL’ AGE start with your calendar age, then add or subtract points as you answer these eight questions:

1

H ow often do you eat breakfast?

More than five times a week (subtract ½) Four or five times a week (no change) Two or three times a week (add ½) Fewer than two times a week (add 1)

2 O n average, how long do

WHAT’S YOUR REAL AGE? It isn’t quite the fountain of youth, but if you score well, it might put a little spring in your step. We’re talking about the RealAge Test, developed by Michael F. Roizen, M.D., bestselling author and chief wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. The test asks questions in four categories: health, feelings, diet and fitness. Your answers will yield your body’s biological age based on how well you’ve taken care of yourself over the years. What is your RealAge? Take the test at realage.com (it takes about 20 minutes) or get an idea of how you’d fare by answering the eight questions on this page.

Dr. Roizen developed the RealAge concept as a way to motivate his middle-aged patients to make choices that improve their longevity. He and his team pored over more than 35,000 studies on the lifestyle and health factors (there are about 190, 149 of which we can change) that influence aging. The takeaway? We can make choices that slow our rate of aging. For instance, don’t laugh easily? “You can build optimism and humor without this being native to you,” Dr. Roizen says. “Optimistic people live longer.”

Here are Dr. Roizen’s top five tips for slowing your r ate of aging: 1 Learn how to manage stress. That means learning how to let stressful thoughts go. Use mindful meditations and guided-imager y techniques.

2 Floss your teeth ever y day. Flossing helps prevent gum disease, which can lead to cardiovascular and pulmonar y problems.

3 Spend the money for a good pedometer to track your steps. Set a goal of taking at least 10,000 steps a day. And it helps to have thin friends. “The waist size of your friends is infectious,” says Dr. Roizen.

4 Eat six walnut halves 30 minutes before each meal. Walnuts unleash hormonal stimulants that help reduce your appetite.

5 Develop the smar t habit of doing strength-training exercises. It’s the key ingredient for aging well.

you sleep at night?

Less than 6½ hours per night (add 1) 6½ to 7½ hours per night (subtract 1) 7½ to 8½ hours per night (no change) More than 8½ hours a night (add ½)

3 What is your cigarette smoking histor y?

No more than 5 cigarettes in life (subtract 3) None for more than 5 years (subtract 2) None for 3 to 5 years (subtract 1) None for 1 to 3 years (no change) None for 5 months to 1 year (add 1) A pack a day for 1 to 20 years (add 2) A pack a day for 20-plus years (add 3)

4 How do you feel about your sex life?

Very happy with its quantity and quality (subtract 1½) Satisfied with its quantity and quality (subtract ½) Unsatisfied with its quantity and quality (add ½)

5 What is your marital status?

Happily married (subtract ½) Single (no change) Widowed (add 1) Divorced (add 2)

6 Do you have a dog?

Yes (subtract ½) No (no change)

7 Do you have a good sense of humor, if you say so

yourself?

Yes (subtract ½) No (no change)

8 Do you floss your teeth daily?

Yes (subtract 2) No (no change)

Your chronological age:

Your real age: Copyright© and Trademark™ 1999 –2011 Re al Age, Inc. USA All rights reserved. Re al Age.com

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trends

special advertising section

2012

What’s Next for a New You Top area pros share what’s trending hot for 2012!

Affordable and Functional Home Elegance “Homeowners are looking for a simple yet classic look that also provides the functionality they need to make their life easier,” says Ginny Padula, owner and designer at Town & Country Kitchen and Bath.

Specifically, their kitchen customers are choosing simpler and streamlined cabinetry, often with integrated appliances that sit flush—all with the purpose of easily entertaining at home. Specially designed dish and utensil organizers and other features compliment the eco-friendly approach of their manufacturers that recycle and produce low-VOC and formaldehydefree or -reduced products. Bath design is also leaning toward being a light and airy retreat with less clutter as well.

Town & Country Kitchen and Bath 25 Bridge Avenue | Red Bank | 732-345-1441 | www.townandcountrykitchenandbath.com

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11/8/11 12:21 PM

special advertising section

2012 trends

Bring Out the Best in You

“This is an exciting time to be alive.

There are more and more less-invasive, yet impactful technologies that can make you look 10 years younger with less downtime and risk,” says Thomas Theocharides, M.D. According to Dr. Theocharides, for over a decade, the gold standard for younger looking skin had been CO2 laser resurfacing. But this procedure required general anesthesia with weeks of downtown and pain and months of redness.

Instead of treating the entire skin surface, fractional resurfacing has been developed that can give you that younger, brighter, tighter and smoother skin without the prolonged recovery and risk associated with traditional CO2 treatments. The recovery is painless and takes days instead of weeks.

Today, he uses the MIXto SX® fractional resurfacing device, suitable for most skin types, that leaves some intact skin but still giving you the benefits of stimulating your own natural collagen

with an improvement that can last for years. In addition to no real downtime, patients renew their appearance with only a fraction of the risk.

“When choosing a cosmetic surgeon for anything beyond a simple procedure like BOTOX® or Dysport®, make sure they listen to your concerns and have the right experience. You don’t want a doctor to impose their vision if it’s not the look you want. Do your homework and find the right physician,” advises Dr. Theocharides.

Beginnings Aesthetic & Laser Thomas Theocharides, M.D. 3497 Route 9 North | Howell 2164 Route 35 South | Sea Girt 804 West Park Avenue | Ocean 877-9E Z-BEAUTY | www.mybodybeautiful.net

Trends_MNHL_1211REV1.indd 2

11/8/11 12:21 PM

special advertising section

A Facelift without Surgery

BiroVenus Medical Spa Dr. Abir Marcus 34 Sycamore Avenue | Lit tle Silver | 732-530-3222 | www.birovenusmedicalspa.com

Get Total Body Lean

Hammer House 420 State Highway 34 North | Colts Neck 732-308-3030 | www.hammerhouse.com

Trends_MNHL_1211fin.indd 3

2012 trends

“The Ulthera™ machine was approved by the FDA about a year ago for nonsurgical skin lifting and tightening ,” says Abir Marcus, M.D., founder of BiroVenus Medical Spa. “Ultrasound energy is applied with precision at deep layers of the skin to stimulate new collagen growth.

Most patients only require one treatment with no downtime, and skin lifting results are permanent.”

Unlike previous options, this revolutionary skin lifting and tightening treatment is suitable for all skin types. In addition, BiroVenus recently added the Hydrafacial™ to their menu of services. This is an advancement in non-laser skin resurfacing and is the only hydradermabrasion to simultaneously combine cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration and antioxidant protection for clearer, more beautiful skin.

“These days, people don’t want to lift weights and bulk up.

Rather, they’re looking to develop a lean, toned body,” explains Kathy Conover, owner of a most unusual indoor cycling facility.

At Hammer House, the studio has exclusive area rights to RealRyder bikes that twist and lean much like road bikes, providing a total body workout that improves upper and lower body strength, coordination, and balance while strengthening your core. If it’s hard to envision, check out the video on their website – it says it all.

In addition, Hammer House complements their cycling workout with bands, light weights, bars and other body work – all as part of a regular membership – so there’s no need to go to another gym.

10/28/11 5:15 PM

special advertising section

Clean what You Covet

2012 trends

Shine by Collé the hottest, must-have amenity was launched only a year ago. Showcased at the 2010 Oscars in Los Angeles, Shine can now be found in the discerning Frontgate catalog as well.

“This luxury, patented jewelry cleaning mousse is the first of its kind. All you do is dispense the mousse in the container’s cap and place your jewelry in it. As the mousse dissipates, its scrubby bubbly cleaning action does the work in just a few minutes. Just rinse and your jewelry looks wow,” explains Thadine Clifton, founder and CEO of Collé Products who leveraged her 20 years of experience as the owner of a chemical company to create this fantastic global ecofriendly product.

Shine by Collé Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 877-258-828 www.colleproducts.com

Jersey’s Original Cold Press Juice People looking to cleanse themselves of toxins and naturally spark their energy levels are turning to the basin bar in yoga basin. “To juice organic fresh fruits and vegetables, we ONLY use the NORWALK Press which keeps the absorbable enzymes intact and concentrates flavor. Unlike traditional six juice/day cleanses, the basin bar signature eight juices/day creates body alkalinity making it possible to absorb all nutrient-packed recipes. Sixty percent of our customers—both men and women throughout New Jersey—reorder our cleanse because they’re amazed at how good they feel and how sharp their mind becomes,” explains co-owner Reggie Flimlin. “No other establishment in the state has this program.”

basin bar cleanse 603 Mat tison Avenue | Asbury Park | NJ | 07712 | 732.481.4110 x1 info@basinbar.com | www.basinbar.com | www.yogabasin.com

Trends_MNHL_1211fin.indd 4

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037_MNHL_DEC11.indd 1

11/3/11 9:06 AM

tastes Thumbprint Gems

These jam-filled thumbprint cookies are a safe alternative to store-bought snacks, and making the prints in the dough is a fun way for the kids to help!

Ingredients

Thumbprint Gems

3 tbs. water 1 tbs. ground flaxseed meal 2¼ cups Bob’s Red Mill all-purpose gluten-free baking flour 1½ tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. xanthan gum ½ tsp. ground nutmeg ¼ tsp. ground allspice ¼ tsp. ground cloves 1 cup organic palm fruit oil shortening ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar ¾ cup granulated sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract ½–¾ cup apricot or strawberry jam

Preparation

These treats are sure to be a sweet success The holiday season is full of classroom parties, cookie

exchanges and family gatherings all calling for tasty eats. But experts estimate as many as 15 million Americans have food allergies. To satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth without putting anyone in danger, try one of these gluten-, dairy-, egg-, soy- and nut-free recipes from the new book Allergy-Free Desserts by Elizabeth Gordon (John Wiley & Sons, $22.95).

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Mint Patties

This quick and simple treat, similar to a York Peppermint Pattie, gives you a worry-free way to enjoy the smooth mixture of mint and a sweet candy coating.

Ingredients 1 lb. confectioners’ sugar (sifted) 5 tbs. organic palm fruit oil shortening 2½ tsp. peppermint extract ½ tsp. vanilla extract 6 tbs. Lyle’s Golden Syrup 12 oz. gluten-, soy-, dairy-, egg- and nut-free semisweet chocolate chips

Preparation

Combine the sugar, 3 tablespoons of shortening, and the extracts. Add Lyle’s Golden Syrup and mix thoroughly.

Scoop the dough in a tablespoon and roll into balls; place them on parchment paper and chill for 30 minutes.

Jason Wyche

Desserts

worry-free

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the water and flaxseed and let sit for three to five minutes. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and powder, xanthan gum, salt and spices. Set aside.

Cream the shortening and sugars.

Add the flaxseed mixture, then continue beating, adding the vanilla extract.

Combine with the dry ingredients then mix—the dough will be coarse.

Roll tablespoonfuls of the dough into balls and place them two inches apart on parchment-covered baking sheets. Use your finger to create an indentation in the dough and fill with ½ teaspoon of jam.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, remove tray from oven and let sit for 10 minutes before removing the cookies.

monmouthHEALTHandLIFE.com

10/25/11 11:39 AM

Mint Patties

Buckeyes

Use the bottom of a glass to press the balls into quarter-inch patties and chill for another 30 minutes.

Using a double boiler, stir the chocolate chips and remaining shortening until melted. Cool for 10 minutes.

Dip the patties in the chocolate, completely coating them, and return to wax paper. Dry in the refrigerator for one hour before serving.

Buckeyes

This tasty variation of the traditional Ohio treat has all the flavor without any of the allergens. Buckeyes were originally made with peanut butter and chocolate; this alternative version harnesses the sweet flavor and similar consistency of marshmallow and buttercream frosting.

Ingredients

Jason Wyche

2 cups vanilla buttercream frosting (see recipe at right) 2 tbs. and 2 tsp. sunflower seed butter 24 oz. gluten-, soy-, dairy-, egg- and nut-free semisweet chocolate chips 2 tbs. canola oil Confectioners’ sugar (for coating hands)

Preparation

Using a stand mixer, beat the frosting and

sunflower seed butter until light and fluffy, then refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Coat your hands in confectioners’ sugar and scoop tablespoons of the frosting, rolling them between your hands to create balls. On two baking sheets lined with parchment paper, refrigerate the balls for at least one hour or until solid.

Melt the chocolate and oil in a double boiler and stir until smooth. After letting the chocolate cool for five minutes, use toothpicks to dip frosting balls in the chocolate until only a small circle is visible on top.

Place back on the baking sheets and refrigerate until chocolate is hard and shiny.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Ingredients 2 cups organic palm fruit oil shortening 2 cups marshmallow cream (see recipe at right) 3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted 1 tbs. vanilla extract ½ tsp. salt

Preparation

In a stand mixer bowl, beat the marshmallow cream and shortening on medium-high for three minutes. Scrape

the sides of the bowl; add the sugar and salt and mix until it is light and fluffy. Blend in the vanilla until thoroughly combined.

Marshmallow Cream Ingredients ½ cup cold water 3 packages unflavored gelatin 2 cups Lyle’s Golden Syrup 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted 1½ tsp. vanilla extract ½ tsp. salt

Preparation

Add the cold water to a small saucepan and sprinkle the gelatin into it. Let stand for five minutes, then add the Lyle’s Golden Syrup and heat on medium, stirring constantly, for about five minutes or until the gelatin is completely dissolved.

Pour the mixture into a stand mixer bowl and beat for three minutes on medium speed, then 12 minutes at medium-high speed. (It will become fluffy and very sticky, like commercial marshmallow cream.)

Stir in the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and salt until combined and beat on medium-high for two minutes; scrape the bowl and beat for an extra minute. —Maureen Scully

note Most ingredients are available at your local health-food store, Whole Foods or Wegmans. Check with the location nearest you for availability.

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10/25/11 11:40 AM

where to buy The Wine Loft 32 Laird St. Long Branch 732.222.7770 Saverite Discount Liquors 2114 Highway 35 South Oakhurst 732.493.8611 Ma x’s Wine 116 Third Ave. Neptune City 732.776.6207

Sips

to celebrate Sparkling wine, a holiday tr adition, is more varied than you think Bubbles, bubbles and more bubbles! Yes, it’s that time when we toast the year past and the one to come with a pop and a hiss and tons of holiday cheer. While headlines tell of economic woes, champagne and sparkling wine sales remain effervescent: They’re expected to be up at least 7 percent this year over 2010, with some brands like California’s Iron Horse seeing as much as a 24 percent jump.

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Each December, champagne and sparkling wine sales skyrocket—in some years they’ve spiked 90 percent—as many of us choose these wines as our go-to celebratory drink. But for some, they’re the pour of choice all year long.

Hugh Davies, winemaker at California’s Schramsburg Vineyard (a.k.a. America’s House of Sparkling Wine), says there are three reasons: “First, sparkling wine quality has never been higher. Second,

more people, especially Gen-Xers and millennials, like the way bubbly tastes. Third, because it’s so food-friendly, people are incorporating it into their everyday dining.”

Sparkling wine can only be called champagne if it’s made in the Champagne region of France from three grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Muenier. It’s rich, luscious and often the most expensive bubbly-wine option. Then there’s Prosecco, from Italy’s Veneto region, whose popular brands Mionetto and Lunetta have almost doubled their sales in the last two years, nipping at the heels of champagne for most popular girl in the glass. Spain’s budget-friendly bubbly is called Cava.

Many sparkling wines, which start at less than $15 a bottle, are made from different grapes and in different methods than champagne. They offer fun bubbles at great prices but not the finesse and sophistication of true champagne, and their big bubbles tend to fizz out quickly.

While they can still be dry like champagne, less expensive styles are often fruitier in aroma and flavor. Champagne has more complex aromas and taste profiles including yeasty, fresh-baked bread, as well as fresh-fruit attributes.

Sparkling wine that is made like champagne produces endless strands of teensy bubbles that create a frothy mousse (like the head of beer) when poured. There are now 10 to 12 California wineries making $20-and-up sparkling wines using the traditional methods. Says bubbly maker Davies: “The best of California’s sparkling wines rival the best made in Champagne or anywhere else in the world.”

From pale yellow to pink and from dry to sweet, there are many great California sparkling wines to choose from. Our top picks include Schramsburg Blanc de Blanc, $35, (Blanc de blanc means it’s made from 100 percent chardonnay), a lively and crisp wine that is still rich on the palate; and Mumm Napa Brut Rosé, $22, (Brut means it’s dry, not sweet, and rosé means this sparkler will have a slightly pink or salmon color either from staying in contact with the skins of the red grapes during fermentation or from a dose of finished red wine), which smells of strawberries and raspberries with cream and pairs wonderfully with chocolate. These other American sparkling-wine producers will also help you celebrate in style: Iron Horse Vineyards, Scharffenberger Cellars, Roederer Estate, Gloria Ferrer, Domaine Carneros and Argyle Winery. —Maureen C. Petrosky

shutterstock

wine + spirits

10/24/11 10:17 AM

where toeat f i n e

c a s ua l

fa m i ly

ABERDEEN

FAIR HAVEN

MIDDLETOWN

MAHZU Authentic Japanese dining in a casual yet upscale environment, Aberdeen Pla za, 1077 Route 34 North, 732.583.8985

RAVEN & THE PEACH International fare featuring seafood and a select steak house menu, 740 River Rd., 732.747.4666

NEELAM EXOTIC INDIAN CUISINE Authentic Indian fare, 1178 Route 35 South, 732.671.8900

ALLENHURST

FREEHOLD

MICHAEL ANGELO’S Italian cuisine with pizza and seafood dishes, 36 Beach Rd., 732.222.6910

ASBURY PARK

METROPOLITAN CAFÉ American cuisine with a Pacific Rim flair, 8 E. Main St., 732.780.9400

KICKY’S Eclectic dining featuring pan-Asian and Japanese cuisines, 1140 Route 34, 732.970.6488

MR. C’S BEACH BISTRO American bistro with oceanfront views and a tiki bar, Ocean Ave. and Allen Ave., 732.531.3665 MOONSTRUCK American/Italian/Mediterranean cuisine and cocktail lounge, 517 Lake Ave., 732.775.2263 TWISTED TREE CAFÉ Healthy food featuring organic desserts, 531 Cookman Ave., 732.775.2633

ATL ANTIC HIGHL ANDS

COPPER CANYON RESTAURANT Tex-Mex fare with tequila-tasting specials, 57 First Ave., 732.291.8444 JULIA’S Elegant Italian and Mediterranean dining, BYO, 91 First Ave., 732.872.1007

AVON-BY-THE-SEA

THE COLUMNS American seafood with Italian influences, 601 Ocean Ave., 732.988.3213

BAY HEAD

THE BAY HEAD BISTRO & CAFE Casual American cuisine featuring seafood and organic meat dishes, 530 Main Ave., 732.714.8881 GRENVILLE HOTEL & RESTAURANT American and French cuisine, BYO, 345 Main Ave., 732.892.3100

BELFORD

BELFORD BISTRO New American cuisine, BYO, 870 Main St., 732.495.8151 NAPLES PIZZERIA Classic Italian pizza parlor, BYO, 872 Main St., 732.787.9479

BELMAR

BAR ANTICIPATION Pub food and live entertainment, 703–5 16th Ave., 732.681.7422 LA DOLCE VITA Upscale Italian cuisine on the water front, 400 Ocean Ave., 732.749.3177

BRADLEY BEACH

GIAMANO’S RESTAURANT Classic Italian fare, 301 Main St., 732.775.4275

LE FANDY Intimate French dining, 609 River Rd., 732.530.3338

CAFÉ COLORÉ Unique Italian cuisine, BYO, 3333 Route 9 North, 732.462.2233

HA ZLET

the SHORE CAFÉ Italian bistro with homemade desserts, 1104 Route 36, 732.888.0288 YESTERDAY’S RESTAURANT Authentic southern Italian and American fare, 3153 Route 35, 732.264.3777

HIGHL ANDS

BAY AVENUE TRATTORIA Delightful Italian fare in a casual setting, 122 Bay Ave., 732.872.9800

HOLMDEL

TURNING POINT Quaint brunch eater y, 2132 Route 35 South, 732.615.9000

HOWELL

CHRISTIE’S Upscale yet casual Italian seafood grill, BYO, 2420 Route 9 South, 732.780.8310

KEYPORT

DREW’S BAYSHORE BISTRO Cajun-influenced fare, BYO, 28 E. Front St., 732.739.9219 TRINIT Y RESTAURANT Inspired seasonal American cuisine, 84 Broad St., 732.888.1998

LITTLE SILVER

RAY’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & MARKET Fresh seafood selection, 123–125 Markham Pl., 732.758.8166

CROWN PALACE Fine Chinese cuisine featuring dim sum, 1283 Route 35 South, 732.615.9888

MONMOUTH BEACH

SALLEE TEE’S GRILLE Pasta, seafood and burgers, 33 West St., 732.834.8999

NEPTUNE

BRENNEN’S STEAKHOUSE Classic American steak house, 62 W. Sylvania Ave., 732.774.5040 MOM’S KITCHEN Fine Italian cooking, 1129 Fifth Ave., 732.775.4823 PETE & ELDA’S Casual Italian fare featuring pizza, 96 Woodland Ave., 732.774.6010

OAKHURST

MIKE AND NELLIE’S Italian grill with prime steaks and seafood, BYO, 1801 Route 35 North, 732.531.7251 TAKARA japanese steak house Japanese fare featuring sushi and hibachi, 1610 Route 35 South, 732.663.1899

OCEAN

ICHIBAN HIBACHI STEAKHOUSE Fine Japanese dining, 2132 Route 35 South, 732.493.1115 PICCOLA ITALIA Classic Italian cuisine with Mediterranean flavors, 837 West Park Ave., 732.493.3090

OCEAN GROVE

seagrass (formerly Captain Jack’s).

Contemporar y American fare in an upscale but relaxed setting, BYO, 68 Main Ave., 732.869.0770

RED BANK

ZOE BISTRO Eclectic American fare with global influences, 151 Markham Pl., 732.747.9988

BASIL T’S BREWERY AND ITALIAN GRILL Fresh, brick-oven pizza, 183 Riverside Ave., 732.842.5990

LONG BRANCH

GAETANO’S Regional Italian cuisine, featuring homemade pasta, BYO, 10 Wallace St., 732.741.1321

AVENUE A combination of traditional French and American cuisines, 23 Ocean Ave., 732.759.2900

RUMSON

ROONEY’S OCEANFRONT RESTAURANT Fine seafood eater y with a raw bar, 100 Ocean Ave. North, 732.870.1200

DAVID BURKE FROMAGERIE Fine, inventive American and continental cuisine, 26 Ridge Rd., 732.842.8088

MANAL APAN

UNDICI Authentic regional Italian fare with New American twists, 11 West River Rd., 732.842.3880

UVA BIANCA Fine Mediterranean and Italian fare, 800 Main St., 732.775.0906

PEKING PAVILION Upscale Chinese cuisine in a modern setting, 110 Route 33 West, 732.308.9700

BRIELLE

SPARGO’S GRILLE Unique California/Caribbean fare, 130 Route 33 West, 732.294.9921

ANGELICA’S Italian cuisine featuring freshly made desserts, BYO, 1070 Ocean Ave., 732.842.2800

MANASQUAN

SEA GIRT

DUE AMICI Northern Italian fare, 420 Higgins Ave., 732.528.0666

SEA BRIGHT

ASAHI JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE Classic Japanese fare including hibachi grill and sushi, 99 Taylor Ave., 732.223.2669

FRATELLO’S Classic Italian fare with an extensive wine list, 810 The Pla za, 732.974.8833

COLTS NECK INN STEAK & CHOP Elegant steak house with an outdoor patio, Route 534 and Route 537 West, 732.462.0383.

SURF TACO Traditional Mexican fare with seaside twists, 121 Parker Ave., 732.223.7757

POP’S GARAGE Sustainable Mexican cocina, 540 Broad St., Route 35, 732.530.7677

GREEN MEADOWS RESTAURANT Continental cuisine, 270 Route 34 South, 732.431.8755

BRIOSO RISTORANTE Authentic Italian, BYO, Willow Pointe Shopping Center, 184 Route 9 North, 732.617.1700

SHIPWRECK GRILL Homey seafood and steak restaurant, 720 Ashley Ave., 732.292.9380

COLTS NECK

EATONTOWN

FAR EAST TASTE A variety of Asian cuisines including Thai, Malaysian, Chinese and Asian fusion, 19 Main St., 732.389.9866

MARLBORO

SPRING L AKE

MATAWAN

WALL

CAFE 34 BISTRO American fare with Italian influences, 787 Route 34 North, 732.583.9700

For a complete list of dining options, visit the “where to eat” section of monmouthhealthandlife.com.

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SHREWSBURY

BLACK TRUMPET AT THE GRAND VICTORIAN HOTEL Contemporar y American fare with seaside dining, 1505 Ocean Ave., 732.449.4700 SHOGUN LEGENDS Asian fusion, sushi and hibachi, 1969 Route 34 South, 732.449.6696

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best of monmouth festival 2011 The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, Asbury Park, Oct. 6, monmouthhealthandlife.com Our readers joined the staff of Monmouth Health & Life to congratulate the winners of this year’s Best of Monmouth Readers’ Choice Awards. The winners and local vendors offered demonstrations, live performances, gourmet food samplings and more.

1 Vivian Taormina models in the fashion show by Tula “The Boutique” in Shrewsbury. 2 Students from The Acting Conservatory in Ocean Grove perform Little Women. 3 Entertain With Jane in Rumson decked out the venue in autumnal floral arrangements.

4 Howard Hough of Alex Dee Lighting and Home Accessories in Holmdel 5 cake and cookies from Del Ponte’s Bakery in Bradley Beach 6 nia yoga demonstration by Blue Moon Yoga in Shrewsbury 7 candy from Suzi’s Sweet Shoppe in Middletown 8 and 9 partygoers 10 lobster rolls by Chef Dominique Filoni of Avenue Restaurant in Long Branch 11 partygoers 12 Lori Rouah from Blue Moon Yoga demonstrates belly dancing. 13 Monmouth Health & Life staffers Thomas Ragusa, Jennifer Vreeland and Shae Marcus 14 Adora Winquist, founder of Opus Gaia, in the Health and Wellness Salon 15 floral arrangement by Flowerful Events in Eatontown 16 Elizabeth Walter of Red Bank Acupuncture and Monmouth Health & Life’s Jodi Bruker 17 Blue Moon Yoga in Shrewsbury does a demonstration.

18 arrangement by Entertain With Jane 19 Guests watch live demonstrations in the Crystal Ballroom. 20 partygoers 21 Kristi Stoever, Jane DiMisa and Kenya Vardo of Entertain With Jane 22 Rachel Chirumbolo of Dean’s Natural Food Market in Ocean and Shrewsbury

to see more red carpet and party photos from best of monmouth, go to monmouthhealthandlife.com.

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the cancer ball American cancer society The Fairway Farm in Middletown, June 11, cancer.org Attendees wined, dined and danced at this year’s event, themed “The Roaring Twenties.”

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1 Gere and Leigh (co-chair) Ricker and Carolyn (co-chair) and Tom Miller 2 Amanda and Jonathan Light 3 David Memmott, Hazel and Caspar Bentnick, Debbie Memmott, Susan and Ty Olsen and Kristine and Ryan Sheftel 4 Jim and Norma Tignanelli with Roseann Weber

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black tails gala

culinary classic

Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park, August 6, purrnpoochfoundation.org More than 200 attendees came together to lend a hand—or paw—in helping this organization provide educational and financial assistance to no-kill shelters.

the foodbank of monmouth and ocean counties The Mill at Spring Lake Heights, September 19, foodbankmoc.org Food enthusiasts enjoyed samplings from local chefs at this event, which raised about $75,000.

5 Kathy Payne, Debbie and George Lechner and Charles Payne 6 Stanley Cup champion Jim Dowd and wife Lisa 7 Lauren (board member) and Matt Holman

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8 Laurie Hurni and Bette Scott with “Minnie” and “Fillie” 9 Jamie Plantamura with “Bucky” 10 Julie and Jack McCarthy with honoree “Erin” (a therapy dog) and “Tara” 11 Dick Palazzo with “Alice”

to be considered for gatherings, send high-resolution photos and information about your event to gatherings@wainscotmedia.com.

Photos by Susan Giletti (1, 2, 3, 4), Ellen Koment (5, 6, 7), Maryann Small (8, 9, 11), Nicholas Spadavecchia (10)

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10/25/11 12:24 PM

special advertising section

Every year we ask our trusted Monmouth Health & Life readers to let us know where the best places to shop, eat and enjoy the town are—and you responded in a big way! Since we would never keep all of this information to ourselves, we gathered everyone together for the third annual Best of Monmouth Festival.

On October 6, 2011 many of the Readers’ Choice winners as well as other local Monmouth professionals and over 600 guests gathered at The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park for an extraordinary night.

Guests were treated to a stunning Fall Fashion preview, live demonstrations, tremendous giveaways and of course, delicious food and drinks. In the pages that follow we recount some of the highlights from the event and feature the companies that displayed their very best.

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2011

Best of Monmouth sponsors

Storytelling through photography

Jill Caren Photography is the story of a girl who owned a photography studio, spent some time as an internet geek, then missed the idea of telling stories through photos. Today that girl is doing what she loves, and you will love what she is doing.

Jill’s goal is to capture the personality through its different emotions, in every photo.

She is only interested in photographing her subjects in a natural environment, as they interact in real-life situations. Posing is definitely not her thing!

Jill’s specialties lie in the areas of children, families, and above all, pet photography. She, like many, believes that our pets are members of our families, and that their unique personalities should be celebrated through portraits.

Phone consultations are always necessary prior to scheduled sessions, in order for Jill to find out a bit about your pet before she meets him or her.

Jill Caren Photography is very serious about love for animals and donates 10% of every portrait to one of two animal shelters. Jill has also started an organization called Goodpit.com, which is dedicated to bringing awareness to the public about some of the misconceptions about the Pit Bull breed.

As the mom of two adopted Pit Bulls herself, Jill understands this special, misunderstood breed. Visit www.Goodpit.com for more details.

Jill Caren photography is THE choice if you want to capture personality and have a memory of it forever.

Jill Caren Photography 732-241-5365 | jillcarenphoto.com

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special advertising section

New Jersey Shore’s Only Boutique Hotel 2011

Best of Monmouth sponsors

The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel is Asbury Park’s oceanfront boutique hotel located steps away from the famous Boardwalk at Asbury Park. Offering something for both vacationing and working travelers, the Berkeley is proud of its many amenities.

While at leisure at the Hotel, work out in the state-of-the-art fitness center and later enjoy a game of billiards. During the warm weather, visit the pool, complete with tiki bar or the surrounding private cabana reserved for relaxing massages.

If you have come to Asbury to work, the 24-hour business center at the elegant hotel offers a quiet, convenient place to work or meet with colleagues. The center is equipped with computers featuring high-speed internet access and vending machines.

In addition to accommodations for travelers, the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel offers over 30,000 square feet of newly renovated event space, capable of accommodating up to 500 guests for a wedding, or up to 1000 for a business meeting. The professional event-planning team will work with you to customize each aspect of your event. Unlike other hotel event spaces, outside caterers can be used to provide meals, allowing you the flexibility to work within your budget.

To satisfy your culinary demands, the Berkeley is home to the Dauphin Grille & Berkeley Bar which features seasonal bistro choices. Also available is a full room-service menu.

The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel is the perfect choice for a stay at the Jersey Shore.

The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel 1401 Ocean Avenue | Asbury Park | 732-776-6700 | berkeleyhotelnj.com

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Frank Farrell’s video experience began 30 years ago with his corporate identity: Custom Video Productions Inc. Frank’s camera skills and proficiency as a raconteur have led to countless successful projects.

The CVP team consists of artists, filmmakers, and people who love their jobs. We take a simple concept and turn it into a stunning sales tool, helping you stand out from the crowd. Our team strives to deliver more than what’s expected, while staying on schedule and on budget. We are a one-stop-media-shop in all stages of video production.

At CVP, our experience and knowledge enable us to offer a range of multimedia services for all types of corporate clients such as Bartlett Tree Experts and General Electric, to individuals who would like to preserve family memories on DVD. From TV commercials and marketing videos to streaming media, we produce the results you deserve. Visit us online at www.cvpnj.com.

Custom Video Productions, Inc. 15 Lake Shore Drive | Red Bank | 732-936-1001 | cvpnj.com

Increased security without sacrificing style

2011

Best of Monmouth sponsors

Excellence in video production

Shed Hedz President Peter Edwards makes a convincing argument. As the first company in the Northeast to offer the Crimsafe line of Security Products, Shed Hedz is gaining a reputation for its installation of Crimsafe patio enclosures, using “Tensile Tuff” 304 grade Stainless Steel mesh.

These security screens look great, filter out UV light and frames are available in several colors. Because it is the only mesh with a patented screw-clamp design, which creates a vice-like grip, burglars are discouraged. Shed Hedz does wonders with doors, windows and patio enclosures.

Proving his point at the Best of Monmouth Festival, Pete dared attendees to take a baseball bat to his “Crimsafe” display. Batters were invited to try to compromise the mesh, the wager being a jar of cash displayed behind the mesh. Three hours and three broken bats later, the money was still in the jar!

Shed Hedz 732-432-9092 | shedhedz.com

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special advertising section

HiDEF is one of New Jersey’s leading custom audio/video installers of home theaters. We’re the one source you need to design, create and manage your home electronic systems— indoors and out—including audio, video, home automation, lighting and even surveillance. We also offer computer networking and system maintenance with a dedicated team of experts.

HiDEF is your one stop shop for your next project. Vist them at their state of the art showroom at 47 Broad St. Red Bank, NJ.

“I have very little confidence in myself. What should I do?”

Walking by the Met Life booth, I overheard a woman say this to the gentleman manning the booth. There was a pause for reflection followed by several questions. The woman looked relieved that there was no standard response. The Met Life rep was listening to her individual predicament! This did not go unnoticed by other people walking by!

HiDef of Red Bank

Met Life

47 Broad Street | Red Bank 732-530-5511 | hidefnj.com

65 Jackson Drive | Suite 300 | Cranford 908-497-2630 | jsonta@metlife.com

The Shopaholic’s Secret

A Gentlemen’s Barbershop

Tula “The Boutique” displayed a memorable collection of trendy fashion items, a pair of furtrimmed boots and a fur clutch being crowd favorites.

Started by Angela Gengaro-Secul, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Tula provides an array of clothing from denim to dresses, jewelry, handbags and home decor. Personal shopping and Closet Makeover Services are also available.

Tula is the place for one stop shopping!

Old World Shaving Parlor has had many happy patrons since owner Patricia opened in 2009, catering to discerning men and using only fine products from London.

Located in a beautiful 100 year old building, today’s gentlemen can enjoy the “Sweeney Todd Service,” which includes an old fashioned hot towel shave, followed by a facial mask and a haircut. Services are enjoyed in a relaxing atmosphere while watching sports on the flat screen TV. The shop can also be reserved for a “groom’s” party.

Tula the Boutique

Old World Shaving Parlor

The Grove West | 524 Broad Street | Shrewsbury 732-219-8888 | TulaStyle.com

48 West Front Street | Red Bank 732-345-9700 | oldworldshavingparlor.com

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Best of Monmouth sponsors

Met Life asks questions

2011

From inspiration to installation

11/8/11 10:24 AM

special advertising section

Creating a vision

2011

Best of Monmouth sponsors

through dynamic design Dee Morrissey and Jill ThompsonRyan are the talented partners behind MTR Interiors and together they bring more than 25 years of interior design experience. Through the use of quality products and associations with the area’s best architects, MTR creates timeless designs that are reflective of their clients’ visions. All projects begin with an intensive interview and can lead to total home renovation, an addition or the design of a specialty room.

From grape to bottle At The Wine Room, owners Michael and Pat organize step-by-step winemaking events, which are sure party-pleasers for family or friends. Grapes arrive from California in time for Step 1 in the fall and ten days later, you are ready to press them into authentic Italian wine presses. Contact The Wine Room to find out what the next steps are. What a delicious idea!

Morrissey & Thompson-Ryan Interior Design

The Wine Room

160 White Road | Suite 103 | Little Silver 732-576-1515 | mtrinteriors.com

227 Route 33 East | Manalapan 732-792-7007 | atTheWineRoom.com

Our Color is Green

Where you are the Soul Focus

At Artisan Studio, instructors not only encourage artistic creativity, but also guide students to think about their impact on the environment.

Children and adults may choose from classes working with pastels, paper mache, acrylic, fabric and more. Artisan’s Helping Hands classes cater to kids with special needs. Owner Marlene Bohnyak said “I am proud of the connections made between these kids, the staff and other children.” They also offer spring, summer and winter camps and unique art parties!

A building providing healthcare and self care. Featuring Garden State Spine and Pain Institute, Focus Fitness Exercise Salon, and Soul Spa. All focused on improving you. Appealing to the inner tranquility found within, our building will make you want to relax and lose yourself. We are “The Doctors you’ve been aching for”® We “Treat, Pamper, Spoil.” Services include: Medical Pain Management, Medical cosmetic services, physical therapy, body therapies, chiropractic, acupuncture, focused personal training and more.

Artisan Studio

Soul Focus

Hobart House | 9 N. Main Street | Marlboro 732-294-0234 | artisanstudio9.com

7 Meridian Road | Eatontown 732-935-1000 | soulfocus.com

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World Class Emergency & Specialty Care Within Your Reach Even on Weekends and Holidays

Pauline Poyner is the #1 realtor in Monmouth County for 2010 Let My Experience Work For You! now more than ever, it’s important to have the right real estate agent working for you.

I believe that the service I provide can help you attain the success you’re looking for.

Pauline Poyner

197 Hance Avenue, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 (732) 747-3636 • www.rbvh.net

24-HOUR EMERGENCY & CRITICAL CARE SPECIALTY CARE BY REFERRAL ONLY

SALES ASSOCIATE PREVIEWS PROPERTY SPECIALIST CERTIfIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST

Coldwell Banker RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE

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PHYSICAL REHABILITATION • ACUPUNCTURE • MEDICAL BOARDING 210 Newman Springs Road, Red Bank, NJ 07701 • (732) 747-3383 CEO: Anthony J. DeCarlo, VMD • Chief of Staff: Thomas S. Trotter, VMD

17 west river road, rumson Direct Office Line: 732-933-5527 Email: rightdec@aol.com Visit my Website: www.PaulinePoyner.com

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11/3/11 9:57 AM

financial balance

WHAT’S YOUR MONEY style?

How you handle finances can affect your health and relationships.

Take our quiz and identify your spending type Are you a miser—or wiser? Do you feel the urge to splurge? While many of us can describe our fashion or decorating style, self-knowledge often fails us when it comes to our financial habits. But understanding how you handle money is a key to financial success, and it’s important for happy marriages too.

“It’s important to know your ‘money personality,’” says Robert Walsh, president of Red Bank-based Lighthouse Financial Advisors. “We all have baggage from our formative years. It doesn’t go away, but if you know what it is, it’s easier to deal with.”

Red Bank psychologist Karen Faherty, Ph.D., agrees that it’s vital to “understand what your beliefs are and if they’re restricting you from having a more fulfilling relationship with money.” What we absorb from our parents, early experiences and television may set us up, she says, for financial errors—or conflict with a spouse who has the opposite inclinations. Finances, she says, are “a huge issue” with the couples she counsels.

To determine your money style, take the quick quiz below. It may help you chart a new course, if need be, to make sure the dollar is your servant and not the other way around. —david levine

Out shopping, you see a great pair of shoes on sale.

They’re not in your week’s budget, and you’ll have to put them on a credit card, but you do need shoes.

What do you do?

2

You’re shopping for a new TV. The high-definition set looks fantastic, but it’s more than you planned to spend. Do you:

A r esist the impulse and stick to the budget B b uy the shoes and make a note to pay off that credit-card bill as soon as you can C s imply buy the shoes and worry about your credit-card balance later

ecide not to buy a set till A d you can determine what kind best fits your needs and budget?

B b uy the high-def TV and hold back on another planned expense to make up the difference?

C just go for it, figuring that a TV is a long-term investment?

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Which gives you the most pleasure?

A s eeing the balance on my 401K account rise B h aving my financial affairs in order so that I can concentrate on other things C b uying myself an impulse gift

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Which statement best describes how financially ready for retirement you are for your stage of life?

A I ’m right on track for the amount I need to save.

B I’m saving, but not as much as I should.

C I’m way behind, or I don’t even know quite where I stand.

3

Which best describes your use of credit cards?

A I never—or hardly ever— use them.

B I use them regularly but pay off balances promptly to avoid high interest charges.

C I have significant balances on them that I can’t pay off right away.

key

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A deposit the inheritance in a money-market account and forget about it B spend a few grand on things you’ve been wanting—home improvements, a nice vacation—and put the rest in a savings account C take this chance to trade in your car for a fancier one to lift your spirits

A I write down every expenditure and deduct it from amounts I’ve allotted mon- thly for various categories.

B I know generally what I need to spend on different items each month and try to stay within those limits, but I don’t keep exact written records.

C I spend it if I’ve got it, use credit if I don’t, and deal with the totals only when I have to.

Your uncle just left you $25,000, but things also seem shaky for your employer. What do you do?

How do you budget your money?

Give yourself 1 point for each a answer, 2 points for each B response and 3 points for each C. Then total your points and find your “money style” below.

7 to 9: SUPERSAVER. Good for you for saving! But you may need to loosen up once in a while and permit yourself to enjoy the things money can provide.

10 to 13: PRUDENT SAVER. Life is full of trade-offs, and you’ve been dealing with them pretty well. Congratulations on achieving some measure of financial balance!

14 to 17: BORDERLINE OVERSPENDER. You’re not going hog-wild, but you may need to spend less and learn to derive more satisfaction from saving.

18 to 21: SUPERSPENDER. We can relate—it’s tough out there, and many things

money can buy can provide an emotional pick-me-up. But happiness isn’t for sale, and you defeat your purpose if you let long-term money worries develop. Consult a financial adviser to develop a strategy to handle funds more prudently.

shutterstock

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The Newark Boys Chorus performs December 14.

DEC 1 The Cream Ridge Winery

hosts its December Wine Release all day. Sample the season’s new wine while touring the winery and enjoying entertainment by carolers. Free admission. Call 609.259.9797 or visit cream ridgewinery.com for more information.

DEC 4

Shop for homemade holiday gifts at the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center’s student artwork show and sale in Lincroft, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Items include pottery, ceramics, crafts, knitting, photography, paintings, jewelr y and more. Call 732.842.4000, ext. 4343, to learn more.

courtesy newark boys chorus

DEC 10 &17

The Historic Village at Allaire in Farmingdale hosts Holiday Lantern Tours, 5–8 p.m.

Roam the lighted streets and learn about traditions from costumed guides while visiting the baker y, blacksmith’s shop, carpenter’s shop and carriage house before ending at the historic Allaire family manor. Tickets: $10 . For more information, call 732.919.3500 or visit allairevillage.org.

DEC 14

Feel festive at a holiday music performance by the Newark Boys Chorus at the Algonquin Ar ts Theatre in Manasquan, 10 a.m.

Tickets: $8.50 . Call 732.528.9224.

DEC 15

Count Basie Theatre hosts a benefit concert for Holiday Express, presented by Citi, in Red Bank, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy performances by more than 50 local musicians to raise money for the organization, which brings a traveling Christmas music party to the ill, homeless and elderly. You can also donate food for St. John’s Soup Kitchen in Newark.

Tickets: $25–$125 . Call 732.842.9000 or visit countbasietheatre.org for more information.

DEC 18

Hear the Monmouth Civic Chorus and a chamber orchestra perform spiritual Christmas classics at Messiah and More at Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, 4 p.m. Tickets: $25–$45, $22–$40 (seniors), $5–$10 (students) or $55 ( a two-show subscription). Visit monmouthcivicchorus.org.

DEC 25 The Jersey Shore

Running Club will participate in the Christmas Day Marathon at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, 11 a.m.

Runners of all skill levels can choose a marathon, half marathon, 10K or 5K on the only trail course within New York City. Free admission. Visit jsrc. org or thechristmasmarathon.com for more information.

JAN 14 Monmouth Arts hosts “Chairish” the Museum Exhibition and Silent Auction Benefit at the Monmouth Museum in Lincroft, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Browse chairs personally decorated by local artists, and return February 10 to bid on your favorite pieces at a silent auction. Tickets: $7 .

Call 732.747.2266 or visit monmouth museum.org for more information.

Send event listings to: Monmouth Health & Life, 110 Summit Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645; or e-mail us at thingstodo@wainscotmedia.com.

Listings must be received two months in advance of the event and must include a phone number that will be published.

monmouthHEALTHandLIFE.com | december 2011

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escapes

Ge t ting there

clockwise from top left: The Lodge living

Twin Farms 452 Royalton Tpk. Barnard, Vt. 802.234.9999, twinfarms.com Driving time: about 5 hours

room; In the Treehouse, wooden parrots stand guard atop the spiral posts of the ebonized bed; the back of the Main House

dreamscape Leave this world and enter a place of dream-inspiring tranquility with a visit to Twin Farms resort in Barnard, Vermont. Named the best small hotel in the U.S. by Zagat in 2010, it’s worth the drive. As you pass through quintessential Vermont landscape where small farmhouses dot snowy fields, you see a preview of what’s to come in your near-private getaway.

Upon arrival, guests are personally welcomed by staff and given a short tour of the property. The main house (circa 1795) is rich in history, having been owned and occupied by Nobel Prize-winning writer Sinclair Lewis and his wife, journalist Dorothy Thompson. They’re considered the “twin spirits of Twin Farms,” and their artistry is honored with contemplative landscaping and bold combinations of art and architecture found throughout the several free-standing properties located on 300 acres of woods and meadows.

Your most difficult task in planning a visit to Twin Farms will be deciding which accommodations most delight your senses.

Within the Main House there are four suites decorated by the late Jed Johnson to complement the traditional New England architecture. Toile drapery, quilt-covered feather beds and thick, hand-made rugs laid on original pine boards create a warm, relaxed atmosphere. If traditional décor

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isn’t your cup of tea, look beyond the Main House to the Lodge (with two suites) or the Farmhouse at Copper Hill (with four).

For a truly private experience, reserve one of the 10 “cottages.” During my visit, I stayed in the modern Studio, complete with cathedral ceiling, original artwork by Frank Stella, lofted sleeping space with views into the woods and giant copper tub, good for an afternoon soak after skiing one of the six private downhill runs.

For those looking for more winter fun, the resort maintains a 100´ x 50´ ice rink. Ice skates are kept warm for guests, and steaming hot mugs of cocoa and treats from the pastry chef are just a request away. An outdoor fire warms your mittens as you enjoy a drink with friends.

In case you’ve forgotten you’re at Twin Farms to relax, visit the “Out of the Woods” spa. The “Ultimate Body Treatment” offers a full hour and 45 minutes of other-worldly relaxation and includes body exfoliation, a hydrotherapy session, a deep-sea body wrap and a refreshing massage. (Guests may also request spa services within their accommodations.)

Nearby is the free-standing Furo, a Japanese-style, 104-degree indoor soaking pool. Make sure to reserve a time in the Furo in advance of your stay.

New England Culinary Institute-trained chef Ted Ask’s “farm to table” philosophy

means meals at Twin Farms are fresh, innovative and local. At breakfast, ask your server for the soufflé pancakes.

During lunch, enjoy farm-fresh salads with unique wine pairings. In the evening, cocktail hour begins at 7 p.m., with dinner served promptly at 8 in the dining room located within the Main House. Expect to enjoy hearty handmade breads, Vermont butters and cheeses, and exquisite main courses at once unexpected and familiar. The roasted beef strip with horseradish whipped fingerling potatoes is truly enjoyable. If you feel like staying in, dinner will arrive en suite picnic-style, complete with table setting, paired wine selection, breads, salad and main course. And don’t forget dessert—the hazelnut brown butter cake with chocolate ganache, poached white figs and orange drizzle is the perfect winter’s eve ending. With the exception of breakfast, meals are predetermined by the chef. Because Twin Farms always aims to please, you’ll be asked your culinary preferences prior to your stay so that what’s served is tailored to your liking.

In every way, Twin Farms strives to accommodate guests. The resort’s easy hospitality, serene location and inspiring architecture make for a reverie-like getaway—and right away you’ll be dreaming of your next visit. —Carole Soule

to see more photos of twin farms and to plan your trip, go to monmouthhealthandlife.com.

photos courtesy of Twin Farms

E n j oy lo w- k e y lu x u r y i n t h e V e r m o n t h i l ls

10/25/11 4:54 PM

FIScAl FITneSS ceRTIFIeD DIVORce FInAncIAl AnAlYSTTM

What are you waiting for?

W

elcome to the latest edition of Fiscal Fitness! Are you on the verge of retirement or about to make a major life change that will affect your financial future? To my surprise, most people wait until a major life event to occur before meeting with a professional to address their estate or retirement planning needs. Before the holidays kick in, now is the time to plan for yourself. What are you waiting for?

Do you understand your retirement plan at work?

I recently met with a man who retired as a federal employee. The Thrift Savings Plan, or TSP, is a retirement plan offered to employees of the U.S. government—it is similar to a “401(k) plan” available to many private sector employees. There is one caveat—a withdrawal deadline. If you do not withdraw (or begin withdrawing) your account by the required withdrawal deadline, your account balance will be forfeited to the TSP.You can reclaim your account, but will not receive any earnings on your account from the time the account was forfeited. The bottom line: understand any pitfalls of leaving a retirement plan at your former employer and plan accordingly. Why lose control over something that took you a lifetime to build?

Are you familiar with a new pension law for private-sector plans that becomes effective next year?

People near retirement may wish to know how the changes will affect the issues surrounding lump-sum payout option versus taking a lifetime pension. If you are close to retirement, you may want to ask your plan sponsor for an estimate of the lump sum in both the current year and for next year. Then meet with your advisor on how that could affect your longterm planning.

Are you about to receive a portion of your former spouse’s retirement plan via a QDRo (qualified domestic relations order)?

If so, do you know if your ex-spouse has taken a loan from the plan? In most instances, a loan must be satisfied before any money is eligible to be transferred or dispersed. For example, if your soon to be ex-wife has a 401(k), the quarterly statement should show any loan balance due.

Most do not catch this – statements can be difficult to read. If the QDRO is submitted without addressing the loan, it can hold up the transfer of funds and become costly due to new QDRO instructions. I see this all too often.

Have you updated your beneficiary information on all retirement plans, insurance policies, IRAs and annuities?

How many more times can I stress the importance of this? For example, if you have multiple beneficiaries on your IRA, each beneficiary is allowed to take distributions over his or her life expectancy and name their own beneficiaries, thus creating a “stretch” IRA. A stretch IRA opportunity is lost if you leave your beneficiary information blank or list your estate as the recipient. Although the IRA funds will get to your intended beneficiary, the entire amount can be subject to taxation, as well as pushing them into a higher tax bracket. With proper planning, this could be avoided.

Debra Fournier Certified Financial Planner® Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™

This information should not be construed as specific tax, legal or investment advice. Debra Fournier is not an attorney and does not provide legal advice. Securities offered through LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC

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Debra Fournier, CFP®, CDFATM AbouT The AuThor: Debra Fournier is a Principal of Harbor Lights Financial Group, a full service wealth advisory firm located in Manasquan, N.J. She has been providing comprehensive financial planning and fee-only asset management to affluent families in Monmouth and Ocean counties for over a decade. She is a Certified Financial Planner™ and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, a professional designation that certifies her to examine the financial ramifications of a proposed divorce settlement. These services are especially productive in divorce cases where there are complicated financial issues, significant assets or an imbalance of financial knowledge between the divorcing couple.

Debra has been a frequent guest on Good Day New York and quoted in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine. She is a member of the Association of Divorce Financial Planners, Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts and serves as an executive board member of the Jersey Shore Collaborative Law Group.

To schedule a private, no-obligation phone consultation, please call 800-995-4534 or email debra.fournier@hlfg.com

800-995-HLFG www.hlfg.com http://divorce.hlfg.com debra.fournier@hlfg.com

11/3/11 8:55 AM

Helping Small Miracles Happen • COMPREHENSIVE FERTILITY CARE • TREATMENT FOR RECURRENT PREGNANCY LOSS • ADVANCED/ROBOTIC REPRODUCTIVE SURGERY • INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION (IUI) • IN VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF) • INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION (ICSI) • DONOR EGG • PREIMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS (PGD) • IVF/DONOR EGG REFUND PROGRAM Dr. William F. Ziegler, Dr. Jessica Salas Mann and Dr. Jason G. Bromer

RSC-NJ is the first infertility practice in Ocean/Monmouth County to be approved with the BBB.

RSC-NJ is the first CAP/FDA approved lab in Ocean/Monmouth County.

RSC-NJ is a member of SART, the primary organization of professionals dedicated to the practice of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in the United States.

Dr. William Ziegler was voted Top Doc by New Jersey Monthly Magazine.

RSC-NJ is proud to be a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

Reproductive Science Center of NJ DR. WILLIAM F. ZIEGLER • DR. JASON G. BROMER • DR. JESSICA SALAS MANN FERTILITYNJ.COM • EATONTOWN, NJ • TOMS RIVER, NJ • 732-918-2500

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10/25/11 5:41 PM