Middlesex Health & Life: April 2012

t h e g o o d l i v i n g m a g a z i n e f r o m s a i n t p e t e r ’ s h e a lt h c a r e s y s t e m

How HealtHy is your bedroom?

Be saFe FroM lYme disease familY planning: a DiFFereNt aPProaCH

The besT brick-oven pizza joints

p.42

the ultimate spa guide p.36

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Contents spring 2012

FEATUREs

20

SEASONAL HEALTH

The facts about lyme disease, from prevention to treatment

21 TECH SAVVY

enhanced state-of-the-art ser vices—and rapid results— from a new radiology group

22 INSIDE LOOK

at last, medically advanced family planning ser vices with a sensitivity to catholic values

25 UP CLOSE

mike mccormick’s ties to his local hospital go back generations before his birth there.

26

FACES OF SAINT PETER’S

sometimes doctors have passions beyond medicine—say, hiking and indian food.

discover the best spas in middlesex county.

2

spring 2012

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THE ULTIMATE SPA GUIDE

middlese xHEALTHandLiFE.com

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Very few nursing teams have achieved our level of critical success–

three times in a row!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ADULT INTENSIVE CARE UNIT FOR RECEIVING THE BEACON AWARD, ONCE AGAIN. The Beacon Award, presented by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, recognizes nurses that deliver the very best in critical care to their patients. We’re proud to say that out of 6,000 intensive care units across the country, only 10 have won the award three times, and Saint Peter’s is one of them. Winning this award exemplifies the uncompromising standards of excellence that our nurses uphold every day. All of us at Saint Peter’s congratulate our superb Adult Intensive Care Unit nurses on this significant accomplishment.

For more details on our award-winning nurses, call 732-745-8600 or visit saintpetershcs.com/nursing

Treating you better...for life.

254 EASTON AVENUE, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901

732-745-8600

Catholic hospital sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen State-designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center Regional medical campus of Drexel University College of Medicine Affiliate of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

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Contents spring

DEPARTMENTS

15

LOCAL BUZZ

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

28

GATHERINGS

Photos from recent charity and social events

31

30

LOCAL FASHION

Tee up the golf season in style with these sports items.

31

32

LOCAL JEWELRY

These exquisite accessories offer luxury with a side of enlightenment.

32

AT HOME

Your bedroom is where you spend one-third of your life. Make sure it’s a healthy place.

34

Meet Lois Cataldo of the Brass Lantern in Metuchen.

40

POWER FOOD

Only in recent decades have Americans learned to enjoy the kiwi fruit—and its amazing health benefits.

42

TASTES

Fire up the brick oven for pizza made the Neapolitan way.

46

42 fo llow u s Friend us on Facebook by visiting facebook.com/middlesexhealthandlife Follow u s on Twitter: @MiddlesexHandL Sign up for our e-newsletter at middlesexhealthandlife.com/newsletter Visit middlesexhealthandlife.com to subscribe!

FINANCIAL BALANCE

40

Learn how to maintain your budgetary well-being in tough economic times.

48

ESCAPES

The Emerson Resort & Spa: a one-stop shop for luxurious R&R i n e v ery i s s ue

E I t’s F RE in e if y o u l iv x !

M id d l e s e

6 w E LC O M E L E T T E R 8 E d i TO R’S N OT E 12 O N T H E w E B 4 5 w H E R E TO E AT 4 7 T H i N g S TO d O

top to bottom: © Loupe Images/ChrIs tubbs, Courtesy of tempLe st. CLaIr, © Loupe Images/WILLIam reaveLL, shutterstoCk

SHOP LOCAL LEADER

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welcome letter

SPECIAL EVENTS 

KidFest SUNDAY, APRIL 15 • 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM College Avenue Gym, Rutgers University, 130 College Avenue, New Brunswick Families can enjoy sports and games, arts and crafts, live music and food. Health information and screenings will help to keep your children healthy and safe. Free admission. Hosted by The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital and Magic 98.3 FM. For more details, listen to Magic 98.3 FM or visit www.Magic983.com.



Annual Gala SATURDAY, APRIL 28 • 6:00 PM – MIDNIGHT The Heldrich, 10 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick Annual black-tie fundraising gala hosted by Saint Peter’s Foundation. $500 per person. Entertainment

by The Infernos. Various sponsorships are available to support Saint Peter’s Healthcare System. For details, call Saint Peter’s Foundation at 732-745-8542.



Just for the Health of It SATURDAY, MAY 5 • 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Buccleuch Park, Easton Avenue, New Brunswick Free annual community health fair for children and adults sponsored by Saint Peter’s Healthcare System and New Brunswick’s Division of Recreation.

Contests, games, health information and screenings

by Saint Peter’s Community Mobile Health Services.

Call the New Brunswick Division of Recreation at 732-745-5125 for information.



Saint Peter’s Community Golf Outing & Networking Reception MONDAY, JUNE 18 7:00 AM REGISTRATION AND CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 8:00 AM SHOTGUN START Forsgate Country Club, 375 Forsgate Drive, Jamesburg Proceeds to benefit the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Program at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. For fees and sponsorship details, call Saint Peter’s Foundation at 732-745-8542.

254 EASTON AVENUE

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a new alternative

This ediTion of Middlesex HealtH & life magazine features a new service of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System that is near and dear to our mission as a Catholic institution.

Called the National Gianna Center for Women’s Health and Fertility, the facility not only provides an expansive array of women’s health services, but also does it in a way that promotes respect for life, respect for women and respect for the dignity of marriage.

The Gianna Center was founded at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan. Saint Peter’s decided to import Gianna to our New Brunswick campus shortly after St. Vincent’s closed in 2010, though we still maintain the Gianna Center’s original office in Midtown.

Our reasons for salvaging the Gianna Center and its faithbased services were clear. The center supplies all of the standard health services that women need from pre-conception onward—prenatal care and obstetric deliveries, annual physical exams, gynecologic surgery, cancer screening and care for abnormal bleeding and menopause symptoms—but Gianna also offers one other technique that squares perfectly with our Catholic values. Known as NaProTechnology, the science is an alternative to other infertility treatments.

The Gianna Center treats the underlying medical reasons for infertility, including abnormal uterine bleeding, abnormal hormonal conditions and many other conditions. In doing so, the center maintains respect for all life at every stage of its development. And although NaProTechnology is a relatively new way of overcoming infertility, studies are already touting its effectiveness in achieving pregnancy. NaProTechnology may also assist women who are unable to become pregnant with in vitro fertilization.

Please turn to page 22 to learn more about the National Gianna Center for Women’s Health and Fertility at Saint Peter’s.

We are proud to offer this exciting family-planning option.

RONALD C. R AK , J.D. PRE S IDE N T A ND CHIE F E X E C U T I V E OFFI CE R S A IN T PE T E R’S HE A LT H CA RE SYST E M

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901

732.745.8600 | www.saintpetershcs.com

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C A R E

I N

S K I L L M A N

N E P

W O N

O

Find out what’s bugging you.

At Saint Peter’s Urgent Care Center, you can see a doctor in minutes.

When you or anyone in your family needs to see a doctor, no one wants to wait for hours. Now you won’t have to with the opening of Saint Peter’s Urgent Care Center in Skillman. You can see one of our doctors within minutes, 365-days-a-year, weekends and holidays...without an appointment! You can count on us for: ■ Healthcare services for children and adults ■ Treatment by a board-certified emergency medicine physician at all times ■ Diagnostic tests for rapid strep and the flu, blood sugar testing and X-rays on site ■ Treatment for lacerations, minor sports/orthopedic injuries, colds, coughs, viral issues, fever, and asthma ■ Most insurances, including Medicare, accepted If your illness or injury requires extensive treatment or a hospital stay, it’s comforting to know you will receive the highest quality health care from a name you can trust—Saint Peter’s University Hospital.

Saint Peter’s Urgent Care Center. We’ll help you feel better in no time. For more information, visit

SAINT PETER’S URGENT CARE CENTER

518 PRINCETON AIRPORT

206 27

1

206

27

Al ex an de rR oa d

saintpetershcs.com/urgentcare, or call 609-497-4597.

Mon. to Fri.: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

■

Sat., Sun. and Holidays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

■

Open 365-days-a-year

Located in The Village Shopper III Shopping Center 1378 Route 206, Skillman, NJ 08558 ■ 609-497-4597

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GRAND OPENING

EDITOR’S NOTE

PI Z

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FORMERLY OF JOE & PAT’S PIZZERIA

“Home of the Thin Crust Pizza”

Come and experience our Gourmet Pizza and our extensive menu featuring appetizers, chicken, veal, eggplant & steak entrees, seafood, pasta, selections from our grill, paninis, wraps, hot & cold heroes and delicious desserts.

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VISIT OUR OTHER CIRO PIZZA CAFÉ

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We here at Middlesex Health & Life are excited to bring you another year full of stories that are insightful, motivating and helpful. This past year proved fruitful for our new team of editors.

We brought a fresh direction and design to the magazine and involved ourselves in the community by attending hospital seminars, fundraisers, walks and runs, press events, trade shows, fashion and food exhibitions and store and restaurant openings. We are also hosting a slew of marketing events ourselves—and look forward to seeing you there.

Our Ultimate Spa Guide (page 36) has grown this year, and we hope you take some time to read through it and visit some of the best spas throughout the county, whether you are looking for a quick respite during your lunch hour or a full spa day. Spring is a time for renewal, so now’s the perfect opportunity to pamper yourself or enjoy a spa day with the girls or your significant other.

There are many more wonderful things to take away from this issue, from learning how to make your bedroom healthy (page 32) to discovering fashionable golf gear (page 30) and thoughtprovoking, spiritually attuned jewelry (page 31). Or check out the latest fun fitness craze—Zumba (page 16). (Our executive editor tried it, and she’s hooked.)

Whether your wellness goal for the year is to eat better, exercise more or reduce stress (try aromatherapy—see page 17), finally achieve financial balance (check out page 46) or take time for yourself and escape (see our ar ticle about the Emerson Resor t & Spa on page 48), we think you’ll find this magazine to be just the motivation you need.

Enjoy!

MEGHAN BASHAW

CI R O

SEASON OF GROWTH

Here I am at a networking party with Art Director Meredith McBride Kipp (center) and Executive Editor Marisa Sandora (right).

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JENNIFER VREELAND ED ITOR IN CHIEF

SHAE MARCUS PUB LI S HER

S A I N T P E T E R ’ S H E A LT H C A R E S Y S T E M

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER RONALD C. RAK, J.D.

ART DIRECTOR

MEREDITH M C BRIDE KIPP

EXECUTIVE EDITOR MARISA SANDORA ED I T O R I A L

SENIOR EDITOR

TIMOTHY KELLE Y

ASSOCIATE EDITOR LIZ DONOVAN

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS LEE LUSARDI CONNOR DAVID LE VINE MARIA LI S S ANDRELLO FR ANCESCA MOI S IN JUDI ROTHENBERG PAT TI VERBANA S

INTERNS

LINDSE Y BANK S MAUREEN SCULLY

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, CUSTOM MEDIA RITA GUARNA ART

ADVERTISING

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

PETER CONNOLLY

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

JODI BRUKER

MONICA DELLIS ANTI, JES S ICA S ALERNO

PATRICIA CARROLL

DIRECTOR, SPECIAL PROGRAMS L AUR A A . DOWDEN

DIRECTOR, MARKETING AND MEDIA RELATIONS

M A R K E T I N G & O P E R AT I O N S

DIRECTOR, PUBLIC RELATIONS

MICHELLE L A Z Z AROT TI PHIL HARTMAN

MARKETING MANAGER AMANDA THOROGOOD

ADVERTISING SERVICES MANAGER JACQUELYNN FISCHER

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR, AGENCY SERVICES KIJOO KIM

SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

PRESIDENT, MEDICAL AND DENTAL STAFF DINES H S INGAL, M.D.

ASSISTANT CONTROLLER AGNES ALVES

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE REPRESENTATIVE AMANDA ALBANO

MANAGER, OFFICE SERVICES AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

SAINT PETER’S HEALTH AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES CORPORATION

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

STE VEN S. RADIN, ESQ.

CATHERINE VALENTINE

ART AND PRODUCTION CONTRIBUTOR MEGHAN BA SHAW

DESIGN CONTRIBUTOR AMANI SEMADI

PUBLISHED BY WAINSCOT MEDIA

WEB

CHAIRMAN

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA

CARROLL V. DOWDEN

NIGEL EDELS HAIN

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

PRESIDENT

NAOMI IMATOME-Y UN

MARK DOWDEN

PRODUCTION

VICE PRESIDENTS

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION AND CIRCULATION

JANICE BROWNE, AMY DOWDEN, RITA GUARNA, CHRISTINE HAMEL, SHAE MARCUS, ANDREW S HANE

CHRISTINE HAMEL

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Send your feedback and ideas to: Editor, Middlesex Health & Life, 110 Summit Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645; fax 201.782.5319; e-mail editor@wainscotmedia.com. Middlesex Health & Life assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or art materials.

MIDDLESEX HEALTH & LIFE is published 4 times a year by Wainscot Media, 110 Summit Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645. This is Volume 6, Issue 1. © 2012 by Wainscot Media LLC. All rights reserved. Subscriptions in U.S. outside of Middlesex 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.

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Please contact Shae Marcus at 856.797.2227 or shae.marcus@wainscotmedia.com.

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 Middlesex Health & Life, Circulation Department, 110 Summit Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645; telephone 201.573.5541; e-mail christine.hamel@wainscotmedia.com.

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@MIDDLESEXHEALTHANDLIFE.COM

WE WANT THE BEST Tell us about your town’s top spots to shop, eat, exercise, unwind and more for our firstever Best of Middlesex Readers’ Choice Awards, which will appear in the Fall issue. middlesexhealthandlife.com/ readerschoice2012

GOOD E ATS Looking for a great place to be wined and dined? Check out our Food and Drink Guide for places to eat organized by town and type of food. middlesexhealthandlife.com/ foodanddrink

12

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GETAWAY GIVE AWAY If our Escapes story on page 48 entices you to visit the Emerson Resort & Spa, find out how you can receive a free night’s stay! middlesexhealthandlife.com/ emersonresort

BABY FACE We’d like to see your best baby photos. Snap a shot and tell us what “family” means to you in about 50 words. You may see your photo in a future issue of Middlesex Health & Life. middlesexhealthandlife.com/ cutestbaby2012

WANTED: LE ADERS Do you know a business owner who consistently demonstrates community spirit?

Nominate him or her to be featured in our Shop Local Leader column. middlesexhealthandlife.com/ localleader

SPRING RE AWAKENING Attention, homemakers! Show off your interior design skills by sending before-and-after photos of a room you decorated for a chance to win a prize. middlesexhealthandlife.com/ springreawakening2012

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From the minute you walk into Restaurant 2FIFTY4, expect to be delighted. A colorful, vibrant décor with a soaring atrium brings an outdoor café experience inside. You’ll find a mouthwatering array of dishes that range from gourmet sandwiches and salads, all the way to grilled salmon and vegetable stir-fry. And just wait until you try our desserts!

TOWN & COUNTRY

For more information and menu, visit saintpetershcs.com/Restaurant2FIFTY4

kitchen and bath Ginny Padula - Owner & Designer Free Consultation and Estimate 25 Bridge Ave Red Bank NJ

254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Tel: 732-745-8600, ext. 7773 To Go: 732-745-8600, ext. 8816 732-345-1441 www.tckbdesigns.com

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Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

■

Weekends: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Located in the lobby of Saint Peter’s University Hospital.

Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

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localbuzz middlesex news

reviews

tips

trends

Top: CouRTeSy oF THe RoNALD MCDoNALD HouSe. BoTToM: CouRTeSy oF DARyL

helping families when a child is ill

learning that your child has a life-threatening illness is heartbreaking enough—even more traumatizing is not being able to remain at his or her bedside. The ronald Mcdonald House Charities new York Tri-state Area (RmHc-nYTsa) offers a home away from home for families of children who are being treated—as inpatients or outpatients—at nearby hospitals. located in long Branch and new Brunswick, the Ronald mcdonald Houses can board up to eight and six families respectively, and typically serve families of patients of saint Peter’s University Hospital and other area hospitals and medical centers. each family is given a room that includes a private bathroom and a television, among other amenities, and families share a kitchen, a living area and a playroom. Guests are permitted to stay as long as needed and are charged a daily rate, but the fee can be waived based on financial need. “no family is turned away,” says margaret Fisher, m.d., a member of the RmHc-nYTsa board of trustees. dr. Fisher stresses the importance of keeping families together during a child’s treatment. “There’s no question that children recover more quickly when they have family around and can escape from the trauma of the hospital—when they can be normal children,” she says.

sAvE THE dATE The playroom at the Long Branch Ronald McDonald House

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Long Branch Ronald McDonald House (the New Brunswick house opened in 2005). To celebrate, the organization is hosting a gala titled “A Sterling Affair” on April 28 at the Battleground Country Club in Manalapan. For details and tickets, go to rmhcnytristate.org.

A restAurAnt reborn

after a short hiatus, new Brunswick’s Heldrich Hotel’s acclaimed contemporary american restaurant, daryl (732.253.7780, darylwinebar.com), has reopened its doors with a new style and a new interpretation of upscale dining. “daryl has become a restaurant that’s really approachable,” says executive chef and partner Zod arifai. “i think of it now as casual fine dining.”

The redesign of the restaurant’s interior—which features modern decor and elegant lighting—adds to the more relaxed environment arifai hopes to produce. “We are taking classic dishes that people are familiar with, such as steak and pasta, and preparing them using the superior ingredients and cooking techniques found in upscale restaurants where details matter,” says arifai.

The wine shop at daryl has been repurposed as well and functions as a wine-tasting bar with an enomatic Wine Preservation system, which guarantees freshness and the ideal temperature for every glass. “our entire wine menu is still available for purchase to take home,” says arifai of the 56-bottle list.

middlese xHEALTHandLIFE.com

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LOCAL BUZZ

editor’s pick

THE ZUMBA EXPERIMENT

GLUTEN-FREE GOODIES What do pizza, muffins, cookies and cupcakes have in common? Sadly, they’ve all been “no-nos” to those on a gluten-free diet. For people who suffer from celiac disease or food sensitivities, the simple joy of picking out a sprinkle-covered cupcake from the bakery case has been off-limits. That is, until Fallon Hyer opened Fallon’s Gluten Free Bakeshop (732.710.3338, fallonsgluten freebakeshop.com) in Fords and created new versions of these formerly forbidden treats. Hyer’s daily offerings of bread, pizza, cake and cookies are gluten- and nut-free and can even be dairy- or soyfree by request.

Your little girl is growing up—why not celebrate in high style?

Sweet and Sassy Salons (Old Bridge, 732.591.0020 and North Brunswick, 732.247.9338, sweetandsassy.com) allow girls ages 4 to 13 to do just that with a selection of eight party themes, ranging from Magical Fairy to Pop Star. Most parties start with hair styling, makeup, a mani/pedi and a wardrobe change. From there, activities can include dancing, fashion designing, walking a runway or creating a music video. Add the ultimate VIP treatment by picking up guests in a hot pink limo. Hair and nail services are also available on an individual basis.

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TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF GRAPE ESCAPE. TOP RIGHT: SHUTTERSTOCK. BOTTOM RIGHT: COURTESY OF THE NEW BRUNSWICK BIKE LIBRARY

I love to dance and could definitely use more exercise, so I decided it was high time to try Zumba, the Latin-inspired dance “fitness party” that has become increasingly popular worldwide since it was born in Colombia in the late ’90s. Fitness professionals surveyed by the American College of Sports Medicine recently listed Zumba among the top 10 predicted fitness trends for the first time—it comes in at number nine for 2012.

I headed over to my local gym one Sunday to see what this workout craze was all about and found a spot in the back of the class as the instructor started the first routine. At first, I struggled to keep up with the super-fast merengue, salsa and flamenco moves, but the steps were repeated enough that soon I was catching on. The upbeat mix of Latin songs and radio hits really had me wanting to shake it!

That’s a big part of the appeal, says Laurie Fechter, a Zumba instructor who teaches at the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County, Curves and Temple Emanu-El, all in Edison: “It is a really fun and festive atmosphere. You never feel like you’re working out, so time goes by really fast.” A one-hour Zumba class burns between 400 and 800 calories. “You are really working out your whole body—muscles you didn’t know you had,” says Fechter. “Plus, it’s an interval workout, varying between fast and slow rhythms. That is what helps to burn a lot of fat and calories and keeps your heart rate up.”

I know I’m sold. Zumba is the most fun I’ve had working out in a long time, so I hope this fitness fad has serious staying power. —MARISA SANDORA

A FRESH START IS KEY

GRAPE EXPECTATIONS At the entrance to the Grape Escape (609.409.943, gograpes.com) in Dayton, a sign reads, “Do you like to eat and drink? We can help you with that.” Yes, they sure can!

Here, wine lovers are guided through a foursession, 10-week process of creating wines using grapes from California and South America. During the final session, participants can bottle their wine and add a customized label.

Foodies, likewise, are welcome to explore their passion here—learn to bottle olive oil or balsamic vinegar, make their own mozzarella or create ravioli from scratch.

The price of winemaking is by the barrel and the type of grapes—get a group together to make one-fourth of a barrel ($770), which yields 60 bottles. The culinary workshops are single sessions and range in price from $75 to $95 a person. Each includes demos, instructions, tastings and active participation.

TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF GRAPE ESCAPE. TOP RIGHT: SHUTTERSTOCK. BOTTOM RIGHT: COURTESY OF THE NEW BRUNSWICK BIKE LIBRARY

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HANDS-DOWN WINNER Cold and flu season may be behind us, but those virus-causing germs remain a concern all year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that keeping hands clean is crucial to preventing the spread of disease. That’s why we love the convenience of travel-size hand sanitizer.

What we don’t love is that strong alcohol smell that lingers after using it.

Some brands are trying to improve hand sanitizers’ scents while adhering to the CDC’s requirement that they contain at least 60 percent alcohol. Middlesex Health & Life performed a staff survey and found that our favorite was EO Hand Sanitizer Spray in organic peppermint, which was invigorating and left our hands feeling soft. Find it at eoproducts.com.

“A purifier like our Clear Away Spray [$15] is an instant mood booster,” suggests aromatherapist Adora Winquist. “Spray it while stuck in traffic or after a bad date.” Available at opusgaia.com.

BENEFICIAL FRAGRANCES

Aromatherapy is the art and science of using essential oils—inhaled, applied topically or, less often, taken orally—as a form of complementary medicine. It’s been used to promote mental and physical health since the days of ancient Egypt.

According to Indian Lake resident Adora Winquist—an aromatherapist and founder of the aromatherapy brand Opus Gaia (877.840.4242, opusgaia.com)—the sense of smell is directly linked to memory. “When we inhale a scent it travels to the limbic system in the brain, which stores all of our memory and emotion,” says Winquist.

She recommends consulting an aromatherapist to create a scent unique to you.

“Aromatherapy is based on the individual,” says Winquist, whose company formulates individual scents. “Personalizing is the ideal way to maximize aromatherapy’s benefits.”

Each scent is said to have unique capabilities. For example, lavender is thought to be calming and to induce a relaxation response for better sleep, while peppermint is considered a good digestive aid. Blood orange is said to be energizing, and ylang-ylang is believed to have aphrodisiac qualities.

Winquist also suggests that shoppers steer clear of perfumed oils. “Essential oils are natural products derived from aromatic plants, but perfumed oils are at least in part synthetically derived,” she says. Though they may smell similar, perfume oils lack the holistic benefits of essential oils.

WHEELIN’ & DEALIN’ Cycling is a full-body workout that can help to sculpt your arms and legs, tighten your abdominal muscles and improve your stamina. Just an hour of peddling can burn more than 350 calories. Plus, it is an eco-friendly form of transportation.

The New Brunswick Bike Library (nbbikelibrary.org) aims to promote bike riding by making it more accessible. For an annual $20 fee, members can borrow the library’s bikes for one- or two-week periods. Also, members can service their own bike or build a new one using the library’s inventory of tools, supplies and parts.

Mechanics are available to help with all servicing and building projects during business hours (2 p.m. to 7 p.m.). Members are asked to volunteer at the library to “pay” for the parts and expert advice.

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There are literally hundreds of ways to make someone’s day at the all new Gift Shop On Park. Located in the lobby of Saint Peter’s University Hospital, it was voted one of the top 25 Gifted Retailers from across the country by Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine.

Browse to your heart’s content from a charming selection of plush animals, baby gifts, handbags, jewelry, children’s toys, greeting cards and more.

You can even order online.

The Gift Shop On Park. Get ready to enjoy the smiles.

For more information or to order a gift online, visit giftshop.saintpetershcs.com

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“Look honestLy at your eating, fitness and resting habits. are they heLping or hurting? there’s no need to make drastic changes aLL at once, but over time shoot for a baLanced, nutritious diet, reguLar exercise and—of course!—the chance to reLax with a massage, a faciaL or a soak in the tub.”

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SEASONAL HEALTH AVOID LYME DISEASE— AND OTHER TICK-BORNE ILLS

THIS DISEASE REMAINS A THREAT, SO TAKE PRECAUTIONS OUTDOORS THIS SPRING AND SUMMER IT’S BEEN A FEW YEARS SINCE Lyme disease commanded serious media attention, but don’t jump to the wrong conclusion. The truth is that this illness, caused by bacteria carried by ticks, has continued to be widespread. Since it was first identified near the town of Old Lyme, Connecticut, in 1975, the disease has become common across the Northeast and in the upper Midwest, and a form of it is also known in Europe.

Yet Lyme disease is still poorly understood. “Many people are confused about it—even physicians,” says Robert W. Tolan Jr., M.D., chief of the Division of Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital.

One misconception is that the ticks that carry the microbe are found just on deer. Not so; other mammals, particularly mice, also harbor the insect.

Also, “headaches and fatigue are rarely the main symptoms, despite what most people believe,” says Dr. Tolan. The most common symptom is the charac-

teristic bull’s-eye rash around the tick bite. “People with headaches and fatigue often believe they have Lyme, but it’s usually something else,” says the doctor.

Though most people have no symptoms other than the rash, other rare but possible symptoms include partial facial paralysis, meningitis (when the infection spreads to the brain covering and spinal cord) and heart arrhythmia in older adults. Kids may experience swelling in one knee joint.

Another false belief is that Lyme can’t be treated well. “It is hard to diagnose, but there are effective treatments,” Dr. Tolan says. Laboratory tests that confirm the presence of Lyme can be unreliable, he admits, but antibiotics—administered in case the disease is present—successfully eradicate the bacteria “almost 100 percent of the time.”

Lyme disease is almost never fatal.

But the ticks that carry Lyme also carry other, potentially more serious diseases.

“There are plenty of reasons beside Lyme disease to avoid ticks,” Dr. Tolan says. —DAVID LEVINE

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SERVICES AVAIL ABLE FOR YOU OR YOUR FAMILY AT SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, PLEASE CALL 732.745.8600.

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Ready for Lyme time?

The good news is that most people who are bitten by a tick do not develop Lyme disease, and that a tick usually must be attached to the body for at least 48 hours to transmit the illness. (To remove a tick, pull it gently with fine-tipped tweezers, then wash the area with soap and water or waterless hand sanitizer and flush the tick down the toilet.) But your safest course is to steer clear of ticks entirely by heeding these tips: Wear long pants, long sleeves and long socks to keep ticks off the skin. Tuck shirts into pants and pant legs into socks or shoes to keep ticks on the surface of your clothing.

Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to spot ticks.

Spray clothing with the repellent permethrin, found in lawn and garden stores. (Do not apply permethrin directly to the skin.)

Spray exposed clothing and skin with repellent containing 20 to 30 percent DEET to prevent tick bites. Carefully read and understand manufacturer instructions when using repellent, especially when using the products on infants and children.

Avoid wooded areas and shady grasslands.

Maintain a clear backyard by removing yard litter and excess brush that could attract deer and rodents.

After being outside, check for ticks, especially in the hairy areas of the body, and wash all clothing.

Before letting pets indoors, check them for ticks. Ticks may fall off and then attach to humans. Pets can also develop Lyme disease.

Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

TECH SAVVY

FROM TOP: Sonia Cerra-Gilch, M.D., section chief of Mammography; Aaron Shiloh, M.D., section chief of Interventional Radiology; Kavin D. Mistry, M.D., vice chairman of Radiology; and Paul McGinnis, M.D., chairman of the Department of Radiology

RADIOLOGY: IT’S MORE THAN SCANS When we think of a hospital’s radiology department, we may think first of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, CT (computed tomography) scans, X-rays and the like—and they are indeed part of its work. But radiologists provide treatment as well as diagnoses. These are just some of the services provided at Saint Peter’s University Hospital by Diagnostic Imaging, Inc., that go beyond the imaging studies suggested by the company’s name: deep vein thrombolysis, a process that removes blood clots interventional oncology, in which radiation is targeted at tumors radiofrequency ablation to remove tumors uterine fibroid embolization to remove fibroids kyphoplasty, a process that stabilizes spinal fractures stereotactic breast biopsy, a radiation-guided procedure for evaluating abnormal cells

IMPROVED IMAGING—PLUS A NEW RADIOLOGY PARTNERSHIP ENABLES SAINT PETER’S TO OFFER BETTER TURNAROUND AND BROADER SERVICES RADIOLOGISTS—SPECIALISTS

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who use imaging technologies to diagnose and treat disease—make a vital contribution to any hospital. And now a new arrangement has made radiology services at Saint Peter’s University Hospital faster and more complete than ever.

Diagnostic Imaging, Inc., a radiology group based in Philadelphia, has teamed up with Saint Peter’s Healthcare System to provide the full spectrum of radiology services including biopsies, vascular procedures, musculoskeletal procedures and pediatric and interventional radiology services at the hospital. DII—the group is known by its initials—has more than four decades of experience and serves area hospitals with more than 60 radiologists in a broad range of subspecialty areas.

What patients may notice most, how-

ever, is the department’s improved turnaround time. DII is part of a national network called vRad Radiology Alliance, which provides specialized technology that allows for after-hours interpretation of studies by one of its team of 400 radiologists nationwide. Says Paul McGinnis, M.D., chairman of the hospital’s Department of Radiology: “When we leave at night, imaging studies go to our vRad radiologist colleagues, who can interpret the images and quickly issue final reports within 30 minutes.”

Such rapid response capability means better service and a higher level of care for area patients, says Kavin D. Mistry, M.D., the hospital department’s vice chairman. “It’s really a night-andday difference from the traditional model, where if a patient came in at

night and needed, say, a CT [computed tomography] scan, the images would not get a final reading until the next day.” Plus, access to the vRad Alliance network means the CT scan can be read by a subspecialty-trained radiologist, even if it’s 3 a.m.

DII also brings enhanced mammography to Saint Peter’s. “We’re making our services as streamlined, efficient and comfortable as possible,” says Sonja Cerra-Gilch, M.D., section chief of Mammography at the hospital. Quicker results will mean women won’t have to worry for days about how their biopsy turns out. “By bringing MRI-guided biopsy and other procedures in-house, the Saint Peter’s partnership with DII assures that patients who need these services won’t have to go elsewhere,” she says. —D.L.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RADIOLOGY SERVICES AT SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, PLEASE CALL 732.745.8530 OR VISIT SAINTPETERSHCS.COM/RADIOLOGY. TO SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH A FRIEND OR TO RECOMMEND IT ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE, VISIT MIDDLESEXHEALTHANDLIFE.COM.

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inside look

Family planning,

the natural way

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A new hospitAl-bAsed center brings stAte-of-the-Art medicine to women who choose A cAtholic ApproAch

inside look

It’s a specIal challenge to provide the best in family planning and fertility care while staying true to catholic values. at saint peter’s University hospital, that challenge is met by the national gianna center for Women’s health and Fertility, one of a handful of centers in the country that offer women full obstetrical and gynecological care from a board-certified ob/gyn using natural fertility and family planning techniques without relying on hormonal suppression or artificial reproductive technologies. the gianna center is named for gianna Beretta Molla, an Italian pediatrician and devout catholic who died on good Friday in 1962 after refusing to terminate her pregnancy because of a complicated growth on her uterus. her baby survived, and she was canonized as saint gianna in 2004—and has come to be regarded as a patron saint for mothers, physicians and unborn children. the original gianna center opened in Manhattan in 2009 with funding from st.

Vincent’s hospital. the hospital closed its doors the next year, but saint peter’s kept the new York center open and hired one of its two physicians, obstetrician/gynecologist Kyle Beiter, M.D., to direct a new gianna center in new Brunswick. that center has been in operation since november 2010 and plans a formal grand opening ceremony this spring.

they’re often unaware that there are other options that are modern and effective,” he explains. “For that reason, we have found, many of them haven’t gone to a gynecologist in years.” the doctor and his staff offer natural family planning techniques as a certified Fertilitycare center. there are hundreds of such centers in the U.s. and around the world, but only a few also offer full-

service ob/gyn care, he reports.

“Families should be able to limit the number of children they have, from both an ethical and a medical standpoint,” says Dr. Beiter. “We offer a contrast to suppressive therapies.” Using a system called Fertilitycare, he takes close observations of biological markers such as menstrual bleeding patterns, cervical mucus and other indicators of

“many women tell me they are thankful to finally have this option.”

—KYle BeIter, M.D.

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a coMMon conVIctIon Dr. Beiter met the new York center’s director, family physician anne Mielnik nolte, M.D., when both were taking a course in napro technology, a new system of women’s health care that works in conjunction with their menstrual and fertility cycles. the most salient applications of this new system are in the areas of family planning and fertility. “We are of like mind,” he says. “I went into the ob/gyn field with a strong conviction that women deserve good pro-life health care. there are very few providers in the field with true pro-life ethics.

Dr. nolte started the center with that mission, and I joined her.”

Dr. Beiter says there is a great need for these services. “there are many women who are seeking alternatives to hormonal contraception. Unfortunately,

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INSIDE LOOK

the stages of a woman’s cycle to provide scientifically sophisticated counsel aimed at helping couples time intercourse to avoid pregnancy.

The Gianna Center’s staff can diagnose and treat ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cysts, abnormal bleeding from fibroids or other causes, and many other gynecological problems.

WHEN COUPLES CAN’T CONCEIVE

MEET THE DIRECTOR

which we corrected. We also found and removed some endometriosis [a condition in which cells similar to the uterine lining appear on other organs, often the ovaries, sometimes causing pain and infertility]. She now has a healthy baby.”

These success stories will only multiply, Dr. Beiter hopes. Though the center started slowly, it now sees about 150 patients a month. The doctor is networking with other community organizations, including the Diocese of Metuchen, which is the sponsor of Saint Peter’s University Hospital, to spread the word about his services. “Our goal is to assist the community in any way we can,” he says. “We’re developing an outreach program to help pregnant women in crisis.”

He also hopes to add counseling services, infertility support groups and other natural family planning options.

And while Dr. Beiter now supervises all routine care, he would like to add a primary care physician to the staff.

Dr. Beiter has found the community’s response to be very positive. “Many women tell me they are thankful to finally have this option,” he says. —D.L .

Obstetrician/gynecologist Kyle Beiter, M.D., director of The National Gianna Center for Women’s Health and Fertility at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, grew up in Lancaster, Ohio, the fifth of nine children. “My dad was an engineer, my mom a teacher,” he says.

“My older brothers were engineers, and I thought I’d be one too, but in high school I liked biology better than math. I also liked working with people. Medicine seemed like a good fit.”

He attended Franciscan University as an undergrad, and then went to the Ohio State University Medical School. Next came residency training at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York and Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix and fellowship work at Creighton University in Omaha.

Along the way, he learned he had a perspective different from many of his peers. “I am Catholic, and my parents instilled a respect for life in me. Although I believe all physicians should respect life from conception onward, quite a few do not. But many women share my views. I felt called to do what I’m doing today.”

Dr. Beiter and his wife, Lisamarie, both 35, live in New Jersey with their four children, ages 1½ to 7.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SERVICES AVAIL ABLE AT THE NATIONAL GIANNA CENTER FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH AND FERTILITY AT SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, PLEASE CALL 732.565.5490 OR VISIT SAINTPETERSHCS.COM/GIANNACENTER.

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For women struggling with infertility, the center’s professionals identify any underlying conditions that may be preventing conception. “The patient’s charting reveals aspects of her underlying reproductive physiology, which we can then use as we tailor our diagnostic and treatment strategy for that patient,” says Dr. Beiter.

Again using detailed observations of the menstrual cycle, the center “works in cooperation with the cycle,” he says, to promote conception arising out of an act of love between husband and wife.

Dr. Beiter eschews in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques, he says, because of his conviction that they impose a “manufacturing” mentality on procreation.

The center’s natural techniques are quite effective in both avoiding and facilitating pregnancy, says Dr. Beiter.

“In terms of avoiding pregnancy, a metaanalysis of five studies on FertilityCare found that it was 99.5 percent effective when used perfectly, and the overall effectiveness rate was 96.8 percent.”

For infertility, studies show that about 50 percent of women who turn to an IVF clinic successfully give birth. Though findings differ and peer-reviewed data are limited, Dr. Beiter believes that NaPro Technology has the potential for similar success. He points to cases in which women have given birth with the assistance of NaPro Technology after failing with IVF. “I had a patient who had four miscarriages, and no one had been able to help her figure out why,” Dr. Beiter says. “She was very frustrated. We took a close look at her underlying hormonal cycles and found some imbalances,

UP CLOSE

Michael McCormick has served on the Saint Peter’s Community Golf Outing Committee since the 1990s. Other links with the hospital date back much further.

SHARING A

HISTORY

A BUSINESSMAN’S TIES TO SAINT PETER’S GO BACK FIVE GENERATIONS IN A WORLD OF FRENETIC

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change, some things remain the same.

Michael McCormick, for example, is a key supporter of Saint Peter’s.

In the 1850s, an Irishman of that name was driven from his homeland by the Great Potato Famine. He settled in New Brunswick, found work as a railroad laborer, married, was a parishioner of the newly built Saint Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church and had six children. Many of the second generation helped fund the sacristy built in 1891 on Somerset Street.

“You can find their names on the plaque in the entranceway of the church,” says his great-great-grandson, a 48-year-old insurance executive and Freehold resident who also proudly bears the moniker Michael McCormick.

As history records, the church started

a clinic that in 1907 became a 25-bed hospital—and is now the 478-bed Saint Peter’s University Hospital. And today’s McCormick shares both his time and his resources with that hospital because— well, just because. “It’s part of the fabric of who I am,” he says.

He recalls no specific moment when his parents or grandparents told him this was an important tradition to uphold.

Instead, it was their actions that spoke.

McCormick’s grandfather, D. Carl McCormick, an insurance agent who began writing policies for the hospital in the 1950s, served on its advisory board.

D. Carl’s wife and daughter were members of the ladies’ auxiliary. “And I had a granduncle who worked in the pharmacy department,” says McCormick.

When he mentions family members who were born at Saint Peter’s, it gets

almost monotonous. His parents were; so were he and his two brothers. So was his wife, Antoinette, who is a controller for the company iPlay America.

So were her parents and her three sisters. Want to guess where Mike and Antoinette’s children—12-year-old Michael Jr. and 5-year-old Jack—came into the world?

As a partner in his family’s insurance company, now called the Pavese/ McCormick Insurance Agency, with corporate offices in South Brunswick, McCormick still writes much of the hospital’s coverage. “In fact, 25 years ago on my first day in the business, working with my dad, I went to Saint Peter’s to discuss a renewal,” he recalls.

But the relationship goes beyond births and business.

McCormick has been on the hospital foundation’s Community Golf Outing Committee since the early 1990s. For a decade he has also been on the board of the Friends of the Margaret McLaughlin McCarrick Care Center, a nursing home that is part of the Saint Peter’s Healthcare System; he’s now its president. He recalls gratefully the treatment his late grandmother received when she spent her last two years at McCarrick: “They could not have been kinder to her.”

McCormick supports other good causes in the community, he says, “but none where I give as much focus and effort as I do for Saint Peter’s, to raise money and get other people involved. I try to bring friends and clients to events like the gala, to show them what the hospital means to the community. Of the last 25 galas, the only one I missed was right when my son Michael was born.”

Will the sixth generation of McCormicks keep the tradition? He hopes so.

“Our older son has an interest in medicine, and because of our connection he talks about medicine with people at the hospital,” he says. “But we won’t have to push him to support Saint Peter’s. I wasn’t pushed into it when I was a kid. It’s just part of our family legacy.” —D.L.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND WAYS TO HELP SUPPORT IT, PLEASE CALL 732.745.8542 OR VISIT SAINTPETERSHCS.COM/FOUNDATION. TO SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH A FRIEND OR TO RECOMMEND IT ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE, VISIT MIDDLESEXHEALTHANDLIFE.COM.

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faces of saint peter’s

Derick J. Christian, M.D.

A nAtive of indiA who cAme to

Dr. Christian and his family share the cooking chores.

this country at age 11, derick J. christian, m.d., 39, grew up in Jersey city and attended Saint Peter’s college before earning his medical degree at Saba medical School in the dutch Antilles. he completed a surgical residency at the University of connecticut and fellowships in minimally invasive surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and in liver and pancreatic surgery at methodist hospital in dallas. dr. christian now lives in east Brunswick with his wife, nicole, 39, and sons Justin, 8, Jacob, 5, and Joshua, 3. he joined Saint Peter’s University hospital in november 2011.

I’m told you’ve called your specIalty—lIver and pancreatIc cancer surgery—“the last fron-

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“research has found that outcomes are better if surgeons specialize in this kind of surgery.” —derick J. chriStiAn, m.d.

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tIer.” Why? we’ve made great strides in every other area of abdominal surgery, but in this area not much has changed in the past 20 years. cancers of the liver and pancreas are lethal diseases; they need significant attention.

Is that Why you chose thIs Work? Yes. i wanted to do something that could make a difference. i chose it because it was a challenge worth devoting one’s life to. Saint Peter’s is the only medical center in the area to offer this type of surgery, which has only been a fellowship-trained specialty for five years. we have the opportunity to get to the next level, and that excites me.

Why Is the specIalty so neW? these are very complex diseases, and recent research has found that outcomes are better if surgeons specialize in this kind of surgery. You need to do at least one a month. in my fellowship we did approximately 100 a year.

What are your off-hours lIke? i played soccer in high school, and though i don’t play now, my kids do. my wife coaches our son Justin, and i help out—i bring the soccer balls and carry the clipboard. we also like to cook together as a family—we especially like indian and thai food. —D.L.

FACES OF SAINT PETER’S

Kyon A. Hood, M.D.

THAT UNUSUAL FIRST NAME? “MY

dad made it up,” explains Kyon A. Hood, M.D., a pediatric emergency medicine physician who works for EmCare at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. “My parents were hippies.” After high school in Des Moines, Iowa, he biked and hiked around the country before launching his career. A graduate of the Harvard University Extension School, he earned his medical degree at St. George’s Medical School in Grenada and completed his residency in pediatrics at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/ Robert Wood Johnson in New Brunswick.

Dr. Hood, 41, and his wife, Marie, 39, a registered nurse who manages his practice, live in East Brunswick. They are raising her children from a previous marriage, Jourdan, 20, Darrian, 16, and Tristan, 15, and their own children, Ethan, 8, and Benjamin, 5.

Travel provides peak experiences for Dr. Hood.

FROM BIKING TO MEDICINE? HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?

When I moved to Kentucky at 18 and volunteered at a Louisville homeless shelter for children, I realized I wanted to work with kids for the rest of my life. It was an epiphany.

A few years later I decided I could have the biggest influence on children—and best be their advocate—by being a pediatrician.

BESIDES RUNNING YOUR OWN PEDIATRICS PRACTICE IN EAST BRUNSWICK, YOU WORK IN THE SAINT PETER’S

BOHM-MARRAZZO PHOTOGRAPHY

BOHM-MARRAZZO PHOTOGRAPHY

PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY ROOM. WHY? During my residency I wavered between neonatal intensive care and emergency medicine. I decided I like the excitement of the ER. There I get to do more procedures—like suturing cuts and splinting broken bones—than I do in my office.

WHAT WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TRAVELS? At 21 I rode from Kentucky to Iowa by myself. I also cycled from Boston to Bar Harbor, Maine, one year. I’ve backpacked all over the country.

DO YOU STILL BIKE AND HIKE? I haven’t lately, but for this summer we’re planning our second family trip to the Grand Tetons in Wyoming—my favorite place on earth. —D.L.

“I REALIZED I WANTED TO WORK WITH KIDS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. IT WAS AN EPIPHANY.” —KYON A. HOOD, M.D. TO SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH A FRIEND OR TO RECOMMEND IT ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE, VISIT MIDDLESEXHEALTHANDLIFE.COM.

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2/27/12 12:59 PM

gatherings at saint peter’s

fundraising fun Katelynn Poulson, center left, and Ashley Murphy, center right, are full of laughter as they air out some of the money they raised in support of the Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick. Both 11-year-olds are sixthgrade students at the Joyce Kilmer School in Milltown. The girls donated $120 in support of hematology/oncology programs for children. They raised the funds by making and selling friendship bracelets. Looking on are Saint Peter’s physicians Ionela Iacobas, M.D., pediatric hematology/ oncology, left, and Stanley Calderwood, M.D., chief of the Division of Hematology/ Oncology at The Children’s Hospital.

HOnOring a HErO aLL faiTHs agrEE On The crowd at the Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center hears the Saint Peter’s University Hospital Choir sing at the 22nd Annual Interfaith Celebration of the Life and Legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 16. Speakers from various religions—Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, Baptist and Jewish—took part. The Rev. Alyson Browne Johnson, executive pastor, First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, Somerset, delivered the keynote address.

Sr. Barbara Ortmann, chaplain for Saint Peter’s Pastoral Care, offered the opening prayer and Gregory Smith, M.S.W., social worker with Care Coordination at Saint Peter’s, gave the closing prayer.

FOR INFORMATION ON UPCOMING EVENTS SPONSORED By THE SAINT PETER’S FOUNDATION, GO TO saintpetershcs.com/Foundation.

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toP and middle: bashir baskinger; bottom: keith muccilli

sPECiaL daY Of EMPaTHY Saint Peter’s Healthcare System celebrated World Day of the Sick on Monday, February 13, with a mass in the hospital’s chapel and visits to patients during the annual anointing of the sick. Seen immediately following the mass are, left to right, the Most Rev. Paul G. Bootkoski, Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen; Donald Daniels, chairman of the healthcare system’s Board of Governors; Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, D.C., and founding Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen; Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Healthcare Workers; and Ronald C. Rak, J.D., president and CEO of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System.

2/28/12 11:17 AM

gatherings

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MATCHING SMILES GALA Big Brothers Big sisters oF monmoUth and middlesex coUnties

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5

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1 big sister pam callender and little sister ashley 2 big brother Jim henry and little brother ali 3 William salcedo, chris martin and barry Weshnak 4 bbbsmmc’s board of trustees 5 Kristin spitale, chris mittman, amy beth dambeck, lauren cesario, stella price and marybeth bull 4

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7 9

Courtesy of BBBsMMC (1–5), osCar Gutierrez (6–8), literaCy proGraMs of new jersey (9–11)

navesink country club, middletown, october 14, bbbsmonmouth.org two hundred supporters attended this annual fundraising event.

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wALk for THouGHT Brain inJUry association oF new Jersey saddle river county Park, october 1, bianj.org supporters of the north brunswick–based brain injury association of new Jersey walked in honor of individuals and families affected by brain injuries.

6 stacy lyons 7 donna Jones and dawn tozier 8 participants in the Walk for thought braved the rain for a good cause.

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CELEbrATING LITErACy GALA literacy Programs oF new Jersey the heldrich hotel in new Brunswick, october 20, lpnj.org the organization’s gala supports its efforts to help adults learn to read, write and speak english.

9 guy and Julia falzarano 10 cynthia hammell, orysya demydh, ulka Wagh, lili liu, Joan Jobbins and helen Zhang 11 Jack and rachel israel, Javier bocanegra and lee ann bocanegra

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

2/28/12 11:22 AM

LOCAL FASHION

JUST FORE YOU

HIT THE COURSE WHILE DRESSED TO A “TEE” IN THESE GOLF ST YLES 3

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1 Give your game a feminine touch with the Maxim Patio Dress, $110 by LIJA. lijastyle.com. 2 Keep your hair out of your eyes by pulling it into a brightly adorned ponytail with an elastic from this Hair Tie Ball, $6. Urban Outfitters, Edison, 732.494.0487. 3 Look hip and sophisticated in these pinstripe Quagmire Golf Stupples Pants, $69, named after LPGA tour player Karen Stupples. quagmirestyles.com. 4 For every sale of these Necessity Sunglasses, $140, Oakley will donate $20 to benefit young women with breast cancer through the Young Survival Coalition. NJ Skateshop, Sayreville, 732.547.4803.

5 Get a good grip with the TaylorMade women’s Stratus Leather Golf Glove, $12. Dick’s Sporting Goods, East Brunswick, 732.651.3284. 6 Keri Golf, based in Haddonfield, has gained national attention for its fashionable and functional golf bags and carts, like this Bethany Bag, $335, which comes with a set of headcovers for clubs. kerigolf.com. 7 ECCO Golf’s newest set of Golf Street Premier Shoes, $150 a pair, is colorful and fashionable both on and off the course. Nordstrom, Edison, 732.603.5000. 8 Show off your sports spirit with this over-the-shoulder Leather Handbag, $985, by Alexander Wang. saksfifthavenue.com. 9 The Adore Polo Shirt, $55, by Antigua is made of polyester with a mesh pattern for moisture management. shop.antigua.com. 10 Stella McCartney’s Golf Performance Jacket, $200, offers lightweight protection from wind and rain so you can focus on the game. shopadidas.com. —LIZ DONOVAN

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LOCAL JEWELRY

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MINDFUL GEMS THESE SPIRITUALLY AT TUNED PIECES SEEK TO MAK E YOU BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT

1 Self-improve with the Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Necklace, $225. The Chinese symbol for good health, in 24K gold vermeil, hangs from your choice of beads, strung on waxed linen.

Blue kyanite boosts the immune system, while green lapis brings harmonious relationships. shopskm.com. 2 Philip Stein watches contain a metal disc infused with natural frequencies intended to help regulate the body’s functions.

Alleviate stress, improve your sleep and sharpen your focus with the men’s Signature Watch, $715, in stainless steel. Nordstrom, Edison, 732.603.5000. 3 The Buddha Bracelet, $815, is divinely simple. The rose gold and pink sapphire meditating Buddha is paired with basic wood beads on an elastic cord. Hillary’s Fashion Boutique, Warren, 908.222.0802. 4 Eleven million Americans suffer from eating disorders. Help raise awareness by purchasing the Lotus Love Gem, $150, designed by a survivor of anorexia.

Twenty percent of proceeds benefit the Eating Disorders Coalition. catherinezadeh.com. 5 The Somaly Mam Foundation (SMF) is a nonprofit whose mission is to end human trafficking. Help support the SMF by purchasing the survivormade Empowerment Necklace in silk, starting at $20. somaly.org. 6 Temple St. Clair’s Nirvana Collection was inspired by the colorful culture of Tibetan Buddhism. The 18K Stupa Ring, $15,000, is mottled with diamonds, blue sapphires and tsavorites (a kind of garnet believed to aid acceptance). Frederic Goodman Fine Jewelers, Summit, 908.522.8777. 7 Amethyst is said to have spiritual properties, and the large, square-cut stone in this Silver Depth of Beauty Ring, $358, will bring you mental clarity. The lotus is a symbol of growth, and the two buds on the 18K gold band will awaken your true potential. satyajewelry.com. 8 When the golddipped angel wing falls from the silk thread, repeat this mantra: “I am healthy and my body is strong.” Then your wish will come true.

Dogeared’s Make A Wish Necklace, $30, Nordstrom, Edison, 732.603.5000. 9 Celebrate your womanhood with these mandarin garnet and 18K gold Tassel Earrings, $7,100, designed to emulate the female form. hamilton jewelers.com. —MEGHAN BASHAW

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

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2/28/12 11:01 AM

your bedroom

healthy

mend pulling up carpets. if that’s not possible, use a vacuum cleaner with a highefficiency particulate air (HePa) filter to clean your carpets, but leave the room for an hour afterward because vacuuming will stir up the dust-mite excrement. Because humidity promotes dust-mite replication and mold growth, keep your room at a 35 percent to 45 percent humidity level with an air conditioner or dehumidifier, such as the Bucketless 55-Pint dehumidifier at Brookstone.

3 Keep things Fresh. seo recommends changing pillowcases every couple of days and replacing pillows every two years. if you’re not ready to toss yours, place them in the freezer overnight to kill the allergens.

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aT a lonG daY’s end, THeRe’s noTHinG liKe sliPPinG BeTWeen cool sheets in your own room to restore yourself, mind, body and spirit. But there are potential hazards to your health lurking in the space that claims one-third of your life, experts tell Middlesex Health & Life. They offer these ways to make sure your bedroom is good for you:

1 Buy smart. “Green

lifestyle” authority danny seo, who has written numerous books on eco-friendly design, suggests bedding with natural fibers such as Tencel (made from waste wood pulp) or modal (made from beech wood trees); both are free from harmful chemicals and have a silky feel. (You can find the danny seo Home line of bedding at stores like marshalls and HomeGoods.) seo also nixes petroleumbased synthetic “memory foam” pillows and mattresses, which can emit volatile

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organic compounds (Vocs) that can cause headaches; irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; nausea and other problems. Better bets: 100 percent natural latex or 100 percent organic cotton mattresses and pillows, and, if you’re not allergic, down pillows. (Find organic mattresses, pillows and bedding at White lotus in Highland Park and down pillows at down to Basics in Red Bank.)

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Fight mites. “dust mites live in our pillows, bedding and mattresses,” says Gary Zuckerman, m.d., of

middlese xHEALTHandLiFE.com

central new Jersey allergy and asthma associates in Kendall Park, who notes that it is not the bugs we’re allergic to, but rather their airborne excrement. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix: Placing tightly woven encasement covers on your pillow, mattress and box spring will prevent the excrement from becoming airborne. seo recommends purchasing dust mite covers that are 100 percent cotton, not PVcor polyurethane-based. “You don’t want the kind that sounds crinkly,” he says. most doctors also recom-

go green. Research shows that many plants can combat the “offgassing” of potentially harmful elements in the atmosphere that can’t be removed in other ways. Try one of these top 10 air scrubbers: areca, lady, dwarf date and bamboo palm; rubber; dracaena; english ivy; ficus alii; Boston fern; or peace lily.

5 Zap the gadgets.

The jury is still out as to whether the electromagnetic fields that emanate from our cell phones and computers cause cancer, but with the national institute of environmental Health science calling for more studies, why take the risk? if you must have electronics in your room, move the charging station as far away from your bed as possible. and consider banning from the bedroom all blue-lightemitting devices (yes, that includes your TV). studies show that the blue leds can inhibit the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, disturbing your sleep cycle.

© Loupe Images/ChrIs Tubbs

10 TiPs FoR a snooZinG sancTuaRY THaT TReaTs You RiGHT

2/23/12 11:48 AM

AT HOME

6 FENG SHUI YOUR SPACE. “When you apply feng shui principles to your bedroom, you create a personal paradise with a qi, or energy, that is warm and welcoming,” says Laurie Bornstein, a New Jersey designer who is the CEO of the National Feng Shui Guild.

“Put your bed in a ‘command’ position so the space in front of you is in full view and you have solid support—either a wall or a firm headboard— behind you. Make sure, though, that you are not in direct alignment with your doorway so that the energy coming in the door will not disrupt your sleep pattern. Stagger it a little.”

Next, she says, create balance by placing a nightstand with a lamp on each side of your bed. And when it comes to mirrors in the bedroom, the rule is “one or less,” she says, to “bring the energy down,” which relaxes you. Her suggested placement: opposite a window to draw nature in.

make it difficult to fall asleep—and stay that way— for the restorative hours of shut-eye your body needs.

A sound machine can block the noise and transport you to a more serene space, piping in soothing sounds like rain or rushing air.

9 LIGHT A CANDLE.

This is a subtle one, but you can create instant serenity and do your mental health a

favor by filling the room with a candle’s cozy glow—when you’re awake, of course.

“A flickering flame gives the room a soft energy,” says Bornstein. Candles made from 100 percent soy create a glow without the toxins, carcinogens or soot given off by paraffin.

10 SLEEP IN THE DARK. But when it’s time to catch your zzzs, the darker

your room is, the better.

Just as LEDs can affect melatonin production, light sneaking in from outside can likewise disturb your sleep patterns. Light-blocking window treatments—roller shades, honeycomb shades and plantation shutters are best—can eliminate up to 99 percent of that pesky outdoor light so that a restful sleep is a reality, not just a dream. —PATTI VERBANAS

7 CHOOSE THE RIGHT HUES. The optimal hues for

© LOUPE IMAGES/CHRIS TUBBS

restful relaxation are ranges of blue (including purple and lavender) and midtone earthy colors (sage, beige or creams).

“Avoid pastels because pastel ranges are expansive and not intimate,” advises Bornstein.

“Likewise, stay away from high-energy colors such as bright yellows, reds and cobalt blue, which bring the room’s energy up—that’s what you don’t want.” Be mindful, too, of the type of paint you use.

“The only way you can truly get a healthy paint is to look for ‘zero-VOC,’” advises Seo. His pick: Valspar+, found at Lowe’s, which is the only paint that’s zero-VOC and certified by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation due to its resistance to mold growth.

8 NEUTRALIZE NOISE. If you live on a busy street, sounds from outdoors can

The Danny Seo Modal Bedding collection is made from the cellulosic fiber of beech trees.

An organic cotton White Lotus Home mattress topper. LEFT: Vie Luxe’s EcoLuxe candle blends soy wax and fragrance oils and is finished with a cotton wick.

Valspar + paint is VOC-free and mold- and mildewresistant.

The Sharper Image Sound Soother White Noise Machine (and alarm clock) features 20 nature sounds.

MIDDLESE XHEALTHANDLIFE.COM

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2/23/12 11:49 AM

SHOP LOCAL LEADER Owner Lois Cataldo

GE T TING THERE

THE BRASS LANTERN 335 Main St., Metuchen 732.548.5442 brasslanternstore.com

WOMAN OF MANY GIF TS A FIXTURE ON MAIN STREET FOR more than 32 years, The Brass Lantern has evolved from a small antiques shop into a browsers’ paradise filled with treasures old and new, waiting to be discovered. You’ll find just what you’re looking for, be it a clever greeting card, a tin of English tea or a handsomely restored curio cabinet.

And with a stroke of serendipity, you may also spy the perfect addition to your wardrobe, whether it’s a velvet evening jacket or a coveted piece of Sorrelli jewelry.

Owner Lois Cataldo shares her story: WHAT WAS THE STORE LIKE WHEN YOU OPENED IN

After several years of buying and selling antiques at shows, my garage was overflowing with knickknacks and furniture. I opened the store to reclaim the space and reduce the wear and tear of being on the road. The Brass Lantern started as a tiny shop with an assortment of antiques and American Country collectibles. As the store gained in popularity and space became available, I expanded.

WHY IS IT CALLED THE BRASS LANTERN? On a buying trip, I spied a brass lantern and thought customers might purchase it as THE EARLY ’80S?

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a Father’s Day gift. Proudly, I showed the lantern around and was surprised by the negative reaction. Without thinking about it too much, I said, “If the brass lantern is the first item sold at the next show, then that’s what I’ll call the store.” Fate intervened, and The Brass Lantern was born.

and yarn. Inside I saw women sitting, talking and knitting, and I thought it might be a nice way to bring the community together. Encouraged by my staff, I began selling yarn and offering lessons. Customers, both beginners and accomplished knitters, really responded to it.

IS THERE A UNIFYING THEME TO THE STORE?

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS?

While my shop is eclectic, there’s definitely a romantic, old-fashioned undercurrent running through it. I love creating vignettes that combine pieces from the past with modern-day goods. Much of the jewelry is antique, vintage or reproduction Victorian, but we also keep up with the current trends. In the children’s room, you’ll find nostalgic board games and porcelain boxes for baby’s first tooth. The pantry offers delicate china tea sets, jars of gourmet condiments and preserves, imported teas and whimsical paper napkins. Brides will find everything from fine lingerie to a tank top that proclaims, ”It’s All About Me.” I SEE YOU HAVE A KNITTING CORNER. The idea for the knitting nook came from a trip I took to Virginia. We stopped in a little town and noticed several stores selling fabric

Over the years, I have developed strong relationships with my customers. I’ve witnessed the life cycle of some from baby to bride to mother. Besides being a shop, The Brass Lantern has become a gathering place for the creative exchange of ideas. We have many special events and exhibits. One of the most popular was a display of a customer’s antique valentine collection. People lined up around the block to get in!

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS? To have my business continue being a quaint, familyowned shop that offers innovative style, memorable gifts and gracious service. The store is a big part of my life, and I will always be grateful to my family, my employees and my customers for their support. —JUDI ROTHENBERG

SEND YOUR IDEAS FOR “SHOP LOCAL LEADER” TO SHOPLOCALLEADER@WAINSCOTMEDIA.COM.

TOP RIGHT: JENNIFER VREELAND. OTHERS: COURTESY OF THE BRASS LANTERN

THE DETERMINED ENTREPRENEUR BEHIND THE BRASS LANTERN SHOP HAS A PRACTICED EYE FOR SEEKING OUT GREAT FINDS

3/4/12 7:08 PM

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3/5/12 11:11 AM

after months

of research, including scouring the county and reaching out to our readers, Middlesex HealtH & life brings you this ultimate guide to the top spas in middlesex county. our writer was scrubbed, peeled, plucked, wrapped, rolled and rubbed, all in the name of discovering the best local places to find rejuvenation of the body and soul. she recaps it all here, along with a listing of spas in the area, so that you can join the pampering party. By Patti VerBanas

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2/23/12 12:30 PM

EdEn Organix Here’s the most indulgent way you can go green. Proving that eco-consciousness and luxury need not be mutually exclusive, Eden Organix boasts three intimate treatment rooms and a line of carefully selected organic cosmetics and skin-care products, as well as “eco-essential” home decor and organic fashions. But here’s what we love most: Eden cares. With its mission of “Purpose-driven Beauty,”

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the spa donates 10 percent of all profits to organizations devoted to helping the environment, women and young people—for example, providing scholarships and helping to provide jobs for women struggling to make ends meet. if you want to feel good and do good, this spa with heart is your ideal respite from the workaday world.

editor’s pick

Eden Organix, 215 Raritan Ave., Highland Park, 888.907.3336, edenorganix.com

2/23/12 12:30 PM

more of the best spas in middlesex anaRa Medspa & COsMetiC laseR CenteR 1140 stelton Rd. ste. 102 piscataway 732.777.9577

aVanCe aestHetiCs skin CaRe

lOOkin GOOd salOn & daY spa

skin BY niCOle daY spa

1870 Route 27 ste. 2B edison 848.219.8808

9 lincoln Hwy. edison 732.906.0601

7 lincoln Hwy. ste. 106 edison 732.906.8800

anaramedspa.com

appeaRanCe plus daY spa 406 Main st.

Metuchen 732.549.4433 appearanceplusdayspa.net

aQua peaRl daY spa 54 pearl st.

Metuchen 732.516.1720 aquapearldayspa1.com

aQuaspa daY spa & nail salOn 718 Route 18 east Brunswick 732.238.6522 aquaspasalon.com

editiockr’s p

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lookingoodspa.net

avanceaesthetics.com

BOCa salOns daY spa & tanninG lions plaza 1626 Route 130 north Brunswick 732.422.9229 Renaissance Commons 333 Forsgate dr.

Jamesburg 732.521.2700 bocadayspas.com

MassaGe enVY

tHe spa at tHe HeldRiCH

314 Route 18 north east Brunswick 732.238.4444

10 livingston ave.

3rd floor new Brunswick 732.247.2500

massageenvy.com

MOsaiC salOn & spa

heldrichspa.com

VOi spa

1392 st. Georges ave. avenel 732.669.9880

253 Route 18 south east Brunswick 732.390.9390

mosaicsalonspa.com

voisalonandspa.com

JaiRa’s WaxinG salOn 980 Route 9 south south amboy 732.727.4247 510 Old Bridge tpk. south River 732.238.6413

seRenitY daY spa

VitO Mazza salOn and daY spa

330 Old Bridge tpk. south River 732.257.8118 halcyondayssalonsandspas.com

114 Main st.

Woodbridge 732.636.0119 vitomazza.com

brazilianbikiniwax.org

Gentle HealinG Wellness spa this spa offers Victorian elegance served up with a dash of spice—sometimes quite literally! Go ahead, ensconce yourself in this luxurious 1853 Queen anne farmhouse. You’ll feel miles away from the modern world the minute you breathe in the spa’s soothing natural aromatherapy scents. then treat yourself to some extravagance, like the Cinnamon Refresher exfoliation, which blends expensive spices with Oriental woods, resins, bamboo particles, poppy seeds and nutmeg to create a rich exfoliation experience that will leave your skin look-

ing refreshed and smooth and will even give you a hint of color. Other exotic indulgences we adore include the Gold star nectar Wrap (golden algae reduces photo-aging while nourishing and strengthening the skin), which will leave your body with a sparkly gold finish, and the Champagne pedicure, a fizzy, toe-wiggling bubble bath, followed by a champagne foot wrap and champagne finishing cream to seal in the moisture.

We can certainly toast to that!

Gentle Healing Wellness Spa, 1274 Cranbury/ South River Rd., Cranbury, 609.409.2700, gentlehealingspa.com

2/28/12 11:03 AM

Solace Day Spa can you feel the om? Solace Day Spa should be on your speed dial for whenever you crave relaxation and rejuvenation.

Just a dip in Solace’s heated tranquility pool, letting its ambiance of gentle music cocoon you, will transport you to a realm of serenity where the outside world falls away. a spa that really practices what it preaches, Solace gets an a+ for creativity in packages. are you an athlete? enjoy a “day of fitness,” starting with an hour of strength training with a certified personal trainer, chased by a warm shower, a steam bath and a 50-minute sports mas-

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sage to relax your hardworking muscles. after hitting the juice bar, you’ll leave with a personalized workout regimen so you can continue your journey at home.

If you’re more into “peaceful healing,” escape to Solace for an hour of private yoga, then a sauna session or steam bath, followed by an “ancient volcanic ritual treatment”—a treatment that uses volcanic ash as polynesians have used it for centuries to boost collagen synthesis and renew the skin. Whatever your choice, you’ll leave inspired as well as renewed!

editor’s pick

Solace Day Spa, The Shoppes at Old Bridge, 3855 Route 9, Old Bridge, 800.469.0254, thesolacespa.com

2/28/12 5:39 PM

power food

meet the

It’s the tasty, low-cal, vItamIn-rIch fruIt your grandmother never heard of

native to China, the fuzzy kiwifruit or kiwi has a very short history in America. The first u.S. kiwis were planted in 1960, and it was not until the mid-’70s that the fruit started to gain national popularity.

The tri-state area’s climate prohibits farming kiwis; most of America’s kiwi crop comes from the west Coast, but the fruit is also found in Virginia and north Carolina. worldwide, the leading producers are italy and new Zealand.

The fuzzy kiwi also comes in a golden form, a less tangy version of the traditionally green fruit. The green and yellow tones often get kiwis classified as a citrus fruit, but they’re actually a berry.

Power The newsletter Environmental Nutrition has named the kiwi one of the “15 super foods for super health”—and no wonder.

At an average 92 calories per serving— which is approximately two medium-sized kiwis—this fruit holds double the daily recommended serving of vitamin C. That’s more per size than oranges!

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PrePAre kiwis are also a good source of potassium, fiber, vitamin k and actinidine, an enzyme that breaks down proteins and dairy products and promotes a healthy digestive system.

Though many people peel or scoop out a kiwi before eating, the peel is actually where most of the vitamins are found. The skin is completely edible and just needs to be scrubbed or “shaved” lightly with a peeler to remove the fuzzy hairs of the exterior.

Buy · STore · Grow There are two ways to tell if a kiwi is ripe: scent and softness. A ripe kiwi will have a strong, tangy fragrance similar to citrus fruit and will yield to slight pressure—just squeeze it lightly between your index finger and thumb. once ripe, the fruit stays fresh for about nine days. it should be stored at room temperature, but harder, unripe kiwis can be kept for eight days in a refrigerator crisper.

kiwis have a place in any part of your daily menu. Blend one into a morning smoothie or bake them into muffins. kiwis can also be chopped up and added to a salad, taco or kebab—even paired with lamb. For dessert, kiwis are often served in ice cream or tarts or even just dipped in chocolate.

To use as a meat tenderizer, simply lay slices on top of meat for 10 minutes.

The enzymes will break down the protein and add a subtle, tangy flavor. The versatile kiwi can also be blended into a marinade. —MAureen SCully

reCiPe GAlBi ShorT riBS wiTh kiwiFruiT MArinAde Courtesy of Zespri kiwifruit inGredienTS: 2 oz. brown sugar 2 oz. soy sauce 1 oz. sesame oil 4 cloves crushed garlic 2 green Zespri kiwis black pepper to taste 2 lbs. beef short ribs (flanken cut) PrePArATion: Blend all ingredients except beef in a blender until smooth. do not overpuree. Marinate ribs in mixture four hours to overnight. Grill to desired doneness and serve hot.

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3/5/12 11:37 AM

tastes

Piz za for Purists

opposite page: © Loupe images/WiLLiam ReaveLL. this page: getty images/LaRa hata

NothiNg beats the autheNtic flavor of a brick oveN–made pie

_MID0412_Tastes_04.indd 1

2/23/12 12:33 PM

Where to indulge Antonio’s Brick oven PizzA 453 Main St., Metuchen 732.603.0008, slicenj.com

opposite page: © Loupe images/WiLLiam ReaveLL. this page: getty images/LaRa hata

A rose mAy be A rose may be a rose … but when you’re talking pizza, well, it’s another story. Especially if you go back to where it all began: Napoli, the city by the sea. It’s there, in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius, that San Marzano plum tomatoes—the only ones deemed worthy of pizza, according to the VPN (“Verace Pizza Napoletana”), the association that certifies genuine Neapolitan-style pizza the world over—grow sweet and fleshy. Where mozzarella is made fresh every day. Where basil leaves shoot up big and green under the Mediterranean sun. Add Italian doublezero flour, a dash of salt and, of course, extra-virgin olive oil, and you have 99 percent of the ingredients you need to make una vera pizza napoletana. The remaining 1 percent? Yeast, water and, most important of all, a brick oven.

Thirty-three of those dome-shaped chambers still stand among the ruins of Pompeii, extraordinarily intact. A layer of clay over the bricks provides insulation, while terra cotta tiles line the floor: “The real beauty of the brick oven is the way it radiates the heat,” says Jeff Tenner, executive chef of Bertucci’s in Woodbridge.

“You get intense heat from the stone hearth, then the concave interior provides an even heat throughout the oven.”

It’s this age-old marvel of culinary engineering, still in use today, that generates temperatures of 1,000 degrees plus, and that’s key: “This means the crust achieves its beautiful crispness and the toppings and cheese are all cooked evenly—and fast!” says Tenner.

In fact, authentic brick-oven pizzas should be turned out in about 90 seconds—that flash baking is what allows the crust to come out charred and blistered but still pliable. Crisp and puffy, it creates the perfect foil for the creaminess of the melted mozzarella. Incidentally, the cheese should not create a rubbery seal over the pizza’s surface (as it does with the big national chains’ pizza); instead, it should form puddles of milky goodness, which, in turn, contrast with the mild acidity of the tomatoes. At Bertucci’s, the tomatoes don’t come from Naples but are “hand-selected each summer in California,” says Tenner. And the sauce atop a true Neapolitan pizza?

It shouldn’t be some herb-laden pseudo marinara but simple pureed tomatoes.

Proportion matters, too, with the perfect pie consisting of one-third crust,

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BAcci Brick oven PizzeriA 3857 Route 516, Old Bridge 732.679.5677 baccipizzaoldbridge.com Bertucci’s 899 Saint George Ave., Woodbridge 732.636.8200, ber tuccis.com LomBArdi PizzA co.

A food truck that can be found during lunch hours on Parsonage Road in Edison, across the street from the Menlo Park Mall and Panera Bread 908.400.7989, lombardipizzaco.com PAnico’s Brick oven PizzA 94 Church St., New Brunswick 732.545.6161 panicosrestaurant.com/brickoven.html

one-third tomato and one-third mozzarella.

When fed into the mouth of a wood-fired oven for just seconds, these humble yet high-quality ingredients take on the characteristic flavor coveted the world over.

Have we fired up your appetite for

pizza? Seek out a brick oven for the real deal—while wood is the fuel they used in Pompeii, coal works too. Cast aside any urges for pineapple or ham toppings, and opt instead for simple, savory … and absolutely sublime. —Maria LissandreLLo

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2/28/12 11:34 AM

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4

3

interested in making your own verace pizza napoletana (original neapolitan pizza)? Check out the recipe for the perfect pie at anticapizzeria.net/vpn/old%20files/ricetta.htm. these products can also help you produce the perfect pizza at home: 1 Pizza Que Grill Stone no brick oven? this stone turns your backyard BBQ into the next best thing. made of porous clay, it captures heat to reach the high temps needed to make your pie a piping-hot temptation. $99.95 at williams-sonoma.com. 2 Emile Henry Flame-Top Pizza Stone this specially glazed pizza stone isn’t just gorgeous—it’s practical, too, allowing you to cook pizza in the oven, under the broiler or right on your stovetop. Developed to withstand ultra-high temperatures, it lets you “fake” wood-fired flavor and washes clean with soap and water. $50 at chefcentral.com. 3 Fontana Gusto Wood-Fired Outdoor Oven the composite stone bottom in this italian-made outdoor convection oven absorbs moisture in your pizza dough, resulting in a crisp, golden crust. A trio of wire racks in the upper chamber let you roast meats, poultry, veggies and just about anything you like. From $5,000 at Williams-Sonoma.

4 Beehive Oven Fueled by hardwoods or fruitwood, this handcrafted, terra-cotta, wood-fired oven gives pizzas (and other foods) a distinctive, flavorful char. As a bonus, it lends your backyard a touch of rustic charm. $1,995, 866.305.2675, alfrescoimports.com. 5 All-Clad Pizza Set Soapstone is the special “ingredient” that allows your pizzas, focaccias and flatbreads to come out crisp without scorching thanks to its ability to absorb heat and disperse it evenly. it also stays hot long after it’s out of the oven so your pies remain warm. Comes with a stainless-steel tray with handles and an 11˝-long pizza cutter featuring an ergonomic handle. $94 at amazon.com.

top left: © loupe Images/WIllIam Reavell

Attention, AmAteur pizzAiuoli!

5

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_MID0412_Tastes_REV1.indd 3

2/28/12 11:36 AM

where toeat f i n e

AVENEL

c a s ua l

fa m i ly

BUD’S HUT Casual dining featuring seafood and steak, 906 Route 1 North, 732.634.5530

MaRIa’S Family-friendly traditional Mexican fare, 194 Buckelew Ave., 732.656.9722

D’ITalIa ReSTaURanT Italian fare, specializing in pizza, 1500 Saint Georges Ave., 732.574.1120

KENDALL PARK

DUSal’S Casual Italian seafood and pizza eater y, 3300 Route 27, 732.821.9711

MIKe’S COURTSIDe Traditional pub fare, 1 Elm Row, 732.455.8511

CARTERET

SHOgUn 27 Hibachi steak house with a sushi bar, 3376 Route 27, 732.422.1117

THe OlD BaY New Orleans-style restaurant with Cajun and French Creole dishes, 7 Church St., 732.246.3111

CHaTeaU MaDRID Spanish and Portuguese fare, 8 Holly St., 732.969.0692 JUlIan’S American steak house with seafood options, 1000 Roosevelt Ave., 732.541.9500

COLONIA

lUSO BaRBeCUe American and Portuguese barbecue, 330 Inman Ave., 732.499.0455 Maxwell’S 35 New American bistro fare with extensive wine list, 1159 St. Georges Ave., 732.52 7.0293

KINGSTON

MaKeDa eTHIOPIan ReSTaURanT Exotic dishes with vegetarian options and live entertainment on weekends, 338 George St., 732.545.5115

enO TeRRa Italian cuisine featuring seafood, homemade pasta and an extensive wine list, 4484 Kings Hwy., 609.497.1777

PanICO’S ITalIan ReSTaURanT Classic Italian entrees and sandwiches, with specialty pizzas at its sister location across the street (94 Church St.), 103 Church St., 732.545.6100

OSTeRIa PROCaCCInI Quaint Italian restaurant serving pizza, sandwiches and salads with organic and local produce, 4428 Route 27 North, 609.688.0007

STeaKHOUSe 85 Premium steaks ser ved in various portion sizes to fit a wide range of budgets, 85 Church St., 732.247.8585

ME TUCHEN

NORTH BRUNSWICK

anTOnIO’S BRICK OVen PIZZa Traditional Italian pizzeria, 435 Main St., 732.603.0008

aRTHUR’S TaVeRn Traditional American steak house, 644 Georges Rd., 732.828.1117

CRanBURY Inn Traditional American dining, 21 S. Main St., 609.655.5595

MaIn STReeT TRaTTORIa Upscale Italian cuisine, 413 Main St., 732.589.7141

ZInna’S BISTRO Casual Italian fare, BYO, 1275 S. River Rd., 609.860.9600

THe ORCHID Glatt kosher dining, 455 Main St., 732.321.9829

ISTanBUl ReSTaURanT & PaTISSeRIe Turkish and Mediterranean fare, 1000 Aaron Rd., 732.940.1122

DAY TON

MIDDLESE X

CRANBURY

FUJI Japanese hibachi and sushi, 485 Georges Rd., 732.274.8830

CaRPaCCIO Southern Italian fare, 651 Bound Brook Rd., 732.968.3242

la TaVeRna Cozy traditional Italian dining, 375 Georges Rd., 732.274.2200

VInCenZO’S RISTORanTe Italian cuisine, 665 Bound Brook Rd., 732.968.7777

EAST BRUNSWICK

MILLTOWN

gUSTO gRIll Traditional American food, 1050 Route 18, 732.651.2737

TOMaTO FaCTORY Family-friendly Italian fare, BYO, 264 Ryders Ln., 732.249.1199

EDISON

MONMOUTH JUNCTION

CaSa nOVa 68 Traditional Italian fare, 68 Ryders Ln., 732.246.1888

MeeMaH Casual Chinese and Malaysian cuisine, 9 Lincoln Hwy., Colonial Village Shopping Center, 732.906.2223 SKYlaRK FIne DIneR & lOUnge Upscale diner with creative cocktails, 17 Wooding Ave., 732.777.7878

FORDS

lITTle SPaIn ReSTaURanT Authentic Spanish cuisine in a charming atmosphere, 582 New Brunswick Ave., 732.738.7300 MClOOne’S wOODBRIDge gRIlle Upscale interpretations of American classics, 3 Lafayette Rd., 732.512.5025 VIlla BORgHeSe Traditional Italian fare with modern twists, 432 New Brunswick Ave., 732.738.0666

HIGHL AND PARK

MIDORI SUSHI Japanese fusion with a sushi bar, 237 Raritan Ave., 732.246.4511 PITHaRI TaVeRna Greek cuisine with seafood fare, 28 Woodridge Ave., 732.572.0616

ISELIN

CaSa gUISePPe Italian fine dining, 487 Route 27, 732.283.9111 URBan SPICe Authentic Indian fine dining, 42 Marconi Ave., 732.283.1043

JAMESBURG

FIDDleHeaDS American fine dining, Sunday brunch ser ved, 27 E. Railroad Ave., 732.521.0878

FReSCO Seafood and steak grill, prix fixe menu, 210 Ryders Ln., 732.246.7616

PIeRRe’S Fine international dining with awardwinning wine list, 582 Georges Rd., 732.329.3219 SenS aSIan Far East fusion cuisine, 4095 Route 1 South, 732.355.1919

MONROE

gaRVeY’S Family-friendly American eater y, 405 Gravel Hill Rd., 732.521.3311 la VIlla Casual Italian dining, 335 Applegarth Rd., 609.655.3338

NEW BRUNSWICK

ReSTaURanT 2FIFT Y4 Saint Peter’s University Hospital restaurant, offering healthy dishes and vegetarian options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 254 Easton Ave., 732.745.8600, ext. 7773 CaRIBBean CaFÉ Cuban cuisine, 285 George St., 732.846.2620 CaTHeRIne lOMBaRDI Italian with locally sourced ingredients, 3 Livingston Ave., 732.296.9463 ClYDZ Contemporar y American cuisine with an extensive martini selection, 55 Paterson St., 732.846.6521 DaRYl Upscale versions of American comfort food with wine bar, 302 George St., 732.253.7780 gIngeR n’ OlIVeS Fresh Indian food cooked in a clay oven, 120 Albany St., 732.246.0360

BIg eD’S BaRBeCUe American barbecue, 304 Route 34, 732.583.2626 JUST Contemporar y American and French fare, 2280 Route 9 South, 732.707.4800

PERTH AMBOY

THe BaRge Water front restaurant featuring steak and seafood dishes, 201 Front St., 732.442.3000 PORTUgUeSe ManOR Traditional Portuguese featuring sangria, 310 Elm St., 732.826.2233

PISCATAWAY

CHanD PalaCe Family-friendly Indian restaurant, 1296 Centennial Ave., 732.465.1474 MIDORI Authentic Japanese and hibachi dining, 1392 Centennial Ave., 732.981.9300

PL AINSBORO

CROwn OF InDIa Authentic Indian cuisine, 660 Plainsboro Rd., 609.275.570 eaST Asian fusion fare with a bubble tea bar, 5 Market St., 609.750.3278

SOUTH AMBOY

BlUe MOOD Contemporar y American and pub fare, 114 S. Broadway, 732.525.0014 COSTa VeRDe Portuguese and Spanish cuisine featuring fresh seafood, 6039 Route 35 South, 732.727.7070

SOUTH PL AINFIELD

aDelIneS RISTORanTe Casual northern Italian dining, 2243 Hamilton Blvd., 908.755.8520 Flanagan’S American and Irish pub fare, 2501 Plainfield Ave., 908.757.1818

SOUTH RIVER

KRaKOwIaK Casual Polish restaurant, BYO, 42 Main St., 732.238.0433 RIa-MaR Traditional Portuguese, Spanish and American fare, 25 Whitehead Ave., 732.257.1100

WOODBRIDGE

THe FROg & THe PeaCH American fare with a focus on fresh ingredients, 29 Dennis St., 732.846.3216

J.J. BITTIng BRewIng CO. Traditional American fare, 33 Main St., 732.634.2929

HaRVeST MOOn BReweRY American pub fare, 392 George St., 732.249.6666

MUlBeRRY STReeT ReSTaURanT Italian seafood eater y, 739 Rahway Ave., 732.634.4699

FOR OUR COMPLETE LIST OF DINING OPTIONS, VISIT THE “WHERE TO EAT” SECTION OF MIDDleSexHealTHanDlIFe.COM.

_MID0412_WTE_REV2.indd 1

OLD BRIDGE

45

2/28/12 5:40 PM

financial balance good time to fulfill the dream of purchasing a primary residence.

3life insurance

Many people choose arbitrary life-insurance policy amounts. But instead of guessing a number that sounds good, Teplitz asks specific questions to assess each client’s particular circumstances in order to estimate the income his or her family would need to maintain financial stability. “There are many factors to consider,” says Teplitz. “Among them are current savings and investments, the earning ability of the surviving spouse and future educational and retirement expenses.” In the end, many people discover their policies should be greater than originally projected.

4wills and­inheritance

these­basics­will­le ad­you­toward­ financial­prudence—and­prosperit y our country is struggling through tough economic times. Though unemployment had ticked down slightly at press time, housing remained anemic and the euro continued to look shaky.

Amid such financial instability, how can you maintain reasonable proportion in your own financial life—and a healthy balance in your bank? Our financial expert focuses on six factors:

1savings

“Humans aren’t wired to delay gratification, which is why saving for some unknown future can be difficult— yet it’s still an incredibly important thing to do,” says Daniel Teplitz, financial adviser and owner of Daniel Teplitz & Associates Financial Advisors in Old Bridge. Ideally you should aim to set aside 10 percent

46

spring­2012

|

of your gross income every month—but don’t let this ideal become the enemy of the good. It’s most important to begin regularly saving something, then work up to that level if you can.

2assets

When establishing a financial plan, consider starting with a 401(k), says Teplitz. “Some companies match a certain level of savings in these plans, so make sure you contribute that much. Otherwise it’s like throwing away free money.” A diversified portfolio of stock and bond mutual funds can yield lucrative long-term results, while disability insurance and a college-savings plan are smart ways to protect your family and provide for their needs. Finally, with interest rates at an all-time low, now may be a

5debt

“Not all debt is created equal,” says Teplitz. Owning a home means building equity, and the interest is generally tax-deductible. Conversely, credit-card debt is costly, as these companies traditionally charge very high interest rates.

Make payments a priority—and consider cutting up the cards if the temptation to shop grows strong. As for student loans?

Consolidating the loans into one lowerrate bundle can make repayment easier.

“Nonpayment can affect credit scores for years to come and make it hard to borrow money in the future,” warns Teplitz.

6emergency fund

Aim to have enough funds to cover three to six months’ worth of fixed expenses, held in a savings account or a money-market account. This is money for your basic necessities, including mortgage and car payments, phone bills, utilities and groceries. “Nothing helps you sleep more securely at night than knowing that should you lose your job or face a family emergency, your bills will still get paid,” says Teplitz. —Francesca Moisin

shutterstock

budge ­t ar y­ wellness­101

Your smart savings strategy will help you be ready for the long life you hope for; it’s only good sense to prepare for its end as well. By working with a legal professional, it’s easy for every person over age 18 to create a will, a power-of-attorney proxy and an advanced medical directive. “These documents guarantee that your assets are divided the way you want, and that your healthcare wishes are respected should you be unable to act for yourself,” says Teplitz. “How much better it is for your kin to know in advance what you’ve decided!”

MIDDleSe xHEALTHANDLiFE.COM

_MID0412_finance_REV1.indd 1

2/28/12 10:50 AM

thingstodo a p r i l

get expert advice at the Mind Body spirit expo april 13–15.

April 13–15

Start on the path to enlightenment at the Mind Body Spirit Expo at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison. Hear lectures, participate in workshops and see New York Times bestselling psychic Sylvia Brown, who will appear as a guest speaker. Tickets: $7–$30 (certain workshops and lectures require an additional fee). Go to mindbodyspirit expo.com for details.

April 15

left: shutterstock. right: courtesy of forsgate cc

Form a team to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society during the annual Walk MS EvEnt. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. at Babbage Park at Parsons School in North Brunswick. Go to walknjm. nationalmssociety.org for details.

April 22

Explore nature and some of its tiny inhabitants during BEES, BEEtlES and ButtErfliES: an introduction to thE inSEctS of hutchESon MEMorial forESt, 2 p.m. This walking tour of one of the last uncut forests in the Mid-Atlantic region is free and will be led by insect ecologist Daniel Cariveau. Go to hmf. rutgers.edu to learn more.

_MID0412_ThingsToDo_REV1.indd 1

m ay

fore! enjoy cocktails after a round of golf at the forsgate country club on april 24.

April 24 Show off your swing MAy 20 Enjoy the spring at the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Golf claSSic at the Forsgate Countr y Club, 11 a.m. The competition will be followed by a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. Tickets: $300 . Call 732.745.8090 or go to mcrcc.org for details.

April 24–MAy 20

Catch the George Street Playhouse’s production of thE 39 StEpS, a Tony Award–winning comedic murder mystery that was adapted from John Buchan’s 1915 novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film. Tickets: $26.50–$63.50 . Go to georgestreetplayhouse.org to order.

MAy 5 Support The Arc Mid-

dlesex County at the annual StEp up for thE arc Walkathon at Roosevelt Park in Edison. Registration begins at 9 a.m.; the walk starts at 10.

This event helps to raise funds for the nonprofit, which supports individuals with developmental disabilities. It is free to walk, and participants who raise a minimum of $20 will receive a tee shirt and goodie bag. Preregistration is not necessar y. Go to arc-mid dlesex.org for more information.

weather while getting some exercise at a run in thE park, a 5K race through Highland Park. Participants should arrive at 8 a.m.; race begins at 9 a.m. Registration: $25 (through May 11) and $28 (after May 11). After the race, stay for the StrEEt fair, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., which features crafters, artists, music, rides and a petting zoo. For details on both events, visit mainstreethp.org.

MAy 22

Oscar-nominated actress SiGournEy WEavEr will make a stop in New Brunswick for the SmartTalk ConnectedConversations series at the State Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

Following an Inside the Actor’s Studio format, this event allows attendees to submit a question that may be selected for Weaver to answer. Tickets: $25–$75 . Go to statetheatrenj.org or call 732.246.7469 to buy tickets.

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

Listings must be received two months before the event and must include a phone number that will be published. Share events online by clicking the “Submit an Event” link below the Community Calendar at middlesexhealthandlife.com.

MIDDLESE xHEALTHANDLIFE.COM | sprIng 2012

47

2/28/12 10:55 AM

escapes

Ge t tinG there

emerson resort & spa 5340 Route 28 Mount Tremper, N.y.

877.688.2828 emersonresor t.com driving time: about 3 hours

the resort’s adults-only suites feature gas fireplaces, whirlpool tubs and canopy beds. left: Welcoming guests into the spa are 17th-century rajasthani palace gates.

Tranquil Treasure NeSTLed iN The piCTuReSque hudson Valley and surrounded by the breathtaking Catskill Forest preserve is a travel find you’ll cherish: the sumptuously restful emerson Resort & Spa. The city-chic design of the resort— which is set on 40,000 acres of land and is made up of both historic and modern buildings—features a serene and sophisticated palette of natural tones and indigenous slate. The arched hallways are lit by Moroccan metal lanterns, and walls are punctuated with antique carvedwood architectural elements.

My room was perfectly appointed, with a cozy gas fireplace and sitting area, a canopy bed steeped in Asian flair with rich, exotic red-and-gold silks, a flatscreen TV and an air-jetted tub and Swiss shower. emerson features 26 of these adults-only suites; families can find equally

48

_MID0412_Escapes_REV1.indd 1

impressive accommodations in the emerson Lodge, which has 27 charming Adirondack-style suites. if Fido could use a respite as well, bring him along— the resort is pet-friendly.

After the tranquility of the suite has put you into relaxation mode, take it a step further at the inn’s full-service spa, which offers dozens of eastern- and Westerninspired treatments. The most unusual of these are the Ayurvedic rituals, such as the Shirodhara, in which warm oil is streamed onto your forehead to calm the mind, followed by a massage and facial.

Continue the pampering with a deluxe dinner at the resort’s phoenix restaurant, where Chef Curt Robair prepares seasonal food using ingredients that are homegrown (from his own garden) and locally sourced. i had a fantastic pumpkin soup puree with perfectly roasted

venison. For a more casual dining experience, the Catamount Restaurant at The Lodge offers family-style American food and features music and dancing on select evenings.

Finish your stay on a high note by visiting the world’s largest kaleidoscope, located in the historic barn silo. Catch the stunning kaleidoscope show “Metamorphosis,” which runs through spring by request, and bring a souvenir home from the Kaleidostore, where you’ll find a vast display of kaleidoscopes in every size and shape and ranging in price from $4 to $40,000.

Although the resort has all you’ll need, be sure to leave time to explore the area— you can hike at one of the many nearby mountains, visit famous Woodstock or go antiquing in the charming town of Saugerties. —Jennifer Vreeland

photos courtesy of emerson resort & spa

You’ll find beaut Y, luxurY and serenit Y in this hudson ValleY resort

To See MoRe phoToS ANd To FiNd ouT hoW you CAN ReCeiVe A FRee NighT’S STAy, go To middlesexhealthandlife.com/emersonresort.

2/28/12 11:07 AM

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