DISCOVER e l l i v s d r a n er DECEMBER 2021
B
SHOW STOPPING COOKIE DECORATING with Anchored Sweets
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Meet the woman behind Bernardsville Kumon, Sweety Janani
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Shopping Locally will Cover Everyon on Your List
downtownbernardsville.org/discover
DOWNTOWN BERNARDSVILLE presents
Bernardsville
d
Holiday
Parade
DECEMBER 4
Beginning @ 7:00pm All Residents, Businesses, Non Profits, and Schools are welcome to walk or create a float. Submit your unit by December 1. Register online DowntownBernardsville.org/Parade.
DowntownBernardsville.org 2
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2021 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE ISSUE
CONTENTS
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HOLIDAY GIFTS Hottest Gifts for Everyone Style Guide with Equiline
30 36
LIFESTYLE Resident Traditions 8 Show Stopping Holiday Cookie Decorating 5 Tips on Staying Lean During the Holidays 4
10 38
10
A Note from the
MAYOR M A R Y
J A N E
C A N O S E
Dear Neighbor, The pandemic has taken its toll on all of us,
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but especially on our downtown businesses. I commend all our local business owners for their flexibility, resilience, and commitment to our community during these challenging times. And I am proud to be a member of the board of Downtown Bernardsville, a local, grassroots, non-profit that is working hard to provide opportunities to strengthen our sense of community. Thanks to their efforts, Bernardsville has now received the Main Street designation.
IN THIS ISSUE
EXCLUSIVE
This holiday season Downtown Bernardsville
Make 2022 Your Best Year Yet
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will be coordinating with our Recreation Department and several other community and business organizations to provide safe, festive
Showstopper Cocktails
25
Restaurant Directory
28
Toy Guide
41
activities to entertain you and your families and to support our businesses. Be sure to visit www.downtownbernardsville.org to learn more. I hope you’ll keep this Gift Guide handy and use it to fill all your holiday needs and dreams! Wishing you a joyful holiday season,
PLUS MORE Gingerbread Cookie Bonus Recipe Extended Interview with Sweety Janani More Gifts with the Rebecca Collection 5
r o t c e r i D e h t Letter from Have you ever stopped to reflect on where you’ve been? Taking a
Bernardsville 5K and 1 Mile walk on a USATF Sanctioned course.
made it though a challenge or experienced an exciting moment. I
Volunteers on our Design committee have been hard at work,
moment to stop, and appreciate what you’ve done or how you’ve haven’t. Until recently.
When I reflected on a silly cooking video I did back in 2014, I
chuckled at myself, but, more importantly, began to appreciate
everything that has happened since then. The good and the bad, that helped me get to this very moment.
The holidays tend to be a good time for reflection. As we are finally able to spend time with our extended families, take a little extra
time off to shop for gifts, prepare for special events, experience our childrens’ school functions, take just a few minutes to thing about where you have been. Particularly in the last couple of years.
What have we learned from the pandemic? What part of our lives
have we taken with us through the last couple of years? 2021 has been tremendous for Downtown Bernardsville. We completed the
Mount Airy Road Murals over the winter and unveiled the finished product on Memorial Day.
This fall, we pounded pavement in the first ever I Love
collaborating with Borough officials to update garbage cans and come up with a solution for the overgrowing weeds in the Olcott Walking District for Spring 2022.
Halloween was a smash hit as we partnered with Bernardsville
Recreation, welcoming our community to Trick or Treat safely in
town with the help of Bernardsville Police. Of course, likely most
notably, Downtown Bernardsville achieved designation with Main Street New Jersey as a Main Street community.
This is only the beginning. But, as always, we can’t get there
without our dedicated community. Volunteers are always welcome on any of our committees, for event planning, and tons more. We are so grateful for our current volunteers, donors, sponsors, and supporters for loving Bernardsville as much as we do.
Here’s to 2022, and remember to take 5 minutes to reflect and be grateful for where you are and how you got here. We’ve made it this far, we can keep going. Happy Holidays!
Ol ivia
Olivia Manning Executive Director Downtown Bernardsville
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● Classes ● Parties ● Camps ● Workshops
● Girls/Date Nights ● Team Builders ● School or Special Events
Art classes for children 20 months - 12 years old, adults and seniors www.abrakadoodle.com/nj-somerset-county
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Online Group Classes Mon, Wed & Fri 6 am Tues & Thurs 11:15 am Saturday 8am
Jennifer Morrison 908-381-8150 www.msbhfitwell.com jennifer@msbhfitwell.com Instagram @msbhfitwell
RESIDENT
Traditions
For as long as I could remember our
Stories from Bernardsville Residents
created 3 cards.
family gave each other store bought
cards along with our gifts on Christmas
On Christmas morning, before any gifts
Morning. We shopped for these cards
were opened, we passed out our cards.
carefully, searching for one that might
As we sat quietly reading each other’s
express how we felt about our son or
words we were awed by the honesty,
daughter, husband, father or mother.
sincerity and emotional depth of each
No card ever captured the sentiment
note. Things were written that you would
perfectly, but it was all we had. That is
NEVER read in a traditional card, things
until I came across an article right before
only your family member would say.
the holiday that would forever change our family tradition. The article was written by
Over the years the cover artwork has
a gentleman describing a conversation
become fancier. My husband started
he had with his dad. He asked his dad
raising the artistic bar one year with
what he wanted as a birthday gift and his
stickers, colored pens and glitter and we
father responded, “just write me a letter”.
began to compete. Of course, no one
He went on to describe the positive
could ever surpass my son who went on to
experience of sharing his feelings with his father, in writing. I was struck with the thought, “what if WE did this instead of giving each other storebought cards?” I floated the idea and our family agreed it sounded intriguing and would be a worthwhile experiment. One week before the holiday I gave each person three sheets of paper, folding it in half and then in half again to make their “card”. Instructions were that each of us would draw something on the cover and then write a note inside that expressed what they wanted to share with the other. Since we are a family of four, each person
8
become a professional Animator, but we still tried. More importantly we noticed that while the artwork may have improved, the messages were still honest and sincere. This is the one time each year that we pause to tell each other what matters most, what we mean to each other and what we wish for them in the times ahead, and we put it in writing! Re-reading previous years cards makes us smile and we officially label this “The best New Tradition” ever! by The Desimone Family: Marian, Dave, Daisy and Dillon
Show Stopping Holiday Cookie Decorating by Jennifer Fazzolari, owner & master baker @ Anchored Sweets
Step One: Make our Icing Ingredients: 1 lb Confectioners sugar On the search for a family holiday cookie that will “wow” your friends and family? How about decorating your favorite holiday cookie to look like a winter wonderland? These cookies only take four colors of royal icing, and the end result speaks for itself. The base of these decorated cookies? Any recipe that will help heighten your holiday senses, and give you that warm toasty feeling on your first bite. I’ve added my favorite, so give it a try! The first thing we want to do is gather our confidence. You CAN do this! This recipe is for beginners and uses the “wet on wet” technique. This means, no waiting for drying time between colors, no fancy piping tips to switch, and getting a lot more done in a shorter amount of time. Look over the ingredients and decide if you want to add a little extra to your cookies. Snowflake sprinkles add a 3D texture, but any white or blue nonpareils will do!
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3 tablespoons of meringue powder ½ teaspoon vanilla 5 tablespoons warm water in a small bowl to start Tools needed: 4 small bowls 4 piping bags ½ teaspoon for measuring additional water Sprinkles In your stand mixer, mix your confectioners sugar and meringue powder together on low. Add the five tablespoons of warm water, and mix on low. Once all have been incorporated, mix at mediumlow speed for 7-10 minutes. The icing will lose its sheen, and when you lift your paddle stiff peaks should form. Making our “8 Second Royal Icing” Place 1 cup of royal icing mix into each of the first three bowls. Place a ½ cup of royal icing into the fourth bowl. Cover each with cling wrap as not to dry out.
The first three bowls will be your White, Blue and Green icing. Uncover your first bowl, and add 1 teaspoon of water. Mix slowly and incorporate it in. At this point you will want to begin your “Slice” test. Taking a clean knife, run it down the center of your icing and remove.
the stem and the foliage of the trees. You can always cut more if you need!
Step 2: Decorate! 1. Begin by flooding with your Blue icing the top portion of your cookie. I like to outline it first to see where I am working, and then gently squeezing in to fill. You can also do this by pushing the frosting to the end with a plastic knife.
3 4. Using your green, make a smaller, at the top, to larger, toward the bottom, zig zag pattern, not touching the base icing underneath.
Count to 8. If the slice line disappears into the frosting, you’ve got the consistency we need! If not, keep adding ½ teaspoon of water, mixing thoroughly. You want to be able to leave the bowl, and have it level out entirely on it’s own by the 8th second (Not before you get to 4) Repeat for the next two bowls (Green and blue) adding the gel dye in with your first teaspoon of water. Pour each into a piping bag, and set aside. Repeat the same with your last ½ cup bowl, adding brown dye to it before the water. You should now have four piping bags, tied off, and ready to go!
1 2. Working quickly, pick up your white, and flood the bottom half of your cookie in White. Repeat the same step as before, filling the bottom half.
4 5. Finish off with some additional pieces, such as snow flake sprinkles, and you’re ready to go on to your next cookie! Allow to dry 3 hours, or until hard to the touch.
2 You want to snip the point of each piping bag slowly. Remember, our royal icing is a quick flow, so we want to have control. The smaller the point of exit, the more control we will have. The smallest cuts should be your brown, and green, as it is
3. Using your brown, carefully make a line in the center of the wet icing. We do not want the tip to touch the base coat of royal icing so pipe above the layer.
5 Feeling excited and want to add a little more? Add white drops to your blue for a snowflake background, make multiple trees, the possibilities are endless!
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BONUS RECIPE!
Cutout Gingerbread Cookies by Jennifer Fazzolari
Ingredients: 4 ½ Cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons ginger 1 tablespoon cocoa
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh finely grated orange rinds ¾ cup softened butter
¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 large egg
¼ teaspoon vanilla 1 cup molasses
Directions: In a medium bowl, whisk all dry ingredients together. Set aside
Growing up, our family was always known as the “Cookie Family”. My Grandfather was the family member, or even
friend or neighbor, who would come walking in with a box
of fresh baked treats when the holidays rolled around. The doctor, the clerk at the supermarket, nurses, if you were
In your stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat butter and
brown sugar until fluffy and lightened in color (Around 3-4 minutes) Add the egg and molasses and beat until smooth. Add in the vanilla and orange rinds.
kind to him, you were gifted his cookies! My mother followed
Add half your dry ingredients into the stand mixer. Mix until
could reach, each meticulously made with loved ones in
remaining ingredients. The dough will be sticky, but not wet. If you
suit, filling and stacking containers taller than my little self
mind. Now, I gladly follow in their footsteps as my little ones continue by my side.
Every year the smell of vanilla, cinnamon, honey, and
orange remind me to tell the story of the “why”. It’s not just
just incorporated. Then switch to your dough hook and add the feel it to be too wet, add a tablespoon of flour.
Divide your dough into three separate portions and dust with flour. Separate with cling wrap and refrigerate your dough for 3 hours.
the taste of the cookie (but we have no complaints about
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
get when those experiences begin. The memories they bring
When you’re ready to make your cut out cookies, cut a piece of
that now, do we?) but rather the encapsulated feeling you back. The stories that taste and smell come with.
And that is why every home needs a tried and true, “Perfect Gingerbread Cookie”. A cookie that takes all those aromatic flavors, and brings back memories with one bite. Trust me on this one, you will not be disappointed.
Yield : Approximately 2 dozen Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 9-10 minutes
Additional Prep Time: 3 Hours Chill time
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parchment the size of your cookie sheet. Place your dough directly onto your parchment paper and roll out, generously flouring your
dough. You will then cut your cookies and remove all the remaining
dough leaving the cut cookies on the parchment (This will be added to the next batch).
Lift your parchment paper, and place on your cookie sheet! No having to worry about them losing shape!
Bake approximately 9-10 minutes. Cool completely before decorating, and enjoy!
Let’s Make Bernardsville Shine Bright!
HOLIDAY lights
competition
D O W N T O W N
BERNARDSVILLE Winners will receive full bragging rights for the whole year! Plus overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will receive a super fun trophy!
Register online to nominate or participate a business or neighbor!
downtownbernardsville.org/holidaylights 13
Bernardsville Recreation Dept. Winter Classes 2021 - 2022
Winter-Themed Mini Session
Come celebrate the season with a mini-session of winter-themed art projects. Students will use mixed media while they explore themes of warm and cool in color, mood, and subject matter. Projects and materials focus on skills and development appropriate to each age group. Twoosy Doodlers (20 months – 3yrs with caregiver) Tuesday - Dec. 7, 14, 21; 10:00 - 10:45 am Mini Doodlers (4 – 5yrs with caregiver) Tuesday - Dec. 7, 14, 21; 2:00 - 2:45 pm Doodlers (grades K – 3) Tuesday - Dec. 7, 14, 21; 3:45 - 4:45 pm
Fairy Tale Art
This winter, take a creative journey deep into the world of fairy tales! These are the familiar, beloved stories of fantastic worlds, royal lives, and dramatic transformations that we know and love. Along the way, students learn about disguises, color mixing, patterns, composition, and more. Favorite stories are connected to works of renowned artists and artworks. Students will live “Happily Ever After” in this creative storybook of experiences that only Abrakadoodle can offer! All of our school-age Doodlers, preschool Mini Doodlers, and the toddler Twoosy Doodlers will be inspired by classic stories while they create unique age-appropriate art projects. Twoosy Doodlers (20 months – 3yrs with caregiver) Tuesday - Jan. 4 – Feb. 22; 10:00 - 10:45 am Mini Doodlers (4 – 5yrs with caregiver) Tuesday - Jan. – Feb. 22; 2:00 - 2:45 pm Doodlers (grades K – 3) Tuesday - Jan. 4 – Feb. 22; 3:45 - 4:45 pm
Drawsters: Drawing Upon Imagination
Abrakadoodle takes drawing to a whole new level with its unique Drawsters program. In this session, children learn skills that will last them a lifetime and help their imaginations take flight. They learn about contour drawing, patterning, font design, cartooning and other techniques. Each series builds confidence and creativity while exploring fun and interesting artists and artist styles. This is not about copying the teacher's drawing, but rather about learning skills and using your imagination to create your own unique art! Doodlers (grades 1 – 4) Monday - Jan. 3 – Feb. 14 (no class on 1/17); 3:45 - 4:45 pm
TO REGISTER:
www.bernardsvilleboro.org/departments/recreation
or call 908-766-3000
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www.abrakadoodle.com/nj-somerset-county
Every Shine Child Can Shine Bright this Holiday Season Bring this ad to receive:
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75 Claremont Road, Suite 200, Bernardsville, NJ 07924
(908)766-5900 • Kumon.com/Bernardsville
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Call ahead, Drive In or Book Online
Making 2022 the Best Year Yet Your guide to goal planning for a stellar 2022 (and beyond!)
by Olivia Manning Every time New Year’s Eve hits, we
consider the slate we have built up so far in the last year to be wiped completely
clean. Essentially having the mindset of
starting over and allowing ourselves to feel fresh and ready to take on whatever the next thing is.
For me, I’m not sure the slate is ever
completely clean. Sure, we can have a
fresh take on a new venture or head back to work with a more positive outlook, but the reality is that yesterday is behind us
and tomorrow is yet to be here. And this is the case Every. Day. Of. The. Year.
How is it different this year? For some
2020 (and even 2021) was a horrible year. A global pandemic has wreaked havoc in so many ways for so many of us. Instead of lingering on the negatives of 2020 and 2021, consider the good the year(s) may
have brought. Even if you possibly cooked a little more this year, or you were able to
spend time with loved ones (even if its your dog or cat!). Can you reflect on something that went well?
Think about it, what is 2022 going to bring you that you have not had the opportunity for in 2021 or in years before that?
Now is the time that we hunker down
and make a plan. Even if you are not a
planner, creating goals and flushing them
out into something tangible, manageable, measurable, and appropriate for your
lifestyle is what will absolutely propel you
into a successful mindset and outcome for 2022.
Think about it this way. When we are here again, on the brink of 2023, what can you
say you accomplished this year? What do you want to say to yourself that you have completed or, at minimum, started along on the path of doing that thing?
We are going to start on our path to
creating our plan for the year. It doesn’t
matter if you start your goal on January 1 or March 1, the idea here is that you are
starting. With a solid plan, you have more of a chance to see it though and to see it
succeed. Trust me. Having had a scattered brain for many years, the only true solution is to get it down in a manageable way so there is no way you can lose.
Let’s start with one goal. If you have
several, that’s great, but choose no more
than 3 or 4, max. But lets not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s start with one.
Take out a piece of paper or the notes app on your smartphone and start laying out a simple template.
Write the word “GOAL:” and then
underneath, write SMART, like this:
GOAL:
completing my goal.”
Ask, is it Realistic?
M:
Next, is it possible for me to even read
effectively than if I read at night.”
R:
to do it before, so what can I do now to
Finally, lets check in on timing. 3 books a
have a clear 15 minutes in the bathroom
reading 15 minutes a day. 3 books a month
S: A: T:
To help you understand how this works,
I’ll use my own goal as an example (plus,
it will hold me accountable if I shared it all with you…)
One of my goals for 2022 is to read more. Its been on my mind for a few years now
and I have a stack of books on my bedside table that are collecting dust.
more books? I haven’t had the capacity make it possible? This may be TMI, but I in the morning. My husband and I have
been taking turns watching the kids, so I
can lock the door and have time to myself. Rather than bringing in a device, scrolling aimlessly on the latest social media
platform, bring in a book and read. 15
minutes a day. While it doesn’t seem like
much, it is what I have available right now,
and its plenty of time to get a few pages in.
“Morning time frame will work much more
week, no way. That’s impossible if I’m only is also a little aggressive. In the end, this
goal is not meant to stress me out, so the reality is that one book a quarter is much
more timely and possible. And if I can read more, then great! But if I give myself a
whole year, to read only 3 books, based on my available time and ability to do this, its much more realistic. Ask, is it Timely?
I love reading. Specifically in the non
Ask, is it Attainable?
years, who has time to read, let alone the
myself.”
Ok, now, we have our flushed out goal.
Now, is this realistic? Can I read every
attainable, realistic and timely.
fiction category. Having had 2 kids in 3 energy?! But now that my youngest is
nearing 3, its easier to get a book in, so I’m choosing this as my goal this year. GOAL One: Read more books!
“Read during my morning 15 minutes to
day in the mornings? I definitely can. I’m a morning person, so this timing actually
“Read one book every 3 months, or more.”
We have made it specific, measurable,
GOAL: Read 3+ books from now through
the end of the year, roughly 1 per quarter,
in the non fiction realm of personal growth,
But how am I ever going to accomplish
marketing, money and time management,
this goal by just stating that I want to read
utilizing my 15 minutes alone in the potty to
more? I won’t and neither would you.
read every day.
So let’s get SMART.
Comparing this flushed out goal to the first
First, we want to get specific. What kind of
more books, which do you think will
idea we wrote earlier of simply reading
books are we reading? How many will we
actually be achieved?
read? I don’t have a long commute to work or a significant amount of time available to
Giving yourself a plan for how you will
the goal more read.
much more likely that you will get it done.
read, so getting detailed is crucial to make
actually achieve your goal helps to make it
Ask: Is it Specific?
If you have more goals, go through the
personal growth, money, and time
you limit it to 3 or 4 max in the time period
“Read 3-6 books in the areas of marketing,
same process for each one. Make sure
management.”
Next, how can I measure the success of my reading experience? Every finished
book is a clear indication that I have made it one step closer to my goal. Ask, is it Measurable?
“Every finished book is one step closer to
you are working through, whether its a works for me. I won’t be falling asleep, as I
month, quarter or full year. Creating too
would if I was reading at night, and I know
many goals at once just isn’t sustainable.
And 3 books is not a ton to read, as long
While your goals may not be reading in
over the 3rd one is a bonus!
you’ve wanted to accomplish, whether
this is a solid chunk of uninterrupted time. as my timing makes sense. Every book
the potty, maybe you have something that large or small, don’t wait. Get your life
in order and start setting goals you will actually achieve. Good luck!
“Teaching is a wonderful way to learn”
Ber Kum
- Carol Dweck, Author “Mindset”
2021 is a milestone year for Sweety Janani, owner of Bernardsville Kumon. Celebrating 10 years helping students study, learn, expand their education, and most clearly, their potential. We had the great pleasure of sitting down with Sweety, to hear her story, but also took a little time to see Bernardsville Kumon in action. Students of all ages spread out in the classroom like setting, working on different subjects at different levels. The learning environment focuses on posture, proper holding of the writing implement, as well as a focused curriculum to enhance a student’s regular school experience. Sweety floated from student to student, empowering independent learning, offering guidance as it was needed, and celebrating wins. Read on to hear about Sweety’s passion for Bernardsville, and her mindset shift that kept her going!
Do you have an interesting tidbit about your business? Something unique? As a learning center we are not just about math and reading, though, we teach math and reading to children, but we work on goal setting, time management, and reflection. How did you feel with the kind of work that you did? How was your day? What did you feel about it? That same aspect I try to bring in with my students on their daily assignments. This triple face that you see with Kumon is one uniqe mascot we have. What we do is we draw three faces on a particular worksheet and say how did you feel about it? was it too easy? was it hard or was it just right? If the work is too easy, then they will get bored. If it is too hard they will start hitting the wall, etcetera. So even for us, as adults, when we do anything, you might feel overwhelmed and
18
Small Business Spotlight
rnardsville mon
you’ll say I’m not going to do it; but if you think about those three faces, how can you make the work level just right? What can we do to balance our work, home, and all of the things we have in life to get to that just right, happy place? I proudly say that’s my thinking face and that’s my happy place.
Did you ever experience a time that you almost went out of business? Yes, I did. I started my center with 30 students, and at the time I had an 18 month old and was pregnant with my second. Around year four or five, as many moms know with two small kids, it was difficult. I felt discouraged. Still with about 30 students, I felt that it wasn’t working, this isn’t where I wanted to go and I should just stop. It was my husband and my family who pushed me and said, “you know what, why don’t you just plant the seeds right now. Don’t worry about how it is going to grow. Don’t think of a number of how many students do you want. Whatever you have let’s start nurturing them.” At that point in time, I shifted my mindset to just help the children that I had. Could be 10, could be 20, could be 30, doesn’t matter, just help those kids and see how they grow. I have a student that started with me in the Second grade and now she works for me. I have seen her transform into an amazing individual as well as many of my students. Because I shifted my mindset, I was able to build a bond with my students through learning rather than focusing on a number. We have over 250 students now.
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“Our whole community, the way we connect, the way we network, in a bigger town, you don’t see this.” Do you have a funny story to share? Ha! So, my name is Sweety, right. Parents have come to me so many times and ask “what should my children call you?” and I respond, “Mrs. Sweety.” The children just wouldn’t take me seriously, especially middle schoolers and high schoolers. First, because of the name, but also, a lot of these kids were so much taller than me! But since we would joke about it, it broke the ice a lot and that made me more than a teacher or mentor, but a good friend. When the older students don’t understand something, they have the opportunity to email me or text me and say hey, Mrs.Sweety, I don’t know what to do, or hey, Mrs. Sweety, I have this test what am I supposed to do could you please help me. They are not just my students, its become a really nice family.
Why Bernardsville?
Sweety with her first student, Brianna, in 2011 and now. Brianna first studied at Bernardsville Kumon and now works there, among other local students, as an assistant grader.
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Kumon is everywhere; 55 different countries. It feels like every three miles you will find a command center. But I feel with a bigger town, I could have gotten lost. Contributing to a smaller community was something that I always felt was a great place to start. You can always expand, go bigger, but Small Town, Big Community right? Our whole community, the way we connect, the way we network. I feel in a bigger town, you don’t see this. Plus I feel Bernardsville is one of the top 10 places that you must visit in New Jersey.
What was your childhood ambition? I am orginally from India. My husband and I got married 21 years ago and moved here. We lived for a while in Manhattan, where he worked, but then we moved to Bernardsville. But before coming here, I always wanted to be a teacher. But where I am from, growing up, my parents would only approve if I would become an engineer or a doctor. That’s how it worked; if the girls had to study they had to become an engineer or a doctor and they cannot be anything else. So I ended up doing engineering specifically, computer engineering. I worked as a network engineer, starting with basic computer support and technology and after that I worked with network securities for almost 10 years in New York City.
How did you get started with Kumon? When I was a network engineer, I was traveling for work to Amsterdam from New York. I had asked my husband to join me and we decided to make it a small vacation. We travelled to Switzerland during our time there and I happened to meet my school friend, completely by coincidence. At the time, Facebook just started so everyone was starting to reconnect. One year after my trip to Switzerland, the same friend comes to the US and says, why don’t you meet me and my sister but she’s only going to be available after 1 pm on Saturday. And I’m thinking who works on a Saturday? She goes, “She has a business running a Kumon Center.” At the time, I didn’t yet have my own kids, so I had no idea what a “Kumon” was, so like many, I asked “What is Kumon?” My friend explained it’s a learning center for children and that’s the moment where my journey started. Who knew one Switzerland trip, reconnecting with an old friend ended up into opening up my own business, let alone following my dream to teach.
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What prompted you to start this kind of work? As women and moms, I think we wonder if we are doing the right thing; for us and our children. Especially when they’re babies. I really wanted to spend more time with them but, of course sometimes the work that we are doing is fulfilling, you you enjoy it or you might not enjoy it and then you’re kind of making that compromise to work your dream job or stay home with your kids. But for me, I always felt I wanted a worklife balance that I could take care of my kids and I could also enjoy what I’m doing. But that enjoyment wasn’t there with my work. I really was doing it just because I had to make a living. When Kumon came up, I really wondered if this is something that can give me that. Can help me be there for my children and also help me teach other children (which is what I loved to do). Then this is something that I would like to try and that’s what I did.
to pursue. I didn’t have a clue about what Kumon was and they suggested I should have an idea of what is available in the market. For almost a year, I did a trainings or orientations with all education centers, specifically Kumon’s competitors. Kumon was the last one and that is when I thought of how would this be beneficial for my son (who was only six months old at the time). How can I help him? And if I am helping other children, what is the most important thing a child would need? A child needs a strong foundation for learning, strong study skills, encouraging the idea that you can do anything you want or achieve anything you want with the effort that you put in. And that is how Kumon is different. We are not a tutoring center, we are helping children achieve their potential. It’s not about what grade you are in, it’s not about what you’re learning in school, it’s about your true individual potential and how far can you reach. That is something that has stuck with me and that’s what we’re able to deliver.
Why Kumon? What makes Kumon stand out from your compeition?
What is a defining moment for you?
My mentor at Kumon told me go and take orientations for all the competitors first and see what they have to offer before making a decision about which program
Kumon’s founder started this for his own son who wasn’t doing well in math. 96 out of 100 was not good so they wanted to make sure that he got that top score.
For me, I always feel that a perfect score is not everything. The defining moment that I feel is what is that child capable of? Is he/she capable of doing better? Is he/ she capable of learning more or achieving more? Then let’s do it. But if the comfort zone is 96, then let’s take it from there. You can develop a child’s learning just by taking the 96 and celebrating it.
What is the biggest risk you ever took? I think when the pandemic hit, nobody was ready. I think that was one of the biggest challenges that everyone, not just me, faced. Nobody knew how to run a virtual business, let alone a school as we do now. Now, when you say that you want to start a new business, the first question is do you think it will run during a pandemic? That was, I think, globally what we all faced. Our whole model is based on paper and pencil, teaching children how to write, teaching the right study skills. Taking that to an online platform, that was a challenge. At that point, I wondered is this is sustainable; will I be able to do it for the long run? Who knew? When it started, we thought it would last maybe six weeks or maybe a month and after that we’d be back to in person. But what was risky, other than taking the leap to start my business, was when the operations were allowed to open up, and we did. We allowed students to come in with limited capacity. Friends, other businesses that I spoke to, other learning centers were scared to keep it open just because of the health risk that they would face with their families. It was a huge challenge that I took, but I had to keep in mind that I am here to help my students who were not necessarily doing well with their virtual education. If they did not come in to learn how to study and get they help they needed, they would have fallen back
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big time. Just like so many other areas of my business, I made a choice to have a positive mindset. I take care of myself and my family. In order to make sure that the children, my students, got what they needed, we took the risk to open again, and even though it was stressful and challenging and I am grateful that everything went very well.
You mentioned a lot about mindset and shifting your mindset. Could you speak more on that? My favorite quote is “Teaching is a wonderful way to learn, and I am a lifelong student.” by Carol Dweck. I love her book “Mindset” I read it about six or seven years ago and I wish I read it sooner. When I first started, I was taking care of my kids and learning the business and I mentioned earlier, here I was just planting the seeds of my business. Things just changed right after reading that book. I accepted where I was in life and business, and I focused on a different perspective that not only changed the direction of my business, but helped me get to my 10th year.
If you had the chance, would you do this all over again? Yes! I was exhausted with what I was doing at the beginning, but this is something that I enjoy and I’ll do it for the rest of my life. I’ll just keep continuing if I can contribute to our community.
supporting the dreams of people who are an integral part of Bernardsville. And its no different from business to business. We often have events at our center. Instead of giving out Amazon/Target gift cards we often reward our students with gift cards from local shops. Some of the local businesses we love and support include: Bernardsville Print Center, Party Package, 5 Brothers Icecream, Bagel Bin, Batti Juice Center, Rebecca Collection, BookWorm, B Boutique, Penguin Ice Cream, Lenny’s Pizza, Plaza Tikal, Anthony’s Pizza, Nicolleta, and many more! I love our community and will continue to support them.
Order “Mindset” by Carol Dwek from the Bookworm! This book is perfect for parents, business owners, anyone interested to learn and expand your mindset to grow.
Community seems to be important to you. You’ve mentioned it a few times. Oh yes! I love this “Small Town and Big Community.” As a small business, I understand how we all are trying to provide the best customer service and stay afloat, more now than ever before. Local businesses are so heavily supported by the ambitions of our fellow neighbors and our community. By supporting local businesses, we’re
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Celebrating 36 Years!
99 Claremont Road • Bernardsville www.bookwormbernardsville.indielite.org
908-766-4599
Give Books!
CROWDPLEASER COCKTAILS WITH RESIDENT, AMIEE WATTS
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INSTRUCTIONS
Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest from the orange in wide strips,
taking care to avoid the white pith; set
aside. Juice the orange and set the juice aside.
Combine the water and sugar in a large, nonreactive saucepan and boil until the
sugar has completely dissolved. Reduce the heat and add the cloves, cinnamon, star anise, orange zest, and orange juice. Simmer until a fragrant syrup forms, about 1 minute.
Reduce the heat further and add wine. Let simmer for 30 minutes, but up to a
few hours. Watch that it doesn’t reach a full simmer.
Strain and serve in small mugs, adding a shot of rum or amaretto if desired.
FAVORITE CLASSIC COCKTAILS AND MOCKTAILS.
Mulled Wine or Spiced Wine (“Gluhwein” in Germany) Classic mulled wine (called “Gluhwein” about the holiday season to me! It brings
Champagne is classic, timeless and
in Germany) is one of the best things back memories of living in Germany
and visiting the Christmas markets, or
“Weihnachtsmarkt” in German. It smells prepare it and keep it warm. Mulled wine
us and we have much to celebrate! Like many of you, I love a great party! Also, like many of you, dear Readers, I’ve
been to hundreds of parties, from the
White House at Christmas, to dive-bar birthdays, back-yard barbeques, and fancy soirées. I have been known to
host a few parties as well, from blacktie holidays, to “one-handed croquet”
in summertime (a drink must be in one hand, with the mallet in the other). I’m happy to share a few of my favorite
classic cocktails & mocktails for the
holidays and winter that are true crowdpleasers.
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Enjoy!
Champagne with Frozen Cranberries
divine throughout the home as you The Holiday Season 2021 is finally upon
Garnish with orange peel and star anise.
is a very traditional beverage. In the
Middle Ages, it was more popular than water and enjoyed as a way to extend
the lifespan of stale wine. Heat red wine with festive spices like nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 medium orange 3/4 cup water
1/4 cup turbinado or granulated sugar Whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks 2 whole star anise
1 (750-milliliter) bottle dry red wine
Rum or amaretto, for serving (optional)
delicious! The golden hues and bubbles make it a beautiful drink. INGREDIENTS
Champagne (I prefer Veuve Clicquot, or Dom Perignon) (served very cold)
Frozen Cranberries or Raspberries
Splash of Cranberry juice (optional to make Poinsettias) INSTRUCTIONS
Add frozen cranberries or raspberries
(two to three) to the glass before pouring the champagne, and it’s stunningly festive!
Add a splash of cranberry juice and you have a recipe called “Poinsettias”
Sparkling Christmas Punch
An easy, refreshing recipe for Sparkling Christmas Punch for a crowd! With
champagne, rum, cranberry, and cider, it’s a party pleaser!
To make the drink, stir together 1 cup half and half, 12 oz. cream soda, 4 tsp. simple syrup and 2-4 drops of
INGREDIENTS
peppermint oil in a small pitcher.
5 cups 100% cranberry juice* 40 ounces,
Pour the mixed drink into the candy can
1 large bag of ice
not cranberry juice cocktail
2 bottles very dry sparkling wine (750 ml bottles)
2 cups apple cider
1 1/2 cups diet ginger ale (12 ounces)
rimmed martini glasses.
Garnish with small candy canes on the rim of the glass. Enjoy!
this is for kids, consider plastic or paper cups.
INGREDIENTS
Cranberry juice Orange juice
Pineapple juice
Sparkling apple cider or juice
Ginger ale – The ginger adds kick and fun extra bubbles!
Fresh fruit – (cherries, pomegranate
seeds, orange slices, cranberries for
(from 1 can or poured from a liter bottle)
example)
1 1/2 cups dark rum or brandy (12
Ice – larger ice cubes work well and
ounces)
keep the punch cold
2 oranges thinly sliced into rounds 1 cup fresh cranberries
INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS
bowl, give a stir, add the fruit and ice.
Simply place all ingredients in a punch
Make sure all of the ingredients are well
Enjoy!
chilled.
Fill a large punch bowl with ice.
Tip: When making in advance, leave the
wine, apple cider, ginger ale, and rum.
minute so as not to lose fizz. Leave the
Top with the cranberry juice, sparkling
sparkling ingredients out until the last
Stir gently to combine.
ice out until ready to serve so it doesn’t
Top with the orange slices and fresh
melt or dilute the punch.
cranberries. Enjoy!
FESTIVE MOCKTAILS Candy Cane Christmas Martini
Bring out the martini glasses and crush
some candy canes for this festive, frosty mocktail!
INGREDIENTS
1 cup Half and half
12 oz. Cream Soda
½ cup Simple Syrup
2-4 drops Peppermint Oil
Candy Canes, crushed and small whole ones
INSTRUCTIONS
To prepare the martini glass rims, lightly
coat the rim of your martini cup in simple syrup on a plate, then dip the glasses in
a separate plate of crushed candy canes
Sparkling Holiday Punch
An easy recipe for Holiday Punch,
without the alcohol but still has all the
Happy Holidays and enjoy your parties,
whether for just one or for many revelers!
an easy way to make holiday drinks
Amiee’s Top 3 Tips for Throwing a Fabulous Holiday Party
Punch is traditionally served in a large
1. Have a theme for the party, such
sparkle! This bubbly drink recipe is exciting.
punch bowl with a ladle so guests may serve themselves.
Served in glasses of your choice and
garnished with your preferred fruit. It’s
perfect to offer to your guests who are
pregnant, don’t drink, or the kids! I like to serve it with orange slices pomegranate seeds cranberries and cherries. EQUIPMENT
A punch bowl and ladle (one big enough to scoop up the fruit)
Glasses, punch cups or plastic cups.
I always prefer high quality glassware,
and serve mocktails in proper glasses. If
as an ugly sweater contest,
dessert swap, or gingerbread
house decorating; it makes for fun conversation starters!
2. Set up a self-serve bar station,
in a different area from the food such as opposite ends of the room, or a different room, so
guests may move about freely
and won’t be congested in one area.
3. Have at least one large “make-
ahead drink” like a holiday punch or mulled wine.
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Dining in
Bernardsville Asian Delight 75 Morristown Road AsianDelite.com 908-908-9008
29 Restaurants, Eateries, Coffee Spots, Deli, Dessert and more Establishments to Eat, Drink, and Be Merry this Seaon.
Bernardsville Deli & Food Store
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Fresh Press Juice Co
75 Morristown Road (908) 221-1710
80 Morristown Road Chipotle.com (908) 953-2980
80 Morristown Road FreshPressJuiceCo.com (908) 502-5242
Fast-food chain offering Mexican fare.
100% Organic, vegan, & gluten free juice bar & cafe.
A Chinese/Japanese fusion with traditional favorites.
Classic deli and local convenience store.
Bagel Bin
Bistro Seven Three
Claremont Tavern
37 Olcott Square (908) 221-0101
73 Mine Brook Road BistroSevenThree.com (908) 766-7400
121 Claremont Road TheClaremontTavern.com (908) 766-4544
Family owned since 1992, serving fresh bagels, sandwiches, and coffee.
Upscale Italian & European bistro fare with a spacious walled-in patio.
Creative casual dining hangout, with a sports bar and live music on weekends.
Bagels 4 U
Buona Pizza
Dairy Queen
Lenny’s Pizza
80 Morristown Road Bagels4U.com (908) 221-0080
23 Olcott Square BuonaPizzaBernardsville.com (908) 766-1993
109 Morristown Road DairyQueen.com (908) 766-1756
80 Morristown Road LennysPizzaNJ.com (908) 766-0465
Bagelry and Deli
Snug pizzeria doling out typical pies, cheesesteaks & pasta dishes.
Bernards Inn
Jersey Mike’s Subs JerseyMikes.com (908) 522-5322 New Jersey-based counterserve sandwich chain.
Longtime pizza parlor with hot & cold sandwiches & other Italian eats.
Chianti Brick Oven
Dunkin Donuts
Mino’s Cafe
27 Mine Brook Road BernardsInn.com (908) 766-0002
159 Morristown Road ChiantiWoodFiredPizza.com (908) 977-1700
108 Morristown Road DunkinDonuts.com (908) 502-5211
(908) 696-8466 M-S 6am - 3pm, Su Closed
Fine dining in a historic setting. Reservations required.
Traditional & wood fired pizza, plus Italian favorites.
Everyday stop for coffee, espresso, breakfast sandwiches and donuts.
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Deli favorites and Spanish specialities.
Monterey Fine Foods
Plaza Tikal
167 Morristown Road MontereyFineFoods.com (908) 766-2000
PlazaTikalBernardsville.com
19 Quimby Lane (908) 367-2003 Traditional Mexican cuisine
Specialty sandwiches, salads, desserts, & entrees.
prepared by Chef Julio with only fresh ingredients.
Nicoletta Pizza
Ristorante MV
107 Morristown Road NicolettaPizza.com (908) 221-1177
1 Mill Street RistoranteMV.com (908) 766-7979
Michael White’s pizzeria for thick-crusted, Midwesternstyle pies.
Authentic, Classic, Italian cuisine. Reservations preferred.
Osteria Morini 107 Morristown Road OsteriaMorini.com (908) 221-0040 Housemade pastas headline the modern Italian menu with a dynamic bistro vibe.
Sette Cucina Italiana 7 Mine Brook Road SetteNJ.com (908) 502-5054 An intimate, upscale BYOB Italian restaurant.
Thai Villa 80 Morristown Road ThaiVillaNJ.com (908) 293-2618 Authentic Thai and Asian fusion.
The Coffee Shop/ The Burger Shop 23 Olcott Square TheCoffeeShopBville.com (908) 766-6806
Tsuki Japanese Restaurant 23 Mine Brook Road TsukiRestaurant.com (908) 953-0450 Neighborhood Japanese BYOB with sushi & cooked items.
Need to BYOB? 56 Degree Wine 25 Claremont Road
Classic diner by day, gourmet burgers by night.
The Hispanic Corner 31 Olcott Square Traditional South American dishes and bites.
56DegreeWine.com (908)-953-0900
Adelphia Wine Market 79 Morristown Road AdelphiaMarket.com (908)-502-5335
Gary’s Wine & Marketplace 80 Morristown Road GarysWine.com (908)-766-6699
Penguin Ice Cream 3 Claremont Road PenguinIceCream.com (908)-766-4949 Neighborhood ice cream parlor plus specialty cakes & pies.
Starbucks Coffee Company
The Station Restaurant
80 Morristown Road Starbucks.com (908) 204-8973
45 Mine Brook Road
Seattle-based coffeehouse chain known for its signature roasts, light bites and WiFi availability.
POP UP!
Now through the end of 2021, visit Italian Products & Beyond
TheStationBernardsville.com (908) 204-1227 American venue offering burgers,
An Italian specialty food items and products store located at 80 Morristown Road.
grilled pizza & a martini menu.
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Hottest Gifts for Everyone on Your List by Bari Marder & Sharon Markowitz, owners, The Rebecca Collection
Need a basket or other ideas? Head in to the Rebecca Collection for a personal shopping experience. 30
F o r
t h e
Host(ess) Surfs up Candles
Handcrafted Epoxy Wood Trays
Medium $16.00 Large $22.00 Scents include Pine cone and Crackling Firewood.
Starting $99.00 Additional handcrafted items of varying styles, colors and price ranges.
Beekman 1802 Skin Care
David Bradley Chocolates and JT’s Chocolates
Starting $12.00 Goat milk lotions, soaps, kitchen caddies and more
Starting $6.00 Variety of chocolates including; chocolate covered pretzels, non-perils, chocolate covered marshmallows, chocolate covered graham crackers, and chocolate covered Oreos.
F o r
t h e
Kids
Earth Luxe Energy Crystals & More
Pop-It Fidget Toys
Starting $3.00 Chakra stones, crystals, horoscope crystals, and Geode Towers. Available in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes and price ranges
Starting $7.00 Fun bubble popping fidget toy that reduces stress and keeps your hands busy. Comes in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes and games
Inspirational and Positive Beaded Bracelets Starting $20.00 These bracelets are the most popular positive and inspirational for stocking stuffers. Comes in a variety of sizes, colors and sayings.
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F o r
Him Reclaimed Wood Coasters Starting $25.00 In a variety of colors and finishes, add a little class to your drinking glass.
Corkiclce Whiskey Wedge $25.00 The most popular gift for any whiskey lover! The perfect way to chill your spirits without watering them down.
Reclaimed Wood Bottle Openers $50.00 With a magnetic backing to stick to any metal surface.
Bezret Cigar Box and other Spirit Gifts Powder Gentleman Bamboo Socks Starting $9.00 Sizes for boys and men, individual styles or box sets available.
Infomania Tabletopics: Sports $25.00 Amazing statistics and questions for every sports fan.
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Starting at $48.00 Whiskey tumbler with side mounted cigar holder, whiskey stones and other cigar and whiskey accessories including tongs and a cigar cutter.
F o r
Her
Barefoot Dreams Throws and Fuzzy Socks Starting at $15.00 for fuzzy socks Socks and throws available in many colors and patterns
Bogg Bags Vegan Leather Bags & Interchangeable Straps
Baby $60.00/ Large $50.00 Wine bags, luggage tags, cosmetic pouches and cooler inserts. Accessories starting $16.00
Starting $60.00 Popular fall colors are Black, Navy and Coffee.
Gift Idea
Hello Mello Comfy and Luxurious Loungewear Starting $23.00 Available in many color and patterns Styles ranging from tie-dye to solids and holiday prints.
Make it a gift basket! Take a Bogg Bag and fill it with all of her favorite accessories. Ask to wrap it in cellophane wrap and a bow or other arrangement for the best gift from their favorite person... you! 33
F o r
Anyone
Tea Forte Teas & Accessories Starting $25.00 Beautiful, organic, tea and tea accessories, including a variety of tea essences and steeper mugs.
JT Confections Homemade Caramels
Nod Pod Weighted Eye Mask
Night Scope Light Up Hat
Ranging from $6.00 and up Each caramel is hand cut, wrapped and packaged in a clear 1-pound bag, ready for gift giving. Bite into a caramel and your memory will take you to a special place in your childhood. They are confectionery magic!
$36.00 Nod Pods are the hottest gift for the season! These weighted blankets are really just a hug for your eyes while you sleep. Helping wearers stay calm and relaxed for a restful night’s sleep. Variety of colors available.
$16.00 This isn’t just your regular winter hat; this hat also has a light attached which is great for spending anytime in the dark! Great for morning runs, taking out the trash, walking your dog and so much more. Comes in a variety of colors, both kids and adults’ sizes.
Make anything you need into a gift basket. Call ahead or stop in to the Rebecca Collection.
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HOLIDAY BOOK YOUR
PARTY @ the Movies
Reserve an entire auditorium for your family and friends to enjoy your own movie on BluRay disc on the big screen. Or stream any movie from Netflix, Amazon Prime or Disney+ (with a valid subscription).
908-766-0770 BernardsvilleCinema.com
B E R N A R D S V I L L E
C e l e b r a t i n g 1 0 0 Ye a r s o f M o v i e s
Need a gift for the holidays? We h ave you c ove r e d . In st o re, o n l i n e, o r b y p h o n e
Your one-stop-shop for everyone on your holiday list! Ask us about curating a gift box or basket for that special someone. Local delivery and curbside pickup. See more gifts on page 19.
2 Mi n e B ro o k Ro a d Ber n a r d sville, NJ 07924 • 908-221-0025 • The Re be c c aCol l e c ti on. c om
25% 50% Buy One Massage, Get
A n y
OFF
M a s s a g e
F o r
A
OFF
F r i e n d
SomersetHillsChiropractic.com
(908)221-0808 139 Morristown Road Bernardsville, NJ Regular rates are $130 for 1.5 hours, $100 for an hour, and $60 for a half hour. Must present coupon to receive this special offer. Valid for purchase through December 31, 2021.
37
5 TIPS ON STAYING LEAN DURING THE HOLIDAYS by Team GameChanger
December’s a tough time for anyone who cares for their weight, health, fitness, or appearance. You simply cannot keep the weight off when there’s that much food, alcohol, & dessert being shoved in your face!!! I have fallen “victim” to the holiday weight gain, but over the past few years, I’ve found a number of strategies help me prevent the weight gain. In fact, last year, I was able to stay at the same weight the entire month!
38
Here’s what I did to stay lean in December:
#1 – Don’t Stop Working Out!
Whatever you do, you cannot deviate from your workout schedule. If there’s anything that’ll provide damage control for all the calories you consume this month, it’s going to be your workouts. Keep at it! Don’t let up! Imagine how much easier it will be once January is here and we get a return to normalcy, instead of having to “start working out again in the New Year”.
#2 – Plan Extra Workouts
Yes, the busiest time of the year is also the same time that I ask you to try to workout more. If you’re going to inevitably consume more calories, you might as well give yourself a chance to burn them all off. Hey, you might even *lose* weight if your workouts outweigh the extra food!
#3 – “One Drink” Rule
Drinking alcohol is not only an easy way of ingesting excess calories, but it’s also really good at making me want to eat more. (Alcohol is GREAT at impairing your ability to make smart decisions, AND it tends to stimulate the appetite). By limiting alcohol, you’re limiting the liquid calories you drink, and you’re keeping your willpower & decisionmaking in tip-top shape and your appetite not as high as it can be.
#4 – “One Plate” Rule
If you don’t treat each holiday gathering like it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet, you’ll be waaaaaaaay
better off. Here’s an easy way to indulge without going completely overboard. With each course, fill up your plate as much as you want, and that’s it. Appetizers? One plate. Dinner? One plate. Dessert? One plate. You’ll be amazed at how much less you’ll eat, while still feeling like you got to enjoy yourself.
#5 – Don’t Let Leftovers Rule Your Life
Left-overs can easily turn one day of bad eating to an entire week of bad eating. If you can give away your left-overs, do it. If you can invite other people for dinner in the days between Christmas and New Year’s to help finish your left-overs, do it. If you absolutely have no way of getting rid of them, at least only have your leftovers at dinner each night – that way, you’re not constantly eating day-in & day-out. And that’s it! If you can implement AT LEAST ONE of these strategies, you’re bound to gain less weight than last year. Stick to all of them and you’re going gain hardly, if any, weight this December.
To learn more about GameChanger Fitness and their unique small group, personal training, visit gamechangerfit.com
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TOY GUIDE This season’s hottest buys for kids 16 and under.... and maybe your big kids too.
with
MX650 Dirt Rocket
$849.99 | 16+ Kick fun into high gear with one of the fastest electric motorcycles on the market! Feel the wind in your hair (under a helmet, of course) at speeds up to 17 MPH.
Throw Throw Burrito
$29.99 | 7+ Do you like card games? Do you love burritos? Do you feel the need to throw something heavy at your friends’ faces sometimes? Throw Throw Burrito is the dodgeball card game for you! Chucking these squishy burritos will leave you saying, “Hey, that kinda hurt a little!”
Baby Alive Glo Pixies
$49.99 | 3+ With neon hair an endless recorded track of silly giggles, chimes, babbles, laughs, bubbly noises and music. This fairy doll will leave you telling your kids, “No. They don’t make batteries for that anymore.”
Brio Classic Deluxe Set
$69.99 | 2+ Classic wooden train set. ‘Nuff said.
Miraculous Dolls
Starting at $19.99 | 4+ Fight crime! In France, apparently! I’m just reading the synopsis now! Is Lupin in it? I don’t think Lupin is in it… I haven’t seen Lupin either, but it’s on my watchlist!
Melissa and Doug Ice Cream Counter
$49.99 | 3+ Nothing compares to the feel of classic wooden Melissa and Doug toys. Give the gift of ice cream that never melts. Have fun scooping out cones for your friends or stay in tonight and make a giant bowl for yourself! (Not for actual consumption.)
Roblox Arsenal Pulse Laser Nerf Gun $54.99 | 8+ The latest and greatest dart gun from Nerf! A perfect blend of motorized fun and video game synergy. It’s Nerf or nothing! Seriously. Try to find another dart gun company. I think they all went out of business.
Present Pets
$69.99 | 5+ Can’t get a hold of the Magic Mixies? Get Present Pets! It’s a surprise robotic stuffed animal! Your kids won’t notice the difference. (They will and they’ll let you know about it!)
Paint Your Own Stepping Stone $29.99 | 8+ It’s Rocks: The Toy! Paint your own rock! Leave it outside! Confuse squirrels! Fun designs and colors! IDK why it’s for 8 and up. You could give this to a four-year-old. It’s cool.
Barbie Color Reveal: Foam $37.99 | 3+ The ultimate surprise box from Barbie! Unbox 25+ surprises such as dolls, dresses, pets and shoes! OMG! Shoes!
Hex Bug Hex Mods R/C Tuner Cars $64.99 | 8+ The newest remote control car modification system out there! Switch out the tires to do cool drifts, change the rims around, or add some LED underglow lighting. Then you can drive this tiny car up to 13 MPH.
Dig It Up Dinosaurs $29.99 | 4+ Did you know you can find dinosaur fossils in New Jersey? I’m not talking about this toy, which is really cool and you should buy it. There’s a place called Big Brook Park and you can go and find fossils from the Cretaceous Period. Mosasaur and shark teeth from over 65 million years ago! Just laying out there for you and your family to find. Give it a Google. Make a day out of it.
CHANGE
STARTS HERE D O W N T O W N
BERNARDSVILLE CAN WE COUNT YOU IN?
Join one of our 3 committees that are making a difference in Bernardsville! Sign up by visiting DowntownBernardsville.org/Volunteer
DESIGN Focusing on the visual aesthetics of the commercial corridor, this committee works on clean streets, creating way finding signage, and beautifying our town.
ECONOMIC VITALITY
PROMOTIONS/ ORGANIZATION
Building support for Bernardsville businesses with grant programs, shopping events, resources and more, this committee ensures a thriving commercial district.
These committee members are busy planning annual events, promotions for the town, annual fundraising campaigns, volunteer support and management.
Designated in 2021 as a Main Street Community with Main Street New Jersey.
DowntownBernardsville.org
BERNARDSVILLE
RECREATION
Stay Connected
Join CommunityPass today to receive the latest information about the programs and services we offer!
Phone: 908-766-2546 Recreation Director: Bob Markowick | RMarkowick@bernardsvilleboro.org Recreation Coordinator: Leah Horowitz | LHorowitz@bernardsvileboro.org Scan the QR code with your phone camera app to access Community Pass Online
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Your Home Has Never Been This Connected.
SmartHome
Tech
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Commercial Spaces
30 Olcott Square
Bernardsville, NJ 07924
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