Health, Beauty & Fitness Fall '21

Fall 2021

Nutritious and Delicious HealthBarn empowers families in need

From Addict To Advocate

River Edge woman’s redemption story inspires

Pheel’In Good, Like I Should

Tenafly-based sports apparel sparks confidence

Gulpability Is Key

Hillsdale’s Rez expands across the U.S.

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Fall 2021 Publishers Sharon & Steven Goldstein Associate Publisher Brandon Goldstein Editorial Director Jessica Humphrey-Cintineo Art Director BMG Marketing Fashion Director Candace Kristin Photographers 4 Eyes Photography Contributing Writers Kevin Czerwinski Soneca Guadara Megan Lupo Stacie Rose Brianna Ruback BC Health, Beauty & Fitness is published

by BC The Mag Bergen County The Magazine is published six times a year.

Mail all editorial and advertising materials to 297-101 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 135, Oradell, NJ 07649 or email materials to steven@bcthemag.com.

For advertising and information, please call (201) 694-5197 or (201) 694-5196. For subscription information or to contact us, go to www.bcthemag.com.

Copyright 2021. All materials are the property of Bergen County The Magazine, LLC. and may not be copied or reproduced without written consent from the publishers.

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4

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A Letter from the Editor

“I

don’t know why your friend’s not here.

I’m sorry, Mommy,” said my oldest son as we stood together at the Cedar Park and Beth El Cemeteries in Paramus on July 22.

The truth of the matter was (and still is, if I’m being honest), I wasn’t sure why my friend wasn’t here either. Grief is a “funny” thing.

July 22 marked 15 years since my then-19-year-old best friend Lee Weisbrod was struck and killed by lightning while fleeing off a soccer field in Montvale. It had been 15 years since that tragic day, and I was still trying to wrap my head around his death; it’s no wonder my 4.5-year-old son didn’t get it despite me taking him and his brother to the cemetery every July 6 (Lee’s birthday) and July 22 (Lee’s death anniversary) since they have been born.

What I do know is this: A week prior to Lee’s death anniversary, I had taken my two sons to Westvale Park in Westwood, a favorite of ours. While there, the lightning detection system, which was installed after Lee’s death, went off.

My boys are well-trained that if there is thunder and/or lightning, we are indoors, away from windows and do not use the shower/bathtub [Editor’s Note: For those that are unaware, lightning can travel through plumbing, according to the CDC. It’s best to avoid all water during a lightning storm, including bathing and washing dishes and even your hands.].

So, when they heard that siren and I reminded them why we had to go, there were no arguments (a major mom win!).

Looking around, however, I was quickly brought to tears seeing just how many others adhered to the warning (I was extremely angered to see just how many did not adhere to the warning; please educate yourselves.).

For 15 years, I have struggled with grief and the idea that in a literal flash of light your whole life can change.

For 15 years, I’ve promoted lightning safety awareness, even starting a blog during my college years that developed quite the following as I showed North Jersey’s progression of installing lightning detection systems. For 15 years, I’ve hoped and I’ve prayed that Lee’s death made a difference.

There, at that park, I saw it with my own eyes. Lee’s death has made a difference. Lee’s death is making a difference – in my life and in those strangers’ lives whether they’ve ever heard his name uttered or not.

Sending you love, health and virtual hugs,

Jessica Humphrey-Cintineo

6

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Contents

32 12

38

52 48

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Nutritious and Delicious HealthBarn Empowers Families In Need To Live Healthier

18

From Addict To Advocate

Three Ways To Ditch Single-Use Plastics 52

How One River Edge Resident’s

Traditional Redemption Story Is Helping Others

56

How To Avoid Physical and Spiritual Burnout How To Navigate Family Feelings About Returning To School

36

STYLE BY SONECA

38

FASHION

Gulpability Is Key Hillsdale-Based Beverage Brand Expands To 2,500 Stores Across the U.S.

Entertaining Without The Over-Indulgence

26 32

60

Simple Recipes for Hosting That Will Keep Your Guests Happy & Satisfied

60

Healthy Eats

64

UPCOMING HEALTH EVENTS

66

Thyroid Conditions Are More Common Than You Think

How To Achieve Confident Style

Pheel’In Good, Like I Should

Three Recipes to Optimize Your Gym Time

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

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Nonprofit Spotlight

Nutritious and Delicious

HealthBarn Empowers Families in Need to Live Healthier

By Megan Lupo

T

he moment that dietitian Stacey Altine steps into the commercial kitchen of Hawthorne’s No Fuss Lunch she feels relaxed. With her exhaustive daily schedule, cooking in the evenings and weekends for a good cause uplifts her spirits, knowing her efforts are needed and appreciated.

The passion that she feels for making a difference is embedded into the volunteers that join her.

Some of whom are volunteering to give back to the community that helped them.

When it’s time to go home, all involved leave knowing that the meals they made are not just delicious for the individuals they take care of, but also healthy.

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This kitchen space, gifted for free by No Fuss Lunch Founder Gabriella Wilday, serves as the heart for Altine’s nonprofit, the HealthBarn Foundation. The basis of which is to assure access to nutritious food for children in hospitals, seniors or families in need.

“That was our core – feeding children, feeding families because you are what you eat,” Altine said. “I think people have to realize that if you’re passionate about something, it doesn’t have to be like some crazy event or these big pivotal moments.”

The HealthBarn Foundation was founded in 2012 with funding help from Altine’s nutrition education business, HealthBarn USA. However, it was two years later that the Foundation progressed with the launch of the Healing Meals program. Then, the Foundation began collaborating with community volunteers and culinary students.

Healing Meals provides free nutritious packaged meals for pediatric patients undergoing treatment for cancer and serious blood disorders and their families at both St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Paterson and Hackensack University Medical Center.

It’s an inclusive program for all socioeconomic statuses, Altine said. It’s a part of the treatment plan, working in close liaison with the hospitals’ social workers.

The program originated from personal experience when Altine’s father was diagnosed with cancer. Many cancer patients suffer from malnutrition.

“As a dietician, I was trying to help my family. That’s when I realized that it’s not really a time to educate people. It’s really to make it available to them when they

need it,” Altine said. “The idea is that the parent doesn’t come out of the hospital after a long day of chemotherapy and they go through McDonald’s or pizza, you know, something like that.”

Instead, families can walk toward the freezers installed for this program on the treatment floor of each hospital.

They can view pictures of each kind of packaged meal that comes in servings of four. With reusable insulated bags in hand, they can take as much food as they’d like, whether it be cheesy lasagna rolls or black bean brownies.

Continued on Page 14

Altine is given feedback the hospital receives from the social workers about what food the children and families enjoy or don’t. The recipes for some of the food served can be found in Altine’s book, “Appetite for Life.”

Another group of individuals that Altine focuses on are senior citizens. She became involved with the Ridgecrest Senior Housing, an affordable housing community to low-income seniors, when she supplied food for a dinner where there were seniors in need.

Right away, she noticed malnourishment in a group of Ridgecrest seniors. She found out from Ridgecrest’s Activity and Resource Coordinator Sue Ulrich that it was due to seniors being sick and not having nutritious food.

Altine made the decision to begin shipping homemade fresh, low-sodium soups like lentil or chicken soup twice a week.

The HealthBarn Foundation is a community-centric organization with Altine and 500 volunteers cooking in the kitchen and delivering the food every year – all unpaid.

Several hundred meals get distributed every month.

“It happens all in the kitchen. It’s not coming down through corporate. I’m not sitting on a desk that I’m like giving people orders on what to do,” Altine said. “We’re all in this together. And I just love that. I feel like that’s so special, and I wouldn’t want to lose that essence.”

Nutrition has been a forefront interest for Altine, ever since she worked in corporate public relations for food companies for the first 15 years of her career. She became part of teams that discussed health issues and became exposed to the dietary world.

As she was becoming a registered dietician herself, she noticed how many children were affected by bad eating habits and obesity. This was the catalyst for HealthBarn USA in 2004, to educate and make healthy choices available.

From there, Altine created an educational plan that teaches hands-on cooking skills, gardening skills, growing one’s own food and learning why these foods are good for the body – basic life skills that address the public health crisis.

As she built her company, in the back of her mind,

though, she knew she was paving the way to start a foundation.

A moment that stands out for Altine, as she almost never meets the individuals she serves nor does she expect recognition, was when a child’s birthday party was thrown at HealthBarn USA in Ridgewood. As a mother of an attendee was walking toward the bathroom, she noticed magazine articles about Healing Meals.

She approached Altine and told her that her daughter was a cancer survivor and the program motivated them through their toughest days. As they watched her daughter happily and healthily engaging with her friends, Altine felt the impact.

Altine, also, reflects on the empowerment and consistency Healing Meals brought back into the people’s lives at Ridgecrest Senior Housing. A group of volunteer seniors have developed an organizational system the day the soup Continued on Page 15

14

is delivered. They created a sign-up sheet, and they load up the soups in a wagon and bring it to the people that are “The pantries couldn’t get over the quality of food that physically unable to leave their apartments. their clients were getting,” Altine said. “Even if you had diabetes or heart disease, you were able to eat this meal Ridgewood Chief of Police Jacqueline Luthcke told Altine and feel nourished physically and emotionally know that that there have been less police calls for diabetic issues you were cared for.” and other emergency types for the Ridgecrest seniors ever since they began eating the soups.

All the meals from the grant were delivered in 90 days, Altine said.

As many hospitalized children and seniors that Altine and volunteers were cooking for, COVID-19 shifted the Foun- As for next steps, Altine put in a new application for phase dation to include a new two of funding. It will group of individuals, be a continuation of those with food insecuwhat they’ve done, rity, and intensified the but now include the need to help some they hospitals. already serve.

Looking into the fuAlthough the hospitals ture of the Foundation, halted this food delivery Altine has no five-year service, the Ridgecrest plan. She has been goSenior Housing needing with the flow since ed more because they day one. weren’t allowed out of the complex. Wearing But she does know hairnets and masks, that whatever direction Altine and a dozen volshe heads in, at the unteers doubled up the center lies an opporcooking effort throughtunity for people to out the pandemic at a make better choices safe social distance. for their health.

They never cut the quality of food, even as they began delivering meals to the pantry at Ridgewood’s Social Service Association. Out of these, Feed the Frontlines Helping Those in Need became another initiative where local Ridgewood restaurants prepared nutritious ready-to-eat meals to first responders and community members in need.

Prior to the pandemic, the Foundation’s programs were supported only by private donations. But in the midst, Altine had the opportunity to apply for a grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s Sustain and Serve program, and she secured it.

Altine was awarded $1 million to deliver 100,000 high-quality nutritious food to Bergen County residents facing food insecurity earlier this year.

This allowed Altine to pay local restaurants a flat fee of $10 to produce signature meals, featuring a protein, vegetable and whole grain, to deliver to pantries throughout the county.

“From my point of view, people are feeding their dogs and cats organic everything. They’re getting fed better food than people,” Altine said. “If you have a fixed income and you have to make ends meet on all of your bills, usually food is the last thing. So, they cut corners on the food.”

Altine utilizes her expertise to provide nutritious food education through accessibility. Growing up in Bergen County, she feels connected to give back. Just like the volunteers who come to help in the kitchen as much as they can. She credits the Foundation’s success to them in spreading a healthier lifestyle to all that need it most.

“Just because they’re getting free food doesn’t mean that it should be low quality,” Altine said. “People are unaware of the need, especially in Bergen County. You think everybody has so much. You don’t want to raise your hand and say, ‘I don’t have it.’”

Social The Englewood Health Foundation held their annual Golf Outing The Englewood Health Foundation held their annual Golf Outing at the Ridgewood Country Club.

For more information, visit www.englewoodhealthfoundation.org.

Amy Shirvan, Fran Weingast, Amy Zagin, Debbie Satnick

Andrew Shick, Brad Zaikov, Craig Zaikov, Mike Emhardt

Erica Park, Gia Alvarez

Jared Siegel, Brian Marcus, Victor Alvarez, David Hong

Jason Vincent, Grant Knaggs, Jeffrey Brown, Chris Davis

John Finnegan, Brian Buckelew, Bridget Murphy, Steve Landers

Josh Weingast, Mark Shirvan, David Drapkin, Alex Chung

Mark A. Spivack, Eric Kleiner, Kevin Yao MD, Barine Tee

Martin and Lynn Zaikov

Michael Backer, Thomas Senter, Harry Singh, Y.T. Hwang

Michael Wilderman MD, Neil Piekny, Jared Cohen, Michael Gutter

MK Ko, Inn Park, IJ Choi, HJ Lee

Pat Mazzola, Eric Morrison, Jill Morrison MD

Robert Fornes, Brian McCourt, Kevin Pace, Joseph Coccaro

Val H. Massar, Mike Francois, John Massar, Mike Connors

Young Kil Kim, Harold Lee

12 |

Summer 2021 16

New Beginnings!

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From Addict To Advocate

How One River Edge Resident’s Traditional Redemption Story Is Helping Others

By Kevin Czerwinski

It’s a lengthy list of responsibilities. Gladwell’s passion about her work comes from her experiences as an addict – events that were often times painful, embarrassing and humbling.

Lisa Gladwell is an addict.

That’s not a secret.

Anyone who has spoken to Gladwell knows what the River Edge resident has experienced throughout much of her life, whether it’s the pain, the suffering or the crashes brought on by pills and alcohol. If you know Gladwell, though, you also know about the comebacks and the triumphs and the work she has done to help ensure that others don’t find themselves in the position that she once did.

Hers can be called a traditional redemption story, but this one still doesn’t have an ending.

Gladwell, 63, continues to mend fences while helping others, realizing that every day she still must confront the fragility of her addiction. Her work to help others in the recovery community is a never-ending affair, one that takes up most of her time.

She remains unstoppable, though, determined to help those find the strength they need to control their addictions while providing them with a safe environment to do so. Gladwell is the founder of New Jersey Re-

covery Advocates [NJRA], a grassroots organization that endeavors to end stigma, educate and celebrate recovery from addiction. NJRA also holds monthly recovery forums for community leaders in addition to its signature event, the Recovery Walk/Rally that will take place in Liberty State Park on National Recovery Day, Sept. 18.

Gladwell, who will celebrate 20 years of sobriety in November, also owns and operates God Winks, a cooperative sober living home for ladies in Westwood. Additionally, she is involved with the Father Jim McKenna Memorial Fund, which helps those in early recovery. And, she is the chair of Transition Professionals, Bergen County’s re-entry organization based in Hackensack.

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To understand who Gladwell is now and what she does means understanding who she was and what her journey entailed. She was born in South Jersey and moved a great deal because her father, who was an FBI agent, was always on the move. Ultimately, she settled in Bergen County and graduated from Northern Valley High School at Demarest and then St. Peter’s College in Jersey City. She also earned a law degree from Pace University – yes, she also manages to be a practicing lawyer – but it was during her teenage years that her troubling foundation was put down.

“I was addicted to drugs and alcohol and when I say alcohol, that was the primary because it was legal,” Gladwell said. “My preference would be opiates. Opiates are close to alcohol without the horrible taste. In my teenage years

I was defined as an addict but I didn’t know what I was. I thought addicts were people who lived in the Bowery or who were shady people who lived under bridges.

“I didn’t have a knowledge of it,” she continued. “I grew up in a privileged town, I did well academically, participated in sports and did community service. I had a wonderful childhood. I discovered drinking, though, like any other person would but I didn’t know that I was destined to become an addict. Maybe it’s in the genes. Part of it is, I believe. Somewhere along the way I could use substances to anesthetize my feelings and that became my go-to.”

Feelings is the word Gladwell used to describe her pain, which she said included anything and everything from anxiety and insecurities to lack of performance and failures, whether they were emotional, physical, psychological or spiritual.

“Addiction is a big pyscho, social, spiritual disease,” Gladwell said. “The easy part is the biology. That’s becoming sober and taking out the substances. Dealing with the reasons why is the hard work. It’s about getting the much out of your soul. I can be sober now; sobriety is a state. Unless I find a way to sustain it, though, I can be sober now and in an hour I don’t have to be.”

Gladwell credits the 12-step program that she follows as the reason for sobriety and that if she continues to follow that program, she has a better chance of remaining sober.

Getting to that point wasn’t easy, though.

She had two young children in the late 1990s as she was continuing to battle her addiction. Gladwell had attempted to recovery programs but admits that the time period is “a little cloudy.” The external forces in her life, her extended family and her children and what was the government agency then known as The Division of Youth and Family Services [DYFS] – today it is the Child Protection and Permanency Office [CPP] – all played a role in her continued downward spiral.

“I had been done a number of times before, thinking I don’t want to do this anymore,” Gladwell said. “The individual, though, has to define whether they have a problem or not. My work life was fine, it was going well, I had a great job but when DYFS became involved, it was about a lot more than me. They told me I was an alcoholic. They forced me into treatment.

“My husband is not an alcoholic, but he supported my recovery and my continued attempts at recovery. I would do very well then relapse, do very well then relapse,” she said.

“I felt like a failure and the people who don’t understand the disease think, ‘Don’t you love your family or your kids?

Why don’t you just stop? You have phenomenal willpower to do whatever you want, why don’t you just do this?’ I was doing it for everyone else rather than myself.”

Ultimately, Gladwell asked her sister to take her children for 30 days while she entered an outpatient treatment center.

What should have been a point in her life where she could actually work on herself, knowing that her children were safe, turned out to be one of the worst experiences of her Continued on Page 20

She remains unstoppable, though, determined to help those find the strength they need to control their addictions while providing them with a safe environment to do so. life. Gladwell’s sister initiated court proceedings to have Gladwell and her husband’s parental rights terminated in an effort to gain custody of the children.

It began a multi-year saga that cost Gladwell her children and helped put her on the path she currently travels.

because he drove a truck and didn’t have a college education. They tried to strong arm her into getting him to terminate his rights with the promise that she could relocate with the boys and “start a new life.”

“They said so they can have a father that was not morally

“It was a long, very costly, three- to four-year battle that we took to the Supreme Court,” Gladwell said. “My husband and I actually separated for about five years during this because they said he was not autonomous. He supported my recovery and they said he would allow me back in the kid’s lives. Our rights were terminated seven months after I got sober.

“The judge said I didn’t have the psychological capacity to maintain a meaningful recovery,” she continued. “The judge decided I was not wired correctly. George [her husband] also had his rights terminated because he supported me. This is what I went through that led me to advocacy work.”

Gladwell said that her family didn’t respect her husband

20

or spiritually bankrupt,” Gladwell said. “I loved him. We weren’t married when he had kids, but he was their father.

My family had a lot of connections and when I said no, they started the process. We appealed it; we had attorneys; we separated so he could get the kids back. It failed. The Supreme Court of New Jersey refused to hear it. Our kids were three and four when our rights were terminated.

“We weren’t allowed to see them,” she continued. “They lived in South Jersey. We showed up at their communions and confirmations because they were in public places, and they knew who we were, but we couldn’t see them. I thought how could this happen? No one wants recovery more than me. I was trying to do what I needed to do and that there is a cesspool of corruption with a ton of money going into the child welfare system that incentives removing children from vulnerable families while creating an income stream for state bonuses given to take children away from a family.”

“He [the oldest] is 25 now and we do have a relationship with him, but the trajectory is very different than what it would have been had he been with us,” Gladwell said.

“The folks who raised them, my sister and her family, that’s their family. That’s where they were raised. They have both told me separately, though, that they were treated differently than her own children. But that’s between them, those who raised them and God.” Gladwell continued to work on herself and “get the muck” out of her life after losing her children while also working for others, determined to not let what had happened to her happen to anyone else. She immersed herself into becoming the best person she could be, working to prove to the judge that took her children away that he was wrong.

“I truly believe what happened to my family should not have been in vain,” she said. “It was the worst time in my life. I had two choices. I could have wasted myself to death, numbed myself and agreed with that judge or I Gladwell never got her children back. She and her huscould have said I am different and I will show you. It was band had no contact with them until they were 18. While at that crossroads I decided to be the best mom I could they have a relationship with both children now, it hasn’t be even though I wasn’t going to see them. I immersed been easy to repair years of psychological damage. Her youngest child told her that he always knew they would be myself in becoming the best person I could be and an coming back for him but, according to Gladwell, the oldest advocate for others.” child has abandonment issues that haunted him through Since the judge’s decision that changed her life, Gladwell childhood.

Continued on Page 22

has testified before Congress four times [three times in writing], including 2004 when she spoke before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Human Resources in relation to her family’s experience with the Child Welfare System. Additionally, she addressed the federally appointed New Jersey Child Welfare Reform Panel. Gladwell also graduated from Pace University’s Law School in 2010.

Gladwell founded NJRA in 2014 and hasn’t slowed down in her attempt to provide services for everyone in need of help during their recovery period. Her latest venture is the sober-living house, which originally was supposed to be a café.

“My husband and I wanted to create the Rise Up Café, hire folks who were in early recovery and give people a safe place to congregate and socialize,” she said. “It would be a place for people to go, not just people in recovery. For some of the employees, it would give them job skills and a living wage that would allow them to move on with their lives.

He said, ‘Why don’t we make it a sober living house for ladies?’ I said, ‘What do you mean?’ and he said, ‘A house full of chicks like you.’ He was right.”

They purchased the house in 2018 and the first person moved in in 2019. Currently it has three residents who are required to get or have a job, stay sober, do community service and regularly attend meetings.

All of Gladwell’s work and endeavors are non-profit and volunteer-related. Therefore she is always looking for help or other volunteers. If you would like to help out or work with Gladwell, she can be reached at Lisagladwell@newjerseyrecoveryadvocates.org.

“This particular house that we own, my husband and I bought it, used all of our savings with the idea of the café,” she continued. “But after spending all of our money to buy the place and rehab it, my husband suggested, ‘Why don’t we rent it out and then use that money to build the café?’

22

Social St. Joseph’’s Health Foundation golf classic

St. Joseph’s Health Foundation partnered with the NFL Alumni Association for their annual Golf Classic held at Ridgewood Country Club. For more information, visit www.givetostjosephs.org.

Frank Inserra, John Cioletti

Stephen Winikoff, James Whang, Pablo Figueroa

John Thomas, Donna Viable, Tom Kirczow

Bob Garrett, Kevin Slavin

Carlos Ortiz, Robert Douglas, Joe Amico, Dean Emmolo, Tank Daniels, Dereck Faulkner

Tom Limberg, Dean Emmolo, Jorge Barraque, Frank Peragallo

Sister Patricia Codey, Robert Budelman, Dr. Jai Parekh

Kevin Slavin, Steve Maneri, Robert Budelman

Jeff Jacobson, Bob Dazi, Rich DeCandido, Kevin Wurst

Dr. Luis Marrero, Dr. Adel Zauk

OJ Anderson, Steven Baker

Mitch Schlesinger, Sean Slavin, Josh Deuel

Steve Liebezeit, Chris Rotio, Lou Romano, Joe Ciambrone, Frank LaViano

Bart Oates, Jim Kirkos

Bob Garrett, Bart Oates

Roman Oben, Tricia Paolucci, Rob Budelman, Sean O’Hara

14 |

Summer 2021 24

How to Avoid Physical and Spiritual Burnout

By Stacie Rose

M

ost of us live busy lives. Even those with less on their plate often find it hard to create a sense of healthy life balance which, left to chance, can create a super burnout scenario making everyday life feel impossibly grueling and exhausting at best. So, what can be done to avoid what feels inevitable during these pandemic times that have left many juggling and scrambling?

Let’s Face It. The first step to avoiding burnout is to face it. This is not to say that you should welcome suffering. It’s essential to meet the things that manifest overwhelming feelings, physical exhaustion, emotional overload and all the components that leave a person depleted and much less than okay. Those precise “things” might be very different for each individual. Half the battle is recognizing the elements that lead you towards burnout. Too much work? Not enough R&R or time to nur-

26

ture friendships? A lack of physical activity? Fried food for days? We all need to decompress, self-revelate and take stock of things.

You Are Unique.

The catalyst for chaos can be specific to a particular individual. Some may feel overwhelmed by an imbalance in the work/life paradigm. Some may assert that they are taking on too much at home. Parents get weighed down trying to teach, love, provide, shepherd, inspire, nourish, discipline and “do it all.” Many people feel burned out on social media, keeping up with the fabulous lifestyles of practically everyone with an Instagram account. Teachers have had to become computer programmers, parents have had to become teachers, medical practitioners must work so much overtime that many have felt broken down physically and mentally.

We’re expected to keep going and persevere, especially in times of trouble. There’s often no room for tears or tolerance for pulling off to the side of the road for rest, which is why we must nurture ourselves and speak up when the going gets rough. It’s okay to sit one out.

Advocate For Yourself.

Self-advocacy is a new concept to many. People often feel that it’s not their place to speak up and to offload the weight when it’s just too much. Humans are indeed capable of a lot while we are also “only human.” Since we all have our own crosses to bear, boiling points and breaking points, we must learn to be true to ourselves. We come from different backgrounds and possess unique physical and emotional. You cannot compare yourself to anyone. What causes one person bliss can be a pathway to burnout for another. If you do not advocate for yourself, it’s entirely possible and even probable that nobody else will. You owe it to yourself and those who rely upon you, be it partners, pets, parents, or children, to look out for numero uno! Remember that you cannot pour from an empty cup. No one can.

Practice Self-Care and Self-Preservation.

The art of self-care can be complex or straightforward. It’s your choice. It’s vital to find the forms of

care and self-preservation that work best for you. Remember, your bio-individuality means everything. A massage can be heavenly to some, while others might prefer a vigorous walk or some kitchen therapy in the form of high caloric baking. Meditation can be the path to enlightenment or simply a way to preserve some serenity and sanity during the hustle and bustle kinda week. Music and nature are equalizers for the vast majority, but you must cultivate the practices that alleviate the stressors in your own life. Setting clear boundaries in the workplace or with friends and family can make all the difference. Turning a thousand yeses into five hundred nos could save you from utter exhaustion.

Learning to bubble up, self-protect and deflect negative energy or intrusiveness can be life changing. Releasing toxic people and tossing foods and household products with dangerous chemicals could be a powerful tool for battling burnout.

Nobody is Perfect.

You cannot be everything to everybody or save the day every day. You cannot sustain work, relationships or

health with no sleep and will probably feel lousy if you do not eat nutritious food and make time to move your body and do things that spark joy. You cannot always say the right thing. You will make mistakes. Often.

Please give yourself grace and gratitude and extend that to others who also might be on the edge of burnout.

Things Often Work Out. A positive mindset never hurt anybody and has the distinct power to move mountains and other obstacles out of the way. Whether you have an etching of Ganesha in your home (for removing those obstacles) or you have never heard of Ganesha, spirituality can play an influential role. People pray for a reason. Getting back to meditation because it’s worth mentioning twice, many find solace in those mindful moments. It’s a small thing we can do for ourselves with signif-

icant benefits. Journaling can be a beautiful way to connect with our stressors and solutions. Breathing is paramount and can save the day in mere minutes. But the takeaway here is that things often work out, especially when we help restore ourselves.

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What’s At Stake?

The effects of burnout can range from being resentful, irritable, exhausted, unmotivated, and bummed out to diminished physical and mental health. We must take this concept seriously and find ways to mitigate stress, toxicity and overwhelm. Burning out can fray our relationships, cause anxiety, physical ailments, and a multitude of diseases. In other words, it matters!

Look to the Stars.

Books, gurus, and inspiration could be around any corner, but you must be willing to seek that stuff out. Devotional, intentional efforts towards preserving and restoring a sense of wellbeing can take a bit of work, tenacity and creativity. This kind of work is undoubtably the most worthwhile variety, by the way. It could be a wellness practitioner, therapist, friend, fellow mom, politician, poet or songwriter that brings some level of insight. It’s up to you to grab hold of it, build upon it and remember that health is wealth every time.

When the Going Gets Tough…

When things feel like too much, it’s a sign to slow down,

relieve the pressure, look within, make a change, or seek help. It can mean all those things. Sometimes we simply need support or to reframe, recalibrate and regain perspective. We owe it to ourselves to show up as our best selves or at least some close rendition.

Life is beautiful, but it can also be hard to navigate and that is why people need people, now more than ever. We are in this together and must be gentle with ourselves and one another. Space and time are powerful concepts. Love and compassion are always healthy options for battling burnout; whether it’s a blip on the radar or a big deal, you owe it to yourself to get back to the you that feels true.

Make wellness your highest priority. Be present. Burnout can come in many forms, but it doesn’t need to derail you or impinge upon your quality of life. You are worthy of feeling relaxed, recharged, and ready to revel in the next moment, whatever that may be.

Stacie Rose is a singer/songwriter, mother, producer, lover, blogger, integrative nutrition health coach, holistic lifestyle influencer and free spirit. She’s super passionate about making music, writing and helping others create sustainable wellness.

Social Emmanuel Cancer Foundation Charity Bash Emmanuel Cancer Foundation held their Charity Bash at the Indian Trail Club.

For more Information, visit www.emmanuelcancer.org.

Mindy Dauber, Julia Alfano

Valerie and Peter Jaclin

Victoria Aronoff, Joann Passantino, Maryann Stoll

Jean Ciampo, Kay O’Connell

Barbara Preston, John Ciccoletti

Jack Treacy, Caitlin Yanowitz, Patrick Treacy

Terry Levy, Jenn Boucher, Lisa Ullman, Jill Zames

Linda Kavan, Ed Petkus

Ralph and Karen Swanson Diaz, Inessa Rome, Patrick Treacy

Scott, Milly and Ervinas Sosna

Karen Peck, Doug Scott

Diane and Mark Seubert

Olga Plavnik, Maria Volkova

Debra and Ray Renshaw

Brian and Annie Cullinane, Kelly and Freddy Cavin

Inessa and Dr. Sergey Rome

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How to Navigate Family Feelings About Returning to School

W

hether it’s your child’s first day of kindergarten or the start of middle school, back-to-school season can bring a range of feelings – from worry to excitement – for the entire family. This year may be more emotional as many families spent the better part of the past two school years at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s important to remember that even in the best of times, it’s normal for children to express feelings of sadness, isolation or stress,” said Tyreca Elliott, from KinderCare Learning Centers’ inclusion services team.

“Learning how to address those feelings helps us build self-confidence, resilience and independence. What’s important is the way adults respond to children’s stress.

Offering comfort, reassurance and assisting with problem solving will help children learn and grow from stress in a positive way.”

As an added bonus, Elliott said many of the most effective ways to help children learn to navigate their feelings work just as well with adults. Consider these three tips to help your children (and yourself) manage emotions during the transition back to school.

Plan ahead: The fear of the unknown can be stressful.

Children who aren’t able to clearly articulate their feelings likely won’t be able to make the connection between new, uncertain situations – like going to school and being Continued on Page 33

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around other people – and their feelings. Instead, they may become overwhelmed by emotions, which might look like more meltdowns, clinginess or a variety of other behaviors. Talk with your children about how they feel about going back to school ahead of the first day of class. Ask questions to help them determine why they feel particular feelings when they think about school then work together to solve potential issues. That could mean finding a way to meet your children’s teachers ahead of time, whether virtually or in-person, or practicing introducing themselves to classmates.

Build a consistent routine: Routines can give chil-

dren (and adults) a sense of security and structure, which in turn make it easier to cope with big emotions like stress and anxiety. Try to stay consistent, and if you need to make adjustments, talk them through with your children.

Be sure to mention key milestones instead of times, particularly if they can’t tell time yet. Make sure your children have opportunities to ask questions about any changes to routines. They may need reassurance before they’re ready to face something new.

Create special family moments: As important as

routine is, it’s just as important to prioritize quality time together. That could mean a vacation or something as simple as Saturday bike rides or Sunday morning pancakes.

Plan a family outing or special time together to celebrate completing the first week of school. Family rituals and celebrations can give children and adults something to look forward to. Quality time together also helps families build resiliency.

For more tips to navigate back-to-school season, visit kindercare.com.

Social The 22nd Annual Family Promise Golf Outing The 22nd Annual Family Promise Golf Outing was a record-breaking year, as they welcomed a total of 110 golfers to the beautiful Edgewood Country Club in River Vale – the most registrants to date.

For more information, visit www.bergenfamilypromise.org.

Joe Coccaro, Steve Goldberg

Kate Duggan, Joe Coccaro, Paul Shackford, John Masterson

Remy Rembecky, Harry Ferguson

Ray Kim, Andrew Bloom

David Oaten, Kyle Wong

Jeff Hamon, Howard Schreiber

Andrew Burkhardt, Charles Matar, Andrew Lucchesi

Sam Zona, Ralph Lauretta

Frank Skuthan, Joseph Ruhl, Armin Tobaccowala, Chris Mangan

Michael, Suzanne, Kelsea and Matthew Masterson

Mark Goykhmin, Brad Treichler, Rick Mueller

Anthony and Donnett Verley, Patrick Barnett

Matt Langer, Kevin Pace

Brian McCourt, Michael Fallon

Scott and Gail Nimmo, Kellie and A.J. Baldwin

Chris Burns, Daniel Friedman, Brian Heytink, Andy Trilling

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Summer 2021 34

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Style by Soneca

How to Achieve Confident Style

By Soneca Guadara

W

e all want to know the secret to being confident. It’s no secret that what you wear affects how you feel. Therefore, as cliché as it may be you should dress good to feel good.

Many people, however, get fashion trends confused when it comes to dressing with confidence. A great sense of style is about what makes each individual person feel his or her best, regardless of the latest trends. Here are some style tips to help boost your confidence.

Everyone has things they love and hate about their bodies, so it’s all about finding out what your best assets are and showcasing them. By accentuating the areas you love, you will feel confident knowing that is what will be on display.

If you have amazing legs, wear a skirt with slits or cigarette pants to highlight the shape of your legs. If you have a petite frame, then simple, unbroken contours with minimal fabric will help to elongate your figure. Hourglass figures should try to accentuate their small waist whilst pear shapes are best off wearing darker shades on their bottom half to direct attention to the top. Whatever it is, work with what you have got.

Wear Clothes That Fit Your Body Shape

Wear Clothes That You Feel Great In

Nobody is perfect (although the Victoria Secret’s angels might come close!), and nobody expects you to be either.

Ditch clothes that are too tight, or don’t flatter you. Same with baggy clothes that you tend to hide behind. Lots of Continued on Page 37

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people hang on to clothes that fit them in their younger, slimmer days in the hope that one-day they’ll fit into them again. This does nothing but reinforce a sense of failure. If you must keep items, whether for sentimental or incentive reasons, pack them away in the loft. Take inspiration from Marie Kondo; keep a wardrobe full of clothes that “spark joy.”

Pick Colors Best For Your Skin Tone There is no grey area when it comes to color.

People respond to colors and certain colors elicit certain moods and reactions, so learn which colors give you that instant mood uplift and confidence boost. Get to know what colors suit you and how to use them to your advantage. My favorite color style tricks are using dark color blocking at the side of the torso to instantly make the waist appear smaller and using bright colors to draw attention to areas I love. Remember, a pop of bright lipstick can change a whole outfit and give you the extra boost of confidence needed to take on the world.

Put Yourself First Being on-the-go all the time and trying to balance everything life throws at you is a challenge in itself, so take a step back and remember to put yourself first. Engaging with your sense of style and using it as a positive outlet to feed your confidence and bring that positive energy into everything you do can slowly, but surely, become a reliable self-mechanism. Even if you give just one of these style tips a try, remember to stay true to yourself and whatever makes you feel your best.

Hire a Personal Stylist If all of the above tips still aren’t working for you and you feel like you need more help to reach your style potential, hire help! Outsourcing aspects of our personal development is nothing to be ashamed of. A good personal style coach, such as myself, will not only assist you in honing your individual tastes, but will find flattering pieces to help take your confidence to the next level. Think of it as an investment. For details of my personal styling services, visit www.stylebysoneca.com.

Soneca Guadara is a personal fashion stylist who makes her clients feel beautiful and confident. When Soneca is not working her magic assisting her clients, she can be found working backstage at New York Fashion Week, working on location shoots and contributing as an on-air fashion/style expert and style writer. You can follow Soneca on her Instagram – @StyledBySoneca – for weekly tips.

FASHION

PHEEL’IN GOOD, LIKE I SHOULD

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years ago, Pheel, a Tenafly-based sports apparel company, first debuted in our premiere issue of BC the Mag Health, Beauty & Fitness.

Today, their looks can be seen on confident women worldwide. The following pages are just a preview of the Pheel ‘21 Summer Line. To see more, head to Pheel.com and look out for their men’s line coming late 2021.

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All photography courtesy of 4 Eyes Photography

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Social The Women’s Rights Information Center Annual Spring Dinner The Women’s Rights Information Center held their Annual Spring Dinner at Dimora.

For more information, visit www.womensrights.org.

Jenai Bacote, Kathy Maikis, Emily Gonzales, Sigrid Ceballos, Yornelis Tejada

Dawn Diaz, Nina Pineda, Theresa Napoletano, Cathy Pierorazio

Debra Albanese, Moira Sullivan

Paul and Lucy Malatesta, Lee Seham

Susan Del Rio, Jenifer Ippolito

Alyssa Dawson, Holly Schepisi, Cathy Pierorazio

Haley Mazza, Maria Lewis, Erin Chung, Stacey Gill

Merrie Frisch, Clori Caminiti-Osso, Theresa Napoletano

Teri Capparelli, Susan Pappalardo

Lacey Tucker, Marsha Thornhill-Bauer, Cheryl Tucker

Jennifer Mayer, Sabrina Claro

Jody Jacob-McVey, Ronny Jo Siegal, Lil Corcoran

CJ Griffin, Kathy Dixon

Nina Pineda, Ronny Jo Siegal, Jennifer Maxwell

Tara Conmy, Cathy Pierorazio, Kim Boyle

Melisa Damcevska, Danielle Lambert, Deb Albanese, Jennifer Yanowitz

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Three Ways to Ditch Single-Use Plastics Recycling is one approach for reducing landfill waste but replacing single-use items with reusable alternatives is another way to tackle a growing environmental problem.

Plastic accounts for a significant share of landfill waste each year. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 91 percent of plastic does not get recycled. Plastics are among the top solid waste materials (behind paper, paperboard and food), and single-use items like bags, sacks and bottles, represent the largest segment of plastic waste.

These environmentally friendly solutions for swapping single-use plastics are steps that can help reduce landfill waste.

Plastic Bags and Containers In virtually every retail setting, plastic bags are the norm for transporting purchased food and other goods. However, these bags, which are used just minutes or, at best, hours, take as long as 500 years to degrade in a landfill.

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When shopping, fabric, canvas and woven totes are effective ways to bundle your purchases. Some even offer internal cubbies and sleeves to help keep items organized during your commute. When it comes to sandwich and other storage bags, washable silicone options give you the same convenience for packing in lunchboxes and saving leftovers.

year, working toward a 2030 goal of replacing 20 billion bottles a year.

Making the switch from single-use plastic water bottles provides other environmental benefits, as well, including preventing ozone depletion and eutrophication, which occurs when excessive rich nutrients in water negatively impact plants and animals.

Plastic Water Bottles A study by the Beverage Marketing Corporation found that, excluding 2008 and 2009, bottled water volume has increased every year from 1977-2019. Each person who chooses an alternative such as Brita water pitchers, faucet filters and reusable bottles over single-use plastic water bottles can remove up to 1,800 plastic water bottles from circulation each year.

“Unlike companies whose sole focus is to sell consumers bottled water, which is incredibly detrimental to the environment, costly and unnecessary, Brita has been focused on bettering our planet,” said Eric Schwartz, Brita general manager. “Recycling is simply not enough.”

Ultimately, the multi-use filter manufacturer is on track to eliminate 15 billion single-use plastic water bottles this

Straws With some of the nation’s biggest cities issuing bans and major food chains halting their use, it’s a good indication that plastic straws are an environmental concern.

While many experts acknowledge straws account for a large overall percentage of the garbage that makes it into landfills or the ocean, environmental advocates point out few straws ever make it to a recycling bin, and those that do are often so small they are filtered out of recycling machinery.

With multiple alternatives such as recyclable paper, reusable silicone or stainless steel readily available, it’s a simple step toward making a difference.

Social Spring Lake Toys Foundation annual Spring Gala Spring Lake Toys Foundation held their annual Spring Gala at the Indian Trail Club.

For more information, visit www.springlaketoysfoundation.org.

Joe Stephens, Sandra Zotti, Stephen Fahy

Maryanne Jefferson, Kristin Schaffner

Devika Manchanda, Sonal Parikh

Lynn and Anthony Barravecchio

Tracy Hartgers, Rebecca Amoroso, Colleen Barrett

Sandra Zotti, Paulette Laurenzi

Lori Eilers, Victoria Pescatore, Maria Ruggiero

Payal Jain, Janvi Mehta

Beverly Mancini, Joe Pedone

Meagan Giunta, Chela Papaccioli, Kara Veenstra, Monique Ruberto

Robyn and Jon Ditkoff

Noelle and Mary Ann Silberbauer

Marisa Helek, Torill Lorenzo

David and Adi Green, Jeff Rubin

Rosemarie Ranuro, Dyana Thompson

Steven Goldstein, Candace Kristin

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Summer 2021 50

Your Healthy Summer Checklist This summer, get back

Englewood Health reminds you to:

to doing the things

� Schedule your annual physical.

you love with the

� Speak with your physician about important screenings and preventive care services, including:

ones you love. Make

• Diabetes screening

• Bone density testing

• Lung cancer screening

• Cardiology exam

the commitment to

• Mammogram

• Hepatitis screening

playing an active role

• Pap smear and HPV screening

• Joint and spine check-up and care

• Skin cancer screening

• Pulmonary function testing

in your health care.

• Screening for other cancers based • Smoking cessation on your risk factors, including • Vascular screening for stroke stomach and prostate cancers and neurological conditions • Vein screening

Get your COVID-19 vaccine.

Visit englewoodhealth.org/vaccine to schedule an appointment.

Need help finding a physician?

Call 833-234-2234 or visit englewoodhealth.org

Gulpablility Is Key

Hillsdale-Based Beverage Brand Expands to 2,500 Stores Across the U.S.

By Brianna Ruback

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arry Edinger has worked in beverage advertising for nearly 30 years, interacting with a range of popular brands like Coke, Pepsi and Dr. Pepper. The Westwood resident later started his own healthy vending business, but it wasn’t until 2015, when the Obama administration announced its new dietary guidelines, that Edinger decided to create a Continued on Page 53

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beverage of his own.

Among the major items listed in the government’s guidelines was the recommendation to significantly limit the amount of added sugar in one’s daily caloric intake.

Seeing a lack of companies adapting their products to the new nutrition standards enforced in schools, Edinger joined forces with Tony Errico, a River Vale resident, to generate a school-approved beverage idea. Errico’s only requirement was that his daughter, who has diabetes, would be able to consume the product.

After working out the beverage’s logistics, in 2016, the Bergen County duo’s Hillsdale-based company, Recovery Brands, launched Sol-Core, a fruit punch flavored sports drink that would be placed in school vending machines and 7-Eleven locations across northern New Jersey. Although the drink performed well, in 2018, Edinger sold his vending business to solely focus on rebranding Sol-Core into his current immunity boosting beverage: REZ. “A vending machine is nothing more than an unmanned convenience store,” Edinger said. “So, what happens is you learn what products are selling, what flavors are selling, and again, to what audience.”

Unlike some drinks that only focus on one health-supporting element like electrolytes, REZ is what Edinger calls a “complete drink.” Formulated to restore the body, which is the significance behind the brand’s name, the sugar-free, 10-calorie and one-carb beverage contains an array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It’s also made with turmeric, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and plant-based glucosamine, which is involved in joint support.

However, the challenge with producing Continued on Page 54

a functional beverage is ensuring the health benefits aren’t at the expense of the flavor. In addition to researching vitamins and minerals, the REZ team worked with a flavor house to make sure REZ’s flavors would be enjoyable and strong enough to “cover” the drink’s functional elements.

“The term I always use is…I like to have a drink that has ‘gulpability,’ meaning you enjoy it so much [that] you have no problem gulping it down,” Edinger said.

REZ currently comes in three flavors: fruit punch, watermelon peach and orange mango.

Going forward, as the brand expands into more retailers, the team is working on producing more flavors and eventually launching functional lemonades, iced teas and powdered drink mixes.

While REZ has several plans in the works, the company has still faced its share of challenges. At the beginning of 2020, the beverage was supposed to go into approximately 1,000 new stores, but as COVID-19 shutdowns took place, grocery stores no longer accepted new products and sampling wasn’t allowed. But with the plant-based diet on the rise, having people try REZ was essential.

“We never promoted ourselves as plant-based hydration prior to this year because before that, I don’t know if anybody would accept it,” Edinger said. “It would [have been] considered more like the aloe drinks or things like that, which, if you don’t like that taste, that would have been people’s perception [of REZ].”

Instead of offering consumers a cup of the drink instore, the REZ team opted to hand out full bottles of the product, along with information cards, in grocery store parking lots to raise brand awareness and build their customer base.

Now, as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the company has gotten back on track. On June 2, REZ made its way into 670 Publix Super Markets, one of the largest grocery chains in the United States.

The plant-based drink will now be in approximately 2,500 stores across the country.

When reflecting on his experience as a beverage company owner and CEO, Edinger said the most rewarding part of this journey has been working with his son, Justin, a rising sophomore at Coastal Carolina University. Justin, who has assisted with raising REZ’s brand awareness, was able to get his campus to distribute the beverage, which led to REZ securing several additional colleges, as well as Sysco Foods, the largest food distributor in the world.

What started out as a two-person Bergen County-based business venture has transformed into a national brand that has grown by 500 percent this year alone, according to recent company statement. Now operating with a 10-person team – with the majority being Pascack Valley High School alumni – Edinger emphasized the homegrown element of the beverage brand.

“It’s just unique,” Edinger said. “…You don’t get more local than us.”

For more information on REZ, visit www.rezbev.com, or follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

REZ is also available for purchase on Amazon.

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Booking Parties Indoors & Outdoors Visit our staff from Stony Hill Inn!

Entertaining without the Over-Indulgence Simple Recipes for Hosting That Will Keep Your Guests Happy & Satisfied

Light, refreshing flavors are the perfect solution for an autumn meal. As temperatures drop, take your fall entertaining to the next level with a secret ingredient that is as pretty as it is tasty.

Alone or in a recipe, when the weather cools down in the Northeast, California grapes are a deliciously healthy way to bring refreshing flavor to the table. Delightful as a snack, grapes are also a great choice for your entertaining menu because they pair so well with so many other ingredients.

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Plan the perfect party with these easy entertaining tips:

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Healthy Eats

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Make an Event Out Of Any Occasion Appetizers • Party Platters • Side Dishes • Entree Platers • Salads

We make every party special whether it’s an intimate dinner party or a celebration with 120 guests.

bmfoodlovers.com (201) 391-4373 rger Winner of Best Bu od Fo Bergen County 18 20 and Wine Festival

192 Kinderkamack Rd. Park Ridge, NJ 07656

Hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 7pm • Saturday 9am – 6pm • Sunday 11am – 3pm

UPCOMING HEALTH EVENTS Here, you’ll see the return of some in-person health events as well as virtual events hosted by Bergen County’s area hospitals. Make sure to register for in-person and/or virtual events. Please note, if a specific location is not mentioned, said event is virtual.

The NJ Sharing Network is hosting a 5K on Sunday, Sept.

12 at their headquarters, located in New Providence. The USATF certified race will begin at 8:30 a.m. The walk will follow at 10 a.m. NJ Sharing Network is known for saving lives through organ and tissue donation.

Join an addiction specialist for a discussion on substance use disorder, disorder, factors contributing to addiction and how to find treatment and build a bath to successful recovery on Wednesday, Sept. 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To register or for more information, call (800) 560-9990 or visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/Events.

An adult health and wellness workshop focusing on blood pressure will be held on Monday, Sept. 13 and Monday, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Wyckoff Family YMCA, 691 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff. Register online at WyckoffYMCA.org/HUMC.

Celebrate the first day of fall with a fall prevention seminar on Wednesday, Sept. 22 from noon to 1 p.m.

Manisha Parulekar, MD and therapists from Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation will lead the discussion. To register or for more information, call (800) 560-9990 or visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/Events.

Explore story time with Mary Ann Fernandez as she takes children and their families on magical journeys and fairytale adventures to faraway places using guided imagery and meditation. This free 30-minute class is the perfect opportunity to relax and de-stress together while also introducing coping skills and strengthening imagination, emotional growth, and cognitive development. Story time is offered on the following dates with the accompanying title: Sept. 13, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!;” Sept. 20, “The Ugly Duckling;” and Sept 27, “The Sneetches.” All sessions are from 4-4:30 p.m. Register by emailing grafcenter@ehmchealth.org or calling (201) 608-2377.

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation team will explore childhood physical development milestones and how parents can support their child through this on Thursday, Sept. 23 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. To register or for more information, call (800) 560-9990 or visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/Events.

Join Lori Leslie, MD as she discusses lymphoma lymphoma,, chromic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and the importance of a strong immune system on Thursday, Sept. 23 from 2-3 p.m. To register or for more information, call (800) 560-9990 or visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/Events.

A year-long program designed for people with prediabetes and those who are at high risk for Type 2 diabetes will begin on Monday, Sept. 13 from 5-6 p.m. To register or for more information, call (800) 560-9990 or visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/Events.

An AHA Hands-only CPR for adults and early heart attack workshop will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 28 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Wyckoff Family YMCA, 691 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff. Register online at WyckoffYMCA.org/HUMC.

COVID-19 hit the U.S. and closed our state over a year ago. It changed the way we live, learn and work dramatically, and it’s no wonder we have some residual stress and anxiety from it all. Let’s connect and talk about what our new normal looks like and how to best navigate it on Thursday, Sept. 30 from 7-8 p.m. at the Ridgewood Public Library, 125 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood.

The presenter will be Michael J. Tozzoli, LCSW Chief Executive Officer West Bergen Mental Healthcare, Inc. Register online at www.valleyhealth.com/events/life-after-

Join Adrian Pristas, MD and learn why it’s important to get a good night’s sleep, sleep, how it affects your health, tips on getting a good night’s sleep, sleep apnea and other treatment options on Tuesday, Sept. 28 from 6-7 p.m. To register or for more information, call (800) 560-9990 or visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/Events.

lockdown.

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The Woodcliff Educational Foundation (WCLEF)’s 35th Annual Run for Education on paved, USATF certified course with tree-lined residential streets with water stops and posted mile markers, will be held on Sunday, Oct. 3. All proceeds go directly back to the local schools. For more information or to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/59rua2c9.

Sort the facts of breast cancer from the fiction with Gail Starr, MD on Tuesday, Oct. 19 from noon to 1 p.m. To register or for more information, call (800) 560-9990 or visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/Events.

Join a registered dietitian to discuss concerns about food allergies on Wednesday, Oct. 20 from noon to 12:45 p.m.

To register or for more information, call (800) 560-9990 or visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/Events.

Alzheimer’s New Jersey, the independent, New Jersey non-profit providing education and support to New Jersey families battling Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is hosting a “Walk “Walk to Fight Alzheimer’s” Alzheimer’s” on Sunday, Oct. 24 at Bergen Community College, Paramus. The inperson walk will start at 10 a.m., with day-of registration beginning at 8:30 a.m., followed by a kick-off ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Individuals, families, local businesses, and organizations are invited to participate by registering online at www.alznj.org. Donations can be made online as well.

A woman’s body is ever changing. Whether you are just starting menopause menopause,, well into it, or well through it, join Cristina Giambalvo, DNP, CNM Director, Midwifery Program to discuss what to expect next on Tuesday, Oct. 26 from 7-8 p.m. at the Ridgewood Public Library, 125 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood. Register online at valleyhealth.com/events/menopause-tis-season.

Join pediatric endocrinologists on Thursday, Oct. 28 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. as they address how hormones change and when something is medically wrong with a child’s growth or mood. To register or for more information, call (800) 560-9990 or visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/ Events.

Harrington Park’s 5K Fall Spectacular is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 13. The event includes a 5K run and walk for all ages, a mile fun run for ages 9 and under and a kiddie dash for ages 6 and under. Additional race information can be found at www.hp5k.org.

Valley’s weekly Breastfeeding Support Group is now meeting online. Talk to other breastfeeding moms and Valley’s breastfeeding specialists from the comfort of your home. For more information, including dates and times, call 201-291-6151 (option 1) or email familyeducation@valleyhealth.com. To register or for more information, call 1-800-825-5391 or visit ValleyHealth.com/Events.

The Center for Family Education is offering a free, online Pregnancy Support Group for expectant moms. Weekly meetings offer information on having your baby at Valley; support to ease fears and anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis; and pregnancy advice from a Labor and Delivery nurse, as well as fellow moms-to-be. Sign up today and join an upcoming meeting. Questions? Please email familyeducation@valleyhealth.com or call 201-291-6151 (option 1) for more information. To register or for more information, call 1-800-825-5391 or visit ValleyHealth.com/Events.

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Thyroid Conditions Are More Common Than You Think Thyroid and parathyroid conditions are common and can be complicated to treat. BC The Mag recently sat down with Anna Kundel, MD, an endocrine surgeon and the Medical Director of Valley’s Center for Thyroid and Parathyroid Care, who shared with us the Center’s customized approach to care.

Q: Tell us a little bit about thyroid and parathyroid disorders.

A: Thyroid disorders occur when the thyroid gland (a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower portion of the neck) releases too many or too few hormones, which can disrupt a number of metabolic functions, or if nodules are identified. If too little thyroid hormone is produced, people are considered hypothyroid; if thyroid hormone is produced in excess, they are diagnosed as hyperthyroid.

Thyroid nodules are growths within the thyroid gland that may be found on exam but are more often found on unrelated imaging. The vast majority of nodules are benign, but a small percentage do end up being malignant.

Thus nodules should be evaluated by a physician knowledgeable in thyroid disease.

A: I would advise anyone experiencing thyroid or parathyroid related health concerns to seek medical treatment. You do not want to wait. At Valley’s Center for Thyroid and Parathyroid Care our goal is to provide Parathyroid disorders develop when parathyroid glands (normally four glands located near, or attached to, the back appointments within a week or less of referral whenever possible. surface of the thyroid) release inappropriately high levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which controls calcium Our team works together to provide gold-standard care levels in the body. Such imbalance in the PTH hormone that follows the latest guidelines issued by the American can lead to a number of issues, including osteoporosis, kidney stones, and chronic fatigue; and can affect muscles, Thyroid Association, The Association of Endocrine Surgeons, and American Joint Committee on Cancer. We nerves, and other functions. bring together doctors from a number of fields to deliver customized, top-quality care. Whether a patient’s care Q: What is your approach to care? involves surgery or medical management, our physicians will work closely together and with each patient to ensure A: At Valley’s Center for Thyroid and Parathyroid Care, our goal is to provide comprehensive care for patients with they know which options will have the best possible outcomes and what to expect at every step along the way. thyroid or parathyroid disease. With the collaboration of our dedicated team — which includes endocrinologists, an endocrine surgeon, a nurse practitioner, radiologists, cytologists, pathologists, radiation oncologists, and oncologists — we provide a unique, multidisciplinary approach to determining the best treatment plans for our patients.

Q: What advice would you give to an individual who is experiencing thyroid- or parathyroid-related health concerns?

In addition, our board-certified nurse practitioner provides comprehensive support and simplifies the process of coordinating care – so patients can focus on treatment and recovery.

For information about the Center for Thyroid and Parathyroid Care, or to make an appointment, please visit ValleyHealth.com/ Thyroid, or call 201-389-1285, option 1.

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P E D I AT R I C S P E C I A LT Y C A R E

SMALL PATIENTS,

Big CARE

WE GET IT.

You want the very best for your child.

So do we. That’s why Valley’s pediatric specialists deliver experienced care, tailored to the needs of young patients. Our team takes the time to understand their patients’ concerns, answer questions, and reassure parents in a child-friendly environment.

Our team of pediatric experts specializes in: Developmental Pediatrics Endocrinology Food Allergy*

Gastroenterology & Nutrition*

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Pulmonology

Sleep Medicine

Weight Management * In alliance with Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital

CALL 201-447-8151 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. Telemedicine appointments also available.

ValleyHealth.com/PediatricSpecialties

ACHIEVE THE RIGHT WEIGHT FOR YOU Our bariatric surgeons provide a personalized treatment plan designed for your weight loss journey. From laparoscopic surgery to robotics, our team can help identify the best procedure to help you achieve your weight loss goal. Enroll in one of our weight loss webinars to learn more and start the path to a healthier you.

Learn more visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/Bariatrics.

KEEP GETTING BETTER HMH-3710-HUMC-Bariatics-8x10-BCH-21.indd 1

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