Bergen Magazine July Issue by Wainscot Media

JULY 2021 | $3.95 | BERGENMAG.COM | VOLUME 21 ISSUE 7

VOLUME 21 ISSUE 7 | JULY 2021

HEALTH & LIFE | FOOD & FASHION | HOME & HAPPENINGS

THE HEALTH AND BEAUTY ISSUE

FIT AND FAB A BEAUTIFUL WORLD SKIN AND HAIR TIPS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

ARE YOU SUMMER SAVVY? TAKE OUR SAFETY QUIZ GYMS IN A JAM WORKING OUT POST PANDEMIC

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HEAD OVER HEELS

with Maywood’s Yoga Maven

YOUR ALFRESCO DINING GUIDE 6/16/21 1:40 PM

CENTER FOR PEDIATRIC WELLNESS AND WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

MAKING HEALTHY EATING

Fun

CALL 201-316-8438 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. ValleyHealth.com/PedsWellness

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SHE GETS IT.

You want your kids to eat healthy foods;

they want macaroni and cheese. And the battle begins, especially when concerns about a child’s weight enter the picture.

Dr. Sherry Sakowitz-Sukkar can help make mealtime healthy and fun for the whole family.

Her goal: to help patients be healthy, feel good about themselves, and develop healthy habits.

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CENTER FOR PEDIATRIC WELLNESS AND WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

MAKING HEALTHY EATING

Fun FOR YOUR KIDS

OPEN TO LEARN MORE

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6/17/21 10:08 AM

RE-DEFINING THE ART OF OUTDOOR LIVING LANDSC APE MASO NRY | O U T D O O R L I V I N G S PAC E S | C U S TOM S W I M M I N G P O O LS

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CONTENTS

{ JULY 2021 }

Features Test Your Summer Safety Savvy | 28

Keeping this season injury-free for your family starts with knowledge—assess yours with 10 quick questions.

Drink Up! | 30

A doctor’s tips help you stay hydrated—and healthy—during the dog days of summer.

Will Local Gyms Make It? | 32

A six-month shutdown drastically altered Bergen’s workout scene. As the pandemic recedes, it’s unclear how things will work out.

A WORLD OF BEAUTY TIPS

10 Great Day Trips | 42

Secrets from 7 lands can help your skin and hair look their finest.

Ready to travel again? These fun destinations are near enough to visit without an overnight stay.

The Kitchen Was The Key | 48

By waiting a bit to renovate their most important room, a Mahwah family gets a home that fits their lifestyle.

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Editor’s Note 27 Health News 72 Where to Eat 78 Be There

BERGENMAG.COM

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JULY 2021

6/21/21 11:11 AM

NOW OPEN!

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Our doors are open and so is your future. Call (201) 684-9775 today to schedule a personal tour. Appointments are required.

Christian Health is a non-profit organization and is open to anyone regardless of race, sex, or religion.

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299 Sicomac Avenue | Wyckoff, NJ 07481 (201) 684-9775 | TheVista.org

6/21/21 8:12 AM

CONTENTS

Departments Bergen Buzz | 14 Our guide to new ideas, tips, trends and things we love in the county.

For Men Only | 20

Swim trunks in neon hues and fun prints will keep you looking cool this summer.

Style Watch | 22

These mini florals, or liberty prints, synonymous with the London department store that made them a century ago, are as fresh as ever.

Jewelry Box | 24

Teal the truth—you’re just as excited about these gold and turquoise pieces as we are!

Home Front | 26

Add some patriotic pride to your outdoor space with these flag-inspired finds.

Tastes | 54

Keep cool at the pool with these refreshing treats that are delicious and satisfying—no stove and minimal prep required.

Just Married | 60

The pandemic restrictions helped this couple narrow down their wedding venue—their own Wood-Ridge backyard. And they planned the event in less than two months.

Power Food | 68

The dandelion, that yellow lawn nuisance, is edible, tasty—and quite nutritious.

Spirits | 69

Kick off your summer celebrations with this vibrant and refreshing red, white and blue margarita slushy.

Gatherings | 79

Bergenites always show up to support their friends and neighbors—especially when help is needed most.

A Bergen Moment | 80

This fitness instructor from Waldwick was thrilled to capture the moment in which she could teach outdoor cycling classes—without a mask.

24 BERGENMAG.COM

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ON THE COVER: Laura Kasperzak, a fitness and yoga instructor from Maywood, strikes an (impressive!) pose on Long Beach Island. Photo courtesy of Laura Kasperzak.

JULY 2021

6/21/21 11:11 AM

Left to Right: EVAN BAIRD, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Mount Sinai Medical Center; RAFAEL LEVIN, M.D., M.S.C., Chief of Spine, HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley; JONATHAN LESTER, M.D., Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; NOMAAN ASHRAF, M.D., M.B.A., Assistant Clinical Professor, Mount Sinai Medical Center

WHERE OUR TEAM BELIEVES IN CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT FIRST. BOARD CERTIFIED SPINE SURGEONS AND PHYSIATRY SERVICES

WESTWOOD | CLIFTON | BRIDGEWATER EAST BRUNSWICK 201.634.1811 | COMPSPINECARE.COM

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NJ TOP DOCS 2014-2020

3/19/21 5:56 AM

{ EDITOR’S NOTE }

Awakening From A Dream of Zoom Happy day! Though the pandemic isn’t technically over (as I write, there’s a dangerous new variant out there), we can see the end from here. Most of us have been vaccinated, and we are returning to the routines we once took for granted—even, oh, joy, the ones that involve getting together. Loved ones are huggable once more, and we’re reminded that friends and colleagues are more than just images with revealing backdrops talking on a screen. It’s as if we’re waking up from a long Zoom dream. But if you’re not quite as euphoric as you’re supposed to be, join the club. Thoughts of “back to normal” quickly give way to the widespread insight that “back” isn’t possible. Some “new normal” is what’s ahead, and we’re not sure just what that will be like. That can be scary. With this “summer health and beauty issue,” we can’t forecast the future, but we can—as always—fulfill our mission of informing readers to help them live rich, healthy, joyful lives in our wonderful county. That means tapping the best beauty tips from around the world (page 36). It means helping you stay safe from summer dangers (take our quiz on page 28). And it means preaching the good-health gospel of hydration. On page 30, we hear from a Bergen County internist why those glasses of water are vital for health and beauty. This is the season when our body craves water most; are you getting enough? Your pecs may not care how well the local economy adjusts to the “new normal,” but maybe you should. On page 32, we present a report on the challenge facing Bergen’s gyms now that so many of us have formed new routines that involve doing things—including exercise— at home. These businesses are adapting resourcefully, but one gym owner warns that if people don’t return in larger numbers, “we’re not going to be here.” Speaking of being here, what do you do when you’re not yet ready to cross an ocean or a continent, but desperately need a break from the four walls in your home? For many of us, a day trip is just the ticket. Luckily our county is surrounded by delightful destinations within two hours’ drive—destinations many of us neglected in the past when we focused on more ambitious travel. Read about 10 of these places on page 42. There’s much more in this issue, of course. (There’s ice cream! See page 14.) We send it to you with the fond hope that your life will now take the new shape that is just right for you. The possibilities are limitless. Pinch yourself—you’re not dreaming!

Rita Guarna Editor in Chief editor@wainscotmedia.com

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REDEFINING PRECISION IN ORTHOPEDIC CARE Our top priority is offering multiple innovative orthopedics options to best address your joint pain. Advanced less invasive surgeries for knee, hips and shoulder replacements mean shorter hospital stays and quicker recoveries. Find a doctor at HMHorthopedics.com or call 848-245-8080.

KEEP GETTING BETTER

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5/24/21 9:54 AM

We’re Back! Editor in Chief RITA GUARNA Creative Director STEPHEN M. VITARBO Senior Associate Editor DARIUS AMOS Lifestyle Editor HALEY LONGMAN Editorial Interns SOPHIA DOYLE, MEREDITH TAMIRIAN Contributing Editors BRIAN KELLEY, LESLIE GARISTO PFAFF, DONNA ROLANDO ART

October 14, 2021, 6-9 PM Edgewood Country Club, River Vale, NJ

Contributing Photographer MIKE VAN TASSELL PRODUCTION

Production Artist CHRIS FERRANTE CIRCULATION

PURCHASE TICKETS AT BERGENMAG.COM/BWFE2021

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BE SOCIAL Join our online community! LIKE us on Facebook: BergenMag FOLLOW us on Twitter: @BergenMag SEE our photos on Instagram: @BergenMagNJ VIEW our boards on Pinterest: HealthandLife SEND YOUR FEEDBACK AND IDEAS TO: Editor, BERGEN, 1 Maynard Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656; fax 201.746.8650; email editor@wainscotmedia.com. BERGEN assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or art materials. BERGEN (ISSN 25738151) is published monthly by Wainscot Media, 1 Maynard Drive, Suite 2104, Park Ridge, NJ 07656. © 2021 by Wainscot Media LLC. All rights reserved. Periodicals postage paid at Mahwah, NJ, and additional mailing offices. Subscriptions in U.S. outside of Bergen County: $14 for one year. Single copies: $3.95. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BERGEN, 1 Maynard Drive, Suite 2104, Park Ridge, NJ, 07656. Material contained herein is intended for informational purposes only. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a healthcare professional.

For sponsorships and exhibitor space, contact Thomas Flannery at 201.571.2252 or thomas.flannery@wainscotmedia.com Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @bergenwineandfoodexperience

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6/21/21 9:29 AM

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ARE YOU A BERGEN COUNTY RESIDENT?

Publisher THOMAS FLANNERY Associate Publisher MARY MASCIALE ADVERTISING

Senior Account Executives BRIDGET JULIANO, MARY LIMA Account Executives CHRISTIE COLVILLE, PEARL LISS Director, Special Programs LAURA A. DOWDEN MARKETING, DIGITAL & OPERATIONS

Director of Digital Media NIGEL EDELSHAIN Director of Advertising Services JACQUELYNN FISCHER Chief Finance Officer STEVEN RESNICK Assistant Controller URSZULA JANECZKO Junior Accountant KASIE CARLETON Communications Manager CATHERINE ROSARIO Executive Assistant PENNY GLASS BOAG PUBLISHED BY WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman CARROLL V. DOWDEN

SUBSCRIBE FREE TO BERGEN MAGAZINE!

President & CEO MARK DOWDEN Senior Vice Presidents RITA GUARNA CARL OLSEN Vice Presidents LIZETTE CHIN NIGEL EDELSHAIN THOMAS FLANNERY MARIA REGAN STEVEN RESNICK DIANE VOJCANIN

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Please contact Thomas Flannery at 201.571.2252 or thomas.flannery@wainscotmedia.com.

VISIT BERGENMAG.COM/SUBSCRIBE TO SIGN UP.

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SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To inquire about a subscription, to change an address or to purchase a back issue or a reprint of an article, please write to BERGEN, Circulation Department, 1 Maynard Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656; telephone 201.573.5541; email kathy.wenzler@wainscotmedia.com.

6/18/21 12:07 PM

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BUILD your DREAM

WITH A CUSTOM BACKYARD FROM ARAPAHOE, YOU’RE ON VACATION EVERY TIME YOU STEP INTO YOUR YARD

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WHAT YOU CAN FIND ON BERGENMAG.COM RIGHT NOW WE’LL TOAST TO THAT! The Bergen Wine & Food Experience is back and better than ever, featuring the area’s best restaurants, vendors and exhibitors. Tickets for the Oct. 14 event at the Edgewood Country Club in River Vale are on sale at bergenmag. com. Get them now and receive $10 off!

Open 24Hours

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OPEN FOR INDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT 24 HOURS

GET YOUR SHOT National Nature Photography Day might’ve been last month, but every day is picture-perfect in Bergen County. Visit bergenmag.com/get-your-shotat-these-bergen-spots to see six of our favorite locations to snap memorable photos with Mother Nature’s best in the background.

StateLineDiner.com

375 State Rt. 17 Mahwah, NJ 201.529.3353

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WIN THIS! Looking for ways to spice up your barbecue? Chasing Smoke: Cooking Over Fire and Around the Levant by Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich is packed with mouthwatering meals inspired by the authors’ travels to Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Turkey and Greece. Visit bergenmag. com/chasing-smoke for a chance to win this book.

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CLOSED MONDAYS

BYOB Restaurant Spring 2008 & 2009

STAY IN THE KNOW Want the latest tips, news and things we love in our county? Head to bergenmag.com and subscribe to our free BERGEN Buzz weekly e-newsletter.

•F O

R PA O D F E S T I VA L •

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PARK AT CVS

6/18/21 12:18 PM

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

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{ BERGEN BUZZ } OUR GUIDE TO NEW IDEAS, TIPS, TRENDS AND THINGS WE LOVE IN OUR COUNTY.

WHO WANTS ICE CREAM? Few things in life are as dependable as ice cream. It’s our trusty snack when we’re sitting poolside and our spontaneous after-dinner indulgence. It’s a first date that doesn’t disappoint— and the friend who’s been with us through the worst of breakups. Yes, some of us must opt for non-dairy alternatives or Italian ices for reasons of diet or lactose intolerance, but July is National Ice Cream Month for all of us. The average American reportedly consumes 23 gallons a year; if you’re not up to that pace, someone else is getting some of yours! You’d best head for one of these sweet spots:

Bischoff’s Confectionery, Teaneck. Since 1934, Bischoff’s has been scooping up sweets in Teaneck, but this family-owned business dates to the late 1800s. Laura Heckler of Northvale calls Bischoff’s her favorite ice-cream shop. “Though it’s far from my home,” she says, “I often make the trip down to Teaneck because I like it so much.” There are scoops, ice cream sodas and a variety of ices. Try one of the decadent sundaes or, if you’re feeling nostalgic, one of the classic egg creams. • 468 Cedar Ln., Teaneck, 201.836.0333; bischoffsicecream.com

BrainFreeze, New Milford. This kind of brain freeze you actually won’t mind. Icecream sandwiches, malts, sundaes, oh my! While there, get an ice cream cake for your next special occasion. Must go dairy-free? The Italian ices await you. • 370 River Rd., New Milford, 201.265.5055; brainfreezeicecreamnj.com

DID YOU KNOW? July is the perfect time for ice cream, as the average high temperature in Bergen County for the month is 84.1 degrees Fahrenheit. While it’s a warm one, Bergen’s stat is one degree cooler than the state average high for July. BERGENMAG.COM

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Conrad’s Confectionery, Westwood. Here’s the scoop: This is Westwood’s best-kept secret, so good we almost didn’t want to tell you about it. But we’ll wait on the longest of lines if it means getting our hands on a cup of the ice cream Conrad’s has been selling since 1928. If you’re looking for a non-dairy alternative, opt for a homemade ice pop in a flavor such as cotton candy, guava or pineapple. Matt Fagnan of Westwood grew up enjoying Conrad’s ice cream; today he visits with his wife and new baby. Fagnan didn’t stay in Westwood solely for Conrad’s, he says, “but it definitely helped.”

selection of soft-serve options (34 flavors to be exact), way beyond the simple chocolate and vanilla offered at most other shops. Bring your dairy-free friends to enjoy Ernie’s Italian ices as well as ice cream made with almond milk or oat milk.

• 107 Westwood Ave., Westwood, 201.664.2895; conrads1928.com

• 255 Valley Blvd., Wood-Ridge, 201.728.4889; fmcafe.net

Cranberry Junction Ice Cream and Hot Dogs, Hackensack. This sweet little storefront has been serving up classic flavors since 2015. As the name suggests, the cranberry-colored ice cream shop is nestled right next to the train tracks. Sit at one of the establishment’s many picnic tables and entertain the kids with the real-life version of their favorite toy. • 19 Temple Ave., Hackensack, 201.546.8966; cranberryjunctionicecream.com

Daniela’s Ice Cream, Closter. I scream, you scream, we all scream for Daniela’s. This Closter corner store sells the classics with a sprinkling of flair. Earl Grey, ginger, key lime—the mouth waters at the thought of these exciting flavors. Here, fresh ingredients and small-scale production combine to ensure satisfaction with every bite. • 234 Closter Dock Rd., Closter, 201.428.9600; danielasicecream.com

Ernie’s Ice Cream, Mahwah. This windowservice ice cream shop has been bringing crowds to Mahwah every summer since 2010. Try its Mississippi mud pie or lemon-barflavored hard ice cream. There’s also a large

• 78 Franklin Tpk., Mahwah, 201.252.8373; erniesicecream.wixsite.com

FM Cafe, Wood-Ridge. Come to this lovely storefront for a taste of Italy. You’ll find gelato and tartufo sundaes, bubble waffles and more. The menu may be small, but the gelato packs a real flavor punch. Francy’s Artisanal Ice Cream, Bergenfield. As of May 2021, Francy’s is Bergen County’s new ice creamery. Here you’ll find flavors such as gianduja crunch and cannoli. Though new, Francy’s is already making a name for itself. • 461 S. Washington Ave., Bergenfield, 201.942.6282

Ice Cream on Grand, Englewood. This ice cream sure is grand. With classic and novel flavors (passion fruit and yuzu), you can play it safe here or try something new. This spot is kosher too. • 523 Grand Ave., Englewood, 201.569.5346; icecreamongrand.com

Van Dyk’s, Ridgewood. With a plethora of flavors of rich, creamy ice cream, it’s no surprise there’s always a crowd out front here. It’s the favorite ice cream spot of many Bergenites—such as Alyssa Pagliei of Midland Park, who says, “When the weather’s nice, I often walk there with my friends. It’s the best local spot around.” (Needn’t bring credit cards; this classic joint is cash only.) • 145 Ackerman Ave., Ridgewood, 201.444.1429; vandyksicecream.com

GOT OAT? These shops serve creamy alternative non-dairy options for your ice cream fix: Ice Cream by Mike, Ridgewood. If you love ice cream but must avoid dairy products, this is the place for you. Besides regular ice cream, it offers vegan options in popular flavors such as vanilla and chocolate, as well as cookies and coconut. Crave something salty? You’ll even find hand-cut fries here. • 305 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 201.343.4514; icecreambymike.com

Sprinklez, Hillsdale. With rainbow cones and, of course, sprinkles, this Hillsdale shop is probably the most colorful one on the list. It offers regular ice creams and 10 flavors of vegan ice creams made with coconut milk—feel free to bring the whole family. If you’re hyper-hungry, try the Big Mama, a 32-ounce shake made with flavors of your choosing. • 130 Broadway, Hillsdale, 201.497.5515; sprinklezhillsdale.com

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, East Rutherford. While this cute chain offers both dairy and non-dairy ice cream options, its vegan ice creams are all the rage. They’re so creamy and flavorful, even non vegans forgo dairy for a scoop of vegan vanilla almond butter cup. Try all the flavors in a delectable waffle cone! • 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, 551.248.4957; vanleeuwenicecream.com

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ICE IS NICE These Bergen County locations may serve other sweets, but all eyes are on their Italian ices: Clyde’s, Garfield. Italian ice is the specialty here. Served in classic paper cups and packed with heaping scoops, the nice ice puts smiles on faces of all ages. And fear not, ice cream lovers! You’ll find the creamy treat as well. In July and August, stop by on Mondays for $2 soft-serve. • 48 Gaston Ave., Garfield, 973.546.2760

Lyndhurst Pastry Shop, Lyndhurst. Italian ice in a pastry shop? We wouldn’t have it any other way. With regular Italian ices, sugar-free options and cream Italian ices made with milk powder, you’ll be able to please the entire family here. Christina Alberti of Lyndhurst gives us the inside scoop on one of the shop’s best flavors. (Trust her; she works there!) It’s cannoli cream. She likes that it has chocolate chips and “tastes just like real cannoli cream.” • 256 Ridge Rd., Lyndhurst, 201.939.3951; lyndhurstpastryshop.com

Ralph’s Famous Italian Ice, Hasbrouck Heights. This East Coast chain is a stop you need to make when the sugar cravings hit. Try Ralph’s Italian ices and sherbets. Want something different? Opt for the popular twisters: Italian ice layered with creamy soft-serve ice cream. • 239 Boulevard, Hasbrouck Heights; 201.393.4891; ralphsices.com

Rita’s Italian Ice, multiple locations. Rita’s is a crowd pleaser, with stores across Bergen County. Get a classic Italian ice or a frozen custard to cool off after a long summer day. Can’t decide? The two combine in Rita’s famous gelati. • 1020 Maple Ave., Glen Rock, 201.447.4827; 184 Essex St., D-2, Lodi, 201.843.0882; 3 Miller Rd., Mahwah, 201.529.4237; 50 River Rd., North Arlington, 201.998.7482; 191–2 Hackensack St., Wood-Ridge, 201.804.9333; ritasice.com

Uncle Louie G’s Italian Ice and Ice Cream, multiple locations. This chain offers a sweet escape here in Bergen that you’d otherwise have to find down the Shore. With pastel colors and candy-striped accents, even the storefronts make you feel like a kid on the boardwalk. Carol Sahagian of Oradell says: “Uncle Louie G’s has the best Italian ice ever! It tastes like ice cream (very creamy), with way fewer calories.” She favors chocolate mousse and chocolate peanut butter cup. • 96 E. Main St., Ramsey, 201.962.2272; 111 W. Pleasant Ave., 201.909.5151; 135 Park Ave., Park Ridge, 201.690.6719; unclelouiegee.com

JULY 2021

6/18/21 11:53 AM

4 SPOOKY SPOTS

Friday the 13th is coming right up—in August. If you want to embrace a case of the chills, head to these haunts: • The French Burying Ground. Established in 1677, this New Milford cemetery is the oldest in the county. Many gravestones have deteriorated and are no longer legible. Though some grave markers have been destroyed, there are remains here that date back before our country’s founding. “When I went to see the cemetery,” recalls New Milford’s Samantha Kim, “seeing such old graves made the place give off a kind of eerie vibe.” Sacré bleu! • The Devil’s Tower. The site on Esplanade Road in Alpine dates from 1910. It’s rumored that Manuel Rionda and his wife built it to enjoy the Manhattan view. Allegedly, after Rionda’s wife spotted her husband with another woman, she flung herself off the tower—and supposedly she haunts it to this day. “It’s a strange thing to find in the middle of all these mansions,” says New Milford resident Chloe Youngs, who visited the tower recently. “It seems to pop out of nowhere and immediately seems creepy.” Mrs. Rionda was evidently out when Youngs came calling, but there was a ghostly feeling anyway. • Steuben House. This Revolutionary War landmark in River Edge was George Washington’s headquarters for 16 days in 1780 but has now grown infamous for its ghost. Legend says deceased former resident General F.W.A. von Steuben returned to the home and asked the new resident what was happening in the war. The new homeowner was confused, as the war had ended more than 200 years prior. According to the story, the ghost then disappeared with a perplexed look. Recently Emerson Junior-Senior High School history teacher Jennifer Norato visited the house and had an eerie experience, “I felt a chill,” she says. “And while I didn’t see anyone, I just had this feeling I wasn’t alone.” • Blauvelt Cemetery. This Harrington Park site dates back to 1722 and, according to legend, hosts numerous ghosts. Locals have reported seeing odd shadows, orbs and mists. Harrington Park’s Renee Scherer remembers that when she visited, “some of the tombstones were so old they were worn thin. It was very creepy.” Scherer did not witness the infamous shadows, she says, but was “creeped out” nevertheless.

{ BERGEN BUZZ }

BEAR NECESSITIES What to do if you see a black bear? With the weather warming and more of us heading outside, that’s not an idle question. Reports of bear sightings in our area are on the rise. “People always need to be aware of the environment they’re in,” says James Koth, director of the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation. “When you’re out enjoying nature, remember you’re in someone else’s backyard. We’re sharing space, and the animals that live here are part of what makes Bergen County special.” Don’t invite bears by leaving garbage containers unsecured or food items lying around. But if you do see one, the department recommends that you: • Be still. If the bear is a safe distance away it is likely not a threat. Witnessing a bear in the wild can be a wonderful experience, but never move toward the bear, corner it or try to feed it. Make sure the bear always has space and an escape route. • But don’t be silent. If you do need to frighten the bear away, say the parks officials, be loud. They recommend yelling, stomping your feet and waving your arms over your head. Black bears are naturally skittish and usually can be scared off easily. If bears wander regularly into your yard, it is possible to condition them to fear the area and thus avoid it— noise is the key here too. The department recommends making loud sounds, such as banging pots and pans, and shouting to keep bears away.

NICE SLICE This spring, Food & Wine magazine named New Jersey the best pizza state in America. Well, of course. And Kinchley’s Tavern in Ramsey, a long-established eatery known for its thin crust, got a shoutout for exemplifying the “tavern pizza culture of North Jersey.” Says Kinchley’s general manager Gerry Calderwood: “The biggest key to our success is that we don’t skimp on the ingredients. Also, we have very low turnover in our kitchen. Some of the guys have been here between 20 and 40 years.” Calderwood says that even during the pandemic’s peak, when his dining room was closed, Kinchley’s was selling the same amount of pizzas for takeout as before COVID because it had a loyal fan base. “Now our dining room is open,” he adds. “We’re back to full capacity and there are lines out the door.”

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CAN THE ARTS BE HEALING? If you believe creative work can be a force for reconciliation and understanding in society, here’s your chance to prove it with art of your own. For its 2021–2022 season, the Healing Hands program at Ramapo College is looking for new work by “musicians, theater artists, dancers, filmmakers and other performing artists.” The works-in-progress should reflect “how the arts are contributing to healing in these challenging times.” That could mean, for example, addressing the impacts of COVID-19, current struggles for racial and social justice, the polarized political climate or changes in climate itself. This project is run by the college’s Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts on the Mahwah campus. The application deadline is July 29; artists will be notified of their selection by Sept. 1. If your work is selected, you’ll get a chance to perform it or show it (in a 25-to-30-minute presentation) next February. You’ll also receive $800 and the opportunity to take part in a post-performance discussion of how artists, in creating new work, draw on world events. (Find out more at ramapo. edu/berriecenter.)

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C H I LT O N

MEDICAL CENTER NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR PATIENT SAFETY

Once again Atlantic Health System’s Chilton Medical Center has been awarded an “A” in patient safety by the Leapfrog Group. What’s more, Healthgrades recognized Chilton Medical Center with the Patient Safety Excellence Award, placing us among the top 5% in the nation for patient safety.

To learn more visit atlantichealth.org/chilton

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{ BERGEN BUZZ }

WHAT’S THE TEA ON BUBBLE TEA? Bubble tea, also called boba, is a Taiwanese drink made of black tea, milk, ice and chewy tapioca balls the size of marbles. Though boba should not be consumed daily like coffee due to its high caloric content (not to mention its lack of protein and fiber), it’s a nice summer pick-me-up once in a while when you need a refreshing beverage and a yummy burst of caffeine. Try these bubble-tea spots: CoCo Bubble Tea serves the signature bubble tea in both hot and cold varieties, along with milk teas in various flavors sans the tapioca balls. All teas here are gluten-free and whipped with non-dairy creamer. • 450 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, 201.820.2677; cocobubbletea.com

BLOCK-PARTY BLISS Restaurants acted quickly last year when capacity limits were imposed in response to the coronavirus— they expanded outdoor dining to allow for more customers. For many eateries, that meant blocking off cars in the streets to create a plaza of sorts to allow people to walk around freely and more tables to be set up outside, giving a fun, “block party” feel to many of the county’s downtown areas. Even with the easing of dining restrictions this year, towns outside Bergen County such as Westfield, Jersey City, Asbury Park and New Brunswick have confirmed plans for pedestrian plazas this summer. But as of press time, Rutherford is the only Bergen town who’s solidified its plans: Dining Out Rutherford resumes Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer (weather permitting) from 4 to 11 p.m., when Park Avenue from the library to Ames Avenue will close to vehicular traffic to allow ample distancing in the restaurants’ outdoor dining areas. Here’s where things stand for other towns: • Ridgewood is still figuring out its plan for a pedestrian plaza. Though making room for more patrons has benefits, some of the village’s business owners worry that limitations on parking nearby have made pickups and curbside orders more difficult. Last summer, street closures went from East Ridgewood across to Walnut, Broad, Prospect and Oak streets on weekends from 7 to 11 p.m., but this year it’s all TBD. There’s been no word on a potential pedestrian plaza plan in Fort Lee, Closter, Westwood, Ramsey or Englewood, each of which has its own downtown area. Stay tuned!

A PRODIGIOUS TALENT We first told you about Hackensack native and jazz pianist Matthew Whitaker in December 2018. At 11, he began performing around the world. His blindness wasn’t the point; it was his music. “When I was very young, I used to play nursery rhymes on a keyboard my grandfather gave me,” recalls Whitaker, now 20. “As I grew older, I constantly listened to music on my adaptive devices.” Soon he realized he wanted to become a professional musician. In recent years the artist has been showcased on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and 60 Minutes, and he’s performed at the Exit 0 Jazz Festival in Cape May. DeGeneres, he says, was “very nice and funny, as was everyone I met.” For the past two years Whitaker has attended the Juilliard School’s jazz studies program. He’ll release a new album in August— fans can find it on his website, matthewwhitaker.net, alongside his previous records.

OH, DEER! Deer are majestic creatures that are entertaining to observe— but that can also decimate a garden. Many homeowners face frustration trying to keep deer away from their precious flowers. Katie Kearney, garden manager at Eisele’s Nursery and Garden Center in Paramus, reminds us that no plant is deer-proof if a deer is hungry enough. But there are deer-resistant plants, including butterfly bush, geranium, salvia and zinnia. They’re what deer usually eat last. Kearney recommends Deer Out, an organic spray comprising garlic, mint, lemon and grass oil that deters deer. Spraying one’s flowers and lawn on a regular basis makes it less likely for deer to want to eat in the vicinity.

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Gong Cha is a chain with five Bergen locations (Paramus, Palisades Park, Fort Lee, Ridgewood and Closter) that sell bubble tea and only bubble tea. The “series” from which to choose are milk foam, milk tea, slush, tea latte and “the creative series,” which features inventive beverages such as lemon wintermelon with basil seeds. • Multiple locations, gongchausa.com

Moge Tee Fort Lee’s fan favorite menu items include cheesefoam dragonfruit tea and strawberry cheese tea. But vegans or those who don’t eat dairy should try the brown sugar bubble milk tea, purple yam bubble milk tea and superfruit green tea, each authentic and delish. • 2029 Lemoine Ave. #102, Fort Lee, 201.849.5082; mogeteeusa.com

Village Tea Shop has a Google review calling it “the best bubble tea anywhere.” This shop lets you select not only your flavor (matcha, taro, vanilla, etc.), but also your level of sweetness, amount of ice and extra toppings or balls of choice. • 2 S. Maple Ave., Ridgewood, 201.857.0230; villageteashop.net

Vivi Bubble Tea is probably not the place to go if you’re indecisive—this shop has five categories of bubble teas, including cream floats, yakult probiotics, fresh fruit, milk teas and organic milk teas. Vivi has signature drinks too, such as Oreo crème brûlée and pineapple mango jelly tea. • 37 Broad Ave., Palisades Park, 201.942.2566; vivibubbletea.com

Zai’s Dessertery isn’t a bubble-tea-only shop like some of the others, but doesn’t it make sense to get your dessert tea from a baker who specializes in desserts? Zai’s delish teas come in many flavors: coconut, taro, mango, cappuccino, strawberry, honeydew, avocado and plain bubble milk. • 108 North Washington Ave., Bergenfield, 201.771.7000; 22B Union Ave., Cresskill, 201.266.8959; zaisdesserts. com

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{ FOR MEN ONLY }

Short Story Swim trunks in neon hues and fun prints will keep you looking cool this summer.

Swim trunks by Fedeli, Neiman Marcus, Paramus, 201.291.1920, and Vilebrequin, Bloomingdale’s, Hackensack, 201.457.2000

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JULY 2021

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We transplant kidneys. Kidney donors transform lives. When you need a kidney transplant, the right treatment can help restore the quality of life you had before. As the tri-state area’s largest kidney transplant center, Saint Barnabas Medical Center is at the forefront of kidney transplants. We created New Jersey’s first and only Living Donor Institute, and our living donor program is one of the nation’s largest. From creative donor matching to outstanding patient care, our comprehensive approach is designed to get you back to the life you should be living. Learn more at rwjbh.org/kidneytransplant

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{ STYLE WATCH }

ANTHROPOLOGIE FLORAL JUMPSUIT Anthropologie, Edgewater, 201.941.1112

THE J. PETERMAN COMPANY YOUR WEEKEND DRESS jpeterman.com

GUCCI LIBERTY FLORAL PRINT CREPE SHIRT Gucci, Paramus, 201.368.4723

BIANCA BALTI THE BLUE HEIGHTS MATERNITY DRESS biancabalti.com

Give Me Liberty!

ELIZABETH TANA LAWN COTTON ROBE libertylondon.com

These mini florals, or liberty prints, synonymous with the London department store that made them a century ago, are as fresh as ever.

VANS MADE WITH LIBERTY FABRIC OLD SKOOL TAPERED Snipes, Teterboro, 201.288.1495

J.CREW PULL-ON CAMP SHORT J. Crew, Woodcliff Lake, 201.391.4123 BERGENMAG.COM

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{ JEWELRY BOX }

KENDRA SCOTT HARLOW GOLD STATEMENT NECKLACE IN AQUA APATITE Precious Accents, Englewood, 201.567.6001

Teal the Truth

SYDNEY EVAN PURE LOVE TURQUOISE BEADED NECKLACE Neiman Marcus, Paramus, 201.291.1920

ANTIQUE ART NOUVEAU TURQUOISE AND GOLD RING rubylane.com

JUDE FRANCES TURQUOISE AND GOLD DIAMOND EARRING CHARMS Neiman Marcus, Paramus

You’re just as excited about these gold and turquoise pieces as we are! Right? LIKA BEHAR SLEEPING BEAUTY TURQUOISE BAND Devon Fine Jewelry, Wyckoff, 201.848.8489 TAYLOR AND TESSIER LARGE TURQUOISE GOLD CUFF taylorandtessier. com

TIFFANY T WIDE TURQUOISE WIRE BRACELET Tiffany & Co., Hackensack, 201.457.1220

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{ HOME FRONT }

PATRIOTIC RED WHITE AND BLUE REVERSIBLE RUG SLICE overstock.com

POLYWOOD RED POLYMER MODERN ADIRONDACK CHAIR Fortunoff Backyard Store, Paramus, 201.262.1700

SAFAVIEH BEACH HOUSE MIMA OUTDOOR RUG Safavieh, Paramus, 201.291.0200

Red, White & Blue

LOWES NO-TILT MARKET PATIO UMBRELLA Lowe’s, East Rutherford, 201.231.6040

Add some patriotic pride to your outdoor space with these flag-inspired finds.

GSI OUTDOORS CASCADIAN 1-PERSON TABLE SET Ramsey Outdoor, Ramsey, 201.327.8141

BARLOW TYRIE AURA MODULAR TWOSEATER SOFA Backyard Living, Ridgewood, 201.689.9111

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PILLOW PERFECT OUTDOOR/ INDOOR POLKA DOT TUFTED SEAT CUSHIONS Target, Closter, 201.367.1405 JULY 2021

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{ HEALTH NEWS } BUDDING HAPPINESS

INFLAMMATION FIGHTER

Fresh flowers don’t just look nice, they’re a mood lifter and stress buster, according to a recent study.

Antioxidants— specifically ergothioneine, selenium and glutathione— found in mushrooms help fight inflammation. The highest levels are found in oyster, shiitake and porcini varieties.

—University of North Florida

—Food Chemistry

DESK GREENS

Gazing at green potted plants for three minutes reduced stress in office workers, according to a recent study. —HortTechnology

STATIN SIDE EFFECTS

A recent study found that 50 percent of women and 43 percent of men taking statins (to lower cholesterol) reported adverse side effects such as muscle pain and brain fog. Other study participants were found to have elevated blood sugar levels and liver problems. Women were twice as likely to discontinue the drugs because of ill effects. —Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes

SPEED IT UP

Researchers found that when couples who walk at different speeds walked together, the faster person slowed down to accommodate his or her slower partner. However, researchers note that gait speed is a sign of overall fitness, thus it’s healthier for the slow poke to speed up. They note that mixing in yoga and strength training with walking may help slower walkers to speed up. —Gait & Posture

The percentage increase of head and neck melanomas from 1995 to 2014, especially in non-Hispanic white men aged 15 to 39. And of all the people who die of melanoma, more than 60 percent are among this population.

3.7 BILLION

The number of cups of tea consumed daily around the world. That’s good news, as both green and black teas have been found to lower blood pressure. —Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry

—JAMA Dermatology

ASK FOR THE MOON

But not if you want a good night’s sleep! A new study found that people experienced worsened sleep in the three to five days leading up to the full moon. Researchers posit that our circadian rhythms are affected by the phases of the moon. —Science Advances

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—Compiled by Paul Rance Jr.

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{ HEALTHY LIVING }

TEST YOUR SUMMER SAFETY SAVVY Keeping this season injury-free for your family starts with knowledge—assess yours with 10 quick questions.

We’re all excited about 2021 being a relatively normal summer. But as we return to outdoor activities and social gatherings, it’s imperative that we have common sense—and some basic knowledge—about warm-weather injuries and how to prevent them. Joseph P. Underwood III, M.D., professor and chair of emergency medicine at Hackensack University Medical Center, says that his Emergency Department (ED) sees many preventable injuries and conditions this time of year, such as “heat-related strokes and exhaustion; tick-borne illness and food-borne illness from raw BERGENMAG.COM

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seafood and shellfish; as well as allergic reactions to bee stings or even poison oak or ivy.” Kids are at greater risk in summertime for accidents related to drowning, lawn mowers, trampolines and fireworks, says Dr. Underwood, while elderly residents who don’t have air conditioning occasionally arrive at the ED with body temperatures as high as a dangerous 105 degrees. These “true-false” questions aren’t brain busters, but they’ll help you assess your knowledge to tell if you’re up to speed on keeping your whole family safe this summer.

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ANSWERS 1. True. 2. False. A “broad spectrum” product works against both UVA and UVB rays. 3. True. 4. False. A tourniquet is not recommended for snakebites. 5. True. 6. True. 7. False. Some prescription medicines can pose a problem if you go swimming or boating while taking them. Check with your physician. 8. True. 9. False. Water wings aren’t enough to protect against drowning; a full, appropriately sized and properly secured life jacket is needed. 10. True.

1. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage unprotected skin in as little as 15 minutes. ❑ True ❑ False 2. A “broad-spectrum” sunscreen protects only against UVA rays. ❑ False ❑ True 3. Taking an oatmeal bath is one way to relieve poison ivy irritation. ❑ False ❑ True 4. If a snake bites you, experts suggest applying a tourniquet right away. ❑ True ❑ False 5. When exercising outside on hot, humid days, it’s best to avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine. ❑ False ❑ True 6. An ice pack can help reduce swelling after an insect sting. ❑ True ❑ False 7. If a medication has been prescribed by your doctor, that means it’s safe to go swimming while taking it. ❑ True ❑ False 8. At its worst, untreated heatstroke can cause damage to several organs. ❑ True ❑ False 9. Water wings will prevent a young child from drowning. ❑ True ❑ False 10. Sunburned eyes are at increased risk for cataracts. ❑ True ❑ False

5 TIPS FOR WARM DAYS

When the weather’s bright and beautiful it’s only natural to want to be outdoors. But protect yourself by heeding these five suggestions, advises Joseph P. Underwood III, M.D., who heads the Emergency Department at Hackensack University Medical Center: • Apply liberal amounts of sunscreen that is sweat- and water-resistant, and reapply every two hours when in the sun. • Carry water with you in case of a vehicle breakdown on the side of the road. • Be prepared to cool the body down—a light mist of water, running hands under cold water, etc. • Wear lightweight, long sleeves, and always have a hat on hand to increase your sun protection factor (SPF). • Wear life jackets if boating and a helmet and protective gear when biking, rollerblading or skateboarding. BERGENMAG.COM

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{ HEALTHY LIVING }

DRINK UP!

A doctor’s tips help you stay hydrated—and healthy— during the dog days of summer.

Run a mile in the hot sun and your body will tell you loud and clear: “Water needed!” But humans need to take in sufficient fluid—hydration, it’s called—even when we’re not panting and sweating profusely, and we don’t always get it. Adequate hydration, says the American Heart Association, is needed to make sure your heart can pump enough blood to the rest of your body. Extreme dehydration can cause problems such as heatstroke, a condition marked by very high temperatures, a cessation of sweating and collapse. How much water is enough? “On average, an adult should be drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day,” says Diane Schwartz, M.D., internal medicine physician at Englewood Health. (That’s a bit less than two liters.) “On hot summer days, that should increase to 12 8-ounce glasses, and if we are sweating a lot, such as during exercise, or if we have a fever, we need to increase our intake by one to two glasses daily.” To make sure you’re properly hydrated: • Keep a bottle handy. Having a container near or at your desk is a good way to remind yourself to sip. And “room temperature [fairly cool] water is easier to tolerate in large amounts than ice-cold water,” says Dr. Schwartz. You can also add flavor drops to your water if you like, she says. “You should do whatever you can to achieve your water goal.”

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• Vary your liquids. We can fulfill our daily hydration goal by consuming drinks other than regular H20. “Many beverages can count toward our daily goal,” says the doctor, “but they must be non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic, as caffeine and alcohol act as diuretics.” (Diuretics help the body get rid of water.) • Skip the sports drinks. Like non-diet sodas, these products deliver fluid with the excess baggage of considerable sugar and unneeded calories. The added electrolytes and minerals they also provide can have value for serious athletes engaged in vigorous exercise, but most of us don’t require them. • When in doubt, check your pee. “If your urine is basically clear, you are adequately hydrated,” says Dr. Schwartz. “The darker the urine, the more you need to drink to correct it.”

H20 + EXTRA ZING

Need motivation to hydrate? Keep water cold and consider these healthy add-ins (besides flavored drops) for plain or carbonated water: • a squeeze or slices of orange • raspberries, blueberries or blackberries (can be frozen in advance) • pineapple chunks • mint sprigs • grated fresh ginger • a splash of unsweetened juice, such as cranberry

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{ SPECIAL REPORT }

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WILL LOCAL GYMS MAKE IT?

A six-month shutdown drastically altered Bergen’s workout scene. As the pandemic recedes, it’s unclear how things will work out. By Leslie Garisto Pfaff

Inside Odyssey Athletic Center’s cardio room, the ellipticals, steppers and treadmills gleam, and in the spin room, a mural of snow-dusted mountains and evergreens sets off the rows of cycles lined up on the newly installed floor. It’s business as usual at the family-owned Waldwick gym—sort of. On May 24, New Jersey lifted capacity limits on gyms and fitness centers. But even now, nine months after gyms were allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity, the public is returning slowly, still feeling the sting of a pandemic that upended life as we knew it. Douglas Kirchner, Odyssey’s owner, estimates that membership is now 40 percent of prepandemic levels. That’s great for members who prefer not to work out in a crowd, but it’s not so great for Kirchner and other gym owners in Bergen, most of whom are scrambling to attract new members and convince old members to return.

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{ SPECIAL REPORT } “Gyms have gotten crushed,” Kirchner says. “We’re struggling to survive.” Bergen’s gyms were shuttered for six months during the pandemic, an economic hit that not all facilities were able to absorb. The chains Gold’s Gym, 24 Hour Fitness and Town Sports International (owner of New York Sports Clubs) filed for Chapter 11 restructuring, and 24 Hour Fitness permanently closed facilities in Saddle Brook and Hasbrouck Heights. Fear of contracting COVID-19 undoubtedly kept many people away when gyms began to reopen, but now, as the pandemic starts to recede, clients have another reason not to come back: The pandemic forced them to pursue fitness in other ways, and many came to prefer that new normal. When gyms were locked down, Garfield resident B. A. Jenkins switched to high-intensity walking and YouTube workouts and found that she enjoyed them. “Though I’ve gone back to the gym sparingly to use the equipment,” she says, “I may just cut the cost and continue home workouts.” As clients weigh their options and facilities work to restore membership, the future of Bergen’s gyms is very much at stake. It’s clear that the pandemic affected gyms, and gym attendance, in very fundamental ways. What isn’t clear is whether those changes are simply temporary or here to stay.

A WIDE-OPEN WELCOME BACK

If you’re returning to the gym for the first time since March 2020, you’re unlikely to encounter crowds or full classes. Even gyms experiencing dramatic membership upticks are still significantly below their prepandemic numbers. “We had more than 300 sign-ups for the month of May, but we’re still off about 20 percent,” says Laurie Schroeder, manager of Retro Fitness in Tenafly. She notes that Retro may be benefiting from its relatively low prices—and from the fact that “there’s nothing around us anymore—most of our competitors closed.” In more than a few Bergen gyms, classes have taken a particular hit. Many are still listing a full roster of classes on their websites, but without sufficient sign-ups, those classes aren’t necessarily running. Unless gyms can beef up membership quickly, they may not be able to survive, and that’s especially true for independently owned facilities like Odyssey. “Big companies like 24 Hour Fitness and LA Fitness go bankrupt, they restructure, and they come back stronger,” says Kirchner. “I can’t do that.” Summer is traditionally a slow time for gyms, as people go on vacation and/or head outdoors for exercise, but some gyms may not be able to ride out the

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summer months. To help with expenses— rent, in particular—Kirchner is planning to start a GoFundMe campaign. During the pandemic, many gyms tried to stay afloat by offering remote workouts, and some customers found they actually preferred the convenience of fitness via Zoom. Fitness industry analysts expect the trend to continue, even after the pandemic has faded into memory. The Planet Fitness chain, for instance, developed a series of at-home workouts in tandem with the interactive fitness platform iFit, and it has no plans to discontinue the remote option anytime soon. In Paramus, Equinox continues to offer classes remotely through the Equinox+ app. Blink, which has Bergen locations in Paramus and Lodi, offers three remote fitness options: through its app, via Facebook and with a personal trainer. During the pandemic, Energy Fitness & Performance Center in Cresskill offered both remote classes and remote personal training and will likely continue with both, as long as there’s sufficient client interest. “If that’s someone’s preference,” says owner Steven Mitchell, “we’ve acclimated to that style of training.” In fact, remote workouts existed before lockdown made them a necessity. Englewood resident and health and wellness coach Hilary Russo, for instance, has been working out with Daily Burn 365, one of the first online

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This page, independently owned gyms like Odyssey Athletic Center in Waldwick don’t have the ability to restructure after bankruptcy like some of the big fitness franchises do, making it harder for them to survive. Opposite page, Retro Fitness, with a half dozen locations in Bergen County, is seeing an uptick in membership since 2020, which could be due to lower prices and less competition. Still, numbers aren’t where they were before the pandemic.

fitness programs, for the past five years and found it indispensable during the height of the pandemic for the sense of community it offered. She plans to continue with it even after COVID fears have passed. “This is the future,” she says. “We’re all learning how to adapt to the digital age.” Like many who’ve moved their fitness online—whether through a gym’s app or an all-remote program like Daily Burn—she likes the fact that there’s no commute involved, freeing up some sorely needed personal time.

BARGAIN RATES

If you’re considering investing in a new gym membership—or renewing an old one—this may be the perfect time to do so, at least financially. To coax you through their doors, many gyms are offering lower prices and other incentives. “We’ve lowered our rates to try to get people back in, and we had to adjust our model,” says Odyssey’s Kirchner. “We don’t have contracts anymore—it’s month-to-month, because people are afraid to commit.” As membership numbers climb, of course, gym fees overall may rise. They

could also go up for a different reason: Traditionally, gym owners have relied on no-shows—members who sign up, but rarely, if ever, actually use the gym—to keep prices reasonable. But at least some facilities, including Tenafly’s Retro, are reporting a much lower percentage of no-shows. “Usually, lots of people sign up and don’t come,” says Schroeder, “but that hasn’t been the case recently—people who join the gym are using it.” If that cushion of numerous no-shows isn’t restored, some gyms may be forced to charge more. Will we all stumble, blinking, back into the fluorescent brightness of our favorite gyms? Or will we stick with our Pelotons, remote workouts and convenient at-home regimens? If Scott Churchson is any example, the latter may be more likely. The Lodi resident left his gym during the pandemic and started to work out at home with free weights and calisthenics, eventually dropping 25 pounds. He joined another gym in March but hasn’t used it. “I’m aiming to cancel that membership,” he says. On the other hand, there’s Jodi Lin Gresham, a self-avowed “gym rat” living BERGENMAG.COM

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in Wyckoff. “I haven’t been back in the gym since the beginning of the pandemic,” she says. Instead, she explains, she has chosen to work out via Zoom with a crew of friends and fellow fitness enthusiasts and to take classes offered by a neighbor on her driveway. She calls the experience “fantastic.” Still, she says, “I believe I will go back to the gym, assuming masks don’t need to be worn.” As one of a growing number of people who work, at least part time, from home, she embraces the communal aspect of gym-going. “It’s a great way to be social when you otherwise see very few people during a workday,” she says. That jibes with Laurie Schroeder’s observation that many of the members who returned first after Retro reopened were seniors, a group that often sees the gym as a key place to socialize. That observation should buoy the county’s gym owners as they struggle to get back to normal, or at least to a financially viable new normal. “People say, ‘I’ll go later; I’ve canceled but I’ll go back,’” says Odyssey’s Kirchner. “Well, we’re not going to be here if you don’t come back.”

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{ BEAUTY }

A WORLD OF BEAUTY TIPS Secrets from 7 lands can help your skin and hair look their finest. By Rita Guarna

When you think about it, it doesn’t make sense that any one nation should have a monopoly on beauty. O.K., the French are probably the world’s peerless dressers, but when it comes to keeping skin glowing and hair shimmering, even they can benefit from a tip or two. It pays for us all to tap international wisdom, which can be as simple as a local ingredient that natives have used for generations. So try these ideas—call them the seven small wonders of the beauty world:

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From Brazil:

Go for the gloss with avocado. Sun and surf wreak havoc on summer locks, making hair brittle and lackluster. Rich in vitamins A, D and E, fatty acids and potassium, avocado penetrates hair follicles for maximum moisture. The result: shiny tresses.

From Sweden:

Get great skin with ice water. There’s a reason Nordic complexions look dewy: water. Scandinavians drink plenty of H20 to promote blood flow. But for a beauty boost, women start and end each day by splashing ice-cold water on their faces. The rite helps rev circulation, minimize pores and reduce puffiness.

I’m from São Paulo, and when it comes to my beauty routine, my hair is probably the thing I care most about. Avocado is great to use every few weeks when my hair is feeling particularly dull. Mix it with water so it’s less clumpy, and focus on the ends when massaging it into your hair because that’s where most of the damage is.” —Catherine Marques, Allendale

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Boricha was our water alternative at our home since I was little. Boiling pre-roast barley in a large pot was my mom’s daily morning routine. I still enjoy drinking the tea, cold in summer and hot in winter. I love the nutty flavor and many health benefits—not to mention how it preserves my skin’s elasticity.” —Kijoo Kim, Hillsdale

From South Korea:

Firm up skin with barley tea. Roasted barley tea, or boricha, is chock-full of vitamin C and beta-carotene; plus it’s loaded with lysine, an amino acid known for promoting collagen growth, which improves skin’s elasticity. The antioxidants in the tea protect skin by reducing free-radical production.

From Tahiti:

Make scars fade with tamanu oil. The oil of the tamanu nut contains anti-inflammatory properties, making it helpful in treating scars and stretch marks as it speeds formation of new skin tissue. Its high fatty acid content makes it a good moisturizer. One caution: Avoid this oil if you’re allergic to nuts.

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From Australia:

Fight acne with tea tree oil. The aborigines have long used tea tree oil from the paperbark tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, to treat a host of skin woes. Because of its antiseptic and antifungal properties, the oil kills bacteria. One study in the Medical Journal of Australia found it to be as effective as benzoyl peroxide for treating acne. And unlike peroxide, it doesn’t dry skin.

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From Uganda:

Prevent wrinkles with shea butter. African women shield their skin from intense sun with shea butter, extracted from the nut of the shea tree. Loaded with vitamins E and A, it prevents premature wrinkles and, because of its cinnamic acid, helps block UV rays.

From China:

Cut cellulite with dry body brushing. Chinese women keep their skin smooth with daily dry body brushing, which is said to enhance the body’s natural waste removal systems. Running a firm brush over the body loosens dead skin cells, naturally exfoliating it. Cellulite appears when fat deposits accumulate under the skin. Brushing softens these fat deposits, making it easier for the body to eliminate them.

Dry brushing exfoliates my skin, making it feel fresh and smooth. Afterward, I’m invigorated but also relaxed, which is a bonus.” —Betty Chiu, Upper Saddle River

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10 GREAT DAY TRIPS

Ready to travel again? These fun destinations are near enough to visit without an overnight stay. By Sophia Doyle and Meredith Tamirian

Even as the pandemic eases, packing your bags for New Zealand or Kathmandu may still be out of your comfort zone. But you needn’t have a stay-at-home summer. Happily, you can indulge your inner vagabond much closer to your Bergen County base and still forge indelible travel memories. The 10 visit-worthy spots here, for example, are all within a two-hour drive; they’re listed with an approximate travel time. BERGENMAG.COM

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VAN GOGH IMMERSIVE EXHIBIT New York, N.Y.

Distance from Bergen: 45 minutes Highlights: This exhibit is a museum in itself. Created by visionary Massimiliano Siccardi, it offers high-quality videos and wall-length projections, combining the classic paintings of Van Gogh we all know and love with 21st century flair. Never again can your picky family members say art is boring. Relax, take pictures, take it all in. Moving music by composer Luca Longobardi accompanies this interactive exhibit. Bring the family or make it a date. Tickets start at $40; for children 6–16, $30. Things to do nearby: Because the exhibit is so popular, your journey through Irises and Starry Night will be timed. But don’t worry! The South Street Seaport is right nearby. Comprising some of downtown Manhattan’s oldest architecture and offering views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the city’s skyline, the Seaport District is a vibrant hub of culinary delights, outstanding entertainment and memorable fun. Stay for a rooftop movie at The Greens at Pier 17 or stop by Seaport Smorgasburg to enjoy delectable foods from any of its amazing vendors. For more information visit vangoghnyc.com.

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SILVER CANOE & WHITEWATER RAFTING Port Jervis, N.Y.

GOVERNORS ISLAND New York, N.Y.

Distance from Bergen: 1 hour Highlights: This island is only a short ferry ride from the city. While there, visitors can rent bikes, have a picnic and tour a military base. Each season there are nearly 100 programs that include public art exhibits, “historic photo” walking tours, a “teaching garden” featuring an aquaponics system and (on July 24–25 this year) the New York City Poetry Festival, with free readings, workshops and open mics. Things to do nearby: While you’re at Battery Park, catch the ferry to enjoy majestic views of the harbor and the Statue of Liberty. Do you have kids? They will love the Sea Glass Carousel and the new playscape scheduled to open this fall. For more information visit govisland.com.

Distance from Bergen: 1 hour, 15 minutes Highlights: Here, water-filled fun will put the adventurer in you to the test. Choose from a variety of different trips—rafting, canoeing, kayaking, tubing or fishing—and spend the day on the Delaware River with views of the beautiful New York mountains. Book your trip today with prices starting at $50 per adult and $25 for children 50 inches and under when accompanied by two adults (subject to a few exceptions). Per-person prices continue to drop as your group gets bigger. Bring as many as 30 people! With clear-cut rules and many different experiences available, the company invites those of all experience levels and capabilities. Things to do nearby: You’re just 30 minutes from the lively town of Warwick, N.Y., which offers dining options that range from sit-down restaurants to small ice cream shops. Get a little shopping done at Warwick’s many beautiful boutiques, or simply enjoy a walk about the town. For more information visit silvercanoe.com.

THE MET CLOISTERS New York, N.Y.

Distance from Bergen: 20 minutes Highlights: Calling all art and architecture lovers! This is the place for you—a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art that is focused solely on the art of the Middle Ages. This breathtaking, intricately designed historical museum overlooks the Hudson, displaying artwork alongside awe-inspiring architecture that mirrors a medieval European monastery. Here you’ll see famous art pieces such as the tapestry “The Unicorn Rests in a Garden.” The museum grounds also house a picturesque garden and a café in a courtyard setting for visitors to enjoy a relaxing lunch. Visitors may tour the museum on their own or receive an audio tour, available in multiple languages. Distance Things to do nearby: After enjoying the art, visitors can take a horse-drawn From BC carriage ride in Central Park or stop by St. Patrick’s Cathedral, admire the archimin tecturally magnificent church and sit in on a Mass. For more information visit metmuseum.org.

“The Met Cloisters has always been one of my favorite places in New York City. The architecture, the courtyards, the statues, the tapestries and other artwork transport the visitor to Europe in the Middle Ages.” —Melinda Rabbia, Oradell BERGENMAG.COM

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{ ESCAPES } AMERICAN DREAM (LEGOLAND + AQUARIUM) East Rutherford, N.J.

Distance from Bergen: *Located in the county, 15 minutes from Hackensack Highlights: Find your escape right here in Bergen at the long-anticipated American Dream Mall, which opened in 2021. This is no typical mall. Complete with Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland, it promises to pique the interest of all ages. For $43.99 per adult and $38.99 per child, gain admission to both Sea Life and Legoland for an all-day American Dream extravaganza. Legoland *Distance beckons youngsters to build in play zones, enjoy an interactive ride and From BC min marvel at a show in the 4D cinema. There’s no better place to foster your child’s imagination and creativity. Things to do nearby: Shopping and dining are available to round out your day. For more information visit americandream.com.

“The Sea Life Aquarium is an immersive experience. I went with my little cousins, who had a blast watching the fish swim right over their heads!” —Chris Barkachi, River Edge

Distance From BC min

NEW HOPE Pennsylvania

STORM KING ART CENTER Mountainville, N.Y.

Distance from Bergen: 1 hour, 30 minutes Highlights: This small artists’ haven offers amazing dining and shopping for the whole family. Antiques, boutiques and custom jewelry await you. But no worries if shopping isn’t your scene; other activities abound too. Take a relaxing and educational trip on a historic train through the Bucks County countryside, for example. Have a rebellious or curious teen? Stay after dark for the historic town’s famous ghost tours. Your tour may stop right outside the restaurant where you ate dinner. May we suggest the Logan Inn? Things to do nearby: Stay all day or walk the scenic bridge over the Delaware River to the charming, walkable little town of Lambertville, N.J.; when you reach the middle, straddle the New Jersey–Pennsylvania state line and snap some family pics. For more information check out visitnewhope.com.

Distance from Bergen: 55 minutes Highlights: This 500-acre outdoor sculpture garden is located in New York’s Hudson Valley. Visitors can enjoy enlarged art pieces while traversing the hills, meadows and forests within the outdoor museum’s grounds. Multiple sculptures tower into the sky, including Mark di Suvero’s E=MC2, 92 feet high. While inside the garden, visitors may rent bicycles to more easily maneuver the expansive area or catch a ride on the several shuttles. Multiple picnic tables are available throughout, giving visitors perfect spots to enjoy the art and eat their lunches, either brought from home or purchased at the onsite café. Things to do nearby: After enjoying nature and the exhibits, head over to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, only seven minutes from the sculpture garden, and learn about military history and those who have earned this award. For more information visit stormking.org.

“New Hope has art, antiques, good food and a lively nightlife. In addition, there are many historic areas for the curious to explore.”

“Storm King is one of my favorite places; each and every visit is a different experience. Whether I am seeing new art or more familiar pieces, walking the paths and trails gives me a new perspective. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon outdoors with friends.”

—Paul Florio, River Edge

—Dennis Gordon, Mahwah BERGENMAG.COM

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Distance From BC min

TURTLE BACK ZOO West Orange, N.J.

Distance From BC min

GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE Hamilton Township, N.J.

Distance from Bergen: 25 minutes Highlights: This expansive zoo sits on 20 acres and houses a multitude of animals, including Masai giraffes, African lions, jaguars and kangaroos. For those who want to get extra close to their favorite critters, the zoo offers behind-the-scenes tours of the giraffe barn and one-on-one conversations with the giraffe keepers. Things to do nearby: Located in the same parking complex is the South Mountain Ice Arena, where children and adults can go ice skating and beat the heat. Want to soar through the sky? Try out the TreeTop Adventure zipline and obstacle course next to the zoo. And if you’re tired from a long day of adventure, walk on over to the nearby Orange Reservoir, where you can relax by the water and take a leisurely paddle-boat ride. For more information visit turtlebackzoo.com.

Distance from Bergen: 1 hour, 30 minutes Highlights: This spectacular, 42-acre garden combines well-maintained foliage and contemporary sculptures created by world-renowned and local artists, providing beauty and art education to visitors just as founder Seward Johnson intended. Tickets are $18 for adults; free for children under 5. Discounts are available for students, healthcare workers and military veterans upon presenting ID. Besides guided tours of the sculpture garden, many educational and hands-on programs for children and adults are offered year-round; a list can be found on the company’s website. Sure, all the walking around that goes on in the garden could make you hungry—so we suggest Rat’s Restaurant, conveniently located right inside the garden. The restaurant itself is a work of art, with a building and landscape that suggest you’ve walked right into one of Monet’s paintings. Things to do nearby: Just 20 minutes away from the campuses of Princeton University and The College of New Jersey, Grounds for Sculpture is the perfect place to make a day out of a college visit. For more information visit groundsforsculpture.org.

“I purchased an animal experience, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime event. I have never been so close to a giraffe, and I learned so much about them.”

“I visit this spot in fall when the leaves turn colors and in spring when the flowers are pretty. It’s perfect for a family outing.”

—Olivia Gropler, Emerson

—Marina Katznelson, Township of Washington

ADVENTURE AQUARIUM Camden, N.J.

Distance from Bergen: 1 hour, 47 minutes Highlights: Want to “swim with the fishes?” Now you can. Adventure Aquarium, formerly known as the New Jersey Aquarium, houses over 15,000 aquatic animals and proudly claims the Northeast’s largest collection of sharks. Guests who yearn for a special experience can enjoy once-in-a-lifetime encounters with the aquarium’s hulking hippos, petite penguins, soaring sea turtles and other mammals, birds and reptiles. Things to do nearby: Only a short walk from the aquarium sits the Battleship New Jersey, which shelled targets on Guam and Okinawa during World War II and served again in the Korean War. It’s transformed into a museum and memorial open to guests Distance From BC interested in learning about the ship’s history. The aquarium is also only a 15-minute min drive from Philadelphia and its many historical landmarks, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. For more information visit adventureaquarium.com.

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“The aquarium is a truly awesome place and provides a unique experience for people of all ages, with plenty to see and lots to learn. My daughter especially loves the shark bridge and the shark tunnel!” —Kayla Gunderson, Waldwick BERGENMAG.COM

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We’ve got New Jersey covered. FEATURING “IN GOOD HEALTH” FROM MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER MARCH 2021 | $3.95 | BERGENMAG.COM | VOLUME 21 ISSUE 3

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 | $3.95 | MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM | VOLUME 19 ISSUE 5

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HEALTH & LIFE

HEALTH & LIFE | FOOD & FASHION | HOME & HAPPENINGS

THE FASHION ISSUE

THE HOME ISSUE

COLOR ME CHIC STYLISH TYKES: MEET OUR INSTAGRAM STARS

ORANGE YOU PRETTY!

at Ginger N’ Cream, Westwood

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HAPPY AT HOME

SPECIAL REPORT

LOCAL BOUTIQUES WEATHER THE STORM

WHAT’S COOKING? in Sea Girt

■ FLOWER GIRL SHE LOVES LAVENDER ■ DRESSING (YOUR ROOMS) FOR SUCCESS ■ DON’T DO THAT PROS’ TIPS FOR GREAT DECORATING

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HEALTH & LIFE

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80+ CATEGORIES:

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KITCHEN CONNECTION

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EAST MEETS WEST LBI BEACH HOUSE CHANNELS CALI VIBES KEEPING KOSHER SPRINGFIELD FAMILY GETS DREAM KITCHEN BACKYARD FOUNTAINS TO SOOTHE YOUR SOUL

THE READERS’ CHOICE ISSUE

WINNING SEAFOOD

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THE BEST OF 2020

YOUR GUIDE TO THE COUNTIES’ TOP CHOICES

N Y C G E TAWAY

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SPRING 2021

VOLUME 19 ISSUE 4 | SEPTEMBER 2020

From the top of Bergen to the bottom of Monmouth, we cover New Jersey like nobody else. If you want to reach the most affluent households and influential businesses in these counties and places in between, contact Publisher Tom Flannery today at 201.571.2252 or thomas.flannery@wainscotmedia.com.

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THE KITCHEN WAS THE KEY

By waiting a bit to renovate their most important room, a Mahwah family gets a home that fits their lifestyle. By Donna Rolando Design by Sharon Sherman Photography by Mike Van Tassell

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What was previously a cream-toned kitchen in Mahwah is now transitional, with industrial elements such as dark metal light fixtures, which designer Sharon Sherman coordinated with the ash gray in the cabinet hardware. A burst of playful color comes from the marble accent in blue behind the Wolf range, which is part of a major appliance upgrade. The rustic, wood-toned flooring is easy-care porcelain tile.

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Patience is a virtue the Furey family has down pat. James and Pauline remodeled everything but the kitchen when they moved into their Mahwah ranch in the summer of 2017. This was a big-ticket item for a couple in their 30s expecting their first child, and the cream-toned kitchen was in great shape—just slightly outdated. “For kitchens you want to live in the space to see what kind of needs you have with family,” explains Pauline. The couple’s waiting game, it turned out, showed wisdom. By the time they reached out to Sharon Sherman, owner of Wyckoffbased Thyme & Place Design, and their project launched in the fall of 2020, they had a “whole list of wants,” she recalls. While the family welcomed a fresh, transitional style, what they longed to fix more than anything else was the layout. The flow of the house didn’t match their lifestyle. It visually cut off the kitchen from the family room and provided only indirect access to a redesigned backyard. This family that loves to entertain also had to contend with scant storage and table space. “We began by relocating the access to the yard into the kitchen with a French door,” says Sherman. This meant that no longer would guests BERGENMAG.COM

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have to walk down a step and through the mudroom. The move created space for a walk-in pantry. Combined with expanded cabinetry, this checks off the “storage” item, high on the couple’s wish list. Although open concepts are all the rage, the Fureys saw sense in a modified approach. For the family room, simply opening a window to the kitchen provided enough of a connection. The biggest transformation, Sherman says, proved to be linking the kitchen and dining room, which has gone from underused to always used. It meant ripping down a wall and eliminating a clutter-collecting desk area, but at last there’s plenty of space for get-togethers. Previously, because of layout limitations, the couple confined most activities to just a portion of their ranch. “Now the family has experienced a new appreciation for their home,” says Sherman. The designer’s new look trades a peninsula and kitchen nook for an island that is a better fit for frequent company. With brushed-aluminum stools from Crate & Barrel, the island marries a slate-colored base with Glacier quartzite—complete with perks such as a Sharp microwave drawer. Blue—in a custom-screened Carrera marble tile—is the star of the JULY 2021

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This page, right: This beverage center with undercounter fridge has been the perfect companion for pandemic life, which has often obliged the family to work from home. Opposite page: Life is more livable in the ranch now that a 2020 redesign has opened the kitchen to a once rarely used formal dining room. The new dining room is at last versatile enough for both family and guests.

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stove-area accent wall with a Moorish motif, a welcome pop for the white subway backsplash and arctic white cabinetry. James recalls how it “caught our eye” at Wayne Tile in Ramsey with its playful approach to color. “I love a white kitchen, but we didn’t want it to be all white,” says Pauline. The soft green gloss tile in the refreshment center and coffee bar is another focal point, but it has a practical side too. The undercounter fridge is always at the ready with a chilled beverage. Putting it all in perspective, Pauline says, “The design was really a group effort.” The collaboration is evident in the way traditional feminine touches such as the blue accent wall meet masculine ones, such as the perimeter counters of Steel Rock, a dark natural stone. Added to the mix is the industrial style in the metal lighting common to the kitchen and dining room. “I just love how it ties into the black countertop around the kitchen,” says Pauline. In that style family, one also finds the custom table from Charleston Forge with a distressed wood top and burnished iron legs along with its black-wood, steel-base chairs from Pottery Barn. For a hospitable couple who host many a dinner, Sherman says this table is quite accommodating. It’s formal enough for guests but comfortable for everyday use. An intuitive style has given the Fureys back what they were sorely missing: a large portion of their home. “What it’s done is we use the house completely,” says Pauline. With family working from home often during the pandemic, the change couldn’t have happened at a better time. The dining room offers custom cabinets with a window seat—ideal for guests or the family cat—as well as a distressedwood-top table by Charleston Forge that can fit the entire gang. The dark metal lighting has an industrial effect that ties in with the kitchen’s own fixtures. Whether it’s a party or a family meal, the dining room has gained purpose with a renovation that Sherman says has changed the way the homeowners live and use their home.

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{ TASTES }

POOLSIDE EATS

Keep cool with these refreshing treats that are delicious and satisfying— no stove and minimal prep required.

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BLUSHING FRUIT SALAD Yields 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

n 2 cups (1-inch) cubes seedless watermelon n 2 cups cherries, stems removed, halved and pitted n 1 cup hulled and halved (quartered if large) strawberries n 1 cup raspberries n 4 fresh black figs, quartered n 2 plumcots or pluots, halved, pitted and cut into 1-inch pieces n 1 cup pomegranate seeds n 5 Tbs. sugar n ¼ cup rosewater n ground sumac, for sprinkling n flaky salt, for sprinkling

DIRECTIONS

Place the watermelon, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, figs, plumcots or pluots and pomegranate seeds in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and rosewater until the sugar dissolves. Pour the rosewater syrup over the fruit and gently toss to coat. Let macerate in the rosewater syrup for at least 10 minutes or up to 1 hour. The longer the fruit macerates, the more flavor it will take on. Serve the fruit salad in bowls or on plates sprinkled with sumac and flaky salt. The fruit salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days (garnish just before serving).

This refreshing summer treat is full of healthy fiber, beneficial micronutrients such as vitamins B6 and potassium, which is important for electrolyte balance during the hot months. To add a bright, citrus flavor, substitute orange blossom water for the rose water.” —Lisa Arlen, certified nutritionist, Live Your Life Nutrition, Ridgefield

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PASSION FRUIT, MANGO AND COCONUT PARFAITS Yields: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

n ½ cup unsweetened passion fruit pulp, thawed if frozen n ½ cup sugar n 4 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted and cooled n 5 large egg yolks n 2½ cups chopped ripe mango (from 2 peeled and pitted mangos) n 1 13.5-oz. can unsweetened coconut milk (made with guar gum) n 1½ cups low-fat plain Greek yogurt n 1 cup unsweetened coconut chips, for sprinkling

DIRECTIONS

Place the passion fruit pulp, sugar, butter and egg yolks in a medium saucepan and stir until smooth. Heat over medium-low heat while stirring constantly until barely simmering and thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. The mixture should thicken before it reaches a boil. Use a silicone spatula to push the curd through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium stainless steel bowl. Place that bowl over a large bowl of ice water and stir until cool. Refrigerate until ready to use. Place the mango in a high-powdered blender or food processor and process until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a large piping bag. Use a can opener to open the can of coconut milk. Transfer about ½ cup of the thick cream layer from the top of the can into a medium bowl. Beat with a whisk until soft peaks form, then fold into the passion fruit curd. Transfer this mixture to a large piping bag, if desired. In a medium bowl, whisk ½ cup coconut milk from the can with the Greek yogurt until smooth. Transfer this mixture to a large piping bag. Set up 6 parfait or juice glasses wide enough to accommodate a spoon. Pipe or spoon layers of the mango puree, passion fruit curd and yogurt into each glass. Serve immediately, or refrigerate up to 2 days ahead until ready to serve. Top each glass with coconut flakes right before serving.

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Mango is packed with vitamin C, a watersoluble vitamin that boosts your body’s immune system and ability to absorb iron. Passion fruit is a small but mighty fruit, providing fiber and antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals.”

—Alyson Small, registered dietitian nutritionist, Alyson Small Nutrition, Englewood

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{ TASTES }

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MELON AND LIME AGUA FRESCA Yields 4-6 servings

INGREDIENTS

n 7 cups chopped ripe green melon, such as honeydew, honey globe, or bailan, from 1 large melon n ¾ cup sugar n 1 Tbs. fresh lime zest n ¾ cup fresh lime juice n 4 cups water n lime wedges, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Place the melon, sugar, lime zest and lime juice in a blender and blend until smooth. Use a rubber spatula to push the melon mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into the bottom of a large pitcher or bowl. You should have about 3 cups melon juice mixture. Discard any remaining pulp. Add the water to the melon juice and stir to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve, fill glasses with ice, then ladle the agua fresca over the top. Garnish with lime wedges. Serve immediately or store in a large pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 2 days (garnish just before serving). Stir a few times before serving.

Melons are a great source of calcium for those who need to avoid dairy. If you also want to avoid processed sugar in this drink but want to keep the added sweetness, try substituting a whole food plant-based sweetener such as maple syrup to taste.”

—Lisa Arlen, certified nutritionist, Live Your Life Nutrition, Ridgefield

All photos and recipes are reprinted with permission from Eat Cool: Good Food for Hot Days by Vanessa Seder. Photos by Stacey Cramp. Rizzoli New York 2021.

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{ JUST MARRIED }

Kathy Montoya and Tommy Piret The pandemic restrictions helped this couple narrow down their wedding venue—their own WoodRidge backyard. And they planned the event in less than two months.

VENDORS:

WEDDING DATE May 1, 2021 NUMBER OF GUESTS 13 guests for the ceremony and 13 guests for the reception, for a combined total of 26 FLOWERS Heights Flower Shoppe, Hasbrouck Heights, heightsflowershoppe.com PHOTOGRAPHY Pombo Photography, Weehawken, pombophotography.com CAKE Gelato wedding cake from FM Café, Wood-Ridge, fmcafe.net HAIR & MAKEUP Michele’s Station Square Hair Salon, Rutherford, @micheles_stationsquare_salon BRIDE’S GOWN Lulu’s, lulus.com GROOM’S TUX Men’s Wearhouse, menwearhouse.com

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