Bergen January 2024

Bergen VOLUME 23 ISSUE 1 | JANUARY 2024

Bergen HEALTH & LIFE | FOOD & FASHION | HOME & HAPPENINGS

JANUARY 2024 | $6.95 | BERGENMAG.COM | VOLUME 23 ISSUE 1

THE HEALTH & FITNESS ISSUE

ABCs OF WELLNESS 26 TIPS FOR A BETTER YOU

KEEP ON TICKING 3 PROS ANSWER HEART HEALTH QUESTIONS STAGE RIGHT MAKE YOUR HOME A HIT WITH BUYERS

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SPECIAL REPORT A SNEAK PEEK AT THE NEW VALLEY HOSPITAL

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OLYMPIC HOPEFUL

JENNA ROGERS OF RUTHERFORD

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G E N E R A L & S P E C I A LT Y P E D I AT R I C S U R G E RY

HELPING YOUR CHILD

Heal VALLEY GETS IT.

Together, Valley Health System and Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital bring families unmatched surgical expertise, plus the compassionate care Valley is known for.

General pediatric surgery Appendectomy

Bariatric and gastric surgery

Chest wall reconstructive surgery

Congenital colorectal abnormalities Emergency surgery Excision of cysts

Hernia repair (inguinal and umbilical) Incision and drainage

Valley’s team of pediatric surgeons includes Brian Coakley, MD; John Tackett, MD; Peter Midulla, MD; Frederick Alexander, MD; and Linda Li, MD

To make an appointment with a pediatric surgeon, please call 1-800-VALLEY 1 (1-800-825-5391) ValleyHealth.com/PedsSurgery

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PEDIATRIC PRIMARY CARE

Grow HELPING YOUR CHILD

VALLEY GETS IT.

Valley, in partnership with Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, is here to support your child at every age and stage.

Routine wellness visits Sick visits

Vaccinations

Laboratory services

Lactation and feeding support

Screenings for hearing, vision, development, and mental health Referrals to pediatric subspecialty care

Suzanne Bussetti, RN, MSN, CPNP, IBCLC, and Cecilia Godoy, MD.

VALLEY MEDICAL GROUP – GENERAL PEDIATRICS 135 N. Kinderkamack Road, Montvale, NJ

1-800-VALLEY 1 (1-800-825-5391) ValleyHealth.com/PedsPrimaryCare

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PEDIATRIC PRIMARY CARE AND

G E N E R A L & S P E C I A LT Y P E D I AT R I C S U R G E RY

HELPING YOUR CHILD

Grow & Heal

OPEN TO LEARN MORE

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Contents JAN 2024

Features MATTERS OF THE HEART 28 At BERGEN’S Women’s Health Experience event last fall, three local clinicians answered questions about the body’s essential muscle. It’s news you can use to stay healthy.

A HEALTHIER YOU, FROM A TO Z 30 Just in time for the new year, here’s an alphabet of tips designed to help you take optimal care of that body and mind of yours and stay well.

A HOSPITAL RECONCEIVED 40

30

Starting in April, managers say, The Valley Hospital’s new home in Paramus will build on the lessons of experience to offer unparalleled care.

STAGE RIGHT 44 Ready to make your biggest investment pay? Present your home so it’s a hit with prospective buyers.

IN EVERY ISSUE 8 26 56 62

BERGENMAG.COM

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Editor’s Note Health News Where to Eat Be There

JANUARY 2024

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Contents JAN 2024

24 44

46 Departments BERGEN BUZZ 15

HOME FRONT 24

GATHERINGS 63

Our guide to new ideas, tips, trends and things we love in the county.

Declutter your home in style with these storage solutions.

ON THE COVER

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

Rutherford High School graduate Jenna Rogers has high hopes: The University of Nebraska star is vying for a spot on the 2024 Olympics team. Photo courtesy of Jenna Rogers.

FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS 22 Rutherford High School alum Jenna Rogers is captain of the track and field team at the University of Nebraska, where she’s looking like a potential Olympic star.

STYLE WATCH 23

TASTES 46 Nothing beats chicken noodle or classic tomato, but when the craving for something new and hearty hits, these global favorites are good food too.

A BERGEN MOMENT 64 A Franklin Lakes mother and her two children take a few minutes from their day to reflect on the memories of a cherished pet.

RESTAURANT REVIEW 60 Englewood’s Fat Choy isn’t your ordinary Chinese kitchen—it’s vegan heaven.

Staying cozy and stylish is easy in these classic yet chic knits.

BERGENMAG.COM

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JANUARY 2024

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Discover the Power of a 1031 Exchange Strategy

Sell your property, defer your capital gains tax, and purchase a passive, institutionally managed investment by utilizing DSTs in your 1031 Exchange.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Your Health, From A to Z It’s January, and here at BERGEN we’re hoping 2024 will be healthy and rewarding for you and yours. Residing in a beautiful area like ours is a key ingredient for a good life—but so is enjoying robust health. That’s why we try in each issue to provide information that can help you stay well and assure your vitality today and for many tomorrows. In this issue, marking the new year, we’re outdoing ourselves, with 26 such nuggets of health wisdom, one for each letter of the alphabet. (See “A Healthier You, From A to Z,” on page 30.)

Your ultimate source of guidance, of course, is your own trusted medical professionals (not the internet, bulging though it is with informational tidbits, some of them more reliable than others). But reading our “A to Z” guide can help you make the best use of clinicians’ time, inspiring questions you may wish to ask them. Our guide quotes experts and doctors and draws on some of the latest research. After all, new medical research has a funny way of turning yesterday’s confident belief into today’s discarded myth.

Speaking of putting questions to medical experts, that’s just what attendees did at our Fall Women’s Health Experience at Edgewood Country Club in River Vale, where the topic was heart health. Don’t worry if you missed the event—you can be “a fly on the wall” by checking out the questions and answers on page 28. There you’ll learn things about diagnostic testing, heart palpitations, the helpful role of aspirin—and much more (including good news about dark chocolate).

For more good news about health care, see page 40. That’s where our Special Report welcomes The Valley Hospital’s new, state-of-the-art Paramus facility, with 80 exam rooms (twice the number in the previous Ridgewood facility), 370 patient rooms, and operating rooms that are 200 square feet larger than the ones they replace.

In privacy, comfort and the use of tech, the hospital industry constantly learns new lessons, and this new hospital puts them into action.

As you see, our thoughts are of your health as we venture into 2024. (Places to grab a quick, healthy bite: page 18. Learn yoga? Page 15. Crochet your way out of stress?

Page 16.) But there’s more on our minds as well. Advice on staging your home for best results when it’s time to sell it? (Page 44.) And meet track and field star Jenna Rogers of Rutherford (page 22), who is currently making athletic headlines at the University of Nebraska (where she likes the folks but misses bagels)—she’s a strong prospect for the Olympics this summer in Paris.

We hope this issue helps you protect your health, make a smart decision or two, and enjoy your Bergen County life to the fullest. Happy New Year!

Rita Guarna Editor in Chief rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com

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Caring is not simply what we do –

it’s who we are.

Fostering Healing and Wellness in Your Community Since 1911, it has been our mission to offer a listening ear, a helpful hand, and steady, supportive guidance throughout your wellness journey.

Through our comprehensive continuum of mental health services, communities for older adults, and rehabilitation, we work diligently to foster physical health and also nourish the spirit.

For more information on how we can help you, please call (201) 848-5200 or visit

ChristianHealthNJ.org.

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Campuses in Wyckoff and Wayne Mental Health | Senior Living | Rehabilitation

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

James W. Geuder, M.D. VEIN CENTER OF ORADELL

680 KINDERKAMACK ROAD, ORADELL 201.262.8346 | VEINCENTEROFORADELL.COM

Bergen Editor in Chief RITA GUARNA Creative Director STEPHEN M. VITARBO Senior Associate Editor DARIUS AMOS Assistant Editor KIRSTEN MEEHAN Contributing Editors HALEY LONGMAN LESLIE GARISTO PFAFF PAUL RANCE JR. DONNA ROLANDO Contributing Photographer DAN SPRINGSTON PRODUCTION Production Manager FERN E. MESHULAM Production Artist CHRIS FERRANTE

BERGEN COUNTY’S

TOP DOCTORS

2023

VEIN SPECIALISTS Dr. James Geuder is a board certified vascular surgeon with over 25 years of experience treating vascular and vein problems in Bergen County. At The Vein Center of Oradell, Dr. Geuder personally examines, educates and treats all patients. The Vein Center of Oradell has an ICAVL-approved vascular lab, and they became the first vein center in New Jersey to be certified by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission. Castle Connolly and New York Magazine consistently include Dr. Geuder on their “Best Doctor” list and he also has the Patients Choice Award which is based on patients’ experience. The Vein Center of Oradell makes every effort to offer patients the most comfortable and friendly environment as they receive the best medical care. Please see our reviews on Facebook from the Bergen County Moms.

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 is published 12 times a year

by Wainscot Media, 1 Maynard Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656.

This is Volume 23, Issue 1. © 2024 by Wainscot Media LLC. All rights reserved. Subscriptions in U.S. outside of Bergen County: $14 for one year. Single copies: $6.95.

Material contained herein is intended for informational purposes only. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Congratulations to Dr. Geuder for being selected as a 2023 Bergen County Top Doctor.

WWW.VEINCENTEROFORADELL.COM

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Upper Saddle River!

A new era of Bogota Savings Bank is on the horizon.

More than a branch - we’re your local gathering spot! Elevate your experience with the latest and greatest and be among the first to experience something special. Coming soon, stay tuned!

(201) 862-8626 www.BogotaSavingsBank.com

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Bergen Publisher THOMAS FLANNERY Associate Publisher MARY MASCIALE ADVERTISING

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

Director of Marketing and Digital Media NIGEL EDELSHAIN Director of Operations CATHERINE ROSARIO Director of Advertising Services JACQUELYNN FISCHER Chief Finance Officer STEVEN RESNICK Assistant Controller URSZULA JANECZKO Accounts Receivable Manager KASIE CARLETON Accounts Receivable Specialist BRUCE LIBERMAN Office Manager PENNY GLASS BOAG PUBLISHED BY WAINSCOT MEDIA

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Premium Korean BBQ Restaurant High quality cuts of beef & pork Variety of side dishes (Banchan) Complimentary soft ice cream Popular Korean Dishes Lunch Specials | BYOB

Vice Presidents NIGEL EDELSHAIN THOMAS FLANNERY NOELLE HEFFERNAN MARIA REGAN STEVEN RESNICK

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

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THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE

Hackensack University Medical Center Helena Theurer Pavilion

Hackensack University Medical Center’s Helena Theurer Pavilion is now open and ready for you. And our team members are ready for you, too.

From orthopedic and colorectal surgery to complex cardiac and neurosurgery cases, our experts are here to deliver high-quality, compassionate care in our thoughtfully designed, state-of-the-art tower. The pavilion includes the latest advancements in surgical and critical care for patients - now and in the future. From a pandemic/health emergency-ready environment to operating rooms with all of the latest robotic technology, we’re ready.

View our virtual tour or learn more at HackensackUMC.org.

PHOTO: JONATHAN HILLYER © All Rights Not Explicitly Granted In This Agreement Are Reserved To Jonathan Hillyer. Jonathan Hillyer Is And Will Remain The Sole And Exclusive Owner Of The Copyright And All Other Rights In And To The Licensed Content.

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A SEASON FOR SERVICE You donated to food pantries and toy drives last month, but it’s never too late or too soon to give back to the community. In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a National Day of Service, here are some ideas—first featured in our weekly e-newsletter—in which you can lend a hand and help others: Donate time. Many local organizations are opening their doors to in-person volunteers. Veterans Memorial Home in Paramus, for example, is always open to volunteers, who assist with social activities and even do weekly shopping trips for residents.

Donate food. Food insecurity continues to be a problem in many parts of Bergen County, so food pantries and local charities are always in need of canned goods and items. Bergen’s Food Security Task Force (co. bergen.nj.us/foodsecurity) has a list of food providers in the county.

Donate miscellaneous items. Do you want to open your heart but aren’t sure how to do so? Local organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lower Bergen County will accept most donations, whether that’s a monetary gift, school supplies and devices, sports equipment or video-style games for tweens and teens.

Read our full list at bergenmag.com/8-ways-to-give-backto-others-this-season.

5 HEALTH CONCERNS FOR NEW PUP PARENTS Thinking about adding a furry friend to your family this year? Sure, you have to stock up on food, toys, treats, sweaters and other accessories, but don’t forget about your new puppy’s health. Google Analytics showed the five most searched canine health conditions of America are ear infection, pancreatitis, parvovirus, diarrhea and—one of the mostsearched in New Jersey—ticks. Ticks are parasites that are highly common and experience 537 average monthly searches per 100,000 population nationally, according to the analytics study. Ticks are the most searched term analyzed in the study in nine U.S. states, including New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Read more about these five concerns at bergenmag.com.

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Bergen Buzz

OUR GUIDE TO NEW IDEAS, TIPS, TRENDS AND THINGS WE LOVE IN OUR COUNTY.

YOUR YEAR OF YOGA

Not quite ready to join a gym or commit to a year-long membership at a yoga studio? Try checking the health calendar at a local library. Below are four Bergen County libraries hosting free yoga classes for BCCLS (Bergen County Cooperative Library System) card holders. Visit the libraries’ individual websites for registration information.

• Closter, Thursdays at 6 p.m. Yoga and meditation classes are offered from 6 to 7 p.m. in the community room.

280 High St., Closter, 201.768.4197; closterpubliclibrary.org • Englewood, Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

Reduce stress, relieve pain and recharge your body and mind at Sahaja yoga meditation. Attendees can sit in a chair or on the floor during the hourlong sessions. 31 Engle St., Englewood, 201.568.2215; englewoodlibrary.org • Oakland, Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy one-hour-long sessions of Yoga with Sonia in the library’s meeting room. 2 Municipal Plaza, Oakland, 201.337.3742; oaklandnjlibrary.org • Old Tappan, Tuesdays at 5:15 p.m.

Yoga sessions run until 6:30 p.m. in the library’s community room. 56 Russell Ave., Old Tappan, 201.664.3499; oldtappanlibrary.com

BERGENMAG.COM

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JANUARY 2024

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PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE!

There’s no time like the present, in this New Year, to live out your dreams of being a musician, writer or standup comedian. Local open mic nights offer a great way to share your talents, practice your craft and connect with like-minded people. Get out there and get creative.

IN THE DOGHOUSE Hosted every Wednesday evening, 7:30–11:30 p.m., Washington Township’s Dog House Saloon & Grill’s acoustic open mic night gained such a following that it’s spawned its own Instagram page. Regulars and newbies alike are welcome at this gathering, but get there early—you need to sign up, and time is limited.

• 270 Pascack Rd., Washington Township, 201.722.1820; thedoghousesaloonandgrill.com

AMP IT UP If you want to get a little louder, you can check out The Hilltop Tavern’s open jam session, every Monday starting at 8:30 p.m. Located in Lodi, this event welcomes any instrument you can fit through the door, and is set up with amps to handle them—electric guitars and basses, drum kits, keyboards—and invites attendees to mingle, experiment and add themselves into the song.

• 50 Essex St., Lodi, 201.712.1632; facebook.com/hilltoptavernopenmicnight

HEART OF A POET For the less musically inclined, on the last Thursday of every month, the Johnson Public Library in Hackensack holds an open mic night that besides musicians welcomes comedians, poets and storytellers. This event also offers a Zoom option, so performers and spectators alike can call in to the event remotely. Performers have four minutes to fill as they like, and library staff often films the event to share on social media later.

• 274 Main St., Hackensack; 201.343-4169; johnsonlib.org

GET UNTANGLED

Knitting and crocheting have both been proven to reduce stress and increase concentration in those who practice them regularly. Both are a way to focus the mind, occupy the hands and create something beautiful and useful. If you’re looking to try your hand at a new hobby or craft this year, why not pick up one of these affordable, practical skills?

Yarn Diva in Hillsdale can get you started; it offers nearly every color, texture and quality of yarn. It also provides free patterns, classes and an entry point to a community of passionate crafters. Hit a snag getting started? No problem! Yarn Diva also holds weekly Knit Fix workshops, where knitters of all levels can come with a work-in-progress and get any feedback and aid they need on it.

Waldwick’s Knitapestry is equally inviting and convenient. Beyond dozens of yarn brands to browse, it provides classes for beginner and intermediate levels in both private and small group settings, as well as a crochet workshop and store wide “Knit Nights.” The store has chairs and communal tables where people are encouraged to work on their projects.

• Yarn Diva; 428 Hillsdale Ave., Hillsdale; 201.664.4100; yarndiva.com • Knitapestry; 38B Franklin Tpke., Waldwick; 201.857.8310; knitapestry.com BERGENMAG.COM

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PUPPY LOVE

Dog: Carmela, approximately 11-year-old shih-tzu Owners: Nik, Margaret, Sofia and Niky Gambardella of Ridgewood Spirits were low when the pandemic put a damper on everything in the Gambardella household; daughter Sofia would graduate from college without a ceremony and with few job prospects. That’s when mom Margaret had the idea to bring a furry friend into the home.

“As a way to lift my daughter’s spirits after graduating from college, but with no graduation and no jobs to be had, I offered to add a new family member,” says Margaret.

It was a long but careful process to find the right pup to bring home, but perseverance would finally pay off.

“After filling out so many applications for rescues, one day we finally got a call to come meet our girl,” Margaret adds. “It was love at first sight. Carmela is our COVID rescue girl!”

Want to see your pet in a future issue of BERGEN? Send a picture of your dog, cat, bird, lizard, rabbit or other pet and a few details of him or her to editor in chief Rita Guarna at rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com.

JANUARY 2024

1/10/24 9:04 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 NJ TOP DOCS 2014-2023

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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SCHOOLS THAT ROCK

CULINARY CORNER

Hoping to embrace a healthier diet in the new year? Juices and smoothies are a great way to get started. Here are some new spots in Bergen to try: SIMPLE AND SATISFYING With its back-to-basics approach to juice and smoothies, Ange’s Smoothie Hub in River Vale offers a refreshing atmosphere on top of delicious drinks. Everything from its “Minty Mind” smoothie, which includes both mint and kale, to its chia pudding cup desserts is designed to be light, rejuvenating and natural.

Has your child mastered the air guitar? How about opening the door to the real thing in ’24? The School of Rock’s new location in Carlstadt offers lessons to budding musicians and singers of all ages and skill levels. Whether your future star wants to play guitar, piano or drums or just belt out vocals, he or she can benefit from the school’s hands-on approach to music education. Secaucus resident Srishti Gupta says the group class structure is doing wonders for her 8-year-old daughter’s confidence.

“Though one-on-one classes are great, and my daughter Nyssa was enjoying them, something was missing,” says Gupta, whose young one plays guitar and sings.

“When we heard about School of Rock and their band rehearsal program, we felt that is would be a good next step.”

The new Carlstadt location (301 Hoboken Rd., 201.322.7625), is run

by Dominique Abita and Dave Santamaria. Santamaria is a drummer and pro audio engineer, and Abita is a vocalist, guitarist, bassist and keyboardist with a master’s degree in music.

School of Rock has three other locations in the county, so kids can rock out all over Bergen: • Cresskill: 50 Piermont Rd., 201.568.7625 • Maywood: 24 W. Pleasant Ave., 201.201.4841 • Waldwick: 152 Franklin Tpke., Suite B, 201.444.4425

• 642 Westwood Ave., River Vale, 201.383.0585; thesmoothiehub.com

HEALTH ON THE GO If you’re looking for something to eat with your smoothie, Tropical Juice Bar has you covered. Already open in Elmwood Park, the shop has opened a Hackensack location. A full menu including sandwiches and empanadas complements the juices and build-your-own smoothies. It also offers meal-replacement protein smoothies for nutrition on the go.

• 60 River St., Hackensack, 973.330.9699; tropicaljuicebar.com

EMBRACE THE COLD Want an innovative take on every juice you can imagine? Nutribella Juicery, recently opened in Englewood, is worth a visit. All its juice products are cold-pressed instead of heated, a process said to preserve more of the fruit’s original flavor and health benefits. If you’re more in the mood for something hot, grab one of this establishment’s superfood lattes for a health-conscience twist on a café favorite.

• 18 Engle St., Englewood, 551.245.2082; nutribellajuicery.com

KUDOS TO…

… Saddle River’s Samantha Raia, for handing out care packages to patients undergoing cancer treatment at Hackensack University Medical Center. Raia, a senior at Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township, told WABC-TV she started delivering kits three years ago after seeing her grandfather go back and forth to the hospital with items for her grandmother, who was undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer. Care kits include towels, socks and blankets to help patients stay comfortable as they are treated. …Ridgewood’s Katie Bisgrove and Paramus’s Megan Mok, both of whom were named to the inaugural U.S. Army Bowl Flag Football All-American team. The girls, both seniors at their hometown high schools, also participated in the first-ever All-American Flag Football Game, held in Frisco, Texas, last month. Besides the girls’ honors, Paramus coach and business teacher Ted Evans was named director of U.S. Army Bowl Flag Football.

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YOUR VOTE COUNTS

You needn’t wait until November to vote—ballots for BERGEN’s annual Readers’ Choice Poll open Jan. 10! Help your favorite Bergen County businesses claim bragging rights for the year. Visit bergenmag.com/votereaderschoice2024 to choose the best of the best in more than 130 categories, from bagel shops and barbers to dance studios and dog trainers. Winners will be revealed in our annual “Best in Bergen” issue later this year.

JANUARY 2024

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All of us for all of you.

Whether you need a routine visit with a primary care doctor or want to have something checked out by a specialist, the Englewood Health Physician Network has you covered. Our team of more than 600 providers welcomes patients at more than 140 office locations throughout northern New Jersey.

à Bariatric Surgery à Behavioral Health à Blood Disorders à Breast Surgery à Cancer à Cardiac Electrophysiology à Cardiology à Cardiothoracic Surgery à Colon and Rectal Surgery à Dermatology à Diabetes Education à ENT Head & Neck Surgery

à Emergency Medicine (adult & pediatric)

à Men’s Health

à Pulmonology

à Endocrinology (adult & pediatric)

à Neonatology

à Rheumatology

à Nephrology

à Sleep Medicine

à Neurology

à Surgery

à Obstetrics

à Surgical Oncology

à Orthopedics

à Thoracic Surgery

à Pain Management

à Urgent Care

à Palliative Care

à Urology

à Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

à Vascular Surgery

à Podiatry

à Women’s Health

à Gastroenterology à Geriatric Medicine à Gynecologic Oncology à Gynecology à Hematology à Infectious Disease à Integrative Medicine à Interventional Cardiology à Maternal-Fetal Medicine

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à Primary Care

à Vein Disease à Wound Healing

Find a physician: ehpn.org

12/12/23 2:45 PM

LOOKING FORWARD, GIVING BACK

Four deserving young people have won scholarships from the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF)—and the foundation has also given a grant to an organization to help with its good work: • Amber Holmes-Edgar and Sherleen Yunes, Teaneck High School Class of 2023, received $1,000 scholarships from Jannie Smith Legacy Fund, which supports students of color graduating from Teaneck High School who have been affected by a family member’s battle with cancer.

• Ryan Hugerich, New Milford High School Class of 2023, was given a $2,000 scholarship from the Darren Drake Memorial Fund, which seeks to provide educational opportunities for high school graduates who pursue studies at trade schools rather than four-year colleges.

• Harry Skountzos (middle), Leonia High School Class of 2023, received a $2,000 scholarship from the Class of 1964 Ralph Gregg Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund awards scholarships to students who embody qualities of kindness, generosity and compassion.

• CancerCare, Paramus, a nonprofit that helps community members manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer, received a $10,000 grant to benefit Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp, which helps families with children who have recently lost a loved one to cancer.

Hackensack-based NNJCF has spent the past 25 years working with local governments, school districts, businesses, nonprofit organizations and citizen groups to improve community life. “During our 25th anniversary, we are delighted to support several organizations responding to the needs in their communities and making an impact,” says NNJCF Executive Director Leonardo Vazquez.

BRING THE FUN INSIDE

FULFILL HIS DREAM

In 55 years since his death, we are still learning lessons from Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. On Monday, Jan. 15, we celebrate what would have been the civil rights leader’s 95th birthday. It’s a national holiday, established to educate people of all ages about Dr. King’s dream of racial harmony and his peaceful approach to achieving it. It’s also become a National Day of Service, when all Americans are encouraged to volunteer in their community. In that spirit, here are some nonprofit groups that can connect folks with service projects happening in Bergen: • Bergen Family Center, Englewood, 201.568.0817, bergenfamilycenter.org. Can’t volunteer in person? The center, which provides services to individuals, families and children that enhance their ability to function independently and improve the quality of their lives, has a list of creative ways anyone can contribute virtually, such as a Zoom concert or a brunch.

• Bergen Volunteers, Hackensack, 201.489.9454. Volunteers may sign up for a variety of initiatives, from the CHORE program that helps seniors and people with disabilities complete home projects to the mentoring program that connects mentors with children.

• Family Promise of Bergen County, Ridgewood, 201.833.8009. Sign up for volunteer jobs such as administrative work, carpentry, childcare, résumé writing and tutoring.

• Jersey Cares, Livingston, 973.533.1993; jerseycares.org. This is a statewide organization with several virtual and in-person projects for volunteers of all ages.

• Table to Table, Saddle Brook, 201.944.1525; tabletotable.org. This group delivers fresh, high-quality food that otherwise would be discarded to clients across North Jersey. Individual and corporate volunteers can help “rescue” food and deliver it to those facing food insecurity.

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Professional athletes may brave the icy weather to train, but you don’t necessarily want your budding young enthusiast out in the cold.

Fortunately, there are plenty of facilities in Bergen County that bring the outdoor fun inside: • Touch the sky at NJ Swingsets in Midland Park, an indoor wonderland of swings and slides. 59 Greenwood Ave., Midland Park; 201.670.4000, ext. 1; njswingsets.com • Hop and bounce at BounceU in Paramus, an indoor play place filled with inflatables and games. 70 Eisenhower Dr., Paramus; 201.843.5880; bounceu.com • Hit a home run at batting cages in Humdingers Paramus, an indoor entertainment center that also includes a bowling alley. 64 E. Midland Ave., Paramus; 201.701.1900; humdingersnj.com • Card a hole-in-one at Golfzon Range in Little Ferry, a virtual driving range and training space. 260 Bergen Tpke., Unit 1, Little Ferry, 201.983.0215; golfzonrange.com • Scale a “mountain” at Goat Climbing Gym in Hackensack, a climbing gym with dedicated youth hours. 77 River St., Hackensack, 201.402.9343; goatclimbinggym.com • Ski the slopes at Big Snow in American Dream, the first indoor ski park in North America. 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, 973.864.6600; bigsnowamerican dream.com

JANUARY 2024

12/14/23 10:10 AM

SPECIAL PROMOTION

“She gave me my life back” Local clinic has a modern, medical solution to treat your Peripheral Neuropathy and is seeing incredible results.

“It started out as a normal outing. My wife and I had to run to the grocery store. We were driving down the road casually going over our shopping list when the car ahead of me started to slow down, anticipating the yellow light. I started to move my foot from the gas to the brake as any normal person would do when they see brake lights in front of them, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t feel my foot. The car kept moving forward, and I just couldn’t get my foot on the brake. And CRUNCH! I finally came to a stop when I hit the car in front of me.”

This tragic story was shared with us by John M., a Millburn resident, who has Peripheral Neuropathy. And while no one was hurt in this accident, John M. had suffered almost every day for the past 8 years with tingling and burning in his feet until numbness set in and he could no longer feel even the brake pedal beneath his foot.

“The first stage is pain,” shares Dr. Aleksandra Mihajlovic, DTCM, L.Ac. of Sasha Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine. “You feel burning, tingling, sharp pains, or you feel like you’re walking on broken glass. This pain eventually subsides, and the numbness sets in. Unfortunately, with the numbness comes a lot of other problems.”

This was the case with John. “I said I wasn’t going to drive again. What if that had been a pedestrian?”

It is terribly common that Peripheral Neuropathy and its debilitating symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to live their life. John was now reliant on his wife to drive him around; even the simple pleasure of cruising down to the shore or taking her out to dinner was outside his capabilities.

And even more common, John’s general practitioner and several specialists told him there was nothing they could do other than prescribe him medications that would ease the pain of his Neuropathy.

That’s where Dr. Aleksandra, and her staff at Sasha Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine come in. “About 75% of our current patients come to us suffering from the same condition as Mr. John,” says Dr. Aleksandra Mihajlovic, DTCM, L.Ac. “They’re in constant pain from Neuropathy, and it prevents them from not only living their lives, but more importantly, it prevents them from enjoying it. Depending on the severity of their nerve damage, we typically see tremendous progress in 3-4 months of treatment. I like to say we’re in the business of making your golden years golden.”

“I can’t lie,” confides John. “I was skeptical at first. My doctor told me there was nothing that could be done, and then, there’s an acupuncturist right here in Montclair who tells me she can help.

Turns out she was right. After about

four months of treatments, I was able to confidently drive myself to my appointments! My wife and I celebrated by buying ourselves a new car! It’s hard to put into words how incredible this is, quite frankly, I feel like I got my life back.”

While Sasha Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine specializes in acupuncture, and it’s definitely part of their protocols in treating Neuropathy, the real secret is in a more modern medical solution called ATP Resonance Biotherapy™. “This technology was originally developed by NASA to expedite healing and recovery,” shares Tammy, a patient care coordinator at the clinic.

“It’s like watering a plant. ATP Resonance Biotherapy™ stimulates the blood vessels to grow back around the peripheral nerve and provide them the proper nutrients to heal and repair.”

You can learn more about Dr. Aleksandra Mihajlovic, DTCM, L.A.c., by visiting www.

SashaAcupuncture.com. If you’re ready to schedule a consultation, call 973-444-8932 and do so quickly. Sasha Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine is a very intimate clinic and the staff takes pride in their ability to take their time with each patient, so they are very limited in their ability to take on new patients.

Sasha Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine 19 Grove Street, Montclair 973-444-8932 www.SashaAcupuncture.com

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FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS

High Jumps, High Hopes Will we see Jenna Rogers on the roster for the 2024 summer Olympics in Paris? That’s what this Rutherford native is aiming for after she graduates from college—and while pursuing a master’s degree in the next six months. Rogers, a 21-year-old senior, is captain of the track and field team at the University of Nebraska, where she’s accumulated a bevy of awards and honors in the women’s high jump.

She made time for a chat.

What got you into track and field?

I started high jump when I was around 9 years old. I joined track because I wanted to run, but I really wasn’t fast, so I found field events were a better fit for me.

At Rutherford High you played volleyball too, right? Did you have to choose one sport over the other for college?

Yes. I realized I was more passionate about track than volleyball, and I loved that it was an individual sport. I like to be responsible for my own success.

Speaking of success, you’ve won quite a few titles and honors, including being New Jersey state record holder in the high jump.

Which ones are you most proud of?

Definitely being an All-American. That means you finish top eight in your event in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) nationals. I did that three out of four times in college. I worked really hard for that one.

What’s a typical day like when school is in session?

I’m a communicative science and disorders major—I want to be a speech pathologist. My classes are from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Then I get lunch, then I have lifting starting at 1 p.m. and right from lifting I go to practice. I’m done around 5 p.m. Then I have dinner and go home and do homework. I end up finding some time later in the day or on weekends to hang

out with my roommates. I’m usually fairly free if I’m not working or hosting a recruit.

How is the lifestyle in Nebraska different from New Jersey?

I hate to say it, but because New Jersey is such a fast pace, we don’t connect to people as much as they do here in Nebraska. People care about one another, and the slower pace allows people to be kinder and get to know people better.

But there must be things you miss about the Garden State.

Bagels, for sure. I crave bagels and they don’t have them here. I called my dad the other day to send me some! Bagel Supreme in Rutherford is my go-to spot.

And Italian food is so much better in New Jersey.

Matera’s in Rutherford is one of the best.

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What do you like to do when you’re not training?

I started a program for people with special needs to do track and field—that’s at school once a week.

I have two cousins on the autism spectrum, so it’s been rewarding meeting people with special needs, and I think it’ll also help with my career in speech pathology. I also love to sew, which makes me sound like such a grandma [laughs]. I sew clothes—pants, skirts. I took a class in high school and then kind of taught myself.

What’s next after graduation? Are you training for the Olympics?

My goal is to go to the 2024 summer Olympics in Paris. I’ll find out in July! Last year I placed second at the USA championships and in the top three, but I have to hit an Olympic standard [this year]. I think I’m pretty close, and I think I’ll reach that if I jump a little bit higher and continue to place higher. My training is more intense, and I’m more focused on my eating habits and the amount of sleep I’m getting.

It’s stressful but it’s obtainable.

What are your other goals for 2024?

Once I graduate, I want to get into grad school, hopefully in Nebraska. I’ll be done with sports eventually. But I’m definitely coming back to New Jersey [one day]. I travel constantly, and I don’t think anything beats New Jersey. The vibes, the people are cooler. I say that people are nicer in Nebraska but less judgmental in New Jersey. And you can make more money on that side of the country! Plus, you have the beach, the city, the mountains.

Anything else we should know about you?

My siblings are also crazy good athletes. My parents are three for three on full rides in college. Our family is packed with good athletes.

—Haley Longman

Photo courtesy of Jenna Rogers

Rutherford High School alum Jenna Rogers is captain of the track and field team at the University of Nebraska, where she’s looking like a potential Olympic star.

JANUARY 2024

12/12/23 1:24 PM

STYLE WATCH V-neck Graphic Floral Button Cardigan shopcider.com

Shaker-Stitch Cardigan Sweater Old Navy, Paramus, 201.576.0079

In The Cards

Cara & The Sky Alex Cable Balloon Sleeve Maxi Cardigan wolfandbadger.com The Twiggy Sweater kule.com

Staying cozy and stylish is easy in these classic yet chic cardigans.

Double L Cable Sweater L.L. Bean, Paramus, 888.490.3837

Contrast Trim Plaid Pattern Cardigan urbanrevivo .com

The McCoy Cardigan kule.com

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JANUARY 2024

12/14/23 10:16 AM

HOME FRONT

Wood Shoe Rack Door murphydoor.com

Textured Stoneware Kitchen Canisters with Wood Tops West Elm, Paramus, 201.261.2552

Leather Desktop Organizer temu.com

Brendon Farrell 6-Fin Hook Rack rejuvenation.com

Save Your Space

Rebrilliant Neysa Utility Cart wayfair.com

Declutter your home in style with these storage solutions.

Criusia Fabric Drawer Organizer, 8 Pack amazon.com

8-Hook Industrial Pipe Pot Hanger temu.com

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JANUARY 2024

12/14/23 10:13 AM

GIVING HOPE, SAVING LIVES. Donald A. McCain, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S.

Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery • American Cancer Society 39th Annual Diamond Ball, Medical Honoree, 2018 • Jersey Choice Top Doctor 2020, New Jersey Monthly Magazine • Castle Connolly Top Doctors Award 2020 New York Metro Area • Inside NJ Top Doctors Award 2020 • 2016 Nobility in Science Award from National Pancreas Foundation • Vice Chairman of the John Theurer Cancer Center • Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology and Executive Vice Chair, Dept of Surgery, Hackensack Meridian Health University Medical Center

We provide comprehensive surgical care for: Gastrointestinal Tract Tumors Colorectal Cancer Liver Tumors Pancreatic Cancer

Breast Tumors Sarcomas Skin Cancers Esophageal Cancer

BERGEN COUNTY’S

Dr. McCain is extensively trained in the latest most effective resection techniques, including robotic resections for gastric and colorectal cancer, and minimally invasive resections for pancreatic and liver cancer.

TOP DOCTORS

2022

Dr. McCain works alongside specificall nursing staff, and works collaboratively with medical and radiation oncologists at the John Theurer Cancer center to develop a treatment plan for each patient.

Donald A. McCain, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S.

20 Prospect Avenue, Suite 603, Hackensack, NJ 07601 • 201-342-1010 • DrDonaldMcCain.com Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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HEALTH NEWS EATING STRAWBERRIES AIDS MEMORY

VACCINATION PRE INFECTION HELPS

Receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before the first infection is strongly associated with a reduced risk of developing the post-COVID-19 condition commonly known as long COVID, according to a recent study. The findings, based on data on more than half a million adults, showed that unvaccinated individuals were almost four times more likely to be diagnosed with long COVID than those who were vaccinated before first infection.

—The BMJ

New research found that daily strawberry consumption could help reduce the risk of dementia. Overweight middleaged men and women with insulin resistance and cognitive decline were given a 12-week course of wholefruit strawberry powder.

Participants experienced diminished memory interference and a reduction of depressive symptoms.

—Nutrients

1 IN 4

The number of Americans over age 21 who have never been checked for skin cancer. And seven in 10 Americans haven’t had their skin checked in the past year.

—Prevent Cancer Foundation

EXERCISE LOWERS DIABETES RISK

A recent study found that engaging in an hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily can lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

—British Journal of Sports Medicine

DEPRESSION HIKES RISK OF OTHER ILLNESSES

Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects approximately 5% of the general population.

There is evidence that depression is a risk factor for physical illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

—JAMA Psychiatry

24 A SHOW OF HANDS

Eighty percent of all infectious disease is transmitted through your hands. In addition to washing your hands frequently, consider cleaning your cell phone and keyboard with alcohol wipes once a day.

—Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

The percentage of adults 65 and older who suffer from tinnitus, the perception of sound when none is present. Among 45- to 64-year-old people, it’s 14 percent.

—JAMA Neurology

—Compiled by Paul Rance Jr.

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Matters Of The Heart

AT BERGEN’S WOMEN’S HEALTH EXPERIENCE EVENT LAST FALL, THREE LOCAL CLINICIANS ANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BODY’S ESSENTIAL MUSCLE. IT’S NEWS YOU CAN USE TO STAY HEALTHY.

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JANUARY 2024

12/14/23 10:12 AM

Quick: What’s the leading cause of death among women in the United States? You’re forgiven if you answered “breast cancer,” as that disease has earned its high profile as a significant threat to female health. But the answer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is heart disease.

Heart health was the topic of a session at last November’s BERGEN Fall Women’s Health Experience at Edgewood Country Club in River Vale. We opened the floor to questions from the 100+ attendees, and three Bergen-based clinicians gave the responses below. They were Olasumbo Awoniyi, M.D., a family physician from Bergen New Bridge Medical Center; Erica Langford, M.S., R.D.N., from The Valley Hospital; and Lillian Turano, N.P., The Valley Hospital.

What’s the best way to assess one’s risk of developing heart disease?

Turano: We start with baseline blood work and family history. Once we get past the baseline risk, there are lots of other diagnostic testing that can be done. There’s coronary artery CT [computed tomography] scan, which is becoming popular with primary care physicians as a way to detect heart disease. It’s a CT scan of the heart that detects calcium that’s been laid down in the coronary arteries. This is not a diagnostic test, but it’s another risk assessment where we can make an educated guess—if you have a certain amount of calcium in your coronary arteries, then you’re at much higher risk at having a heart attack.

When are heart palpitations a problem?

Are they normal at a certain age?

Turano: That’s a term used to describe a blockage in one of the main arteries of the heart that feeds a large Dr. Awoniyi: Palpitations are when you feel floaters portion of the heart muscle. Women can get the in the chest. There are many causes of palpitations, widow maker just as much as men can. from heart disease to thyroid disease. If you’re having frequent palpitations, you should see your doctor, who’ll determine if they’re abnormal. Your What does a history of pre-eclampsia doctor will do an evaluation, do blood work and an have to do with the heart as you age?

EKG and figure out the cause of the palpitations.

Turano: Pre-eclampsia is the development of high They’re not something to sweep under the blood pressure during pregnancy, and that can carpet. have an effect on the body as you get older. If Turano: If you have palpitations you had pre-eclampsia, you have higher and have symptoms such as predisposition for high blood pressure as lightheadedness, fatigue and you age. shortness of breath, definitely don’t Dr. Awoniyi: If you had pre-eclampsia in wait—get checked out rapidly. Try the past, you can develop hypertension to keep a mental log. For example, ask in the future so you have to keep watching yourself if you had an extra cup your blood pressure. Hypertension Olasumbo Awoniyi, M.D., of coffee today. There are lots of is one of the risk factors for Bergen New Bridge benign palpitations that can be cardiovascular disease; it increases the Medical Center caused by too much caffeine. risk of heart attack.

Is it a good idea to take baby aspirin if you think you’re having a heart attack?

I love dark chocolate. Is that an antioxidant?

Langford: Yes, it absolutely is.

Dr. Awoniyi: Yes, one of the treatments if you think you’re having Is there a preferred oil to use for a heart attack is to take a higher heart-healthy cooking?

Erica Langford, M.S., R.D.N., dose of aspirin such as four pills of Langford: For general sautéing, roasting The Valley Hospital baby aspirin. And then call 911. and baking at home, I’d recommend olive oil. Some oils have a smoke point, the temperature at which they start to get What are silent heart attacks, and smoky and break down. Most of us are not are they more common in men cooking at home at those temperatures, so than women? there’s nothing wrong with using canola Turano: It’s a term used for when oil or soybean oil. These also contain someone’s had damage to the heart healthy omega-3s. Some people prefer to use muscle but didn’t feel it. There aren’t them as well because they’re a bit less any clear warning signs because Lillian Turano, N.P., expensive than olive oil. the patient doesn’t feel anything; The Valley Hospital nor are there any symptoms.

When you go to the doctor and If I use olive oil, which one is best? he or she does an EKG, it shows some changes that Langford: When cooking with olive oil, use what’s indicate that there’s been damage to a particular area labeled as “light-tasting” versus extra virgin. Extraof your heart. These silent heart attacks are not more virgin olive oil is cold-pressed and contains all of the prevalent in men than women. But women tend antioxidants in the olives. Use it on a salad, drizzled to have heart attacks with more subtle symptoms over a caprese salad or as a dressing. You’ll retain the such as fatigue, things you might not identify as antioxidants in that form because you’re not heating symptoms of a heart attack. it; antioxidants can be destroyed during cooking.

Dr. Awoniyi: Silent heart attacks are more common The good fats don’t break down while cooking, and in people with diabetes. you want to get the antioxidant benefits.

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Do only men get the “widow maker”?

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A HEALTHIER YOU, FROM

AZ TO

JUST IN TIME FOR THE NEW YEAR, HERE’S AN ALPHABET OF TIPS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU TAKE OPTIMAL CARE OF THAT BODY AND MIND OF YOURS AND STAY WELL.

Ready to become the best possible you in ’24? For most of us, that needn’t mean a complete lifestyle overhaul, with all the fun extracted. Making smart lifestyle choices can help you not only avoid disease, but also feel more energetic and get more joy out of life. On the following pages, we present, based on recent research, a health tidbit for each letter of the alphabet.

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FOR AISALCOHOL

Beer, wine and liquor are ingrained in our culture as accompaniments to good food and good times. But the health benefits claimed for alcohol in some past studies have been questioned by experts, who wonder: Did they show a real cause-andeffect connection, or was it merely that healthy people did more socializing, and thus more imbibing?

One thing doctors agree on is that you’ll have a safer, healthier 2024 if you avoid heavy drinking. The Mayo Clinic suggests limits of one drink a day for women, two drinks a day for men, one drink being 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits. (FYI: Mayo also says that even light drinking brings a “tiny” increased risk of some cancers.)

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JANUARY 2024

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FOR MANNER B ISBEDSIDE

When you have a health issue—especially a serious illness like breast cancer—you want a health care professional you trust and feel comfortable with. According to a study from New Jersey’s own Rutgers University, an empathetic doctor makes a difference in reducing patient anxiety and uncertainty. “Cancer isn’t just a diagnosis, it’s a journey that may involve guidance from various healthcare professionals,” says Raimonda Goldman, D.O., chief of oncology at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck. “It’s imperative that patients find someone who has a willingness to collaborate with others, is sensitive to cultural differences, exudes trustworthiness, communicates clearly and shows genuine concern. This can significantly contribute to a positive experience throughout the patient’s treatment journey and help mitigate any anxiety.” And be sure family members are comfortable with the healthcare team too. “The patient’s family is also on this journey with them,” Dr. Goldman says.

“Look for a physician who can provide and guide your family to engage in the support they need as well.”

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JANUARY 2024

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FOR CARE C ISCARDIAC

Hitting 10,000 steps a day isn’t the only route to heart health. A new British study has found that climbing five or more flights of stairs daily, or about 50 steps, was linked with a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes. Researchers determined that really, any short burst of high-intensity activity is good for your heart, and it’s especially fitting if you can’t get a full workout in. So maybe 2024 is the time to take up jump rope?

FOR D ISDIETING

Europeans have been onto something for centuries with the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes healthy fats and lots of meat and veggies. Turns out that older people who follow a lower-calorie Mediterranean diet and exercised—even minimally—up to six days a week gained muscle and lost weight by the end of year, and kept it off three years later, a new study reports. A lower-calorie diet also can reduce the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Fish, a Mediterranean diet staple, is a low-calorie

G ISGUTFORHEALTH

superfood that is known to boost brain function, notes Robin DeCicco, certified holistic nutritionist at Power of Food Education in Ramsey.

“There are many types of fish that help improve brain health, including flounder, cod, haddock, sole, sea bass and tuna,” she says.

“My favorites are salmon, arctic char and wild sardines packed in olive oil and canned mackerel. Fish is brain food.”

FOR F ISFERTILITY

The older we get, the harder it is to get pregnant, since women’s egg quality and quantity decline with age. But recent research has determined that an anti-aging supplement called spermidine made middle-aged mice more fertile. Experts think this shows promise for humans too, and just might be the “holy grail” of fertility over age 40. In the meantime, eat more cheddar cheese, mushrooms and soybeans, which naturally contain spermidine.

You may want to invest in a good prebiotic vitamin. A new study found that this dietary supplement, which helps maintain good bacteria in the gut, not only helps with digestion but also with weight. “Prebiotics (carbohydrate-based sources of fiber) feed probiotics, and they improve the balance of bacteria in the microbiome,” says Debbie Bessen, M.S., R.D., nutrition outreach manager at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck. “Some probiotic strains are thought to have an effect on weight loss, especially body fat.” She says you’ll find prebiotics in foods like artichokes, tomatoes, onions, leafy greens, garlic, berries, bananas (green), kiwis, cherries, apples, quinoa, flaxseeds, oatmeal, lentils, chickpeas, and white and black beans.

FOR H ISHAPPINESS

Happiness is in our blood—literally. According to recent research, some people are more genetically inclined to be happy than others, and their happiness mostly remains consistent from age 12 to age 73. This was true for people of all backgrounds. Still, even if you’re not more genetically joyful, it helps to do more of whatever it is that makes you happy—other research suggests that happy folks tend to have lower blood pressure, reducing the danger of heart disease.

E IS FOR EYES

Carrots help your vision, sure, but apparently grapes do too! Eating this antioxidant-heavy fruit (on its own, not in wine) for 16 consecutive weeks was found in a recent study to help improve eye health and vision in older adults. It could be due to polyphenols, which are phytochemicals found in grapes and other foods such as blueberries, cherries and leafy green vegetables that work as antioxidants that can help combat inflammation in the body. Studies showed that certain antioxidant vitamins can slow the progression of intermediate and advanced macular degeneration and are commonly recommended to patients, and this study suggests grapes have a similar benefit. Good news is there are black, green and red grapes, which all taste slightly different, or you can opt for a sweeter variety such as cotton candy grapes or mini-champagne grapes.

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I IS FOR INDIGESTION

The spice turmeric has been shown in a new study to treat symptoms of indigestion such as bloating, nausea and stomach pain just as well the over-thecounter omeprazole product Prilosec, both on its own and in combination with meds. People in Asia have been using this spice for this purpose for centuries, but the Western world is catching on. Sprinkle it on rice or cauliflower, in soups or stews, or even use it when baking cookies and cakes. Don’t have turmeric in your spice rack? “There are many natural herbs that have been used for centuries to aid digestion, including peppermint, ginger, chamomile, turmeric, cinnamon and dandelion,” says Debbie Bessen, M.S., R.D., nutrition outreach manager at Holy Name Medical Center. “However, if they are used medicinally in large concentrations, it’s important to contact a healthcare professional first.”

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IS FOR JOINTS

Seventy percent of older adults experience pain in their joints, which are intricate structures made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and synovial fluid. But you don’t need to live with achy joints. There are many remedies for joint pain, including over-the-counter hot and cold packs as well as anti-inflammatories such as Advil and Aleve, Anthony Delfico, M.D., orthopedic surgeon and director of sports medicine at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood tells BERGEN. Gentle exercise, regular massages and weight management can also help, since being overweight puts added stress on joints. When performing gentle, low-impact exercises, “use proper form and take it easy” so you don’t overextend muscles and joints and overexert yourself, Dr. Delfico says.

Consult your physician if joint pain persists after a couple of weeks or if joints can’t move.

K IS FOR KINDNESS

Doing even a small generous thing for someone else has been found to ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. “Being kind creates the world we want to live in,” notes Stephen Oreski, L.C.S.W., a psychotherapist who runs his eponymous office in Paramus. “And physiologically, smiling—whether you’re doing it or whoever is

the recipient of your kindness—makes us feel better.” Still, he notes, the happiness you feel after random acts of kindness isn’t a permanent solution to depression and anxiety. “When people are depressed, their world gets smaller,” Oreski says. “Kindness is helpful in opening up to the world and it’s a part of addressing depression.

But you always want to seek professional help if you are suffering from depression.”

FOR COVID LISLONG

What differentiates people who recover quickly from the coronavirus from long-COVID sufferers, whose symptoms last beyond three months? Reduced levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, according to a recent study. Lower serotonin levels were found to cause problems with cognition seen in some long-COVID patients. The next step is most likely clinical trials to see how increasing serotonin improves symptoms. For now, certain supplements (such as those containing creatine), exercise, more sunlight and foods containing tryptophan (like turkey) can increase serotonin levels.

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FOR M ISMENOPAUSE

Feeling extra stressed lately? That could be why your menopause symptoms are more pronounced too. A recent study found that women who reported higher stress levels, anxiety or depression and/ or constipation also had more severe menopausal symptoms. However, these symptoms can be managed. “I tell my patients about hormonal treatment options, synthetic treatments, herbal remedies and supplements, as well as meditation, yoga and massage therapy, which can lower cortisol levels,” says Tracy Verrico, D.O., of Bona Dea Gynecology in Paramus.

“There are treatments for women who are suffering with moderate to severe symptoms.”

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IS FOR BITING N NAIL

Quitting a nail-biting or skin-picking habit won’t happen overnight, but slowly but surely “habit replacement” can help. In a recent study, nail biters who were taught to replace their habit with another, such as rubbing the fingertips, palm or back of the arm at least twice a day, saw a reduction in their biting habits. “Nail-biting is usually an expression of anxiousness,” says Stephen Oreski, L.C.S.W., a psychotherapist in Paramus. “Practice mindfulness when you have the urge to bite your nails, and take note when you do it. Is it when you drive or when you watch TV? Be aware and then practice doing something else during that time, like wearing gloves when you drive if that’s when you have the urge.” If you want to quit this habit for good, though, seek out a qualified therapist.

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FOR O ISOBESITY

Here in New Jersey, the prevalence of obesity in adults is slightly lower than the national average (28.6 percent vs.

32.3 percent), but many of us are still clinically overweight. And a recent paper claims that the biggest culprit in obesity is fructose. This sugar is found naturally in fruit, but is also added to artificial sweeteners and many processed foods. To lower your fructose intake, start by not buying foods whose nutrition labels list fructose, crystalline fructose or honey among the ingredients.

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P IS FOR PICKLEBALL

An Apple Health study found that both tennis and pickleball have equivalent health benefits to their players, boosting overall health as well as balance and coordination. Still, knee and leg injuries as well as ailments like tennis elbow and tennis leg are common with both of these sports. To avoid injury, warm up for pickleball with “10 to 15 minutes of stretching and light jogging or walking prior to playing,” notes Kimberly Koury, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at Englewood Health.

“It is important for overall health to build in daily stretching into your routine such as a basic calf stretch two to three times daily for five minutes.”

FOR S ISSKIN

Topical creams can help make your skin look and feel its best, but that’s not the only way to get that natural glow. One study found that weightlifting can improve skin elasticity; another unrelated study concluded that listening to relaxing music can help skin look more rejuvenated too. (Taylor Swift was named the world’s “most relaxing artist.”)

QIS FOR QUALITY CARBS

It’s quality, not quantity when it comes to the carbohydrates you consume. New research found that high-quality carbohydrates such as whole grains promoted less weight gain in middle-aged folks, while lower-quality carbohydrates (those with refined carbs or added sugars) resulted in more weight gain. That’s because high-quality carbohydrates go through less processing, contain more nutrients and are higher in fiber. According to Robin DeCicco of Power of Food Education in Ramsey, high-quality carbs can be found in millet, quinoa, brown rice, oats, buckwheat and amaranth. “I consider all beans/lentils to be high-quality carbs as well as starchier veggies like sweet potatoes, potatoes and butternut, spaghetti and acorn squashes,” she adds. “These are a bit higher in carbs than veggies like leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, but they are denser/sweeter/ more satisfying, so you can get your fill and feel satisfied while watching your weight.”

R IS FOR RUNNING

Running has a plethora of benefits for our physical health, but now it’s been proven to have advantages for mental health too. Researchers found in a recent study that in some people, running regularly can be just as helpful as antidepressants for treating depression and anxiety symptoms. The reasoning?

Running helps increase blood flow to the brain and boosts levels of endocannabinoids, a biochemical substance produced by the body that promotes feelings of calmness and reduces anxiety. Running also reduces stress, enhances mood and memory and improves one’s ability to learn. Not sure how to begin a new running routine? “If you would like to start running, it is critical to stretch, build up your distance gradually and to take adequate rest days to allow your body to recover,” Dr. Koury says. “This is crucial to prevent injuries such as stress fractures, strained muscles, etc.”

T IS FOR TEA

A new way to help prevent diabetes may just be your cup of tea. Researchers found that drinking a cup of dark tea (such as black tea) once a day without any added sweeteners may reduce your risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Black tea contains antioxidants called flavonoids—which are also found in fruits and vegetables—which are linked to reducing high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity. If you’re looking to cut out sugary drinks and soda, switching to tea is a good option. Try oolong tea, another black tea, which has been known to reduce and lower cholesterol.

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FOR ULTRAFOODS UISPROCESSED

Having trouble putting down that tub of ice cream or sealing up the bag of chips may not just be about self-control. Instead, a new study found that it could be because ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have an addictive quality to them. Researchers found that UPFs’ ingredients make their way to the brain faster than minimally processed foods do, which is why we want to eat more and more of them. This isn’t to say that everyone who craves salt is addicted to it, but it is worth keeping in mind next time you go for a (second or third) handful of Lay’s.

IS FOR VITAMIN B

Out of the 13 vitamins our bodies need, eight of them are part of the vitamin B subgroup, including B12, which helps make our DNA and our red blood cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency has recently been linked with chronic inflammation and a range of health problems. You may be vitamin B12-deficient if you feel unusually tired or weak or are experiencing gastrointestinal issues. Your primary care physician can run a blood test to see if your B12 levels are normal or on the lower end.

FOR W ISWALKING

No time for a full-on workout? Two minutes will do. Even just 60–120 seconds a day of vigorous activity—power walking, climbing stairs

or even chasing after your kids—can lower your risk of certain cancers, according to a new study. If possible, shoot for a full half-hour to increase the benefits of walking. “Even a simple 30-minute walk (especially before or after a meal) will increase insulin sensitivity, which will help lower blood sugar and prevent or help treat diabetes,” says Kimberly Koury, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at Englewood Health. “It will also decrease inflammation and help support your gut microbiome health. The end result will be a stronger body and mind.”

FOR XISX-RAYS

Your dental office may inspire memories of wearing those heavy lead aprons or thyroid collars during X-rays, but you may not be doing so for much longer. A recent study found that the radiation from X-rays does not cause genetic mutations or diseases, and the risk of thyroid cancer is low, meaning that these aprons may not be necessary.

FOR Y ISYAWNING

Yawning has long baffled researchers—why do we do it, and what is the point? Experts have said a yawn releases hormones that jolt you awake—temporarily—by increasing your heart rate. But new studies suggest that yawning may be a way for us to avoid harm. The logic is that if you see someone around you yawning, you’ll be more vigilant to threats in an attempt to protect that overly tired person.

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FOR Z ISZZZS

(You knew this one was coming, didn’t you?) Here’s good news for folks who “snooze” the alarm every morning. In a new sleep study, people who snoozed for an extra 30 minutes performed just as well on cognitive tests as their friends and neighbors who jolted right out of bed. And grabbing that bonus Z-time apparently did not dampen the snoozers’ mood.

So don’t feel too guilty about hitting that button—those extra few minutes may make you feel more awake once you’re up and at ’em.

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Special Report

A HOSPITAL RECONCEIVED Starting in April, managers say, The Valley Hospital’s new high-tech home in Paramus will build on the lessons of experience to offer unparalleled care. BY LESLIE GARISTO PFAFF On the Monday before Thanksgiving, at The Valley Hospital’s shiny new Paramus facility, no babies were born, no diseases vanquished, no broken bones set or MRIs taken or joints replaced.

Still, there were signs of life: In the expansive, sun-washed lobby, a hard-hatted construction worker surveyed the garden through a towering wall of windows. In Maternity, the lights—which would look completely at home above a design-forward dining table—were on over the nurses’ station.

And in the Serenity Oasis, the illuminated waterfall was up and running and giving off soothing vibes, though no patients or visitors or hard-working staffers were there to take advantage of them.

All that will change on April 14, when the nearly $900 million facility, comprising 900,000 square feet, three wings and seven stories, will open to the public, and every patient will be moved from the old hospital to the new. In the planning since 2017, the building had its groundbreaking on Nov. 1, 2019. It will replace Valley’s Ridgewood facility, which will be repurposed to offer urgent care and other outpatient services.

Initially, Valley had hoped to expand the Ridgewood facility but decided against the plan in the face of opposition, over the course of a decade, from a group of

Ridgewood residents and the village’s planning board, which rejected two separate hospital expansion applications citing potential problems involving construction noise and danger, property values, tax revenues and more. Both the move and the new facility appear to represent a win-win for Ridgewood and the hospital, as well as patients throughout the county. “Valley is critical to the health and safety of New Jersey,” says U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer. “The new hospital will transform healthcare for our families, bolster our economy and bring jobs to our community.”

The new hospital will be part of a 40-acre health and wellness campus consisting of the Robert & Audrey Luckow Pavilion (housing Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care), the George R. Jaqua Same Day Services Center, a retail pharmacy and other buildings. “The campus offers our patients the opportunity to receive virtually every healthcare service they may need in one location, including inpatient care, outpatient procedures, cancer care and the ability to see many of Valley’s doctors,” says Audrey Meyers, president and CEO of Valley Health System. The new facility is part of a wave of healthcare construction in the U.S., which reached a record $56 billion in January 2023, spurred largely by the aging of baby boomers and their

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increasing need for healthcare services.

Meyers has said the new hospital will “raise the bar” for care, and she cites numbers to bear that out: Where the Ridgewood facility had eight public elevators, the new hospital will have 27. Patient rooms in Ridgewood were a relatively small 140 to 200 square feet; new rooms, all of them private, are a spacious 300 square feet. Where the old facility had 40 exam rooms, the new one will have 80. And the new operating rooms will all be 200 square feet larger than the old. The expansion is critical, given how many Bergen residents depend on the hospital. In 2022, for example, Valley admitted 52,081 patients, treated 69,751 in its Emergency Department and welcomed 4,049 babies to the world.

The new hospital will be bigger, but it will also be smarter, designed not just to accommodate the latest technology—including smart beds, wireless tracking systems to quickly locate staff and equipment and sensors that prevent patient falls—but to incorporate new features as technology advances. Cathy Bennett, president and CEO of the New Jersey Hospital Association, notes that “a hospital’s physical structure can have tangible impact on patient care and outcomes. Investing in the healthcare infrastructure, including opportunities like this one, is a commitment to providing safe, efficient patient care.”

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Nearly one-third of The Valley Hospital’s new Paramus facility, set to open in April, will consist of open green space, with many of its roofs topped with growing plants. Gardens will be graced with monoliths created from the mural that once decorated the exterior wall of the former Alexander’s store.

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PRIVACY’S IN FASHION Although the hospital’s staff—from orderlies and cafeteria cooks to nurse practitioners and surgeons—will benefit from the new facility, it’s patients who will reap the greatest boon. “Patient-centered technology,” says Joseph Lorino, Valley Health System’s vice president of facilities management, “is by far the new hospital’s most forward-looking feature.” Most important, all of the 370 patient rooms will be private, as opposed to the semi-private model—two beds to a room, separated by a curtain—that’s been the standard in most hospitals,

in” using the tablet when a provider is present, to get medical information firsthand and, if necessary, help the patient interact with the provider. “Sometimes, elderly patients will say, ‘I don’t know what to ask the doctor,’” explains Trish Clark, R.N., Valley Health System’s director of facilities development.

“The tablet will allow family members to make sure the right questions are being asked.” The device can also be used to access entertainment and check email.

One of the most striking innovations in the realm

“The campus offers our patients the opportunity to receive virtually every healthcare service they may need in one location and the ability to see many of Valley’s doctors.”

—Audrey Meyers, president and CEO, Valley Health System including the old Ridgewood facility, until very recently. Even the smallest patients—specifically, infants in the neonatal intensive care unit—will be in private rooms, as opposed to traditional open bays.

The new rooms, each with its own bathroom, won’t just afford greater patient privacy; they’ll also reduce the spread of infection by limiting exposure to other patients. Each room will have its own hand sink; technology, in the form of automated ID badges connected to a tracking device, will ensure that staff members wash their hands before entering and leaving a patient’s room. Rooms will also be quieter, leading to better sleep, thanks to nurse servers—cabinets that open both inside and outside the room so nurses don’t have to enter a room to stock them with supplies. And a small pin light will allow nurses to check on patients at night without overhead lights blazing.

Some of the most significant improvements in these new, more spacious rooms will be increased square footage, and maximized comfort, for visiting family members. In addition to a table and a large glider chair, each room will have a sofa that opens up into a bed, so that a family member can spend the night—“something we believe contributes to a positive healing environment,” says Lorino. In addition, notes Charles Vannoy, R.N., vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, “the designated space will allow loved ones better opportunities to collaborate with our clinical teams to ensure better outcomes for our patients.”

Technology will also enable more effective collaboration with family members. Each patient, for instance, will be provided with a so-called companion tablet, similar to an iPad, to communicate with family off site via video conferencing. If a patient prefers, remote family members can “sit

of patient care is the new “footwall.” Traditionally a whiteboard attached to the foot of the hospital bed, the footwall is used to keep track of the patient’s changing condition. Valley’s new footwall has been moved to the wall across from the bed and now takes the form of a 75-inch flat-screen TV that’s designed to do far more than entertain patients. In essence, it will serve as a communication tool among patient, care team and family members, displaying clinical information and patient schedules; it will provide patient education and offer the capability for telemedicine video meetings with family and clinicians. When staff members enter the room, their names, titles and ID photos will appear on the footwall, so patients never have to wonder, “Who is that, and why is she here?”

“The footwall provides patients with an unprecedented amount of information and interactive content,” says Kathleen McDonough, R.N., Valley Health System’s director of operations and logistics.

“Patients will be able to access details about their care team and their contact information, as well as view educational materials and entertainment. They’ll even be able to use it to order their meals.”

SEEKING WELLNESS FOR THE PLANET TOO The Earth isn’t officially a patient, but it’s reliably reported to be on the critical list, so new structures these days aspire to be Earth-friendly in their design—and that includes the new Paramus facility for Valley Hospital.

Audrey Meyers, president and CEO of Valley Health System, notes that “sustainability was a guiding principle of design for our new hospital, which was designed, built and will operate using environmentally friendly principles and processes.” Valley plans to seek gold-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, a globally recognized symbol of leadership and achievement in sustainability.

Nearly one-third of the property will consist of open, green space, and many of its roofs, topped with growing plants, will be green as well. “The hospital will also feature a cogeneration plant,” Meyers says, “which will produce 30 to 40 percent of its power, depending on the season. The plant will allow the hospital to produce its own steam, hot water and air conditioning, all while reducing the plant’s carbon footprint.”

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RECOGNIZING FAMILIES’ NEEDS In addition to more space and greater comfort in patient rooms, family members will find other welcome innovations in the new facility. No longer will they have to share elevator space with a cart full of dirty dishes: Seven elevators dedicated solely to visitors will whisk them up to patient floors. Family counsel areas will offer space for private consultations with physicians. And there will be a consult room on every unit for those instances when family members don’t want to speak in front of the patient. Spacious waiting rooms will be filled with art and light and comfortable furniture, and the garden—with its picnic tables, benches and winding pathways—offers additional space and a literal breath of fresh air.

“Thirty percent of the hospital’s grounds are dedicated to open green space, including gardens, walking paths and green roofs, which involve growing plants on the facility rooftops,” says Meyers. The garden will be graced with monoliths created from the mural that once decorated the exterior wall of Alexander’s department store in Paramus. The colorful constructions are visible from inside the hospital as well, and the panel bearing the signature of Polish-born artist Stefan Knapp hangs in an interior passthrough.

Operating rooms in the new facility aren’t just larger but also safer. “Each one of our operating rooms has a modular ceiling that creates an airflow curtain around the patient, which reduces surgical-site infections,” notes Lorino. Supplies are stored in sterile cores between groupings of ORs and can be sent to and from the rooms through pneumatic tubes. A designated elevator takes soiled instruments to the hospital’s central supply area; another transports sterile instruments to the OR. In addition, the new facility was designed so that related services are grouped together, in order to ensure that patients are treated quickly and efficiently. “Specifically,” says Juan B. Grau, M.D., director of cardiothoracic surgery, “the Emergency Department and diagnostic imaging are located one

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floor below the interventional platform”—the departments where patients are treated both surgically and nonsurgically—”with a designated elevator to transport patients in the event of a medical emergency.” A similar innovation is the location of an MRI [magnetic resonance imaging] machine between two operating suites. “This will allow surgeons, particularly neurosurgeons, to pause during an operation, wheel the patient just steps away to obtain an MRI, and then return the patient to the operating room,” Meyers explains. “The findings from the scan will help surgeons determine if additional surgery is needed before the procedure is completed.”

COVID’S LESSONS APPLIED “If the pandemic had a silver lining for us, it’s that we were still in the design process through much of it and were able to change the design based on the lessons we were learning,” Lorino says.

For instance, every patient room can quickly be transformed into a negative isolation space in the event of a future pandemic. In addition, because it became clear during COVID that the many intubated patients were quickly using up medical gases such as oxygen, the new patient rooms were designed with increased medical gas services. And new oxygen tanks were tripled in size, “which enables us to have a larger reserve of oxygen in future pandemics,” says Lorino.

To protect hospital personnel, caregivers can now place IV pumps in the corridor and pass an IV through the wall into the patient’s arm, so that they no longer have to enter the room to administer IV fluids. That also cuts down on the need for personal protective equipment like gowns and masks, which were sometimes in drastically short supply during COVID. Not all of the innovations designed into the new hospital are big and broad and potentially lifesaving, but even the small details are intended to help make the patient experience easier. Aesthetics, for example, was an integral part of the design process.

Yes, all the finishes are easy to keep clean, but they also please the eye, from frosted walls bearing botanical designs to backlit decorative panels in patient rooms to stamped subway-tile insets in the patient bathrooms. A hydroponic garden will provide fresh herbs year-round to enhance meals that can be ordered room-service style, using the digital footwall, the companion tablet or the phone.

Both the design’s small details and its big picture were created with input from the hospital’s Patient and Family Advisory Council, an organization of current and former patients, family members and caregivers whose goal is to enhance patient health, safety and comfort. “Every aspect of the design,” says Meyers, “was considered from a patient’s point of view.”

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Audrey Meyers, CEO of The Valley Hospital, says the new facility “raises the bar” for healthcare. The old facility in Ridgewood, for example, had 40 exam rooms. The new one will have 80.

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Stage Right Ready to make your biggest investment pay? Present your home so it’s a hit with prospective buyers. depersonalize and dazzle (in sparkling cleanliness).

“Staging is really about selling your house,” says Carol Wilkinson, owner of Mahwah-based Staging by Carol. “That’s really the whole idea—to sell your house rapidly, to make your photos stand out.” Staging can be accomplished by a pro or tackled by the homeowner— just trade your rose-colored glasses for objectivity. Here are some of Wilkinson’s “tricks of the trade” for Bergenites:

Selling your house is a big farewell, no doubt about it. But while the transition may tug at your heart, you also need to use your head. The way to get the best possible price for your home is to showcase it effectively, in open-house showings and especially in the images that prospective buyers see first. Your house can’t smile for the camera, but it can star in alluring online photos with help from the three Ds: declutter,

DROP THE DRAPES Today’s preferred look sets windows free, says our expert. Why drag down a room with draperies when many buyers crave the bright light of full window views? Drapes not only obscure the view, but they can also hide the beauty of molding, says Wilkinson. “You want the light to come in,” she advises. “You don’t want to take the eye away from the room and detract by any kind of busy fabric or drapes that block the light.” Drapes in the style that extends across the window are especially dated.

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PUT AWAY THE PERSONAL One of the big draws of this living-room console is what isn’t here: personal items such as family photos, souvenirs, artwork, diplomas or awards.

“When you stage your home, you’re giving somebody else the potential to see themselves in it,” says Wilkinson. “This means you have to depersonalize, so it doesn’t remind them of the previous owner.” Envision a hotel with a neutral atmosphere to welcome a variety of guests. “You have to remove all signs of you,” she says. This console gets it right with neutral items like candles and lamps.

CORRECT COLOR CHAOS This dining room offers a timeless palette of light gray, but other homes decorated in the past 20 years must overcome dark reds, gold stenciling and dated wallpaper. “It’s important to get a facelift to freshen up those rooms, especially if they have a lot of dark furniture,” says Wilkinson. “We’re looking for lighter, brighter, happier spaces.” Some options are Benjamin Moore’s Water’s Edge Blue, Dutch Boy Paints Super White and Valspar September Fog. Paint can also fast-forward dark paneling from yesteryear.

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IT’S TIME FOR TAKEOUT Have a yummy recipe you can’t wait to try? Better stick with takeout until the photo session. Wilkinson recommends removing all hints of culinary action, from microwaves to dishes. “If you have all that stuff out there and it looks like you were cooking pasta last night, no one wants to buy your home,” she says.

“All that stuff has to be gone as it if was never there.” Other pointers: Banish the rugs to highlight floors and brighten the space with fresh flowers.

CLEAR OUT OFFICE CLUTTER Piles of paperwork may impress work colleagues, but for the staged home, they’re just clutter.

“The most important thing is to get rid of the papers,” says our expert. “The weirdest stuff I see is in offices,” she says—but home offices soared in popularity during COVID and can help sell a house if they’re presented optimally.

That means a space is “sterile” of filing cabinets, printers and other traces of workaday industriousness.

While you’re at it, declutter the rest of the rooms, and your staged-right home will be ready to sell for top dollar.

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TASTES

Soup’s On!

Nothing beats chicken noodle or classic tomato, but when the craving for something new and hearty hits, these global favorites are good food too.

TRADITIONAL KHARCHO SOUP Yields 8 servings INGREDIENTS n 1 lb. pork shoulder n 1 yellow onion n 1 tomato n 7 oz. long grain rice n 5 cloves garlic n 2 oz. tomato paste n 1 tsp. hops (suneli) n salt to taste n ground black pepper, to taste n hot red pepper, to taste n ½ tsp ground coriander n 2 bay leaves n greens, to taste n 8 cups water

DIRECTIONS Cut the onion into small cubes. Using a pressure cooker, turn on the “Frying” mode for 15 minutes and fry the onion until soft for 3 minutes.

Cut the meat into small pieces and fry with the onion for 7-8 minutes.

Make a cross-shaped incision on the tomato, pour boiling water over it. Drain the water, carefully remove the skin and cut into cubes.

Add to meat and onions, fry until the end of the program.

Add rice, tomato paste, salt, spices and water. Start the pressure cooker’s “Soup/Stew” program for 60 minutes.

Five minutes before cooking, add fresh herbs.

At the end of cooking, leave in the keep warm mode for 20-30 minutes. Enjoy!

“The pork in this recipe is very fatty. Try substituting chicken in its place to make it leaner. White meat on the bone would be a good swap.” ­—Toni Gerbino, nutritionist, Fort Lee

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TASTES

TRADITIONAL ZUREK SOUP Yields 4 servings INGREDIENTS For the fermented rye flour starter n 5 Tbs. of rye flour n 2 cups of purified water For the soup n 35 oz. of smoked pork bones n 10 oz of bacon n 3 qts. of water n 5 allspice berries n 3 bay leaves n 4 white sausages n 1 onion n 3 garlic cloves n 1 Tbs. of dried marjoram n 2 Tbs. of salt n 1 Tbs. of oil Add-ons to choose n 2 boiled potatoes n 2 boiled eggs

DIRECTIONS Making the fermented rye starter (zakwas) In a clean glass jar, mix rye flour with warm, purified water. Cover the jar with a linen cloth or gauze. Place it in the cold (68°F), dark place. Stir zakwas twice a day. After 5-7 days it is ready to use.

Cooking soup Pour water into a big pot. Add allspice berries and bay leaves and bring to boil.

Reduce the heat. Add smoked pork bones, bacon and white sausage. Cook for about 30 minutes, but don’t bring it to a boil!

In the meantime, peel and dice an onion, then fry it in oil.

Take off the meat. Dice the bacon and cut the white sausage into slices or bigger chunks. You may also remove meat from the bones and dice it.

Stir zakwas for about 1 minute, making sure there are no lumps.

Bring the soup to boil, reduce the heat, then slowly start pouring zakwas into it, stirring all the time.

Cook for about 5 minutes.

Turn off the heat. Add onion, meat, crushed garlic cloves, marjoram and salt.

“To reduce the fat and sodium without sacrificing the taste of this recipe, cut the bacon by two-thirds and use two sausages instead of four.”

— Toni Gerbino, nutritionist, Fort Lee

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12/12/23 2:48 PM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING

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tended appointment times, ensuring a relaxed and positive environment. This deliberate approach serves to dispel any doubts or fears, allowing for a profound exploration of a patient’s complete health history and unique needs.

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12/13/23 9:55 AM

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO WATCH - SPECIAL ADVERTISING

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Founded by Nancé and Kimberly Agresta, Agresta Psychotherapy Group brings well over four decades experience to the community offering in-person and telehealth therapy options 7 days a week. Their goal is to provide psychotherapy and counseling services according to the highest standards in a climate of respect for the individual. Their team of four Licensed Clinical Social Workers provide individual and family treatment options for all ages including specializations in addictions, gender issues, mood and eating

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disorders, anxiety, couples counseling, trauma (EMDR), grief work and more. The Agresta team are advocates for their clients’ well-being and are grateful to be a part of their healing journey.

This January, Agresta Psychotherapy will be starting two Girls Empowerment Groups. One is for girls in elementary school and one is for girls in middle school. The group will focus on coping skills, navigating social media, friendships and more. We will also be adding a Women’s

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12/13/23 9:56 AM

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO WATCH - SPECIAL ADVERTISING

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Unique in this approach, all Riverside Oral Surgery’s surgeons, including Bergen County’s Drs. Jason Auerbach, Sung Hee Cho, Michael Perrino, Jared Rosenstock and Justin Richer provide the full scope of contemporary oral and maxillofacial needs including dental implants, wisdom teeth removal, tooth extractions, bone grafting, impacted canines and full arch dental implants. Our Fellowship trained surgeons provide care in craniofacial surgery, cleft lip and palate, jaw surgery, oral, head, and neck traumas and cancers, TMJ disorders, and facial cosmetic surgery. This collaborative approach and high-level understanding allow for a more comprehensive way of treating patients, especially those with chronic diseases, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.

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12/13/23 9:56 AM

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO WATCH - SPECIAL ADVERTISING

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339 Godwin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432 201.444.3049

www.smilesbybergendental.com

Dr. Liany Farinas-Han is the founder of Smiles by Bergen Dental, a general dental practice that excels in overall patient experience and uncompromising delivery of dental care.

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Dr. Farinas-Han found her passion in dentistry

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after she graduated from The Juilliard School while she was actively teaching and performing as a concert pianist. She received her Doctorate of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

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12/13/23 9:56 AM

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO WATCH - SPECIAL ADVERTISING

Expert, Comprehensive Orthopedic Care Throughout Bergen County James W. Cahill, M.D. Paul E. Kovatis, M.D. Eric Contreras, M.D. Cahill Orthopedic Sports Medicine & Joint Replacement 87 Summit Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601 140 North State Rt., 17, Suite 255, Paramus, NJ 07652 111 Dean Dr., Suite 1 North, Tenafly, NJ 07670 201.489.0022 | www.cahillorthopedic.com

Cahill Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Joint Replacement offers specialized care in sports injuries and joint replacements.

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He routinely performs in and out patient Mako robotic assisted total joint arthroplasties. Dr. Cahill is now Chief Orthopedic Team Physician for St. Peters University in Jersey City.

Dr. Paul Kovatis is a fellowship trained orthopedic leg, foot and ankle surgeon and specializes in the treatment of a variety of foot and ankle conditions. He received his medical degree from UMDNJ and his undergraduate degree from Upsala College. His hospital affiliations are with Hackensack Meridian Health and Hospital for Special Surgery.

Given his training in Level 1 trauma hospitals, as well as his work with elite clientele, patients whose injuries are beyond the scope of other practitioners who perform ankle and foot surgery are often referred to him.

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12/13/23 9:56 AM

ON THE TOWN

Where To Eat

Getting three squares a day has never been easier—Bergen County is home to a selection of restaurants diverse enough to satisfy all of your cravings.

Villa Amalfi 793 Palisade Ave. 201.886.8626 villaamalfi.com

Foschini’s 21 E. Madison Ave. 201.387.9998 foschinis.com

Fleming’s Steakhouse 90 The Promenade 201.313.9463 flemingssteakhouse.com

CLOSTER Brasserie Memere 107 Vervalen St. 201.660.8822 brasserie-memere.com

Grant Street Café 25 Grant Ave. 201.385.1705 thegrantstreetcafe.com

Greek Taverna 55 The Promenade 201.945.8998 greektavernausa.com

Il Mulino 132 Veterans Plz. 201.384.7767 ilmulinodumont.com

Haven 2 Main St. 201.943.1900 havenedgewater.com

EAST RUTHERFORD Al Di La 1 Hoboken Rd. 201.939.1128 aldilaitalianbistro.com

Original Pancake House 15 The Promenade 201.366.4065 ophedgewater.com

Locale Café and Bar 208 Piermont Rd. 201.750.3233 locale208closter.com Sear House 411 Piermont Rd. 201.292.4612 searhouse.com

Delvina Restaurant in Cresskill

ALLENDALE Allendale Bar & Grill 67 W. Allendale Ave. 201.327.3197 allendalebarandgrill.com

ALPINE Kiku 385 Rte. 9 W. 201.767.6322

Allendale Steakhouse 95 W. Allendale Ave. 201.962.9797 allendalesteakhousenj. com

BERGENFIELD Chapala Grill 52 S. Washington Ave. 201.387.2107 chapalamexican grill.com

Mezza Luna 96 W. Allendale Ave. 201.327.6556 mezzalunabistro.com

Nihon Kai 41 S. Washington Ave. 201.384.3000 nihonkaijapanese.com

Nirvana Indian Kitchen 29 W. Allendale Ave. 201.818.2300 nirvanaindiankitchen.com

Tommy Fox’s Public House 32 S. Washington Ave. 201.384.0900 tommyfoxs.com

Savini 168 W. Crescent Ave. 201.760.3700 savinirestaurant.com

CARLSTADT Biggie’s 430 Rte. 17 S. 201.933.4000 biggies.com Il Villaggio 651 Rte. 17 N. 201.935.7733 ilvillaggio.com CLIFFSIDE PARK 354 Steakhouse 354 Lawton Ave. 201.941.0499 354steakhouse.com Avo’s Grill 720 Anderson Ave. 201.945.9038 orderavos.com Rudy’s Restaurant 591 Anderson Ave. 201.943.9252

BOGOTA Luka’s Italian Cuisine 10 River Rd. 201.440.2996 lukasitaliancuisine.com

*Editor’s note—Patrons are encouraged to confirm individual restaurant hours as well as policies regarding reservations and curbside service.

Sedona Taphouse 679 Anderson Ave. 201.943.2300 sedonataphouse.com

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Stern & Bow 171 Schraalenburgh Rd. 201.750.3350 sternandbowrestaurant .com CRESSKILL Delvina Restaurant 172 Piermont Rd. 201.816.0239 delvinarestaurant.com Hanami 41 Union Ave. 201.567.8508 hanamirestaurant.com Samdan 178 Piermont Rd. 201.816.7343 samdanrestaurant.com DEMAREST Yasou Mykonos 134 Hardenburgh Ave. 201.768.8500 yasoumykonos.com DUMONT Fink’s BBQ Smokehouse 26 W. Madison Ave. 201.384.3210 finksbbqsmokehouse. com

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Annabella’s House of Mozzarella 900 Paterson Plank Rd. 201.804.0303 annabellasmozz.com Blarney Station Pub 258 Park Ave. 201.531.0001 blarneystation.com Caffé Capri 119 Park Ave. 201.460.1039 caffecaprirestaurant.com EDGEWATER Baumgart’s Café 59 The Promenade 201.313.3889 baumgartscafe.com Brownstone Pancake Factory 860 River Rd. 201.945.4800 brownstonepancake factory.com De Novo European Pub 1257 River Rd. 201.496.6161 denovoeuropeanpub. com Emma Bistro 2 Hilliard Ave. 201.402.7719 emmabistronj.com

Pier 115 115 River Rd. 201.313.2155 pier115barandgrill.com Rebecca’s 236 Old River Rd. 201.943.8808 rebeccasedgewater.com River Palm Terrace 1416 River Rd. 201.224.2013 riverpalm.com Roberto’s II 936 River Rd. 201.224.2524 robertosii.com Seak 725 River Rd., #30 201.402.3400 seaknj.com ELMWOOD PARK Taverna Mykonos 238 Broadway 201.703.9200 tavernamykonos.com Royal Warsaw 871 River Dr. 201.794.9277 royalwarsaw.com EMERSON Pimaan Thai 79 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.967.0440 pimaanthai.com

Photo courtesy of Delvina Restaurant

The Hill 252 Schraalenburgh Rd. 201.899.4700 thehillcloster.com

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ENGLEWOOD Akai Lounge 11 N. Dean St. 201.541.0086 akailounge.com Baumgart’s Café 45 E. Palisade Ave. 201.569.6267 baumgartscafe.com Bennie’s 54 E. Palisade Ave. 201.894.5700 benniesofenglewood. com Cassie’s 18 S. Dean St. 201.541.6760 cassiespizzeria.com Chat Kaew Thai Cuisine 4 E. Palisade Ave. 201.894.0343 Fat Choy 52 E. Palisade Ave. 201.408.4581 fatchoyworld.com Hummus Elite 39 E. Palisade Ave. 201.569.5600 hummuselite.com La Fonda Paisa 95 W. Palisade Ave. 201.871.3544 lafondapaisausa.com

Photo courtesy of Chillers Grill

Las Maravillas de Tulcingo 84 W. Palisade Ave. 201.568.1980

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS Brownstone Pancake Factory 717 E. Palisade Ave. 201.945.4800 brownstonepancake factory.com

Patsy’s 344 Old Bergen Blvd.

201.943.0627 patsysbistro.com FORT LEE Aquarius 230-234 Main St. 201.592.8338 aquariusrestaurantnj.com

Café Italiano 14 Sylvan Ave. 201.461.5041 cafeitaliano.net Cliff’s Steakhouse 18 Sylvan Ave. 201.944.0233 cliffssteakhouse.com Lefkes Estiatorio 495 Sylvan Ave. 201.408.4444 lefkesnj.com Grissini 484 Sylvan Ave. 201.568.3535 grissinirestaurant.com FAIR LAWN Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza 2101 Promenade Blvd.

201.796.2625 acfp.com

Kimchi Mama 7-09 Fair Lawn Ave. 201.703.2905 kimchimamafairlawn.com

Maggiano’s Little Italy 70 Riverside Sq. 201.221.2030 maggianos.com

Sushi Cocoro 856 Franklin Ave. 201.560.1333 sushicocoro.com

HACKENSACK Casual Habana Café 125 Main St. 201.880.9844 casualhabanacafe.com

Morton’s The Steakhouse 1 Riverside Sq. 201.487.1303 mortons.com

The Cheesecake Factory 390 Hackensack Ave. 201.488.0330 thecheesecakefactory. com

The Oceanaire 175 Riverside Sq. 201.343.8862 theoceanaire.com

GARFIELD The Firehouse 42 Plauderville Ave. 973.478.2226 firehouse-restaurant.com

Big Red Tomato 1205 Anderson Ave. 201.224.6500 brtnj.com

Goodfellas 661 Midland Ave. 973.478.4000 goodfellasristorante.com

Cap’t Loui 210 Main St. 201.461.7080 captloui.com

La Cambusa 517 River Dr. 973.272.8739 cambusanj.com

Chillers Grill 2191 Fletcher Ave. 201.461.0075 chillersgrill.com

La Fortaleza 361 Midland Ave. 973.928.4470 lafortalezamexrestaurant .com GLEN ROCK Glen Rock Inn 222 Rock Rd. 201.445.2362 glenrockinn.com

In Napoli 116 Main St. 201.947.2500 inapoli.com

Stone & Rail 175 Rock Rd. 201.345.0709 stoneandrail.com

Kuba Restaurant 2139 Hudson Ter. 201.585.1601 kubarestaurant.com

Noches De Colombia 90 W. Palisade Ave. 201.567.4950 nochesdecolombia.com

Oceanos Oyster Bar & Sea Grill 2-27 Saddle River Rd. 201.796.0546 oceanosrestaurant.com

Pintxo y Tapas 47 N. Dean St. 201.569.9999 englewoodtapas.com

Rose’s Place 32-01 Broadway 201.475.8800 rosesplacenj.com

Pomodoro 795 Abbott Blvd.

201.224.0800 pomodoro1.com

Rose’s of Englewood 126 Engle St. 201.541.0020 rosesplacenj.com

RP Prime Steakhouse 41-11 Rte. 4 W. 201.267.0702 rpprime.com

Prime & Beyond 501 Main St. 201.461.0033 primeandbeyond.com

Sofia 36 Engle St. 201.541.8530 sofiaenglewood.com

Sage Restaurant 17-15 Broadway 201.797.0500 sagefairlawn.com

Tani Sushi & Asian Grill 44 E. Palisade Ave. 201.567.7888 taniofenglewood.com

FAIRVIEW Noches de Colombia 172 Broad Ave. 201.840.8428 nochesdecolombia.com

Punta Cana 2151 Lemoine Ave. 201.849.5556 puntacanarestaurante. com

The Crow’s Nest 309 Vincent Ave. 201.342.5445 crowsnest.com Hot Fish 450 Hackensack Ave. 201.881.0180 hotfishhackensack.com Houston’s 1 Riverside Sq. 201.488.5667 houstons.com Lido Restaurant 701 Main St. 201.487.8721 thelidorestaurant.com LT Bar & Grill 390 Hackensack Ave. 551.287.6333 ltbarandgrill.com

P.F. Chang’s 390 Hackensack Ave. 201.646.1565 pfchangs.com The Picco Tavern 160 Prospect Ave. 201.880.8750 piccotavern.com Rosa Mexicano 60 Riverside Sq. 201.489.9100 rosamexicano.com HARRINGTON PARK Donatella Ristorante 12 Tappan Rd. 201.767.4245 donatellasitalian. restaurant HASBROUCK HEIGHTS Bensi 459 Rte. 17 S. 201.727.9525 bensihh.co

Chillers Grill in Fort Lee

Pho Today 2151 Lemoine Ave. 201.585.8818

Ventana’s 200 Park Ave. 201.583.4777 ventanasatthemodern. com BERGENMAG.COM

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Tani Sushi & Asian Grill 206 Rock Rd. 201.612.1188 taniofglenrock.com

Baggios 212 Main St. 201.585.7979 baggiospizzarestaurant. com

The Gyro Project 2151 Lemoine Ave. 201.571.4501 thegyroproject.com

Empress Diner 13-48 River Rd. 201.791.2895 empressdinernj.com

FRANKLIN LAKES Pazza 794 Franklin Ave. 201.848.5050 pazzanj.com

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ON THE TOWN The Heights Bar & Grill 163 Boulevard 201.288.9338 Ivy Inn 268 Terrace Ave. 201.393.7699 ivyinn.com Sofia’s 220 Boulevard 201.462.0123 sofiasmediterranean grill.com

Catchy Café 614 N. Maple Ave. 201.445.6400 thecatchycaterer.com Ho-Ho-Kus Inn 1 E. Franklin Tpke.

201.445.4115 hohokusinn.com Ho-Ho-Kus Sushi Café 29 Sheridan Ave. 201.670.7677 hohokussushicafe.com

Tom Yum Koong 305 Boulevard 201.288.3840 tomyumkoong.net

St. Eve’s 611 N. Maple Ave. 201.857.4717 stevesnj.com

HAWORTH Alessandro’s 157 Terrace St. 201.385.8544 alessandrosnj.com

LEONIA Café Mignon 332 Broad Ave. 201.292.1992

Andiamo 23 Hardenburgh Ave. 201.384.1551 andiamorestaurant.net Terrace Street Café 149 Terrace St. 201.338.4720 terracestreetcafe.com HILLSDALE The Cornerstone 84 Broadway 201.666.8688 thecornerstonenj.com Domani 387 Washington Ave. 201.722.8881 domanirestaurants.com Fig & Tomato 100 Park Ave. 201.722.8880 figandtomatoeatery.com

Dante’s Place 373 Broad Ave. 201.592.9071 dantesplace.com Fontana Tritone 248 Fort Lee Rd. 201.242.9040 LITTLE FERRY Segovia Steakhouse 217 Main St. 201.814.1100 segoviasteakhouse.com LODI Kaya 334 N. Main St. 973.779.1128 kayalodi.com ReBar & Kitchen 132 Essex St. 201.368.8181 rebarkitchen.com

Matsu Sushi & Grill 140 Broadway 201.722.9388

Sergio’s Missione 2 Mercer St. 973.778.4545 sergiosmissione.com

Osso Buco 343 Broadway 201.664.1600 ossobucogrill.com

LYNDHURST Angelo’s 263 Ridge Rd. 201.939.1922

HO-HO-KUS Alt Eats 622 N. Maple Ave. 201.444.1300 alteatscafe.com

Foschini’s Brick Oven Pizza 298 Ridge Rd. 201.460.7600 foschinis.com

MAHWAH Jun Lung 180 Franklin Tpke.

201.529.9898 junlungnj.com Mahwah Bar & Grill 2 Island Rd. 201.529.8056 allendalebarandgrill.com Nagoya 1007 MacArthur Blvd.

201.818.9933 nagoyacuisine.com Nonna’s 11 Franklin Tpke.

201.529.1151 nonnasmahwah.com Roxanne’s 150 Franklin Tpke.

201.529.0007 roxannes restaurant.com

Rosario’s Trattoria 29 Central Ave. 201.445.3335 rosariostrattoriamenu. com MONTVALE Delpino Restaurant 108 Chestnut Ridge Rd. 201.391.6866 delpinorestaurant.com Bellissimo 12 S. Kinderkamack Rd. 201.746.6669 bellissimonj.com Fire & Oak 100 Chestnut Ridge Rd. 201.307.1100 fireandoak.com

Sangria 1033 MacArthur Blvd.

201.962.3310 sangriamahwah.com

Gen Sushi & Hibachi 14B Chestnut Ridge Rd. 201.930.9188 gensushimontvale.com

State Line Diner 375 Rte. 17 N. 201.529.3353 statelinediner.com

Hearth & Tap Co. 125 N. Kinderkamack Rd. 201.307.6300 hearthandtap.com

MAYWOOD Angelo’s Greek Taverna 245 Maywood Ave. 201.845.4278 angelosgreektavernanj. com

Yuki 2 S. Kinderkamack Rd. 201.391.9877 yukimontvale.com

Maywood Inn’s Twin Door Tavern 122 W. Pleasant Ave. 201.843.8022 twindoortavern.com Maywood Pancake House 92 W. Pleasant Ave. 201.880.7842 maywoodpancake house.com The Seafood Gourmet 103 W. Pleasant Ave. 201.843.8558 seafood-gourmet.com MIDLAND PARK Arturo’s 41 Central Ave. 201.444.2466 arturos.co

Michael’s Riverside 528 Riverside Ave. 201.939.6333 michaelsriverside.com BERGENMAG.COM

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Fiona’s Ristorante 118 Godwin Ave. 201.857.5800 fionasristorante.com

MOONACHIE Bazzarelli 117 Moonachie Rd. 201.641.4010 bazzarellirestaurant.com Bistro 107 107 Moonachie Rd. 201.440.3339 bistro107nj.com Segovia 150 Moonachie Rd. 201.641.4266 segoviarestaurant.com NEW MILFORD Barrel & Brew 872 River Rd. 201.483.3329 barrelandbrews.com Casual Habana Café 200 Main St. 201.576.0400 casualhabanacafe.com

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Sanzari’s New Bridge Inn 105 Old New Bridge Rd. 201.692.7700 sanzaris.com NORTHVALE Biddy O’Malley’s 191 Paris Ave. 201.564.7893 biddyomalleys.com The Greek Village 254 Livingston St. 201.750.8570 greekvillagenj.com Madeleine’s Petit Paris 416 Tappan Rd. 201.767.0063 madeleinespetit paris.com Olar Noso 493 Tappan Rd. 201.402.9355 OAKLAND Cenzino 589 Ramapo Valley Rd. 201.337.6693 cenzinos.com French Oak Bar & Grill 20 Elm St. 201.375.6588 frenchoaknj.com Trovato’s Due 4 Barbara Ln. 201.337.0813 trovatosduenj.com Yuki 350 Ramapo Valley Rd. 201.337.8889 yuki-oakland.com OLD TAPPAN Bosfa Italian Restaurant 183 Old Tappan Rd. 201.649.8730 bosfaitalianrestaurant. com PALISADES PARK So Moon Nan Jip 238 Broad Ave. 201.944.3998 so-moon-nan-jip.com

The Capital Grille 1 Garden State Plz. 201.845.7040 thecapitalgrille.com Grand Lux Cafe 1 Garden State Plz. 201.909.0399 grandluxcafe.com Kiku 365 Rte. 17 S. 201.265.7200 Mantra 275 Rte. 4 W. 201.342.8868 mantranj.com Suburban Diner 172 Rte. 17 N. 201.261.2605 suburbandiner17.com PARK RIDGE 103 Prime At Valentino’s 103 Spring Valley Rd. 201.391.2220 103prime.com Esty Street 86 Spring Valley Rd. 201.307.1515 estystreet.com The Park Steakhouse 151 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.930.1300 theparksteakhouse.com Peppercorns 176 Colony Ave. 201.391.2818 peppercorns176.com Ridge Diner 125 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.391.4242 ridgediner.com RAMSEY Anthony Franco’s 128 E. Main St. 201.236.8000 afpizza.com Brady’s at the Station 5-7 W. Main St. 201.327.9748 bradysatthestation.net

Yook92 Korean BBQ 425 Grand Ave. 201.620-9292 yook92.com

Café Panache 130 E. Main St. 201.934.0030 cafepanachenj.com

PARAMUS Biagio’s Ristorante 299 Paramus Rd. 201.652.0201 biagios.com

Kinchley’s Tavern 586 N. Franklin Tpke.

201.934.7777 kinchleyspizza.com

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The Shannon Rose 1200 Rte. 17 201.962.7602 theshannonrose.com Smyrna 21 E. Main St. Ramsey 201.934.7990 Tawara 53 W. Main St. 201.825.8712 Varka Estiatorio 30 N. Spruce St. 201.995.9333 varkarestaurant.com RIDGEFIELD Café Tivoli 533 Shaler Blvd.

201.941.5561 cafetivoli.com 88 Rice Shop 88 Rte. 46 W. 201.840.8688 88riceshop.com RIDGEFIELD PARK MK Valencia 228 Main St. 201.373.0228 mkvalenciarestaurant. com Thai Palace 218 E. Main St. 201.441.9119 thaipalacenj.com RIDGEWOOD Cafe 37 37 S. Broad Ave. 201.857.0437 cafe-37.com Cravings Tapas Bistro 8 Wilsey Sq. 201.857.8533 cravingstapas.com Delhi Accent 37 Chestnut St. 201.444.4910 delhiaccentnj.com

Photo courtesy of Park West Tavern

Felina 54 E. Ridgewood Ave. 551.276.5454 felinarestaurant.com Green Fusion 22 Oak St. 201.670.7502 greenfusionnj.com It’s Greek to Me 21 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.612.2600 itsgreektome.com

RIVER VALE Ammata Thai Kitchen 184 Rivervale Rd. 201.664.2299 ammata.com

Latour 6 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.445.5056 latourridgewood.com

Armando’s Grill 688 Westwood Ave. 201.722.5820 armandostuscangrill.com

Lisa’s Mediterranean Cuisine 28 Oak St. 201.251.8686 lisasmediterranean cuisine.net

Let’s Meat Steakhouse 625 Rivervale Rd. 201.660.7960 letsmeatsteakhouse.com

Park West Tavern 30 Oak St. 201.445.5400 parkwesttavern.com

ROCHELLE PARK Nanni 53 W. Passaic St. 201.843.1250 nanni.com

Pearl 17 S. Broad St. 201.857.5100 pearlridgewood.com

RUTHERFORD Café Matisse 167 Park Ave. 201.935.2995 cafematisse.com

Raymond’s 101 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.445.5125 raymondsnj.com

Finch’s 801 Rutherford Ave. 201.231.3141 finchsdining.com

Roots 17 Chestnut St. 201.444.1922 rootssteakhouse.com

Paisano’s 132 Park Ave. 201.935.5755 paisanos.com

S. Egidio 17 N. Broad St. 201.389.3525 segidiopizza.com

The Risotto House 88 Park Ave. 201.438.5344 therisottohouse.com

Steel Wheel Tavern 51 N. Broad St. 201.882.1800 steelwheeltavern.com

Volare’s 7 Station Sq. 201.935.6606 volaresrestaurant.com

Village Green 36 Prospect St. 201.445.2914 villagegreenrestaurant. com

SADDLE BROOK Midland Brew House 374 N. Midland Ave. 201.797.0070 midlandbrewhouse.com

White Maple Café 47 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.447.1953 whitemaplecafe.com

Que Pasta 326 Market St. 201.712.1900 qpitalian.com

RIVER EDGE Mado Restaurant 570 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.265.3629 madorestaurant. business.site

The Plank Pizza Co. Beer Parlor 383 Market St. 201.843.2426

Sanducci’s 620 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.599.0600 sanduccis.com

TEANECK Amarone 63 Cedar Ln. 201.833.1897 amaroneristorante.net

WALDWICK Andrea’s Ristorante 20 E. Prospect St. 201.670.0275 andreasrestaurantnj.com

WOODCLIFF LAKE Bareburger 455 Chestnut Ridge Rd. 201.746.9275 bareburger.com

B V Tuscany 368 Cedar Ln. 201.287.0404 bvtuscany.com

Limoncello 32 Franklin Tpke.

201.652.5577 limoncellonj.com

Etc. Steakhouse 1409 Palisade Ave. 201.357.5677 etcsteakhouse.com

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP Bacari Grill 800 Ridgewood Rd. 201.358.6330 bacarigrill.com

WOOD-RIDGE Al Toro 187 Hackensack St. 862.243.3850 al-toro-restaurant-bar. negocio.site

Noah’s Ark 493 Cedar Ln. 201.692.1200 noahsark.net Regina’s 827 Teaneck Rd. 201.862.1996 reginassteakhouse andgrill.com TENAFLY Axia Taverna 18 Piermont Rd. 201.569.5999 axiataverna.com Brasserie 4 Washington St. 201.266.6400 tenaflybrasserie.com Sayola 50 Prospect Ter. 201.871.2182 sayolarestaurantnj.com

SADDLE RIVER The Saddle River Inn 2 Barnstable Ct. 201.825.4016 saddleriverinn.com

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Park West Tavern in Ridgewood

La Lanterna 29 W. Ridgewood Ave. 201.444.5520 lalanternaof ridgewood.com

TPR Restaurant 38 W. Railroad Ave. 201.871.0444 tprrest.com

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Gus’ Last Word 191 Valley Blvd.

973.939.5608 guslastword.com

WESTWOOD Caffé Anello 11 Madison Ave. 201.786.8137 caffeanello.com

WYCKOFF Aldo’s 640 Wyckoff Ave. 201.891.2618 aldosofwyckoff.com

Downtown Dhaba 266 Center Ave. 201.664.0123 dhabadowntown.com

Benares 327 Franklin Ave. 201.904.2222 benaresnj.com

The Iron Horse 20 Washington Ave. 201.666.9682 theironhorse.com

Blue Moon Café 327 Franklin Ave. 201.891.1331 bluemoonmexicancafé. com

Osteria Crescendo 36 Jefferson Ave. 201.722.1900 osteriacrescendo.com Phoenician Lounge 284 Center Ave. 201.722.8600 phoenicianlounge.com

T.S. Ma Chinese Cuisine 637 Wyckoff Ave. 201.891.8878 tsmachinesecuisine.com Wyckoff Thai 314 Franklin Ave. 201.485.8855 wyckoffthai.com

JANUARY 2024

12/11/23 2:02 PM

RESTAURANT REVIEW

The Skinny On Fat Choy Having dined at some of the country’s best Chinese restaurants, I wasn’t the proverbial stranger in a strange land at Fat Choy in Englewood. I’ll admit, though, to a certain out-of-my-element feeling given that it’s a widely celebrated vegan eatery. I am, after all, a lifelong carnivore with a constant craving for things like pork cracklings and duck fat.

But, believe it or not, dining here had been on my bucket list since the ownership team relocated from Manhattan’s Lower East Side last summer. Though I didn’t need another reason to want to visit, it didn’t hurt when Fat Choy—a certified Kosher eatery—earned a place on The New York Times’s list of “America’s Best Restaurants 2023.”

To see if the new eatery would live up to its billing, I brought my friend and her parents for dinner on a busy Friday night. We were a taste-testing dream team: I brought my AsianAmerican palate, while my elder guests had several decades of steadfast vegan diets under their belts.

We were tempted by the lengthy list of pricey mocktails (there’s no alcohol served here), but instead of sips we opted to dive into appetizers. The chopped choy salad was a refreshing choice, with piles of fresh iceberg lettuce, spinach and radish pairing tastefully with sweet green apple and orange. A side of carrot ginger dressing added a touch of zest to every bite.

The four of us also split a pair of BBQ bao buns, two fluffy buns stuffed with Chinese slaw and roasted trumpet mushrooms. In the past, I’d praise a bao bun for its generous pork belly or short rib filling, but at Fat Choy the mushrooms should’ve been the stars. However, there wasn’t enough of the barbecue-sauced mushrooms, as the cabbage-and-carrot slaw seemed to overpower each bite.

On this night, Fat Choy had sold out of its signature hot and sour soup, so as a third app, we divided a small bowl of Grand Street Soup into four smaller portions. Invented in the former LES restaurant, the soup featured a mouthwatering broth, veggies and delightful fried tofu balls. While it didn’t satisfy us the way we believed hot and sour

FAT CHOY 52 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, 201.408.4581; fatchoyworld.com BERGENMAG.COM

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soup would have, the Grand Street Soup was a worthy substitute.

When I was growing up, my parents always ordered beef and broccoli from our neighborhood Chinese takeout joint, so I knew I had to try Fat Choy’s version, “not quite beef and broccoli.”

Instead of using tofu or an ingredient meant to look like beef, Fat Choy deploys a medley of mushrooms with superb umami flavor to fill this dish. To my surprise, I wasn’t searching for the taste and texture of beef; I simply enjoyed the fresh broccoli and mushrooms.

My friend’s parents were similarly complimentary of the wide rice noodles— noteworthy praise from a couple who, years before they adopted a vegan diet, were regulars at iconic NYC stops like Wo Hop. We all appreciated the firmness of the noodles, the flavor of the mushroom sauce and, most important, the fact that the dish wasn’t swimming in oil—a problem that foils many chow fun dishes. This one comes in two sizes: Though the “regular” portion easily feeds four, my belly wanted second and third helpings and wished we had ordered the “large.”

Unlike your favorite Chinese takeout kitchen, Fat Choy doesn’t include white or brown rice with entrées. Diners have to order rice—or any other side dish. To go with our main dishes, we had a plate of stir-fried Chinese greens as well as a dish with five pieces of glazed tofu. The glutenfree greens were cooked to perfection in a garlicsoy sauce mix, and all of the Chinese broccoli and bok choy maintained a healthy crunch. The crisp tofu was smothered in a sweet soy sauce and covered with sesame seeds and scallion, making for a delightful overall taste on the tongue.

While not overly full, I was certainly pleased with our meal—and the food thoroughly impressed my vegan guests too. Though I wasn’t persuaded to give up a meat-eating lifestyle, I know Fat Choy’s mission is more about providing familiar flavors in a healthful, sustainable option. And for certain I’ll be making more stops here, in the name of the new year, more healthful choices and deepening my acquaintance with something new.

—Darius Amos

Photos by Darius Amos

This new Englewood eatery isn’t your ordinary Chinese kitchen—it’s vegan heaven.

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ON THE TOWN

Be There

From birds and basketball to comedy and karaoke— there’s something for everyone this month in Bergen County.

JAN. 10 Enjoy an evening of laughs and the company of others at SPAMALOT, the musical comedy based on the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. A tour bus departs Miller’s Ale House in Paramus at 5 p.m. and heads to the St. James Theatre in NYC for the evening performance. Tickets are $139 per person, which includes the bus ride, tolls, tip and a mezzanine seat.

Reserve your seat and find out more at gilligansadventures.com.

JAN. 14 Fly like an eagle…to the Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst, where the annual NJ MEADOWLANDS EAGLE FESTIVAL will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The educational program will celebrate all things eagles, with eagle walks, activities, demonstrations and more on the agenda. The event is free and open to all ages. For more information, email greatauk4@gmail.com or visit bergencountyaudubon.org.

JAN. 14 Bring the entire family to bergenPAC in Englewood for an afternoon performance of DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD LIVE!: KING FOR A DAY. There will be two shows (2 and 5:30 p.m.) based off the award-winning PBS KIDS TV series that stars Daniel, O the Owl, Miss Elaina, Katerina Kittycat and more! Tickets range from $35 to $85 and can be purchased at bergenpac.org.

JAN. 15 Kids off from school? Sign them up for a day outdoors at the MLK JR. NATURE DAY CAMP, hosted by Tenafly Nature Center. Children in pre-K through eighth grade will be separated by age groups and participate in handson nature experiences, hikes, crafts and more educational activities. A half-day program (morning or afternoon) is offered for $65; the full-day program is $100. Register now and learn more details at tenaflynaturecenter.org.

JAN. 15 Meet the mind behind some of the best thrillers when NY Times best-selling author ALEX MICHAELIDES visits Books & Greetings in Northvale at 6 p.m. Tickets for the meet-and-greet and book signing are $28.99, which includes a copy of Michaelides’s latest tome, “The Silent Patient.” Read the full scoop at booksandgreetings.com.

JAN. 15, 22, 29 Stop singing in the shower and show off your vocals at MONDAY KARAOKE NIGHT, starting at 7 p.m. at Tommy Fox’s in Bergenfield. Event hosts will provide all music and videos; all you have to bring are your friends, your fans and your voice! Participation is free.

Find out more at tommyfoxs.com.

JAN. 19– FEB. 4 The longest running comedy-thriller on Broadway comes to Bergen when the Leonia Players Guild stages a two-week run of “DEATHTRAP.” Originally written in 1978, the story is a play within a play and contains many jaw-dropping plot twists that’ll leave you shocked and awed. For show times, tickets and more information, visit leoniaplayers.org.

JAN. 26 & 27 Funnywoman LIZ MIELE brings her unique brand of comedy to Bananas Comedy Club in Rutherford for four sets over two nights. Miele has appeared on Comedy Central, FOX, AXS TV, Hulu, NPR’s “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me” and she has several specials and shorts on YouTube and other social media channels.

Show times are 7:30 and 10 p.m. on both dates.

General admission is $25 for the Friday shows and $28 for the Saturday performances.

Reserve your seats now at bananascomedy club.com.

JAN. 27 After making history in last year’s NCAA Tournament, the FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM is hoping for repeat success this season.

On this date, FDU will host the Sacred Heart University Pioneers in a showdown of Northeast Conference rivals.

Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. General admission tickets start at $10 and can be purchased at fduknights. com.

*Editor’s note: All events are subject to cancellations or changes. Attendees are encouraged to confirm dates and times with event venues and organizations.

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JAN. 21 Head to the Englewood Library for an evening of relaxing music starring the ALL SEASONS CHAMBER PLAYERS. The free concert, starting at 7 p.m., features the four-member chamber ensemble and special guest pianist Soyeon Park. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door. Read more about the musicians and find out more details about the show at allseasonschamberplayers.org.

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Gatherings

Bergenites always show up to support their friends and neighbors.

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5 1. NJ SHARING NETWORK Dozens of NJ Sharing Network team members and area residents donated blood at a drive co-hosted with the American Red Cross. 1 Bryant Wilson, Nicole Mitchell, Suleyma Pineda, Farida Safi, Roxanne Dua, Alexander Scott

2-3. BERGEN VOLUNTEER MEDICAL INITIATIVE Hackensack-based BVMI held its 14th Anniversary Gala at Edgewood Country Club in River Vale, which honored the Russell Berrie Foundation. The foundation supported the creation of the Diabetes Prevention, Care and Education Program, among other initiatives.

4-5. VEOLIA Veolia celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Oradell Reservoir Dam this past fall. The reservoir provides drinking water to nearly 1 million residents and businesses in Bergen and Hudson counties. Veolia also recognized and presented donations to Flat Rock Brook Nature Center and Family Promise of Bergen County.

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6. NORTHERN NEW JERSEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION The Northern New Jersey Community FoundationArtsBergen (NNJCF) celebrated National Arts and Humanities Month with the “Barrels O’Art” exhibit, a free display of colorful painted rain barrels in Carver Park in Hackensack. The temporary installation of rain barrels was on display to educate the public about flooding.

7. SPRING LAKE TOYS FOUNDATION In a heartfelt tribute to Nicholas “Nicky” Storms, a 9-year-old who passed away following a valiant fight with cancer, the Spring Lake Toys Foundation hosted a soldout charity golf outing to aid children with rare illnesses and their families. The event took place at Green Brook Country Club.

NJ Sharing Network (1), BVMI (2&3), Veolia (4&5), NNJCF (6), Spring Lake Toys Foundation (7)

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“We took this shot while admiring the beautiful Thanksgiving sunset at our family nursery, Twinbrook Farms in Franklin Lakes. As the sun reflected off the water, we did our own reflecting as a family. We had recently lost our dog, Stella, who was always running around the nursery, so the boys, Mason and Jace, and I were talking about her and saying how grateful we were for all the memories she gave us.”

—Julie Sandberg Swanson, Franklin Lakes

Send us your Bergen Moment! Email your photo and a short description to rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com.

BERGEN Magazine Volume 23, Issue 1 (ISSN# 2573-8151 and USPS 025-351) is published 12 times a year by Wainscot Media, One Maynard Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656. Postmaster: Send address changes to Subscription Department, Wainscot Media, One Maynard Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656. Periodicals postage paid at Park Ridge, N.J., and additional mailing offices.

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Photo courtesy of Julie Sandberg Swanson; Instagram: @jewelzsandberg

A BERGEN MOMENT

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