To make a home look its best, interior designers know just where to shop. Here are their favorite spots. p.
There have been ups and downs in the past two decades, but constants too. Monmouth County remains a great place to live, and we who are privileged to live here still care about our neighborhoods—and our neighbors.
Advances in pain management help a woman cope with her second mastectomy much more easily.
Monmouth Medical Center’s Swing Pink program raises $90K for breast cancer services.
The new Breastfeeding Wellness Center opens at Monmouth Medical Center’s Anne Vogel Family Care & Wellness Center.
A new advanced diagnostic tool gives pediatric gastroenterologists a clearer picture into digestive distress.
When redesigning his own Asbury Park kitchen, a designer honored its social function as much as its culinary one.
Homeowners in Brielle hoped their master bedroom would offer a tranquil yet colorful respite
ON THE COVER:
Powder room designed by Ulrich Inc.; designer Julia Kleyman. Photography by Dove + Co. Studios.
Our guide to new ideas, tips, trends and things we love in the county.
For “Farmer Tim” Stockel of Manalapan, agriculture + entertainment = lots of hard work.
Lead the fashion pack this fall with these stylish cold-weather must-haves.
Maximize your fall look with to-the-floor skirts, which pair perfectly with a blouse or a sweater.
These small tables are big on style.
Our back busy back-to-the-grind routines are in full swing. Make it easy with these three delicious meals. Just toss a salad, and you’re all set.
Will this little-known, gluten-free seed called teff find a place on your plate?
Skip the iced coffee and chai latte. With a touch of everyone’s favorite seasonal spice, this classic cocktail will be Oktoberfest-ready.
Monmouth residents always show up to support their friends and neighbors— especially when help is needed most.
This beautiful Howell sunrise was worth waking up early for on Thanksgiving morning.
NCI
Designated
At Monmouth Medical Center, together with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, we offer the latest in comprehensive breast health services including mammograms, 3D mammograms, breast MRI, genetic testing, breast surgery and more — like peace of mind. And with breast health centers conveniently located throughout New Jersey, finding us is simple, too. Schedule your mammogram at rwjbh.org/mammo
In this issue of Monmouth Health & Life, we celebrate both home and our 20th anniversary of partnering with the magazine that helps us spread our In Good Health messages with our Monmouth County neighbors.
This is also our October issue, and in the In Good Health pages, we introduce you to two Monmouth County residents who share their breast cancer journeys and the remarkable, compassionate care they received close to home. Monmouth Medical Center has a bold vision for the future of healthcare in Monmouth County—one that brings together world-class care with community connections; provides care when, where and how our patients prefer; and continues to shape the future of healthcare.
Let’s beat breast cancer together.
In 2023, we will break ground on our Vogel Medical Campus, which will have as its cornerstone a comprehensive cancer center in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey—the state’s only National Cancer InstituteDesignated Comprehensive Cancer Center. This partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute means our patients have access in one convenient nearby location to innovative treatments, precision medicine, clinical trials and care informed by the latest research.
By offering our patients new hope with innovative solutions in the fight against cancer and supporting them in their journey from diagnosis to survivorship, right here, we are truly providing the highest level of cancer care close to home. We are thankful for two decades of partnership with Monmouth Health & Life in sharing hopeful messages such as this.
latest edition of Fiscal Fitness. It’s local’s summer at the Jersey Shore and the beaches
are at their best It’s also the busiest time of the year for me as many are preparing for year-end, focusing on tax and investment planning.The current economic environment has caused many to re-think retirement and are looking for creative ways to accomplish their long-term goals.
The age at which you retire can have an enormous impact on your overall retirement income situation, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve considered your decision from every angle, including when to take social security, projecting health insurance costs, and when and which accounts to tap into first.
The average 65-year-old American can expect to live for more than 19 additional years1 Keep in mind that life expectancy has increased at a steady pace over the years and is expected to continue increasing. For the ladies out there, we are outliving the men, on average, by 7 years. The bottom line: it’s not unreasonable to plan for a retirement period that lasts for 30 years or more.
Although you can begin receiving benefits as early as age 62, your benefits will be permanently reduced by as much as 25-30% than if you waited until full retirement age (FRA 66-67). Are there other sources of income you could tap into first to allow your benefits to continue to grow?
If you are lucky enough to have an employer pension plan, make sure it won’t be negatively affected by your early retirement. Because the greatest accrual of benefits generally
occurs during your final years of employment, an early retirement could effectively reduce the benefits you receive.
If you plan to start using your 401(k) or traditional IRA savings before you turn 59½, a 10% early distribution penalty tax in addition to any regular income tax is due.2 (exceptions apply). Do you have other investments to draw from to avoid early distribution penalties? Bottom line: speak to a qualified tax advisor or CFP® before taking any distributions.
You are not eligible for Medicare until you turn 65. Unless you’ll be eligible for retiree health benefits through your employer (or have coverage through your spouse’s plan), you’ll need to calculate the cost of paying for insurance or health care out-of-pocket, at least until you can receive Medicare coverage.
The possibility of a prolonged stay in a nursing home weighs heavily on the minds of many older Americans and their families. Many people assume that Medicaid will pay for long-term care costs. Eligibility rules are numerous and complicated, varying from state to state so speak to a qualified advisor before making any assumptions.
These are not easy decisions to make and require careful planning. Now may be the time to meet with an experienced and qualified CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional who can help put all the pieces of the retirement puzzle together.
DEBRA FOURNIER, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™, has been providing comprehensive wealth management services to families and independent women for over 25 years.
Recognized as an experienced and knowledgeable professional in the areas of financial transitions and divorce financial planning, her guidance is often sought where there are complicated financial issues, significant assets or an imbalance in financial knowledge between divorcing couples.
Debra has been quoted in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine and AOL Daily Finance, appeared numerous times on Good Day New York and has been featured in the Asbury Park Press section Getting Ahead.
Looking for a more personalized approach to your finances? We invite you to call us at 732-800-8400 or email debra.fournier@lpl.com and discover how we can help you pursue your financial goals.
2006 Highway 71, Suite 1 Spring Lake, NJ 07762 732-800-8400 | 732-800-0622 fax seaviewwealth.com
It’s October, and that means it’s time for Monmouth Health & Life’s annual Home Issue. With temperatures falling and holidays on the way, home is where most of us will soon be spending more time. That’s an editor’s cue to take a fresh look indoors, at our homes and their possibilities. By definition they’re our “everyday” environments, but everyday needn’t mean humdrum. And crafting our homes to fit our varied lifestyles can give us a glimpse of what we’re all about—and what we value.
The owners of a center-hall colonial in Brielle, for example, wanted their bedroom to be a refuge from the everyday worries (page 42). While they were content with a tan-and-white color palette for the rest of the house, the couple wanted to shake up the color scheme in their room. Designer Pam Cooper came in and gave them a colorful yet tranquil sanctuary—the ideal space for a little R&R or a quiet conversation after a long day.
How can you design your home to reflect your spirit and accommodate what you most enjoy? A shopping trip may help—the one you’ll take after reading “Go Where the Pros Go” on page 36. Here, four Monmouth designers reveal where they themselves shop, category by category, for the interiors they design. Lighting? Furniture? Rugs? You get the picture. And check out the “uplifting” colors that will be prominent in interior design in ’23 (page 13), small tables that make a big style statement (page 24) and comfort-food recipes (page 46) that exude homey appeal on an enticing dinner plate.
We’re hoping you feel at home with this issue, even when—as always— we take on a variety of topics. Like breast cancer (for Breast Cancer Awareness Month) and a did-you-know quiz (page 13). And easy-to-reach destinations where fall colors will absolutely dazzle (page 16).
All that and more finds a home in this Home Issue.
Guarna
Breast cancer will claim the lives of about 42,500 Americans this year. If you’re a woman at average risk, the American Cancer Society (ACS) says that at age 40 you have the option to begin annual mammogram screening—and once you reach 45 it becomes more than an option; it should top your to-do list for sure. (If you’re at high risk, consult your doctor.)
How well do you understand breast cancer? The true-false quiz here should help you find out.
1. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S.
2. Breast cancer is only found in women.
3. A woman’s risk of breast cancer nearly doubles if she has a mother, sister or daughter who has been diagnosed with the illness.
4. Most breast lumps are cancerous.
5. The most significant risk factor for breast cancer is lifestyle/BMI.
6. Following a diagnosis of metastatic or stage IV breast cancer, the patient may still be undergoing treatment even after the disease is “cured” or goes into remission.
7. A clear mammogram means you don’t have to worry about breast cancer for at least the next year.
8. Women should perform a breast selfexam monthly.
9. Breast cancer invariably causes a lump you can feel.
10. Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than from any other cancer.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and now’s the time to join the fight to end breast cancer if you haven’t already. As always, several events in our neighborhood will support the men and women battling breast cancer and those who’ve survived it:
• Pink Week. Tuesday, Oct. 4, to Thursday, Oct. 6. This nationwide initiative features virtual and in-person events that heighten awareness of the disease; sessions will debunk myths about mammograms, delve into BRCA gene testing and more. For more info, visit bcrcsb. org/pinkweek/.
• Making Strides of Point Pleasant Beach. Sunday, Oct. 16, 8 a.m. A campaign of the American Cancer Society, this walk takes place at Ocean and Arnold avenues in nearby Ocean County. For more info, email pointpleasantbeachnj strides@cancer.org.
Your home should be a reflection of you. That’s the idea behind Sherwin-Williams’ Colormix 2023 Collections, which predict the colors we’ll be seeing more of in our homes next year. One collection, titled Terra, features a cohesive palette of soothing colors—think rich earth tones and natural clays—that the brand describes as “natural, inventive, warm and uplifting.”
Essentially, this is where interior design is headed, and who can so no to a room that’s relaxing and soothing? Check out the full paint collection and the lookbooks at your local Sherwin-Williams; there are a half-dozen in our county—in Middletown, Oakhurst, Ocean Township, Shrewsbury, Freehold and Sea Girt.
Dog: Torre, 1-yearold Shih tzu and Pekingese mix Owners: Colleen and Anthony Migliaccio of Oceanport
The Migliaccios were heartbroken when they lost their pup Eddie more than a year ago, so they knew they needed to bring another furry friend into their lives. That’s when they found—and fell in love with—Torre.
“From the moment we saw her, we knew she was going to be part of us and our family,” says Colleen. “We have had her for a year now, and she is so very loved— and she gives so much back!”
Just don’t tell that to the family’s other dog, 7-yearold Jeter. “Torre loves to play with all her toys, but she doesn’t share with Jeter,” Colleen jokes. Though protective of her bouncing balls and squeaking stuffed animals, Torre “loves to love,” Mom says. “She is happy, beautiful and smart. The kind of unconditional love that you can feel in your heart is what Torre gives to our family.”
Want to see your dog or cat featured in an upcoming issue? Email a photo and brief description of your furry friend to Editor in Chief Rita Guarna at rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com.
Helping the arts thrive. The nonprofit organization Monmouth Arts celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. It marked that milestone with a gala Sept. 23 at The Garden at the Blu Grotto in Oceanport. Food, drinks, live music and art installations, as well as live and silent auctions, were all a part of the festivities. Honorees included various artists across different fields, from Chef David Burke of the culinary arts to Jake Clemons in musical arts. Missed the event but still want to help the cause? Donate, volunteer or learn more at monmoutharts.org. Inspired design. Congrats to Caitlyn Dolan, an up-and-coming designer who’s studying at the Interior Design Program at Brookdale Community College. This summer the New Jersey Chapter of the American Society of
Interior Designers (ASID) held its annual Design Excellence Awards (DEA) celebration, at which Dolan won a student award in the Residential Space Category. Her winning design, a project she completed in her Intro to Interior Design class at Brookdale, was a residence for a person with a disability. Dolan chose to design her space for a person with Parkinson’s Disease; her grandfather has the disease. Her floor plan, finishes and furniture selections were inspired by the birch tree, which symbolizes regeneration and healing. “Drawing upon the symbolic significance of birch trees serves as a counterbalance to the disease’s setbacks,” she says. Learn more about Dolan’s project—or hire her for your own redesign!— at smelltheroses.com.
Candy for Halloween? It’s been done and done. Maybe this is your year to hand out something new. Parents may silently thank you if there’s one less melty chocolate bar in the bucket. (And who cares if some of those skeletons, ghosts, Demogorgons and Bezos-inSpaces look at you funny at first?) Some alternative ideas:
• Glow sticks, which can help late-night trick-or-treaters stay visible and will also come in handy on evening walks in coming weeks, as it will soon get dark early. Popglo Bulk Glow sticks, 100 count, Walmart, Howell, 732.886.9100
• Glow-in-the-dark vampire teeth, which are perfectly spooky and great as a costume accessory even if your youngster is Boris Johnson instead of a vampire.
Glow-in-the-dark Vampire Teeth, 12 count packs, Dollar Tree, Tinton Falls, 732.676.2073
• Bubble-blowing bottles that’ll keep the little ones busy on the trick-or-treating trail. (Bonus: They double as easy centerpieces for an All Hallows’ Eve party.)
Jack-o’-lantern mini bubble bottles, 144 pieces, orientaltrading.com
• Mini slime containers, a year-round hit; they’re in their glory Oct. 31. Have the slime of your life! Halloween slime, 12 count, Party City, Eatontown, 732.440.3176
Want to purchase a new electric bike—or at least test-drive one? EV Motion’s the spot. This new electric bike shop from the owner of Indian Motorcycle of Monmouth in Neptune has opened at 141 Broad St. in Red Bank. The shop sells a varied assortment of electric and pedal-assisted bikes, and has an entire parking lot out back devoted to testriding them.
Meanwhile, retail is also booming at Jersey Shore Premium Outlets in Tinton Falls (1 Premium Outlet Blvd.); its newest additions include clothing store Hollister, sneaker emporium Adidas, leather footwear store Johnston & Murphy and hat seller Lids. Another shop there is Zwilling J.A. Henckels, which sells highquality knives, pots, pans and more kitchen and cookware.
New Jersey REALTORS®
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family of professionals who
industry
Nicole Viola was
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING THE COMMUNITY I LOVE, DOING THE WORK I LOVE. I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU.”
Belmar is bustling these days thanks to the grand opening of 801 Craft Kitchen & Spirits by the owners of Beach Haus Brewery next door. It’s an elevated American eatery and an immersive dining experience, where diners can watch the chefs prepare their meals thanks to an open-concept kitchen. Its prosciutto flatbread and rib-eyes are among its most popular dishes so far. The rooftop bar and lounge just opened at the end of summer, so of course there’s a top-notch beer-and-cocktails menu too.
801 Craft Kitchen & Spirits, 801 Main St., Belmar, 732.202.7783; @801craftkitchen
The salads and bowls at the fast-casual chain Sweetgreen are made with “plant-powered, earth-friendly” ingredients; make your own, or choose an item from the seasonal menu. (The Harvest Bowl with sweet potatoes, warm wild rice and apples is perfect for fall.)
• Sweetgreen, 575 Broad St., Shrewsbury, 732.860.8900; thegroveatshrewsbury.com/sweetgreen.html
New Jersey’s craft brewery market is expanding with Birdsmouth Beer, the first lease signed in the new retail space in Fort Monmouth near Oceanport. The 12,000 square-foot property will be home to
Leaf it to New Jersey to put on a vibrant show of autumnal hues. Four places in our county are famed for their leaf-filled views at this time of year. Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan and Freehold is the site of the revolutionary Battle of Monmouth; it’s also a sight to behold in the fourth quarter of the year; its 1,800 acres of park, complete with hiking trails and fresh springs, provide a vibrant view of red, orange and yellow. Allaire State Park in Wall has many hiking and biking trails, as well as a historic steam train, buildings and a general store in Allaire Village, which add to the autumnal appeal. Shark River Park across Neptune and Tinton Falls is where to go for riverfront views; they’re even better when the fall foliage reflects in the water. Finally, climb to the top of the Navesink Twin Lights lighthouse for a bird’s-eye view of the changing leaves.
Here in Central Jersey, we’re taking trick-or-treating up a notch for 2022. A new family Halloween adventure experience called “Haunt O’Ween NJ 2022” opened Sept. 30 at Bell Works, featuring more than 200,000 square feet of exhibits and spooky displays for over-the-top, festive fun. This “interactive playground” features nine immersive “worlds” where visitors can play, dance, trick-or-treat and interact with character performers. Some highlights include the Pumpkin Tunnel, Beyond the Grave Rave, Ghoul Town and Funnybones Ranch.
We’re only the second ones in the country to have this experience—Southern California originated this concept in 2021—and we have a feeling we won’t be the last. General admission for Haunt O’Ween is $40 per person; it remains open until Oct. 31.
Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Rd., Holmdel; hauntoween.com/new-jersey/
The tart red fruit that begins a child’s alphabet is nutritious, delicious and multiuse. But it’s also multi-type. More than 30 varietals of apples grow in New Jersey, and it’s best to get them direct from the farm rather than at a grocery store. “We ask for patience and understanding when your local farm charges an entrance fee or charges slightly more than the food store,” at Eastmont
“We’re source, spend Reese most apples area are Honeycrisp and Fuji, and the best ones for picking are those
are easy to pull off the branch and don’t need to be tugged. They’re all sweet, but sweetest of all is the knowledge that you’ve chosen exactly the right kind for the use you have in mind.
Here’s a cheat sheet to help you find the fruit to suit—and yes, they’re all available for picking or purchasing in the Garden State:
Braeburn, Winesap
Braeburn, Granny Delicious, Jonathan salads: Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady apples for
juicing: Fuji, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Pink
—Best apples for snacking: Cameo, Gala, Ginger Gold, Honeycrisp
When allergy or cold symptoms visit you, visit us next. Whether you are experiencing seasonal allergies or are simply feeling under the weather - walk into AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook for fast and effective treatment. In the event of unpredictable ailments or injuries, AFC Bound Brook is a convenient option to receive quality, on-demand care from a professional, certified provider — no appointment needed. Our urgent care center is open early or late, 7 days a week for your convenience.
Whether you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, seasonal allergies or are simply feeling under the weather - walk into AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook for fast and effective treatment. In the event of unpredictable ailments or injuries, AFC Bound Brook is a convenient option to receive quality, on-demand care from a professional, certified provider — no appointment needed. Our urgent care center is open early or late, 7 days a week for your convenience.
Whether you are experiencing cold symptoms, seasonal allergies or are simply feeling under the weather—walk into AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch for fast and effective treatment. In the event of unpredictable ailments or injuries, AFC West Long Branch is a convenient option to receive quality, on-demand care from a professional, certified provider—no appointment needed. Our urgent care center is open early or late, 7 days a week for your convenience.
A lifetime of events has whirled by since 2002, but in some ways it seems like yesterday. Can it really be that when this publication was born that year, today’s world of social media didn’t exist, subprime mortgages seemed no problem, the idea of an African American president appeared an impossible dream, no one imagined a weather event like Superstorm Sandy and the prospect of everyone going around wearing masks was strictly sci-fi?
There have been ups and downs in the past two decades, but constants too. Monmouth County remains a great place to live, and we who are privileged to live here still care about our neighborhoods—and our neighbors.
We’re hopeful for a better tomorrow as this magazine celebrates its 20th year of publication. We’ve gone through our share of changes too—we’ve updated our look, for instance. But the more we change, the more we stay the same in one respect: Monmouth Health & Life remains committed to presenting what’s new and exciting about life in our county and how to maximize good health to enjoy it to the full.
We’re so glad our readers and advertisers have joined us on this journey. And we thought it would be fun to take a stroll down memory lane.
business I started when I was a junior in high school. I have no farming background except for the small 10-foot-by-10-foot garden my dad would grow in the backyard. As a kid, I was intrigued. Is there something about farming that would surprise people?
It is amazing how many people enjoy coming to your property. They thank me for teaching their kids about agriculture. I also never thought it’d be so darn hard. This [we spoke during the summer] is probably the worst drought I’ve seen in 10 years. Before you called, we were saying, “It’s supposed to be 90 degrees for the next seven days. How long are my sunflowers going to last? How long are my zinnias going to last?”
What role do the animals play at Happy Day? They’re part of the happy part. Kids just love animals. We have goats, chickens and alpacas. One day a kid was here in springtime to do berry picking, and Alexis [an employee] was explaining about the chickens, and this kid’s jaw dropped. He said, “I’ve never seen a real live chicken.” We’re educators; we’re farmers. We wear a lot of different hats.
What is it like raising a family while running a farm?
It’s just life—I didn’t know what I was doing. I al ways put out the biggest fire first. When you own a business, it’s never turnkey. I don’t do my 40 hours and then go home. It’s 24/7—you own property, you have crops. I’m a parent, a husband. I’m always there for [my family]—they always come first, but the farm is right next to them when something goes wrong, or I need to stay late.
Do your kids work on the farm?
The whole family is involved. My daughter, Trinity, my son, Liam, and my wife, Olivia.
A cheery attitude isn’t actually mandatory at Happy Day Farm. Even if you’re having a grumpy day, pull up the corners of your mouth and stop by to pick a pumpkin, master a corn maze or buy some raspberry honey produced by local bees. Who knows? That forced smile may turn into the real thing.
It’s all thanks to owner/proprietor “Farmer Tim” Stockel, 52, of Manalapan, who started with a pumpkin patch. He purchased a 70-acre farm in 2012 and added another 60 acres in 2016. Over the years the Manalapan farm has become not just a source of fresh produce, but a whirlwind of fun activities too. It’s “agritainment”—and keep ing it up is a 24/7 job.
“There are lots of moving parts,” said Stockel when Monmouth Health & Life asked about his growing business.
When did you realize you wanted to be a farmer?
Thirteen to 14 years ago, I grew some pumpkins for my daughter—that’s how it all got started. We delivered them to friends, and it was cool catching up with people. Giving them as gifts. So that got out of hand a little. The pumpkin patch got big ger. The third year doing that I made a corn maze. And got back into looking for land to expand our landscaping company. But buying land you’ve got to do something with it to try to pay the bills. So I had the land, and I was like, “What can I grow here that’s simple and won’t take much time?” But here I am 10 years later, and it’s quadruple any job I’ve ever had before. I didn’t really plan it. Growing up, I didn’t imagine owning 130 acres. What did you and your wife do before starting Happy Day Farm? My wife was an accountant. I had a landscaping
How many people does it take to keep Happy Day operating?
We have a staff of 25 in the spring. When we do our fall festival, it’s up to 85, and we’re probably still about 10 people short. Hard to find experienced people. Have you ever had to rescue anyone from the corn maze?
Every year. I don’t know the nicest way to say this, but we have to explain to parents that it’s just a corn maze. There are four sides to it, and we’re going to get him or her out, I promise you. It’s just going to take a little time. The worst scenario is that they’ll come out the side.
Do you have any advice for those interested in starting a farm?
Do a lot of research. Talk to a lot of farmers. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
—Emma Cameron
Though weather’s unpredictable, a cool coat and a stylish sweater guarantee a perfect sartorial outlook for fall.
Jacket and sweater
SOMERSET
your fall look with to-thefloor
which pair
VERONICA BEARD
HIGH
Shrewsbury,
FAUX BOIS ACCENT TABLE WITH MARBLE TOP Williams Sonoma, Shrewsbury, 732.747.0128
These small tables
SEBASTIAN SIDE TABLE
West Elm, Red Bank, 732.268.8537
BERNHARDT
LINEA METAL CHAIRSIDE TABLE
Brielle Furniture, Sea Girt, 732.282.0030
SAFAVIEH MILAN ACCENT TABLE
Bed Bath & Beyond, Middletown, 732.865.9735
SEQUOIA END TABLE
ISLA PULL UP TABLE
SAFAVIEH DUNSTAN ACCENT TABLE Target, Ocean Township, 732.918.6645
ROWAN 15” MARBLE END TABLE
Pottery Barn, Shrewsbury, 732.212.1333
Reports of “brain fog” post a bout with COVID-19 might persist for months or longer. A recent study found that cognitive tests given six months after the illness showed slower response time and less accuracy versus subjects who hadn’t had the disease. Researchers liken the decline to losing 10 IQ points.
—eClinical Medicine
A recent study debunked the myth that tattoos are linked to poor health, reporting that they are not related to overall health.
—International Journal of Dermatology
A recent study found that as few as 3,500 steps daily for people with prediabetes helped reverse it and offered protection from dying prematurely.
—Diabetes Care
The percentage of Americans— age 60 and older—who will need more than two years of paid care.
—Department of Health & Human Services
20The percentage of high school students who report having thoughts of suicide.
—National Alliance on Mental Illness
A recent study found little difference in growth, weight and body fat levels of children conceived via fertility treatment versus those conceived naturally. And those small differences were no longer apparent by late adolescence.
JAMA Network Open
The percentage of Americans who are not in good cardiometabolic condition.
—Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Forget the fads. Research found that simple changes, such as eating more fruits, veggies, nuts, whole grains and legumes, and less processed foods, can add years to your life. Even adults who make those changes in their 80s can add a few years to their lives.
—PLOS Medicine
Advances in pain management help a woman cope with her second mastectomy much more easily.
If you want a first-person account of how far breast cancer surgery has advanced in the past decade, just ask Suellen Clark. She had her first mastectomy in 2013, and another in 2022. Her experiences were entirely different. “I know that medical procedures have come leaps and bounds, especially in the breast cancer world, but I was floored by it,” she says.
Clark, who turns 67 in December, is a native of New Jersey but was living in California in 2013 when she discovered a lump in her right breast. It was found to be an advanced and fast-growing tumor, “a large mass, I believe stage 3,” Clark recalls. She underwent chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, had a mastectomy with lymph node removal in February 2014 and then had radiation therapy. After a night in the hospital, she was released with a 12-day prescription for narcotic pain medication.
The narcotics relieved the pain but caused severe constipation. And when she stopped taking the medications, the pain was intense. “I told my doctor, and she said, basically, that I had to just suck it up because she wouldn’t give me more narcotics,” Clark says. But the pain was so intense that she took antiinflammatory medications for about two months—with only moderate success. “It never got back to normal for years. I had tingling in my right arm” from nerve involvement during the surgery, she says. “It wasn’t excruciating pain, just uncomfortable, constant irritation,” she remembers. “I’m not big on painkillers, but it was a good thing” she took the non-narcotic versions. It was, she says in true California style, “a gnarly surgery.”
Fast forward to 2022. Now retired and back in New Jersey— Tinton Falls, to be exact—to be near family, Clark had her regular yearly mammogram in April. “When they called me back and told me they needed to take more pictures, I knew something was up,” she says. The imaging found several small calcifications in her left breast, and a needle biopsy confirmed that three of them were cancerous. Clark says that even before the diagnosis, she had decided to have her breast removed. She had never reconstructed her right breast, and now found dressing comfortably to be difficult. “What was the point?” she says.
She was referred to Manpreet K. Kohli, M.D., Director of Breast Surgery and Breast Program Leader at Monmouth Medical Center. Clark’s cancer was “very early stage, so she had a really favorable
prognosis,” Dr. Kohli says. She removed one lymph node, which showed no involvement. The surgery, on July 27, was similar to her first mastectomy in 2013, “but it was a completely different experience for her,” Dr. Kohli says.
That’s thanks to advances in pain management. “We have done a lot to improve the experience for mastectomy patients, and one of the biggest breakthroughs has been improving how we manage pain with an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol that we developed at Monmouth Medical Center,” says Dr. Kohli. “We use a long-acting, non-narcotic medication that is injected regionally in the surgical field during the operation. It blocks pain for up to five days, and makes it quite comfortable through the period patients would feel the most discomfort.”
This time, Clark went home the same day. “It was like outpatient surgery. I felt fine after,” she says. She was given narcotics to take “just in case,” she says, but never needed them. After the block wore off, “it was uncomfortable, but I wouldn’t call it pain,” she says. She took only anti-inflammatories for about two weeks. By late August, she reported, “it’s a little sore, a little puffy, but not painful. I have full arm movement, no restrictions. It’s great to wake up every morning.”
Dr. Kohli, who recently co-authored a study titled “A Proposed Multimodal Pain Control Regimen for Patients Undergoing Mastectomy with Reconstruction and Its Effect on Minimizing Narcotic Use and Hospital Length of Stay” published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons , was pleased with Clark’s recovery at her first post-op office visit in early August. “She’s doing really excellent,” she says. There is no need for chemo or radiation therapy, but Clark will be on an estrogen blocker for five years to prevent cancer from developing in other areas. An oncologist will care for her during that time and into the future if necessary. “Dr. Kohli put me at ease,” Clark says. “I loved my California surgeon, but she was not as approachable as Dr. Kohli. I feel like I could hang out with her.”
And pain will not be an issue—for her or for future breast surgery patients. “It’s nowhere near how it was in the past, with pain pumps and morphine,” Dr. Kohli says. “And with the opioid epidemic, if we don’t even start them on narcotics there’s no chance to get hooked on it. Different eras, different experiences. She shows how much things had evolved.”
More than 150 people came together under perfect blue skies at the Navesink Country Club in Middletown for the eighth annual Swing Pink event on Sept. 19 to benefit Monmouth Medical Center (MMC).
The event, which sold out each of its activities, raised recordsetting proceeds of more than $90,000 to benefit breast cancer services at MMC’s Vogel Medical Campus. A groundbreaking on the new outpatient care center in Tinton Falls, which will include comprehensive cancer care in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, is expected in early 2023.
Swing Pink, led by co-chairs Terry Ingram and Debbie O’Donoghue, and supported by the Leon Hess Cancer Center Council, was a day filled with activity, lunch, and celebration. The morning started with participation in tennis, paddle, golf or pickle ball, followed by a celebratory luncheon outdoors on the patio, underwritten by the Ingram Family and featuring an update on cancer services at Monmouth Medical Center by Julie Chaudhuri, Regional Administrative Director of Cancer Services for the RWJBarnabas Health Southern Region. Guest speaker for the event was Oceanport resident and local business owner Erica Herbst, who shared her breast cancer journey since being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in 2021.
In her early 40’s at the time of her diagnosis, Erica, a single mom with a 13-year-old daughter, shared that as a very fit and active person, she initially thought the problem she was experiencing with her breast might be related to a recent athletic injury. Diagnosed on her first mammogram, she is a patient of Trishala Meghal, M.D., an MMC medical oncologist and a member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, and is currently enrolled in the Her2Climb clinical trial, which is investigating whether adding the medication tucatinib to existing drug protocols for her condition can prevent the cancer from spreading to the brain.
“With HER2-positive breast cancer, the chances of it recurring in the brain are quite high,” says Dr. Meghal. “Preventing that from occurring might allow us to give a patient other helpful, systemic therapies for a longer period of time.”
In her remarks, Erica shared her positive outlook and hopefulness for the future. She also praised the care she is receiving from MMC and shared the story of Dr. Meghal checking in on her infusion treatment from her vacation hiking in the Grand Canyon.
“I am grateful to have the Monmouth medical team on my side!” she said.
To
Medical Center
Monmouth Medical Center’s (MMC) outpatient
Breastfeeding Wellness Center, which provides breastfeeding support before and after childbirth on an outpatient basis, is the newest program to open at the Anne Vogel Family Care and Wellness Center.
This program is designed to help and support families in reaching their breastmilk feeding goals through lactation consultations and breastfeeding support and education programs.
Conveniently located at the Anne Vogel Family Care and Wellness Center at the Monmouth Mall in Eatontown, the facility offers consultations with registered nurse (RN) international board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLC) to help mothers overcome challenges to breastfeeding. Additionally, it offers private prenatal consults and information on how to order a breast pump through insurance on an outpatient basis.
The center also offers free, weekly in-person and virtual support groups that promote breastfeeding through motherto-mother support in a warm and welcoming environment. The support group is led by a registered nurse, boardcertified lactation consultant. All topics and issues related to breastfeeding are included in the group discussions.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first six months of life, then to continue for two years or more along with starting solid foods. The more a baby receives breastmilk, the more protection they will have against short- and long-term illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“One of the best things we can do as a start for our children is to provide them with the best nutrition available through breastmilk,” says Tara Ann Murphy, MSN, RN, IBCLC, the Lactation Consultant for the Breastfeeding Wellness Center. “Not only is your baby being fed a milk that is customized for them, but it passes on the benefit of the mother’s immune factors for as long as the baby receives breastmilk. Breastfeeding is one of the most rewarding experiences of motherhood and is the healthiest way to feed an infant during the first year of life.”
MMC’s expansive comprehensive breastfeeding program includes support prenatally with breastfeeding education prior to delivery, in hospital lactation support, and continued lactation services after discharge. It is designed to provide women with information about the benefits of breastfeeding, as well as the skills to successfully nurse their babies.
The program’s lactation consultants address a host of issues related to breastfeeding through one-on-one prenatal visits and group breastfeeding information sessions, including assistance with positioning or latching infant, weighted feeds to determine transfer of milk, feeding strategies to support successful lactation, establishing a good milk supply, and managing nipple pain. The sessions also address infants with poor or slow weight gain, making too little or too much milk, breastfeeding premature and/or multiple infants, learning to pump, transition to work, treatment plan for engorgement, plugged ducts,
thrush or mastitis, and re-establishing milk supply. Oral assessment to identify possible tongue tie is provided as well.
“Breastfeeding helps you bond with your baby and is free,” Murphy adds. “The goal of our breastfeeding program is to help to make sure that moms are off to a good start. The goal is to empower families to reach their feeding goals.”
The Anne Vogel Family Care & Wellness Center opened this spring, with pediatric subspecialty practices in cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, pulmonology and infectious diseases, as well as general surgery, urology and otolaryngology (ENT), and women’s services including maternal/fetal medicine. The building also serves as the home for MMC’s Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Center and offers Urgent Care services and Lab Blood Drawing Station. The 82,000-square-foot medical and wellness facility includes wellness education and resources through the LiveWell Center and WEforum Demonstration Kitchen featuring Dorothea and Jon Bon Jovi Nutrition Education Programs.
Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH), a fellow RWJBarnabas Health facility, occupies the second floor of the Anne Vogel Family Care & Wellness Center, offering medical and therapy services including audiology, developmental and behavioral pediatrics, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychiatry, psychology, and speech language therapy. This is the first CSH location in Monmouth County and will serve to enhance access to their specialized services for local patients and families.
It’s not unusual to witness a teenager go through rapid body changes, but Rami Arrouk, M.D., knew more than hormones were affecting his 15-year-old patient.
“He wasn’t overweight and had a normal BMI when I first met him [this year],” recalls Dr. Arrouk, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Monmouth Medical Center. “But a year before I first saw him, he had been overweight and lost 80 pounds unintentionally.”
The weight loss was the result of food avoidance, the doctor says, because the boy was afraid to eat. The patient, whose name has been withheld, complained that he had difficulty swallowing and a burning sensation whenever he consumed food.
“And it progressively got worse over the course of a year,” Dr. Arrouk says. “He physically looked OK, but his inability to eat was diminishing his quality of life.”
An esophagram suggested the boy was suffering from achalasia, a rare disorder that makes it difficult for food and liquid to pass from the mouth, through the esophagus and into the stomach. To make an official diagnosis, however, Dr. Arrouk recommended a test using the EndoFLIP impedance planimetry system.
MMC was one of the first two hospitals in the state (MMC’s sister hospital RWJ University Hospital in New Brunswick was the other) to introduce EndoFLIP technology, and the Digestive Health Center is one of a handful of centers in the region with experts trained to use it. Doctors use it to diagnose a patient’s digestive problems and guide a repair. To date, the center has performed approximately 200 EndoFLIP procedures— and it’s effective for both adult and pediatric patients.
In Monmouth Medical Center’s Endoscopy Suite, pediatric gastroenterologists can use the technology to observe a patient’s esophagus by guiding a balloon mounted on a thin catheter down his or her throat. Sensors on the balloon measure the esophagus’ pressure, size and ability to distend to allow food to pass through, helping physicians better diagnose and treat esophageal disorders.
“We can get a sense how well the esophagus functions,” says Jonathan Teitelbaum, M.D., Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology at MMC and the first pediatric physician in New Jersey to perform an EndoFLIP procedure. “We can see if the food pipe is tight or stiff, or if there is a narrowing of the food pipe. And we’re watching it in real time with the FLIP test, watching for about 10 minutes. It’s one more tool in our toolbox to really understand the reason why children have certain pains and complaints.”
For Dr. Arrouk’s young patient, the EndoFLIP test confirmed achalasia, which was treated surgically in June 2022 by Dmitry Oleynikov, M.D., Chair of the Department of Surgery.
“He has been eating well, and he is no longer avoiding food,” Dr. Arrouk reports. “His weight is ideal now and he’s maintaining proper nutrition. He’s had to modify the size of each meal; he used to have one big meal but now eats three smaller meals. It’s resulted in a new, healthy lifestyle change.”
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When redesigning his own kitchen in Asbury Park, a designer sought to honor its social function as much as its culinary one.
Text by Haley Longman Design by Jon Martinez Photography by Motion City Media
Jon Martinez of Beautiful & Gracious Design in Asbury Park was both the client and the designer involved in redesigning this kitchen, which he and his husband wanted to make more inviting. “Everyone gathers around the island,” he says. “It’s a great place to sit down, chat and grab some cocktails.”
The kitchen is often the hub of a home, but food preparation is its primary job, and sometimes its spirit feels imprisoned by that utilitarian agenda. When setting out to design his own kitchen in the Asbury Park residence he shares with his husband, James, Jon Martinez, owner of Beautiful & Gracious Design, wanted it to serve the same purpose as, say, the dining room or living room—a place where the couple could gather with guests, nosh, drink and display some of their personal items.
Thanks to an existing 9-foot-tall cathedral ceiling, that last part was relatively easy. Above the sink, Martinez extended the “white and airy cabinets” by Medallion Cabinetry at Ocean Bath and Kitchen almost all the way up and created open bookcases above them to display cookbooks, vases and tchotchkes. Another key element was the island topped with blue- and gray-veined quartzite by PMI in Marlboro. It seats five people on the comfortable Crate and Barrel chairs and includes what Martinez calls a “chef’s nook.”
“The stool across from the 36-inch Viking oven tucks into the island so that the chef can still be a part of the conversation,” he explains. Most of the main floor is open-concept, so the island is the gathering place for guests. But it’s also a work station for Martinez, who deliberately placed hidden outlets here so he can charge his laptop and his phone.
As for the aesthetic, Martinez describes it as “contemporary slash beachy, but timeless and unique.” Essentially, he and James wanted their primary home to feel like it was at the shore, but not be overly oceanic. “Because the house is located a few blocks from the beach and across from the lake and park, we used green, a happy color, in the curtains and accents to bring the outdoors in,” he says. Cherry-stained lower cabinets complement the existing chevron floors and the satin brass hardware by Belwith Keeler.
The backsplash also pays homage to the home’s location. “This glass picket-fence tile picks up the color of the inside of an oyster to reference the beach,” says Martinez. “It’s like you’re wrapped in an iridescent seashell coloration.”
Even while keeping the existing kitchen footprint, the designer/homeowner was able to increase storage space by 50 percent, organize everything to the couple’s liking and make it distinctly “them.” “We love this kitchen,” says Martinez. “Everyone who comes, their mouth drops—between the light fixtures, the details and the height of the open bookcases. It’s unique.”
This kitchen boasts special features, including a cabinet next to the fridge with a custom pop-up door to hide the microwave, an under-cabinet stem rack for convenient wine-serving and a stainless-steel galley sink, which has a ledge that fits inside with a drainer, colander and chopping block for easy food prep.
For items that help a home look its best, interior designers know just where to shop. Here are their favorite spots. By Haley Longman
When it comes to home décor shops in Monmouth County, there’s almost an embarrassment of riches. Which store does one choose—and to buy what? In the paragraphs here, answering those questions suddenly gets easier, thanks to the wisdom gained through professional experience by four of the area’s top interior designers. They happily complied when Monmouth Health & Life asked them to share tips, keyed to the purchase you’re considering.
There’s no shame in shopping at some of the big chain stores for furniture, our designers say. Lauren Tobias prefers Macy’s Furniture in Eatontown for sectionals, Raymour & Flanigan in Oakhurst for mattresses and World Market in Shrewsbury for affordable tables, chairs and décor. For custom furniture or upholstery, Tobias loves Window Treats in Red Bank. “They can make custom banquettes, beds, benches, reupholster your dining chairs—anything you need!” she says. “You can provide your own fabric or choose from their great fabric library.” Katy Champion-Uras and Elissa Palamara do much of their furniture shopping at Nest in Red Bank. “It’s a great local place to be able to see items you’re interested in,” says Champion-Uras. Anna Maria Mannarino, meanwhile, is a big fan of Zakson’s in Brick for its “exquisite showroom, beautiful vignettes and wide array of styles.”
Down the street from Oggi Design House is Monmouth Beach Plantation Shutters and Blinds, Julia Mazzucca’s pick for blinds or shades.“This husband-and-wife team carries everything you need from Hunter Douglas, plus high-quality plantation shutters direct from the source at amazing prices.” Tobias gets her Hunter Douglas shades from Window Treats, which she says will also “custom-make any upholstered window treatments you can dream of.” Peary Upholstery in Atlantic Highlands has the Swell ladies’ vote for window treatments with a custom look and fit, but they also don’t mind shopping at big-box retailers, many of which have varied fabrics at decent price points. “Theshadestore.com has good quality,” says Palamara, “and Restoration Hardware has beautiful fabrics in neutral colors.”
Two of our designers are big fans of the Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting showroom in Red Bank. The Swell founders credit their vast selection and knowledgeable salespeople. They “recommend bringing an itemized list of what you will need and scheduling an appointment so you have ample time with a sales associate.”
Mazzucca says Ferguson is great because “you can see how fixtures from different spaces will work together before approving your final selections,” and this helps you visualize what your final product might look like. Atlantic Plumbing Supply in Long Branch is Tobias’ favorite for kitchen and bath hardware; she says it has a great selection, but can also help you narrow your options.
Pendants, sconces, recessed lighting and more—you’ll find it all at Chester Lighting in Red Bank, according to Champion-Uras and Palamara. And they know a guy. “Ask for Ron—he’ll take care of you and help you find what you need.” Mannarino likes Capitol Lighting in Eatontown, which she says has a great showroom with lots of variety that makes it easy for clients to find what they’re looking for. Additionally, “here you can usually purchase off the floor, when necessary, and there’s a short lead time if your item must be ordered.” Tobias touts Warshauer Lighting in Shrewsbury for its selection of many different brands and its “helpful and kind” sales associates. If you’re on the hunt for cute and affordable table lamps, she suggests Target or Home Goods.
The kind of rug you’re in the market for should determine where you shop for it, our pros say. Mazzucca loves Weinstein by Stark in Little Silver for wall-towall carpeting, stair-runners or custom area rugs. “They have curated an array of brands to sift through, provide their own installers who are very clean and professional, and have great customer service.” ChampionUras and Palamara like Eberhard Carpet One Floor & Home in Middletown for wall-to-wall, while Tobias prefers Carpet Depot and Fox Floors, both in Ocean, for their super-helpful staff and enormous selections. Restoration Hardware in Red Bank is Mazzucca’s go-to place for area rugs; there, she says, you’ll find both traditional and modern styles: “For a $25 refundable deposit, you can take home samples, allowing you to be more confident with your selections.” Champion-Uras and Palama like Eberhard Carpet One Floor & Home in Middletown for wall-to-wall, Nest in Red Bank for area rugs and Salt Design Co. in Red Bank for great indoor/ outdoor options.
Homeowners in Brielle hoped their master bedroom would offer a tranquil yet colorful respite from the cares of the day.
Text by Donna Rolando Design by Cooper Interiors Photography by Vic Wahby
A Brielle couple wanted guaranteed shut-eye in a bedroom sanctuary. They also wanted color.
Designer Pam Cooper was able to deliver on both counts by marrying navy and Kelly green and incorporating patterns that created interest.
Left: This bedside bench, teamed up with a white tin mirror, stands out for a clever use of patterns.
Right: The sitting room brings together contrasting art elements: a local artist’s rendition of agate bursting with color over the mantel and a monochromatic quad of framed sea life (Iconic Pineapple) on the wall.
An energetic, hardworking couple wanted their redesigned master bedroom to trigger a big sigh of relief whenever they sought refuge there.
“We’d been wanting to do something with the bedroom for a long time,” says homeowner Stephanie, a big fan of color who was eager to shake up the neutral palette.
Deciding to trade their Jersey City condo for the Shore, they had purchased the center-hall colonial, three blocks from the Manasquan River, in 2007. The already-painted new-construction home went heavy on the tan-and-white, leaving the couple on a mission to infuse color. But first things first—before starting to create their blissful bedroom, Stephanie and husband Scott, the parents of two children, ages 11 and 14, tackled common rooms such as the kitchen.
The designer entrusted with this job was Pam Cooper of the eponymous Watchung-based firm. “We’ve slowly worked our way through the house over the years with Pam,” says Stephanie.
When the bedroom’s turn finally came, it was worth the wait. Completed last fall, it goes above and beyond relaxing, in the homeowner’s view. “Sanctuary is a good word to use,” she says. “It’s a really nice place to be.”
Before Cooper got started, the couple painted the walls gray, added shiplap to two areas of tray ceiling and purchased a king-sized bed with gray velvet headboard. “Then the room was like that for a year,” says Stephanie. “We didn’t know how to take it to the next level.”
Cooper created a conversation area, great for reminiscing about the day while nestled before the glass-tile and shiplap fireplace
on two patterned lounge chairs with an ottoman (Fairfield Chair Furniture Co.). The transitional décor’s navy-and-white combo picks up a pop of kelly green on the bookcases flanking the fireplace, the Thibaut fabric valances and a local artist’s 3-D agate painting over the mantel.
Driftwood joins the eclectic mix on the shelving, illuminated by Hudson Valley brass sconces (the metal and crystal pendant preceded the reno), but Cooper stays clear of a beach theme, letting variety reign with patterns, metals and textures.
“I like to mix things,” Cooper says. “Patterns help keep the eye moving around the room.” Since mixing requires balance, Cooper went subtle with the hand-knitted wool rug (The Rug Co.), a soft combo of blues and whites over hardwood. She chose a small-scale dot pattern for the Eastern Accents bedding so that she could command attention with the large-scale pattern and color blocking of the pillows.
The dresser and side chests are coastal chic (Lexington Furniture) with the watery feel of twin blue ceramic and Lucite lamps. Alongside the bed, a blue-chenille-topped bench pays homage to patterns, while above, a white tin mirror not only reflects light but catches the eye.
“I’m so blessed with this family,” says Cooper, noting that her clients “really gave me full rein.” She loves the navy and green combo that “really brought the space to life.”
Whether reading, napping or just chatting about the day, the couple now have their sanctuary, and if Stephanie has more energy these days, maybe more shut-eye is the reason. “I love going to bed and getting up there,” she says.
Nothing says fall comfort food like chicken, pork or steak smothered in a delicious sauce. These three entrées will wow— and satisfy—the foodies in your life.
Yields 4 servings
INGREDIENTS: n ▢4 boneless pork chops, about ½-inch thick n ▢¾ tsp. salt, or to taste n ▢¼ tsp. black pepper, or to taste n ▢½ tsp. paprika, or to taste n ▢3 Tbs. unsalted butter, divided n ▢2 tsp. olive oil n ▢8 oz. mushrooms (white or brown), sliced n ▢½ medium onion, finely chopped n ▢2 garlic cloves, minced n ▢1 Tbs. flour n ▢1 tsp. hot sauce n ▢1½ cups chicken broth n ¹/³ cup heavy cream n ▢1 Tbs. parsley, optional garnish
Season pork chops with salt, pepper and paprika. Heat 1 Tbs. butter and 2 tsp. oil in a large pan over medium/ high heat. Once hot, sear chops 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove pork chops and cover to keep warm.
In the same pan, add 1 Tbs. butter and sliced mushrooms. Cook 2 minutes over medium heat, or until lightly golden.
Add 1 Tbs. butter and onions. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Cook 3-4 minutes, until onions are tender.
Add minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Add flour and stir vigorously for 30 seconds.
Add the chicken broth, hot sauce, whipping cream and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer 2 minutes, or until cream begins to thicken. Add pork chops back to the skillet and cover with the mushroom sauce.
Reduce heat to low and simmer 5-8 minutes, allowing the pork chops to become tender and the flavors of the mushroom sauce to penetrate into the pork chops. Garnish if desired and serve.
roasted potatoes and broccoli to create a healthy, balanced meal. Potatoes are a nutrient-dense starch and broccoli has high amounts of fiber and vitamins A, C, and K per serving. It can help support weight management and a healthy immune system.”
—Michelle Caravella, registered dietitian nutritionist, Normalizing Nutrition, Middletown
Yields 4 servings
n ▢2 tenderloin steaks, 6-8 oz. each and no more than ½ inch thick
n ▢kosher salt
n ▢2 Tbs. whole peppercorns
n ▢1 Tbs. unsalted butter
n ▢1 tsp. olive oil
n ¹/³ cup cognac, plus 1 tsp. n ▢1 cup heavy cream
Remove the steaks from the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour prior to cooking. Sprinkle all sides with salt.
Coarsely crush the peppercorns with a mortar and pestle, the bottom of a cast iron skillet, or using a mallet and pie pan. Spread the peppercorns evenly onto a plate. Press the fillets, on both sides, into the pepper until it coats the surface. Set aside.
In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and olive oil. As soon as the butter and oil begin to turn golden and smoke, gently place the steaks in the pan. For medium-rare, cook for 4 minutes on each side. Once done, remove the steaks to a plate, tent with foil and set aside. Pour off the excess fat but do not wipe or scrape the pan clean.
Off of the heat, add cognac to the pan and carefully ignite the alcohol with a long match or firestick. Gently shake pan until the flames die. Return the pan to medium heat and add the cream. Bring the mixture to a boil and whisk until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Add the teaspoon of cognac and season, to taste, with salt. Add the steaks back to the pan, spoon the sauce over and serve.
To decrease the calories of this dish, swap out the heavy cream for equal parts Greek yogurt and milk. The Greek yogurt will provide the creaminess you love with a fraction of the fat content.”
—Cortney FlynnKramer, registered dietitian nutritionist, CFK Nutrition, Matawan
Yields 4-6 servings
n ▢4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves or thighs n ▢1 Tbs. olive oil n ▢1 firm apple such as Braeburn, cored, halved and cut into half-inch slices n ▢1 cup apple cider n ▢1 large onion, thinly sliced n ▢1 garlic clove, minced n ▢1 tsp. dried thyme leaves n ▢½ tsp. salt n ▢2 Tbs. Dijon mustard
Place each chicken-breast half between 2 sheets of wax paper and pound with a meat mallet until about ¾-inch thick.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and saute the chicken until golden, about 3 minutes per side.
Add the apple slices, apple cider, onion, garlic, thyme and salt. Cover and simmer 6 to 8 minutes or until the chicken is fork-tender.
Remove the chicken, apple slices, and onion to a serving platter and keep warm.
Bring the sauce to a boil for about 5 minutes or until slightly reduced.
Whisk in the mustard. Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve.
This dish combines one of autumn’s best ingredients— apples—with other tasty flavors from the dijon, cloves and thyme. If heart health is a priority, choose lean chicken breast instead of thighs.”
—Cortney FlynnKramer, registered dietitian nutritionist, CFK Nutrition, Matawan
Teff may be the world’s oldest domesticated crop you’ve never heard of. Known scientifically as Eragrostis tef, it’s a cereal indigenous to Ethiopia and Eritrea. The seeds of the annual grass plant, about the size of a chia seed, are a nutritional staple in East Africa. Nowadays, the brown/red and ivory varieties of teff are cultivated in India, Australia and the U.S. as well. In our country, this grain is grown in Idaho, Oregon and Nevada.
Historians believe the crop originated 6,000 years ago in the Horn of Africa. The name ar rives from the Amharic-language word “teffa,” which means lost. That’s probably because once you drop one of these tiny seeds, it’s likely gone for good.
Partly thanks to its use in making the pancakelike flatbread known as injera, teff provides twothirds of Ethiopian’s daily protein intake. In 2006, the grain was banned for exportation by the Ethio pian government, which feared shortages such as those experienced in South American countries when there was a run on quinoa. The ban was partially lifted in 2015, and Ethiopian teff is now widely available. Delicious, versatile and packed with nutrition, this ancient grain seems to be a food with a future.
Teff is completely gluten-free, mak ing it a great
option for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. A half-cup serving of uncooked teff is loaded with 13 grams of protein, as opposed to the 5 grams in a similar serving of oats. And unlike most grains, teff is a super calcium source, with 159 milligrams per half cup. (That’s more than a glass of whole milk.)
That serving also provides 42.3 percent of our daily value of magnesium, a mineral that helps the heart, bones, muscles and nerves to run smoothly. Add to that more than 30 percent of our needed zinc and 20 to 30 percent of the fiber we require, making teff a powerhouse for gut microbiome health.
Runners, listen closely: Teff is the perfect pre-race porridge. It’s rich in iron, which is ben eficial not just for your overall health but for athletic performance. In just six weeks, female runners suffering from an iron deficiency were able to raise their iron levels significantly by incorporating teff into their diets. And because it’s a whole grain, teff provides a sustained re lease of energy. It’s no wonder Ethiopia boasts so
many successful long-distance runners. In fact, Olympic gold medalist Haile Gebrselassie claims teff is the secret to his impressive career.
Who would’ve thought that this minute seed could pack such a nutritional punch?
Most natural-food stores and well-stocked gro cers have teff on hand. Uncooked teff can last for up to two years in a cool, dry place. As a whole grain, it can be used to make porridge. Because the seeds are so minuscule compared to oats, the cooking time is cut in half. Teff has a nutty flavor with a molasses kick, a little sweeter than the monotony of oatmeal.
You can blend the grain to make teff flour, the main ingredient in pillowy injera. Making injera is a four-day fermentation process—it’s ultimately worth it, but there are tons of other uses for teff while you wait. When it comes to baking, the flour is as versatile as any other: bread, biscuits, muf fins, you name it. If you’re feeling adventurous, go online to find recipes for teff pastry crust, banana teff cake or teff walnut cake. You can also throw in teff as a thickener for sauces or stews. Want a change-up? Try replacing a por tion of any recipe’s called-for flour with teff flour. This mix-and-match will get your gluten down and give the recipe a lighter finish.
—Emma CameronTeff is
Skip the iced coffee and chai latte. With a touch of everyone's favorite seasonal spice, this classic cocktail will be Oktoberfest-ready.
all ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
1 handful ice and shake until cold. Strain the drink into an ice-filled lowball glass.
with rosemary and an orange peel, if desired.
Christian Brothers Academy has built a reputation rooted in excellence, basing our educational philosophy on the Lasallian tradition. We focus on developing every aspect of our students through unique activities both in and out the classroom.
faculty is committed to a rigorous academic curriculum, as well as the ever-present principles of faith and service. For over 60 years, CBA has solidified the character of young men, fostered an unparalleled brotherhood between students, and provided an exceptional foundation for our graduates to succeed.
At Ranney School, we know and value every child
inspire them
reach their highest potential at every stage of their educational
Ranney is an Age 3 through
12 independent, co-ed, secular college preparatory school located in Tinton Falls. From
those
Bedrock Granite is known for its superior customer service. We have been in business for over 30 years serving both the trade and public. We are committed to making the design process easier for our customers who are looking for custom fabrication for home remodeling projects. For your convenience, we are open seven days a week and we have a large selection of slabs and remnants on site to browse through. Visit Bedrock Granite’s Instagram and Facebook pages to see our newest and most elegant projects.
803 SHREWSBURY AVE., SHREWSBURY
GPS Showrooms aren’t just a place to find kitchen and bath innovations they’re a place to envision your next home design. From faucets and sinks to showers, cabinets, countertops and even lighting, your inspiration is our mission. And because we’re also a major supplier, delivering the details to contractors throughout the East Coast since 1910, our in-house experts can help with even the most challenging projects. Whether you’re casually browsing or searching for something specific, stop by your local GPS showroom for a truly remarkable experience encompassing thoughtful design, top brands, and impeccable customer service.
BAYONNE, BERGENFIELD, EDISON, EATONTOWN, FLEMINGTON, GREEN BROOK, HAWTHORNE, LAKEWOOD, MATAWAN, MORRIS PLAINS, ORANGE, PARAMUS, MANHASSET 1.800.CALLGPS | WWW.SHOPGPS.COM
Known as Monmouth County’s favorite furniture destination, Betsons has a 50,000 square foot showroom jam-packed with amazing furniture, mattresses, and decor. They differentiate themselves from other stores by keeping everything in stock at the lowest prices, all year long. It’s no wonder why they have over 250 5-star reviews on Google, Facebook, and Yelp.
1 NORTH MALL DR., OCEAN TOWNSHIP
Celebrating 86 years in business, our staff at family owned New Jersey Gravel & Sand brings a world-class level of attention and detail to your every landscape, hardscape, and natural stone need. We fabricate stone masterpieces for all interior and exterior applications, from fireplace hearths and mantels crafted with natural stone, to thin veneers, to stone used for outdoor kitchens, and custom pool coping. Visit our website, Facebook or Instagram accounts and of course our amazing 23-acre stone yard to experience exciting new products and ideas. 1661 ROUTE 34 SOUTH, WALL 732.938.5252 | WWW.NJGRAVELSAND.COM
Over 40 years, Woodhaven has helped builders, contractors, and homeowners build better. Known for exemplary customer service and exceptional expertise, homeowners trust Woodhaven for kitchen and custom closet design, flooring, stairs and railings, windows and doors, and more. Our knowledgeable staff works with you to provide solutions that enhance your home and your enjoyment of it. Your home is likely the biggest investment you’ll ever make; we take that seriously and are honored to help bring your vision to life.
LAKEWOOD • MANAHAWKIN
POINT PLEASANT BEACH • SHREWSBURY 1.800.213.3300
WWW.WOODHAVENLUMBER.COM
For over 30 years, Worldwide has been proudly serving residents surrounding their four locations in Edison, Fairfield, Lawrenceville, and Old Bridge. While all locations offer the finest selection of brand name flooring, carpet, stair runners and custom rugs the Edison and Old Bridge locations feature Kitchen and Bath Studios offering the same fine quality in cabinets, countertops and more. From concept to installation Worldwide’s sales experts, designers, and installers make their customers’ home updates and renovations a wonderful experience.
NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS | 888-WORLD40
COMPASS RE
“Set AMIDST the Boats, the Beach and the Bay awaits this beautiful RAISED 4 Bedroom 3 Bath Shore Colonial that promises gorgeous SUNSETS and a relaxed lifestyle! The wrap-around TREX deck offers WATERVIEWS of the Marina and the Beach is 200 yards away! The full high walk-out lower level offers additional space and storage and the one car garage comes with a workshop too! Just minutes to downtown Atlantic Highlands, NYC Ferry & Shopping!”
16 BENTON AVE LEONARDO, NJ 07737
$920,000
JAYNE CAMLIN
BROKER/SALES ASSOCIATE
M: 732.673.9100 O: 732.936.5248
JAYNE.CAMLIN@COMPASS.COM
Town Appliance is one of the largest major appliance retailers in the tri-state area, carrying luxury and ordinary appliance brands. Brands include Bosch, Monogram, Sub Zero, Dacor and more.
Come visit our 10,000-square-foot showroom or visit our website and experience the products in real-time! With Over 20 Sales Reps, our customers receive top service to help them navigate thru the many choices. With 50 Years of Experience, we cater to all household needs and budgets.We forge a personal relationship with each client and provide them with an unmatched knowledge base and appliance shopping experience!
VISIT OUR NEARBY SHOWROOM: 10 S CLIFTON AVE., LAKEWOOD NJ 732.364.5195
WWW.TOWNAPPLIANCE.COM
WWW.WORLDWIDEWHOLESALE.COM
of and successful in the
Getting three squares a day has never been easier—Monmouth County is home to a selection of restaurants diverse enough to satisfy all of your cravings.
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS
COPPER CANYON
51 First Ave. 732.291.8444 thecoppercanyon.com
HARBORSIDE GRILL
40 First Ave. 732.291.0066 ahwinebar.com
KUNYA SIAM THAI
RESTAURANT
99 First Ave. 732.291.2397 kunyasiam.com
ON THE DECK
10 Simon Lake Dr. 732.872.1424 onthedeckrestaurant.com
AVON-BY-THE-SEA
CLEMENTINE’S
306 Main St. 732.988.7979 clementinesavon.com
SEED TO SPROUT
410 Main St. 732.774.7333 seedtosproutnj.com
BELFORD
BELFORD BISTRO
870 Main St. 732.495.8151 belfordbistro.com
NAPLES PIZZERIA
872 Main St. 732.787.9479
BELMAR
10TH AVE. BURRITO CO.
FEDERICO’S
700 Main St. 732.681.6936 federicospizza.com
LA DOLCE VITA
400 Ocean Ave. 732.749.3177 ladolcevitanj.com
SIMPLY SOUTHERN
817 Belmar Plz. 732.243.9259 simplysouthern comfortfoods.com
BRADLEY BEACH
THE BUTTERED
BISCUIT
700 Main St. 732.807.4069 thebutteredbiscuitcafe.com
THE ELBOW ROOM
416 Main St. 732.898.6860 elbowroomnj.com
BRIELLE
DUE AMICI
420 Higgins Ave. 732.528.0666 dueamicibriellenj.com
LA MONDINA
110 Union Ave. 732.612.8331 lamondinabrielle.com
201 Union Ln. 732.528.7750 thepigandparrot.com
SHIPWRECK GRILL
801 Belmar Plz. 732.280.1515 tenthaveburrito.com
ANCHOR TAVERN
ASBURY PARK
ASBURY FESTHALLE
& BIERGARTEN
527 Lake Ave. 732.997.8767 asburybiergarten.com
CUBACAN BAR & RESTAURANT
800 Ocean Ave. N. 732.774.3007 cubacanrestaurant.com
MOONSTRUCK
517 Lake Ave. 732.988.0123 moonstrucknj.com
PASCAL & SABINE
601 Bangs Ave. 732.774.3395 pascalandsabine.com
PORTA
911 Kingsley St. 732.776.7661 pizzaporta.com
ALE HOUSE
1200 Ocean Ave. N. 732.774.1400 therobinsonalehouse asburypark.com
STELLA MARINA
RESTAURANT & BAR
800 Ocean Ave. 732.775.7776 stellamarinarestaurant.com
TAKA
660 Cookman Ave. 732.775.1020 takaasburypark.com
TALULA’S
550 Cookman Ave. 732.455.3003 talulaspizza.com
713 Main St. 732.280.2266 anchortavernnj.com
BOATHOUSE BAR & GRILL
1309 Main St. 732.681.5221 boathousebarandgrill.com
BRANDL
703 Belmar Plz. 732.280.7501 brandlrestaurant.com
720 Ashley Ave. 732.292.9380 shipwreckgrill.com
TAVERN
403 Higgins Ave. 732.722.8978 watermanstavern.net
ALL SEASONS
RESTAURANT
176 Wyckoff Rd. 732.542.9462 allseasonsrestaurant.net
ROSALITA’S ROADSIDE
CANTINA
180 Rte. 9 732.617.0099 rosalitasnj.com
FREEHOLD
618 RESTAURANT
618 Park Ave. 732.577.0001 618nj.com
AARZU MODERN
INDIAN BISTRO
30 E. Main St. 732.333.0933 aarzu.com
COURT JESTER
16 E. Main St. 732.462.1040 courtjesternj.com
EL MESON
40 W. Main St. 732.308.9494 elmesoncafe.com
FEDERICI’S FAMILY
RESTAURANT
14 E. Main St. 732.462.1312 federicis.com
METROPOLITAN CAFE
8 E. Main St. 732.780.9400 metrocafenj.com
TOMMY’S TAVERN
+ TAP
3492 Rte. 9 732.543.0053 tommystavernandtap.com
BEER GARDEN
611 Park Ave. 732.751.4422 trepizzanj.com
NEIL MICHAEL’S
STEAKHOUSE
1104 Rte. 36 732.217.3626 neilmichaelsteakhouse. com
RESTAURANT
3153 Rte. 35 732.264.3777 yesterdaysnj.com
BAHRS LANDING
2 Bay Ave. 732.872.1245 bahrslandingnj.com
PROVING GROUND
56 Shrewsbury Ave. 732.872.2266 theprovingground.com
DREW’S BAYSHORE
BISTRO
25 Church St. 732.739.9219 drewsbayshorebistro.com
PALUMBO’S
24 Ayers Ln. 732.842.5505
AVENUE
23 Ocean Ave. 732.759.2900 leclubavenue.com
GRILL
29 Avenel Blvd. 732.222.4499 charleysoceangrill.com
MAR BELO
611 Broadway 732.870.2222 marbelorestaurant.com
MCLOONE’S PIER HOUSE
1 Ocean Ave. N. 732.923.1006 mcloonespierhouse.com
ROONEY’S OCEANFRONT
100 Ocean Ave. N. 732.870.1200 rooneysocean.com
SIRENA RISTORANTE
27 Ocean Ave. N. 732.222.1119 sirenaristorante.com
TUZZIO’S
224 Westwood Ave. 732.222.9614 tuzzios.com
ANEMOS GREEK
CUISINE
333 Rte. 9 732.414.6590 anemosgreekcuisine.com
CHOLULA RESTAURANT
24 Wilson Ave. 732.786.0080 cholularestaurant englishtown.com
MANALAPAN DINER
48 Rte. 9 732.462.7165 manalapandiner.com
NONNA’S CITI CUCINA
190 Rte. 9 N. 732.536.9050 nonnasnj.net
PEKING PAVILION
110 Rte. 33 732.308.9700 pekingpavilion.com
MANASQUAN
BLEND ON MAIN
390 E. Main St. 732.223.0030 blendonmain.com
IN MANALAPAN
HARPOON WILLY’S
2655 River Rd. 732.223.8880 harpoonwillys.com
THE SALTY WHALE AND GUESTHOUSE
390 E. Main St. 732.592.3344 thesaltywhale.com
SQUAN TAVERN
15 Broad St. 732.223.3324 squantavern.com
MATAWAN
BUTTONWOOD MANOR
845 Rte. 34 N. buttonwoodmanor.com
MIDDLETOWN
CROWN PALACE
1283 Rte. 35 S. 732.615.9888 crownpalacenj.com
MJ’S RESTAURANT
BAR & GRILL
1005 Rte. 35 732.796.1400 mjsrestaurant.com
NEELAM EXOTIC
INDIAN CUISINE
1178 Rte. 35 S. 732.671.8900 neelamindiancuisine.com
NEPTUNE
IL POSTO
1129 Fifth Ave. 732.775.4823
MOLINARI’S
312 W. Sylvania Ave. 732.775.7733 molinarirestaurant.com
PETE & ELDA’S
93 Summit Ave. 732.774.6010 peteandeldas.com
In-person events are back in full swing! Here that are filled with fun, laughter and entertainment— and will help you safely return to normal.
Oct. 14
Start off the season right at the Freehold Spooktacular Committee’s Halloween Spooktacular Movie Night The featured film, Ghostbusters (1984), will be screened at 7 p.m. at the Hall of Records in Freehold. The program is free, just bring blankets, chairs and your go-to movie snacks. For more information, visit freeholdspooktacular.com.
Oct. 16
Rock out at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park for Rocktoberfeast, a family-friendly music festival fundraiser. From 2 to 6 p.m., guests can enjoy music, food and tickets
benefit
Check out thelocalfixfoundation. more about the event and the cause.
healthy competition, join the Halloween Jeep Scavenger Hunt in Asbury Use your Jeep and a team of two to members to track down a list of items
turnip carving and more. Day of admission is $10 for adults; $5 for children. For more events and information, check out allairevillage.org.
back to the 19th Halloween at the Village at Allaire. From the Wall Township
$10 for kids. allairevillage.org.
type of craft fair, check by the Bay Highlands Partnership’s annual craft beer local breweries, food, live costume contest. The event 1 p.m. and goes until 5 Seafarer in Highlands. The seven craft tastings as commemorative cup. Go to learn more.
away to live music at the and Jam at Embry United Church, 1 to 5 p.m The show, the Bluegrass & Oldtime of New Jersey, includes light refreshments. Admission is $5 for BOTMA members and $6 for non-members. Find out more about this event at njbluegrass.org.
The will be chosen. Sign up for $10 per person. Kids under 16 are free. Visit 4loevents. com, text 732.955.7363 or email info@4loevents. com for further info.
Support local businesses and shop small at Long Branch Fall Bazaar, 12 to 5 p.m. on both days at Whitechapel Projects in Long Branch. Browse goods from local vendors and join in on the costume contest while the kids participate in craft workshops and face painting. This event is pet friendly and free! Go to asburyparkbazaar.com to learn more.
Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove its third annual Trunk Treat with more volunteer trucks, and food. to the JSAC’s south parking area 2 to 4 and let little monster go trunk-to-trunk for goodies. For more on this free event, jerseyshoreartscenter.org.
If coffee is an art form, the Brew Coffee Bar is a museum. Visit their Matawan location for the ultimate experience in coffee curation. For $30 from 11 a.m. to 2 taste four different selected just for you— perhaps you’ll discover your new go-to brew. Learn more about Brew Coffee Bar at brewmatawan. com and sign up for the event at eventbrite.com.
*Editor’s note: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all events are subject to cancellations or changes. Attendees are encouraged to observe local safety guidelines.
Historic grounds
Whether it’s at a fundraiser or a volunteering event, Monmouth residents always show up to support their friends and neighbors.
1
JBJ Soul Kitchen held its annual Mulligans for Meals Golf Outing this summer at the Hominy Hill Golf Course in Colts Neck. The event included breakfast, a full day of golf with refreshments along the course, a lunch reception and awards ceremony. The fundraiser supported JBJ Soul Kitchen’s mission to help alleviate hunger in the area.
1 JBJ Soul Kitchen founder Jon Bon Jovi (rear, center) along with the staff at the Mulligans for Meals Golf Outing
The New Jersey Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) held its annual Design Excellence Awards at the Galloping Hills Golf Course in Kenilworth. The awards honor designers in various categories, from residential single space to hotel and restaurant. 2 Award-winning designers from Monmouth County: Anna Maria Mannarino, Sheila Rich, Yelena Gerts
United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties held the United for Impact Wine Event at Patricia’s of Holmdel earlier this summer. Proceeds benefit the United Way’s mission of providing resources and support to help families build a pathway to financial stability, expand youth access to health services and opportunities for vocational training. 3 Robert Rosone, Henry Hong, Gabriel Lavigne, Nancy Eriksen, Carol Stillwell, Sonia Grant, Lori-Anne McLane, Joe Bonacci, R. Scott Garley. 4 Bruce Grant, Sonia Grant, Gabriel Lavigne.
7
United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties kicked off its annual Warmest Wishes Coat Drive at a Jersey Shore BlueClaws
game. David Volk from TD Bank in Ocean County, one of the corporate sponsors of the drive, threw out the first pitch at the game. 5 Erubiel Armenta, David Volk, Buster
Congregation Agudath Achim in Bradley Beach recently praised the Bradley Beach Police Department in recognition of their support and emergency services. 6 Chief Leonard A. Guida, Bradley Beach Mayor Larry Fox, Administrator Kim Humphrey
The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners and the Monmouth County Office on Aging hosted the 2022 Senior Art Show this summer. The event at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters showcased the artwork created by senior citizen artists in Monmouth. CareOne at Holmdel donated breakfast to-go bags for the attendees. 7 Monmouth County Senior Art show participants
“I was out of the house super early on Thanksgiving last year to train—I own two local nutrition businesses. I got half a mile down the road when I decided to go back home and wake up the family because I wanted to show them how beautiful the Manasquan Reservoir is in the morning. My 11-year-old nephew, Jovanni, and I were rewarded with a colorful sunrise. Sometimes we are so wrapped up in what we’re doing, we forget to slow down and look at the beauty around us.”
Allen Collins, Howell
