Morris/Essex Buzz

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

TIME TO VOTE— AGAIN

Morris/Essex Health & Life magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Poll is a go for 2022 despite the pandemic, and even if you haven’t voted in past years, this is a great way to support local businesses. Visit healthandlifemags.com/mehlvotereaderschoice2022 to help bring glory to your favorite local spots, from restaurants to retail shops, brunch hangouts to barbers. And stay tuned to find out the winners, who will be revealed in our annual “Best of” issue this fall.

BLACK HEALTH MATTERS

“Black Health & Wellness” is the theme chosen for Black History Month this February, and that means both physical and mental health. So what could be more fitting than to patronize one of these Black-owned health and wellness businesses (just five of many!) in our counties? Afrikinky, a line of natural soaps, body butters, herbs and oils based in Bloomfield and sold at local stores in Newark, East Orange and Maplewood; afrikinky.com The Black Home, a home décor store in Newark that focuses on Blackness (both the culture and the color), 7 William St., Newark, 973.343.5536; theblackhome.com Brittney’s Cuts for Kids, a hair salon in Cedar Knolls that specializes in haircuts for babies up to teens; 170 E. Hanover Ave., Suite 19, Cedar Knolls, 973.635.0306; brittneys-cutsfor-kids.business.site BWS Massage on Demand, based in Glen Ridge and offering individual and couples’ massages and even spa parties. P.S.: BWS stands for Bodies with Style; bwsmassage.com

Living in Wellness Counseling

Services, a therapy practice based in West Orange that focuses on cognitive behavioral therapy for individuals, couples and families; 640 Eagle Rock Ave., Suite 1, West Orange, 862.930.3925; liwcounseling.com

LONG LIVE OUR LIBRARIES

Libraries are full of books—and possibilities. And in 2022, some of these cherished local facilities are making changes to serve you better. • The Roxbury Library has officially gone fine-free. As of January, the library has waived all late fees for past-due items. The reason? To make the Succasunna spot a more welcoming place that won’t deter visitors (especially younger folks and those with limited financial resources). It’s a first for Morris County but not for New Jersey—in fact, when the Montclair Library did the same in 2019, it led to an uptick in library usage overall. • The Chester Library will soon receive $61,681 in funding from the Library Construction Act, which has allocated $37 million for its second round of funding to make technological advancements and building improvements in libraries across the Garden State. The Free Public Library of the Borough of Madison is getting a facelift too, thanks to $913,974 in funding from the same source.

KUDOS

We’re knee-deep in winter here, but the Dolphins never stop swimming—the YMCA Montclair Dolphins, that is. Two of the senior swimmers in the competitive swimming league, Nead Kojic (right) and Leo Powers, took first and second place respectively in the 100-yard breaststroke at the Winter Classic swim meet in Ocean County. These two and about 20 other Dolphins of all ages also qualified for the Sunkissed Invitational Event, the national junior/senior swimming championships that will culminate in Charlotte, North Carolina, in March (COVID permitting). Perhaps we’ll see these guys at the 2028 summer Olympics?

MARDI GRAS, MORRIS/ESSEX STYLE

A trip to N’awlins might not be in the cards now, but that shouldn’t dampen your Mardi Gras spirit. The spirit of Bourbon Street and Fat Tuesday revelry lives on in our towns, where these eateries are ready to help you (safely) celebrate: Small bites: Head to the appropriately titled Beignets (45 Broadway, Denville, 862.209.1700; beignetsnj.com) for an order or two of beignets. Served fresh and hot with sugar on top, these deep-fried, doughy pastries are a breakfast staple in the Big Easy. Eat like a king: There are many forms of king cake, such as the glazed (and nut-free) version made at The Little Daisy Bake Shop in Montclair (622 Valley Rd., Montclair, 973.707.2157; thelittledaisybakeshop.com). Almost all king cakes are topped with icing in the traditional Mardi Gras colors purple, green and gold. The tasty cake also offers delight to the lucky person whose slice includes a small baby figurine, which just might be placed into the batter before baking. Enjoy a boil: Few things are as enjoyable as a Louisiana seafood boil, and restaurants like Cap’t Loui (10 Park St, Montclair, 973.337.5227; captloui.com) do them up right. Expect a messy good time when you choose from lobster, king crab, Dungeness crab, shrimp or crawfish, and top it with your selection of spice and sauce. Raise a glass: Many cocktails are associated with Mardi Gras, but the Hurricane truly has New Orleans roots. Invented at legendary Pat O’Brien’s in the 1940s, this fruity drink is now made at restaurants and pubs worldwide. But just in case you’re playing it safe and celebrating at home, here is a simple recipe, courtesy of liquor.com:

Ingredients:

2 oz. light rum 2 oz. dark rum 1 oz. lime juice, freshly squeezed 1 oz. orange juice, freshly squeezed ½ oz. passion fruit puree ½ oz. simple syrup 1 tsp. grenadine orange slice, for garnish preserved cherry, for garnish

Directions:

1. Add the light and dark rums, lime and orange juices, passion fruit puree, simple syrup and grenadine into a shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. 2. Strain into a large Hurricane glass over fresh ice. 3. Garnish with orange and cherry.

PUPPY LOVE

Dog: Motek, 12-year-old Welsh corgi–beagle mix Owners: Ron and Dorene Richman of West Orange Motek is the Hebrew word for “sweetie,” and the moniker fits this dog perfectly. Formerly known as Maggie, Motek is a rescue pup who now loves playing with her cat siblings and taking neighborhood jaunts around the nearby South Mountain Reservation. Her quirkiest trait? She literally never barks. “Not even a whine or a howl!” Dorene says.

Motek and Dorene have an unbreakable bond: Both are cancer survivors. “I had completed my treatment for breast cancer, then Motek was diagnosed with melanoma,” says Dorene. “She trotted through treatment like a champ and always came out of the chemo suite wagging her tail.” Motek is now three years post-treatment and doing well—“so gentle and so sweet,” her owner says.

Want your pet featured in a future issue? Email our editor in chief Rita Guarna at rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com, or shoot us a DM on Instagram @morrisessexhealthandlife.

CULINARY CORNER

Avuncular emporium

Uncle Giuseppe’s has brought its shopping experience to Morris County with the opening of its second New Jersey store (the first is in Ramsey; the eight out-of-state locations are on Long Island). The 46,000-square-foot space (a former ShopRite) has it all—a specialty butcher, a bakery, standard grocery items and Italian delicacies such as pasta and cheese.

• Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace, Briarcliff Commons, 1711 Rte. 10, Morris Plains, 862.242.7320; uncleg.com

P-foods aplenty

If you want even more Italian deliciousness, pay a visit to The Shop, a brand-new spot in Chatham. Pizza, pasta and paninos are the main focus here, but The Shop also sells specialty sauce, cheese and bread so you can cook your own at home.

• The Shop, 465 Main St., Chatham, 973.635.2757; theshopchatham.com

In the mood for mochi?

Good. Mochimoly, a new Millburn dessertery, features this traditional Korean treat in all menu items, such as ice cream, donuts and even hot dogs (they’re rolled in mochi batter, deep fried and sprinkled with sugar).

• Mochimoly, 315B Millburn Ave., Millburn; mochimoly.com

NEVER TOO SOON TO BRUSH

There are several ways parents can help their children embark on a lifetime of good dental health. That’s the message in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month this February from the American Dental Association. “Establishing a routine and making oral hygiene a habit are important,” says Richard W. Eytel, D.M.D., of Dentistry for Children of West Essex in West Orange. “Flossing is important too, as is a child’s diet—try to limit frequent snacking, especially sticky candies.” Adds Shari Summers, D.M.D., Livingston Pediatric Dental Associates, “the easiest way to encourage a child is to set a good example... let your child watch as you brush and floss your teeth.” • Small steps. Even before your baby’s teeth come in, use a warm, wet washcloth to wipe his or her gums at bath time, says Dr. Eytel. Use an infant toothbrush (and a peasized amount of toothpaste) once molars begin to appear. • Brush up. Children should use age-appropriate toothbrushes. Smaller brush heads with soft bristles are ideal for kids up to age 5, because they’re gentle on delicate gums. And don’t assume just because they’re “brushing” that kids’ tooth-cleaning is effective. “A parent or caretaker should physically brush a child’s teeth after the child does until the child is able to color and stay between the lines, or write his or her name and stay in the lines,” advises Dr. Eytel. After that, parents should still supervise to make sure brushing is thorough. • Make brushing fun. How you do this will depend on your child’s age, but a few suggestions to make your child want to brush their teeth, according to Dr. Summers, are to; have your child practice brushing on a stuffed animal; turn it into a concert where you “sing” into the toothbrush; give them control by letting them choose their toothbrush; start a reward chart to give them incentive. “Never threaten that they will get cavities or gum disease,” she says. “This will not motivate your child but make them more apprehensive at the dentist.” • Beyond brushing. By age 9 or 10, kids should be flossing and using mouthwash regularly. “Floss sticks are easier for kids to use,” says Dr. Eytel. Fluoride supplements such as rinses should continue until about age 12, and teens should brush two to three times a day.