Morris Essex Health & Life: Holiday 2022

All About Uterine

Even A Queen Would Approve

DR. DAVID

CAGGIANO COMBINES

HIS

HIS

EXTENSIVE

BACKGROUND IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING WITH

TRAINING IN DENTISTRY to create innovative solutions for the toughest of orthodontic situations. “Engineering each smile is a unique process with many options,” he says. As the Author of A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Orthodontics: How to Confidently Choose the Best Orthodontist for your Family and Perfectly Clear: Everything You Need to Know About Invisalign, Dr. Caggiano understands the importance of feeling confident that you are getting the best treatment possible to help create your perfect smile. Staying at the forefront of orthodontic technology is how Dr. Caggiano keeps his promise to offer his patients the most effective orthodontic solutions. He was one of the first orthodontists in New Jersey to use digital impression scanners and 3D printers, allowing for impression free treatment. Dr. Caggiano provides treatment using the latest techniques, including self-ligating braces, Indirect Bonding and accelerated Invisalign, just to name a few. “Your smile is the first thing people notice about you, and patients are always complementing us on how thorough our exam process is,” he says. Nominated for many accolades, Dr. Caggino is one of the area’s leading orthodontists. The practice receives rave reviews for its Caggiano Smile Assessment, which includes a complimentary exam, digital x-rays and consultation for new patients. 2023 will be another exciting year for the patients and future patients of Caggiano Orthodontics. The practice moved to its new, unparalleled, state-of-the-art office. Dr. Caggiano takes pride in delivering quality orthodontic treatment with great customer service, that’s why he is confident and has trade-marked, “You’ll Love the Way We Make You Smile!”

CONTENTS

Departments

Morris/Essex Buzz |

9

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

Your Friends & Neighbors |

12

Montclair filmmaker Steve McCarthy has tackled many subjects, but none more compelling than a teenage painter and poet who, like Anne Frank, was a victim of the Nazis.

Style Watch | 14

A stylish bomber jackets is a transitional topper that packs a design punch.

Home Front | 15

Checkerboard is a timeless pattern that becomes of-the-moment with fun finds like these.

Tastes | 40

Vegetarians might want to turn the page, but carnivores will adore these three meat entrées, each a delectable choice for your holiday table.

Power Food | 46

Oysters offer tempting taste, great nutrition and—if you believe it—a legendary assist in the bedroom.

Bar Tab | 47

Make a poinsettia Champagne cocktail the signature sip for all the season’s get-togethers.

Gatherings | 63

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

A Morris/Essex Moment | 64

A Morristown resident captures light and beauty at the Green during an otherwise hazy and dreary morning walk.

Where luxury living begins.

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Happy, Healthy Holidays

There are many things to think about at the end of the calendar year as we approach the holiday season. We hope you remember the importance of prioritizing your health too. It’s never too late to schedule your preventive health screenings, as well as mental health appointments that can help you cope with end-of-year-stress.

One important preventive screening is breast screening, and The

BARRY H. OSTROWSKY Chief Executive Officer

Morris/Essex

RICHARD

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HEALTH & LIFE

A Stress-Free Holiday Season?

Quick as a wink, it’s holiday time again. As we approach Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve, many of us have gifts to buy, decorations to put up, entertaining to plan, cooking to do, social events to attend and families to reunite with. There’s joy in these traditions of the season—but there’s potential worry too. What if something doesn’t go perfectly?

Such are our hopes for the holiday season that it’s easy to feel that the tiniest flaw in things is a threat to our happiness. But let’s not let the quest for perfection become the enemy of potential joy.

Our pages can’t guarantee you a stressfree holiday, but they do offer some good ideas you can put to use. If you’re planning a get-together with family and friends, you’ll want to turn to page 28. There we present five festive recipes that are not only crowd-pleasers, but they are also easy to make! Want an easy and relaxing way to entertain the family? Flip to page 9 for a list of some of the best drive-through light shows in the state.

And as we turn the calendar to 2023, many of us will take on resolutions to lose weight or improve their health. As we do every year, we offer ideas and tips that will help steer you toward a better you. Turn to page 22 for our head-to-toe guide, which offers a few words of wisdom from health experts about caring for your body.

Whatever holiday you celebrate, don’t forget to celebrate yourself and your family a little bit too. And remember that often the merriest moments turn out to be those serendipitous ones that weren’t in the script. Give yourself a bit of perspective—that’s one gift no one has to take back and exchange.

Enjoy this issue of Morris/Essex Health & Life, and this festive season.

Rita Guarna Editor in Chief editor@wainscotmedia.com

Publisher THOMAS FLANNERY

PUBLISHED BY WAINSCOT MEDIA Chairman CARROLL V. DOWDEN President & CEO MARK DOWDEN

Senior Vice Presidents RITA GUARNA CARL OLSEN Vice Presidents LIZETTE CHIN

NIGEL EDELSHAIN

THOMAS FLANNERY COLEMAN MCCARTAN MARIA REGAN STEVEN RESNICK DIANE VOJCANIN

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

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

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES

To inquire about a subscription, to change an address or to purchase a back issue or a reprint of an article, please write to Morris/Essex Health & Life, Circulation Department, 1 Maynard Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656; telephone 201.573.5541.

SEE THOSE LIGHTS

Holiday light displays are one of the joys of the season, and while your neighborhood may have some standouts, checking out truly stellar ones may require a drive. But isn’t the smile on your kids’ faces worth the time and gas? Here are a half-dozen you won’t forget:

• Augusta, Skylands Stadium, Christmas Light Show & Village. Enjoy more than 2 million lights spread out over a 1-mile drivethrough course in and around the stadium. When you’re finished driving, be sure to check out the Ferris wheel, skating rink and beer garden. Admission is $29 per car; closed Dec. 24 and 25. Info: skylandsstadium.com

• East Brunswick, Middlesex County Fairgrounds, Winter WonderLights. New Jersey’s largest animated light show features more than 1.5 million lights that are synchronized to holiday music. Admission is $30 per car. Info: winterwonderlightshows.com

• Hillsdale, Demarest Farms, Orchard of Lights. Take a leisurely drive through the farm’s 32 acres, which are decorated with blinking lights, Santa, snowmen and much more. Once your tour is done (or before your time slot), stop by the market for s’mores and hot chocolate. Admission is $35 per car; closed Dec. 24 and 25. Info: orchardoflights.com

• Holmdel, PNC Bank Arts Center, Magic of Lights. Take exit 116 on the Garden State Parkway and line up for this dazzling display of LED lights, digital animations, holiday scenes and characters. The drive-through show takes cars around the concert venue’s campus. Admission is $20 per car. Info: magicoflights.com

• Newark, Newark Moonlight Cinema, Dasher’s Lightshow. Take the family on a 30-minute tour of the cinema campus, which is decked out with animated lights, characters and holiday images that are choreographed to music. Admission is $29.95 per car; closed Dec. 24 and 25. Info: dasherslightshow.com/Newark

• West Berlin, Diggerland, HoliDIG Light Show. America’s only construction-themed amusement park is now in its third year of drive-through light shows, and 2022’s is longer and brighter than before. Holiday displays, tunnels, lit-up trucks and Diggerland’s own accompanying radio station that syncs to the show will get your crew into the holiday spirit. Admission is $34.95 per car; closed most Monday and Tuesday nights. Info: diggerlandusa.com/holiday-light-show/

PUPPY LOVE

Dakota, 2-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd mix

Owners: The Kahle family of Morristown

Just before the pandemic hit, in March 2020, Dakota was lucky to be rescued by her forever family from St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison. Now she’s living her best life, running all over Morristown with her “mom,” Rani, almost daily, and playing with the family’s two human boys. “She loves to play in the yard and fetch tennis balls,” Rani tells us.

The Kahle family is still very involved with St. Hubert’s, where they take training and agility classes to help them be the best possible “paw-rents” for Dakota. “She is so sweet and very smart,” her owner says. “We rescued her, but she really rescued us.”

Want to see your dog or cat in a future issue of Morris/Essex Health & Life? Email his or her photo and a brief description to rita.guarna@ wainscotmedia.com.

N.J. IS A SAFE BET

According to a new study from the personal finance website Wallethub, the Garden State is the safest in the tri-state area and the 15th safest in the nation. The company took many factors into account in its rankings, including law enforcement employees per capita (we ranked first!) and workplace safety (not our strongest category, if we’re being honest). We also ranked in the top five for both fewest assaults and overall road safety. Go Jersey!

TASTE A TRADITION

Just as Christmas observers have eggnog and gingerbread, their Jewish brethren too have a signature delicacy for their December holiday. Jelly donuts, called “sufganiyot” in Hebrew, are fried and dipped in oil and traditionally consumed on Hanukkah to honor the small amount of oil that miraculously served the Maccabees for eight nights.

Liv Breads Artisan Bakery in Millburn takes things up a notch for the Festival of Lights. This Israeli-inspired shop’s signature sufganiyot are made not with fried dough but with brioche buns, which are filled with strawberry jam, Nutella or dulce de leche. Bonus: Because they’re not fried, they won’t get stale or greasy like typical Hanukkah donuts do.

“Many customers are more than happy to leave the oil to the latkes!” coowner Elana Livneh tells Morris/Essex Health & Life These kosher sufganiyot will be available for pre-order at the Millburn bakery (184 Essex St.), and may be purchased starting Sunday, Dec. 18, the first night of Hanukkah ’22, at both the bakery and at the Liv Breads kiosk at The Mall at Short Hills.

TWO CULTURES COLLIDE

Can’t decide if you’re in the mood for Italian or Japanese? Robbie Felice to the rescue. The James Beard-nominated New Jersey chef behind Osteria Crescendo in Westwood and Viaggio in Wayne, along with Ani Ramen founder Luck Sarabhayavanija, is bringing Montclair an eatery called Pasta Ramen, the first-ever Italian ramen shop showcasing dishes in the style known as wafu, a fusion of Italian and Japanese

• 6 S. Fullerton Ave., Montclair, 973.337.6965; pastaramen.com

EAT, STREAM AND BE MERRY

If you’re not among the lucky few who will be spending the holiday break in the tropics this year, you can at least enjoy your time at home with a holiday movie binge.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas has been entertaining me on holidays since I was a little kid—and now I use it to entertain my kid,” says Rachel Toscano, co-owner of Wize Guys Collectibles in Verona. “The stop-motion animation, catchy songs, macabre imagery and unique characters are just a few of the reasons why I’ll always love this holiday movie.”

Here are a few of our favorite family-friendly and classic holiday flicks to get you started, plus where they’re streaming. (Did we forget your favorite flick? Tell us on Instagram @morrisessexhealthandlife.)

• A Charlie Brown Christmas (Apple TV Plus)

• Elf (HBO Max)

• Four Christmases (HBO Max)

• Jingle All the Way (Starz)

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (HBO Max)

• The Holiday (Netflix)

• Home Alone and Home Alone

2: Lost in New York (Disney+)

• It’s a Wonderful Life (Amazon Prime)

• Love Actually (Paramount+)

• The Santa Clause (Disney+)

• Serendipity (Paramount+)

cuisines. These guys hosted pop-ups all over Miami and LA throughout the year, but Pasta Ramen is getting a permanent home here in Essex County. If it’s hard to envision just how these dishes will taste or look, let us help you with the visual: Imagine ramen shrimp scampi or sweet soy garlic teriyaki-injected burrata. Both will be on the opening menu, and you can catch sneak peeks on Robbie’s Instagram, @robbiefelice.

THINGS WE’RE HINTING FOR

What gifts are you hoping to unwrap this year? A cozy hoodie or a pair of boots, perhaps? A new e-bike, or the latest GoPro camera? In the holiday spirit, our staff members share below what we hope to receive—because sometimes the things one yearns for turn out to be great ideas for giving to others too. (That’s our excuse for hinting, anyway.)

Darius Amos, “I’m a wannabe yet to pull the Jordan 1 mids. which look similar, have the Jordan logo. I prefer and gray, but object to unboxing a classic blackand-red pair.”

Stephen Vitarbo, “I mean, look art! You could burlap sack wearing Taft they work even with a stylish and a sportcoat. these on my every year, building up the collection.”

and it’s gotten to the point where I’m embarrassed to be out in public (or on video calls) using headphones that aren’t wireless. The horror! I’d love a pair of AirPods for Hanukkah, preferably the all-new AirPods Pro, with initials on the case. It’s It’s time.”

SHOP SMALL!

Online and big-box stores are fine, but you’re missing out if you don’t also check out the smaller shops and boutiques in our counties this holiday season. In them you can find distinctive—often surprising—gifts ranging from home décor to hair accessories to knickknacks, and it feels good to support your neighbors by “shopping local.” Here are seven of our favorite Morris and Essex boutiques:

• 23 South (pictured) sells sweets, wedding gifts and hostess presents, as well as teen-approved jewelry from brands like Alex & Ani.

—23 South St., Morristown, 973.590.2500; facebook.com/23southmorristown

• Giftbar is the type of place where you go in looking for gifts for your friends and leave with stuff for yourself. Think along the lines of pop culture-inspired greeting cards and books, retro-style board games and handmade accessories.

—465 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair, 973.746.8100; shopgiftbar.com

• Just Jersey takes shopping local literally, as the store is packed with unique items sourced from the Garden State. Here’s where you’ll find packaged food and gift baskets, Jersey-themed jewelry, home accessories that pay homage to your town and more.

—163 South St., Morristown, 973.590.2820; justjerseygoods.com

• Pazzazed has hand-picked gifts for all occasions, with finds from national brands like Papyrus mixed in with items made by artists across New Jersey.

—11 Midland Ave., Montclair, 646.824.8459; pazzazed.com

KUDOS

Congrats to comedian/ activist Chelsea Handler (Livingston) and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg (Newark)! Both have been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. They took the honors along with other Jersey greats at the 14th annual induction ceremony, which aired live on MY9TV on Nov. 11 and was hosted by actor Danny DeVito.

• Perch Home has whatever you (or your holiday hostess) could want for the holidays, including vintage art, personalized mugs, pretty platters and Christmas ornaments you won’t find anywhere else.

—9 Highland Pl., Maplewood, 973.821.4852; perchhome.com

• Regalo has hand-picked gifts for all occasions, including seasonal décor, jewelry and purses, New Jerseythemed finds and the like.

—469 Speedwell Ave., Morris Plains, 973.998.7744; regalogiftstore.com

• Somewhere in Time has an eclectic mix of goodies, including both vintage items and brand-new ones. Expect an abundance of scented candles, throw pillows and seasonal items that’ll make your home extra homey.

—344 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell, 973.403.7745; facebook.com/people/Somewhere-In-TimeCaldwell/

Telling A Holocaust Story

Montclair filmmaker Steve McCarthy has tackled many subjects, but none more compelling than a teenage painter and poet who, like Anne Frank, was a victim of the Nazis.

Generations grew up with the Holocaust tale of Anne Frank and the diary that detailed her perilous days hiding in an attic from Nazis. Yet few know of Heinz Geiringer—murdered at age 18—and the promise he asked his sister Eva to make on a train to Auschwitz.

Eva Schloss is still alive. For years it proved too painful for her to speak about the promise, but today her story is in good hands. The newly released film Eva’s Promise was produced and directed by 63-year-old Montclair resident Steve McCarthy, an Emmy winner who was formerly with 60 Minutes and Dateline He’s also known for documentaries, including HBO’s Breslin & Hamill: Deadline Artists about two news leg ends, which he co-directed and co-produced.

While McCarthy has “traipsed around the world filming stories,” as he puts it, his wife of

39 years, Kathleen, has “held down the fort” in Montclair, where the couple raised four children. Here McCarthy shares thoughts about his new movie—and his career.

Tell us about Eva’s Promise

It just premiered at the Montclair Film Festival in October. It’s a film we shot a year ago in London and Amsterdam. Eva Schloss is the posthumous stepsister of Anne Frank. Anne Frank’s father married Eva’s mother after the war. The families’ stories are intertwined.

Why did this strike you as a must-tell story? This is probably one of the last chances, if not the last chance, that I will get to work with a survivor of the Holocaust. They’re passing away, so I realize this is an important documentary—to never forget what happened.

What was Eva’s promise?

Eva and her family had to go into hiding, like the Frank family, in Amsterdam after the Nazis invaded. Her brother Heinz was an excellent musician, but wasn’t able to play music in hiding, so he began to paint and write poetry. The family had hidden separately: Eva with her mother and Heinz with his father. When they were betrayed and captured, the family was reunited on the train to Auschwitz. Heinz told Eva he hid his paintings and poems under the floorboards in the attic of the house where they were hiding. He asked her to promise him that if he didn’t make it, she would get the material and share it with the world. Why did this story take so long to get told?

For 40 years Eva never spoke about the Holocaust. Once she started, she began to heal. In 2006 Heinz’s art and poetry were donated

to a museum in Amsterdam, so since that time she’s been talking about him. What this film represents, near the end of her life, is making one effort to share the story of her brother Heinz with the world.

How did the film come to be made?

A colleague of mine at Montclair State University, Susan Kerner, is a theater director. She came to me with this idea of a film because she had a 25year relationship with Eva Schloss. She commis sioned and directed a play about Eva and Anne Frank’s boyfriend, Ed Silverberg. The play is And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank Susan became a co-producer of the film, and it made my job so much easier.

How is this film relevant for today?

Look at what’s going on in the world today—a lot of hate, a lot of antisemitism. It’s important to remind people how the Jewish people were persecuted. What challenges did you face in filming Eva’s Promise?

It was done on a micro budget. But luckily my sons Ryan and Justin came with me, and we shot in London for three days and Amsterdam for three days.

It was originally to be a short film. When I returned to the United States, I realized I had much more material and could make an hour documentary out of it. My son Ryan edited the film and was a tremendous help putting it together. My daughter Alison designed the graphic look of the film.

Were there any surprises? We returned to the house where Heinz had hid den the poetry and art outside of Amsterdam. We did not have a number to call, so we took the train out and knocked on the door. The people knew the story, were very warm and allowed us to film in there. It was an amazing feeling to know that Heinz was there and had created the poetry and art that I had been working with and studying the last few months.

What can you tell me about Heinz and what happened to him?

We know he was taken to Auschwitz. When the Russians freed Eva, she went to the men’s side of the camp to look for her father and her brother. She ran into Otto Frank, Anne’s father. Otto told Eva that her father and brother had left a few weeks earlier with the Nazis. We know they took them to Austria, where they were from originally, and we know that they were killed there.

How did Eva’s Promise fare at the recent Montclair Film Festival?

It was scheduled for two screenings. They sold out immediately; a third one was added; and that sold out too. The next screening, we hope, will be in London with Eva. I want her to get the recognition and applause she deserves for the life she’s led. What’s next for Eva’s Promise?

I just found out there’s interest in a European film festival. We hope that one of the streaming chan nels in America will license it. It’s a very difficult process, as there’s so much stuff out there. We also may just show it in theaters. Eventually we hope this is in every school in America and the world.

Can you describe where your work has taken you and what it was like having your family involved?

Traveling to 55 countries and 49 states has been very meaningful and fun. My eldest son, Ryan, graduated from college and became my editor and cameraman. Justin and then Alison followed and started traveling with me. Ryan went to Turkey with me to interview Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Justin went to Peru with me to track Jo ran van der Sloot, the man who murdered Natalee Holloway in Aruba. Alison went on a tour across the United States filming a commercial for Hart ford Insurance. Then all of them and my youngest daughter Madeline helped me co-direct and film HBO’s Breslin & Hamill: Deadline Artists [2019], which won a national Emmy.

Working on stories about your friends, the firefighters killed because of 9/11, must have been very emotional. How did you cope?

On 9/11/01 I knew Paddy (Captain Patrick Brown) would be there. He and his company, Ladder 3, made it up to the 70th floor in the North Tower. We know from radio trans missions he was tending to injured people when the tower collapsed.

My father, Thomas Aquinas Mc Carthy, was dying of cancer at that time. His obituary and Paddy’s were in the New York Daily News on the same day. Their funerals were one day apart. I did the only thing I knew how to do well—tell the story.

What do you learn from your students at Montclair State University’s School of Communication and Media?

I bring projects that I do professionally into the classroom, and I was really heartened to know my students knew the Anne Frank story because it’s law in New Jersey to study the Holocaust. My stu dents are very accepting of people of other races, cultures, genders, sexual orientations. It makes me feel good about the future. They care. What’s the most exciting story you ever covered?

Probably when I interviewed Muammar Gaddafi. That was in 1996 for 60 Minutes It was regarding the bombing of Pan Am 103. I also met one of the men convicted of bombing the plane. What story had the most impact?

Probably my stories about my friends who were firefighters who died in 9/11. My very first independent documentary was about my friend Captain Patrick Brown.

How did you decide to become a director/producer?

I was born into an NYPD family—my dad and uncle were on the force. We lived in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. When I was a teenager, I began developing film in our basement. This led me to study television in college. I graduated from the State University of New York in 1981 and got a job as an office assis tant at CBS News. I began my training as a journalist. I found out I really like to tell stories.

What was your greatest challenge in achieving that goal?

I competed against people who had, for the most part, gone to better colleges than I did. They came from better neighborhoods. But I used my back ground to my advantage. I could talk to people on a loading dock, in a police car or in a firehouse. I would tell the stories of these people.

Has it been worth it?

I know I made the right choice because of the impact I had on those whose stories I told.

—Donna Rolando

This page: Eva Schloss with her brother Heinz Geiringer. Opposite page, clockwise from top: Eva with the team from Eva’s Promise team; Eva is interviewed for the Eva’s Promise film, director Steve McCarthy with his sons Justin and Ryan, McCarthy’s film premiered at the Montclair Film Festival.

BOMBER JACKET Banana Republic, Denville, 973.328.3558

Check It Out

Checkerboard is a timeless pattern that becomes of-the-moment with fun finds like these.

SOFT CHECKERED RUG

West Elm, Summit, 908.273.0983

COAT CHECKERED BY THE CARTORIALIST LARGE ART PRINT chairish.com

OVERSIZED CHECKERED BANANA BARK ROUND BASKET maisonette.com

CHECKERBOARD COWHIDE PILLOW mgbwhome.com LARGE CHECKERBOARD LACQUER BOX BY JONATHAN ADLER Bloomingdale’s, Short Hills, 973.548.2200

CHECKERED ROPE INDOOR/OUTDOOR BENCH Anthropologie, Montclair, 973.509.0213

CHECKERED LAMP SHADE Urban Outfitters, Montclair, 973.655.0157

CHECKERED PATTERN WINE CHILLER society6.com

COVE WOVEN LEATHER OTTOMAN Anthropologie, Montclair

TUNING IN TO BENEFITS OF MUSIC

A review of several studies found that musically trained kids have better reading, memory and executive functions than the non-musician kids

—Frontiers in Neuroscience

CAFFEINE OK DURING FERTILITY TREATMENT

A recent analysis found no association between women’s caffeine consumption and pregnancy after fertility treatments, so it’s fine to have a cup of joe in the morning.

Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica

DON’T CROSS YOUR LEGS

Mom may have told you to sit up and uncross your legs, and she had good reason. Research has found that sitting with crossed legs causes the pelvis to rotate and tilt, which can cause numbness and pain over time. To avoid problem hips, keep them aligned and sit with both feet firmly planted on the ground.

POOR SLEEP HURTS

You won’t just feel tired after a bad night’s sleep, you’ll feel pain. Researchers found that participants exposed to pain after eight hours of sleep and again after staying up all night were far less likely to tolerate the pain after not getting enough shut-eye.

—The Journal of Neuroscience

56The percentage of folks who tested positive for COVID-19 during the Omicron surge who didn’t think they had it. Even if you have a case of the sniffles, it’s best to test to avoid infecting others, say experts.

—JAMA Open Network

—Journal of Physical Therapy Science

EAT LEGUMES FOR A LONG LIFE

A recent study suggested that young American adults could lengthen their life expectancy by more than 10 years by eating a diet rich with legumes, nuts and whole grains in lieu of meat.

—PLOS Medicine

CANCER

RISK

TIED TO PROCESSED FOOD

Researchers have found that men who frequently ate a diet of ultra-processed foods, typically associated with ready-to-eat products, were at 29 percent higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than men who consumed much smaller amounts.

—BMJ

CATARACTS AND DEPRESSION

A surprising benefit of surgery to fix cataracts: less depression. An analysis of people with cataracts found that those who had surgery were 25 percent less likely to develop depression than those who hadn’t had surgery.

—Scientific Reports

TAKING THE STRESS OUT OF BREAST SCREENING

As anyone who has undergone important medical screenings knows, waiting for test results can be agonizing. Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC), in conjunction with the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, is alleviating the anxiety associated with awaiting those results with the return of the Same Day Breast Results Program , which was on hiatus during COVID but resumed on Oct. 3, 2022.

This program, run by The Breast Center, allows patients scheduled for a screening to undergo their mammogram, wait for their results and have further imaging if needed, all in one visit.

The process is simple. Following your screening mammogram, one of the breast radiologists will interpret your mammogram and determine if you need any additional imaging while you wait. The wait time is typically 20–30 minutes, says Linda Sanders, M.D., medical director of The Breast Center at the Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center, but can be up to an hour on busier days.

Approximately 90 percent of screening mammograms are reported as negative or

benign, with no further imaging needed, Dr. Sanders says, but if you’re among the 10 percent who require additional testing, the Center’s technical staff will expedite your needs so that you receive additional mammographic imaging—and an ultrasound if necessary—on the same day. This service is available to all patients at the ACC Monday through Friday, but must be scheduled in specific time slots during the day.

Another offering at The Breast Center at the ACC is Walk-In Wednesdays Each Wednesday from 6:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., patients can walk in to have a screening mammogram at the ACC without an appointment. This initiative is another way that CBMC emphasizes preventive healthcare. Annual mammograms detect cancer earlier than a physical

exam, and earlier detection allows for less invasive treatment.

“Screening mammography has been shown to reduce mortality from breast cancer,” says Dr. Sanders. “Catching breast cancer at an earlier stage lessens the extent of surgery required to remove it, and reduces the likelihood that chemotherapy and radiation will be required.”

The Breast Center at Barnabas Health ACC is one of the largest breast centers in the United States. Performing more than 65,000 procedures annually, the center offers a comprehensive range of screening and diagnostic services, providing a high level of individualized care. The Center also recently opened its own dedicated breast MRI magnet exclusively for breast patients, allowing patients to enjoy the comforts of the beautiful renovated Breast Center for their MRIs, as well as mammography and ultrasound and biopsy procedures.

Linda Sanders, M.D.

ALL ABOUT UTERINE FIBROIDS

Fibroids are common, and women have many options for successful treatment at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.

Uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus, are common; about 70 percent to 80 percent of women develop fibroids by the time they reach age 50. They occur most often in women in their 40s and early 50s, but can grow during pregnancy when hormone levels are high too. Eric Liberman, D.O., director of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC), specializes in treating fibroids using minimally invasive surgical techniques, including robotic, laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery. Here, he answers questions about fibroids and treatment options available at CBMC.

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are growths in the smooth muscle of the uterus and are almost always benign, or non-cancerous. They can range in size from 1 millimeter up to grapefruit-sized tumors that can weigh up to 2 pounds or more. Some women may develop one fibroid, but most often they have multiple fibroids.

What causes them?

The exact cause is unknown. However, there is a hormonal component with estrogen and progesterone, and we believe there is also a genetic component — they run in families. They tend to grow during pregnancy, when hormone levels are high, and often stop growing after menopause.

What are the most common symptoms?

The most common symptom is bleeding, which can be heavy and cause anemia. Other symptoms include pelvic pain or pressure, bloating, pain during intercourse and increased frequency of urination if a fibroid is pressing on the bladder. However, some women have no symptoms.

Fibroids are also a common cause of fertility issues, making it difficult for women to get pregnant or maintain pregnancies. In rare cases, they can compress blood vessels and lead to blood clots in legs, but that’s often only when they get very large.

How are fibroids treated?

Medications may be used as first line management to address the heavy menstrual bleeding caused by the fibroids, such as birth control pills and other medications that alter estrogen and progesterone levels. If medications are ineffective or symptoms are not alleviated, we consider minimally invasive surgical options. Recommended options are

are partially or fully within the cavity of the uterus. Fibroids within the uterine cavity are often associated with bleeding and fertility problems. Fibroids that are deeper in the muscle of the uterus and can’t be reached hysteroscopically are often managed robotically or, if needed, through a larger open surgery.

What is the recovery like?

With hysteroscopic surgery, patients go home the same day. They’ll need to take it easy for a few days before returning to normal activities, and they may experience light bleeding for a week or so. Laparoscopic and robotic surgery is also same-day surgery, and recovery takes about two weeks. With larger incisions, patients often go home the next day, and recovery can take three to four weeks.

Are there new treatments available for fibroids?

always tailored to the individual patient. The location and number of fibroids along with whether or not the patient wants to get pregnant in the future guides treatment. These may range from hysteroscopic fibroid resection to robotically assisted removal of the fibroids or robotic hysterectomy. Another option may include uterine fibroid embolization, performed by an interventional radiologist, if the patient meets certain criteria.

What is a hysteroscopy?

Hysteroscopic procedures—inserting a camera into the uterus and removing the fibroid, much like colon polyps are removed during colonoscopy—are utilized if fibroids

Yes, and Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center is one of the few hospitals in New Jersey to offer it. It is called V-NOTES, for vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery. This is a laparoscopic procedure that is done through the vagina, so there are no cuts on the abdomen. As surgeons, we can do more complex procedures through the vagina. And it’s better for patients because the recovery is quicker and it’s better cosmetically, with no wounds or scars.

What would you like women to know about fibroids and their treatment?

I want women to understand that up to about 80 percent of women have fibroids by the age of 50, but many treatment options are available and it’s not necessary to suffer. Come see us if you think you might have uterine fibroids.

To learn more about gynecologic surgery at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, go to rwjbh.org/cbmc or call 973.243.9300.

“Up to about 80 percent of women have fibroids by the age of 50. Many treatment options are available and it’s not necessary to suffer.”

—Eric Liberman, D.O., director of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center

Eric

Liberman, D.O.

NUTRITION FOR ATHLETES

A new sports nutrition program at CBMC helps athletes meet their dietary and body composition goals through individualized counseling, community outreach and education.

Athletes require specialized nutrition and foods that will help them maximize their performance and ability, as well as their overall health goals. That’s why Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC) has a department devoted primarily to sports nutrition and sports medicine, where physicians, nutritionists, physical therapists, athletic trainers and other members of this multidisciplinary team work in tandem to help professional and amateur athletes in New Jersey perform and feel their best.

Additionally, over the last year or so, with funds received from a ShopRite grant, CBMC now has a greater opportunity to provide sports nutrition in the community and through the Nutritional Counseling Services department in Livingston. The Sports Nutrition Program targets high school through professional-level athletes, including active adults who want to better understand how they can improve their sports performance through proper nutrition and fueling.

“Our goal is to provide information on body composition, but also educate the community on proper sports nutrition,” says Diana Toto, administrative director of sports and rehabilitative medicine with the Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes (MJM Center) at RWJBarnabas Health. “Making good choices and having healthy body composition is crucial for athletes, especially for teenagers who may

not fully understand how doing so can affect performance and even help prevent injury.”

The Morahan Center currently manages over 25 schools across New Jersey for varying services, and continues to raise awareness on youth safety, screenings, injury prevention and injury management.

Tasha Trudeau, MS, RDN, sports dietitian for Nutrition Counseling Services and the MJM Center, works directly with these athletes of all ages and helps create individualized care plans. “The overall assessment process is the same for everyone,” she says. “We get a snapchat of their goals and their sport, but my approach is different for a wrestler vs. a cross country athlete. We consider factors such as the demands of the sport, if the individual has had any injuries and their overall goals.” Trudeau also helps create a “performance plate” for each person, which is when and how to eat to maximize athletic performance, and how getting proper nutrients best fits into an athlete’s busy schedule. The percentages of fat, carbohydrates and protein vary based on the sport and, for example, whether it’s a light, moderate or hard training day.

The Sports Nutrition Program also has another tool at its disposal that helps in evaluating these athletes’ progress—the STYKU body composition machine. It’s an advanced software system that completes a full-body scan in about five minutes, plus, it’s

mobile, which means it helps the CBMC team reach as many teams and individuals in New Jersey as possible.

“It gives us a 3D image of muscle to fat ratios and circumference measurements to show overall body composition,” says Toto. “You can rescan in a month or six weeks to see if there are changes, so it’s a quick way for an athlete to track his or her progress.” Toto and Trudeau say the STYKU scan isn’t a mandatory part of the program, but it works well on its own or in tandem with traditional nutrition counseling services, because it shows folks how and where to make adjustments to their dietary plan if needed.

Trudeau says the STYKU scan can track some “red flags” too. “An athlete could be working hard on their performance but if they’re losing more lean body mass than fat mass, that could mean they’re under fueling,” she notes. “The scan can track the losses as much as the gains.”

Overall, both Toto and Trudeau are excited for the future of the Sports Nutrition Program, and urge any athletically inclined individuals to come in for a consultation. “Our goal [for our athletes] is not only to become faster or gain muscle, but more so, ‘How do we do things safely? How does our nutrition tie back to injury management?’ We want to work with the community athletes and help them understand this better while improving overall performance.”

To schedule an individualized sports nutrition consult and to improve your performance plate, visit rwjbh.org/cbmcsportsmed or call The MJM Center at 973.322.7913.

A HEAD-TO-TOE GUIDE

YOUR BODY

Your body is an intricate assemblage of parts designed to work seamlessly together. And while it’s critically important to take care of the whole, it’s equally essential to make sure all those parts are in peak shape. We’ve combed through the research—and asked the experts— for info to help you maintain your body, part by part, so you can function like a well-oiled machine, throughout the coming new year and many years to follow.

SKIN: Cuts and scrapes are inevitable, but often scarring isn’t. Our instinct is to allow them to scab over, but airing out these wounds results in more scarring than covering them. “The best way to minimize scars from cuts and scrapes is to keep the wound clean, close edges if possible (sutures, biological glue, etc) and keep it covered with any number of wound dressings,” says Michael Morano, M.D., medical director of the Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. “Warm and moist is generally better than dry for scrapes.”

HEAD: To avoid tension headaches, you don’t have to retire to an ashram. But do make sure that you’re getting sufficient vitamin D. Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland discovered that chronic headache sufferers had levels of vitamin D below the threshold for deficiency. Your primary care doctor can measure your D levels through a simple blood test. If yours is low, he or she may suggest you take a supplement.

BRAIN: If you’re looking for a way to amp up your ability to commit facts to memory, look no further than your kitchen coffeemaker (or your neighborhood barista). Neuroscientists have long known that caffeine, in moderate amounts, can improve brain function overall, but a new study out of Johns Hopkins University found that participants who were given 200-milligram tablets of caffeine (roughly equivalent to two cups of brewed coffee) after looking at a series of images were significantly better at remembering those images than their noncaffeinated counterparts. Just make sure that your daily intake doesn’t exceed 400 milligrams, the amount deemed safe by the Food and Drug Administration.

By Leslie Garisto Pfaff

*TEETH:

Teeth need healthy gums to stay healthy themselves, and an analysis of eight recent studies published in the journal Clinical Oral Investigations showed that omega-3 fatty acids can help keep gums in the pink. You’ll find omega-3s in supplement form, as well as in fish such as mackerel, wildcaught salmon, herring, bluefin and albacore tuna, lake trout, whitefish, bluefish, halibut and sea bass.

HAIR: These days, everyone is talking about the gut microbiome—the microscopic flora and fauna that live in the intestines and, in balance, promote good health and overall immunity. Turns out that our scalp is home to a microbiome of its own, and, according to a study in the Journal of the American College can supply the vitamins necessary to keep that py—which, in turn, itch, dry scalp and dandruff healthier hair in the

EYES: To protect macular degeneration, the leading cause of age-related blindness, go for the goji. Researchers at the University of California–Davis found that eating a handful of goji berries five times a week increased the pigments that ward disorder. The same supplements, so toss your cereal, smoothie or yogurt parfait to perfect those pigments.

EARS: If you’re like most Americans, you’ve never had a baseline hearing test. But the folks at the American Academy of Audiology say it’s the best way to monitor the health of your hearing, now and over time. You needn’t see an audiologist unless you suspect you’ve suffered significant hearing loss; just ask your family doctor to perform the test at your next checkup.

SHOULDERS: To avoid those all-too-common shoulder injuries that can happen as a result of a workout, Peter DeLuca, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, says you need to make sure your workout routine includes strengthening exercises of the rotator cuff to protect the shoulder, not just exercises that will strengthen the visible muscles such as the biceps and triceps. Additionally, “lifting weights creates microscopic tears of the muscle,” he says, “so the body needs time to heal those tears.” He recommends resting your shoulders for 1-2 days in between sweat sessions. It’s also important to eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated to decrease your chances of a workout-related injury, says the doc.

NECK: Sitting is a pain in the neck—literally. Jessica Springstead, athletic training manager at the Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, advises those of us with sedentary jobs to take frequent breaks during the workday to stand up and walk around, ideally once per hour. And, she notes, while seated, “perform shoulder rolls going

forward and backward each 10 times each way.”

Sleeping can be just as hard on your neck as sitting. Springstead says to buy a pillow specific to what type of sleeper you are—side, stomach or back—because this will help keep your head, neck and back in alignment.

think of strength don’t envision your study published in Strength and Conditionshowed that building muscles of the wrist protected against the development of common disorders such wrist tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Yes, you can pump iron—two small dumbbells—to develop your wrist muscles. Ask your orthopedist for exercises using light involving extension, and pronation.

HEART: Want to boost heart health? Get to bed on time. For years, the American Heart Association maintained a list of seven lifestyle factors associated with heart health: nicotine exposure, diet, physical activity, weight, blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure. In 2022 the AHA added an eighth factor: sleep. To support a healthy heart, they recommend that adults get between seven to nine hours a night (and even more for kids, depending on age).

GUT: Boosting the good bugs in your gut and banishing the bad ones does more than promote gastrointestinal health; it also revs up immunity; protects against inflammation, cancer, and diabetes; helps with weight loss; delays the onset of Crohn’s disease; and extends life.

Two recent studies in the journal Gut found that one of the best ways to boost the health of your intestinal microbiome is to follow a Mediterranean diet, high in fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, legumes, whole grains and nuts.

*SPINE: A surprising study out of Berlin’s Humboldt University found that elite athletes suffer from lower back pain as often as the rest of us, most likely because they, too, have weak lower back muscles. To strengthen these muscles and gain greater control of the spine, the study’s lead author, Maria Moreno Catala, recommends incorporating Pilates into your fitness routine. In another study, Catala found that adding some instability to your workout, like trying to balance on a workout ball, actually relieved lower back pain. (As with any exercise regimen, consult your doctor before trying this.)

LEG MUSCLES: If you experience spasms or cramps after a workout, you may be dehydrated, pushing yourself too hard or doing something incorrectly, warns Springstead, the athletic trainer. “You can’t ‘cram’ in enough water, nutrients and electrolytes, so you need to make it a habit, along with your workouts, to maintain proper nutritional and hydration levels,” she notes. It’s also imperative to engage in a dynamic warm-up prior to any activity, she says, and to follow the workout up with “a static stretch cool down to help decrease soreness and help improve the muscle maintain its range of motion.” Be sure to check in with your medical team if you have any additional concerns.

LIVER: From 2012 to 2019, the number of in the 57,500. inflammation and even stages Centers and Prevention recommended American once for that women during each KIDNEYS: avoid stones? ed. Rahuldev la, M.D., at CBMC, that dehydration the single contributing to the the painful tion. The Kidney tion recommends consuming eight cups day, including tea, soup, And if sweating warm during or hot sauna—you drink bonus: drated against infections addition, much supplemental

vitamin C. “When we take extra Vitamin C greater than 1g/day in the form of supplements,” the doc notes, “it increases the risk of kidney stones by 50 percent.”

COLON: Want to do your colon a favor? Forget cleanses (research shows that they do little good and could even be harmful) and eat yogurt instead to keep your colon clean— of the polyps that can be precursors to cancer. A recent analysis of data from the famous Nurses Study revealed that regular consumption of yogurt—one or more servings per week—was associated with a decreased risk of colon cancer. (And if you want another reason to snack on the fermented milk product, it’s been shown to help protect against colds as well.)

*KNEES: Walking has often been touted as the perfect exercise, and if your knees could talk, they’d almost certainly agree. A British study published in the journal Arthritis Care and Research indicated that walking 6,000 steps a day could stave off the development of osteoarthritis in the knee—a cause of knee pain and disability in 27 million Americans and 250 million people worldwide. In addition, recent research out of Northwestern University’s Northwestern Medicine suggested that just one hour a week of rapid walking—the kind you do when you’re late for an important appointment—can decrease the chance of disability in people already suffering from knee osteoarthritis. If you don’t have a solid hour free for brisk walking, don’t worry—researchers say you can break those 60 minutes into six 10-minute intervals per week.

NO-FUSS

FESTIVITIES

The meal is the center of holiday get-togethers, but you need not stress over what to serve. Simple yet thoughtful—and delicious—dishes will always win over any crowd. Here are five easy-to-make recipes to mark the occasion.

FIVE-ONION SOUP

Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 4 Tbs. butter

• 4 shallots, roughly chopped

• white part of 1 leek, roughly chopped

• 1 red onion, roughly chopped

• 2 onions, roughly chopped

• white parts of 1 bunch green onions, roughly chopped

• 2 quarts chicken stock

• 1½ cups heavy cream

• ½ tsp. salt

• ¼ tsp. ground black pepper

• 16 thin slices French baguette, buttered and toasted

• 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese, firmly packed

DIRECTIONS

In a large, heavy stockpot over medium-high heat, melt the butter. When the foaming has subsided, add the shallots, leek and onions. Turn the heat to medium-low and stir the mixture frequently, until the onions are soft and have turned deep golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Add the chicken stock and simmer the mixture, uncovered, until the onions are very soft, another 20 minutes.

Transfer the soup to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, and puree it until it’s smooth. This may need to be done in batches. Return the soup to the stockpot, add the cream, salt and pepper, and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the soup for another 20 minutes until the soup has thickened.

When it’s time to serve, preheat the broiler. Divide the soup into eight individual oven-proof ramekins. Add 2 toasted baguette slices to each ramekin, overlapping them slightly if necessary, and top them with 2 tablespoons of Gruyère cheese. Broil the soup on the top rack until the cheese is brown and bubbly, 3 to 5 minutes, before serving.

BUTTER LETTUCE SALAD WITH CAVIAR AND SMOKED SALMON

Makes 1 serving

INGREDIENTS

For the salad:

• 1 head butter lettuce

• Secret “Gravlax” Sauce, see below

• 4 oz. caviar

• 4 oz. smoked salmon, sliced

• 1 hard-boiled egg, finely chopped

• 1 shallot, minced

• chopped chives, to garnish

For the Gravlax Sauce:

Makes about 2 cups

• 1½ cups mayonnaise

• 1 cup sour cream

• 3 Tbs. Dijon mustard

• 1½ tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice

• ½ tsp. ground white pepper

• ¾ tsp. salt

DIRECTIONS

To make the Gravlax Sauce, mix all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl and set aside.

To make the salad: Tear off the lettuce leaves from their core and arrange them on the plate. Add a dollop of the sauce in the center and top the sauce with the caviar. Surround the caviar mound with rolled-up slices of smoked salmon, the egg and shallot. Garnish the salad with chives.

EASIEST-EVER ROASTED BALSAMIC CHICKEN WITH SHALLOTS

Makes 10 to 12 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 5 lbs. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

• 8 shallots, quartered

• 1½ cups balsamic vinegar

• 2½ tsp. salt

• 1¼ tsp. ground black pepper

• Tomatoes Provençale, for serving

For the Tomatoes Provençale: Makes 8 tomato halves

• 4 ripe tomatoes

• 1 ¼ tsp. salt, divided

• ½ cup breadcrumbs

• 2 Tbs. minced shallots

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ¼ cup minced flat-leaf parsley

• ¼ cup olive oil

• ½ tsp. ground black pepper

• 2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

To make Tomatoes Provençale: Cut the tomatoes in half horizontally and remove the seeds. Season the halves with ¼ teaspoon of the salt and turn them upside down on a rack to let them drain for at least 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the remaining teaspoon of the salt, the breadcrumbs, shallots, garlic, parsley, olive oil and pepper, and stir them together to combine. Stuff equal amounts of the mixture into the drained tomatoes and place the tomatoes on a heavy quarter-sheet pan.

Top the tomatoes with the Parmesan cheese, and put them in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes until they are fully heatedthrough and their tops are golden brown.

To make the chicken: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Add all of the ingredients, except the Tomatoes Provençale, to a large mixing bowl, and toss them thoroughly so that the chicken is fully coated with the shallots, vinegar and seasonings.

Place the chicken in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Using a rubber spatula, scrape the remaining shallots, liquid and seasonings from the sides of the bowl into the baking dish, and put it in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes until the skin is browned and the chicken is thoroughly cooked through. Remove the chicken, shallots and the sauce to a warm serving platter, and let chicken rest for at least 10 minutes before serving it.

ABSOLUTELY PERFECT BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

Makes 50 (1½-inch square) biscuits

INGREDIENTS

• 2 sticks (16 Tbs.) plus 4 Tbs. butter, divided, plus more for the pan

• 3 cups White Lily self-rising flour

• 2½ teaspoons salt

• 1 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. sugar

• ½ cup plus 2 Tbs. whole buttermilk

• ½ cup plus 2 Tbs. milk

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut 2 sticks plus 2 tablespoons of the butter into small cubes and place them in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt and sugar, and whisk them together. Add the cold butter and incorporate it into the flour by breaking up the cubes with your hands. Continue working the butter and flour together until coarse crumbs form. Pour in the buttermilk and milk, and gently stir the mixture with a rubber spatula until a very sticky dough forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Remove the dough from the refrigerator, place it on a floured board and knead it only a couple of times—do not knead it more than this or the biscuits will be tough and not delicate. Press the dough to a ¼-inch thickness using your hands and cut it into 1 ½-inch biscuits.

Line the biscuits on the prepared pan so that they are touching—this will help them rise when they are baked. Brush them with half of the melted butter before putting them in the oven for 7 minutes. After 7 minutes, turn the pan and cook the biscuits for another 3 to 4 minutes until they are golden brown.

Remove the biscuits from the oven, and brush them with the remaining melted butter before setting the pan on a counter or a rack to let them cool.

OOEY-GOOEY OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

Makes 24 cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 2 sticks (16 Tbs.) butter

• 1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed

• ¼ cup sugar

• 2 eggs

• 1 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

• 1 Tbs. molasses

• 1½ cups flour

• 1 tsp. baking soda

• 1½ tsp. ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp. salt

• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

• 1 cup raisins

DIRECTIONS

Add the butter and both sugars to the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, turn the mixer to medium and beat them together until they are smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, and continue to beat until they are just combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Turn the mixer to low, and stir in the vanilla and molasses. Set the mixture aside.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add them to the butter-sugar mixture and turn the mixer to low until everything is just combined. Stir in the oats and raisins, still with the mixer on low speed. The dough will be very thick and sticky.

Cover the bowl and set it in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or up to two days, before baking.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.

Using a 1-inch cookie scoop (or any size you like, but adjust the baking time accordingly), scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, and set them in the oven 10 to 12 minutes until they are lightly browned.

Note: Under-baking is the key to the success of these cookies.

Recipes courtesy of Occasions to Celebrate by Alex Hitz, Rizzoli New York, 2022. Photographs © Iain Bagwell.

EVEN A QUEEN WOULD APPROVE

A Glen Ridge family of five knew their 1880s Queen Anne Victorian needed a kitchen built for today’s lifestyle.

Text by Donna Rolando

Architecture by Rosario Mannino

Design by Amanda Giuliano

Photography by Julie Blackstock

Key to a Glen Ridge home’s complete kitchen transformation, the island was huge at homeowner Elizabeth’s insistence and now meets their entertainment and day-to-day needs. The challenge: doing it all within historic home regs.

From left to right: Emerald green cabinetry is a throwback to Victorian days, as is the reclaimed milk glass lighting. Wire mesh attractively opens the space. The wheelchairaccessible alcove with mini brass chandelier by Visual Comfort is a hot spot for all generations.

A family’s grand home looked right for royalty in a Glen Ridge neighborhood celebrated for its vintage structures. That’s why the owners, former San Franciscans, snatched it up in 2018 for their multigenerational family. It was a Queen Anne Victorian—a style that bore the names of two monarchs.

“We like beautiful things,” says homeowner Elizabeth, who has made this house her seven-bedroom castle with husband Rajeev, two school-age kids and a senior parent.

But could the hub of the home—the kitchen—meet the demands of modern life and rise above a “budget” reno that dated from the 1980s, the antitype of the home’s rich exterior? Not without a design rescue that gutted the room for a fresh start.

“It wasn’t family friendly,” Elizabeth recalls. “It was dated. It was worn, and there wasn’t enough counter space. All the traditional things weren’t there.”

Yet it took a broken pipe on the third floor that flooded several rooms and booted the family out of the house for a while to move the kitchen off the back burner in 2019.

That’s when the couple got down to business with Rosario Mannino of RS Mannino Architecture, interior designer Amanda Giuliano of Nicolette’s for the Home and contractor Dettmore Home Improvements on a kitchen that’s classic with modern elements. Mannino walked the tightrope to balance timeless quality with a family-friendly design, and even worked with the Glen Ridge Historic Preservation Commission on insulated windows that met local guidelines.

To permit a family of this size to congregate in the kitchen took more than a much-desired big island—like the black wire-brushed oak topped with quartz pictured here. Mannino worked to create the classic work triangle, which meant getting the commission’s nod to raise the windowsills slightly to fit new countertops.

“That really opened a lot of options and opened the floodgate, if

you will, of our design,” he says.

While layout was a puzzle that kept intact original window locations, it led to a family favorite: a breakfast nook designed for a wheelchair but equally popular with the younger set for homework. It’s very practical, with a charging station inside a banquette drawer.

A functional kitchen, yes, but a looker too, with a modern and vintage mix over wide-plank, white-oak floors.

“I’m in love with the green,” says Elizabeth. But something she never imagined in her kitchen is the Victorian-inspired emerald perimeter base for contrast with the white inset cabinetry (all custom by Mannino Cabinetry). Wire mesh cabinet inserts are a fresh alternative to glass.

It would have been costly and not functional to run the cabinets to the top of the 10-foot ceilings, Mannino says. The Victorian-style solution? Cornice-detailed soffits that encircle the kitchen and give a classic vibe to the V-groove ceiling.

“I feel like white subway tile is so boring,” says designer Giuliano, who instead enlivened the backsplash with varied shades of Bedrosians Cloe glazed tiles.

Other modern elements are the quartz countertops and the Thermador appliances with dual steam ovens and an induction range for safe and healthy cooking. On the vintage side, reclaimed milk glass in the fixtures is “very typical of Victorian lighting,” as is the unlacquered brass hardware that will age with time, Giuliano says. Flanked by windows, the flared custom hood is a “wow” factor— slightly modern but in no way clashing like stainless steel. And instead of what Elizabeth called a “pantry to nowhere,” the family got storage they could use with a designed pantry/fridge wall.

Reflecting on how the reno has changed their lives and the pros that made it happen, Elizabeth says: “The amazing thing about the team is that they heard us and challenged us. They forced us to figure out what we wanted.”

BEEF UP

Vegetarians might want to turn the page, but carnivores will adore these three meat entrées, each a delectable choice for your holiday table.

BEEF WELLINGTON

Yields 8-10 servings

INGREDIENTS:

n ▢3 lbs. center-cut beef tenderloin n ▢¼ cup. pancetta or bacon, finely chopped n ▢2 Tbs. unsalted butter n ▢4 cups mushrooms, preferably a mix of all different kinds like cremini, white, shiitake etc. n ▢1 shallot, diced n ▢3 Tbs. fresh thyme leaves n ▢1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling n ▢2 garlic cloves, minced n ▢1 Tbs. dry sherry or dry vermouth n ▢Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste n ▢2 Tbs. Dijon mustard n ▢10-12 thin slices prosciutto n ▢1 large egg n ▢16 oz. puff pastry, thawed

DIRECTIONS:

Using kitchen twine, tie the tenderloin into a 12-inch log, folding the thinner end onto itself. (Use your hands to squeeze the meat into a log. You can be aggressive here.)

Place pancetta in a cold 12-inch skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until pancetta starts to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add butter, raise heat to high and stir in mushrooms and shallot. Cook until the liquid released by the mushrooms has cooked off, 4 to 7 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook until mushrooms are browned, stirring frequently, another 18 to 23 minutes. (Take your time here, you want a deep golden color for the best flavor.) Scrape bottom of the skillet as necessary to prevent burning. If the pan looks dry, drizzle in a little olive oil, then stir in garlic and thyme leaves. Cook until fragrant, another 1 to 2 minutes.

Stir in sherry, scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Scrape mixture into a medium bowl to cool. In the same skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high. Season beef generously with salt and pepper, then sear on all sides until browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and cool slightly. Remove any twine. Brush meat all over with mustard.

On a clean work surface, overlap long sheets of plastic wrap (about 15-by-15 inches). Place prosciutto slices on top to make about a 14-by-

7-inch rectangle, arranging them in an even layer and overlapping the pieces slightly. Spread cooled mushroom mixture on top. Place beef along one long end of the prosciutto slices and roll prosciutto tightly around beef. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap, twisting both ends like a candy wrapper. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.

Meanwhile, heat oven to 400°F, and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk together egg and 1 teaspoon water. Lay puff pastry out on the prepared baking sheet, lightly draping over edges. (The pastry needs to be at least 14-inches long and 13-inches wide to cover the beef; if not, roll it out as needed.)

Carefully unwrap and place chilled log along the edge of one long side of puff pastry. Roll beef up tightly, then place it seam-side down on the baking sheet. Tuck puff pastry over the ends of the beef to cover them, pinching to seal and folding underneath. Brush top and sides of pastry with egg wash, and use a small sharp knife to cut a few slits into the top of the pastry. Bake until a thermometer inserted in the center reads 115°F for rare, 25 to 35 minutes. (This timing will yield rare pieces at the thicker end and medium done pieces at the thinner end of the loin.)

Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes, then slice and serve while warm.

BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIBS

Yields 6-8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

n ▢1 lbs. beef short ribs n ▢2 Tbs. canola oil n ▢3 medium onions, chopped n ▢3 medium carrots, chopped n ▢2 celery stalks, chopped n ▢¼ cup all-purpose flour n ▢1 Tbs. tomato paste n ▢1 bottle dry red wine n ▢32 oz. beef stock (preferably low-sodium)

n ▢1 head of garlic, top sliced off to expose the cloves n ▢1 large handful of herbs (a few sprigs each of parsley, thyme, oregano, rosemary) n ▢1 bay leaf n ▢coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Season the ribs with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Brown the short ribs, taking care not to overcrowd your pan (overcrowding will make your ribs steam rather than sear; do in as many batches as necessary to ensure that each rib has a small amount of space around it). Remove the ribs and set them aside.

Add the onions, carrots and celery to pot and cook them for a few minutes, stirring them occasionally, until the onions are soft. Scrape the bottom to release any browned bits from searing the meat.

Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and add the tomato paste. Stir it well and cook a few minutes longer, stirring occasionally. Return the short ribs and any accumulated juices to the pot. Pour in the wine and beef stock (you can add a small amount first then scrape up any remaining bits stuck to the bottom of the pot, then add the rest). Add all the herbs to pot along with the garlic. Bring it to a boil, cover and transfer it to the oven.

Cook until the short ribs are tender, about 3 hours (they’re ready when they fall apart when you test them). Transfer the short ribs to a platter or a large serving bowl, and tent them with foil.

Strain the sauce into a gravy strainer and remove the fat from surface. Place the gravy into a saucepan, bring it to a boil and keep it at a strong simmer until it’s reduced by 1/3 Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve the ribs over mashed potatoes or creamy polenta and top with gravy.

Since they naturally contain lots of iron, B12, B6, niacin and riboflavin, beef short ribs are a great way to meet these daily requirements as their nutrients are more readily absorbed by our body than their plant-based counterparts. Consuming red meat in moderation can be a wonderfully tasty way to boost your nutrition, especially in this recipe with the added vegetables and herbs!”

—Caitlin Kiarie, registered dietitian nutritionist, Mom-N-Tot Nutrition, Montclair

GARLIC BUTTER PRIME RIB

Yields 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

n ▢4 lbs. prime rib roast n ▢¼ cup unsalted butter, softened n ▢5 garlic cloves, minced n ▢1 Tbs. kosher salt

n ▢2 Tbs. olive oil n ▢2 tsp. dried rosemary n ▢1 tsp. black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Place rib roast in a roasting pan and bring to room temperature, about 4 hours. Preheat the oven to 500°F.

Place butter, garlic, salt, olive oil, thyme, rosemary and pepper in a small bowl, then mix until combined.

Spread butter mixture evenly over the outside of the roast.

Roast the beef for 25 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 225°F. Cover the roast with foil and cook for another 1 to 1½ hours, checking for internal temperature at the 45-minute mark.

Remove roast from the oven. Allow the roast to rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Try pairing this meal with a hearty green salad and roasted red potatoes to balance out the nutrients and provide more filling fiber. This will help to achieve overall satiety and fullness, thereby helping to reduce the portion of meat necessary at this meal.”

—Caitlin Kiarie, registered dietitian nutritionist, Mom-N-Tot Nutrition, Montclair

The Sexy Seafood

Oysters offer tempting taste, great nutrition and—if you believe it—a legendary assist in the bedroom.

The oyster is a salt-water bivalve mollusc—a cluster of species, really—with an odd-looking, wiggly-shaped shell containing a gooey, briny mass whose flavor varies by type (tart or sweet, but always with a tang of the sea). People have been consuming oysters since the Stone Age, as we know from piles of discarded shell remnants that date back 10,000 years.

Oysters were long a delicacy for the rich. But in the 19th century they’d become so plentiful and cheap—in 1889 you could buy an oyster for a penny—that America saw a golden age of oysters. Ubiquitous in taverns, saloons and restaurants, this seafood provided what one writer called “a peculiar charm and an inexpli cable pleasure,” and the average New Yorker consumed 600 oysters a year. Early in the Civil War, when Secretary of War Edwin Stanton wanted to rebuke the Union Army in the East for lollygagging in luxury while its comrades out West were fighting, he wrote: “The Cham pagne and oysters on the Potomac must be stopped.” Ultimately, however, overharvesting, pollution and the introduction of foreign spe cies afflicted with disease brought the oyster boom to a close. The average American’s an nual consumption today? Three.

POWER UP

An 18th-century Italian named Casanova re portedly ate large amounts of raw oysters each morning, and we know what he’s famous for. But are oysters really an erotic stimulant? Evi dence is suggestive but not definitive. While a 2005 study by U.S. and Italian scientists found an aphrodisiac effect in rat studies using two amino acids usually found only in mollusks such as oysters—D-aspartic acid and N-methylD-aspartate—no clear causal relationship in humans has been proven between oyster con sumption and interest in, or prowess in, bedroom activities.

Still, a three-ounce serving of raw oysters contains more than 300 percent of the recom mended daily value of zinc, which is vital for male sexual function. Zinc also helps maintain levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that may aid the libido’s operation in both sexes. Oysters are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids (healthy even for lonely hearts), which in one study increased semen volume in young men. And the nonsexual benefits of protein-rich oysters are legion: They abound in vitamins B12 and D, copper, manganese, selenium and iron. And according to the Cleve land Clinic, a serving of six medium-sized oysters contains just 50 calories.

BUY/STORE/SERVE:

Fresh oysters in a store or seafood market should be kept on crushed ice. When you buy them, their shells should be shut tightly; avoid those with open shells (unless they quickly close up when tapped) and those with a fishy odor. If you purchase frozen oysters, freeze them in their containers or in zip-lock bags and use them within three months. Smoked oysters come in a flat, rectangular tin that can be opened with a key or a pull tab like a tin of sardines.

You’ll need to open, or shuck, your fresh oyster. Do that ideally with a thick-bladed oys ter knife, taking care to sever the tough little connector tissue—the adductor muscle, which the creature flexes to close its shell. If you can’t open your oyster in three seconds or less, aban don plans to quit your job and take up full-time shucking. (Aw, shucks!) But if you can, plan a trip to the annual World Oyster Opening Cham pionship in Galway, Ireland, next September 23.

Raw oysters on the half shell are a treat, sprinkled with lemon, cocktail sauce or a mi gnonette sauce made with vinegar, shallots and white pepper. Smoked oysters spiked on tooth picks can be a wonderful, tangy hors d’oeuvre if you have a taste for them. Oyster stew is a buttery, milky marvel in which oysters are the prizes but the liquid is scrumptious too. For Oysters Rockefeller, oysters are topped with butter, herbs and breadcrumbs and then baked or broiled. Oysters can also be boiled, steamed, fried, roasted or pickled. Cooks prepare oyster stuffing for holiday turkeys, oyster casseroles, oyster omelettes and oyster pasta; oys ters have even been known to stuff a taco or two. A quick Google will reward your culinary curiosity with recipes galore.

DID YOU KNOW? Underwater noise pollution from shipping or oil exploration can prompt oysters to close their shells—and maybe miss out on biological clues such as when to eat or spawn, according to researchers.

—Timothy Kelley

Holiday Spirit

POINSETTIA CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

Yields: 1 serving

INGREDIENTS

n 2 Tbs. Cointreau, or other orange liqueur n 4 Tbs. 100 percent cranberry juice (unsweetened) n ½ glass Champagne (approximately 6 Tbs.) n 1 rosemary sprig, for garnish n cranberries, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Place the Cointreau and cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake 15 seconds until cold. Strain the liquid into a Champagne flute. Top off the glass with Champagne. Garnish and serve.

You are invited to come see our beautiful new assisted living and memory care community. Explore our thoughtfully designed spaces, meet our team, and learn more about a truly exceptional living experience centered on you.

• Elegant, contemporary suites in your choice of floor plans

• Seasonal meals served all day, featuring fresh ingredients and daily specials

• Beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces, including a walking path with benches

• Events and programs designed to engage, entertain, and enlighten

• Located on over three acres along Route 510 near Route 607, within easy reach of shops, restaurants, parks, and medical support

WOMEN TO WATCH

Morris and Essex County are home to some of the most innovative and successful businesses in the country. Many are owned and led by women.

On the following pages, learn more about them and how they plan to be difference-makers in the year ahead.

Barbara Fodero, DDS Chatham Orthodontics

33 Main Street, Suite 104, Chatham, NJ 07928 973.701.2200 www.chathambraces.com

An aspiring artist and creator of beauty, Dr. Barbara Fodero also has a strong analytical side. Things fell into place in college when she discovered orthodontics, a profession that could blend her two passions. “My medium is not typical of most artists – I work with teeth. By engineering them to create a beautiful smile, I can make a profound impact on someone’s self-confidence.”

Chatham Orthodontics—established by Dr. Fodero over a decade ago—is situated in close proximity to Essex, Morris and Union counties. As a mom, Dr. Fodero understands implicitly the importance of a gentle hand and only recommends treatment she would endorse for her own family. A self-proclaimed kid-whisperer, she delights in her work with young people and enjoys the strong connections made with her adult patients. Dr. Fodero is highly skilled at working with patients who have oral sensitivities and anxiety issues.

Graduating number one from University of Michigan Dental School, one of the top-ranking schools in the country, Dr. Fodero completed her orthodontic residency there as well. She is a supporter of Smiles Change Lives offering orthodontic treatment to those whose families cannot afford braces.

Sandra C. Fava

Since dispute resolution rarely happens overnight, Sandra Fava, a partner in Fox Rothschild’s Morristown office, knows that her clients need a trusted and zealous advocate to help them navigate the complex and emotional process of family law issues. Sandra provides effective strategies, innovative solutions and compassionate counsel, all of which lead to an easier transition to her clients’ next phase of life.

Sandra guides you through what may be a one of the most personally challenging times in your life. Working closely together, Sandra crafts a strategic plan that will ensure the most positive outcome for you and your family. A certified mediator and a compassionate and creative attorney, Sandra takes a solution-oriented approach, working closely with clients to identify their goals and develop a strategy that effectively and efficiently meets your needs.

Deborah E. Nelson

Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC

One Boland Dr., West Orange, NJ 07052 | 973.325.1500 | www.csglaw.com

Deborah Nelson has practiced family law with integrity for 28 years.

Deb’s family law practice includes adoptions, child and adult guardianships, premarital agreements, divorce, enforcement of divorce judgments and appeals.

Some cases must go to trial, like the international kidnapping case that Deb tried over a 12-day period in Bergen County Superior Court. Most cases, however, resolve amicably utilizing alternative dispute resolution processes such as mediation and collaborative law. Deb is listed on the court-approved roster of economic mediators, is retained as an independent mediator, is certified in collaborative law, and serves on the New Jersey Supreme Court Complementary Dispute Resolution Committee.

Deb is a former President of the Morris County Bar Association and the Morris County Bar Foundation. In continued efforts to give back, Deborah volunteers with Susan G. Komen North Jersey, an organization dedicated to eliminating breast cancer.

Laura Coyne Distinctively Outdoors

There’s only one place in northern New Jersey where you can check every box on your outdoor living wish list under the same roof: Distinctively Outdoors. Laura Coyne, one of the founders of Distinctively Outdoors, knew there was a better way of doing things after spending so much time juggling several aspects of her own backyard makeover years ago. From design to build, Laura and her team have created a comprehensive customer service experience for outdoor projects big and small.

Laura runs the company’s unique showroom in Parsippany where she enjoys meeting with clients one-on-one for a consultation to share ideas and show them options to help define and design their dream outdoor space. In addition to design services, Distinctively Outdoors brings everything from decking and outdoor kitchens to hot tubs and pergolas together in the award-winning 7000 square foot showroom. With all the options available, they can even make outdoor living a year-round experience.

Marie Jenkinson has built a unique practice consisting of two businesses within a business. Her focus is on two in-demand disciplines: Facial aesthetics, injectables and rejuvenating treatments, as well as medical and cosmetic tattooing known as Micropigmentation. Marie earned the distinct honor in becoming the first Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist in NJ and one of the first in the country. She is an Ad vanced Nurse Injector, a Skin Care Specialist, a Certified Cosmetic and Medical Tattoo Professional. Marie uses highly-advanced tattooing methods to create solutions for hair loss on brows and scalps in addition to improving surgical scars. Marie specializes in 3-Dimensional Nipple/Areola Tattoo following Breast Cancer Mastectomy. Committed to changing the lives of not only her patients, Marie shares her expertise with her peers and is revered as a highly-celebrated instructor and trainer both nationally and globally.

Melissa Cipriano Cipriano Law Offices, P.C.

175 Fairfield Ave., Suite 4C/D, West Caldwell, NJ 07006 | 973.403.8600 | www.ciprianolaw.com

Melissa Cipriano was working at an insurance defense firm when she received a request to help a friend whose child had been taken to another state by his ex-wife, without permission. He counted on Melissa for strong legal action to get his daughter back, which she did, along with legal custody.

These cases led to others, inspiring Melissa to specialize in family law and she never looked back. She opened her practice in 2003, handling all aspects of family representation, including domestic violence and child protection. Melissa is a qualified family law mediator and parenting coor dinator. She is a volunteer on the Essex County Early Settlement Panel which assists litigants in coming to resolution of their outstanding issues there by avoiding costly protracted litigation. Ms. Cipriano is admitted to practice law in New Jersey, New York and Florida, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Tanya L. Freeman, Esq.

100 Eagle Rock Ave., Suite 105, East Hanover, NJ 07936 | 973 939.0100 | tanya.freeman@offitkurman.com

A simple divorce? A routine child custody case? They don’t exist. There’s nothing easy about living through a separation when children, assets, and damaged relationships are involved. Families find themselves in an emotional and financial minefield where the slightest misstep can be painful and costly. For many people, there’s only one person they trust to help them navigate a path forward: Tanya L. Freeman.

For over 10 years, Tanya Freeman has been a powerful advocate for her clients at the bargaining table, in the courtroom, and wherever they need her to be. Her tactics are no secret—and neither is her skill. She examines every key aspect of a case, pinpointing weaknesses, finding opportunities, and always seeking the most beneficial outcome for her clients. Clients value her acumen and experience, but just as important, they appreciate her caring, compassion, and empathy. They know that with Tanya at their side, they’re ready to face whatever comes next.

Christine M. Dalena, Esq.

Laufer,

Dalena, Jensen, Bradley and Doran, LLC

23 Cattano Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960 973.285.1444 | cdalena@lauferfamilylaw.com | lauferfamilylaw.com

Christine M. Dalena, Esq, has been a family law attorney for over 33 years. For the past 21 years Ms. Dalena has been an equity partner and the managing partner for the last 5 years. Ms. Dalena has extensive experience in handling complex, high net worth and high conflict mediation, collaborative law and family law matters.

Although Ms. Dalena’s specialty is in handling family law related matters (divorce, dissolution of civil unions, adoptions, custody & parenting time, marital torts, paternity, co-habitation agreements & pre-nuptial agreements), she also has extensive experience in other areas of the law—real estate transactions and prior general litigation—which allows her to handle a broader spectrum of issues that customarily arise in the matrimonial law context. Each case is unique so she employs the most appropriate strategy—mediation, collaborative, arbitration or litigation—based on the particular circumstances that exist in each individual matter. Her mediation and collaborative training skills, coupled with her knowledge of the law, ability to handle complex financial issues, and compassion for her client’s needs and goals have enabled her to handle the intricacies of family law successfully. Ms. Dalena is a certified collaborative law attorney and court-approved mediator. She is on the executive board of NJ Collaborative Law Group. She has been included on the NJ Super Lawyer list since 2009.

Jackie Scura, Dominique Scura Compass Real Estate

jackiescura@gmail.com | C: 973.214.9488 | O: 973.315.8180 www.jackiescura.com dominque.scura@compass.com | C: 973.219.8909 | O: 973.315.8180 www.dominiquescurateam.com

Jackie and Dominique Scura are one of New Jersey’s top selling mother/daughter teams. They are responsible for millions of dollars in real estate transactions annually, have won multiple top-producer awards and are known for their dedication to client satisfaction. For over 38 years, Jackie has served as a trusted advisor when people are considering making a move. She really listens, provides clear and actionable advice, and keeps her clients best interest at heart through out the entire process. On average, her listings sell for 110% of list price, and with offers in a week. Dominique likes to say that she has been in the real estate business for as long as she has been alive. With a lifetime of knowledge, Dominique has deep insight into the market and real estate trends. She always goes the extra mile for clients, no matter the time or day, and can adapt quickly to changing priorities. Dominique is proud of her professional reputation and growing referral-based business.

Where To Eat

Getting three squares a day has never been easier—Morris and Essex counties are home to a selection of restaurants diverse enough to satisfy all of your cravings.

CALDWELL

FORTE

182 Bloomfield Ave. 973.403.9411 fortepizzeria.com

HOKKAIDO NOODLE & ROLL 405 Bloomfield Ave. 862.702.3817 hokkaidoroll.com

CEDAR KNOLLS

H2OCEAN RESTAURANT & RAW BAR 41 Ridgedale Ave. 973.984.9594 h2oceanrestaurant.com

CHATHAM RESTAURANT SERENADE 6 Roosevelt Ave. 973.701.0303 restaurantserenade.com

SCALINI FEDELI 63 Main St. 973.701.9200 scalinifedeli.com

CHESTER

REDWOODS GRILL & BAR 459 Main St. 908.879.7909 redwoodsgrillandbar.com

DENVILLE

THE PASTA SHOP 13 First Ave. 973.253.4143 thepastashopdenville.com

DOVER

FAIRFIELD

JOSE TEJAS 647 Rte. 46 W. 973.808.8201 bordercafe.com

HANOVER SEASONS 52 1402 Rte. 10 862.242.2750 seasons52.com

KINNELON

CYPRESS TAVERN 174 Kinnelon Rd. 973.492.2700 cypresstavernnj.com

HOUSE OF THAI 1483 Rte. 23 # 6 973.750.1600

SAN GIORGIO’S ITALIAN BISTRO 86 Boonton Ave. #86 973.492.5305

SMOKE RISE VILLAGE INN 9 Perimeter Rd. 973.838.7770 smokerisevillageinn.com

LAKE HOPATCONG

PAVINCI ITALIAN GRILL 453 River Styx Rd. 973.770.4300 pavinci.com

THE WINDLASS

45 Nolans Pt. Park Rd. 973.663.3190 thewindlass.com

BELLEVILLE

SOLAR DO MINHO 15 Cleveland St. 973.844.0500 solardominhobelleville.com

TOPAZ THAI 137 Washington Ave. 973.759.7425 topazthainj.com

BLOOMFIELD

BELLA NAPOLI 1640 Broad St. 973.338.8500 bellanapolinj.com

BINH DUONG 61 Belleville Ave. 973.680.8440

BLOOMFIELD STEAK & SEAFOOD HOUSE 409 Franklin St. 973.680.4500 eatbeefgethooked.com

STAMNA

1055 Broad St. 973.338.5151 stamnataverna.com

BOONTON BOONTON

SUSHI HOUSE 701 Main St. 973.394.8811 sushiboonton.com

ROMA PIZZERIA 709 Main St. 973.335.1614 romapizzaofboonton.com

THAI PING 811 Main Ave. 973.335.9541 thaiping.com

THE QUIET MAN 64 E. McFarlan St. 973.366.6333 quietmanpub.com

EAST HANOVER

DON JOSE

200 Rte. 10 W. #7 973.781.0155 donjosemexican.com

MR. CHU 44 Rte. 10 W. 973.887.7555

PENANG 200 Rte. 10 W. #8 973.887.6989 penangcuisine.com

LEDGEWOOD

ICHIBAN SUSHI 1034 Rte. 46 973.252.0900 ichibanroxbury.com

LOVING HUT 538 Rte. 10 973.598.9888 lovinghut.us/ledgewood

LINCOLN PARK

202 ITALIAN BISTRO 177 Main St. 973.709.0093 202bistro.com

ANTHONY FRANCOS 60 Beaverbrook Rd. 973.696.0708 anthonyfrancospizza.com

SCALINI FEDELI IN CHATHAM

LIVINGSTON

LITHOS 405 Eisenhower Pkwy. 973.758.1111 lithosgreekrestaurant.com

SWEET BASIL’S CAFE 498 S. Livingston Ave. 973.994.3600 sweetbasilscafe.com

LONG VALLEY CHESAPEAKE TAVERN 1 W. Mill Rd. 908.867.7102 chesapeaketavernnj.com

LONG VALLEY PUB & BREWERY 1 Fairmount Rd. 908.876.1122 restaurantvillage atlongvalley.com

MADISON BEGUM PALACE 300 Main St. 973.660.9100 begumindiancuisine.com

IL MONDO VECCHIO 72 Main St. 973.301.0024 ilmondovecchio.com

MAPLEWOOD

CODA KITCHEN & BAR 177 Maplewood Ave. 973.327.2247 codakitchenandbar.com

ST. JAMES’S GATE

PUBLICK HOUSE 167 Maplewood Ave. 973.378.2222 stjamesgatepublick house.com

MENDHAM

THE BLACK HORSE TAVERN

1 W. Main St. 973.543.7300 blackhorsenj.com

dantesnj.com

PIATTINO 88 E. Main St. 973.543.0025 piattinonj.com

MILLBURN BASILICO 324 Millburn Ave. 973.379.7020 basilicomillburn.com

CAFÉ MONET 309 Millburn Ave. 973.376.8555 cafemonet.info

CARA MIA 194 Essex St. 973.379.8989 caramiamillburn.com

MOONSHINE 55 Main St. 973.218.6042 moonshinesupperclub.com

MINE HILL CINDERS WOOD FIRE GRILL 319 Rte. 46 973.928.7000 cinderswoodfiregrill.com

MONTCLAIR EGAN & SONS 118 Walnut St. 973.744.1413 egannsons.com

FASCINO 331 Bloomfield Ave. 973.233.0350 fascinorestaurant.com

FAUBOURG RESTAURANT AND BAR 544 Bloomfield Ave. 973.542.7700 faubourgmontclair.com

HALCYON Walnut St. 973.744.4450 halcyonbrasserie.com

MESOB

Bloomfield Ave. 973.655.9000 mesobrestaurant.com

RAYMOND’S Church St. 973.744.9263 raymondsnj.com

SAMBA MONTCLAIR Park St. 973.744.6764 montclairsamba.com

TOAST Bloomfield Ave. 973.509.8099 toastmontclair.com

ZEUGMA GRILL 44 S. Park St. 973.744.0074 zeugmagrill.com

MONTVILLE COLUMBIA INN 29 Rte. 202 973.263.1300 thecolumbiainn.com

LOCANDA VECCHIA 167 Rte. 202 973.541.1234 locandavecchia.com

MORRIS PLAINS

BOLLYWOOD GRILL 1729 Rte. 10 E. 973.998.6303 bollywoodgrill.net

TABOR ROAD TAVERN 510 Tabor Rd. 973.267.7004 taborroadtavern.com

TOMMY’S TAVERN & TAP 1900 Rte. 10 973.998.6429 tommystavernandtap.com

UP THAI 981 Tabor Rd. 973.998.8536 upthainj.com

MORRISTOWN

END OF ELM 140 Morris St. 973.998.4534 endofelm.com

FIG & LILY GARDEN 2 Cattano Ave. 973.539.3999 figandlilygarden.com

JOCKEY HOLLOW BAR & KITCHEN 110 South St. 973.644.3180 jockeyhollowbarandkitchen. com

MALAY 147 Morris St. 973.538.3322 malaymorristown.com

MARJAN FINE PERSIAN GRILL 84 Speedwell Ave. 973.889.8884 marjanpersiangrill.com

REVOLUTION 9 South St. 973.455.0033 revolutionmorristown.com

ROOTS STEAKHOUSE 40 W. Park Pl. 973.326.1800 rootssteakhouse.com

1776 BY DAVID BURKE 67 E. Park Pl. 973.829.1776 1776bydb.com

SOUTH+PINE 90 South St. 862.260.9700 southandpine.com

NEWARK ADEGA GRILL 130 Ferry St. 973.589.8830 adegagrill.com

CASA VASCA 141 Elm St. 973.465.1350 casavasca.net

FORNOS OF SPAIN 47 Ferry St. 973.589.4767 fornosrestaurant.com

IBERIA TAVERN & RESTAURANT 80-84 Ferry St. 973.344.7603 iberiarestaurants.com

MOMPOU TAPAS BAR & RESTAURANT

77 Ferry St. 973.578.8114 mompoutapas.com

SEABRA’S MARISQUEIRA 87 Madison St. 973.465.1250 seabrasmarisqueira.com

SOL-MAR RESTAURANT 267 Ferry St. 973.344.3041 solmar-restaurant.com

NUTLEY MEAL 433 Kingsland St. 973.542.8522 mealnj.com

QUEEN MARGHERITA 246 Washington Ave. 973.662.0007 queenmargherita.us

ORANGE

BELLA ITALIA 535 Central Ave. 973.676.4300 bellaitaliarestaurantnj.com

HAT CITY KITCHEN 459 Valley St. 862.704.6248 hatcitynj.com

PARSIPPANY

CAPITAL GRILLE 10 Dryden Way 973.889.8622 thecapitalgrille.com

CHAND PALACE 257 Littleton Rd. 973.334.5444 parsippany.chand palace.com

ECCOLA 1082 Rte. 46 973.334.8211 eccolarestaurant.com

GOURMET CAFE 136 Baldwin Rd. 973.316.0088 gourmetcafenj.com

MARAKESH RESTAURANT 321 Rte. 46 973.808.0062 marakesh.com

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 1 Hilton Ct. 973.889.1400 ruthschris.com

SHAN SHAN NOODLES 333 Rte. 46 973.287.7399 shanshannoodles.com

PEQUANNOCK

BARDI’S BAR & GRILL 149 Newark Pompton Tpke. 973.694.1058 bardisgrill.com

RIVAAZ GASTRO BAR & INDIAN RESTAURANT 23 Rte. 23 973.686.6040 rivaaz23.com

LOCANDA VECCHIA IN MONTVILLE

PINE BROOK

BONEFISH GRILL 28 Rte. 46 973.227.2443 bonefishgrill.com

CHINA PAVILION 263 Changebridge Rd. 973.227.1006

DON PEPE STEAKHOUSE 58 Rte. 46 W. 973.808.5533 donpepesteakhouse.com

POMPTON PLAINS

STEFANO’S RESTAURANT 565 Rte. 23 973.616.6624 stefanosrestaurant.net

TAVERN 5 710 Newark Pompton Tpke. 973.835.1426 tavern5.com

V&J PIZZA 500 Rte. 23 973.839.9757 vandjpizza.com

RANDOLPH BLACK RIVER BARN 1178 Rte. 10 W. 973.598.9988 blackriverbarn.com

KABAB PARADISE 124 Rte. 10 973.453.0202 kababparadise.com

LA STRADA RISTORANTE 1105 Rte. 10 E. 973.584.4607 lastradarestaurantrandolph.com

NOCHES DE COLOMBIA 140 Rte. 10 973.620.9135 nochesdecolombiarandolph.com

RANDOLPH DINER BAR & GRILL 517 Rte. 10 973.328.2400 therandolphdiner.com

ROSIE’S TRATTORIA 1181 Sussex Tpke. 973.895.3434 rosiestrattoria.com

SUBURBAN BAR & KITCHEN 500 Rte. 10 W. 973.891.1776 sbknj.com

VERONA RESTAURANT 1171 Sussex Tpke. 973.895.8888 veronarestaurant.com

RIVERDALE

CONEY ISLAND PIZZA 40 Hamburg Tpke. 973.476.9223 coneyislandwoodfired pizza.com

ROCKAWAY BRICK 46 68 Rte. 46 973.625.4900 brick46.com

CAFFÈ NAVONA

147 Rte. 46 W. 973.627.1606 caffenavona.com

THAI NAM PHET 296 Rte. 46 973.627.8400 thainamphet.com

THE EXCHANGE 160 E. Main St. 973.627.8488 exchangefood.com

SHORT HILLS

BENIHANA 840 Morris Tpke. 973.467.9550 benihana.com

BOCCONE SOUTH 519 Millburn Ave. 973.378.9222 bocconeristorante.com

THE DINING ROOM 41 JFK Pkwy. 973.912.4756

ENZZO’S TRATTORIA 514 Millburn Ave. 973.379.7111 enzzos.com

LEGAL SEA FOODS 1200 Morris Tpke. 973.467.0089 legalseafoods.com

SOUTH ORANGE

ARIYOSHI 56 South Orange Ave. 973.378.8818 ariyoshijapanese.com

WALIA 11 Village Plz. 973.762.2186 waliarestaurant.com

TOWACO

900 DEGREES 626 Main Rd. 973.335.2555 900degreespizza.com

RAILS STEAKHOUSE 10 Whitehall Rd. 973.335.0006 railssteakhouse.com

UPPER MONTCLAIR

DAIKICHI 608 Valley Rd. 973.744.2954 daikichimontclair.net

DE NOVO EUROPEAN PUB 275 Bellevue Ave. 973.893.5008 denovoeuropeanpub.com

TURTLE + THE WOLF 622 Valley Rd. 973.783.9800 turtleandthewolf.com

WEST ORANGE

CHIT CHAT DINER 410 Eagle Rock Ave. 973.736.1989 chitchatdiner.com

HIGHLAWN PAVILION 1 Crest Dr. 973.731.3463 highlawn.com

KIM’S SUSHI 456 Eagle Rock Ave. 973.669.2800 kimssushinj.com

THE MANOR RESTAURANT 111 Prospect Ave. 973.731.2360 themanorrestaurant.com

MCLOONE’S BOATHOUSE

9 Cherry Ln. 862.252.7108 mcloonesboathouse.com

NICHOLAS ANTHONY’S

FAMILY KITCHEN 450 Main St. 862.520.1252 nicholasanthonys.com

DAIKICHI IN UPPER MONTCLAIR

SUZYQUE’S BBQ AND BAR 34 S. Valley Rd. 973.736.7888

WHARTON 4 SEASONS 322 S. Main St. 862.244.9777 4seasonswharton.com

THE CANAL HOUSE 47 Kossuth St. 862.244.4495 canalhousenj.com

WHIPPANY

THE AULD SHEBEEN PUB 1401 Rte. 10 E. 973.583.8811

IL CAPRICCIO 633 Rte. 10 E. 973.884.9175 ilcapriccio.com

TRATTORIA TOSCANA 554 Rte. 10 973.386.0303 trattoriatoscana

Be There

In-person events are back in full swing! Here are 10 that are filled with fun, laughter and entertainment— and

Through Dec. 31

Celebrate the season of lights at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, which is hosting its annual Holiday Lights display from 5 to 9 p.m. every night. Bring the entire family for a stroll around the zoo and enjoy sparkling lights of more than 50 winter and animal characters. Admission is free, but a small fee will be charged for rides and amusements. Donations of non-perishable food items, gently used coats and unwrapped toys are encouraged. The zoo will be closed Dec. 24 and 25. Find out more at turtlebackzoo.com.

Dec. 27

Enjoy a rockin’ holiday concert and light show with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which is performing two shows at the Prudential Center in Newark. The traveling band will stage its “Ghosts of Christmas Eve” at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $50. Learn more about the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and buy tickets at trans-siberian.com.

30 & 31

Jan. 1

Enjoy a laugh with Shakespeare Theatre New Jersey, which is staging a pair of performances of Twelfth Night at the F.M. Kirby Theater in Madison. With its romance, music and colorful characters, the show will surely brighten your holidays. Tickets to the 2 p.m. matinee are $65, and seats for the 7:30 p.m. show are $59. Purchase your tickets and find out more info at shakespearenj.org.

Jan. 18

Through Dec. 31

All aboard The Polar Express Train Ride, a themed rail experience based on the popular story. Passengers will board the train at the Station and embark on a two-hour ride that chocolate, shortbread cookies, dancing chefs, of the classic book by Chris Van Allsburg and a visit from Santa. Tickets start at $43 for kids ages 2–11 and $50 for adults. Make your reservations and find out more details at whippanythepolarexpressride.com.

Dec. 17

Explore the universe from the comfort of Earth during Planetarium Show at County College of Morris’ Longo Planetarium in Randolph. From 2:30 to 6:15 p.m., visitors of all ages can get a close look at planets, stars, galaxies and other celestial bodies. Admission is $10, online reservations are recommended. Save your seat at ccm.edu/planetarium.

the kids to an end-ofthe-year treat to see their favorite characters from Paw Patrol at NJPAC in Newark. Great Pirate Adventure will Paw Patrol fans on the edge their seats as they cheer on the during their quest. Show are 10 a.m., 2 and 6 p.m. on and at 10 a.m. on Saturday. range from $24 to $165 and are available for purchase now at njpac.org.

Dec. 31

in the new year at First County, a celebration with 50 performances at 15 venues downtown Morristown. The arts-andculture-themed events take place from 9 midnight and include complimentary shuttles to each venue. Tickets and can be purchased at firstnightmorris.org.

Jan. 1

Start the new year off on a healthy by running the annual St. Mark’s New Year’s Day 5K in Valley. On-site sign ups open and the race kicks off at Registration starts at $30 and includes a T-shirt, postrace bagels, bananas and awards for top finishers. For more information or to register online, visit newyearsday5k. wixsite.com/race.

Jan. 21

March Madness doesn’t happen without key league matchups in January, and the Seton Hall men’s basketball team plays an important game against Big East rival Connecticut in Newark’s Prudential Center. Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $50. Don’t miss the action and get your seats at ticketmaster.com.

Celebrate Chinese New Year at the New Jersey Symphony’s 2023 Lunar New Year concert

The 7:30 p.m. show at NJPAC in Newark will feature Xian Zhang as the ranges $80.

will help you safely return to normal.

Gatherings

Morris and Essex residents always show up to support their friends and neighbors— especially when help is needed most 7

MONTCLAIR FILM FESTIVAL

1

INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY

Morris Plains-based Interfaith Food Pantry received a helping hand from its community partners at Wegmans in Hanover. Wegmans staff assisted the nonprofit at the Butler Farmers’ Market, while volunteers from Navigating Hope, a mobile outreach program, connected the food pantry clients to SNAP and other resources. 1 Volunteers pitch in to help Interfaith Food Pantry at the farmers’ market.

MENDHAM BOYS SCOUTS TROOP 1

Scouts from Mendham’s Troop 1 traveled to the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base, a scouting program that offers aquatics activities like sailing, scuba diving, camping and fishing. Troop members earned the snorkeling patch during the trip. 6 Front row: Jack Olynik, Sam Lagana, Ben Lanier, Brian Janacek, Ian Braun, Benjie Lanier. Second row: Jack Kiefer, Chris Harner,

SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

Seton Hall University’s Center for Sports Media hosted a gala at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York City. The program celebrated lead funder, Bob Ley, and honored media icon Robin Roberts with a Lifetime Professional Achievement Award.

University President Joseph E. Nyre also announced that Ley, an alumnus and original ESPN SportsCenter anchor, had donated $2 million to establish the Center. The event raised an additional $380,000.

2 Renee Robinson, Joseph E. Nyre, Robin Roberts, Bob Ley, Kelli Nyre, Jane McManus.

Getty Images 3 Robin Roberts, Bob Ley

MORRIS COUNTY ARC

The Morris County ARC held its “Walktoberfest” walkathon in Morris Plain this past October, ending the event’s three-year hiatus. The walk raised $20,000 to support the ARC’s mission and programs, which are dedicated to the care, support, and advancement of people with intellectual and related developmental disabilities and their families. 7 Participants pose for a photo during the walk.

NJ SHARING NETWORK

The NJ Sharing Network of New Providence sponsored and attended the Meadowlands Chamber Legacy Awards reception at the American Dream mall. The Sharing Network helps locate organ and tissue donors for patients in need of transplants. 8 Amanda Tibok, Janet Brown, Kelly Bonventre, Michael Rizzo

The annual Montclair Film Festival took place in venues throughout the township as well as NJPAC in Newark in October. Hundreds of filmmakers, trustees, volunteers, sponsors and more enjoyed film screenings, Q&As and special programs, including a tribute to actor Daniel Craig. 4 Film festival volunteers greet movie goers. 5 Stephen Colbert, Daniel Craig

Ryan Smith, Joe Carangelo, Toby Dickens, Ian Shaw, Mitchell Wood, Max Harner, Brett Kiefer, David Braun, TJ Shaw.

“The Morristown Green is where I start my #thismorningwalk, a routine I follow daily upon getting up. A regular walking routine really allows you to notice and appreciate the seasons, the extraordinary in the ordinary. I took this photo on the hazy last morning walk of 2021. It looked like a dreary day, but then I saw this—a reminder to always look for the light and beauty.”

Debbie Kephart, Morristown

Photo courtesy of Debbie Kephart,