Author: Health and Life Magazine

Eco-friendly sipping

If you’re a wine drinker who’s concerned about health and environmental responsibility, there’s good news. These days, vineyards that use earth-friendly, health-promoting agricultural techniques are producing some of the tastiest wines in the world.

Glorious Grapefruit

Tart and tangy in flavor, this citrus fruit has health benefits that are pretty sweet.

Poor Cat Designs jewelry

A cat showed up on the deck of Joseph Romanowski’s house while the designer was planning his line of handcrafted charms, so the animal lover did everything he could to locate the feline’s owner. No one stepped forward, so Joseph adopted the “poor cat,” named him Felix, and used the kitty’s likeness for his logo.

Tito's Burritos now in Ridgwood

Folks in Summit and Morristown have been lining up for years for a Tito’s Burritos fix, and with Ridgewood now home to the latest Tito’s (201.857.4619, titosburritos.com), Bergenites are finally getting a taste of the zippiest south-of-the-border fare, well, north of the border!

Plop, plop, fizz, fizz-aah: Bath bombs

We’re talking bath bombs, those tablets that bubble and fizz in the tub, making you feel as if you’re bathing in champagne! To make your next bath a super-soothing indulgence, why not try whipping up your own tension-taming bath bomb?

Tea time

A calming tea break isn’t just good for your mood, it’s good for your body too. Studies suggest black (not herbal) tea improves blood-vessel function, blocks the absorption of fats and helps lower cholesterol. What’s more, both black and green teas are packed with powerful compounds that protect against cancer.

A fresh start with Karl's Appliance

Karl’s has been a respected name in appliances since 1941, and with its brand-new store on Route 17 in Paramus (888.98.KARLS, karlsappliance.com), its unparalleled selection and quality customer service have finally come to Bergen County. Even if you’re not in the market for an electronics upgrade, you may want to visit anyway, since the Karl’s shopping experience comes close to being a Disney-caliber attraction. How so?

Environmental drive: Volkswagon Touareg

Love the space, power and handling of an SUV, but hate the environmental impact? Starting now, you can swap your gas guzzler for a 2011 Touareg, Volkswagen’s first hybrid, and because it’s an SUV, you can still hit the road sitting high. How does it spare the environment?

Combat stress

Boost your immune system, improve concentration, enhance creativity and decrease stress by meditating, suggests Kellye Davis, author of The Bliss Principle (theblissprinciple.com). To find your inner bliss, here are Davis’ step-by-step instructions:

Physical therapy meets pilates

“Pilates is a form of exercise originally used for dancers to lengthen the muscles and improve posture,” she says. Now Dunn helps her own patients use basic Pilates moves as a part of the healing process for back injuries. “It’s not stressful on the joints as it stretches the back muscles,” explains Dunn, “and it strengthens abdominal muscles while keeping the spine in a neutral position.”

Going green on the web

“Greening” your home is easier than ever thanks to itseasybeinggreen.com, a site that lets you outfit everything from your sink to your shower, your windows to your weather stripping, for maximum energy savings. itseasybeinggreen.com specializes in water- and energy-saving products that keep your home humming—and you comfortable—while sparing the environment (and your bank account)!

A Christmas Carol

The Bergen Performing Arts Center's production of "A Christmas Carol" is on December 23rd starting at 7:00pm

Christmas Walking Tour

A 75-minute Christmas Walking Tour, led by noted Christmas historian Sibyl McCormac Groff, is taking place in New York from Dec. 10-31st.

Divine dinner party

Looking for inspiration for an unforgettable holiday repast? Bergen Health & Life called on three Bergen County chefs to create a three-course menu for a festive dinner you can create in your own kitchen.

Planning a kids' bash

Don’t forget the young ones when you plan the season’s entertaining. Kids deserve to party too, and you may even catch a moment to hobnob with their chaperoning parents. You’ll find that a savvy selection of colors, decorations and tasty treats can help make your bash a smash.

Sweet soiree

Planning a holiday party and deciding what to serve can be a headache. This year, why not simplify things by focusing on those two can’t-lose crowd-pleasers, chocolate and coffee? When chocolate’s feel-good endorphins pair up with the energizing power of coffee, you can practically hear them whispering, “’Tis the season to be jolly!”

Topping your table

Color, fabrics and lighting are the building blocks upon which your fête will be set.

Bergen Buzz: December

A Santa Claus train ride for the family; Summer in a bottle with Jersey Tomato Sauce; Fresh cheese for your holiday platters from a Tenafly shop; Meet Bergen's Cutest Pet contest winner!; YMCA's 90th birthday; Jersey themed chocolate

Bergenfest 2010

Bergen’s varied delights were on display this fall at our third annual Bergenfest at the estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale. The event celebrated winners of Bergen Health & Life’s Readers’ choice awards, and a good time was had by all—thanks in part to the fact that many winning foods proved irresistible

Spas with a plus

Set in a lush, 7,00 square feet adorned with live plants and softly glowing candlelight, Castle Rock at La Cantera—named one of the nation’s top 100 spa resorts in Condé Nast Traveler—is home to four massage rooms, two facial rooms, a salon space and more.

New life after a brain tumor

Thanks to a novel chemotherapy regimen, a patient who had a dangerous stage IV brain cancer is back to his active routine.

A birthday break

He turned 13 in the E.R. with a leg fracture, but it didn't slow him down for long.

Sweet soiree

Planning a holiday party and deciding what to serve can be a headache. This year, why not simplify things by focusing on those two can’t-lose crowd-pleasers, chocolate and coffee? When chocolate’s feel-good endorphins pair up with the energizing power of coffee, you can practically hear them whispering, “’Tis the season to be jolly!”

Fixing reflux

An incisionless procedure may relieve GERD when medications don't.

Divine dinner party

Looking for inspiration for an unforgettable holiday repast? Morris Health & Life called on three Morris County chefs to create a three-course menu for a festive dinner you can create in your own kitchen. Each course serves six to eight people.

Topping your table

Color, fabrics and lighting are the building blocks upon which your fête will be set. Red, always a hallmark hue for the season, needn’t be your only option. Golds, silvers and winter-whites can also add sparkle to your table. And speaking of sparkle, candles will enhance the ambience, especially if you place them near glass or mirrored pieces that will twinkle in their light.

Planning a kids' bash

Don’t forget the young ones when you plan the season’s entertaining. Kids deserve to party too, and you may even catch a moment to hobnob with their chaperoning parents. You’ll find that a savvy selection of colors, decorations and tasty treats can help make your bash a smash.

Divine dinner party

Looking for inspiration for an unforgettable holiday repast? Morris Health & Life called on three Morris County chefs to create a three-course menu for a festive dinner you can create in your own kitchen. Each course serves six to eight people.

Spas with a plus

Set in a lush, 7,00 square feet adorned with live plants and softly glowing candlelight, Castle Rock at La Cantera—named one of the nation’s top 100 spa resorts in Condé Nast Traveler—is home to four massage rooms, two facial rooms, a salon space and more.

Healthy handful

Go ahead—reach for that holiday bowl. A daily serving of nuts—enough to fit in the palm of your hand—packs a much-needed dose of protein and fiber and offers a heart-health boost. They’re cholesterol-free and low in sodium (as long as you stick to unsalted). And each type of nut shines in its own way.

Holiday meals and the traditions behind them

The holiday season is a time for thanks, a time for tradition, and a time for family. Hosts want to serve their loved ones only the best food as they gather around the table with Christmas trees and Menorahs lighting up the room. Here are some traditional recipes and the holiday stories that accompany them.

Cyber Monday steals and deals

Cyber Monday is a godsend to those of us who did not want to be seriously trampled during the Black Friday stampede at the big chain stores. Enjoy today’s online deals and finish shopping for everybody on your holiday gift list. Cyber Monday sales boast free shipping, additional savings on already reduced items, freebies with your purchase, and more! Check out the list of gift categories and online resources

Cyber Monday steals and deals

Cyber Monday is a godsend to those of us who did not want to be seriously trampled during the Black Friday stampede at the big chain stores. Enjoy today’s online deals and finish shopping for everybody on your holiday gift list. Cyber Monday sales boast free shipping, additional savings on already reduced items, freebies with your purchase, and more! Check out the list of gift categories and online resources

Sweet Soiree

Coffee meets chocolate—and suddenly you've got a surefire holiday affair

Operation Sleighbells/Holiday Giving

Looking to help families in need this season? Check out operation sleighbells/holiday giving, the century-old program run by Long Branch-based Family & Children’s Service (732-222-9111, www.fcsmonmouth.org).