Home & Style Features

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?

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)!

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

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!”

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.

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.

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.

Sweet Soiree

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

Farm Fresh

Farm 2 Bistro in Rockaway obtains most of its fruits and veggies from small farms within a 100-mile radius, and they’re purchased (and sometimes personally plucked) by staffers each morning.

Chocolate, Jersey style

Chester-based Jersey Brands chocolate promises to leave your taste buds in a blissful state indeed.

Tomato Fever

Bergenfield-based Two Guys Food Group create canned tomato sauces made with only Garden State tomatoes.

Weekly allowance helps kids become responsible with money

Experts encourage parents to give children a weekly allowance and help them decide how much they should spend, save, donate, and invest. This will help them understand not only how much things cost, but also gives them early lessons on financial terminology. Dividing up money also helps your children practice basic math skills such as addition, subtraction, and division.