As a Jersey girl from way back, who remembers when Parkway tolls were a quarter and still reads the instructions on the pump when I get my own gas in other places, I've seen a lot of my home state. I hit Route 17 the day I received my driver's license in Lodi, and I've been behind the wheel ever since. The next several weekends will be different, as I've traded car keys (and beloved flip-flops) for serious walking shoes. The Cross-Jersey Walking Challenge is just what is sounds like, a chance to walk about 100 Jersey miles across the East Coast Greenway. A free program, the walks are …
As parents, we sometimes focus all of our attention on our children’s needs and forget about our own. What do we like to do? What are our hopes and dreams? Turning to a coach for help is one way to get clear on our life’s direction and to commiserate with others in our same situation. South Orange resident Sydney Davis, Executive Director of Girls On The Run and founder of a coaching group called Let's Rise, is a Life and Career Coach as well as a mother to two daughters. “Most of us wouldn’t blink an eye if a friend mentioned she was taking a class for work but when it comes to …
Escape to the city and get lost in a world that disappeared more than 2,000 years ago. "Pompeii: The Exhibit — Life and Death in the Shadow of Vesuvius" has opened at the Discovery Center Times Square, and it’s a great escape of monumental proportions from today’s New Jersey. Almost anything at the Discovery Center is worth seeing as the exhibits are phenomenal and probably the easiest major New York City exhibition venue to get to from here. Located on 44th between Broadway and 8th Avenue, it’s a 10-minute stroll from the Port Authority. "Pompeii: The Exhibit" includes more than 250 …
I need help. A lot of help, especially in the kitchen. Of course, I do know the basics, like fruits and vegetables have a lot more nutritious value than pizza. However, as a working mom juggling a family, home and career, many days I’m at a loss as to what to prepare for a healthy meal. Thankfully, there are many others in town who know their way around a kitchen and are able to share their knowledge with others. And they know how to transform meal preparation from a chore to a joy — an escape, if you will. Monica Puri Bangia, whose food writing is familiar to Patch readers, not only teaches …
With its fast paced moves and music that would make anyone want to shake their booty, many locals are finding that Zumba — the Latin-inspired dance fitness program — is the perfect way to get exercise and release pent up stress and frustration. Sonali Ganti of Maplewood has been taking Zumba classes at Lifetime Fitness for the past two years. She loved the class so much she decided to become a certified Zumba teacher. “I love the fact that it’s such a great workout yet you don’t feel like you’re working out," said Ganti. “It’s energetic and fun.” Ganti did want to offer some advice to Zumba …
There’s nothing like putting on a new lipstick and exchanging your mom jeans for a pair of skinny jeans to head out for an evening with your girlfriends. We’ve all heard about the studies that found that the more friends a woman has, the happier she is. Thankfully, our community helps us nourish these friendships by giving us a Girls Night Out, aka, GNO, one night a week where we can let our hair down and connect with our friends. Above Restaurant and Bar in South Orange is now partnering with Robyn Ross to host a shopping night followed by drinks on Thursday nights. Who can refuse? If you…
Most everyone has heard the positive benefits that meditating can have on your health, both physically and mentally. It can calm your nerves, help reduce stress and anxiety, and increase serotonin, which has a positive effect on your mood. If you are a stressed-out mom, these are sure to sound pretty good to you. However, starting a meditation practice can seem intimidating. Thankfully, there are many teachers around town that can help guide you to a state of relaxation and bliss. Paige Continentino is a Maplewood mom and certified personal coach who has been meditating for over 16 years. She…
Chair massages, time spent surrounded with friends and yummy goodies. What more could a harried, busy mother want? Oh yes, it doesn’t cost a dime. West Orange resident and women’s empowerment expert Jennifer Griola was inspired to organize an event she calls “Love Yourself” in which she gathered local health and wellness entrepreneurs — all women and mostly moms — to share their services to the community all this week. “Valentine’s Day focuses so much on being in a relationship. I wanted to remind women to focus on their relationship with themselves,” said Griola, a mom of two young daughters…
