MSK Bergen: Superior Cancer Care in Bergen County

By Taylor Smith 

Memorial Sloan Kettering, known for superior cancer care, has a new location. Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (MSK Bergen), at 225 Summit Avenue in Montvale, N.J., is situated an hour and 30 minutes from Princeton and less than 60 minutes from New York City. The Bergen County community borders six neighboring municipalities: Woodcliff Lake, Upper Saddle River, Park Ridge, and River Vale in Bergen County; and both Pearl River and Chestnut Ridge in Rockland County, N.Y. Montvale is easily accessed by the Garden State Parkway, along with the New York State Thruway.  more

Glow Meditation and Yoga Studio in Basking Ridge

By Taylor Smith 

A comfy studio located at 580 Allen Road in Basking Ridge, Glow offers yoga and Pilates classes for all levels, plus special wall-suspension therapeutics.  more

Be Wary of Ticks as Temperatures Rise

By Taylor Smith 

Summertime in New Jersey is cause for celebration, and the warmer temperatures and bucolic surroundings encourage many residents to venture outdoors. The Mercer and Hunterdon county areas are home to state parks, meadows, fields, untouched forests, and a vast trail system tracing the Delaware River. However, one thing to be conscious of is the plethora of ticks.  more

Vaccines for Adults – What You Need to Know

By Taylor Smith 

The recent measles outbreak has sparked much discussion over vaccinations, particularly as they apply to children. What some people may not realize is that there are a variety of vaccines recommended for adults as well. Childhood vaccines wear off over time and factors like your age, job, lifestyle, and degree of travel can indicate an increased risk for certain preventable diseases. And the CDC states that older, hospitalized adults have immune systems similar to newborn babies, making them particularly vulnerable to infections.  more

The BirthPlace at Holy Name Medical Center: This Place is Different

By Taylor Smith 

The BirthPlace at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck is designed to help expectant families feel safe, informed, and comforted about their birth experience. Moms are welcome to bring their doulas, and certified nurse-midwives are on staff. Holy Name’s board-certified obstetricians/gynecologists, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, perinatologists, and neonatologists are available on-site 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Birthing partners are also welcome to spend the night and flexible visiting hours include family and friends.  more

Central New Jersey Brain Tumor Walk, May 11

By Taylor Smith

The Central New Jersey Brain Tumor Walk on Saturday, May 11 at Bradley Park in Asbury Park is an event to raise awareness and resources to fund critical brain tumor-specific programs to improve the lives of all those affected by brain tumors.  more

76th Annual Tour of Somerville

By Taylor Smith 

On May 27, more than 500 professional and amateur cyclists will gather to compete in the 76th Annual Tour of Somerville at Davenport and Main streets in Somerville, N.J. Held rain or shine, the historic event is the oldest bike race in the country. Over 50 U.S. Cycling Hall of Fame inductees have participated in the race, along with Tour de France champion Greg LeMond.  more

Peloton Tread: A High-End Treadmill with Bells and Whistles

By Taylor Smith 

The makers of the Peloton indoor cycling bike have a new model on the market — the Peloton Tread. Unlike the bike, the Tread is a hulking piece of fitness equipment with a hefty price tag of $179 per month for 24 months or a one-time payment of $4,295. More than just a standard treadmill, the engineers behind the Peloton brand are hoping that users of the bike will opt in to purchasing the Tread because of the personalized coaching and virtual reality community experience.  more

Sports-Related Concussions in Children and Youths

By Taylor Smith 

Summertime means more outdoor time for children and teens, and sports camps are a popular way to fill that free time. While exercise and play are an important part of every child’s development, it’s important for parents to be aware of the signs and symptoms of sports-related concussions.  more

NutriDrips: IV Supplement Therapies

By Taylor Smith 

Intravenous (IV) nutrient infusions have long been available at hospitals and holistic wellness centers as a means of replenishing the body’s essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and electrolytes. Now, IV therapy is being used as a general wellness therapy in urban centers around the country, including New York City’s own NutriDrip (www.nutridrip.com). With locations in the East Village, Flatiron District, and Midtown East, NutriDrip’s DripLounges provide visitors with a liquid boost that can help to restore physical well-being and boost brain function.  more

Downtown Dental Opens on North Avenue in Westfield

By Taylor Smith 

Downtown Dental has opened a brand-new facility at 219 North Avenue West in Westfield, N.J. Under the direction of Dr. Paul Zhivago, Downtown Dental offers regular check-ups, cleanings, cosmetic evaluations, extensive restoration, and surgical work.  more

Can Technology Be Used to Improve Mental Health?

By Taylor Smith 

Most people use some form of technology throughout the day. Whether it’s listening to music, ordering an Uber, booking a dinner reservation, or responding to emails. Have you ever thought that those apps on your phone could be used to improve mental health? Below are some specific apps that can be used for potentially improving thoughts, feelings, sleep, and general happiness levels.  more

Get Ready for the New Jersey State Triathlon

July 20 & 21 in West Windsor Township 

By Taylor Smith 

The largest triathlon in New Jersey (and the region), the New Jersey State Triathlon will be held at Mercer County Park in West Windsor on Saturday July 20 and Sunday, July 21. The race is in the top 25 largest triathlons in the United States, and sells out every year. The average competitor pool is 3,500.  more

Running Camps for Adults

By Taylor Smith 

Camps are not just for kids. For runners, a host of options are available across the country. Here are a few to check out…

Craftsbury Running Camps, Vermont 

https://www.craftsbury.com/running/running-camps/running-camps-home/

Based out of a cross-country ski center where Olympians train, Craftsbury Running Camps offers one workout few other camps do: biathlon practice. Daily running workouts are complemented by guided strength training, swimming, and mountain biking. 

Did all that running work up an appetite? The campus dining hall is committed to making sure 50 percent of its ingredients are local.  more

The Science Behind Weighted Blankets

By Taylor Smith 

Weighted blankets have been used in niche medical communities for many years, but only recently have the suggested health benefits taken off as a newfound trend. Without a prescription or dramatic changes in one’s routine, weighted blankets have allowed some people to fall asleep faster and to feel less general anxiety. 

These specific blankets are engineered to be 7-12 percent of your body weight to relax the nervous system and mimic the sensation of being held or hugged. Also known as “deep touch pressure stimulation,” many weighted blankets are designed to apply gentle weight to pressure points on the body. Similar to what is experienced during massage or yogic exercises, these pressure points can correspond to improved mood, feelings of safety, and relaxation.  more

Probiotic-Rich Foods for Body-Wide Health

Kimchi ramen

By Taylor Smith

In case you haven’t heard, your gut health has a dramatic impact on your overall brain and body-wide health. The “good” bacteria found in probiotic rich foods can actually help improve the microbiome of your digestive system. The following are some of the best good bacteria-fueled foods to include in your daily or weekly routine. more

Chill Cryotherapy Expands in Westfield

By Taylor Smith 

Westfield’s premier cryotherapy center, Chill Cryotherapy, has announced its expansion into an adjacent storefront at 327 South Avenue West in Westfield, N.J. The business offers customized protocols for specific health and wellness concerns, such as weight loss, muscle recovery, anti-aging, and chronic pain.  more

Build Your Run Route with Strava’s New App

By Taylor Smith

A new Strava activity tracker feature called Route Builder for mobile can make planning the location and distance of your next run much easier.

Andrew Vontz, Strava’s director of communications, says that the new mobile feature also makes exploring a new town or city much more safe and efficient. “You can land almost anywhere in the world, someplace you’ve never visited before, and, with a just a few swipes on a map, create the best possible route,” Vontz told Runner’s World Magazine. more

CAP Beauty: Take Your Beauty Routine to the Next Level

By Taylor Smith

CAP Beauty is an unusual beauty store.

Beyond makeup, lotions, and potions, CAP Beauty prides itself on holistic beauty with the philosophy that what you put into and onto your body can actually improve the quality of your thought and life. more

Tech Product Review: Fitbit Charge 3

By Taylor Smith

With a wide array of fitness trackers available, Fitbit is probably the best-known name in terms of high-quality trackers. The user-friendly devices come in many style options and can suit everyone, no matter their fitness level. The trackers will monitor everything from basic daily movements to running, walking, swimming, cycling workouts, and sleeping. more

CycleBar Makes Waves in the Garden State

Spin your way to better fitness and feel like a rock star 

By Taylor Smith 

Indoor cycling has long been an appealing option for those looking for all the benefits of vigorous cardio and strength routines without the high-impact aftermath that can come from pounding miles on the pavement, such as in distance running activities. Enter CycleBar, the latest concierge-style indoor cycling studio to make waves in the Garden State.  more

A Passion for Service at Dean’s Natural Food Market

By Taylor Smith 

With locations in Basking Ridge, Chester, Ocean Township, and Shrewsbury, Dean’s Natural Food Market is making an impact on the quality of food and produce available to New Jersey residents. 

At Dean’s, all produce is 100 percent organic. “With our non-GMO policy, we don’t bring in any items unless they’re non-GMO product verified or free of the top 10 GMO crops. People know that about us now, they’re coming here for that,” says founder Dean Nelson.  more

Jersey Eats: Playa Bowls

The Jersey Shore’s original acai shop now has more than 50 locations nationwide

By Taylor Smith 

With multiple locations in Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, Morris, Union, and Essex counties, Playa Bowls (https://playabowls.com) is now a big part of the New Jersey food scene. 

If you’ve visited towns like Belmar, Red Bank, Asbury Park, Seaside, or Toms River during the summer months, chances are you’ve known about Playa Bowls for a long time. What originally started out as a food truck is now a popular staple in New York City, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with 20 more locations planned in the near future.  more

Strengthen, Lengthen, and Tone at The Bar Method in Madison

By Taylor Smith 

Located at 122 Main Street, 2nd floor, in Madison, NJ, The Bar Method is a great option for building muscles, confidence, and long lines in the New Year.  more

Picky Bars: High Performance Nutrition in Foodie Flavors

By Taylor Smith 

Available at running stores and REI locations across the country, Bend, Oregon-based Picky Bars is the latest nutritional bar to make a splash on the outdoors scene.  more

Techniques for Improving Sleep Naturally

By Taylor Smith 

Sleep is vital for overall health, but elusive for many. Whether you’re a parent under stress or you’ve become reliant on prescription sleep aids like Lunesta or Ambien, here are some non-habit forming methods for improving overall sleep quality and duration.  more

Can Virtual Reality Help Fight Dementia?

What U.K.-based health care company Virtue is doing to help people age well

By Taylor Smith

According to the World Health Organization, “an estimated 47 million people currently suffer from dementia and that number is expected to increase to 75 million by 2030. It is projected that the number will triple by 2050.” To put these numbers into perspective, the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that “the cost to care for an Alzheimer’s patient in a private room in a nursing home is around $97,455 per year.” This is where U.K.-based health care start-up Virtue steps in (https://www.virtue.io). With the goal to “empower the silver generation,” Virtue aims to “develop transformative solutions for aging well.” more

Holiday Gifts for the Rower in Your Family

By Taylor Smith 

Companies like One Peloton (www.onepeloton.com) have engineered some of the most attractive and effective workout machines in recent years. Equipment like the Peloton Cycle and Peloton Tread enable users all over the world to get a boutique indoor cycling and running studio experience from the convenience of their own homes, day or night. For a lot of working people and parents, the opportunity to get a solid sweat session at any time of day (and no car travel required) is a huge relief. more

Helping New Jersey Stay Healthy

Local hospitals offer state-of-the-art care

by Anne Levin

Despite its small size, New Jersey boasts more than 75 hospitals and medical centers. An impressive group of them are located in the Central and Northern counties, offering state-of-the-art care in increasingly comfortable, even architecturally distinctive, surroundings. Following is a sampling:

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Exploring Ways to Sleep Better Naturally

By Taylor Smith

For many people, sleep is elusive. You run around all day completing your to-do lists and when it’s time to shut down, you can’t. This is an all too common complaint at places like Santé Integrative Pharmacy in downtown Princeton.

Have you ever heard the term wired and tired? That’s is the state that Michael Pellegrino, a clinical nutritionist and wellness practitioner at Sante, finds most customers in when they walk into the store looking for suggestions. “The goal is to nourish and calm the nervous system,” explains Pellegrino. “This includes both a daytime and evening regimen and often an adjustment to their current lifestyle.”

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