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Health & Wellness: Advocate for your own health

Being an advocate for your health can be empowering.  However, there can be a lot of pushback within the medical community when a patient asks a practitioner questions about their own health.  I personally experienced this for a couple of decades before I became the kind of doctor I had actually been seeking.

National Doctor’s Day is March 30th.  This is a good month to reflect on if you are getting the proper medical care.  Going to a doctor should be enlightening where you get answers about your own health.  You should be learning about yourself.  Instead, there’s a lot of medical shunning going on.  Patients get ‘written up’ or talked down to by their doctors if they choose not to take medication.  Doctors even tell patients that their physical ailments are ‘in their head’ when doctors don’t see abnormal results on bloodwork.  None of this is OK and that behavior should not be tolerated within the medical community.  As patients, you deserve better.

As a patient, you have to set realistic expectations.  You can’t walk into a pizza shop looking for tacos and vice versa.  What this means with medical care is:  if you want quick medicine for a symptom then go to a conventional medical doctor.  Sometimes, that is what is needed, and for emergency care, we should be grateful for it.  However, if you are looking for answers to your health with proper recommendations for testing, imaging etc then you have to find a root cause doctor who does that work for you which is a Naturopathic Doctor.

For years, I found myself in the wrong ‘pizza shops’, because I simply did not know there was another type of medicine.  I understand that a lot of people are in the same situation which is why I have been educating the community for years about Naturopathic Medicine -it truly is life changing.  Identifying and reversing chronic conditions does turn someone’s life around.

Naturopathic Medicine gets to the root cause of symptoms and is the supreme medicine for preventive care.  As a Naturopathic Doctor, I also do a great deal of educating my patients about their specific health.  I give them the tools to understand their own bodies.  Furthermore, I review comprehensive labs and assess the optimal ranges ( not normal values) so they understand what their lab values actually mean for their specific health concerns.  This information is invaluable because it empowers them for the rest of their lives.

I am an advocate for my patients.  In turn, patients learn to be an advocate for themselves.  Being an advocate for someone’s health is important at any age.  I do think our elders deserve more respect in the medical community.  If you think you know someone who can benefit from this article please share.  Going to the doctor should be an enjoyable experience, not a chore or a fear…

Out & About: Spend a Day in Stony Brook

On a rainy day, ET spent the day in Stony Brook Village to scope out the best indoor spots to enjoy before the harbor-side town defrosts for the summer. Here’s our guide to spending the day in Stony Brook!

Breakfast
Start the day at Crazy Beans!  A family-owned cafe with a retro aesthetic and an array of different breakfast and lunch options to choose from. Even better than the food is the coffee. Choose from one of more than 20 flavors, or create your own unique blend to customize your cup of joe.

Lunch
Sweet Mama’s has a wholesome, country atmosphere with friendly staff and hearty food. We devoured the James Dean sandwich and South Beach omelette. For an afternoon or happy hour libation, sit at the bar in Grandpa’s Shed, attached to Sweet Mama’s restaurant.

Shopping
Stony Brook Village has plenty of boutiques to stroll through. Visit Cottontails for the little ones in your life, or Madison’s Niche for chic clothes and classy home decor. D.K. Brothers is your one-stop-shop for men’s clothing, accessories for your pooch, and accents for your home bar.

Dinner
Finish the day at Luca, a chic Italian spot with a luxe vibe. Don’t miss out on the Short Rib Agnolotti and the mouthwatering New York Strip – they’re absolute must-tries.

Activities
In between shopping and eating, squeeze in time for an activity or two. Visit the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame’s Billy Joel exhibit, or the Reboli Center for Art and History. In the summer, rent a kayak or paddleboard and go for a ride through the harbor.

Legends Bar & Grill Holiday Fundraiser Gives Back To Local Families

While the holidays may be behind us, the spirit of giving back to the community is evergreen. Legends of Kings Park has embraced this notion for the past six years with their annual holiday fundraiser, in which they collect donations for the Smithtown Children’s Foundation and Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.

Having worked in restaurants his whole life, owner Mark Torkelsen channeled his passion for the food and service industry and opened Legends in 2016. Located in close proximity to Main Street and the Kings Park train station, Legends offers a variety of classic American bar food with weekly takeout and happy hour specials.

Legends was quick to start giving back with the first annual fundraiser kicking off in 2018, and has grown every year since. The fundraiser takes place every December with support from family, friends, local businesses, and community members. There’s fun for the whole family, as the event features live music, raffle prizes, and even an appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus on a firetruck! In addition to receiving sponsorships from other local businesses, donations in forms of money and toys go directly toward local families in need.

When asked what inspired him to start the fundraiser, Mark put it simply: he grew up watching his parents impact local communities through their work in schools and hospitals and loves being able to give back to the community that raised him. He quotes President Ronald Reagan, saying “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” Mark credits partner Todd Feldman and Smithtown Children’s Foundation President Christine Fitzgerald for helping him make the fundraiser such a huge success year after year.

The most recent fundraiser accumulated $39,000, bringing the overall total to $126,000 raised since its inception. Mark is proud to say that every single dollar raised has gone back to the community and local families in need. He hopes to see the event get bigger in the future with more support from community members and local businesses, continuing to provide support to families and organizations like the Smithtown Children’s Foundation.

Don’t wait for the holidays to support a good cause, or to stop by Legends! They have delicious food like Buffalo Mac n Cheese and Steak Egg Rolls with signature drinks like the K.P. Express. Keep an eye on the holiday editions of ET later this year for more information on the annual fundraiser.

Family Features: Easter Eats

Building the menu around simple, one-pan dishes can keep the focus where it needs to be: spending time and creating memories with family and friends. These dishes call for short lists of ingredients, many of which you may already have in your pantry, and simple preparation to create a full spread perfect for sharing with loved ones. Plus, using only one pan makes cleanup a breeze, so you can get back to the festivities quickly.

A dish like this Easter Roast lets you check both the main course and side dishes off your list, relying on the oven to do most of the work for you after some quick prep work. 

Finish off your feast with an adaptable dessert like this Blueberry Crumble. Made using just five ingredients and ready in about an hour, you can swap the blueberry pie filling and yellow cake mix for any combination that suits your guests’ tastes like apple pie filling with spice cake or cherry pie filling with chocolate cake; the sky’s the limit when it comes to satisfying that sweet tooth. For more Easter recipe inspiration, visit Culinary.net.

Easter Roast

Yield: 1 roast

  • Salt, pepper, garlic powder
  • 1 roast (3 pounds)
  • 1 bag (1 pound) baby carrots
  • 1 bag (1 1/2 pounds) trio potatoes or potato of choice
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 can (10 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 tablespoon garlic pepper
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 onion, roughly chopped
  • 1 bundle asparagus 

Preheat oven to 350° F. Sprinkle salt, pepper and garlic powder over roast and rub into front, back and sides. Place seasoned roast in middle of large roasting pan. 

Place carrots on one side of roasting pan and potatoes on other side. 

In large bowl, mix beef broth and cream of mushroom soup with garlic pepper. Pour mixture over roast, potatoes and carrots. Sprinkle brown sugar over carrots and add chopped onion. Cover and cook 2 1/2 hours then remove from oven, add asparagus and cook uncovered 30 minutes. 

Serve from pan or place on platter for more formal presentation.

Blueberry Crumble 

Yield: One Cake

  • 1 can blueberry pie filling
  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 bag (4 ounces) chopped pecans
  • 1 stick butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup oil
  • Whipped cream, for serving (optional)
  • Vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)

Preheat oven to 350° F. Spread pie filling on bottom of 9-by-11-inch pan. Sprinkle cake mix and pecans on top. Do not mix. 

Drizzle melted butter and oil on top of cake mix and pecans. Do not mix. Lift pan and tilt from side to side until cake mix is completely covered in butter. 

Bake 1 hour until golden brown and bubbly. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if desired.

#16960 Source: Family Features

Food & Drink : Places To Enjoy On St. Patrick’s Day Holiday

Patrick’s Day, a celebration of all things Irish, is just around the corner, and if you’re looking to immerse yourself in the festive spirit, these four local pubs are sure to be the perfect destinations. The Nutty Irishman, Faradays, Legends Bar and Grill, and The Irish Times Pub are renowned for their lively atmospheres and authentic Irish charm. Get ready to don your green attire and join the revelry at these beloved local Irish pubs!

Faradays
17 W Main St., Smithtown 
faradaysofsmithtown.com 

This charming little bistro in the heart of Smithtown village is just the place to enjoy delectable continental fare. Mark your calendar from Friday, March 10th through Sunday, March 18th for a St. Patrick’s Day menu loaded with he usual suspects – think corned beef & cabbage and shepherds pie. It’s a feast you won’t want to miss!

Legends Bar and Grill
34 Indian Head Rd., Kings Park
Legendsbarandgrillkp.com

Legends Bar and Grill is your friendly neighborhood gastropub which features an innovative menu worth trying. Stop by on St. Patrick’s Day for $5 guinness all day and their corned beef & cabbage dinner! 

Irish Times
975 Main Street, Holbrook.
irishtimespubny.com

Be sure to stop by Irish Times on St. Patrick’s Day for live Irish music, bag pipers, Irish Step Dancers throughout the day accompanied by their special Irish theme food and drink menu that day!

Nutty Irishman
323 Main Street, Farmingdale.
thenuttyirishman.com 

If you are looking for “cold beer, great music, and good times”, Nutty Irishman is the spot to be this St. Pattys Day. Pair their Cuban Sandwich with one of the 26 beers on tap and get ready to dance the day and night away. 

Baking Coach: Irish Cream Pound Cake

Irish Cream Pound Cake

Yield: 1 loaf.   Prep: 15 minutes.   Bake: 65 – 75 minutes 

Here is what you need:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 3 eggs at room temperature
  • ¾ cups Irish Cream Liqueur

 

 

Here is how you do it:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.   Grease and flour a loaf pan, set aside.

In a bowl or plastic bag, combine flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.   In a large bowl add sugar and butter.   Mix well by hand with a rubber spatula or hand mixer.   Incorporate eggs in one at a time, until well blended.    Using a rubber spatula, add in flour in three parts, alternating with Irish Cream in two parts.  Start with 1/3 of the flour mixture, ½ of the Irish Cream, repeat until well blended.  Do not over mix.

Pour batter into the prepared pan, tapping against the counter a few times.   Using a kitchen knife, cut the batter in the center of the cake lengthwise.   Place the pan on top of a cookie sheet.   Bake in the oven for 65 to 75 minutes.   Insert toothpick to make sure it comes out clean.  Cool in pan and then remove from pan onto a platter or dish.

Optional Quick Glaze: Combine ½ cup confectioners sugar + 1 tablespoon Irish Cream and 1 teaspoon water.   Drizzle over the top of the cooled cake. (optional)

Introducing Tous les Jours: A French-Asian Bakery & Cafe

With multiple locations in New York City, you may already be familiar with Tous les Jours, the French-Asian bakery chain. This past October, TLJ opened their first Suffolk County location in the in the Village Commons shopping center in the heart of Smithtown. Owner Eric Chen is thrilled to bring Tous Les Jours’s unique style of pastries to Smithtown residents.

Having lived in New York City, Eric was familiar with Tous les Jours bakeries and loved that they combined his two favorite cuisines. When the Starbucks that used to occupy TLJ’s storefront closed, Eric saw an opportunity to fill that space with a new place where Smithtown residents could grab a coffee and a bite to eat. With encouragement from other business owners in the Smithtown area, Eric was excited about the new venture.

Tous les Jours combines the best of two very different cultures with decadent French pastries and traditional Asian delicacies. Their menu consists of classics like croissants of varying flavors, Korean milk bread, artisanal donuts, and cakes with exciting flavors like early grey, mango, and strawberry lychee. In addition, the café also offers coffees, lattes, teas, and blended beverages. Products are baked fresh every day, as opposed to other chain bakeries that sell pre-packaged goods. Bakers and front-of-house staff receive training on how to prepare drinks and pastries.

Since their opening just a short time ago, they’ve received outstanding reviews online. Many Smithtown residents claimed Tous les Jours as their new “go-to” spot and rave about how fresh and delicious the pastries are. Beyond the product, customers love the clean and open space inside the bakery and praise how friendly and helpful the staff are. Eric prioritizes customer satisfaction above all else. If a customer doesn’t like their food or drink, the TLJ team will replace the item for something they like at no cost.

As Tous les Jours is Eric’s first foray into bakeries, he’s learning as he goes. Every day he’s learning more and making improvements to the already beloved products. While he says he’s partial to the savory pastries, their best sellers are the strawberry croissants and their signature cloud cakes, which are light and not too sweet, that can’t be found anywhere else. He loves interacting with customers and meeting new people in the community. Tous les Jours has even donated to school fundraisers.

With plans to expand to Centereach, Eric is excited to continue getting to know Smithtown residents and provide them with unique and delicious desserts. Visit Tous les Jours at 1 Miller Place, Suite D in Smithtown, open seven days a week!

Foodie Vue: Mannino’s of Smithtown

There are but a few entrepreneurs on Long Island, that operate three successful restaurants, each with their own unique characteristics and style. In 1996, brothers Joe, Frank and John Mannino began their journey with the opening of their first restaurant in Commack.

Soon after, in the year 2000 Smithtown opened where artisan pizzas are proudly displayed at the far end of the restaurant. This of course is just the beginning of what you’ll find in this trattoria style eatery. With over 20 different pastas and a great selection of chicken, veal and seafood, Manninos is a place you’ll never tire of.

I stopped in for lunch and went with some traditional favorites. The Mozzarella Caprese; fresh mozzarella cheese, beef steak tomato and ribbons of red peppers, pays homage to the Italian flag. A wonderful starter to get my appetite going. With so many pastas to choose, I had to go in and try two. The Rigatoni à la Vodka in a creamy pink sauce with its gorgeous reddish color and fine crumbles of beef make this rustic dish a must try. It’s a huge portion so be ready to take some home.

Orecchiette Broccoli Rabe; a combination of sausage, broccoli rabe, and sundried tomatoes, sautéed in garlic and oil, then tossed with an orecchiette pasta is off the charts. Very traditional dish at Manninos that customers can not seem to get enough of. Don’t forget to ask for some fresh cracked pepper, topped off with fresh Parmesan.

Chicken Mannino is one of their more popular dishes. Breast of chicken lightly breaded topped with fresh plum tomatoes, bermuda onion and fresh mozzarella in a balsamic and olive oil vinaigrette. What I most enjoy, is that it has all the textures and flavors you could want in a single dish. The crispiness of the chicken combined with the richness of the plumb tomatoes and pillowy morsels of mozzarella makes this dish one I want to have over and over again! Following suit was a jumbo cannoli that came overstuffed. With a cappuccino made for a perfect finish.

I’ve known the Mannino’s since their inception, and have grown to appreciate how they built a family brand that has been synonymous with distinctive quality and exceptional service. ­­­­­­I sat with Frank Mannino for a few minutes and asked, what has been the secret to the success of the Mannino brand? In Franks own words; “It’s no secret at all. My brothers and I work on making our business better every single day. We are hands on operators and still, after all these years, go into the kitchen, roll up our sleeves and cook. If it shows you anything is that the entrepreneurial spirit is still alive.

Join me in congratulating the Mannino family as they celebrate their 28th Anniversary.

Fashion & Beauty: Spring Cleaning

With the sunny weather finally creeping back in, many of us are itching to dust off the sun dresses and sandals. However, you might note that the sun-shiny weather, and with it the high temperatures, only makes a brief appearance. Rolling in around noon, but exiting stage left by four p.m., the pleasant weather is fickle. Outside that window, it is frequently still chilly and decidedly more winter than summer. Such is the way of spring! But how to dress? How to celebrate warm hours, wedged in between cooler ones? Well…

Finding a lightweight jacket is one of the fastest ways to shift gears into spring. Say goodbye to your puffer jackets and your full-length fur coats. Say hello to the eternally classic camel trench. Whether your trench is from the iconic London Fog or a more modern brand, these coats are perfect for spring. Not heavy and specifically designed to wick rain, they will keep you dry whenever one of those famous spring showers hit! 

Light layers. It is windy and chilly in the morning, hot around noon, and cold again by dusk. How do you cope? By being versatile. Wear the sun dress you keep reaching for, but pair it with a reliable cardigan. When it gets too warm, take the cardigan off, and, should you get cold again, pull the sweater back on. Business casual has been popular again for a while now, making blazers the hot ticket item in every gal’s closet. Pairing one on with a longer skirt makes for a comfortable outfit that is office appropriate. Tossing a blazer over a simple t-shirt and jeans has been loving dubbed the “model off-duty” uniform. 

Color palettes. An easy, subliminal way to feel like your wardrobe has transitioned into spring is through color. Wearing varying shades of black, grey, and maroon will keep you mentally in winter. Reaching for a thin, lilac sweater instead of a thick, black one will tonally fit more with the general vibe and feeling associated with April than February. When people think spring, they think of light, bright colors. Dressing in soft blues and yellows, clean whites and pinks, will situate your outfit in that gentle spring color palette. 

And of course, shoes. You do not want to cook your feet in snow boots, nor freeze them in flip-flops. Try instead sneakers, loafers, and even ankle booties for the perfect cap-off.

Spring can be shockingly frustrating to dress for. The weather is usually at the heart of these upsets. Take into consideration the fluctuation of temperature, and try to prioritize your comfort when getting dressed for the day. The world is waking back up, so is your wardrobe! 

Home & Garden: Top Trends for 2024

As an Allied ASID interior designer, I am required to continue my education in the field to maintain my accreditation. The American Society of Interior Designers is a “leading professional organization of interior designers, industry leaders, educators and students who employ design to improve lives where people live, work, play and heal.” Their role is to advance the interior design profession and communicate the impact of design on the human experience. Presently, ASID is cataloging these ways to improve lives against the corresponding trends impacting interior design.

For those who love to decorate and want their homes to be beautiful and functional, I thought it might be interesting for you to see how the world of designers and our changing world aligns. Over the years, people have been identified in generations: the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Generation X (1965-1980), Millennials (1981-1996), Generation Z (1997-2012) and Generation Alpha (2013-2025). Designers have been mindful of these generational divisions because they affect the wants, needs and lifestyles of their clients against the background of social change as they lived it.

As a designer for over 50 years, I have worked within the framework of these changes to attempt to provide the best possible home and work environment for each generation’s needs. Today designers are living and learning from Generation Z, a generation whose priorities and experiences are different from prior generations, yet the same in basic ways. Their world has seen a pandemic, racial, political and social upheaval, gun control and school shootings, natural disasters and war. They seek genuine connections and they will be occupying a strong sector of the consumer culture along with past generations that want comfort in spaces, fostering comraderies and real connections.

Designers, like myself, are emphasizing spaces in the home that provide for gatherings such as kitchen islands, patios open to extend living and entertaining areas, and blending spaces such as den and dining room to increase ease and flow of entertaining.

Because pets have now become so much more a part of our families and fill a specific need for comfort and connection, they have been included in many more areas of our home. Now, pet friendly and durable products have been introduced to a larger extent and have become part of the design decision equation.

Part of today’s design equation is also a return to creating spaces for fun family activities and “comfort food” entertaining. So – it seems that while the design world is ever-changing in style and color, the basic needs of people are the foundation of it all.

Next time – Health and Wellness in Design!

Entrepreneur of the Year: Long Island Custom Railings

I’ve been working with small business owners for over three decades. I can tell you straight away, there are none that I can think of that has sustained the test of time, more so than the father and son team at Long Island Custom Railings. Ed Grancagnolo  and son Eddie represent a family legacy that dates to 1952 in Brooklyn

Long Island Custom Railing’s fourth generation family are premium designers and fabricators of interior and exterior custom railings that have built a reputation synonymous with reliability, quality, and service, unmatched in the industry. As Ed explained in a recent interview, “ My grandfather started the company over 70 years ago as ESP Metals, catering more to commercial businesses. After taking over the company from my dad in 1996, some years later we moved to Bohemia and opened another division, Long Island Custom Railings.. We are proud of our work that can be seen everywhere from Manhattan to as far as Montauk, all which is produced at our state-of-the-art fabrication 10,000 square foot facility and showroom in Bohemia.”

If your home or business needs any kind of railings indoors or out, the team at Long Island Custom Railings is at your service. Everything from patterned designs that can bring old world charm to your home or a contemporary installation of glass panels or cable railings, you can feel confident in knowing that your vision can become a reality. Every project is unique, which is what the father and son team love most about the creativity and product design that goes into every job.  After studying at Sacred Heart University Eddie decided to enter the family business and begin working alongside his father. Mr. Grancagnolo. says, “it’s a dream come true to work side by side with my son, just as I did with my father and as my dad did with his.”

As someone that has been around so many small businesses, it’s rare that you find one that spans over seven decades that has equally enjoyed so much success. It’s clear to me and always has been that when you are passionate about something like serving customers as much as the Grancagnolo’s, there is a high level of integrity that goes into everything they do. Long Island Custom Railings is not only the fabricator but performs the complete installation as well. Ed continues, “ I think that is why our customers love working with us. We keep them engaged every step of the way, until they get what they expect. My business philosophy is old fashioned in that the customer is always right.”

If you are a homeowner that wants to enhance the value of your living space with pride of ownership, give the Grancagnolo’s a call. After seventy years in business, rest assured that you are well cared for.

Gabriella’s Nursery