Commack September 2023
Breakfast for Dinner
On busy school nights bring the family together with breakfast for dinner.
Despite busy lives and full schedules, finding time for regular meals with loved ones encourages connections and conversations that can benefit mental and physical well-being.
Meals don’t have to be elaborate for a successful evening together. Despite the perceived effort involved with preparing a meal, research published in “Preventive Medicine” shows those who have frequent meals with others, particularly parents with their children, may improve social and emotional well-being. In addition to the mental and emotional benefits of meals with loved ones, eating together can also encourage healthier choices when better-for-you recipes are on the menu. Dining as a group can provide inspiration to try heart-healthy recipes that include the wide variety of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and healthy protein sources recommended by the American Heart Association to help prevent heart disease and stroke. To find recipe ideas, conversation starters and more tips for mealtime, visit heart.org/together
HUEVOS RANCHEROS ~ Serves 4
SALSA :
- 1teaspoon canola oil
- 1/2cup diced yellow onion
- 1/2cup diced poblano pepper, seeds and ribs discarded
- 1 small fresh jalapeño pepper, seeds and ribs discarded, minced
- 1 1/2teaspoons minced garlic
- 1can (14 1/2 ounces) no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
- 2tablespoons water 1/4teaspoon salt
HUEVOS RANCHEROS :
- 1teaspoon canola oil
- 4large eggs
- 4corn tortillas (6 inches), warm
- 1can (15 1/2 ounces) no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/4cup shredded low-fat Mexican cheese blend
- 1small avocado, quartered and sliced
- 2tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- 1medium lime, cut into four wedges (optional)
To make SALSA : In medium saucepan over medium heat, heat oil, swirling to coat bottom. Cook onion 2 minutes, or until almost soft, stirring frequently. Cook poblano and jalapeño peppers 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in garlic. Cook 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, water and salt. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover to keep warm.
To make HUEVOS RANCHEROS : In medium nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat oil, swirling to coat bottom. Cook eggs 3-4 minutes, or until whites are set and edges are fully cooked.
Place one tortilla on each plate. Top each tortilla with beans and one egg, being careful not to break yolk. Gently top each egg with warm salsa, cheese and avocado slices. Sprinkle each serving with cilantro and serve with lime wedge, if desired. (Family Features)
Starting the School Year in Style
Back-to-school fashion has, for the past two years, been hyper-focused on comfort. With the pandemic largely behind us, designers have provided more options for style, while incorporating some of the comfort that still lingers from remote learning.
2023 has been a year of renewed social activity. For this reason, athleisure has taken a bit of a back seat in this year’s school fashion trends. There will be plenty of denim including overalls, jeans, and a must-have denim button down shirt. Fashion yoga pants, big cut pants, and Bermuda shorts are very popular for the fall, paired with cut off or small shirts (with the pants) as well as open cardigans and button-down shirts (with the Bermudas).
Both the 80s and 90s are sending their vibes our way this season. Bold mix-and-match patterns and prints harken back to the 80s as does the season’s color palette of vibrant colors – deep purples and reds, bright greens and pinks, and extreme yellows and oranges. Blazers and ties for girls are another trend we haven’t seen since the Material Girl was the queen of the airways. Hints of grunge in the season’s designs are a veritable homage to the 90s. All the denim your child may want while shopping can be paired with a vintage T-shirt, ideally with a rock band or television show from days gone by. And of, course, the extra oversized hoodie sweatshirt, has returned as the timeless favorite among boys and girls alike.
Sweaters are exceedingly popular this year. You will find open, chunky cardigans, preppy knits, and pullovers with a design-nod to the communities in the far north of the nation. Sweaters will keep your little ones warm and will make it easy to make the most of the multi-layer look that is expected to be a top trend. Not a big fan of sweaters? No worries, faux leather jackets are a sustainable fashion favorite this season and can go over any outfit.
Gender neutral designs have taken another giant step forward in popularity this year.
From denim, to oversized sweaters, to athleisure that provides the comfort we all still crave; you will find clothes that aren’t solely aligned with either gender.
Footwear fashions include lots of stylish sneakers paired with everything from jeans to slip dresses. High top, low cut, dressy or for sports, the offerings this season are seemingly endless. Stylish boots to fit every taste are available for both school and dresswear. Mary Janes with chunky heels are a great option for running up and down the school halls, as are some of the athletic shoes (not a true sneaker) that offer both form and fashion.
The return to “back to normal” means back-to-school shopping has more to offer. Our children have more places to go and things to do – both in school and out. Their fashion choices will abound with options for every occasion.
Happy shopping!
Apple Brownies
Prep time: 30 minutes~Yield: 16
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED :
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted melted butter or canola oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 to 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large apple – peeled, cored, and diced
HERE IS HOW YOU DO IT :
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 x 8 square pan or 9 inch round pan with cooking spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine sugar, butter, and eggs; mix well. Add dry ingredients and apple, pour mixture into prepared pan, and bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before cutting brownies with a plastic knife into 2-inch squares.
Being Well with a Busy Schedule
As the summer creeps towards the end, there comes a natural shift to our schedules. Kids go back to school, traffic becomes congested, and the pull to get more organized becomes more like a yank. It’s easy to get caught up in a busy schedule, abandoning your wellbeing as you fit in every appointment and play date, but we know there’s a way to keep your wellness as a non-negotiable.
“I’ve been in the wellness world for 11 years now, and every year I see the same trend,” says Charlotte. “Late summer is when studios and gyms are empty, then September rolls around and there are barely any parking spots! Then attendance begins to trickle down in mid-October, when people start to feel the burnout of juggling too much.”
It is an unfortunate fact that wellness is often the first thing to go when schedules get busy. There’s a tendency to skip workouts, grab quick meals, and allow stress to run high when the to-do list gets long. “Wellness doesn’t have to be overwhelming,” offers Leslie, “it can be as simple as starting the day with a deep breath and five minutes of stretching while your coffee brews.”
“People get stuck in this all-or-nothing mindset,” Charlotte chimes in. “If they can’t fit in an hour-long yoga class, they might as well give up on moving their body all together.”
Carving out time for wellness, no matter how small, subconsciously solidifies the fact that your wellbeing is non-negotiable. Making a habit of prioritizing your wellbeing decreases the likelihood of experiencing the burnout that stops you from being well in the first place.
Try this :
- Grab a piece of paper and make seven columns. Title them the days of the week. Make four rows beneath each column. Title them “Mental, Physical, Spiritual, and Social.”
- Choose at least 1 pillar of wellness that you can commit to for each day. The key here is to not take on too much!
“The cool thing is that there are so many opportunities to combine these pillars of wellness,” says Charlotte, “going to a yoga class with a friend checks all 4 of the pillars. Talking about your feelings with a loved one on a walk checks 3 of them.”
“Wellness doesn’t have to be hard,” says Leslie, “it just has to be intentional.” If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that these small steps added together make a big impact. Taking time for yourself during busy seasons keeps your body, mind, and spirit healthy. At Breathe Strength Studio, every class prioritizes the Four Pillars of Sustainable Wellness. If you’re interested in support in this area, check out the schedule at breathestrengthwellness.com.
Grandparents : Forging a Lifelong Bond
Nothing puts a smile on my face like looking at pictures of, or being with, my two grandchildren. I believe that spending time with them boosts serotonin not only for me, but for them as well. In fact, my grandson is named after my father as a tribute to my son’s solid relationship with him.
A Harris Poll Research shows that at least 42% of grandmothers care for their grandchildren. In fact, Newsday’s cover of the July 31st issue touted, “When Child Care Costs as Much as College” emphasizing the fact that it is getting increasingly difficult for Long Islanders to pay for childcare, so many of them rely on their parents.
Yet there is an upside in that grandparents are getting to know their grandchildren on many levels. “One in ten live in the same households as their grandchildren and babysit, and 5% of grandparents provide their grandchildren’s primary care,” (AARP Survey, 2019). Bonds between children and grandparents are strengthening as a result. Although there may be intergenerational differences on raising children, input from grandparents can be quite invaluable. A friend of mine said that in caring for her grandchildren, “You’re keeping your family history alive.” My maternal grandparents lived their entire lives in Germany, and I was fortunate to be able to visit with them most summers for three weeks at a time. With them, I formed a special bond that is unparalleled by any other relationship in my life. They taught me to be self-sufficient, proud of my accomplishments, the importance of family, and that money does not buy love. They lived a modest life in an un-airconditioned railroad apartment: no tub, shower, or running hot water. Yet they were content, unspoiled, a lesson I learned from them first-hand.
Today I try not to spoil my grandchildren too much with material things. Although they live in another state, when I am with them, I would much rather take them to parks and playgrounds, give them experiences, than buy them things to remember me by. My son and daughter-in-law are teaching them to value relationships with family and friends and to not be afraid to go out and explore the world. Through bi-monthly visits and FaceTime, we are forging what I envision will be a strong, lifelong bond.
So, cheers to our all caregiving and loving grandparents and to those of us who are blessed to be grandparents.
Happy Grandparent’s Day!
Farm Fresh Food for the Fall
As we head into September, we are winding down the summer fun and looking ahead to the fall. Some of us home gardeners are reaping the bounties of a great summer harvest while others are wondering how it all went so wrong. If you are the latter, don’t worry! Your growing season is not over yet.
In our region, September is a great time to plant arugula, bok choy, kale, spinach and even radishes. Crops may take longer than they do in the spring, so be patient and allow extra time for growth. To further plan ahead, October is the perfect time to plant garlic for the following year. Be sure to purchase those bulbs early and prep the garlic’s location. Garlic likes full sun, good drainage, and soil that has been amended with lots of organic matter. I would recommend adding fresh compost before planting. In New York, Hardneck garlic grows best and provides the most delicious garlic scapes in the spring. The scapes need to be removed when they are tender so the garlic bulbs can continue to grow in size.
The fall is also a great time to consider planning your spring garden flowers. Some of the most popular plantings are tulips, crocuses, daffodils, alliums, and lilies. Be sure to get these in the ground before your last frost date. Use the Farmer’s Almanac to confirm your locations last frost.
Another key aspect to think about in the fall is your soil quality and regeneration over the winter. Planting cover crops to regenerate the soil and bring back nutrients is a popular way to do so. Last year I planted a Winter Rye Cover Crop in part of my garden and used the leaves from my yard in my raised beds. To have a successful and tasty growing season, it’s all about the soil quality.
If you are not growing your own food and are still looking to take advantage of locally-grown food here on Long Island, be sure to check out your local farm stands, farmers markets, and sign up for a CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture). For the past three years, I have had a CSA delivery through Zilnicki Farms in Riverhead. I receive delivery right to my front door, which is available weekly and is fully customizable. You can even skip weeks if needed. There is nothing better than knowing where your food comes from and supporting our local community.
Whatever your plans for the fall may be, enjoy the last of the homegrown harvest, continue to take advantage of locally-grown food, and relish in the outdoor activities that are still available here on Long Island.
ET in the Kitchen with Chef Mario Maligieri of Gusto Osteria
Chef Mario Maligieri of Gusto Osteria
Chef Mario Maligieri got his start in the kitchen at an early age. His father was a chef in Naples, Italy, and Mario, along with his brothers, followed in their father’s footsteps. Since migrating to the states in 1980, Mario has worked in a number of renowned kitchens, leading him to Hauppauge’s own Gusto Osteria.
Chef Mario crafted Gusto Osteria’s menu around providing guests with authentic Italian cuisine. He is a firm believer in using only fresh ingredients, telling ET that you won’t even find a can-opener in his kitchen. When asked what his favorite part about being in the kitchen is, Mario said it’s the passion – it’s hard work, but he loves doing it.
Book your reservation at Gusto Osteria Wine Bar in Hauppauge to enjoy a glass of wine with Chef Mario’s delicious creations!
RIGATONI NORMA ~ Serves 4-6
INGREDIENTS :
- 1 ½ pounds eggplant
- Olive oil as needed (at least ½ cup)
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 3-4 dried chiles
- 1 ½ pounds tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano
- 1 pound long pasta
- ½ cup chopped basil
- ½ cup grated ricotta salata
METHOD :
Cut eggplant into slices about ½ inch thick. Cook in abundant olive oil, without crowding, sprinkling with salt and adding more oil as needed. You will undoubtedly have to cook in batches; take your time and cook until the eggplant is nicely browned and soft. Remove to a plate.
When the eggplant is just about done, the pan will ideally have a couple of tablespoons of oil left. Drain some off or add as needed. Turn the heat to medium, add the garlic and chiles, and cook until the garlic colors a little bit. Add the tomatoes and oregano, along with some salt and pepper.
Cook the pasta until tender, but not mushy. While the pasta is cooking, cut the eggplant into strips and reheat for a minute in the tomato sauce. Drain the pasta and toss it with the tomato sauce and eggplant. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then top with parsley or basil and dry ricotta salata.
Teaching Children How To Share
“You need to give that to your brother!” “Sharing is caring!”
“If you don’t share that, I’m taking it away.”
How many times have we said these things or heard them growing up? When it comes to sharing, parents tend to put a lot of pressure on their children and themselves.
Imagine you’re almost finished working on an assignment. Your boss comes over, snatches your laptop and tells you to share with your college. You would probably throw a fit. You may even want to quit for the day and go home. As unreasonable as this scenario seems, so is the expectation for young children to share.
There are big emotions that come with others wanting that which we wish to keep close. What most people don’t know is that sharing isn’t developmentally appropriate until the age of four. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that children under three can’t comprehend the concept of sharing on their own. Mastering it requires a lot of time, practice and adult support. Even after years of practice and modeling, it’s extremely difficult.
What NOT to do :
The word “sharing” itself doesn’t mean much to a child. Use words that relate to what is actually happening. For example, if using the slide: “you go down the slide, then he goes down the slide. Then, you go and he goes.”
Do not threaten your child with punishment for not sharing. We can explain that we should take turns and encourage giving up the object. This still does not mean that a child will take turns.
If a child has a toy, do not take it from him. Sharing should come from an intrinsic desire to give, not being forced or shamed into it. Forced sharing may achieve the opposite effect and make a child more possessive. This could cause aggression and tantrums.
What CAN we do?
The first step is continually modeling sharing at home. Practice with a toy, saying “I’m going to take a turn with it and when I’m done, I will give you a turn. When you feel ready, give it back to me.” Later, apply this to social situations.
Allow your child to play with the object for as long as theylike. Point out that another child would like it, but do not stop your child from playing with it. While this may sound surprising, your child’s desire to use something doesn’t end because someone else would like it too. Stopping them from playing or enjoying themselves does not teach the concept. Toddlers are learning empathy and cannot put themselves in another person’s shoes. They may know another child wants their toy, but simply does not care. That is a cognitive skill developed later as well (age 4).
Offer alternatives if your child is the one waiting for a turn. Validate the child’s feelings. “It’s hard to wait for a turn with a toy. Let’s play with this yellow truck for now. Show me how the wheels spin.” Encourage your child to ask for a turn. If the other child says no, let your child know they’re not ready just yet.
Before a play date, ask if she has anything special she would like to put away. We all have things we like to keep just for ourselves, children are no different. We can also ask if there are toys we’d like to take out specifically to share with our friends. “Are there things you’d like to play with when Grace comes over?” “Mackenzie really loved painting last time, let’s get our paint set out!” It is also a good idea to select activities that don’t require sharing for very young children. Having multiples of things ( such as blocks or two sets of shovels) is ideal but not always practical.
Praise! Positive reinforcement is often the best form of “behavior modification.” When your child gives a piece of her snack to you, make it a big deal. Show gratitude and let her see that it is bringing you happiness. Associating a positive outcome with sharing will help aide in its development.
While we can help foster this skill, it is important to remember it will come in time. When children are ready, just as with every milestone, they will learn to share. Once they understand the concept, it will not automatically mean they hand over every toy when asked. There is a learning curve, lots of emotions and practice ahead!
Best of Food Trucks
ANONA BLENDS
Anona Blends just hit the 3 year mark last month and they’re hotter than ever! If you haven’t tried their protein smoothies and tacos you’re missing out. Anona is all about fresh, clean and healthy ingredients plus they have plenty of vegan and vegetarian options to choose from. My personal cravings are the graham cracker smoothie, the sweet corn taco and supreme taco! Follow their Instagram @anonablends for secret menu items and to check their location daily or call them for your next event at 631-831-1059.
FOR GOODNESS CAKES
Sisters Sam and Sydney live by their motto “bake the world a better place”. No matter your diet restrictions, they have you covered with plant based and vegan options. Some of my favorites are the rainbow cookie stuffed chocolate chip cookies, triple chocolate cookies and the birthday cake cannoli’s. Be sure to follow their Instagram @forgoodnesscakesco to see their daily location and menu.
VINCENT’S NEW YORK WOOD FIRED PIZZA
Some of the best Pizzas you will ever try are traveling on a truck. Their specialty pies are each named after different parts of New York, for example, The Brooklyn, The Suffolk, The East End, the list goes on. Different than the rest, they have the L.I.B.E.C … Long Island Bacon Egg and Cheese pizza with an everything but the bagel crust. Follow them on Instagram for their daily location @vincents_nywf_pizza or call them for your next party at 631-974-9558.
SHRIMPY’S BURRITO BAR
Anywhere you want, anytime you want, Shrimpys is ready for your party. From a range of different tacos like shrimp tacos, BLT tacos, honey dip tacos, to french fries, mozzarella sticks and fried Oreos, you can’t go wrong. They even offer different packages depending on your budget. Give them a call for your catering needs at 516-797-3299.
RUNNING EGG FOOD TRUCK
Looking to treat your office? The Running Egg Food Truck will come to any of your events to fuel your day with a BEC, breakfast burrito or French toast and of course coffee. Give them a call at 516-242-4093 for your next work event and follow their Instagram for their daily schedule @runningeggfoodtruck.
Random Acts of Kindness
When was the last time someone went out of their way to be kind to you? Better yet, when was the last time you did something kind without expecting anything in return?
Chances are, it’s probably something you rarely experience.
You can find countless definitions on random acts of kindness, but this is one that I feel fits best:
A random act of kindness is a non-premeditated, inconsistent action designed to offer kindness towards the outside world, without expecting anything in return.
I never knew what this meant until two years ago. It was a Monday morning and routinely I go to get my morning Joe at Starbucks.
As I pulled up to pay for my coffee and egg sandwich, the woman at the window gave me my order and said with a smile, “No charge today, sir, the car in front of you paid for your stuff!”
I exclaimed, “No way, why would they do that?” She smiled and said, “It’s called a random act of kindness.” Well, I can’t begin to tell you how good that made me feel. I saved $13.45 (LOL)! In all seriousness, it set my mood for the entire day. That somewhat selfless and thoughtful act made me begin to think.
I’ve always considered myself to be polite to others, but to me, this act of doing something out of left field was next level. So, I decided to begin doing it myself. Just about every week or so, as I roll through Starbucks, I pay it forward. If it made me feel that good, why not do the same for others?
As human beings, we need to be kinder, more considerate and do more things for others, even if it’s to a stranger. Just as it makes you feel good to be the recipient of someone’s kindness towards you, it feels equally gratifying to do the same for others.
If we were all more thoughtful, kinder and considerate of others, there would be a lot less hate in this world. I come from the age of the Lovin’ Era. You know, peace and love from the 60s. People were cooler and not so uptight. Those were good times.
Here are my top ten Acts of Kindness you can try the next time you are out and about.
- If the person behind you on line at the supermarket only has a hand full of items, let them go ahead of you.
- Pay for the person’s order on line at Starbucks that is directly behind you.
- Open a door for someone every chance you get.
- A simple “Good morning” to 3 strangers in your day.
- Leave a dollar or two in the tip jar at your local deli counter.
- Say “Thank you” far more than you have been.
- Send out a positive text message to a loved one, friend, coworker or customer.
- Go out of your way to tell the manager at a restaurant how great of a job your server did.
- If you got great service, leave a generous tip with a hand-written note.
- Smile more to every person you come in contact with.
I’ve learned throughout my life that what you put out is what you get back. Start giving more of yourself without expecting anything in return. Do it often enough and you will soon find yourself living in the abundance of all that life has to offer.
RJ Falcone Masonry and Landscapes Inc.
Call or Text 516.859.4505 ~ rjfalcone.com
Built On Quality & Integrity
RJ Falcone Masonry and Landscapes is your one-stop shop for outdoor living. As a family business, RJ Falcone provides a wide range of outdoor services, including pools, patios, firepits, outdoor kitchens, walkways and driveways, and more.
Owner Rich Jr. got his start working alongside his father at RJ Falcone Contracting, which he redirected to specialize in masonry in 2013. With a degree in construction management, Rich is on the scene at every job to oversee each project from start to finish. RJ Falcone works with a single crew of professionals, ensuring quality and consistency on every project, no matter how big or small.
As a full-service business, when you choose RJ Falcone for your outdoor makeovers, they are with you throughout the entire process, from outlining a budget, to a 3D rendering of a design, picking products, and of course, the installation. Don’t worry about permits, or hiring a separate plumber or electrician – they’ve got you covered there, too.
RJ Falcone’s business motto is “Built on quality and integrity.” When I asked Rich what that means to him, he said that he “treats every job like it’s his own.” It’s of utmost importance that homeowners know that they are in good hands in terms of quality of products and knowing that the work on their property is being done right, which is why Rich is on-site for every project.
His commitment to quality assurance and customer satisfaction shines through in RJ Falcone’s stellar testimonials. They maintain a perfect 5-star rating on Google, with many reviews coming from repeat customers. Others who state that they aren’t in the habit of posting online reviews go out of their way to share how pleased they are with their service. One reviewer says, “The quality of the work is second to none and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for any masonry work to be done. Highly professional. Competitive pricing. Great quality.”
Rich says that his favorite part of the job is taking a blank slate and turning it into a finished product that will be woven into family memories for years to come. The goal is to not simply remodel a patio, but to transform an outdoor space into a something worthy of a “staycation.” Headquartered right here in Commack, Rich looks forward to continuing to bring exceptional service to the local community and the excitement and diversity that each new project brings.
20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000.