Hospice Home Becoming a Reality

As Entertainment Chairperson for the annual Hospice Gala, I would like to mention an ambitious project underway at United Hospice of Rockland – the Joe Raso Hospice Home! Read on for more information about this amazing and essential home.

Since 1988, United Hospice of Rockland has cared for thousands of our neighbors in Rockland and lower Orange Counties, providing the essential care and services that enable those who are seriously ill to remain in their own homes, and offering them comfort, dignity and control over the important decisions that impact their end-of-life care.

In recent years, a large and growing number of people who would benefit from United Hospice of Rockland’s care and services have not been able to do so. There are those who live alone, with no support system in place to complement Hospice’s program of care, live with an elderly or infirmed partner whose own condition prevents them from being able to provide adequate care or support, come from institutional settings or return from having spent time outside the community, who have no home to which they can return, or have families who are fearful of caring for their loved ones at home during their final phases of life.

United Hospice of Rockland’s answer to this considerable gap in services is to build a Hospice Home.  The Home will offer a residential environment, together with the full complement of Hospice’s comfort-oriented care and services including expert pain and symptom management, nursing care, assistance with the tasks of daily living, friendly visiting by volunteers, spiritual and psycho-social counseling for patients and their loved ones, and bereavement counseling and support groups for surviving family members.

The Hospice Home, consisting of approximately 10,000 square feet, will be situated on 11 beautiful acres in New City, amidst a peaceful setting of streams, woodlands, wildlife, and a pond. We anticipate serving 70-93 patients a year. The residence will be as home-like as possible.

The Hospice Home is the most ambitious undertaking in our 21 year history, and its success depends on the endorsement and support of the community we serve. Through a successful partnership between our community and our Board and staff, United Hospice of Rockland will be able to build the Home, adding this important and much-needed component to the programs and services Hospice offers for our patients and their families.

Help Hospice out by contributing to our wish list: Currently we are looking for materials for building, decorating, furnishing, equipping and landscaping our new Hospice home. For more information about investing in the Hospice Home, please contact Lanie Etkind, Director of Development at letkind@hospiceofrockland.org or 845-634-4974.

Love My Stainless Steel Water Bottle!

Whether it’s for the health of the environment, the health of your body or the health of your wallet switching from plastic disposable water bottles to re-usable stainless steel bottles is the way to go.

At first I thought I was going to have a problem replacing the convenience of little .5 liter bottles of water sold in 24 packs. They were portable with a nice screw on top to prevent leaks and fit nicely in a cooler. It always nagged me a little thinking about how many of these bottles my family of 4 went through in a week so I got a few plastic re-usable bottles. I filled them with ice and water. They leaked and sweat so much that I had to wrap the bottles in paper towels to absorb the moisture that they sweat out or I would have a puddle on my desk! We only used them occasionally and stuck with the disposable ones until the State of New York decided to add a five cent bottle deposit to all water bottles under a gallon. Well now, Albany already sees enough of my hard earned cash and I was in no rush to give them more. So I began to search in earnest for the perfect water bottle.

What I found was a company called Pure-Hydration (pure-hydration.com). They make insulated stainless steel water bottles. They claim that the bottles will not leak, even if upside down, and will not sweat. After much emailing between myself and a company representative, I decided to give it a try. I bought 4-25oz bottles and used them as stocking stuffers at $27.99 a piece. They also have a 17oz bottle for $24.99 and a 12oz for $17.99 (prices quoted from Amazon.com).

Here’s what I found:

• Double wall construction for MAXIMUM temperature retention.
• Stainless Steel Interior & Exterior.
• Polypropylene Spout, made from BPA free material, that is non-leaching and non-toxic.
• Wide mouth accommodates even the largest ice cubes, and is easy to clean.
• 2 internal screens. One to reduce blockage created by ice, and the other to strain loose and herbal tea.
• Outside of bottle remains at room temperature despite the temperature of its contents.
• No inner liner, so water tastes like water.
• Ergonomic shape makes bottle easy to hold.
• Convenient carrying handle.
• Reusable, recyclable, reduces landfill waste. 

Most importantly for me was the bottles did not leak and did not sweat. Being insulated was an added bonus and one that I’ve come to appreciate. Living in the Hudson Valley means terribly hot and humid summers. I can spend the day running errands leaving the bottle in the hot car and have a nice cool drink every time I got back in. No need to buy a cold drink at every other stop.

Don’t even bother buying a cheaper bottle. You will be unhappy and will end up buying one of these anyway!

Something Very Special Happened Last Night…

SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL HAPPENED LAST NIGHT…..I FELT GREAT, as I bundled up about to depart the Hot Nyack Yoga studio….Was it an aberration? A momentary phenomenon?  No…could it be the cumulative effect of about five or six weeks of visiting the hot yoga studio,,,, maybe?  And not every night mind you, perhaps a few times a week. I’ve experienced their various types of yoga (Hatha, Bikram, Vinyasa and Forrest) with little or no expectations but with an open mind and a strong willingness to try my best.  In the very beginning, I went through the motions (poses) at times feeling lost, few times as a pretzel want-to-be and other times, as teetering idiot, yet, there were no times when I felt any of the instructors (followers, believers, amazing people, I’ll call them) sharing my embarrassment or guilt, as an underachiever you see, -it isn’t about that at all.  I’m reminded of having gone to an awesome restaurant and having an exceptional dinner, only to be served by a less than compassionate waiter – the dining experience loses a lot.

Here at Hot Yoga of Nyack the opposite happens.  This IS an exceptional staff, not only because of their individual expertise but because their enthusiasm and support, bridges the gap between the “experience” and “getting it”…get it?  It is a practice that perhaps never gets truly mastered, however, these instructors never make you feel less than a ‘trying master’.  The teachers that I have experienced thus far seem to me to be exceptional, yet with some subtle differences and emphasis in the blending of the spiritual with the physical.  For this writing, I would be remiss if I didn’t in particular point out one such instructor, that being Erica Mather (Director of Forrest Yoga).  Last night, as every night, she is the epitome of that perfect blend of mind, body and spirit and done so, withperfect grace, no exception.  Yes, I think they are all great, but it was in her class that I departed last night with that certain extra special feeling of well being.  I realize it is a cumulative effect of all my yoga visits but I do think she adds that unique mystique that is quite captivating – so thanks to her (et al) and thanks to yoga, that I still feel great this morning…..

Meet Erica at:  ericamather.com  or at: www.hotyogaofnyack.com

Editor Note: Every few weeks we will ask a novice yoga “pupil” to comment on their perception of the class they take.

LET YOUR RADIANT SPIRIT SHINE

Skyelight Healing Arts Center is a great place for the young, middle aged and old to express themselves and feel part of a larger community. Skyelight offers a wealth of programs, classes, events and opportunities for enriching your life through creativity, self-growth and inner awareness. Skyelight recognizes the entire range of being and extends an invitation to reveal your AUTHENTICITY and be free. Skyelight extends the invitation to healers, practitioners, workshop guides, therapists, holistic professionals to bring their work to Skyelight and contribute your gifts. The center holds very interesting and fun classes such as: Family Laughter Club, Understanding the Spirit of Asian Medicine, Soul Collage (getting the artist out from within), Yoga, etc. The classes are quite reasonable in price as the core mission is really for the community to have an outlet from their busy and stressful lives. These days too many wonderful places shut their doors due to the word never getting out. Many would be so saddened if this happened for Skyelight.

 

For more information please visit or contact:

http://www.skyelighthealingarts.com/

Skyelight Healing Arts
117 Depew Avenue
Nyack, NY 10960
917-273-4046

Dawn/Owner: dawn@skyelighthealingarts.com

Palisades Indoor Farmers Market

Looking for a farmers market in the middle of the winter can be tough. Never fear! The Rockland indoor farmers market will open Saturday, February 6^th from 9am until 1pm. The market will be open every Saturday from the 6^th until May 15^th 2010. The market is located at 675 Oak Tree Road Palisades, NY at the Palisades Community Center. The market will offer seasonal vegetables and fruits, along with meat, chicken, eggs, baked goods, wine, cheese, nuts, jam, bread, coffee and much more! All of the food will be supplied by regional farmers and vendors.

For more information please email community.center@palisadesny.com or visit www.palisadesny.com and go to the events page.

Delicious Holiday Food Recipes!

Looking for new and exciting Holiday food recipes? Here’s a mouth-watering selection of side dishes, and desserts to enjoy on Thanksgiving. Also, we’ve included some ideas for what to do with all of your leftovers after turkey day!

Side Dish – Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Acorn Squash: 

2 acorn squash, halved and seeded 1/2 cup water, divided 1-1/2 cups chopped red tomato, 1/4 cup finely chopped sweet white onion, 2 T. chopped fresh sage or 1/2 tsp. dried sage, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/8 tsp. pepper, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Preparation
In a greased, shallow baking dish, place the squash halves cut side up. Pour 1/4 cup water in the bottom of the pan. Mix the chopped tomatoes and chopped onions together. Add the sage, salt and pepper and mix well. Divide the mixture in half. Spoon one half of the mixture into the squash, divided evenly among the 4 halves. Spoon half of the cheddar cheese into the squash, over the tomato, evenly dividing 1/2 cup of the cheese among the 4 halves. Spoon the remaining tomato mixture into the squash, over the cheese, divided evenly among the 4 halves. Spoon 1 tbs of water over each filled squash half. Loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 400° for about 1 hour or until the squash is tender. (Pierce the squash with a fork to check.) Divide the remaining shredded cheese in 4 portions and sprinkle it on top of the baked, stuffed squash halves. Bake for 5 more minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Dessert: Pumpkin Cake

2 cups white sugar, 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract , 2 cups canned pumpkin, 4 eggs , 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 12×18 inch pan. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.

In a large bowl combine sugar and oil. Blend in vanilla and pumpkin, then beat in eggs one at a time. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in nuts. Spread batter into prepared 12×18 inch pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

Leftovers: Turkey Casserole

3 cups Honeysuckle White Whole Turkey, cooked, cubed, 1 package frozen mixed vegetables, 1 (10 1/2-ounce) can cream of chicken soup, 1 (10 1/2-ounce) can cream of celery soup, 1 (10-count) can refrigerator biscuits

Preparation

Combine both cans of soup in a bowl with one can of water. Thaw the vegetables in the microwave. Place the turkey in a casserole pan with half of the soup mixture. Add the vegetable mixture and cover with the remaining soup mixture. Bake at 350°F until hot and bubbly. Place the individual biscuits on top of the casserole and bake until the biscuits are done.

Enjoy!

Pictures and recipes from allrecipes.com

Horseback Ride in the Winter At Ramapo Equestrian Center!

Ramapo Equestrian Center is located in Suffern, NY. The riding center is one of the most versatile in the country. It offers hunter/jumper training, dressage training, western lessons, and pony rides – just to name a few. It also has an Olympic-sized indoor arena, top-level training in every discipline, and horses to suit all types of riders. 

Whether you are looking to compete and win at West Palm Beach, hope to take your beginner riding skills to the next level, or just want to treat your child to a fun pony ride, the center is a great place to begin your journey!

One of the main attractions is the Winter Camp will be offered Dec 21st to Dec 23rd and Dec 27th or Dec 31st. A full week will cost $500 and a half week will cost $300. So if you are looking for a budget friendly lesson, Ramapo Equestrian Center is definitely the place to go!

For More Information:

Ramapo Equestrian Center 1152 Haverstraw Rd (Route 202) Suffern, NY 10901 Phone: 845.354.7669 E-Mail: ramapo.equestrian@me.com

Hot Yoga Of Nyack

“Hot Yoga of Nyack in Nyack NY. is a unique place where we embrace the healing power of breath and cultivate strength, flexibility and integrity through yoga postures. Our inspiration comes from teachers such as Baron Baptiste, Shiva Rea, Dharma Mittra, Duncan Wong, and Ana Forrest who have influenced our teaching. Most importantly, our inspiration comes from deep within ourselves as we strive to find our “inner voice”. We realize that different people need different things. It is for that reason also teach Hot Power Vinyasa for a more energetic session, Hot 26 (Bikram style) for those who enjoy a structured flowing approach to their yoga practice and last, but certainly not least, the gently relaxing Hatha Yin Yoga.”

At Hot Yoga Of Nyack we offer two types of HOT YOGA. Bikram-style (Hot 26) is a challenging series of 26 poses and 2 breathing exercises practiced in a heated room, slightly warmer than your body temperature. The heat allows your body to stretch more deeply and safely, increases circulation to facilitate the body’s natural ability to heal, boosts your metabolism and detoxifies the body. The series is designed so that each posture stretches and strengthens specific muscles, ligaments and joints needed for the posture. This systematically stimulates the organs, glands, and nervous system moving freshly oxygenated blood to 100% of the body.

Secondly, we also offer Hot Power Vinyasa classes, energetic and freesyle Vinyasa made popular in part by Baron Baptiste. These vigorous and flowing classes heal, detoxify and electrify the body and mind to their deepest levels. Both the Bikram and Vinyasa series builds stamina, strength and balance working your entire body inside out from your bones to skin and your skin to your bones.

Practicing Hot Yoga will regenerate your skills of concentration, patience and determination leading to self-control and increased physical stength and mental clarity-reducing your day to day stress and bringing you closer to your true self.

HOT YOGA is preventative health care. Being “in shape” doesn’t only mean having toned muscles and being able to run a few miles; being “in shape” means that every system, gland, organ, joint, tendon, ligament and cell of the body are optimized. In one HOT YOGA class, you will sweat, smile, focus, de-stress, detoxify and do more for your mind, body, health, spirit and self image than with any other form of exercise.”

Visit them on facebook: Hot Yoga of Nyack!

Tara Korn:  Teaches hot yoga classes in Nyack. Visit her website for her yoga class schedule and much more at http://www.tarakorn.com/

Blue Carpet Costume Bash & Halloween Safety Tips!

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31st -  The Black Bear Saloon will be throwing a Hallween Costume Bash sponsored by Metromix. There will be a full bar and admission is free! Dress up in the best costume and show it off while you walk down the Blue Carpet! Don’t forget to say trick-or treat! There will be plenty of candy to give away and a sweet prize for the winner of the contest. If you have Halloween spirit and a great costume idea, be sure to stop by the Black Bear Saloon in Nyack on Main Street! Who said you’re too old to trick-or-treat on Halloween?!

Halloween Safety Tips:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives.  Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.
• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
• If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
• Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or Treaters:
• Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
• Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Never cut across yards or use alleys.
• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
• Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will!
• Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity

Hiking Breakneck Mountain

Last Saturday a friend asked me if I wanted to join him for a hike along the Hudson River.  I happily agreed, imagining meandering along trails that would allow me to enjoy beautiful views of our majestic waterway.

Well, most of that was true. The views were spectacular!  The weather was seasonably pleasant. And the trails were well marked.  What I didn’t know was that we would not meander.  We climbed….at times, straight up!  It seems that we ascended what is called Breakneck Mountain which is part of the Hudson Highlands, namely the Fishkill Mountains.  This mountain is part of a quarry which supplied rock to the area in the 1800’s.  While rock from Breakneck Mountain is no longer quarried, many nature lovers enjoy the sights and sport the mountain still provides.  I had no idea that I was going to be as challenged as I was.  It’s not called “break neck” for nothing.  What a treacherous climb, that involved using all fours as well as knees and butt to maneuver the rocky crevices and surfaces!  Challenge was the word for it.  And I, for one, was up for it and would do it again.  I never once felt frightened, except when I took a more difficult path instead of the obvious one…one of life’s metaphors, I guess. Once at the top, the effort was well worth it.  One can see the Hudson River Valley for miles north and south.  Directly across was breathtaking Storm King and in the distance were many ranges of which I can’t begin to know the names.  It’s a wonderful adventure for anyone who wants an exciting, exhilarating, autumn afternoon of exploration of our area. It’s appropriate to pay homage to this vast waterway that is such a party of our country’s history as we celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of Henry Hudson claiming the area for the Dutch and the one hundred and second anniversary of the voyage of the Clermont, Samuel Fulton’s steamboat, which significantly changed commercial riverboat travel from then on.

 

Dare to hike Breakneck Mountain.

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