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NJIB’s
FEB. 2019 Honoring My Wife’s Tremendous Courage on Our Path to Parenthood LifestyleLedger To the Strongest Person I Know
boy. It’s not uncommon to hear a thud against a wall in our
My name, Michael, has a valiant meaning. The archangel by the same name was God’s protector, dutifully standing by his side. I’ve always taken this meaning to heart, so protecting and supporting my family has always been my top priority. Many people notice that the age difference between my eldest daughter, 7-year-old Lia Grace, and my eldest son, 3-year-old Jack, is a bit significant. Under other circumstances, four years might not seem like much of a gap. But when you consider that we had the twins, who are each nearly 1-year-old now, after having Jack, it’s a unique spread. For my wife, Lisa, and I, those four years between Lia Grace and Jack were some of the most trying times of our lives. Physically, for me, it was nothing. But for Lisa, it was a grueling four years in which she had multiple miscarriages, in vitro fertilization, and intravaginal insemination treatments. Having to watch my wife struggle through the emotional and physical pain of trying to have another child and knowing I couldn’t do anything to help was heartbreaking. It was a period of learning to live through difficulty, and while we had a wonderful support system to lean on, our ability to rely on each other truly helped us through. During this period, I constantly worried that I would do or say the wrong thing. I wanted to be there to support Lisa, and I wanted to see my family grow. But as a man, there’s only so much you can do or say. There’s only so much I know and can relate to. But Lisa made me feel important and worthwhile. She knew being able to protect her was important to me, and she made me feel valued. In hindsight, I know I did all I could to support her.
home and subsequently hear Jack’s voice echo out, “I’m okay!” He’s added joy to our lives, and Lia Grace has taken to the role of big sister wonderfully. When Jack was becoming a toddler, my strong, courageous wife asked me if I’d be willing to have another kid. Our two children were the greatest accomplishments of our lives, and I knew I would love to add more. But I told Lisa I couldn’t make her go through those four years of pain all over again. We decided to leave it in God’s hands instead. You all know how this story goes. Lisa soon ended up pregnant again, and to our surprise, it was with twins! Michael and Michele arrived nearly one year ago, and they’ve been the perfect addition to our growing family. Michael is still wearing his helmet to help shape his head, and Michele had to wear one for a short while, too. However, they’re both happy, healthy babies, and our two older kids have been so supportive of their mother. Watching each of them grow into a little person has been a fascinating experience. But I cannot say enough about the strength and willpower of my wife. Lisa is the definition of a supermom. Even our neighbors say so as they watch her strolling down our apartment complex hallways with two babies in seats and a 7- and 3-year-old in tow. So, to the woman who battled through every obstacle in our way to parenthood, showed tremendous resilience, and continually makes our family stronger, thank you for making me the happiest, luckiest man.
–Dr. Michael Russo
Then, three years ago, we had our miracle baby, Jack. He’s been a phenomenal light and has grown into a hilarious, rambunctious little
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Our Dedicated Patient Care Coordinator! Meet AJ Santana!
“I love them all,” AJ says about working with patients. “Everyone is so different. You get to interact with so many people.”
As we began our transition to NJIB and our Bayonne clinic, we knew there was one employee our new operation and our patients needed: AJ Santana.
When he isn’t in the clinic learning and helping
AJ has been with NJIB since the spring of 2016, beginning his career in physical therapy and exercise science as an intern after graduating from Rutgers University. He transitioned into a rehabilitation technician position at NJIB shortly after his internship, and most recently, he has become our patient care coordinator. It’s a role that’s perfect for AJ, who has always been motivated by the transformations he sees in patients. He remembers a particular patient who came in for his first appointment standing no taller than 5 feet, four inches and using a walker. As AJ recalls, by the end of his treatment, this patient was standing tall and towering over the 5-foot-6-inch AJ. “For a lot of the patients, you can see the physical difference in how you’re helping them,”AJ says.“When someone comes in with back pain, there are notable changes you can see after working with them for even a few weeks. They verbally tell you, ‘Oh yeah, I don’t feel pain at all. I feel stronger.’” As he progresses in his career, AJ is hoping to continue his education and become a physical therapist. He has dreams of one day owning his own practice, and he says he’s grateful for the assistance and education he’s gaining while working with NJIB, our rehabilitation experts, and our patients.
patients, you can find AJ at the gym or playing video games. He’s been working hard in his new role, and he’s excited to see what the new clinic can offer patients. “I’m hoping we get so full we don’t know what to do,” AJ says.
We’re proud to have AJ on our team, and we can’t wait to see
how he continues to help patients. To see how AJ can get you set up in a restorative program designed just for you, call NJIB at 201-339-1109.
Why You Should Exercise With Your Significant Other Couples Who Sweat Together Stay Together
Each Valentine’s Day, people all over the world rush to the store to
Play Catch! Grab a medicine ball and do some overhead passes, feet-to-feet situp passes, and back-to-back twists with each other. All of these easy at-home workouts help build a solid core. Go for a Run! If the weather is nice, the two of you can lace up and hit the pavement together. You could even make a couples playlist to listen to as you run. If the cold temperatures are preventing you from enjoying the great outdoors, head to the gym and challenge each other on side-by-side treadmills. Try Some Rock Climbing! This is a great way to get a good workout while simultaneously building trust with your partner. Most rock-climbing gyms offer classes in belaying, and staff members can give you tips to improve your form. Sign up to work with an instructor and test your personal limits together.
buy chocolates and all the ingredients necessary to whip up a romantic dinner for two. Unfortunately, these calorie-laden
holiday traditions can undermine the fitness resolutions you made just six weeks before. Instead of throwing your goals by the wayside this February, why not make fitness a couples activity? The National Library of Medicine published a study showing that couples who focused on their health together went to the gym more often and reported feeling more connected in their relationship. These findings were corroborated by a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Scientists claimed that partners who exercised together reported higher levels of happiness and satisfaction in their relationship. If you and your sweetheart are looking for a romantic way to burn some calories this month, here are some great workout ideas for two.
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How Functional Medicine Promotes a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Defusing the Bomb
reiki, massage therapy, and acupuncture have been shown to reduce inflammation and stress — two commonalities among patients with heart disease. Stress can send your blood pressure skyrocketing, and inflammation can affect your heart’s arteries, blocking them from doing their very important job of keeping your heart pumping and you alive.
As flourishes of candy hearts fill store shelves this February, take a few minutes to remember the anatomical heart beating in your chest. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiovascular disease is the cause of 1 in 4 deaths in the U.S., and it’s the main cause of death for men and women. However, patients may not know that functional medicine can play a pivotal role in helping them prevent heart disease. Find out how below!
Monitor Your Progress
Get Healthy
Checkups with your functional medicine provider will give you a regular update on your heart. For example, if you start a fitness and nutritional
program at NJIB, you’ll come in for regular checkups and programs, which will track your progress and provide you with additional information to help you succeed. Additionally, since our professionals are continually checking in on your health, we can act as a safety net to make sure any obvious symptoms of your heart in distress are noticed.
You’ve been hearing this advice from medical professionals for decades, but a functional medicine nutrition plan can help you live accordingly. A diet focused on fish and lean proteins; colorful fruits and vegetables;
and whole grains provides your body with a variety of vitamins and minerals geared toward promoting and stimulating a steady flow from your heart to the rest of your body. Pair that diet with regular exercise and put out that cigarette, and you’ve got a lifestyle fit for a healthy heart.
This February, make a commitment to your heart. See how NJIB can help you create nutritional, fitness, and treatment plans for your heart by visiting NJIB.org.
Consider Functional Treatments
Once you’ve got your lifestyle down pat, give your heart the maintenance tools it needs. Functional medicine treatments like
Inspired by Food & Wine magazine.
HAVE A LAUGH!
Valentine’s Day Cookie Cards
Ingredients
•
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
•
2 large egg yolks
•
3/4 cup sugar
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2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
•
1/4 teaspoon salt
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Royal icing, sprinkles, and edible markers, for decorating
•
2 sticks unsalted butter, cold and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Directions
1. Heat oven to 375 F. 2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour with sugar and salt. Add butter and combine using a mixer at low speed, until butter breaks down into small, crumbly pieces. Increase mixing speed to medium andmix until butter and flour clump. 3. Add egg yolks and vanilla extract to bowl, returnmixer to low, andmix until dough congeals. 4. Carefully roll dough into a sheet 1/16-inch thick and cut into 4x6-inch cards. 5. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, bake cookie cards for 6 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. 6. Let cookies cool completely, decorate, and distribute.
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INSIDE This Issue
To My Wife, Lisa
Get to Know AJ Santana
Couples Who Sweat Together Stay Together
Heart Health Through Functional Medicine
Valentine’s Day Cookie Cards
3 Myths About Our Favorite Furry Meteorologist
3 Myths About Our Favorite Furry Meteorologist What Do You Really Know About Groundhog Day?
Myth 3: Phil is the only famous rodent.
Despite the fact that most, if not all, meteorologists place little value on a furry marmot’s ability to predict an early spring, the annual tradition of Groundhog Day is still one that millions of people love to celebrate. Because it is based more on folkloric legend than scientific evidence, Groundhog Day is associated with shams and spoofs of varying degrees. There are many myths regarding the tradition as well as the famous Punxsutawney Phil himself.
While Phil is probably the most well-known ground-dwelling meteorologist, he is not the only groundhog with weather predicting abilities. For example, General Beauregard Lee is the weather predictor for the city of Lilburn, Georgia. Staten Island Chuck takes care of the New York territory, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania,
Myth 1: The predictions are accurate.
has three groundhogs of its own, which is probably due to its rich Pennsylvania Dutch history. Canada has even started a Groundhog Day tradition with Shubenacadie Sam in Nova Scotia and Balzac Billy in Alberta. Even though Groundhog Day is a holiday based on many myths, it still provides a great time for event-goers all across the world. You might not be able to fully trust Phil’s predictions, but the superstition and mystique associated with this unique and festive day make it one you shouldn’t skip out on.
Many event-goers put a lot of faith in Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions. Unfortunately, he is more likely to be wrong than right. According to studies based on Phil’s predictions and the weather patterns that follow, it seems Phil’s predictions receive an accuracy rate of only 39 percent.
Myth 2: Groundhog Day is harmless.
Much like humans, most groundhogs don’t like being suddenly jostled out of their sleep. Their frustration often leads to them biting their handlers. For this reason, the handlers usually wear heavy gloves to protect themselves. However, that isn’t always enough of a precaution to ensure everyone’s safety. In 2009, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was bitten through his glove, and subsequent Mayor Bill de Blasio dropped his groundhog in 2014.
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