The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Cover Stories

Dishing It Out: Tips for Family Mealtime Magic

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As a busy parent, there is absolutely no question more dreadful than: “What’s for dinner?” Unless you have an unlimited take-out budget and an undying love for cold pizza, this age-old question is guaranteed to be repeated every day. As a private chef, I’ve learned a thing or two over the years to help make this process easier, less stressful and hopefully (dare I say…) even a little bit fun. My Instagram feed @TheBalaboostaChef is always posting stories with simple dinner ideas, tips and tricks. The next time your family asks you what’s for dinner just send them my way!

Always Juicy Chicken Breasts

If you’re sick of your boneless, skinless chicken breasts coming out of the oven dry and flavorless, have I got a hack for you. This recipe uses an oil-coated piece of parchment to mimic the effect of chicken skin, effectively keeping the breasts tender and juicy without the added fat.

I make my go-to, never-fail, Always-Juicy Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts every Monday to have in the fridge to top salads, reheat for dinner, or pack for school lunches. This is what I like to call Insurance Chicken. You might not need it, but it’s really good to have just in case.

 

Cast Iron Asian Flank Steak with Ginger Miso Sauce

Everyone needs a slam-dunk marinade in their repertoire. It’s hard to beat the combination of soy sauce, sweet chili and honey in this Asian-inspired sauce, perfect for coating your favorite cut of meat. I especially love it on flank steak, a leaner cut that absorbs marinades particularly well and are excellent canvases for flavor-packed rubs and sauces. This dish requires a little advance planning, so remember to marinate it in the morning (or even the night before) so the meat is fully seasoned by dinner. Pro tip: make the Ginger Miso Sauce in advance, bringing this meal from fridge to table in under 15 minutes.

 

Happiness Jones Cookies

I only allow myself to eat dessert on days that end in D-A-Y. Life is too short not to cap off each dinner with something sweet so I created my own line of cookies that we can enjoy guilt free. Whether you’re a health nut with a sweet tooth, or simply jonesing for a soft and chewy “cookie with benefits”, we should all be allowed to indulge in a satisfying, high quality treat that fits into our lifestyle. Happiness Jones is a decadent sweet treat that also happens to be gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, soy-free, vegan & has no refined sugar. But don’t be fooled by the clean ingredients, these cookies are lights-out delicious!
Order online for nationwide shipping or local Armonk delivery.

Local Author’s Debut Novel “Klara’s Truth” Focuses on Trauma & Offers Tips for Healing

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Mount Kisco resident Susan Weissbach Friedman has been a practicing psychotherapist for more than 25 years. Many of her patients suffered from trauma and a few have been Holocaust survivors or descendants of survivors. While the Holocaust did not directly impact her family, the concept of intergenerational trauma and a lifelong love of writing inspired her to write her debut novel Klara’s Truth.

The fictional novel took Friedman a decade to write and focuses on the protagonist, Dr. Klara Lieberman, an archaeology professor, who receives a letter from her estranged mother, Bessie, telling her that her absentee father since childhood is dead. Klara has always wondered about her father’s past during World War II in Poland which is now giving out financial reparations for land it stole from Jewish citizens during the war and her mother want to claim the money. Klara is not interested in the money – but she does want answers about her father and so she flies to Warsaw, determined to learn more. The book has received praise from Kirkus Reviews, Foreword Reviews and the Jewish Book Council.

Friedman has always been interested in archaeology and believes that psychotherapy often excavates memories. “Although I am not a Freudian, he did believe that psychotherapists were like the archaeologists of the mind by digging deep and Freud was very interested in artifacts much like Klara.”

During therapy, Friedman has observed firsthand how trauma affects people’s emotional development. “How big a life can people build or will they be more insular and afraid to take risks? There can be a level of fear about how much risk they will take and it can impact jobs, relationships and so many things. Plus, internally some people prefer to just become numb and when we start exploring it and digging deeper in therapy, it can hurt more initially,” she explains.

“Although I didn’t set out with the idea of writing a novel about trauma and healing on multiple levels – individual, family, societal, and geopolitical, I would say that Klara’s Truth touches on all of these areas as it focuses on healing past hurts and wrongs on many levels. The Holocaust resonates as a very palpable large-scale horrific trauma affecting millions, and in this way, it became an overshadowing backdrop for this largely present-day story,” explained Friedman.

Along with her husband, Friedman visited Poland in 2014, the same year in which her novel begins, in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw ghetto uprising. Friedman found the trip intense and informative, as she visited many desecrated Jewish cemeteries.

Writing her first novel was a labor of love while maintaining a full-time psychotherapy practice. The story was written in parts and needed a cohesive narrative so Friedman honed her craft at writing workshops at Sarah Lawrence’s Writing Institute and GrubStreet. At Sarah Lawrence, Friedman met a classmate Dr. Stephanie Newman, author of Barbarians at the PTA who encouraged her to work with a developmental editor to help piece together the disparate sections.

Friedman decided to close her practice last year to focus on her writing. “There was a lot of push and pull with that decision but I ultimately think it was the right decision,” she adds. She already has a prequel in development to Klara’s Truth and has been busy promoting her current book through podcasts, readings and book signings throughout the Hudson Valley and Boston.

In light of October 7th and an unprecedented surge in antisemitism she hopes the book will serve as a springboard for discussion about these important topics. “I think my book, from its 2014 perspective, is quite relevant to the discussion of how easily antisemitism can rise and manifest itself in huge and horribly destructive ways,” she concludes.

How to Find a Specialist for Trauma Therapy

Friedman offers these tips to those in need of therapy for traumatic experiences:

  • Look for a therapist trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) and/or Somatic Experiencing. Research a therapist on Psychology Today’s website with these qualifications or go to EMDRIA, EMDR International Association Home, and then look for ‘Find a Therapist’. EMDR helps people to bring up buried and fragmented traumas more easily in a safe and contained way.
  • They can also go to Somatic Experiencing and then look for ‘Find a Therapist’. Both of these methods help people to resolve trauma and other stress responses. Somatic Experiencing is body centered, and helps people to connect more with what they feel in their bodies particularly around trauma.
  • Ask the practitioner about their training in these modalities, as some people are certified and have completed a long course of training and others haven’t.

Chinese Medicine: A Path to Wellness

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PHOTO BY BRIDGET BADORE

Chinese Medicine is an ancient healing system that emphasizes balance, prevention, and the body’s natural ability to heal using herbs and Acupuncture. Symptoms arise from systemic stress, whether physiological, psychological, or environmental and are surface-level signals of imbalance within our bodies. The practice is preventative and curative, painless and deeply relaxing, addressing ailments, both acute and chronic. By restoring the system, Chinese Medicine treats any symptom by gently harmonizing the body from the inside out.

A Natural Framework

Chinese Medicine treats the body as a reflection of our natural surroundings, recognizing regions of hot, cold, “damp” and dryness within our bodies. Our veins act like rivers connecting reservoirs of blood, oxygen, water, and energy. Maintaining balance is to nurture the landscape: warmth relates to digestion, hydration to skin, and strong blood circulation to reaching our extremities. Acupuncture and herbal medicine tap into the very systems that conserve these internal environments, sending resources and energy where the body needs the support.

Root Cause Healing

Rather than relieving just the symptom, Chinese Medicine targets its source within each unique body. A postpartum mother and a college athlete might both experience headaches, yet their hormones, diet, and demands on their physical bodies are entirely different. Genetics, lifestyle and stressors are key to understanding what you need, and allow a practitioner to personally tailor treatment strategies. Addressing the root cause is to consider your body and your circumstances, providing natural relief and whole-body healing.

Undivided Attention, In-Depth Care

Chinese Medicine weaves together your symptoms and the conditions of your internal systems, creating a comprehensive picture of your internal health and how it responds to your external environment. Initially, your practitioner listens to your story asking who you are, how you live, your greatest joys and stressors, etc. Together, you’ll dive deep into your health concerns, understanding when they started and what was happening in your life at that time. What aggravates the symptoms, what relieves them? Are there flares and fluctuations, or a constant disruption in your waking life? Diagnosis is then formed including examining how you sleep, eat, digest, where you feel pain, the state of your five senses and mental/emotional health, to establish your personalized treatment.

How It Works

Healing happens in the physiological state of rest, digest and repair. Symptoms always arise or worsen with stress; in a world where stress is constant, regulating the nervous system is the key to recovery. Acupuncture causes the release of endorphins and neurotransmitters that have tremendous benefit, primarily blocking pain signals, increasing the immune function, balancing hormones, improving circulation, releasing endorphins, and cultivating relaxation. Whether we experience pain, digestive dysfunction, chronic headaches, etc., these physiological effects improve a sense of physical well-being, and emotional balance.

Integrated Medicine

Eastern and Western Medicine have vital roles in an integrated healthcare system. Modern medicine thankfully saves lives every day. For chronic conditions, however, cures that promise overnight results are likely overlooking the source beneath the symptom. Chinese Medicine treats acute and chronic conditions, and allows us to proactively engage in our health, boost immunity, relieve pain, and find balance. As such, Chinese Medicine is a transformative path to your best self. It strengthens our system to feel our best, overcoming stress and sickness. A harmonized body and a calm mind reflect a balanced life of wellness, strength, and vitality.

The Fitness Renaissance: Embracing the Power of Consistency + Simplicity

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Did you know that nearly 80% of New Year’s resolutions related to fitness fail by February? As spring arrives with its blooming flowers and longer days, many of us feel that familiar urge to shed winter’s layers and get back into shape. But before you dust off that P90X DVD or sign up for “Extreme Burpee Boot Camp,” let’s take a moment to rethink our approach.

What if the secret to lasting health isn’t found in grueling workouts or restrictive diets but in the art of doing less yet doing it consistently? Prepare to challenge everything you thought you knew about fitness and discover how small shifts can lead to big results. After nearly 40 years in the fitness world, I learned that keeping things simple and consistent is the real game-changer for achieving your wellness goals over the long term.

My Fitness Journey

In 1987, I became a certified fitness trainer, jumping into a field that was just beginning to gain traction. As a college student and cheerleader, I balanced the physical demands of stunts and routines with homework, a social life, and training athletes, I quickly learned that true dedication means finding a way to fit everything into a busy schedule-like trying to fit into last year’s jeans after a winter of hibernation! I discovered how to sneak in workouts between classes, transforming stairwells into Stairmasters and campus walks into power-walking sessions.

Fast-forward through graduate school, all-nighters (where my study breaks involved planks and push-ups), over a decade at a Fortune 500 company (where I learned that “extreme coffee sipping” is not an official workout, but standing meetings and lunch-hour walks are game-changers), and eventually starting a family business with my husband while raising three wonderful children Through it all, I maintained my fitness by turning everyday moments into exercise opportunities – grocery runs became squat challenges, and playtime with the kids evolved into family fitness fun. Despite my professional path taking me through corporate corridors far from traditional fitness settings, my passion for health and exercise never dimmed. You’ll find me here nearly 40 years deep in the fitness world and trust me when I say I’ve seen more fitness fads come and go than shoulder pads in fashion.

The Secret Power of Consistency

But here’s the kicker: after all these years, the secret to lasting health isn’t found in extreme workouts or fad diets. It’s in the power of the constant commitment to squeezing in movement wherever and whenever you can.

No time? No problem! Don’t let a busy schedule keep you from exercising. Make physical activity a seamless part of your daily routine. I’ve taught countless individuals about the importance of integrating movement into their lives. Whether leading challenging fitness sessions or conducting corporate wellness workshops, I’ve seen firsthand how transforming how you think about movement – seeing it not as a separate task but as an integrated part of living is key to long-term success. It’s fascinating how even the most conditioned athletes can drop the ball and become sedentary when life gets hectic. Instead of finding a way to adapt, they often lose their way. So, let’s flip the script and embrace the idea that a few minutes here and there can add up to significant progress over time!

Small Steps, Big Strides

Let’s break it down, shall we?

It doesn’t have to be complicated. Forget drastic overhauls. We’re talking micro-changes that even your most laid-back friend could manage:

  1. Take the stairs instead of the elevator: Strut up the staircase like a star. A red carpet is optional!
  2. Park a bit farther from your destination: It’s a mini workout disguised as a parking strategy.
  3. Walk during lunch breaks: A chance to catch up with friends and co-workers and get your heart rate up? Win-win!
  4. Swap evening snacks for fruit with yogurt or whipped topping. Because who says healthy can’t be delicious.
  5. Start with 10-minute daily walks: It’s like a commercial break but for your health.
  6. Gradually introduce light strength training: No need to lift heavy weights; start with bodyweight exercises or soup cans in hand while you walk.
  7. Focus on consistency over perfection: It’s better to move regularly than to push yourself so hard you need a week to recover.
  8. Listen to your body: Pay attention to how you feel. If it’s screaming “no more,” adjust your activities accordingly.

The Long Game

Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress through persistent effort. Embrace the journey!

If you stumble, get back up! Consistency is key to achieving lasting results in your fitness journey. Here are some pyramids of wisdom to help you stay committed for the long haul:

  1. Make it a Non-Negotiable Habit: Find your own way to move daily. Sneak in the 10-minute conference call walks, do high knees at the DMV, or dance in the living room – do what works for you!
  2. Celebrate Tiny Triumphs: Did you choose stairs over the elevator or blueberries over Baked Alaska? Do a happy dance; those small victories add up – embrace each triumph!
  3. Life Throws Curveballs; Flex With them: Life happens; schedules change; that isn’t an excuse to be sedentary. Count your steps when chasing your toddler or do bicep curls with grocery bags-keep moving; it all counts!
  4. Have Fun: When you enjoy what you’re doing, you’ll stick with it. Find movement that makes you happy!
  5. Buddy Up: Get your own “cheer squad” together for walks, bike rides, yoga sessions, or coffee counter calf raises – there’s magic in moving with friends!
  6. Check In with Your Healthcare Practitioner: Give your healthcare practitioner a shout before starting any exercise routine. They can help ensure you are on the right track!

Final Words

So, here’s the truth: some days you’ll rock it, others you’ll scarcely shuffle. It’s ok! You are showing up, day after day, and that will transform you. Lace up those sneakers and stay the course, one little move at a time. In the future, you will be grateful for every bit of effort you put in! As the fitness landscape continues to evolve, one thing remains clear, consistency is king.

A Journey Into Healing Trauma

by Janine Crowley Haynes & Steven Haynes

This magazine issue is dedicated to health and fitness. Along with a new year comes all sorts of resolutions to eat better, drink less alcohol, workout more, etc., but, in order to live a quality life, focusing on our mental health and emotional wellbeing can be transformational.

Back in 2005, I attempted suicide. After struggling with bipolar disorder for 10 years, I reached the lowest point in my life and wanted to end the endless suffering. With another episode on the horizon, I knew, once more, I’d find myself back in a psychiatric hospital. With a volatile chemical imbalance happening in my brain, I made the irrational, desperate decision to swallow a bunch of pills to end the misery. I convinced myself I’d be doing everyone a favor. In particular, I thought I’d be taking the burden off my 12 year-old son. Steven was 18 months when I was first hospitalized and diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It’s all he ever knew – a sick mom who went in and out of a psych ward. My suicide attempt was a decision I’ll regret for the rest of my life. After the attempt, I carried around crippling guilt. Basically, I wanted to kill myself for attempting to kill myself.

The fallout that ensued resulted in trauma. After coming home from his basketball game, my 12 year-old son was the one to discover me sprawled out, unconscious on the living room floor. It took many years for him to recover from this horrific event. His trust in me was shattered. To this day, Steven bears the indelible scar from that night – we all do. And, every day of my existence, I must own up to the fact that my actions affected my entire family and close friends.

Suicide, whether successful or unsuccessful, is a heart-wrenching experience. As a family, our road to recovery was long and challenging and remnants of my actions linger. Yet, out of the trauma, some life lessons emerged. A year after my suicide attempt, I ended up writing a memoir, My Kind of Crazy: Living in a Bipolar World. At 13, my son contributed two chapters. I got to read about what he experienced that night. In turn, I was able to share with him my account. This collaborative writing process became therapeutic for us, and it started a journey into communication, understanding, compassion, and healing. Most of all, I’ve been blessed to receive my son’s forgiveness.

Over time, we made our way to a place where Steven understood that my suicide attempt had nothing to do with him. Now that he’s an adult, he’s able to see me, not just as his mom, but as a person with human imperfections. We are incredibly proud parents of the man Steven has become. He is kind and funny and smart. He is wise beyond his years. His mind fascinates me. He is one of the most interesting people I know, and I say that not just because he’s my son. I truly mean it. I always look forward to our next talk and enjoy looking at life from his perspective.

Last August, Steven (now 31) got married to Joana. It was a magical celebration in a palacio in Portugal. I am overwhelmed with gratefulness that I survived my suicide attempt and was able to be present and share in that day. We are full of love and happiness for them both.

I asked Steven if he would contribute to this essay and share some of his life lessons and observations on his journey into healing trauma. He, unhesitatingly, said yes. Steven’s precious words follow here…

“The act of ‘healing’ is supposedly the process of making or becoming sound or healthy again. The brain does not have a one-size-fits-all fix for coping with trauma. In my experience, one of the biggest challenges in this journey has been the idea that healing requires the return to some state of normalcy and the inability to move forward means that something is still broken. Thankfully, my mom’s battle with bipolar disorder has stabilized, and our relationship has moved beyond the trauma.

The passing of time can help put trauma at a distance but only to a certain extent. For me, seeking professional help and learning coping skills has been extremely helpful in my journey. Healing has neither followed a straight line nor does it need to have a definitive end. I take a few steps forward. Then life finds ways to challenge me, and, at times, the trauma resurfaces.

This March will mark 20 years since my mom’s suicide attempt, and I will forever carry the trauma from that night. But that’s not such a bad thing. Rather, it affords me the chance to push past it, become a bit stronger, and keep moving forward once again.”