Cornerstone PT Dec. 2017

Cornerstone PT Dec. 2017

December 2017

CORNERSTONE Monthly

77 Brant Avenue Suite 101, Clark, NJ 07066

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www.cornerstoneptnj.com

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732.499.4540

CHRISTMAS WITH THE DE LA FUENTES THE IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT CHRISTMAS DON’T CHANGE

Cornerstone PT Patients

In December, the busy energy of the De La Fuentes shifts its focus away from sports. Flag football and softball seasons are over. With the brief reprieve, my kids are able to put extra effort into school as the semester ends. It’s a nice time for us to reflect on how much they’ve grown and developed between sports, school, and time management. Overall, I’d say they’ve done a fantastic job. I couldn’t be prouder of them. With the joyous events December brings, we’re all able to focus our energy on something more important than athletic competition or even school — family. To me, that’s what Christmas is all about.

“I can’t believe you and mom spent all this money on us!” she said.

VIP Referral Patient of the Month!

“We wanted to!” we told her over and over. “Don’t feel bad!”

She wasn’t angry for being deceived; she was just grateful. We appreciated that. It was easy for her to let go of Santa Claus. After all, even when she thought the presents were free, she never asked for more than one each year. She’s primarily interested in clothes these days, just like most girls her age. My wife does most of the shopping, anyway.

KAREN TORRE

The best compliment we can receive is to have one of our patients refer a friend or family member to our practice. If you refer someone and we are able to take them as a patient, you and the person who was referred

Her brother is easier to shop for. Last year, we gave him a Toys R Us catalogue and told him to circle what he wanted the most. He must have circled most

We have a Christmas routine in our house. If you’re married, you know how it is. You get

“Christmas isn’t so much about what we give or receive — it’s about what we already have.”

two meals for every major holiday — one with your spouse’s family, one with yours. We spend Christmas Eve at my wife’s aunt’s home, and then spend Christmas Day with my mother. Often, her parents come over to our home later in the day so we can wind down Christmas together. At the first party, my wife’s cousins bring their kids, so my children get to see their cousins. As they get older, they’ll realize how valuable these family connections are. This year, I hope you’re able to rekindle any connections you feel you’ve lost. There’s no better time than the holidays. That’s our routine, and while it’s remained steady over the years, Christmas morning itself has evolved as the kids have grown. Our son is still holding out on the idea of Santa Claus, but the illusion died for my daughter last year. She was shocked when she found out.

of the catalogue. It’s not that he’s greedy; he just loves everything. He didn’t get everything he circled, but he loved what he got. He’s easy to please. My wife and I bask in the delight of our children every Christmas morning. They aren’t allowed to come downstairs before 7 a.m., so, at 7:01, they creep down the stairs, peek around the corner, and their faces light up. I have the camcorder set up because I love capturing their facial expressions as they come down the stairs. That’s what we meant when we told our daughter how much we wanted to give her presents. She didn’t understand, but she will when she’s a parent someday. That’s where the real joy of Christmas comes from. Christmas isn’t so much about what we give or receive — it’s about what we already have. The gifts are just a way to show appreciation for those things.

Thank You! will be entered to win a $25 gift card! It’s just our way of saying

Happy holidays!

– David DeLaFuente

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WHICH CHARITY SHOULD I DONATE TO?

“I had difficulties with moving my left knee after my meniscus surgery. The staff was outstanding. They were always available. They knew when to push and when to back off. I was happy to have such a dedicated staff in charge of my rehab.” (David De La Fuente, DPT; Zachary Katzman, PTA; Leo Danik, recent Cor- nerstone graduate; Patrick Chinjen, PTA; Christopher DaSilva, PT aide)

–Leo Danik

At the peak of the holiday season, many Americans find themselves overcome by a spirit of

generosity and goodwill. Many people go beyond finding the perfect gift for friends and family and give their time or money to a charitable organization, seeking to make the holidays a little better for those worse off than themselves.

But with thousands upon thousands of charities to choose from, how we do ensure our dollars are truly going to the best possible cause?

It may seem obvious, but it’s best not to hand your credit card info to an anonymous organization soliciting your aid. The IRS has little regulatory power over most charitable organizations since they don’t typically pay taxes. As a result, it’s all too easy to be defrauded. “Never give a gift where you didn’t initiate the communication,” advises Tim Meisenheimer, a certified financial planner. Calls can be a red flag, as charities who employ telemarketers are much less likely to receive the entirety of your donation. If you’re donating online, he also advises you to check that there’s a “https” at the beginning of the URL, which indicates a secure connection. But the best way to avoid shady scammers is to research the charity before you hand over your cash. One helpful resource is CharityNavigator.org, a charity-screening website where you can scrutinize a charity’s rating, spending habits, category, and much more. When examining a charity, they look for all kinds of red flags, such as if they spend more than one-third of their budget on administrative costs or if they aren’t forthcoming about their operations and expenditures. If you’re unsure of where to donate, check out their list of “Charities With Perfect Scores.” If you want to provide humanitarian aid, Direct Relief (DirectRelief.org) is a well-known charity, and it has a perfect rating of 100 on Charity Navigator. They provide medical treatment in resource-poor communities. If you’re more inclined to protect the environment, check out The Conservation Fund (ConservationFund.org), which seeks to preserve natural resources while fostering economic development in America. Education-minded donors should look up Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO-usa.org), another organization with a perfect 100 from Charity Navigator. They strive to provide robust education for underserved communities. There are thousands of excellent charities to donate to, and many of them are probably right in your backyard.

(Christopher DaSilva, PT aide; David De La Fuente, DPT; Brian Thornton, recent Cornerstone graduate; Zachary Katzman, PTA)

“The staff here at Cornerstone has been outstanding. Dave and his team are extremely professional and care strongly for all their patients. I injured my shoulder in March and had surgery in August. My physical therapy was rigorous, and the Cornerstone staff made sure I kept pushing myself, and I consistently improved. I returned to work as a captain on the fire department after nine weeks, and Cornerstone got me back to work, confident that I could perform my duties 100 percent.”

–Brian Thornton

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WHAT IS EXERCISE THERAPY? Hone In on Specific Problems — No Racket Required

hy do you want to exercise? People are motivated for different reasons. Most exercise is to look better, feel better, live longer, or maybe even a combination of the three. But if you don’t always feel motivated, you are not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 80 percent of Americans don’t work out enough. When the weather gets cold, it’s difficult to get outside. We recommend alternative activities like mall walking, gym memberships, and home workout videos. But winter is an excellent time to begin a special type of physical therapy that’s a little more customized than yoga or tennis. Exercise therapy, also known as activity-based therapy, is a regimen or plan of physical activities designed and prescribed for specific therapeutic goals. It’s nothing new — exercise therapy has been practiced alongside regular physical therapy for decades. It’s designed to help you look and feel your best. Certain methods of exercise therapy, including dynamic lumbar stabilization, can provide pain relief by training muscles to automatically give protective support during activity. Muscle stretching will help your muscles relax, relieving tension. Some exercise therapy can include minimal energy techniques or massage and soft tissue techniques, and who ever complained about getting a massage? If you have any questions about exercise therapy, call us at 732-499-4540. We can answer questions, but like most effective physical therapy, the best methods will be customized to your needs. W

CHRISTMAS STAR COOKIES

Looking for something a little lighter to leave for Santa this Christmas Eve? Try these star cookies! And, as an added bonus, they’re paleo-friendly!

INGREDIENTS

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2 ½ cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal)

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½ teaspoon Celtic sea salt

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¼ cup coconut oil, melted

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¼ teaspoon baking soda

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5 tablespoons agave nectar or honey

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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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1 tablespoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. 2. In a small bowl, mix coconut oil, agave, and vanilla. 3. Mix wet ingredients into dry. 4. Roll out dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper until ¼ inch thick. 5. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

6. Remove top piece of parchment paper and dust dough with almond flour. 7. Cut out cookies with a small star cutter. 8. Using a metal spatula, place stars on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 9. Bake at 350 F until edges are lightly browned, 5–8 minutes.

Recipe courtesy of TwoPeasAndTheirPod.com.

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77 Brant Avenue Suite 101 Clark, NJ 07066 732.499.4540 www.cornerstoneptnj.com

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INSIDE This Issue

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Christmas Reflections

Patient Success Which Charity Should I Donate To?

What Is Exercise Therapy? Christmas Star Cookies

Jersey Holidays

3 NEW JERSEY TOWNS TO VISIT THIS CHRISTMAS

Many of us have done our time at Rockefeller Plaza at Christmastime. If you’ve never been, do it! Check it off the list! But there are other quaint and quiet towns to take your family to during the holidays, all just a short drive from Clark. Here are some of our favorites. CRANBURY If you don’t already know about the best Christmas display in New Jersey, you’re about to. Over 125,000 lights dazzle and inspire at this massive display on Main Street in Cranbury. Check out their page at cranburychristmaslights.com to see when the lights will dance to your favorite Christmas tunes. Viewing is free, as is parking. You can also check out their tree lighting on Dec. 1 and enjoy a Christmastime Tea at Cranbury Museum. CHESTER “A Christmas Carol” made Charles Dickens a holiday staple forever. In Chester, the Definitely Dickens’ Holiday Carolers honor him by serenading downtown shoppers every Saturday in December. The Streets of Chester Shopping Center also hosts a 12 Days of Giveaways event, along with window displays. You may even catch some beautiful ice sculptures as your family peruses the shops. PRINCETON The Christmas tree in Palmer Square is known as one of the largest in the state. The square itself and the surrounding shops give Princeton a decidedly classic

holiday feel that your family will love. Carolers fill the air with song daily, so take your children on a Santa’s Helper Walking Tour or visit the Morven Museum’s Festival of Trees. For a real throwback, the Holiday Family Weekend at Terhune Orchards offers a classic wagon ride surrounded by wintery trees.

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