Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some women, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give women a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider HRT (hormone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men and women are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
HRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
As women age, their hormones begin to go through changes that affect their day-to-day lives. For women, hormone deficiency and imbalance usually occur during menopause and can cause chronic fatigue, hot flashes, and mood swings, among other issues. Hormone replacement therapy helps correct hormone imbalances in women, helping them feel more vibrant and virile as they age.
Often, HRT treatments give patients enhanced quality of life that they didn't think was possible - even in their 60's and beyond.
The benefits for women are numerous and are available today through Global Life Rejuvenation.
As women age, their bodies begin to go through significant changes that affect their quality of life. This change is called menopause and marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycle and reproduction ability. Though there is no specific age when this change occurs, the average age of menopause onset is 51 years old. However, according to doctors, menopause officially starts 12 months after a woman's final period. During the transition to menopause, women's estrogen and other hormones begin to deplete.
As that happens, many women experience severe symptoms. These symptoms include:
The symptoms of hormone deficiency can be concerning and scary for both women and their spouses. However, if you're getting older and notice some of these symptoms, there is reason to be hopeful. Hormone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine for women can correct imbalances that happen during menopause. These safe, effective treatments leave you feeling younger, healthier, and more vibrant.
The most common reason for menopause is the natural decline in a female's reproductive hormones. However, menopause can also result from the following situations:
Oophorectomy: This surgery, which removes a woman's ovaries, causes immediate menopause. Symptoms and signs of menopause in this situation can be severe, as the hormonal changes happen abruptly.
Chemotherapy: Cancer treatments like chemotherapy can induce menopause quickly, causing symptoms to appear shortly after or even during treatment.
Ovarian Insufficiency: Also called premature ovarian failure, this condition is essentially premature menopause. It happens when a woman's ovaries quit functioning before the age of 40 and can stem from genetic factors and disease. Only 1% of women suffer from premature menopause, but HRT can help protect the heart, brain, and bones.
For many women, menopause is a trying time that can be filled with many hormonal hurdles to jump through. A little knowledge can go a long way, whether you're going through menopause now or are approaching "that" age.
Here are some of the most common issues that women experience during menopause:
If you're a woman going through menopause and find that you have become increasingly depressed, you're not alone. It's estimated that 15% of women experience depression to some degree while going through menopause. What many women don't know is that depression can start during perimenopause, or the years leading up to menopause.
Depression can be hard to diagnose, especially during perimenopause and menopause. However, if you notice the following signs, it might be time to speak with a physician:
Remember, if you're experiencing depression, you're not weak or broken - you're going through a very regular emotional experience. The good news is that with proper treatment from your doctor, depression isn't a death sentence. And with HRT and anti-aging treatment for women, depression could be the catalyst you need to enjoy a new lease on life.
Hot flashes - they're one of the most well-known symptoms of menopause. Hot flashes are intense, sudden feelings of heat across a woman's upper body. Some last second, while others last minutes, making them incredibly inconvenient and uncomfortable for most women.
Symptoms of hot flashes include:
Typically, hot flashes are caused by a lack of estrogen. Low estrogen levels negatively affect a woman's hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls body temperature and appetite. Low estrogen levels cause the hypothalamus to incorrectly assume the body is too hot, dilating blood vessels to increase blood flow. Luckily, most women don't have to settle for the uncomfortable feelings that hot flashes cause. HRT treatments for women often stabilize hormones, lessening the effects of hot flashes and menopause in general.
Mood swings are common occurrences for most people - quick shifts from happy to angry and back again, triggered by a specific event. And while many people experience mood swings, they are particularly common for women going through menopause. That's because, during menopause, the female's hormones are often imbalanced. Hormone imbalances and mood swings go hand-in-hand, resulting in frequent mood changes and even symptoms like insomnia.
The rate of production of estrogen, a hormone that fluctuates during menopause, largely determines the rate of production the hormone serotonin, which regulates mood, causing mood swings.
Luckily, HRT and anti-aging treatments in Whippany, FL for women work wonders for mood swings by regulating hormone levels like estrogen. With normal hormone levels, women around the world are now learning that they don't have to settle for mood swings during menopause.
Staying fit and healthy is hard for anyone living in modern America. However, for women with hormone imbalances during perimenopause or menopause, weight gain is even more serious. Luckily, HRT treatments for women coupled with a physician-led diet can help keep weight in check. But which hormones need to be regulated?
Lowered sexual desire - three words most men and women hate to hear. Unfortunately, for many women in perimenopausal and menopausal states, it's just a reality of life. Thankfully, today, HRT and anti-aging treatments Whippany, FL can help women maintain a normal, healthy sex drive. But what causes low libido in women, especially as they get older?
The hormones responsible for low libido in women are progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone.
Progesterone production decreases during perimenopause, causing low sex drive in women. Lower progesterone production can also cause chronic fatigue, weight gain, and other symptoms. On the other hand, lower estrogen levels during menopause lead to vaginal dryness and even vaginal atrophy or loss of muscle tension.
Lastly, testosterone plays a role in lowered libido. And while testosterone is often grouped as a male hormone, it contributes to important health and regulatory functionality in women. A woman's testosterone serves to heighten sexual responses and enhances orgasms. When the ovaries are unable to produce sufficient levels of testosterone, it often results in a lowered sex drive.
Often uncomfortable and even painful, vaginal dryness is a serious problem for sexually active women. However, like hair loss in males, vaginal dryness is very common - almost 50% of women suffer from it during menopause.
Getting older is just a part of life, but that doesn't mean you have to settle for the side effects. HRT and anti-aging treatments for women correct vaginal dryness by re-balancing estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. When supplemented with diet and healthy living, your vagina's secretions are normalized, causing discomfort to recede.
Uterine fibroids - they're perhaps the least-known symptom of menopause and hormone imbalances in women. That's because these growths on the uterus are often symptom-free. Unfortunately, these growths can be cancerous, presenting a danger for women as they age.
Many women will have fibroids at some point. Because they're symptomless, they're usually found during routine doctor exams. Some women only get one or two, while others may have large clusters of fibroids. Because fibroids are usually caused by hormone imbalances, hysterectomies have been used as a solution, forcing women into early menopause.
Advances in HRT and anti-aging medicine for women give females a safer, non-surgical option without having to experience menopause early. At Global Life Rejuvenation, our expert physicians will implement a customized HRT program to stabilize your hormones and reduce the risk of cancerous fibroid growth.
Endometriosis symptoms are much like the effects of PMS, and include pelvic pain, fatigue, cramping, and bloating. While doctors aren't entirely sure what causes this painful, uncomfortable condition, most agree that hormones - particularly xenoestrogens - play a factor.
Endometriosis symptoms are much like the effects of PMS and include pelvic pain, fatigue, cramping, and bloating. While doctors aren't entirely sure what causes this painful, uncomfortable condition, most agree that hormones - particularly xenoestrogens - play a factor.
Xenoestrogen is a hormone that is very similar to estrogen. Too much xenoestrogen is thought to stimulate endometrial tissue growth. HRT for women helps balance these hormones and, when used with a custom nutrition program, can provide relief for women across the U.S.
Hormone stability is imperative for a healthy sex drive and for a normal, stress-free life during menopause. HRT and anti-aging treatments for women balance the hormones that your body has altered due to perimenopause or menopause.
HRT for women is a revolutionary step in helping women live their best lives, even as they grow older. However, at Global Life Rejuvenation, we know that no two patients are the same. That's why we specialize in holistic treatments that utilize HRT, combined with healthy nutrition, supplements, and fitness plans that maximize hormone replacement treatments.
If you've been suffering through menopause, is HRT the answer? That's hard to say without an examination by a trusted physician, but one thing's for sure. When a woman balances her hormone levels, she has a much better shot at living a regular life with limited depression, weight gain, mood swings, and hot flashes.
Here are just a few additional benefits of HRT and anti-aging treatments for females:
Hormone imbalance causes a litany of issues. But with anti-aging treatments for women, females can better process calcium, keep their cholesterol levels safe, and maintain a healthy vagina. By replenishing the body's estrogen supply, HRT can relieve symptoms from menopause and protect against osteoporosis. But that's just the start.
Global Life Rejuvenation's patients report many more benefits of HRT and anti-aging medicine for women:
If you're ready to feel better, look better, and recapture the vitality of your youth, it's time to contact Global Life Rejuvenation. It all starts with an in-depth consultation, where we will determine if HRT and anti-aging treatments for women are right for you. After all, every patient's body and hormone levels are different. Since all our treatment options are personalized, we do not have a single threshold for treatment. Instead, we look at our patient's hormone levels and analyze them on a case-by-case basis.
At Global Life Rejuvenation, we help women rediscover their youth with HRT treatment for women. We like to think of ourselves as an anti-aging concierge service, guiding and connecting our patients to the most qualified HRT physicians available. With customized HRT treatment plan for women, our patients experience fewer menopausal symptoms, less perimenopause & menopause depression, and often enjoy a more youth-like appearance.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies. Ipamorelin can boost a patient's overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life.
When there is an increased concentration of growth hormone by the pituitary gland, there are positive benefits to the body. Some benefits include:
Whether you are considering our HRT and anti-aging treatments for women in Whippany, FL, we are here to help. The first step to reclaiming your life begins by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation. Our friendly, knowledgeable HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
866-793-9933
Wednesday, Jan. 4Bordentown 90, STEMCivics 46 - Box ScoreAbsegami 68, Buena 35 - Box ScoreMount Olive 53, West Windsor-Plainsboro North 38 - Box ScorePaul VI 56, Hamilton West 41 - ...
Bordentown 90, STEMCivics 46 - Box Score
Absegami 68, Buena 35 - Box Score
Mount Olive 53, West Windsor-Plainsboro North 38 - Box Score
Paul VI 56, Hamilton West 41 - Box Score
South River 80, Middlesex 48 - Box Score
East Brunswick Magnet 64, Perth Amboy Magnet 43 - Box Score
South Amboy 77, Central Jersey College Charter 30 - Box Score
Metuchen 49, Wardlaw-Hartridge 29 - Box Score
Timothy Christian 73, Spotswood 68 - Box Score
Lenape Valley 77, Hopatcong 13 - Box Score
Vernon 69, Morris Tech 28 - Box Score
Morris Knolls 57, Roxbury 50 - Box Score
Delbarton 50, Mendham 46 - Box Score
West Morris 61, Randolph 55 - Box Score
Mount Olive 53, West Windsor-Plainsboro North 38 - Box Score
North Warren 42, Kittatinny 39 - Box Score
Pequannock 60, Whippany Park 42 - Box Score
Sparta 43, Morristown 42 - Box Score
High Point 56, Sussex Tech 49 - Box Score
Jefferson 61, Wallkill Valley 39 - Box Score
Kinnelon 75, Parsippany 71 - Box Score
Hackettstown 61, Newton 33 - Box Score
Morristown-Beard 65, Dover 55 - Box Score
Morris Catholic 60, Hanover Park 42 - Box Score
Chatham 72, Montville 52 - Box Score
Madison 49, Parsippany Hills 41 - Box Score
Eastern Christian 75, Pompton Lakes 27 - Box Score
Secaucus 58, North Arlington 27 - Box Score
Weehawken 72, Lyndhurst 57 - Box Score
Park Ridge 48, Wood-Ridge 43 - Box Score
Emerson Boro 60, Waldwick 59 - Box Score
St. Mary (Ruth.) 87, Becton 62 - Box Score
Saddle River Day 58, Cresskill 33 - Box Score
Elmwood Park 49, Manchester Regional 39 - Box Score
Paterson Charter 68, Lodi 47 - Box Score
Midland Park 61, Bergen Charter 37 - Box Score
Bogota 65, New Milford 62 - Box Score
Hasbrouck Heights 63, Wallington 30 - Box Score
Columbus (FL) 75, Camden 66 - Box Score
Paul VI 56, Hamilton West 41 - Box Score
Raritan 49, Central Regional 48 - Box Score
Shipley (PA) 56, Pennington 49 - Box Score
South Amboy 77, Central Jersey College Charter 30 - Box Score
Columbus (FL) 75, Camden 66 - Box Score
Photo Credit: Hanover Park HSPhoto Credit: Hanover Park HSPhoto Credit: Hanover Park HSPhoto Caption 1: Juliana Campesi introduces the New York Jets Walter Payton Man of the Year, Jonotthan Harrison Photo Credit: Hanover Park HS...
Photo Credit: Hanover Park HS
Photo Credit: Hanover Park HS
Photo Credit: Hanover Park HS
Photo Caption 1: Juliana Campesi introduces the New York Jets Walter Payton Man of the Year, Jonotthan Harrison Photo Credit: Hanover Park HS
By Whippany Park High School
HANOVER, NJ - As part of the celebration of the NFL’s 100th season, Huddle for 100 looks to inspire 1 million people to volunteer 100 minutes of their time to make meaningful contributions to their communities — with the goal being 100 million minutes volunteered by Super Bowl LIV.
Ten Whippany Park students stepped up to meet the challenge by committing to the United Way Varsity Letter program. On Tuesday, December 17, those ten students were recognized by the New York Jets. Senior Juliana Campesi who accrued the most volunteer hours with 218 hours since September 1, announced Jonotthan Harrison as the New York Jets Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, considered one of the NFL’s most prestigious honors, acknowledges a player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field. During the event, the New York Jets honored the students for their volunteer efforts by randomly selecting junior Emma Zachary; surprising her with a trip for two to Super Bowl LIV in Miami, Florida.
The Varsity Letter and Huddle for 100 challenge took place earlier this year at Hanover Park High School where the New York Jets awarded a Hanover Park student with a trip for two to the Super Bowl.
Pictured in the third photo attached are Members of Hanover Park Regional High School District, New York Jets and United Way of Northern New Jersey. Pictured from left to right: Maria Carrell, Superintendent of Schools, Christopher Kelly, Whippany Park High School Principal, Juliana Campesi, Samantha Davidson, Michael Kiel, Emma Zachary, Daniela Riverso, United Way of Northern New Jersey, Jonotthan Harrison, New York Jets, Julia Kierney, Noah Kaplan, Erik L., Dominic Roselli, Cadence Sabatino, Brent Kaiser, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director, Whippany Park High School, Theresa Leamy, Sr. V.P. Resource Development , United Way of Northern New Jersey
For FLORIDA TODAYThere is something really charming about the idea of a musical about gold miners. Picture the roughest, toughest, grisliest folks around singing and dancing on stage. Quite a delightful image, no?Surfside Players' production of "Paint Your Wagon" with music by Frederick Loewe and book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner has no shortage of charm. Set in 1853 during the gold rush, the play begins when an old miner, Ben Rumson, stakes his claim in the California Wilderness after h...
For FLORIDA TODAY
There is something really charming about the idea of a musical about gold miners. Picture the roughest, toughest, grisliest folks around singing and dancing on stage. Quite a delightful image, no?
Surfside Players' production of "Paint Your Wagon" with music by Frederick Loewe and book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner has no shortage of charm. Set in 1853 during the gold rush, the play begins when an old miner, Ben Rumson, stakes his claim in the California Wilderness after his daughter, Jennifer, discovers a gold nugget while digging in a makeshift grave for a departed companion.
Scott Sutherland as Ben Rumpson is powerful and fun to watch, but it's Misty Posey as Jennifer Rumpson who really steals the show. You can see that she is fully committed to her character from the moment she walks on stage before she even speaks a line.
As word spreads of Rumpson's good fortune, hopeful prospectors from across the country make their way to the mining camp, which he dubs Rumpson's Creek, to seek their fortune.
Here is where the play starts to lose its charm for me, and it has nothing to do with Surfside's production and everything to do with the subject matter of the play itself.
As the men pour into camp they begin to bemoan the fact that there are 400 of them and only one female (Jennifer) and urge Rumpson to send her away because they "don't want anything to happen to her." They shun her, refuse to speak to her, and forbid her from going to the general store because, the show seems to imply, her mere presence makes the men feel they may be unable to control themselves and their desires.
Posey told FLORIDA TODAY earlier this month that she was drawn to the show because of Jennifer's situation — "She's just a little complicated to be in an uncomplicated situation with uncomplicated people," she said.
Later the second and third women roll into town, Sarah and Elizabeth Woodling, both married to a Mormon, Jacob Woodling. The men insist that since Jacob has two wives and the rest of them have none at all, that it's only right and fair that he should sell one of his wives.
Oh, man.
Rumpson buys her for $800 in an auction following a very uncomfortable scene in which men come in to inspect her by groping her breasts and checking out her teeth.
It should be noted that Dorothy Wright turns in a lovely performance as Elizabeth Woodling, the unfortunate wife who is sold (and later resold to another man).
Wright's cheerful and complete character and strong singing voice are probably what saves this plot point from being the sort of thing that makes you want to cover your eyes with the playbill. She also pulls double duty and serves as music director for this production.
The costumes are perfect. The music is catchy ("Wand'rin Star" has been in my head for three days). The performances are energetic and interesting. If you see this show, you might really like how Surfside has upped their game with sets and lighting.
I do wish Surfside used this show as an opportunity to speak to our times. Alas, it's a famous musical, and it is meant to be fun.
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Follow Liz on Twitter: @lizzlark
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The details
What: "Paint Your Wagon"
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, April 17-May 3
Where: Surfside Playhouse, 301 Ramp Road, Cocoa Beach
Cost: Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and military and $17 for students.
Info: Call 321-783-3127 or visit surfsideplayers.com. Send a Tweet to @surfsideplayers
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'Paint Your Wagon' facts
The book: It was written by lyricist Alan Lerner and not based on any particular story from fiction or history.
The writers: Lerner wrote the words and partner Fritz Loewe, the music, in their fifth collaboration since 1942. Their previous effort was "Brigadoon," and it preceded "My Fair Lady" in 1956.
The show: It ran from November 1951 through July 1952. The dances were arranged by Trude Rittman and Agnes DeMille.
The movie: Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood and Jean Seberg, none known for singing prowess, starred in the movie, for which music was added by Andre Previn. Paddy Chayefsky's story was significantly differently than Lerner's book.
Silly trivia: Two of the character names in the show are shout-outs to towns in New Jersey; Rumson and Whippany
The Surfside Players cast: Scott Sutherland as Ben Rumson; Misty Posey, Jennifer Rumson; David Diaz, Julio Valveras and Pete Billings; Rod Hagen, Steve Bullnack; Joel Shugars, Jake Whippany; Dorothy Wright, Elizabeth Woodling; Karita Reifsnyder, Sarah Woodling; Chris Tsocanos, Jacob Woodling; Nick Budge, Sandy Twist; Bill Fry, Edgar Crocker; Doug Sontag, Mike Mooney; Travis O'Bier, Reuben Sloane and Joe; Rich Reifsnyder, Salem Trumbull; Tom Kramer, Sam; Michael Thompson, Raymond Janney; Fandango Girls: Liz Keimer, Cherry Jourdel Miranda Kane, Yvonne Sorel; Christina L'Heureux, Suzanne Duval; Sandy Ganio; Virginia Kurtz; Alison Shugars; Jamie Storvik
— Lyn Dowling, for FLORIDA TODAY
Duck Donuts, known for its Warm, Delicious and Made-to-Order! ® donuts, keeps its 2022 growth momentum strong with the signing of 13 franchise agreements for 19 shops during the second quarter.The newest Duck Donuts Franchise Partners have signed on in Whippany, New Jersey; North Tampa, Florida; Lynn, Massachusetts; Knightdale, North Carolina; Geneva, Illinois; Newtown, Pennsylvania; Wyomissing, Pennsylvania; Mission, Texas; and multi-unit agreements in Raleigh, North Carolina (two); Johnson Ci...
Duck Donuts, known for its Warm, Delicious and Made-to-Order! ® donuts, keeps its 2022 growth momentum strong with the signing of 13 franchise agreements for 19 shops during the second quarter.
The newest Duck Donuts Franchise Partners have signed on in Whippany, New Jersey; North Tampa, Florida; Lynn, Massachusetts; Knightdale, North Carolina; Geneva, Illinois; Newtown, Pennsylvania; Wyomissing, Pennsylvania; Mission, Texas; and multi-unit agreements in Raleigh, North Carolina (two); Johnson City and Bristol, Tennessee (two); Scottsdale and Tempe, Arizona (three); Wellington and North Palm Beach, Florida (two); Jacksonville, Florida (two).
“We’re very excited to welcome our newest franchise partners to the Duck Donuts family and look forward to strengthening our footprint across the United States,” said Eric Lavinder, Duck Donuts chief development officer. “We are confident that through their enthusiasm, passion for the brand and experience, this group of franchise partners has the ability
to launch and manage a very successful business, as they work to introduce the warm, delicious and made-to-order Duck Donuts experience in their markets.”
Building on the momentum of the new franchise agreements signed this past quarter, Duck Donuts also opened four shops and eight are slated to open through September. Since April, Duck Donuts opened in Libertyville, its first Illinois location; Twin Falls, Idaho; Carolina, Puerto Rico; and Burlington, Ontario.
The company currently operates two international and 111 U.S. franchise locations across 22 states and Puerto Rico. For more information on franchising, visit https://www.duckdonuts.com/about-us/franchising-info/.
ABOUT DUCK DONUTS
Duck Donuts opened its first locations in 2007 in the beach resort towns of Duck and Kitty Hawk, North Carolina with the intention to create an oasis for vacationers to enjoy warm, delicious, made-to-order donuts. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, the company began franchising in 2013, and prides itself on sprinkling happiness to its guests through its unique in-store experience, exceptional guest service and a duckzillion donut combinations. As one of the fastest-growing donut franchise companies, Duck Donuts has more than 100 locally owned and operated shops across 22 states, Puerto Rico and two international locations in Burlington, Ontario and Riyadh, KSA. For more information, visit www.duckdonuts.com.
CorrespondentStep inside Don Jose Mexican Restaurant in East Hanover, and the strip center storefront at 200 Route 10 West quickly gives way to an inviting interior.Picturesque wall murals abound. Tabletops and chair-backs flaunt colorful drawings of the flora and fauna of Mexico. Large-brimmed sombreros hang wherever they can fit.During evening hours Friday through Sunday, diners are serenaded to the likes of "Cielito Lindo," "Guantanamera" and "La Cucaracha" by a singing gui...
Correspondent
Step inside Don Jose Mexican Restaurant in East Hanover, and the strip center storefront at 200 Route 10 West quickly gives way to an inviting interior.
Picturesque wall murals abound. Tabletops and chair-backs flaunt colorful drawings of the flora and fauna of Mexico. Large-brimmed sombreros hang wherever they can fit.
During evening hours Friday through Sunday, diners are serenaded to the likes of "Cielito Lindo," "Guantanamera" and "La Cucaracha" by a singing guitarist.
SEE PHOTOS>>http://dailyre.co/1aiHFYU
Atmosphere aside, a loyal contingent of patrons swears by the quality of Don Jose's food, which, they maintain, has been the eatery's hallmark since opening in 1998.
Pinning the mere label of "regular customers" on Marybeth and Paul Lombardino – with whom we met up on a recent lunchtime visit – would almost be an understatement.
The Lombardinos, of Whippany, owners of Politi Auto Parts in East Hanover, recall dining at Don Jose the first week it opened.
"We're fans of Mexican food," Paul said. "We watched the restaurant's sign go up."
Since that time, the couple has made it a ritual to come for lunch at least once a week, and then return at night for weekly dinners, now bringing their three children, aged 6-13.
"Our older daughter is learning Spanish. She practices with everyone who comes to the table," said Paul, who ordered the Shrimp Enchiladas combination lunch ($10.95), one of Don Jose's biggest sellers.
The dish features shrimp sautéed in garlic butter, cut in sections and stuffed into a pair of enchiladas. The enchiladas are topped with melted cheese and an array of veggies, highlighted by mushrooms, sweet peppers, tomatoes and onions, alongside rice and refried beans.
Marybeth was in more of a taco mood, so she selected the Soft Shell Tacos plate ($8.95).
Included were two tacos — a choice of either seasoned ground beef or shredded chicken varieties, so she picked one of each — topped with shredded cheese, with rice and beans.
"It's good, wholesome food," she said. "Fresh, not processed."
The moderate prices add to the appeal, with lunch menu entrees ranging from $7.95 to $13.95, and dinners from $10.95 to $17.95.
Fresh ingredients
Manager and co-owner Sam Arceo, part of the original ownership family that hails from Jalisco, Mexico, says the restaurant's success is dependent upon an insistence that only first-rate ingredients be used.
When it comes to guacamole, a starting point for more than half of Don Jose's customers, that means being very particular about the avocados.
"It has to be a good avocado – Hass from Mexico," Arceo says.
Then there's the expert preparation, "The way you mash it and mix it with tomatoes and onions and cilantro," he explains. "We don't need a lot of salt because it already has the flavor."
The result is a pleasant tasting, smoothly textured guacamole that beckons for dipping.
Don Jose avoids the pomp and circumstance of having cooking staff mash avocados at tableside, resulting in a price break for customers ($5.95 per bowl).
Counter-balancing the coolness of the guacamole is the jalapeño-induced kick of the homemade salsa, brought with a basket of chips to each table at no charge. (Up to three complimentary refills of salsa are offered).
"It's addictive," says Arceo's nephew, José Oliveros, who assists with cooking, hosting and table-waiting duties. "I like the little spicy kick."
Fresh ingredients are key, and the seasonal nature of the jalapeños calibrates the salsa's level of hotness.
"Some seasons are hotter than others," Oliveros said. "Right now is the spicy season, from middle of winter to late spring."
Working our way towards the back of the restaurant, we ran into the Vita family, from Union, including Lilian and husband Manuel, along with their daughter, Charmaine.
A three year-plus regular, Lilian considers Don Jose's cuisine unique.
"The flavor is different. It's not like the other Mexican restaurants," she said, choosing the Salmon Garlic Arceo ($11.75) for this particular lunch.
Honoring Don Jose's owners, the namesake dish offers salmon broiled with white wine, peeled garlic and lime, with rice and black beans.
"I work at College of Saint Elizabeth (in Morristown). That's why I always come here," she said.
The other members of her family were trying the restaurant for the first time.
Manuel opted for Steak Pueblo ($12.50), a New York strip steak sautéed with garlic, and topped with beans, cheese and green tomatillo sauce. Rice and black beans add the finishing touch.
"It's nice and tender," said the retired chemical operator. "A big portion, and the sauce is good."
Charmaine, a financial advisor who describes herself as a "big food fanatic," couldn't resist tapping into the combination plate portion of the lunch menu for a "Number 4" ($10.95) — a chicken burrito topped with green sauce, cheese enchilada with red sauce and beef taco, paired with the requisite rice and beans.
"Absolutely delicious," Charmaine critiqued. "It's the best of both worlds. You're getting different meats and different sauces that enhance the flavor. It just melts in your mouth."
She shared a bowl of fried ice cream ($3.50) for dessert with her father.
Nachos, salads, ceviche (cold marinated seafood) and vegetarian dishes – such as burritos or fajitas with sautéed mixed vegetables – are also on the menu.
Family passion
Beyond the flavorful food, family is at the core of Don Jose's saga, which embodies the quintessential American dream.
Two more locations have opened, one in Sebring, Fla. in 2000, the other in Netcong (at 124 Rte. 46 East) in 2011, giving the restaurant its second Morris County operation.
Thanks to the Arceo family's size, and passion for keeping their business vibrant by maintaining hands-on involvement, there's no outsourcing of management required.
One of 10 Arceo children — seven boys and three girls — Sam, 43, of West Orange, remembers having to wait his turn, as the fifth child and "middle brother," before becoming manager.
"My older brothers were here before me," he said.
Oldest brother Rosendo now runs Don Jose in Florida with brothers Luis and Mario, while brother Antonio manages in Netcong with brothers José in the kitchen and Moises at the bar.
"We're very fortunate to have each other, and grow up as a business," said Maria Arceo, 35, youngest of the Arceo children, who waits tables, serves as hostess and handles catering at the East Hanover restaurant.
Meanwhile, José Oliveros, 19, representing the next generation, is eager to hone his skills and take on more responsibilities.
"I would come here wanting to help the family since I was 12 years old," says Oliveros, now studying for his culinary arts certification at the International Culinary Center in Manhattan on days he isn't working at Don Jose.
His mother, Elisa, oldest of the Arceo siblings, and father, also named Sam, will be holding down the dinner shift.
Oliveros says he is inspired by "seeing my family work together, and put food out that people love."
For 17-year customer Paul Lombardino, keeping up with the Arceos and their children is another reason to keep coming back.
"They make you feel like you're family, because they're all family," he said.
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Don Jose Mexican Restaurant
Location: 200 Route 10 West, East Hanover
Phone: 973-781-0155
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m, Monday to Friday; noon to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
Website: www.donjosemexican.com
Sister locations: 124 U.S. Rte. 46 East, Netcong, 973-527-7330; and Sebring, FL
Prices: Moderate
Alcoholic beverages: BYOB (no alcohol served) at East Hanover location; bar service available in Netcong
