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TRT - Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Basking Ridge, NJ

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What is Testosterone?

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.

When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:

  • Facial Hair
  • Body Hair
  • Deeper Voice
  • Muscle Strength
  • Increased Libido
  • Muscle Density

As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.

How does TRT work men

How Does TRT Work?

TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.

Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.

Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.

When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.

What Causes Low T

What Causes Low T?

For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.

When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.

If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.

For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.

Lowered Libido

Low Sex Drive

One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.

The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.

Inability to Achieve and Maintain Erections

Inability to Achieve and Maintain an Erection

Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.

Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.

Hair Loss

Loss of Strength and Muscle Mass

Loss of Strength and Muscle Mass

Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?

Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.

Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Basking Ridge, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.

Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.

Hair Loss

Hair Loss

If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.

Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Basking Ridge, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.

While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.

Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia

Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.

If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.

Decreased Energy

Decreased Energy

Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.

If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.

Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.

Lack of Sleep

Lack of Sleep

A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.

The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.

TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.

Depression

Depression

You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.

A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.

Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.

Inability to Concentrate

Inability to Concentrate

Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.

However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.

Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.

Weight Gain

Weight Gain

Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.

Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.

Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.

What is Sermorelin

What is Sermorelin?

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.

Benefits of Sermorelin

Benefits of Sermorelin

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.

Benefits of Sermorelin include:

  • Better Immune Function
  • Improved Physical Performance
  • More Growth Hormone Production
  • Less Body Fat
  • Build More Lean Muscle
  • Better Sleep
What is Ipamorelin

What is Ipamorelin?

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.

Benefits of Ipamorelin

Benefits of Ipamorelin

One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.

Some of those benefits include:

  • Powerful Anti-Aging Properties
  • More Muscle Mass
  • Less Unsightly Body Fat
  • Deep, Restful Sleep
  • Increased Athletic Performance
  • More Energy
  • Less Recovery Time for Training Sessions and Injuries
  • Enhanced Overall Wellness and Health
  • No Significant Increase in Cortisol

Your New, Youthful Lease on Life Starts Here

Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.

Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and 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!

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Latest News in Basking Ridge, NJ

New Sweet Shop To Open In Basking Ridge

Basking Ridge native Caitlin Cunningham recently opened Blue Starfish Creative Arts Center and is now looking to open Ridge Sweet Shoppe.|Updated Thu, Jan 18, 2024 at 11:12 am ETBASKING RIDGE, NJ — In less than two years, Basking Ridge native Caitlin Cunningham will bring two local and unique businesses to town.Cunningham opened ...

Basking Ridge native Caitlin Cunningham recently opened Blue Starfish Creative Arts Center and is now looking to open Ridge Sweet Shoppe.

|Updated Thu, Jan 18, 2024 at 11:12 am ET

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — In less than two years, Basking Ridge native Caitlin Cunningham will bring two local and unique businesses to town.

Cunningham opened The Blue Starfish Creative Arts Center on West Oak Street in June 2022 which offers a variety of classes including ceramics, sewing, knitting, crochet, cookie decorating, and sip and paint.

"It's a one-stop shop where we offer all different sorts of creativity," said Cunningham to Patch.

Cunningham is now expanding to open Ridge Sweet Shoppe in February located at 24 West Oak Street, which is next door to her Arts Center.

"My family goes back in the area three generations and my mom still lives in Basking Ridge," said Cunningham. "I love the small-town feel and have roots in the community. I don't think I could choose a better place to open than Basking Ridge."

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At the Arts Center, Cunningham offered cake and cookie decorating classes and received great feedback. This prompted her to lease the location next door and expand to be able to offer her classes while also serving up sweet treats.

"There is nothing quite like it in Basking Ridge. That's where I saw it was a very unique opportunity, so I jumped on it immediately," said Cunningham.

Ridge Sweet Shoppe will offer a variety of homemade sweet treats for custom order including cakes, crepes, waffles, truffles, cookies, cupcakes, cake pops, candy platters, customized chocolate candy, custom fruit arrangements, and dessert charcuterie boards.

Orders will also be available for online orders through DoorDash and UberEats.

For Cunningham opening her own small business is a dream come true. She pursued business in school and was awarded a scholarship to help her fulfill her dreams.

"I always dreamed of opening a storefront and I've always aspired to be a small business owner. This is truly a moment where I never stopped pursuing my dream," said Cunningham. "I don't think I've been so happy in my life. This is absolutely an incredible opportunity and I am so blessed."

For more information on the Ridge Sweet Shoppe visit its Facebook page. For more information on Blue Starfish Creative Arts Center visit bluestarfishcreativeartscenter.com or facebook.com/BlueStarfishCreativeArtsCenterNJ.

Ridge Forensics Team Hosts State's Largest Speech & Debate Tournament

More than 1,000 students and 300 adult coaches, judges and chaperones participated in the day-long event.BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Sixty schools from five states traveled to Ridge High School on January 27th for what would become the state’s largest speech and debate competition.More than 1,000 students and 300 adult coaches, judges and chaperones participated in the day-long event which was hosted in Ridge High School, Cedar Hill School, and Mount Prospect School.As a member school of the New Jersey Speech and D...

More than 1,000 students and 300 adult coaches, judges and chaperones participated in the day-long event.

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Sixty schools from five states traveled to Ridge High School on January 27th for what would become the state’s largest speech and debate competition.

More than 1,000 students and 300 adult coaches, judges and chaperones participated in the day-long event which was hosted in Ridge High School, Cedar Hill School, and Mount Prospect School.

As a member school of the New Jersey Speech and Debate League (NJSDL), Ridge offered 12 individual ‘speech’ events, including Informative Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Radio Broadcasting and Poetry Reading, and four debate events, including Parliamentary Debate, Congressional Debate and Public Forum.

Teams, presenting public and private schools, participate in the league tournaments in preparation and to qualify for the New Jersey state championships in March.

In addition, the Ridge tournament attracts teams from outside of New Jersey, including Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and Massachusetts.

Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

David Yastremski, director of the event and head coach for the Ridge Speech & Debate Team discussed the history of the event, "this was the 20th year that we have hosted this event, and was by far, the largest."

"We hosted all the high school events at Ridge and Cedar Hill. Because of the growth of the event, especially in the past two years, we needed to move our middle school division over to Mount Prospect," said Yastremski.

With the addition of middle school events, Yastremski noted that the tournament opens up a new opportunity for schools who wish to participate.

"As middle school programs develop, especially in speech events, there are not many in-person tournament opportunities for them until late in the school year, after the high school season ends," Yastremski said. "We welcomed a new generation of speakers and debaters, including schools from New York and Pennsylvania, to our event. And it was also exciting to see students from our own William Annin team excel at the event."

In addition to the extensive planning and preparations by the students, parents and coaching staff, Yastremski also commented on how fortunate the team is to have the administration and faculty’s support from throughout the district, especially our elementary schools.

"These events are critical to our fundraising efforts," Yastremski said. "The principals, faculty and staff of Ridge High, Cedar Hill and Mt. Prospect have been so helpful in providing us the support and space we need to manage the event. This helps build the prestige and reputation of the tournament throughout the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions"

The Ridge team also hosts a debate tournament in December, which is a two-day event where many teams stay in nearby hotels and patronize local businesses.

"I constantly hear from our guest coaches and the school chaperones how they enjoy visiting Bernards Township because of our safe and welcoming community," Yastremski said. "When our visitors arrive, they immediately recognize how special Basking Ridge is."

The funds raised from hosting the tournaments along with the annual Ridge Speech and Debate Summer Institute, help offset the costs for team members to attend national invitationals at Harvard, University of Pennsylvania and the University of Kentucky, along with the national championships in May and June.

With the large size of the events, the Ridge team has welcomed local businesses as sponsors. This year Rey Sol coffee roasters provided coffee for the guests while offering a take-home bag of the special Ridge Forensics/Speech & Debate roast for sale.

Yastremski, along with the coaches and parent steering committee, are already planning for the 2024-2025 events. Anyone who is interested in learning more about the Ridge Forensics / Speech & Debate program, tournament sponsorship or our summer institute can find information at www.ridgeforensics.com.

— Submitted by Loren Raye Bosso

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Basking Ridge Braces For Storm, Cancels All After School Activities

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township Public Schools has canceled all after-school activities on Tuesday in anticipation of the upcoming severe winter storm."Please be advised that due to the pending storm all after-school events and rentals are canceled for today. Aftercare parents must pick up children no later than 4 p.m.," said the district.The Bernards Township Committee also canceled its scheduled meeting for Tuesday night due to the State of Emergency.All matters are carried to the next scheduled T...

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township Public Schools has canceled all after-school activities on Tuesday in anticipation of the upcoming severe winter storm.

"Please be advised that due to the pending storm all after-school events and rentals are canceled for today. Aftercare parents must pick up children no later than 4 p.m.," said the district.

The Bernards Township Committee also canceled its scheduled meeting for Tuesday night due to the State of Emergency.

All matters are carried to the next scheduled Township Committee meeting to be held on Tuesday, Jan.23, at 8 p.m. to be held in the Warren Craft Meeting Room in the Municipal Building, 1 Collyer Lane, Basking Ridge.

All Bernards Township Offices will close at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday as well.

Somerset County also issued an alert asking residents to "avoid all unnecessary travel and adhere to all road closures if you must travel."

"There are several roads in the township that have an increased risk of flooding. Residents who live in the flood prone areas should pay close attention to the forecast and conditions. DO NOT drive through flooded roads or around barricades. The township emergency services and DPW are monitoring the storm and prepared to respond to any issues," according to Bernards Township.

Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency in the Garden State Monday afternoon ahead of a winter storm system set to bring up to four inches of rain, flooding and wind gusts up to 65 mph that could down trees and cause tens of thousands of power outages.

The winter storm begins Tuesday and continues into Wednesday. Heavy rain will fall with 1 to 3 inches expected and up to 4 inches possible in some areas.

Couple that with snow melt and moderate to major river flooding is possible.

The National Weather Service projects the Raritan River in Manville and Bound Brook, the North Branch Raritan River on the Branchburg and Bridgewater border, and the Millstone River in Blackwells Mills are all expected to hit "moderate" flood levels by Wednesday morning. Read More: Raritan, Millstone Rivers Projected To Flood Wednesday

A Flood Watch is in effect from 1 p.m. on Tuesday through 6 p.m. on Wednesday. A Wind Advisory is also in effect from 5 p.m. on Tuesday through 3 a.m. on Wednesday in Somerset County.

Here is a look at the upcoming forecast:

Tuesday: Rain, mainly after noon. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 50. Breezy, with an east wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Rain, mainly before 3 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 45. Windy, with a southeast wind 25 to 30 mph becoming south 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph.

New Women's Boutique Launched By Passionate Basking Ridge Moms

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Juggling three kids each and full-time jobs, two Basking Ridge moms are following their passion to empower women through fashion.Morgan Matarazzo and Elizabeth Vinhal recently opened a women's boutique called Camden Road above Ava's Ice Cream at 1 Henry St. in their hometown of Basking Ridge.Matarazzo, who worked at Google, and Vinhal, who works at a family law firm, both have daughters of the same age and got to talking through ...

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Juggling three kids each and full-time jobs, two Basking Ridge moms are following their passion to empower women through fashion.

Morgan Matarazzo and Elizabeth Vinhal recently opened a women's boutique called Camden Road above Ava's Ice Cream at 1 Henry St. in their hometown of Basking Ridge.

Matarazzo, who worked at Google, and Vinhal, who works at a family law firm, both have daughters of the same age and got to talking through the COVID pandemic about their passion and what they really enjoy outside of their corporate jobs.

"We both love fashion and finding a great piece of clothing," said Matarazzo.

However, Matarazzo and Vinhal found that a lot of boutiques weren't online or not in their price range.

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That's when they decided to create an online women's boutique to "make women feel good at an affordable price."

It started as a pop-up to test their new venture and received great feedback.

Since then they started doing private shopping parties, charity functions, and women's night out events.

"We've learned since COVID, that women really love getting together because they were missing so much," said Vinhal. "Someone hosts a party with food and cocktails and they can just shop and connect. It's a way for women to get together and a way for us to immerse ourselves into the community."

During the private shopping parties, Camden Road brings in three to four racks of clothes - like a traveling roadshow. While there Matarazzo and Vinhal offer a personalized shopping experience for guests.

Seeing much success, the pair have decided to keep Camden Road at its current location to offer the community a personal experience and a way for shoppers to see the pieces in person.

They also offer fast delivery for shoppers to try something at home.

"It is really exciting as two women who have been in the workforce our whole lives. Now we are entering a phase of doing something we really love now. Transitioning our focus," said Vinhal.

The clothing offered at the boutique runs the gambit on the age from 25 to 75.

"Women want to feel comfortable. You are on the sidelines running around town but you still want to look cute and put together," said Matarazzo.

Camden Road is typically open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They also offer flexible by offering private appointments for working women and moms.

"We are just two local women growing a passion project here and really enjoying the aspect of building a community of women," said Matarazzo.

For more information or to follow for store hours instagram.com/shopcamdenroad or shopcamdenroad.com.

Handmade Luxury Gingerbread Boutique & Cafe Coming To Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — It started as a childhood love of architecture for Molli Dowd and evolved into lavish adult gin and gingerbread parties.Now the Food Network contestant is coming to Basking Ridge to open her handmade luxury gingerbread boutique called Edible Estates along with a cafe at 107 S Maple Ave.Dowd's love for gingerbread was baked into her DNA as a child. Her grandfather was a custom builder in the 50s and her mom and grandmother were both bakers."I come from a family of builders and bakers," ...

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — It started as a childhood love of architecture for Molli Dowd and evolved into lavish adult gin and gingerbread parties.

Now the Food Network contestant is coming to Basking Ridge to open her handmade luxury gingerbread boutique called Edible Estates along with a cafe at 107 S Maple Ave.

Dowd's love for gingerbread was baked into her DNA as a child. Her grandfather was a custom builder in the 50s and her mom and grandmother were both bakers.

"I come from a family of builders and bakers," said Dowd.

It began as a fun activity to build gingerbread houses with her mom and two sisters. Each year they would create a different and more elaborate gingerbread house including their own childhood home.

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Her love for building and engineering began to stem past gingerbread as Dowd would build anything and everything she could even a dog house.

Then around 8 or 10 years ago, Dowd decided to share her gingerbread knowledge with others. She started offering gingerbread house classes around the holidays in Montclair for younger children.

Dowd would provide fairly elaborate pre-built homes for children to decorate. However, Dowd began to notice the parents overlooking their kids' shoulders.

"While the kids enjoyed the classes, the adults were the ones who really appreciated the quality of the work," said Dowd.

That spurred her idea to start hosting lavish gin and gingerbread parties. She would invite women, offer cocktails with top-shelf liquor and music, and provide candy buffets. Guests would be able to choose from the buffets of candy to decorate 75 to 100 pre-built home displays.

"I am such a Willy Wonka fan. I like walking into a room full of candy with friends. Everything is there for you. There is a big selection of colors," said Dowd. It just became something I really enjoyed doing and seeing people get excited - that's really what fed me - seeing people's reactions."

When the COVID pandemic hit, Dowd pivoted her business to begin shipping her pre-built gingerbread homes to people for them to decorate at home.

"I called it 'Happiness in a box'," said Dowd.

In 2021, Dowd's intricate gingerbread houses landed her a chance to compete for $10,000 on Food Network's "Holiday Baking Championship: Gingerbread Showdown."

Dowd and her pastry chef created a replica of New York City’s Chrysler Building. While she didn't win, she loved the experience.

Now with things returning to normal, Dowd found a location in Basking Ridge to offer her edible arts studio with a little coffee cafe in the front. Edible Estates will be the name of the studio and the cafe will be called The Porch.

The Porch will offer coffee and baked goods along with gingerbread, of course.

Her new space will give Dowd a place to offer classes to the public and continue her true love of making custom pieces.

Most recently she created a replica of Barrister Coffee House which recently opened at 96 S Finley Ave.

"Truly I am a lover of architecture and there is a collection of architectural styles that I can't wait to produce," said Dowd.

Each custom can take about 30 hours to produce. One of her favorites to create was the Benjamin Duke House in New York City.

"The customs are my high creative end of the business and truly my passion," said Dowd.

Edible Estates is currently undergoing renovations and will be opening in the New Year.

For more information on Edible Estates, to buy a pre-assembled gingerbread or to order a custom replica visit edibleestates.com. Follow Dowd to see when the new location will be opening at facebook.com/EdibleEstates or instagram.com/edibleestates.

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