Clinton Township Newsletter

2 5 n o v e m b e r 2 0 2 1 p o M e g R A n A t e S " A S C L o S e t o A M i R A C L e f o o D A S M o t h e R n A t u R e g e t S By: Jen Magro – ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Medical Exercise Specialist, Weight Loss Specialist, Health Coach, Group Fitness Instructor, Yoga Instructor Certified through YogaFit, Spinning – Level 2 Instructor November is National Pomegranate Month and a great time to learn all about the amazing health benefits of this special fruit! • The word "pomegranate" comes from "pome", the latin word for apple and "granate", the latin word for seed. • The inside of the fruit is loaded with small seeds called "arils", which contain juice and a little white seed. • The fruit is the only plant in the world that contains an Omega 5 fatty acid called Punicic acid derived from the official name punica grantum. This fatty acid is contained within the white seeds and the juice. For best absorption, thoroughly chewing the seeds or juicing is recommended. • According to Dr. Lindsey Berkson, pomegranates have numerous health benefits including: positive effects on cholesterol and blood pressure, helpful in managing diabetes, fighting cancer, protecting mitochondria and boosting energy. For all the details visit her blog at: www.drlindseyberkson.com/ pomegranates-cholesterol-hormones-cancer. • The only negative about pomegranates is opening them; however, there is a new way which decreases both the time and the mess. Step 1: Roll the pomegranate on the counter until the arils have loosened, about 30-45 seconds. Step 2: Cut the pomegranate in half and squeeze one half into a bowl. Step 3: Hold that half, seed side down, in the palm of one hand while hitting the other side with a wooden spoon and watch the seeds fall into the bowl. You're done in less than three minutes and the kitchen does not look like a murder scene! Give them a try; you'll be glad you did! Visit our website for a complimentary, one-day guest pass! https:// wellness.hunterdonhealthcare.org/forums. (Please note: This offer is limited to one visit per guest, per month). h u n t e R D o n h e A L t h A n D w e L L n e S S C e n t e R L o C A t i o n S : Whitehouse Station: 537 Route 22 East, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889 Clinton: 1738 Route 31 North, Clinton, NJ 08809 Lambertville: 333 North Main Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530 C A S A S h A w e x e C u t i v e D i R e C t o R e A R n S t R A u M A C e R t i f i C A t i o n Court Appointed Special Advocates of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties (CASA SHaW) has announced that Executive Director Tracey Heisler has obtained and earned certification as an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Trainer. ACEs manifest themselves in many forms, from physical and mental abuse to neglect and household dysfunction. In 1998, CDC-Kaiser Permanente published a groundbreaking study that investigated the impact of ACEs on physical and mental health problems in over 17,000 adults. During the study, the adults were given a survey asking about 10 different types of ACEs and if they had experienced them prior to the age of 18. The study results showed a direct correlation between ACEs and future health complications. In June 2021, the statewide nonprofit CASA of New Jersey, along with ACE Interface and the New Jersey Department of Children and Families Office of Resilience, began training 28 CASA staff members from across the state to become certified in delivering the Understanding A C E s : B u i l d i n g S e l f - H e a l i n g Communities presentation to New Jersey audiences. Heisler, a leader within the CASA statewide network regarding trauma-informed care, is the first staff member in New Jersey to receive certification as an ACEs presenter and is the ACE's Lead for the CASA network. "The more we are willing and able to help our collective c o m m u n i t i e s u n d e r s t a n d t r a u m a , w h e r e i t c o m e s from, and how to heal from it, the better our family and community foundations can and will be in the future. Becoming trauma-informed can be the silver bullet to help alter the child welfare system as we know it." said Heisler. Heisler participated in and earned her ACEs and trauma certification by attending the 24-hour course with Dr. Robert Anda, one of the co-authors of the original ACEs study. In addition, trainees need to present the information at least twice before going through their own certification presentation. To become certified, trainees had to show their understanding and knowledge of the material and present it in a way that was accessible to learners. The train-the-trainer approach ensures that CASA volunteers throughout the state continue to be trauma informed as they work with vulnerable children in care. "In a sense, as we gauge trauma in children and even adults, it's about being proactive rather than reactive. Frankly, becoming trauma-informed transcends through every aspect of life. Home life is affected by trauma. Work life is affected by trauma, and all the decisions by folks that are made in between," Heisler said. "When we begin to understand why and how decisions we made are a direct correlation to the trauma we faced, we'll be able to start making positive inroads within our communities," said Heisler. Heisler and CASA SHaW provide trauma-based trainings at no cost to our community. Police departments, schools, and other nonprofit groups and organizations can contact Heisler and CASA SHaW to schedule an ACEs and trauma training in the future. CASA of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties is part of a statewide network of community-based, non-profit programs that recruit, screen, train and supervise volunteers to "Speak Up for a Child" removed from home due to abuse or neglect. CASA is the only program in New Jersey that uses trained volunteers to work one-on-one with children, ensuring that each one gets the services needed and achieves permanency in a safe, nurturing home. To learn more, visit: www.CASAofNJ.org. "In a sense, as we gauge trauma in children and even adults, it's about being proactive rather than reactive." – Tracey Heisler, Executive Director, CASA SHaW

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