The Alternative Press

ANDOVER TOWNSHIP, NJ - A group of local women were treated last night to food, wine, pampering, and a motivational speaker, and instructed to “Relax Unwind Enjoy”, while receiving information about several county businesses, at a "Night of Indulgence", held at Vintner's Circle in Andover Township, and coordinated by Vertical Vision.

"It's an opportunity for women to come out, and relax, and have it be about them," said Christina Grosso, of Salon FiG.

The salon had their organic hair products on display, and offered attendees free hand treatments.

Other participating businesses included: Vertical Vision, Sparta Chiropractic and Wellness Center, Angel Food, and Brianne Hendrick, a motivational speaker.

"I love to encourage women to come in to make wine," said Tara Becker, who owns Vintner's Circle with husband, Dave.

Becker said there are around 100 different varieties of wine that could be made at their location, from rosés to reds.

"You must try our flavored ports," Becker told the guests.

She mentioned flavors like chocolate raspberry, and chocolate strawberry.

"I want to make sure you're all enjoying yourselves," she added, mentioning their upcoming Friday night open house from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Jewels Quelly, a personal chef, talked about her transition to becoming a personal chef, in order to be at home more with her family, and spoke about her business, Angel Food.

"The food industry is a jealous mistress," she said.

She had a commercial kitchen built in her home, and insisted on the color purple for her walls.

"If I spend 20 hours a day in here, I'd like it to be purple," Jewels said.

"I'm in the business of taking some of the stress out of your lives by making meals," she offered.

Jewels said she caters meals for her clients, based on their dietary needs, and preferences.

"However you want it, we produce it," she added.

Jewels said Angel Food takes care of the process from grocery shopping, to delivery of the meals to their clients.

"We'll even pick up an extra gallon of milk for you at the store," she said.

The company also specializes in off-premises catering, and dinner parties.

Grosso talked more about Salon FiG.

“We are dedicated to bringing you salon quality products, and the best ingredients,” Grosso said.

Grosso said the salon ensures items are healthy for their clients, and employees.

“We test every single product and ingredients before we give it to you, our guests,” said Grosso.

Dr. Eric Loewrigkeit, Chiropractor from Sparta Chiropractic Center, presented next.

He asked the attendees what the official start of the flu season is, and subsequently informed them it is January 1.

“What happens the prior three months is something called the holidays,” Loewrigkeit said, as the ladies laughed.

“Isn’t it any wonder January 1 comes along, and we all get sick?” Loewrigkeit asked.

He attributed an imbalance on a person’s nervous system from eating improper foods, less exercise, and stress, to contributing to illness. In turn, Loewrigkeit said, joints lock, and bodies function worse.

Loewrigkeit said he formulates a plan with patients he treats, to live a lower stress life.

Gregg Boonstra from Vertical Vision is a financial coach, and was one of the coordinators of the event.

He told the audience that 70 percent of Americans struggle to pay their bills, and only three of 10 homes are “doing OK”.

“I help you get out of the struggle of what’s worrying you in your mailbox,” said Boonstra.

Boonstra emphasized if a person is not having financial trouble he helps them to locate extra money that can be put aside for college savings, or extras around the home.

“I work with you to help you get ahead,” said Boonstra.

He ensured his client list is totally private, and the first appointment is always no charge.

“I know it’s very personal talking about money,” Boonstra said. “I can help everybody where they are with their finances.”

Boonstra pointed out a client does not have to have a million dollar profile for him to take care of them.

Brianne Hendrick from Briantics was the motivational speaker for the event. She offered a number of scenarios for the women in attendance, asking them statements, such as if they had placed something unusual in the refrigerator or pantry (ex: a carton of milk in the pantry), if they had ever fallen upstairs, or dialed a phone number and forgotten who they had called. She asked women to give themselves a point for each they were able to relate to. The women with the highest points were given a gift.

“As women we are unpaid professional jugglers,” Hendrick said.

She asked the women to consider what most women struggle with, and found the ladies at the Night of Indulgence event, contended with feelings similar to women she had polled at other events she had spoken at. Some examples, beside body image, were feelings of not being good enough, to placing high expectations on themselves, to worries of their homes not being clean enough.

“Women try to be everything all the time, worry if they’re giving enough,” said Hendrick.

She reminded the women at the event to take it easier on themselves.

“The worst thing we do is compare ourselves to other people,” Hendrick said. “You’re not replaceable because you don’t have it all together.”

She said women need to redirect their thoughts, and discover how to continue to see themselves as a new, and improved version of themselves.

Each lady took home a gift bag from the event, and several ladies won prizes, including gift certificates to Salon FiG, a gift basket from Sparta Chiropractic and Wellness Center, and a “Wine Gift Bottle” from Vintner’s Circle.