Faith Eichenour, a student, said, “Planting a garden is hard work, but it’s really, really fun. I learned a lot of new things. It’s kinda cool because you earned it.”

To read the rest of the story get the June 18 edition of The Coaster on your newsstand now.

Thomas E. Campbell was celebrated with three standing ovations after being made Superintendent/Principal of the Woodrow Wilson School in Neptune City.

Campbell is the current vice principal and has been working at the school for the past nine years.

Most of the schools staff, along with parents and community members attended the Board of Educations reorganization meeting Tuesday night when the announcement was made.

Under his three year contract Campbell will receive $129,000 for the 2008/2009 school year, $135,500 for the next and $142,225 for the 2010/2011 school year, the last of his contract.

Rachel Servone, the mother of a student at the Woodrow Wilson School, said before the announcement was made, Were all here for Mr. Campbell.

In announcing the appointment, Debra Johnson-Dahrouge, who was re-elected vice president called it her honor and her pleasure to name Campbell as the new superintendent.

The position of superintendent was changed to include principal with the retirement of outgoing superintendent Robert Shafer, who is leaving the district in June.

In accepting the positions Campbell said he was humbled to become the schools Chief School Administrator.

Campbell thanked the board for allowing him to lead the school district.

He also thanked Shafer and Business Administrator William Folk for their mentoring and guidance.

When he thanked the school staff for their support they all rose to applaud him.

Teacher Leigh White said afterwards at a brief reception held in his honor, Mr. C. so deserves this…hes the best.

School librarian Cathy Digironimo said, Were so glad they (the board) realized it, were just so glad.

The board used the services of the New Jersey School Boards Association for the search, which began in February.

Also at the meeting Brian Sullivan was re-elected board president.

Some people take you behind velvet ropes. This Independence Day, I take you behind your neighbors homes and into two very private, fabulous backyards in Asbury Park.

The lush green backyard with the custom cedar deck and furniture belongs to two guys who I have given the moniker the hottest couple in Asbury. For me, the homeowners do not really have names I easily call them Hottest Couple, and everyone I know, knows whom I am referring to. Both guys in this delicious duo are so hot they do not need to have a point to their conversation; however, they always do. I think.

If their yard looked like Sanford & Sons backyard, I would have used this column to get to talk with them.

Oh, ummm, OK, Hottest Couples yard it is lushly green with amazing textures, strategically pesticide-free and planned beautifully, making maximum use of the sun, shade and property.

They have worked on their backyard for almost four years – a lot of the time shirtless. Hottest Couple tore out every weed, tree stump, tire, and dishwasher that was abandoned in the yard when they bought the home and created their own personal Asbury Park backyard renaissance.

Walking around the gorgeous grounds you will find pink peonies on the cusp of bloom, magnolia trees, Maiden grass, Russian Sage, verdant Rosemary, white carpet roses, a number of luscious lilac bushes, native vines, wild and Japanese honeysuckle, Dutchmans Pipe, Wisteria and many more cubic yards of fabulous foliage.

This yard is so brilliant the cherry trees even had a Manhattan address. They trucked the trees to Asbury Park from a New York City friend who had an overflowing rooftop garden. There is also a great vintage Murray childs toy tractor that I love.

Hottest Couples secret to blooms the size of grapefruit? TerraCycle fertilizer it is made from worm poop, literally. No chemicals and completely organic.

The second yard, with the pool, belongs to my BFF - Best Friend Forever for those not familiar with cell phone texting lingo. It looks like I snagged this photo from the Restoration Hardware catalog. I did not.

BFF moved down here one year ago and has improved on the perfection the former owner sowed, making what seemed unimproveable even more brilliant. Everything in the yard, from the old pear tree to the new holly bushes is impeccably manicured.

One of my many favorite components of the yard is how the garage was designed to meld with the property and look like a pool house. Quoting Frank Lloyd Wright, the garage is of the land, not on it.

So wonderfully thought out.

There are more than a few people with a green thumb around Asbury Park. I am not one of them, however, I am ready for my training from Hottest Couple. NASA can put a man on the moon, however I cannot grow grass in sandy soil, in the shade. Ug.

The makeovers many neighbors have completed on their yards from Sewall to Sunset Avenues would make Martha Stewart proud.

By the way, I am loving the lounge chair and tote in Hottest Couples yard. Both are made with absolutely gorgeous, vibrant French canvas and the chairs have unfinished birch frames that age wonderfully over time. Even beyond your backyard, they are a way fabulous and sexy beach accessory. QuelObjet.com has more info.

Tell me or ask me something interesting neat gossip, fun questions, great upcoming events. Anything about you and our city. Email me ASAP at TheBPlot@yahoo.com. Include your phone number.

Today, my dear friends, I wish to offer belated congratulations to those men that former NBC journalist Tom Brokaw referred to as part of the Greatest Generation and hope you all enjoyed last Sundays Fathers Day.

I must say I enjoyed the entire weekend. On Saturday I attended DE Day at the Naval Weapons Station Earle in Leonardo. The program included a Memorial Service honoring those US Navy and US Coast Guard men that served on destroyer escort ships during World War II, and most particularly those who lost their lives in the line of duty. There were 100 that attended the memorial service.

The annual affair is sponsored by the Garden State Chapter of DESA (Destroyer Escort Sailors Association) headed by Jim Mitchell of Interlaken. The ceremony, attended by 100 former DE sailors, some accompanied by their wives who make up the DE Auxiliary, was indeed an embodiment of the spirit and pride that runs high amongst those that served on what some call one of the wars most effective ships.

The program began with a Call to Attention, parade and posting of colors under the direction of Chief Master at Arms, Hans Semple, USN, followed by the singing of our National Anthem and a salute to our flag, all led by Julia Manhart, president of the chapters auxiliary. James Mitchell, chapter trustee welcomed everyone and read a proclamation from Governor Corzine setting the third Saturday of June as Destroyer Escort Day throughout New Jersey.

Following the ceremonies we all had lunch at Bahrs in Atlantic Highlands. There the watery eyes evident amongst many of the Salty Sailors earlier in the day disappeared and were replaced by smiling faces, hearty handshakes and exchanges of stories relevant to the times we all had over 60 years ago.

In addition to reminiscing about our old DE days the conversations covered a multitude of subjects unrelated. I was fortunate to be assigned a seat at Trustee Mitchells table. On my left was Frank Ficuciello of Beminister and his daughter Ann Marie of the Bronx, NewYork. Others at the table were Bernie and Dorothy Hyduke of Clark, Jean and John Martorama residents of Seabrook in Tinton Falls and Jim and Kathleen Mitchell. The chit chat was interesting and a feeling of comradery prevailed throughout. We spoke of the progress being made in Asbury Parks development, our memories of time spent in Newark, and of course the Yankees and Mets.

I found it interesting to be informed that a total of 1303 De sailors representing 141 different DEs were killed in action during WW II. I wish I could say Ive been an active member of DESA, but to date my contributions to the great organization leave much to be desired.

A few words dedicated to the memory of DE sailors were most appropriate.

They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the hearts condemn.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we shall remember them.

A New Shade of Green….and Recycling Animals???

“In order to keep a true perspective of one’s importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him.”—Dereke Bruce, Taipei, Taiwan

When I was growing up, stray animals were taken to The Pound and for the most part were put down soon after they arrived. Now they’re taken to animal shelters and dog rescues where most of these unwanted dogs and cats are helped to find new homes. It’s sort of a contemporary Animal Recycling Center in the best sense of the term.

Actually there are two types of shelters. “Kill” shelters, and “no kill” shelters. Pets in a “kill” shelter are given a grace period (usually a matter of days) while they hope for adoption. Once that grace period runs out however, unless the shelter has room to spare, the animal is humanely euthanised, regardless of its potential. Dogs and cats are also euthanised if they seem aggressive or are in very poor health. Kill shelters are not evil; they are, unfortunately, a necessary part of life until pet owners become more responsible.

“No kill” shelters are similar to sanctuaries. Pets are not euthanised regularly, unless they are in very poor health, or dangerously aggressive. “No kill” shelters are almost constantly overflowing and often have animals that have been in residence for years. There are literally thousands of dogs, of all ages, shapes, breeds and sizes currently in shelters that need homes. Almost every town has an animal shelter or dog pound that collects them. And contrary to what you may think, the dogs and cats are there for all kinds of reasons, not necessarily bad ones.

Once you’ve decided to add a dog or cat to your family, adoption is one of the best and fastest ways to make it happen. Even if you want a purebred puppy or kitty, you can usually find one for adoption, rather than buying from a breeder. It might not be the instant gratification you want, but you likely won’t have to wait for months like you would with a planned litter.

Once you find a shelter or rescue near you you’ll be taken to spend some time with the adoptable dogs and cats. Take your time to play with them, get to know a bit about them and how they react to you.

Ask the shelter workers any questions you can think of; they’ll answer them to the best of their ability. Be prepared to answer questions as well. The shelter workers are going to want to know all about your home life and living situation. You must be completely honest! The workers do their best to match dogs and cats with families and less than complete honesty could make for a less-than-harmonious relationship with your new pet.

If you prepare for your visit to the shelter, you’ll help move the process along more smoothly. Here are some things to bring with you:

The name and number of the veterinarian you’ll be using.
Statement of permission from your landlord (if you rent).

A good attitude. The workers do their best to find their dogs and cats homes and will turn you down if they don’t think your home will work out. They don’t owe you a dog or cat. Cooperate, answer their questions, ask your own, and hopefully you’ll be approved for a cat or dog.
Lastly, there will always be an adoption fee. The Adoption Fee covers: Primary vaccines for an adopted pet; Microchipping; Spay or neutering; health and veterinary care costs for any needy animal within the shelter; cost of housing, taxes, and utilities used to keep the shelter warm and running properly; feeding costs for animals ; salary or wages for workers (although most shelters and organizations run on voluntary help only).

Although the adoption fee is a way to subsidize costs of caring for the numerous animals, it also serves one greater function. The adoption fee will put off anybody who is not willing to spend money on their animals. If you can not afford an adoption fee, then you are unlikely to be able to afford care for your pet when he falls ill or has an accident. If you won’t spend it to bring home a loving companion, then it is more than likely that you won’t spend it when it is really needed either. It is a harsh world out there for pets, and making sure the dogs and cats go to a good, responsible home that will care for them for the rest of their life is the number one concern of most shelter and rescue volunteers.

How Do I Know It’s the Right Cat or Dog for Me? is a question that might run through your mind. No matter where your dog or cat comes from, spend some time getting to know the cats and dogs available for adoption, and make sure that you know what you are looking for in your new companion. If you don’t find the dog or cat that catches your heart right off the bat, you can always keep looking, and going back day after day. The cat or dog that didn’t arouse your interest might turn out to be the one you want after he/she gets to know you better (and vice versa).

ECO-TIP: Scoop up pet waste and flush it down the toilet. That’s best because then your community sewage treatment plant or your septic system treats the pet waste safely.
Tom Pivinski is chairman of the Asbury Park Environment and Shade Tree Commission.

The author Thomas Wolfe once wrote a book entitled You Cant Go Home Again. Well, Father Jerome Nolan has proven Mr. Wolfe wrong.

Jerry Nolan was born in Neptune. He was the middle child of three. His Dad worked for the Asbury Park Press as the City Editor and had been instrumental in starting up radio station WJLK in the early 50s.

Father Nolans Dad always strived to work for larger newspapers, so when Jerry was about 9 years old, the family picked up and moved to Philadelphia where his Dad then worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Three years later, the Nolans moved to Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, so Dad could commute every day into Manhattan and write for the New York Herald Tribune in the Sports department.

Like any other teenager growing up in Sheepshead Bay and attending high school on Avenue X, Jerry Nolan had every right to think about some relatively carefree years before adulthood came along. Those perceptions came crashing down when Jerrys father died unexpectedly and the Nolan family did what they had to do.

Jerrys older brother was already working at John Doody and Son, a precursor to Home Depot on Avenue Y. It was where men went for home improvement items and was hardly a place for women in the early 60s. But Jerrys Mom Kathleen needed to support her family, so through her sons connections she was hired as a cashier, the first woman to work for Doodys. Kathleen ended up working there for twenty-five years.

Jerry did his part as well, working during the summers at the Geico Insurance Office in Manhattan. He enjoyed the business world and worked at Geico for another three years following high school, but there was another profession that he was strongly considering as well the priesthood.

In a move that was strongly supported by his mother and family, Jerry Nolan went to St. Marys Seminary and College in Kentucky to study for the priesthood. Jerry decided to go about as far away from the hustle and bustle of Brooklyn as a 21 year old could by going to Penn Station and taking a three day train ride to Louisville, Kentucky. By the time the train got there, I think I was the last one on it! Father Nolan recalls.

Jerrys arrival made him realize he wasnt in Brooklyn anymore. It was quite a different experience, it was the South. I remember that I needed to take a taxi from the bus terminal to get to St. Marys. The dispatcher asked me where I was from and I told him New York City. He said you New Yorkers are always in a rush, the taxi will be there soon.

There were always summers to come back to Sheepshead Bay for, and Jerry and his family had all they needed for enjoyment within walking distance. Coney Island was nearby, with the rides, the amusements and the boardwalk. After GEICO had moved to Long Island and Jerry did not drive, one summer in the early 70s he took on a most interesting job as a Probation Officer in Lower Manhattan at the infamous Tombs complex. My mother knew someone who worked in Probation, Fr. Nolan recalled, I have quite a few interesting memories. The riot and lockdown were quite interesting.

In 1973, Jerry Nolan became Deacon Jerry Nolan. At that time, newly ordained Deacons were allowed to select their own diocese. Deacon Nolan chose the Trenton Diocese because of his familys roots in the area. Deacon Nolan was first assigned to St. Veronicas in Howell. It was 34 years ago, Route 9 was one lane, and I couldnt go out for a walk like I did in New York because there were no sidewalks. A gas station was someones house with a pump outside. It was in the country, I started to wonder What did I do? Father Nolan recalled.

On May 18, 1974, Deacon Nolan became Father Nolan.

I will always remember the ride from Brooklyn to Trenton, Father Nolan said, What a great day that was!

A newly ordained priests life is almost by rule a somewhat nomadic one, and Father Nolans early years were no different. He was first assigned to Sacred Heart Parish in South Plainfield for three years then on to St. Pauls in Burlington City for one year, St. Dorotheas in Eatontown for 6 years, St. Dominics in Brick for two years and Holy Spirit in Asbury Park for six years where he first became a Pastor. That was a special assignment, Father Nolan said, My Mother remembered Holy Spirit. I thought it was special that my Father had started his career in Asbury Park and I started my Pastorate in Asbury Park.

Father Nolans next assignment was the Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven for 12 years and for the last three years he has been the Pastor at the Church of the Ascension in Bradley Beach. These three years have been wonderful, Father Nolan said. Ascension is a very warm and welcoming place. The installation ceremony they gave me was beautiful and was supported by so many parishioners. The people of Ascension Parish are very close knit, they support their Pastor and they support each other through good times and through hard times.

Father Nolan also enjoys the larger Bradley Beach community. Bradley Beach is a rooted community. There are people who have been here a long time who care about the town and the parish. Father Nolan and Ascension are also neighbors to the Bradley Beach Elementary School. We are helpful neighbors. We are happy to provide a place for their graduation here at Ascension. We watch out for the school and are very happy to help out. Its a wonderful relationship.

On Sunday May 20th, Father Nolan and Ascension hosted the Most Rev. John M. Smith, the Bishop of the Trenton Diocese who celebrated the Noon Mass marking the 100th Anniversary of the Church of the Ascension. It was a wonderful experience. We had over one hundred people involved in over two years of planning. Everything came together beautifully. The choir sang beautifully. The dinner was absolutely perfect. It was an incredible time to be proud to be a pastor or a parishioner.

In what little spare time he has, Father Nolan loves to enjoy his small beach town.

It is absolutely wonderful living in Bradley Beach. There is real conviviality here. I love walking on the boardwalk. This is a wonderful place to be. I get a good feeling being here.

The incredible life of Jerome Nolan that started in Neptune has returned to the Jersey Shore in Bradley Beach, with over 34 years of service in the priesthood and with thousands of grateful parishioners in his wake. The parishioners of Ascension and the larger Bradley Beach community are blessed to have Father Jerome Nolan calling their parish and their town his home.
Gary Engelstad is a Bradley Beach Borough Councilman.

Its that time, when you stop at your favorite roadside stand or when you shop at your local super market, to look for a sign that says Jersey Fresh. Asparagus is in season and so are strawberries, and blueberries; corn and tomatoes are not far behind.

I bought some California strawberries and used only a few, leaving the rest in the refrigerator. I came across them a week later and not one had spoiled; they just shriveled up. The same thing happens with California grape tomatoes, they look beautiful when you first use a them but when you go back a few days later they are not rotted, just all shriveled up. I know they must dip them in some chemical to keep them from spoiling but who knows what it is.

The same thing goes for fruit and vegetables from south of the border. We have no control over their handling and pesticide practices. With all the trouble we have had in the past couple of months, Uncle John says eat Jersey Fresh.
Email Uncle John at unclejohntips@gmail.com.

There are things that you just need to start your morning off right. For some its a cup of coffee, or its the morning paper and for others it can be anything from a lucky scratch off lottery ticket to a bag of snacks. But for all of them and many others, these things only get you halfway there to a great start to your day. Dottie provides the other half, and more.

Dottie is a Jersey girl, through and through. She was born in Elizabeth. Dotties Dad worked for 25 years for Hubeny Brothers, a kitchen cabinet manufacturer in nearby Roselle. Dotties Mom was a homemaker.

Dottie is the oldest of four children. It was her and her three younger brothers. I love my brothers, Dottie said.

The early years for Dottie were in the projects of Elizabeth, which had just been built. Her neighborhood consisted mostly of fellow parishioners of St. Patricks, which was on nearby Court Street. Our parents gave us everything they could, Dottie remembers. St. Patricks was also where Dottie attended grade school. Dottie then went on to Battin High School. It was an all girls school that was originally a mansion which was donated to the city of Elizabeth by Joseph Battin, the President of the Elizabeth Water Company. Dottie jokingly refers to it as the old ladys home on the hill.

One of the things that Dotties parents gave her and her brothers every summer was their much anticipated trip to Seaside Heights at the Shore. The 66 mile trip took place every year during the first two weeks of August. Why Seaside Heights? It was where my parents went on their honeymoon, Dottie said. I loved it, Dottie remembers. We always got a place between the bay and the ocean; I could go to either one. My Moms friend would get a place. Our Aunts and Uncles and Cousins would come down. We had a lot of fun, it was a good time.

Elizabeth was a special place to grow up. There were church picnics, there were dances outside in the summertime, someone would play music outside their window, we loved playing ringalivio on the block, in the wintertime we would freeze the water and ice skate.

As much as she fought it, Dottie grew up and started to earn some money. She was a constant babysitter in her neighborhood. Her first real job was with the nearby Safeway Supermarket. During her high school years, Dottie worked during tax season with a local CPA firm. I was never good with numbers, Dottie laughingly recalled.

Dottie has always had a strong work ethic. She attended business school during the summer between her Junior and Senior years in High School; she then went on to be a bookkeeper at Schnitzer Alloy in Elizabeth. Dotties first full time job out of high school was working for American Type Founders on Elmora Avenue in Elizabeth. I made a big fifty dollars a week! Dottie recalls, and I saved most of it.

Dottie got married and soon thereafter the kids came along. Candy, Ronnie, Edward and Mary Ellen made their household one of six.

In the late 1960s, Dotties husband decided that he wanted to live by the shore and chose Bradley Beach. I loved going to the stores that opened in the summertime, Dottie said. The vendors on the beach, the lockers, it was beautiful.

Dotties work ethic followed her to Bradley Beach. She was a waitress in a luncheonette called Shore Lunch that was in the 500 block of Main Street, then on to Phils Spa on the 700 block and Mickeys Subs on the 600 block.

For the past years, Dottie has worked at Cumberland Farms on Main Street. I begged them for this job, begged them every day until they gave in, Dottie laughed. Dottie loves her work and loves the people she works with. We have fun.

And Dottie loves her customers more than anything else. The regulars know I can be a little sarcastic at times. My sarcasm is free. I get connected with the people who stop in; I get worried if I dont see them in a while. Her customers care about her as well. I was out for about 3 months and friends kept asking about me, it made me feel good to know I was missed.

Her four hours a day goes fast, she loves laughing with her co-workers Carl, Debbie and Kathy. She knows the ebb and flows of a shore town. When school lets out, it gets busy when the summer folks come back.

Dottie cares about her town as well. For the past twelve years she was served with the Ladies Auxiliary. If you know of anyone who has a bus, please send them our way! Dottie said. I like being with the ladies, we have a lot of fun, we just did a spaghetti dinner for the firemen.

Dottie has a great sense of humor. When asked what a perfect day is, Dottie said when I get up and my feet hit the floor! Dottie wants to work as long as God lets me. I would climb the walls if I stayed home.

There are many, many people in Bradley Beach who are equally glad that Dottie is not at home in the morning, but rather getting their day off to a great start with her humor, a little sarcasm and being a genuine and caring friend.

Gary Engelstad is a Bradley Beach Borough Councilman.

Recently an ordinance was passed in the town of Keyport that requires a police officer to issue a ticket to any driver who smokes in their own vehicle if occupied by anyone under the age of 17. And while they can’t pull you over for that offense alone, they can ticket you for it.

A senator in this state has now decided to champion this cause and is seeking to make it state wide legislation. What kind of nonsense is that?

It seems as though many of our legislators have a pervasive attitude toward regulating anything and everything that they just dont like. Our country was founded on the principle of giving and protecting freedom and liberty, not taking rights away. It was about freedom of speech and expression and the pursuit of happiness. Now they want to govern and control the private lives and actions of citizens and what, up till now, was considered parenting.

The argument for this legislation is that its simply about protecting children from second hand smoke. While I appreciate the sentiment, I must question the intelligence of such a mandate. The reality is that if parents smoke in their cars with youngsters present, chances are they’re doing it at home and everywhere else as well. Typically, the time a child spends in a car with a smoker is miniscule relative to the other 24 hours in any given day. How much protection is really being offered?

Are there no better causes for this senator to champion? How much time and money does it cost to get a law passed? Do you really want your tax dollars spent on legislators meddling into the personal lives of parents and their choices for their own children?

Keep in mind that if you call DYFS on a parent who smokes crack in front of their child, that the child is not removed from the home unless other indicators of child abuse or neglect are present. Honestly I might not mind as much if all the money collected from these fines would fund some worthy causes for children. How about revamping the social services system for children? But you know that wont happen. Dont we already have enough rules, regulations and ordinances to contend with? Seriously, do we really need more restrictions?

I spent several hours in municipal court recently and learned a few interesting facts. Politicians in this state prefer to remain popular, so instead of raising certain taxes, theyve mandated fines on many traffic offenses that, before now, were up to the discretion of the judge. For instance, in the past, if you’d been pulled over for a faulty taillight and then couldnt produce your license, even though you had it at home and just ran out to get your child from the school nurses office, the judge might have compassion and suspend any fines, if you provided a note from the school nurse backing up your claim. Now, the judge no longer has control and must fine you $180. Same goes for failure to produce your insurance or registration cards. If, however, you are driving an unregistered vehicle and are pulled over for that, the fine is only $54. I cant even fathom the logic behind that one!

Truth be told though, I like the logic in not taxing everyone and instead imposing stiffer penalties on those who break the law. My concern is about new and useless laws and at what cost. I’m glad to give up some privacy in the name of national security. Most people with nothing to hide feel the same. But now I have to worry about what new, absurdity is next.

Obesity in children in this country is a huge threat and many children are at risk for diabetes, hypertension and other related disease. Are we going to have officers issue tickets to parents at ice cream parlors? Perhaps a food cop at the end of any fast food restaurant drive through. Imagine 15 years ahead. A bell could sound in the officers head set every time the term super size comes up. Then he could immediately pull you over and check to see if you have minors in the car.

I think it would be a better use of tax dollars to enforce many of the laws that already exist and leave what privacy citizens have left, alone. Now isnt that just common sense?

If you have any comments or questions regarding this or nay prior article in Common Nonsense, or any personal pet peeves youd like to read about in future columns, contact KimMcClean Sullivan through Emil at:kimsullivan@mail.com.

When selecting a vitamin/mineral supplement, look for one that provides the essential macro-vitamins and minerals (large) such as vitamins C, E, the Bs, calcium, iron and zinc. Most important, know your personal needs, so if youre a vegetarian, youll need higher amounts of B12.

If youre a man, you dont need iron. Similarly, if youre a post-menopausal woman, you dont require as much iron as a younger woman does. Perhaps your doctor recently diagnosed you with osteoporosis and recommends for you to take a calcium supplement. You wonder if your multi-vitamin would do the trick, and it will as long as it contains no iron since they block each others absorption mechanisms. Conversely, vitamin C and iron assist each others assimilation, as does selenium and vitamin E. Its always best when looking for vitamin E to find one that has combined selenium. Oysters contain high amounts of zinc, so if you tend to eat a bunch during the summer months, youll be covered for the rest of the year and wont need to supplement. And finally, omega-3s and 6s are important since they improve cholesterol levels, improve brain functioning, and decrease the risk of stroke and heart disease.
Natalie Viggiano is a holistic clinical dietitian in private practice since 1996. Email her at naturalfoods@mail.com.