Last-Minute Valentine's Ideas? We Got You!

💘 Monmouth County Chocolate Shops & Romantic Restaurants

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Better With Age NJ team
February 12, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes

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It’s Wednesday, New Jersey! And it’s also just two days before Valentine's Day! 🍫❤️ Procrastinators, don't panic! 😱 We've got the ultimate chocolate lover's roadmap right here in Monmouth County. Whether you're looking to spoil the grandkids 👧👦, treat your sweetheart 💑, or just indulge your own sweet tooth 🍬, these local chocolate shops are about to save your Valentine's Day!

Weather: Snow that began falling last night is expected to end by 10 a.m. In Monmouth County, less than 3-inches of snow is expected. For the rest of the day, cloudy. high 37 degrees. Bundle up!🥶❄️

👀What’s on tap today:

  • Romantic dining spots

  • 10 foods that accelerate aging

  • Events this weekend

Up first…

Sweet Treats and Memories: A guide to Monmouth County's Finest Chocolate Shops for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is almost here, lovebirds! 💘 Ready to sweeten things up? 🥰 Monmouth County's chocolate shops are calling! 🍫 Treat your sweetheart, spoil the grandkids, or just indulge in some yummy nostalgia. 😋

  1. Old Monmouth Candies: A local favorite known for their world-famous brittle and homemade chocolates. Address: 627 Park Ave, Freehold, NJ 07728 Website: https://oldmonmouth.shop

  2. Suzi's Sweet Shoppe: Family-owned business specializing in hand-dipped chocolates, truffles, and fudge. Address: 1100 Highway 35, Middletown, NJ 07748 Website: https://suzisweetshoppe.com

  3. Red Bank Chocolate Shoppe: Offering homemade chocolate goodness for over 20 years, including gift boxes and trays. Address: 17 White St, Red Bank, NJ 07701 Website: https://redbankchocolateshoppe.com

  4. The Chocolate Bar of Little Silver: A small business chocolate shop known for great desserts and in-store shopping. Address: 78 Oceanport Ave, Little Silver, NJ 07739 Website: http://www.thechocolatebarnj.com

  5. Third Avenue Chocolate Shoppe: A sweet shop in Spring Lake offering various candies, gifts, and event favors. Address: 1118 3rd Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ 07762 Website: https://www.thirdavenuechocolateshoppe.com

  6. Criterion Chocolates: A Jersey Shore tradition for almost 100 years, known for premium chocolate confections and saltwater taffy. Address: 125 Lewis Street, Eatontown, NJ Website: https://criterionchocolates.com

Love is in the Air: Romantic Dining Spots for Seniors in Monmouth County This Valentine's Day! 💕🍽️

Calling all lovebirds! 👵👴 Monmouth County offers some delightful dining experiences perfect for couples looking to rekindle the romance or enjoy a special evening out. Here are our picks for the Top 5 most romantic restaurants nearby that we think seniors will enjoy!

  1. Scarborough Fair Restaurant 🌹

    • Address: 1414 Meeting House Rd, Sea Girt, NJ 08750

    • Phone: (732) 223-6658

    • Website: https://www.sfseagirt.com

    • Known for: Intimate atmosphere and eclectic American cuisine in a restored 1800s farmhouse

  2. La Pastaria 🍝

    • Address: 30 Linden Pl, Red Bank, NJ 07701

    • Phone: (732) 224-8699

    • Website: https://lapastaria.org

    • Known for: Authentic Italian dishes and BYOB dining

  3. Salt Creek Grille 🍷

  4. Amelia's By the Sea 🌊

    • Address: 1505 Ocean Ave, Spring Lake, NJ 07762

    • Phone: (732) 769-5700

    • Website: https://www.ameliasbythesea.com

    • Known for: Scenic ocean views and coastal dining

  5. Pascal & Sabine 🕯️

    • Address: 601 Bangs Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

    • Phone: (732) 774-3395

    • Website: http://www.pascalandsabine.com/

    • Known for: Charming French brasserie-style dining

Tip: Call ahead for reservations (you’ll definitely need one!) and to check for Valentine's Day specials and ask about accessibility! 💕🍽️

Eat Young, Stay Young: 10 Foods That Accelerate Aging and How to Avoid Them 🍽️👵

Aging is inevitable, but the speed at which we age? That's something we can influence—starting right on our dinner plate! 🥗 While genetics play a role in how we age, nutrition is a powerful tool that can help us maintain vitality, protect our cells, and slow down the aging process. As we get older, the foods we choose become even more critical, acting like a daily prescription for health and longevity. Here's a comprehensive guide to the foods that could be secretly speeding up your biological clock—and how to make smarter choices that keep you feeling vibrant and youthful. 💪❤️

To slow down aging, it's best to avoid or limit the following foods:

  1. Processed meats: Foods like bacon, sausage, and deli meats contain preservatives and saturated fats that can cause inflammation and accelerate aging.

  2. Fried foods: Items like french fries and potato chips are cooked at high temperatures, releasing free radicals that cause cellular damage and weaken skin elasticity.

  3. Sugary foods: Refined sugar damages collagen and elastin, leading to premature aging and wrinkles.

  4. Trans fats: Found in many fast foods and baked goods, trans fats can constrict blood vessels, reducing blood supply to the skin.

  5. White bread and refined carbs: These foods lead to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which increase inflammation and speed up aging.

  6. Charred meats: Overcooked or charred meats contain pro-inflammatory hydrocarbons that can break down collagen.

  7. Salty foods: Excessive salt intake can cause dehydration and water retention, leading to faster skin aging.

  8. Alcohol: While moderate consumption may have some benefits, heavy drinking can accelerate the aging process.

  9. Margarine: This processed spread often contains trans fats and can contribute to inflammation.

  10. Ultra-processed foods: These items often contain hydrogenated oils and trans fats that promote chronic inflammation and cellular aging.

By limiting these foods and focusing on a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, you can better support healthy aging.

Did you know?

Direct File is here! The State of New Jersey has kicked off IRS Direct File, an innovative program that provides residents with a free, easy-to-use, secure way to file taxes online, with live support to answer any questions. IRS Direct File is available in English and Spanish, and works on mobile devices, tablets and personal computers. Learn more about it at DirectFile.NJ.gov.

Join the Great Backyard Bird Count! 🐦

Get ready to grab your binoculars! 🔭 The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is back from Feb 14-17! 🗓️ This global bird-watching bash 🥳, brought to you by Cornell Lab, Audubon, and Birds Canada, is all about counting our feathered friends 🐦 and sharing what we see! Last year, a whopping 642,003 birders 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 spotted 7,920 species in 210 countries! 🌎

Want to join the fun? It's easy! 🤩 1️⃣ Pick your bird-watching spot. 🌳 2️⃣ Watch for 15+ minutes each day. ⏱️ 3️⃣ ID and count those birdies 🦢, then share your sightings! 🤳

For even more fun, bird with friends! 👯‍♀️ The Monmouth County Park System is hosting events for ages 14+ on Feb 14 (9-10 am, Manasquan Reservoir Visitor Center) and Feb 15 (9-10 am, Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center)! 📍 Let's get counting! 🦅 #GBBC #BirdCount #MonmouthCounty #BirdWatching #CitizenScience

Caregiver Lift ✨

“The simple act of caring is heroic.”

Edward Albert

Get out there! Upcoming events in NJ

February 12 – Bell Works FRESH Valentine’s Pop Up (Holmdel, Monmouth County)
February 12 – 14 – Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Princeton Garden Theatre! (Princeton, Mercer County)
February 13 – 16 – New Jersey Boat Expo (Edison, Middlesex County)
February 14 – 16 – Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner at the Kelsey Theatre (West Windsor, Mercer County)
February 14 – Fernando Villalona, El Chaval de la Bachata, Alex Bueno (Carteret, Middlesex County)
February 15 – A Bronx Tale: The One Man Show starring Chazz Palminteri (West Long Branch, Monmouth County)
February 15 – Love in Bloom at Colonial Nursery (Lincroft, Monmouth County)
February 15 – Old-Fashioned Valentine’s Day On The Farm (Lambertville, Hunterdon County)
February 15 – We May Be Right at Drew University (Madison, Morris County)
February 15 – Maple Sugaring at the Hermitage (Ho-Ho-Kus, Bergen County)
February 15 – Mike’s Seafood Run/Walk for Autism (Sea Isle City, Cape May County)
February 15 – We May Be Right, A Billy Joel Tribute at Drew University (Madison, Morris County)
February 15 & 16 – Maple Sugaring at the Environmental Education Center (Basking Ridge, Somerset County)
February 15 & 16 – Cape May President’s Weekend (Cape May, Cape May County)
February 16 – The Duprees and Who’s Johnny at Drew University (Madison, Morris County)

Where Did You Get Engaged in New Jersey? 💍💖

We asked our readers to share their most romantic proposal spots in the Garden State, and the answers didn't disappoint! From breathtaking beaches to enchanting gardens, New Jersey offers a diverse range of locations to pop the question. Here's what some readers shared:

  • "Sunset Serenade": "My husband proposed at Sunset Park in Harvey Cedars," shares Sarah M. "The view over Barnegat Bay was absolutely magical! 🌅 It was the perfect, intimate setting."

  • "LBI Love": "He got down on one knee at the Barnegat Lighthouse on Long Beach Island," says Jessica L. 🥰 "The sunset was painting the sky, and it was so romantic! LBI will always hold a special place in our hearts."

  • "Garden of Dreams": "We got engaged at the New Jersey Botanical Garden," reveals Michael B. 🌸 "Surrounded by flowers, especially the lilacs, made it a fairytale moment. I wouldn't have changed a thing! ✨"

  • "Sculpting Our Future": "Grounds for Sculpture was the perfect blend of art and nature for our proposal," shares Emily K. 🎨 "It was such a unique and memorable experience. I loved the whimsical atmosphere!"

  • "Boardwalk Bliss": "He proposed during a walk on the Spring Lake Boardwalk," says Jennifer P. 🌊 "The ocean breeze, the sound of the waves… it was so romantic and classic!"

  • "Arboretum Romance": "The Reeves-Reed Arboretum was so peaceful and beautiful." shares, David S. "I knew it was the right spot! 🌳 We love walking there, and he proposed at the gazebo! So cute."

  • "City Lights Spark": "He proposed with the NYC skyline in the background" shares Rachel G. 🌃"Jersey City Waterfront is truly romantic! We visit a restaurant there on the anniversary of our engagement now!"

  • "Ivy League Love": "We had our first date at Princeton and got engaged in front of Nassau Hall" shares, Steve J. 📚 It was the most beautiful proposal!"

Today’s birthdays

🎉 Happy Birthday, Tom Petruzzi! 🎉

Wishing you a fantastic day filled with joy, laughter, and all the things that make you happiest! 🥳🎂🎈 May the year ahead bring you health, happiness, and wonderful adventures! 🎁✨Enjoy your special day in Allendale! 🎊🎶🎉

A few other notable people sharing a birthday today with Tom include Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. President, born in 1836 ; Charles Darwin, naturalist and evolutionary theorist, born in 1837; actor Josh Brolin, 56; actor Christina Ricci, 44 and author Judy Blume, 86.

Thanks for reading! A special shoutout today goes to our local Monmouth County chocolate shops! 👏 You make every day a little sweeter. ❤️ Shop local this Valentine's Day and beyond!

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Questions, comments or news to share? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].

☺️See you next week!