feature story / 21 the Shore, working toward their mas- ter’s degrees in applied behavior analy- sis, and starting the Garden Academy in West Orange, a full-day, year-round school for children with autism. Now that their sons are nearing adulthood, Kattouf and Miller knew it was time to start something else. “We felt like we had to do something,” Miller says. “We didn’t want to put their lives in anyone else’s hands.” They enrolled in soap-making classes, opened a bank account, cre- ated a website, and renovated a room in the basement of Kattouf’s home to house their business. Their sons work one to three days a week, mixing the soaps, colors, es- sential oils and fragrances, then pour- ing the liquid soap into molds. Using a hole punch machine, they punch out the heart-shaped tags, then stamp the words “Beloved Bath” on them. For the bath salts, they use stencils to decorate the lids. For bath bombs, they use special paint to add splashes of color. “Everything that we do, they have a hand in,” says Kattouf – even choosing the scents. “They have their favorites. For the essential oil: ylang ylang and cotton candy. They also love the smell of lemon and lavender.” Ben Salmon, owner of Kitchen a la Mode in South Orange, recently started carrying Beloved Bath prod- ucts, which he says are now the “core” of his bath and beauty section. “I have a grapefruit soap and it makes me smile every time I use it.” The soap’s backstory resonated with him, while the overall quality of the products, he says, blew him away: “For soaps made within two miles of my store, the value is fantastic.” It was Salmon, who actively seeks out local products to sell in his store, who suggested that Beloved Bath cre- ate a “bacon bar.” The first one was purchased by South Orange Village President Sheena Collum, who raves, “It’s amazing! Who in the world creates a maple bacon hand soap? My hands smell better than expensive perfume – although it does seem more dogs An array of Beloved Bath soap scents. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Course Learn mindfulness practices to help reduce stress, increase focus, improve relationships, and enhance physical and mental wellbeing. 8 Weekly sessions Half Day retreat Starts Tuesday 9/26/17 7-9 pm 8 Weekly sessions Mindfulness practices Starts Wednesday 9/27/17 7-8:30 pm Tuesday 9/12/17 7-8:15 pm Stressed Teens – MBSR Course for Teens Teens (ages 13 - 18 ) will learn to identify causes of stress, increase awareness of thoughts and behaviors that contribute to stress, and develop mindfulness skills for stress reduction. Complementary Meditation & Information Session Learn more about MBSR programs. Advance registration is required. All classes will be conducted by Joyce Baldinucci, MSW, LCSW, Founder of MPCNJ. MBSR courses are educational programs not psychotherapy. Contact Joyce@MindfulPathwayCenterofNJ.com or call 862-520-9333 Stop in or sign up online for a FREE TRIAL CLASS! Men • Women • All Fitness Levels Lose Weight • Relieve Stress • Have Fun! CKOMaplewood.com • 973-996-8779 1933 Springfield Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07040 @ckomaplewood BURN up to 1200 CALORIES per CLASS!