This episode of In the Mix, hosted by Dina Deleasa Gonsar, is a holiday-season guide to the things that actually last: family recipes, handmade gifts, and the kind of self-care that keeps you standing when the calendar fills up.
Emmy Award–winning journalist and author Markette “Sugar” Shepard opens the show with Grandma Dee’s Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, a lyrical children’s book that turns a beloved family recipe into a story about love, memory, and time spent together in the kitchen.
Then nurse, speaker, and wellness entrepreneur Tara Hall of TAM3D Luxury Skincare shares practical ways to reconnect with yourself, set boundaries, and treat wellness as nourishment instead of one more item on the to-do list.
Rachel DeGraw-Robesch, founder of Leone & Luna Journals, shows how she turned a craving for something more meaningful into handmade, refillable leather journals finished with vintage-inspired charms—heirloom pieces that make standout hostess, teacher, and holiday gifts.
Then, Defying Gravitea, the Pequannock, NJ café and bake shop where founder Gina Cassese, co-founder Genesis Gonzalez, and Director of Culinary Operations Nicholas Arnau serve scratch-made, 100% celiac-safe, dairy-free comfort food—plus Sunday Sauce, community gatherings, and a table with a seat for everyone.Watch for: family traditions you can bake, gifts people will keep, and wellness habits that survive the busy season.
Markette “Sugar” Shepard: markettesheppard.com | Instagram @markettesheppard | @booksbymarkette | Facebook Markette Sheppard
Tara Hall / TAM3D Luxury Skincare: Instagram @tam3d_skin
Rachel DeGraw-Robesch / Leone & Luna Journals: Instagram @leonelunajournals | Etsy: LeoneELuna
Defying Gravitea: defyinggravitea.com| Instagram & Facebook @defyinggravitea
About the Author
Gerald D’Ambra is co-founder of On New Jersey.
Throughout his career in TV, Gerald has led projects developing shows for Cox Broadcasting, Sinclair, Fox, and Discovery Scripps. He is a former marketing and communications executive with a global technology company and a former TV News Anchor, Reporter, and Executive Producer.
Gerald led communications and marketing projects for global brands and secured national and local media placement. He has been nominated for Emmy Awards and won multiple AP awards for journalism.