Salty vs. Sweet

Thank you, Anne, for you kind words yesterday per milwaukeeisnotthatbad.com.  You definitely got me typing again!

I’ve had this idea for a while now…it all started when I was leaving the Iron Horse Hotel after a date night with my husband at Smyth, (which I just have to say, I love the “bar food” at the Iron Horse so much more than their “upscale” selection).  After dinner, my hubby desperately wanted something sweet as we headed to our favorite late-night dessert place in the bar/cocktail area at Bacchus for their Molten Chocolate Hazelnut Cake and a quick glass of Mirabelle champagne.  Don’t get me wrong, it was a fabulous way to end the night, but my salty craving is just as strong, as his sweet…and no, bacon ice-cream does not do it more me either!  I just couldn’t stop thinking about the Iron Horse’s  house-made truffle chips and wondered why I decided to order a $30+ steak instead.  Well here’s my plight for individuals who crave the savory and tried and true places you can find home-made potato chips to satisfy your inner-salty.

• Cafe Lulu
• Saz’s State House Restaurant
• Bigg’s Roadhouse
• Swingin’ Door Exchange
• Miss Katie’s Diner
• Kokopelli’s Pub & Grub
• O’Lydia’s

Hills for Sledding

If and when this first snowfall comes to fruition, you may need to know where and when you can hit the hills, not to ski, but to sled!  I have to say sledding is fun no matter what age you are, (especially when paired with a hot chocolate or a hot toddy!)  There are several sledding hot spots in the area with the option to “bring your own” equipment or rent.

Check out:

Milwaukee County Sledding Hills (16 in all), which even features a toboggan run (and $7 rental) at Whitnall Park’s Winter Sports Area.

Waukesha County Sledding Hills

And don’t forget about sledding down St. Mary’s Hill downtown or snow tubing at Sunburst in Kewaskum!

The Raw Bar

Okay, I blogged about mussels, but what about those delicious, aphrodisiac pieces in a half shell that have some people just crazy over oysters!  There are several spots in Milwaukee where the oysters are just outstanding.

Here’s where to get them:

Harbor House, during Happy Hour you can order oysters for 89 cents a pop!

Maxie’s Southern Comfort, during Happy Hour (daily from 4-6pm) fresh shucked oysters are half-off!

St. Paul Fish, get them fresh everyday, but on Thursdays, Blue Point Oysters are 2-for-1.

Barnacle Buds, (currently closed for the season), but Milwaukee’s only outdoor oyster bar sells them $18/dozen.

Mason Street Grill, “Throw ‘Em Back Thursdays” gets you a dozen oysters and a pitcher of beer for $20.

 

 

 

Tuesday Night Music

Once you get through a Monday, some of us need a pick-me-up now and again.  Since the weather is bordering “real” WI winter temperatures, I am not exactly inclined in hopping all over the city.  Several, very cool, Milwaukee hot-spots offer great music series’ on Tuesday nights, which may give you the hop, skip, and/or jump you need to get through the rest of the week!

Check out my top 3 picks:

Tonic Tavern for Jazz at 8pm

Brocach for an Irish Music Session at 8pm

Charro for Soul, Flamenco, Rock at 6pm

 

Reiki

As the new year is beginning, many of us are hitting it hard back at work, yet still recovering from all of the holiday hoopla.  If you are in need of some spiritual healing to ease your mind, (as your ki (pronounced chi) is rebalanced) Reiki may be the right therapy for you.  Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.  The purpose is to help people realize that healing the spirit by consciously deciding to improve oneself is a necessary part of the Reiki healing experience. In order for the Reiki healing energies to have lasting results, the client must accept responsibility for her or his healing and take an active part in it.  If this is of any interest, there are many practitioners throughout the city that are trained in performing this special technique.

• Health and Power Yoga Studio
• Rouge
• Milwaukee Reiki
• Loving Light Healing
• One Healing Heart

TRX Training

When I’ve been in the BEST shape of my life it involved TRX training (and Kate Gigstad from the WAC).  TRX suspension training was originally developed by the Navy Seals to prepare them for combat.  The TRX straps that you use, leverage gravity and your body weight to enable a variety of exercises that develop strength, balance, flexibility, and core.  Check out this video of quarterback Drew Brees using the TRX to get ready for the season!  YUM.

Here’s where you can try it for yourself:

• Drench
• Ramp Up Fitness
• The Fitness Asylum
• Elite

 

Wham, Bam, Pow!

The benefits from practicing in any of the many disciplines of martial arts are reflected both physically and psychologically.  Martial arts improves balance, flexibility, stamina, posture, and most importantly, self-confidence!  Many of us enjoy changing up our workouts now and again, so why don’t you try one of the oldest teachings on the planet, right here in Milwaukee!

• Roufusport
• Milwaukee Aikido Club
• T’ai Chi Ch’uan Center of Milwaukee
• Futen Dojo
• Matamoros Jiu Jitsu

 

Boot Camps…not just for the Armed Forces!

Almost every gym you go to these days are starting to offer boot camps for their members, many times with a fee, but let me tell you, they work you out!  If you have the cash and can commit the time, the pounds will literally melt off.  I tried Milwaukee Adventure Boot Camp a few summers ago after I heard about some of their stunning results (from several clients).  Although I was pushed to my limit every time I stepped in that Glendale gym, I felt fantastic after every workout.  I was supported mentally and every technique was directly instructed (no injuries here)!  I will recommend that program to anyone old or young, in shape or not!

Here are some others to check out:

• Monkey Bar Gymnasium
• BCOR
• BrewCity CrossFit

Click here to see how boot camps stack up to other everyday workouts!

Rose Bowl Parties

If you have to work tomorrow, hopefully your boss will be kind enough to let you scoot out early to watch the upcoming Rose Bowl and cheer “On-Wisconsin.”  For those of you that are lucky enough to have off on the observed holiday, the UW Alumni Association is hosting two huge parties to help cheer on red at Friday’s Front Row at Miller Park and at Karma Bar & Grilldowntown.  (All profits benefit scholarships given out by the association.)  Before you go, make sure you teach yourself how to Bucky!

Welcome 2012!

Tomorrow many of my favorite spots are keeping the celebration going with Sunday brunch, (my personal favorite meal of the week)!  Whether you are in need in a beverage to chase away your headache or are interested in getting out of the house on the first day of the new year…

Here are some of our great offerings:

• New Year’s Day Mimosa Brunch @ the Iron Horse Hotel  from 10am-2pm, $39 for adults, $19.50 for kiddos.
• New Year’s Day Hangover Brunch @ Whole Foods from 10am-2pm, $6.99 per pound (from their 16ft buffet of breakfast, brunch, and lunch items)!
• New Year’s Day Brunch @ Saz’s from 10am-1:30pm, it’s going to be a blast with free bus rides down to the MU vs. Villinova game!

One other great event, aside from the Polar Bear Plunge, (which is way too cold for me), is the “Cool Fool” Kite Festivalfrom 11am-5pm at Veteran’s Park right downtown.