Gluten Free Options

I love my mother dearly, but I’m being completely honest when I say, sometimes it’s difficult to have dinner with her due to her gluten-free dietary restrictions.  What I’m finding though, is that more and more Milwaukee restaurants are adding more gluten-free options (especially pasta, even pizza and bbq sauce) to their menus, which just makes my mom happy and my life a lot easier!  So, whether you have a dietary restriction yourself, a loved one does, or you just don’t like gluten because you think its bad for you, here are some fantastic hot-spots to hit up!

• Restorante Bartolotta in Wauwatosa
• Centro Cafe in Riverwest
• Transfer Pizzeria in Bayview
• Il Mito in Wauwatosa
• Beans and Barley on the Eastside
• Eddie Martini’s in Wauwatosa
• Water Buffalo in the Third Ward
• Cafe Manna in Brookfield
• Stack’d Bar in the Third Ward
• Cafe Tarragon in Bayview
• Saz’s in Milwaukee
• Roots in Brewer’s Hill

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!

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

 

The Best Italian Beef

When it comes to Italian food, Milwaukee doesn’t have a “Little Italy” portion of the city, but that certainly doesn’t imply that we don’t have our fair share of authentic restaurants and famous Italian, immigrant families.  Today I would like to praise the Italian Beef sandwich, which encompasses a rich history of juicy meat, soppy bread, and either spice and/or  sweetness from a crazy, homemade giardiniera!  As a connoisseur of the sandwich myself, here is where I go to experience such an epic piece of heaven (in several areas of the city).

• Dr. Dawg
• Frankie’s Sammiches
• Martino’s
• Glorioso’s
• Sammy’s Taste of Chicago

Which establishment is your favorite?

 

 

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

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!

Yoga is for Everyone!

Alright, now that the Rose Bowl is over, the lavish eating and drinking can officially come to an end!  Thus, I am going to dedicate the next couple of days of introducing you to some great work out options that the city has to offer.  Although I’ve been living downtown for over a decade, during the last few years, the health scene has definitely improved tremendously (as much as boutiques!!!)  One of my favorite workouts  happens to be a block away from my home,  in a hot box called Bikram Yoga Milwaukee (which has an earlier post all to itself).  This 90 minute cardio heavy workout is as invigorating as it is cleansing.

Other great studios to check out include:

• Yama Yoga in the Third Ward
• Invivo on the Eastside
• Core Concepts in the Third Ward
• Yoga Ward in Walker’s Point

 

If you feel inclined, click on the 77 Health Benefits of Yoga for a great article!

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.

Whole Foods Holiday Fun

Our eastside Whole Foods Market truly has a lot more depth than its expensive and granola-esque trademarks.  In the month of December alone, there are several FREE events that fit a multitude of tastes.

• Tuesday, December 6th:  Healthy Holiday Baking  5:30-6:30p.m. $10 One of the best parts of the Holiday Season is all the baked goods that seem to be everywhere.  Come join us for our Healthy Holiday Baking Class and learn some tips on how to make your baked goods a bit healthier but still delicious.
•  Friday, December 9th:  Did you Know: Fruit Tarts 10-10:30a.m. & 3-3:30p.m. Free How much do you know about 8” Fruit Tarts?  Join Bakery’s Associate Team Leader Kate in our Whole Lifestyle Center to learn how to make this favorite dessert and have it look festive for the holiday.
• Saturday, December 10th:  Holiday Menu Tasting  11-7p.m. Free  Celebrate meals that are worth sharing and stop by our holiday table located in front of our Seafood Department as we’ll be sampling amazing holiday dishes, from the traditional to the inspirational from our Holiday Menu.  We can help make a memorable, wholesome holiday meal that is naturally delicious!
•  Saturday, December 10th:  Gingerbread House Decorating 10:00am -11:00am $19.99 per house (includes frosted gingerbread house and candy)For many, gingerbread houses epitomize family togetherness during the holidays. Continue the tradition with your loved ones at a how-to workshop. They’ll provide the frosted gingerbread house, candy and some help from our bakery pros, you bring the creativity! All ages are welcome; pre-registration is required.
•  Monday, December 12th:  Holiday Vegetarian Cooking Class 5:30-7:00p.m. $25 Enjoy hands on fun in making festive vegetarian appetizers, a quick and easy chili and sweet treat.  Try a tasty twist on traditional to have something for everyone joining your holiday gatherings! Relax and enjoy a glass of wine with some creations while we inspire each other with more delicious ideas!
• Wednesday, December 14th:  Music in the Market 1:00-2:00p.m. Free  Need some holiday spirit? Let us help!  Stop in to Whole Foods Market and enjoy holiday orchestra music provided by Lincoln Center of the Arts.
• Saturday, December 17th:  Holiday Menu Tasting 11:00a.m.-7:00p.m Free Celebrate meals that are worth sharing and stop by our holiday table located in front of our Seafood Department as we’ll be sampling amazing holiday dishes, from the traditional to the inspirational from our Holiday Menu.  We can help make a memorable, wholesome holiday meal that is naturally delicious!
•  Saturday, December 17th:  Music in the Market Noon-2:00p.m. Free  Stop in to Whole Foods Market and enjoy holiday choral music provided by Lincoln Center of the Arts.
• Saturday, December 17th:  Gingerbread House Decorating 10:00am -11:00am $19.99 per house (includes frosted gingerbread house and candy)For many, gingerbread houses epitomize family togetherness during the holidays. Continue the tradition with your loved ones at the how-to workshop. They’ll provide the frosted gingerbread house, candy and some help from our bakery pros, you bring the creativity! All ages are welcome; pre-registration is required.
• Friday, December 23rd:  Did you Know? Top Ten Wines  10-10:30a.m. & 4-4:30p.m. Free  It’s time for Holiday Cheer!  Join Specialty Wine Buyer Jamie in the Whole Lifestyle Center to learn all about our top ten wines that are perfect fit for the holiday season.