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

 

Zak’s Cafe

If you are looking for a new brunch spot, I would like to recommend the fresh, new spot in Walker’s Point, Zak’s Cafe.  Although Zak’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner 6 days a week, brunch is served until 3pm daily!  (And they even start serving at 7pm on Sunday mornings, YES!)  With a wide variety of burritos, omelets, and benedicts, Zak’s is priced well and is one of the few places that have decided to put biscuits and gravy on the menu.  With a casual environment, fresh smoothies, and a great neighborhood, Zak’s really shouldn’t be missed!

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

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!

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!