Monday, November 29, 2010

Mr Turkey, meet Mr Exercise

I don't know about you, but I think I ate my weight in turkey dinner, and dessert. Honestly, what is better than the holidays for good food and drink? We all know we'll probably put on a few pounds in the next month, but what can you do about it now that winter has started? It's not easy to brave the cold and step outside.

I just started running a few months ago, just as the heat of summer ended, and now I'm hooked. I want to keep running into spring so I can keep in shape and be ready to run some 5k's, but some days it's just too cold. Luckily, the DMU Wellness center has great hours, and is open most days except certain holidays. They have amazing facilities, many weight and aerobic machines, and it is free to students and their significant others! Check the DMU Portal for the Plus One membership and Wellness center hours.

Are you into racquet sports? You might checkout Oakmoor Fitness for racquetball or Seven Flags for tennis. Both offer membership plans for those activities. I've played tennis at Seven Flags and their courts are excellent.

Do you feel the need to compete in the winter, but can‟t find an event? Try the 801 Grand Power Climb. Racers will climb all 41 flights of stairs to raise money and awareness for the American Lung Association. DMU students often provide OMM services.

If you‟re not much of a gym person, there are other options. Downtown Des Moines has a great Skywalk system that connects most major buildings. You can walk from Court Ave Brewing company (great food) to Hyvee Hall without going outside! How about just pure fun that will raise your heart rate? Try Incredible Pizza in Urbandale or All Play in Des Moines. Both offer different options like bumper cars, go carts, laser tag, video games, and mini golf.

Don‟t even bother trying to avoid the temptation of one more holiday cookie. Go ahead and eat it, and plan your January exercise routine. There are many options

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Gateway to the West

Ok, perhaps my themes are quite one sided lately. Yes, it is cold outside now, so all we can think about is the warmth. I know many of you are from warmer climates, so I‟m trying to help you make it through the long Des Moines winter. Just 5 hours to the southeast of us is St Louis, MO. I never would have thought 5 hours would make such a climactic difference, but it sure does. They don't seem to get nearly as much snow or cold weather as Des Moines. So if you are looking for a good escape some weekend, this is a good option. Being a much larger town, it has much more to offer than Des Moines, and also has a few more dangers (so please be careful there!). They have world class museums: Contemporary Art Museum, Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts. They have amazing architecture like the Cathedral Basilica and the Gateway Arch. They have interestingly unique items like the City Museum, which is a museum made from recycle garbage that allows adults to crawl through life sized art like your 5 year old would. It has more concert, play, and opera offerings than we typically enjoy here. Anheuser-Busch is based there, and you can tour the factory or visit the world-famous Clydesdales. There's much to do, too much too list, so just google it and go have fun. Just keep this in mind: Average high in Des Moines for January is 29 degrees, while in St Louis that average is 38 degrees!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Fong's Pizza

Fong’s Pizza is a great little pizza joint in downtown Des Moines, across from other gems like Java Joe‟s and Vaudeville Mews. Built on the previous location of Des Moines‟ oldest Chinese restaurant, this Tiki bar offers unique pizza by the slice. Don‟t forget to ask how you can get to wear the Soviet era helmets!