You don't have to be a warrior to conquer these lanes!

We attended a kids birthday party at Warrior lanes in Waukee the other day.  I have to say, it was a great venue for a birthday party, or just for some family or date-night fun.  The website states that parties run $7.95 or $9.95 per person based on the type of party you choose.  Great for a winter option when it's too cold to have an outdoors party.  The venue is clean and the staff is friendly.  There are plenty of lanes for bowling, they have a separate party room, a small arcade with video games and a bar area where you can purchase food and drinks.  You can also have food delivered to your bowling lane to eat too.

They list special events on their website such as St. Patricks day and Cinco de Mayo family parties.  They offer leagues on almost every day of the week and there are also coupons on their website too.

They are able to put the bumpers up on the lanes so kids (and mabe adults too) don't have to worry about gutter-balls and they also have a bunch of the launchers (anyone know what these are called?) that kids can just place the ball on and aim it down the lane to launch it, instead of having to roll the balls.  Those things are heavy you know!!  We had kids bowling as young as 2 and they all loved it.  Check it out!

Check them out for weekend fun for the whole family, a date-night, girls or guys night out or a kids birthday party.

Fro-yo? I think so!

The fro-yo places are popping up all over the place lately.  And we think it's great.  One of the newest frozen yogurt joints in town is Menchie's Frozen Yogurt.  While it is a chain, we still think it's special enough to feature. They have one on E.P True in West Des Moines and the newest one is on Ingersol Ave. in Des Moines.

They have over 100 different flavors and they are mostly all low-fat or fat free and they rotate through these flavors which is cool because they'll have different flavors every time you visit. They also have a number of dairy free options, gluten-free and vegan options.  Out of the fro-yo places in the Des Moines area, we've noticed that Menchie's seems to have the most options for dairy and gluten-free people.  They have over 65 different topping options too.  They encourage sampling and that's the fun part.  We also like that you can choose the color of your spoon.  Hey, it's the little things right?

If you don't have time to hang out, they also have pre-packaged fro-yo to go.  And they do kids birthday parties too!

They have stamps and stickers for kids too so if you needed even more motivation to go, there you have it. You might not be feeling like a cool treat in the middle of this blizzard, but it soon will be summer and we'll be heading to Menchie's for relief from the heat....Only a few more months!!

Making your trip to Wells Fargo Arena even better!

The view from our table in the River's Edge Restaurant.

We had a great time at the Iowa Energy Basketball game the other night.  With the Groupon, three tickets (great seats) plus hot dogs, popcorn and soda for all three of us was only $45.  Check out their website for other ticket options and specials like all-you-can eat group tickets for $20.   They even have birthday party packages.  They do a nice job keeping everyone entertained during the game by throwing out prizes, members of the audience playing games for prizes on the court and dance routines throughout, a lot like an ICubs game.  It was a little tough for the littler ones since the game didn't start until 7pm, but if you don't mind taking off a little early, the low ticket price and fact that you beat the rush out of the parking lot still make the trip worth it.

The thought of parking at Wells Fargo Arena along with thousands of other people makes me nervous though. Will we get a spot in the lot before it fills up? Will we have to park really far away and walk with the kids or in the rain? Well, we've found a tasty solution to this problem.  Whenever we go to a concert, or other event at the Arena, we get there early, get a great parking spot and have dinner at the Principal River's Edge Restaurant located inside the Arena.  It is open to any ticket holder on the day of the event.  They take reservations so you can secure your table the day of the event in advance.

Our appetizer sampler. The plate was
almost as big as our table.

Menu

They serve appetizers and sandwiches, but huge portions. This visit we got the appetizer sampler for $17 and it was enough to serve at least 4 people, for dinner.  It has buffalo wings, mac & cheese bites, chips and salsa, taquitos, Iowa corn nuggets (very tasty) and onion peels.  They had 3 beers on tap and dessert as well.  The view of the arena is great and if you get a table overlooking the arena you can sit there throughout the game/event or until you are ready to head to your seats.

They don't have a specific kids menu but our waitress told us they offered mac & cheese and chicken fingers with fries.  The desserts weren't very kid friendly, but ours opted for dippin' dots on the main concourse anyway.

If you're looking to beat the crowds, have a fun dining experience and don't require a healthy meal option, try out The Principal River's Edge restaurant on your next trip to the arena.  And let us know how it worked out for you!

Don't bring animals to this Ark (but kids are ok)!

Noah's Ark restaurant is one of those restaurants that you don't always think about frequenting when there are so many hip, new restaurants popping up around town.  I know there are a lot of mixed reviews about Noah's Ark and there can be long waits in the evenings.  But, we've really enjoyed Noah's Ark for lunch and with kids actually!  They have coloring sheets to occupy the little ones while you decide what to eat, and this is a pretty big place, so the tables are spread far apart enough that people probably won't be bothered by kids. And your kids (and you) won't be bothered by boring conversation from the nearest table either.  It's really a cozy environment where you feel like you can just relax and enjoy your lunch while the kids color and play.  Not busy and not stuffy at all.

Anyway, the food is good.  I'm not going to say it's on par with say, Cafe di Scala, but it's always good.  They now offer gluten-free pizza and pasta and they also have lunch specials everyday that are in the $8.95 range.  

The servers are always friendly and if you ask nicely, they will bring the kids those little animals that they put in their cocktails.  They are tiny colored plastic animals (you know, sticking with the Ark theme) that keep the kids occupied for a while when they bring them.  We now have a collection at home. Not a huge deal, but anything that brings 10 minutes of happiness to a 5 year old so you can enjoy your meal, makes a huge difference.  


The kids meals are on the pricier side, but they are big.  One kids pizza can feed two to three kids easily as it's just their small 10 inch pizza with an added drink.  The creamy house dressing for the salad is really good and the garlic-butter rolls are awesome.
  

They are also advertising that you can now come into the bakery area just to pick up some bakery items like cheesecake, chocolate cake, etc.  They look really good!


All-in-all we like, Noah's Ark for a relaxing family lunch that keeps the kids entertained enough to enjoy a nice meal.  It's in a convenient location right near the intersection of MLK and Ingersol on Ingersol Ave. in Des Moines.  We've only had positive experiences there for lunch.  Have you tried Noah's Ark for lunch yet?

Start your winter adventure here!

Today I'm excited to have my friend Margaret as a guest blogger! Margaret Crawford is mom to a 2-year-old son and enjoys hiking, cooking, and spending time outside. She and her husband of 13 years are introducing their son to their love of nature and traveling every chance they get.  She is super cool and is the best person to ask about outdoor-sy things to do in Des Moines.


If cabin fever has set in, and you are looking for something fun and different to do outside, head over to Active Endeavors and rent snowshoes. They are known for selling outdoor apparel, accessories, and gear, but they also rent snowshoes and cross country skis for one or two day adventures. The store is located off University Avenue in West Des Moines near Barnes and Noble with quick access from the entire metro area via I-35. You will be at a park for snowshoeing in no time.

We stopped in close to 10 am on a Saturday, completed some paperwork and would have been ready to head out in a matter of minutes. However, we just can't help checking out their wide selection of clothes, shoes, coats, and more! 

Active Endeavors rents Atlas snowshoes with sizes from toddler and up available so you can make it a family adventure. The sizing is very flexible, and the snowshoes work with virtually any boot or shoe you have (preferably waterproof).

I had never worn snowshoes before but only needed a quick tutorial on the bindings, which the staff members are more than capable of providing. One thing you will notice at Active Endeavors is that the staff all participate in and are passionate about outdoor activities so they are a wealth of information. I was excited to discover they rent cross country skis at such reasonable prices, too, so I asked about trails and quickly learned of some locations around the area that groom trails for skiers. 

It was a beautiful day to spend outdoors. The temperature was only in the mid-20s, but with sun and almost no wind and our activity level, it was perfect. With gear in tow, we headed to Raccoon River Park. With the recent snowfall, the trails were plenty snowy with evidence of other people cross country skiing and snowshoeing, but we felt like we had the entire trail to ourselves. It was a great day to enjoy the peace and quiet of the Iowa outdoors in a new way. Raccoon River Park's location is great, especially if you want to check out La Barista for a beverage to warm up afterward.

If Raccoon River Park isn't convenient for you, almost any bike trail around town that is still snowy would work or check out Waveland Golf Course, Big Creek, Saylorville or Maffitt Reservoir which have more extensive hiking trails. Some neighborhood parks have large open areas which could be a good starting point if your little one is trying snowshoes for the first time. We like West Des Moines' Quail Cove Park for the walking trail with rolling hills just beyond the playgrounds. It would be perfect for a beginning snowshoe adventure close to home.

Current pricing for snowshoe rental is $15 for one day and $25 for two days while cross country skis, boots, and poles are just $17 for one day and $28 for two days. At Active Endeavors, they say "Your Adventure Starts Here" so head over and give a new activity a try! 

Let's get juicing!

 I love food.  So it's only reasonable that I'm always trying the next new way to keep my weight in check.  I know what to do, I was a weight loss counselor for 5 years.  It's finding something that doesn't feel like a diet, but that is a lifestyle change that is the trick.  I'm still searching.....Anyway, I've tried the paleo diet. I've had my stints with weight watchers and I've even gone the raw food route.  

On my raw food kick, I got really into juicing.  I invested in a juicer, that has now gone to the appliance graveyard in the closet along with my dehydrator, bread machine, soda stream, griddle and fondue pot (to name a few). But the only reason I don't continue with the juicing at home all the time is because it takes so much effort and fresh produce. 

But I still love fresh organic smoothies and juices, not just for weight-loss, but just as part of a healthy diet, which is why I love The Juice Company.  The Juice Company is located on 42nd street at the The Shops at Roosevelt.  The owner/operator Sylvia is amazing.  She is super nice and really helpful.  She'll give you suggestions and help you pick the juice that's right for you.  There are so many benefits to raw organic produce and she knows all about them.

Whether you are looking for juice, smoothies (with dairy or without and a number of them under 200 calories) or frozen yogurt, you are going to find some of the best here.  She even grows her own wheatgrass in the front of the store and you can buy wheatgrass shots or even buy it by the gallon.  She serves the shots with a slice of orange which REALLY helps it go down =) 

One of the coolest things we've done at The Juice Company was the "Mixology Class".  It's a two hour class where Sylvia teaches you to make (and gives you the recipes for)  a bunch of healthy cocktails.  You bring your own vodka (or rum) and get to taste them all.  Check the facebook page for class times.  It's $18 per couple and very worth it.

Stop in and check it out in the morning for a breakfast smoothie or anytime of the day really!  And maybe step out of your comfort zone and try a wheatgrass shot for only $2.  Your body will thank you!

Test the water (or wine) at Louie's Wine Dive

We've been to Louie's Wine Dive on University in Des Moines a few times for dinner and had really good experiences each time.  Nice wine selection with helpful servers ready to give pairing suggestions.  We like the fun atmosphere with lots of menu choices. The owner has been there each time we've visited to mingle with guests and seems to love being around the restaurant and making sure everyone is having a great time.

We love that you can make reservations since a lot of restaurants around town don't take them.  This weekend we decided to give their brunch a shot.   We probably wouldn't take kids for dinner, but there were a lot of families when we went for brunch this weekend.  They offer a kids menu too. We started off with mimosas and they were a really nice size for only $5, they offered an unlimited mimosa option for $11 and they had a bloody-mary bar available as well.

I have to admit that at first glance at the menu I was hoping there would be more options.  But since I know they partner with La Mie bakery, The Cheese Shop and lots of other local producers, I knew whatever I ordered would have a great shot at being good since they start with quality ingredients.  Josh went with the french toast and I tried the corned pork hash.  Josh said the french toast was really good and the fruit on top made it really tasty.  I was super impressed with the corned pork hash.  It was a mix of pork, potatoes and some seasonal veggies mixed into a hash, fried and served with 2 poaches eggs and toast.  I could have eaten more, but I also don't eat toast so I left that, but the meal would have probably filled the normal toast-eating person up.  

 I nabbed a photo of the dessert tray on the way out.  The owner's wife makes all of the dessert and it look pretty awesome.  They have a make-your-own s'mores dessert option which is always a favorite.  On our last visit which was around Christmas, we tried a pumpkin creme brulee which was fantastic.

 Check out Louie's Wine Dive for a fun night out with friends, date-night or a family brunch.  Let us know what you think?

Miyabi 9

We love sushi! And Miyabi 9 does it right.  Because I'm originally from Massachusetts, Miyabi 9 holds a special place in my heart. The owner used to own a sushi restaurant in Framingham, MA on route 9, hence the name, Miyabi 9 when he moved to Iowa and opened up his sushi restaurant.  Located in the East Village area of Des Moines, at 512 E Grand Ave, it's very easy to get to off of 235. They definitely get busy for dinner, so get there early in the evening or for lunch if you can.

We especially like dining for lunch because of the lunch "boxes" they offer.  They are great for anyone newly discovering sushi or for the old pro who just wants to mix it up.  The boxes include a soup, salad, portion of chicken or beef teriyaki or vegetable tempura and a few pieces of sushi.  They have a few different options for the boxes, so check them out!  

The menu includes lots of wonderful sushi, but also some Japanese appetizers and hot meals like, teriyaki chicken and beef. So the sushi-lover can visit, but they also have other options for the non-sushi eater.  While this is typical of most of the sushi restaurants in town, the quality definitely sets Miyabi 9 apart from the competition.

I tend to stick to shrimp ebi and California rolls, while the hubby is a tuna and salmon type of guy.  The tempura sushi is awesome too.  Try the salmon with cream cheese. On the left is a tuna appetizer....MMmmm.....Order a saki and get ready for some good food!

A Coffee Adventure

I was first introduced to Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure a few years ago when I was at a catered event (yes, they'll cater!) and the Zanzibar's barista was serving up a number of coffee drinks and iced chai tea lattes.  It was my first chai tea latte and I was hooked.  She told me that Zanzibar's was on Ingersol and I could visit them there for more.

Being new to the area at that time, of course I had no idea where it was, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that is was just a short drive from West Des Moines.  I parked and I could smell the coffee from a block away.  Inside there are bags of coffee beans everywhere, I mean everywhere! The have a giant grinder right at the entrance where they are grinding these beans from all over the world right there.  I'm pretty sure you couldn't find fresher coffee in Des Moines if you tried.  You can read about this process on their website.


The coffee house is just a really cool atmosphere serving up lots of yummy baked goods along with really really good coffee.  Stop in on your way to work or stay and relax for a while.  They are open til 8pm or 9pm most days too.  Either way I think you'll be impressed by the way you can watch the journey your cup of coffee took from burlap bag of beans to your hand.

They also serve some breakfast sandwiches and drink options like sodas and smoothies for non-coffee drinkers.  We think you should check it out.