coffee and tea

Coffee Shop of the Week: Freedom Blend Coffee

- Mel

I’m on a quest to try all the coffee shops in the Des Moines area. Read my introduction post.

I’m very fond of the extra moments that I have in the “in-between.” There’s a certain peace and slowness that goes with having an hour or hour-and-a-half to kill – and the total lack of desire (or sensibility) to drive all the way home to just drive all the way back again. That is how I found myself at Freedom Coffee in Des Moines a few weeks ago.

: Freedom Blend Coffee :

Freedom Blend was originally on my list because I heard that they had gluten-free doughnuts for sale. They sell, like, THREE OR FOUR KINDS of gluten-free doughnuts (sourced by another company – I’m pretty sure they’re from Sweet Treats Without the Wheat based on all their doughnuts I’ve had at the Farmer’s Market). More importantly, they have a seasonal coffee menu. And more importantly than that, their overall mission of their business rounds out all the reasons why I will continue to have this coffee place on my regular tour.

From Freedom Blend’s webpage:

Several years ago, a study on the number of jobs available to teens in the inner city of Des Moines showed approximately 42 job types (newspaper carriers, fast food, etc.) An additional study revealed that adults held more than half of these jobs, proving that job development was crucial if we wanted to help young people break the generational poverty cycle. This was the driving force behind the founding of Freedom Blend Coffee in 2011 by Freedom for Youth.

freedom blend coffee des moines
WGW on PSL (aka: White Girl Wasted on Pumpkin Spice Lattes #noshame)

When going to Freedom Blend for the first time, I actually passed it… because it didn’t outwardly look like your typical coffee place (the building is HUGE!). It was cool to learn a little bit of the history of the building (it was a former car wash!) and the history of how it got its start (roasting and selling beans). The coffee shop opened in 2017.

I’m pretty low-maintenance when it comes to getting coffee, but because of my food restrictions, I have to double-check ingredients and such. The barista went above-and-beyond to confirm my selections – and did so with probably as much joy as I had in learning that I was able to have what I wanted. My experience at Freedom Blend was so positive and more than just the coffee left me feeling warm and cozy. Their location is out of the way for any of my regular commutes, but I plan to drive out of my way more often.

Freedom Blend Coffee
2329 Hickman Road, Des Moines 50310
Hours: Mon-Thurs 6am-6pm | Fri-Sat 6am-9pm
IG: @FreedomBlendCoffee | FB: Freedom Blend Coffee

Coffee Shop of the Week: The Coffeesmith (Waukee, IA)

- Mel

In between appointments at the Iowa Clinic for an echocardiogram and LifeTime for my personal trainer (the juxtaposition of those is not lost on me), I stopped over to my favorite Des Moines suburb coffee shop for another of their seasonal drinks.

: The Coffeesmith :

The Coffeesmith is becoming a regular stop for me. So much so, that I am almost always driving out of my way. My regular grab-and-go drink is an Americano – which I have had a few times now and it is perfection. When I opt to settle in for a bit, I venture off my regular and order a flavored latte or other specialty concoction. A few weeks ago, I went for their maple latte (they torch the brown sugar – it’s incredible!); this visit was for the pumpkin pie latte that I tried ignoring over on their social media accounts. Facebook plays the dirty beast once again.

Coffeesmith des moines coffee shops blog
Say “yes” more (to whipped cream).

Total aside: If you see me out, ask me about my thesis! I’d love to find more holes in the research on athlete burnout (and maybe get some additional insight into my methodology). 😂😂😂

Though the cafe was well-occupied for the morning, I still find it to be a great place to relax and focus on homework or get some reading done. This trip I introduced my latte to my lit review. The place feels very hygge – and every time I’m there I see a new framed message encouraging my continued happiness for the day. That’s what the Danes had in mind, right?

Well, their coffee makes me very, very joyous.

The Coffesmith
770 Alice’s Road, Waukee 50263
Hours: Mon-Sat 6am-6pm
IG: @YourCoffeesmith | FB: The Coffeesmith

The Coffee Tour: Intro + Des Moines Metro List

- Mel

When I lived in both Cleveland and Pittsburgh, I was always within walking distance (or frequently walked by) coffee shops. Because I’m now living in the suburbs of Des Moines, there is considerably less walk-commuting – and, in fact, I do not even live within a reasonable biking distance (or via direct bike path) of a coffee shop.

Coffee shop header Des Moines blog

I have been more intentional at connecting with people for various meet-ups, which is why I started a coffee shop list on my phone of new places to visit. My goal is to work/unwind at a coffee shop at least once a month and to cross off at least one new place on my list every other month. This thesis ain’t gonna write itself! Coffee helps.

Here is where I have visited so far (with blog posts to come!):

Zanzibar – Ingersoll neighborhood
The Coffeesmith – Waukee
Gong Fu Tea – Downtown DSM
Smokey Row – Help me here, Des Moinesians (Moinians?): what is technically this neighborhood?
Watershed Cold Brew – Downtown Farmer’s Market, where an iced coffee with lemondade nearly put me in an existential crisis (IT WAS SO GOOD!)
Friedrich’s – 86th Street location in Urbandale
Freedom Blend Coffee – Des Moines (Kirkwood? Man, I have a lot of work to do on recognizing neighborhood boundaries.)
Grounds for Celebration – Beaverdale

Here’s what I have on my (ever-growing) list:
Horizon Line
DSM Brew Coffee Co.
Java Joe’s
Ritual Cafe
Rich’s Brew
Pammel Park Coffee Company (in Madison County; yes, I will travel for coffee!)

What other places should I add to my list?

Weekly Therapy: I really want to complain about still being sick…

- Mel

the week:
I woke up with my first alarm every work day this week (which was only Tuesday through today, since I took a holiday on Monday). This is a HUGE step for me, and after having a conversation about how awful I feel about setting five (sometimes more) different snooze alarms, I decided to start taking action. This fits into a bigger picture of some of my New Year resolutions, and I’m happy about taking these little baby steps now (which hopefully equals more successful, eventual goals).

weekend:
I have a busy week coming up, with nearly every night scheduled with holiday parties and celebratory happy hours with corresponding gift exchanges, so I need to do a little Christmas shopping over the weekend.

Sunday afternoon is this awesome Girls Rock! CD release event and skating party at Romp n’ Roll. You should come!

52 books in 52 weeks:
#46 Lost at Sea — another excellent read from Jon Ronson! His storytelling keeps me intrigued and entertained, and I liked how this book is essentially a collection of randomness (though he calls them mysteries). This book has plenty of trivial pursuit/pop culture/jeopardy-answer material, spanning topics like James Bond (a chapter that had me laughing out loud several times), Insane Clown Posse (!!!), and (religious) cults.

seven things, seven days:
1. I popped a blood vessel in my eye from coughing so hard. OVER IT.
2. A bird pooped on my leg while I was walking to the yoga studio. I worked in a bird zoo for almost three years and never once got pooped on… so, irony?
3. Coffee has returned to my neighborhood!
4. The INTJ gift guide (you know, if you’re looking to buy me something) — links to other Myers Briggs personalities at the bottom of the article.
5. Just… WOAH. Mental Toughness with the Navy Seals. {via Lifehacker}
6. Does exercise slow the aging process? {via NY Times}
7. Head nodding in (almost) complete agreement with this writer. The difference being I do NOT like to cook. The Myth of Easy Cooking {via The Atlantic}

Positively Awesome Cleveland Trip: Day Three

- Mel

Day Three, and the last, in the series of my Positively Awesome trip to Cleveland. Check out day one and day two before reading on.

Day Three was a much shorter itinerary than the previous two: breakfast, activity, then released to explore on our own (most of us had to return home; I had to go back to Akron to pick up the boyfriend). I started my day with another incredible Americano at Erie Island coffee. Ooh, first check out my new jacket from Stitch Fix [affiliate link!] — totally a winner for this crisp, late-summer day in Cleveland!

jacket stitch fix delivery box

Our group breakfast was at Bon Bon Bakery in the Ohio City neighborhood, and the brunch was FANTASTIC. The table shared an “appetizer” of doughnuts. For my breakfast, I went the sweet route with French toast (that had sweet corn on it; weird, but oddly delicious!).

french toast

Afterward, we went back over to University Circle/Uptown to visit MOCA — a place that I was really hoping the fans of Positively Cleveland would recommend! We may have offset the actual decision of going to the Rock Hall, since most of us had already been there. MOCA did not disappoint! Not only is the building itself a stunner, but the collections were impressive.

MOCA cle

I was mesmerized by the Norton Furniture guy video installation… and finding penises in the artwork — which is, naturally, my forte (I may be 14 at heart, but joke’s on you… I found one!). The postcard exhibit was one of my favorites, anywhere; and the iTunes hallway a close second (we entered the stairwell to a full-on rave dance party, apparently, which was a total sensory overload of awesomeness).

MOCA bloggers

Another fun thing: in various locations around this part of Cleveland are themed pianos — available to play! — as part of the Play Me, I’m Yours series. This one was one outside MOCA on the sidewalk. I love interactive art, and this was something very unique to see (and hear). An older gentlemen stepped up and played some ragtime music by heart, just as we were walking into the museum. That’s the stuff.

play me piano moca

While I would have spent the entire afternoon at MOCA, there was a second activity planned — a visit to the Cleveland Botanical Gardens (there were signs for a Sunday sundae bar, which we didn’t stay for… but OMG that sounds amazing). Walking around, was a good time to unwind and get to know my fellow Pittsburgh blogger on the trip, The Steel Trap. And erase all the terrible memories I already had of the CBG (no fault of theirs; I attended a wedding there several years ago that I wish I could scrub from my brain — again, nothing to do with the location itself!).

Alas…

sensory bed BOTANICAL GARD

And then, in exhaustion and contentedness, our blogger trip was complete. I stopped into CLE clothing on my way out for a couple books and CLE/browns-colors t-shirts (conveniently located at the corner of Euclid and East 4th downtown). Thanks again to Positively Cleveland for the amazing trip — I really had a blast — and I can’t wait to return to explore even more Cleveland awesomeness.

Random shout out to the Sound 87.7, which kept me entertained with an awesome mix of music on my travels into/out of the city.

Disclosure: Positively Cleveland provided accommodations, meals and admission prices for my participation in this socially-driven trip. All opinions herein are my own.

Positively Awesome Cleveland Trip: Day Two

- Mel

My weekend trip to Cleveland had LOTS going on — read more about it here and here.

Before I started my day with the group, I headed over to Erie Island for a fantastic Americano. Sitting on the cafe’s outdoor patio on East 4th in the early morning was just perfection.

erie island coffee

Erie Island e4

Day Two itinerary:
We started off with brunch at Lucky’s Café in the Tremont neighborhood (my favorite! yes, I have also previously been to Lucky’s). There was no swaying me away from my breakfast burritos either. I know how good those things are.

lucky burrito lucky menu

Afterwards, we stopped by the Christmas Story House (we did not do the tour) and shopped its neighboring gift shop — leg lamps galore! The movie was on loop too, naturally.

leg lamp bag leg lamp cookie cutter

xmas story bunny outfits xmas story house

Our next stop was the Westside Market, which is probably the number one “thing to do” on a tourist guide to Cleveland. Every visit I find something new to see or eat. And I always leave with meat sticks from Mel’s Deli (which is now some strangely-named Tony Baloney’s or something). Man, do I wish I saved room for one of those giant apple fritters though. We also toured the neighboring City Farm, which has its own farm stand.

WSM

city farm stand

Still walking off all that incredible breakfast, we went back east to tour Lakeview Cemetery. This was definitely on my Cleveland Bucket List, and it an amazing place to explore. Garfield, the Rockefellers, Higbee: they’re all buried here. Garfield has a massive monument built here — he is also interred there with his wife and some family members — it’s a magnificent structure, really, with winding stairs up to a beautiful lookout point of the city skyline.

garfield monument

garfield monument stairs

Also within the cemetery is the historic Wade Chapel. You need to enter solely for its Tiffany-designed interior; it is breathtaking to see in person.

lakeview cemetery rockefeller

The rest of the group went off to the Cleveland Museum of Art for the afternoon (jealous!) and Hodge’s for dinner, while I had to get ready for a game down in Akron (we won!).

When I arrived back to CLE, the group was turning in for the night (they also had a nightcap at Society, which I need to put on the list for my return visit). I needed some grub (and still smelled like stinky, sweaty derby pads). Thankfully, Greenhouse Tavern has late-night food options (and a bar seat for a casually-dressed guest like myself). This hungry, hungry hippo ate up a local beef burger with pommes frites and a Mikkeller I Hardcore You beer. I also took a cheese plate and can of Dale’s Pale Ale back to my hotel for “dessert.” I usually get pretty wired after game days, so I knew I wasn’t going to sleep any time soon (Love it or List it marathon, what’s up?!).

take out hotel

There’s still more Cleveland! Day Three coming up in the next post.

Disclosure: Positively Cleveland provided accommodations, meals and admission prices for my participation in this socially-driven trip. All opinions herein are my own.

Pura Vida: vacation and adventure in Costa Rica

- Mel

Going to Costa Rica was a bucket list-of-a-trip. The country that I always dreamed about visiting. The beautiful sights, sounds and scenery… a volcano — a tourist destination that was, surprisingly, not all that expensive to travel to (this time of year is considered the “offseason,” but the temps are freaking BEAUTIFUL this time of year; low 80s during the day and 60s at night). Seven days felt like a vacation too, even considering the travel time.

The clouds clear from Arenal — as seen from our hotel property:
photo 1

The vacation was spurred by a conversation with a good friend — an opportunity to meet said online friend IN REAL LIFE for the first time at that. This, after knowing and talking to him almost daily for the last 13 years. Crazy story, I know, but I’ll touch on that another time. There were six of us altogether: my boyfriend and I, my online friend and his girlfriend, and another couple from Denmark that currently live in the states. Our varied personalities and interests made for a well-rounded vacation, and we all got along perfectly. In fact, I wish I could always travel with the same group!

Travel friends for life!
Travel friends for life!

OVERALL: As I mentioned, going to Costa Rica is a bucket list-worthy trip in itself (in fact, I crossed one item off my 30s Life List!). I wasn’t anticipating the perfect balance of beauty, adventure, fun and relaxation (although I really wish I would have booked an outdoor massage at the hotel). I enjoyed staying remote up in the mountains, but you might enjoy the beach — Costa Rica has both!

We’re all in here too:
rafting

The vacation was made through a Bookit.com deal and included both hotel and airfare.

LODGING: the Green Lagoon Lodge was incredible — the staff really went above-and-beyond our expectations. We ended up being the only couples in the place until the last night of our stay. The lodge itself is small and cozy (only 11 rooms, I believe), so it can book fast. There are no TVs in the rooms (a big YAY from us; I really hope they don’t ever add them because there isn’t really good noise insulation in the rooms); all of the rooms do have an air conditioning unit in the wall (I’m a light sleeper, and every time it turned on, I woke up… it might not bother you, but if those things do, bring ear plugs). Strangely, our room had a double bed and a single bed, but both were REALLY comfortable. The room is cozy and clean, and includes a refrigerator, small sitting area and shower bathrooms (bring slippers for the tiled floors that exist throughout the space).

The property includes a small restaurant area, outdoor cabana/bar area (which wasn’t open until our last day) that includes two outdoor pools (one large/one child size) and a covered hot spring tub area (we drank and played games outside every night). Because of the off-season, there was some construction occurring, but it wasn’t disruptive. We were honestly impressed by how much work was completed in one week.

In the clouds...
In the clouds…

FOOD: arroz con pollo, no bueno. But ALL OF THE PINA. Breakfast was included with our stay — there wasn’t a menu; the cook just decided what to make us every morning. Breakfasts typically included eggs, fruit, yogurt — but sometimes we had cheese or fried plantains or more rice. After five days of rice-and-beans-and-plantains-with-everything, I wanted something different. There are a few “American” restaurants (not chains) in La Fortuna for this purpose. The last night of our visit, our hotel hosted a travel group from France, but invited us to join them for a welcoming party (we enjoyed a really good meal and drinks and dancing). Also: THE COFFEE.

My rotating snack menu:
photo 2 copyphoto 4 copyphoto 5
from left-to–right: Zucaritas! / Imperial beer of Costa Rica / Lime & Salt Platanos

ADVENTURE: white water rafting, volcano hikes, ziplining, canopy tours, cloud forests and rainforest exploration, waterfall diving, hot springs… yeah, Costa Rica has all of that. If adventure is what you seek, then I highly recommend staying around Arenal. A few other activities that we did: LOTS of hiking, visiting an animal sanctuary, Salto and sneaking into the “secret” hot springs location.

Then there’s this (NEVER MIND THE LANGUAGE):

Yeah, I was a little terrified.

THERAPY: disconnecting from all the stressors at home was what I was looking for — and some peace and relaxation to grieve a bit. This vacation was a good time to get away from everything… well, everything except the boyfriend. Ha! But there were also opportunities to challenge myself… and then, there was my battle with the resulting poison ivy rash.

But it was the perfect place to have a sandwich.

photo 2
Sandwich Therapy, duh.

Have you traveled to Costa Rica? Tell me your favorite adventure in the comments!

Weekly Therapy: recovery… in small doses.

- Mel

the week:
Stitches are out (well, dissolved). Steri-strips are IN… err, on. One more week of bandages and of not getting my “wound” wet. ANNOYING. I just want to take a shower like a normal person.

weekend:
Friday is 21+ night at the Carnegie Science Center — wine & cheese science, I’m all about that. Saturday, we’re meeting up with a couple friends for our favorite brunch place. We also have another home Power game!

Sunday, is the Comic Arts Festival, hosted by the Toonseum. Our roller derby league is a vendor during the event — a full block closed downtown on Liberty for pedestrians to walk and bike… and skate — and share the love of the comic arts and meet their favorite cartoon characters. I’m excited for us to be a part of this inaugural event.

52 books in 52 weeks:
What Do We Do Now? by Keith Malley and Chemda — prompted by my new-found love of podcasts, this couple (and their comedic podcast) was introduced to me via twitter. That same friend brought me their book to last weekend’s tailgate. I read it front-to-back in one day. While I could do without the generalized, misogynistic tone that the male counterpart frequently “advises,” overall it was a fun and easy read.

seven things, seven days:
1. More to read: PsychCentral gives 3 Tips to Find a Couples Therapist
2. And the Art of Manliness tells you how to communicate your needs in a relationship.
3. Finally used my sample of TONX. Quite good, this Caranavi Bolivian coffee.
4. I had a helluva time trying to figure out all these greens in my CSA.
5. So excited that I got these cute printed LOFT shorts for 40% off. Not-so-excited that the sizing is ALL WRONG. Not even close to the size chart. I’ll be spending what I saved on tailoring. Lame.
6. Weekend Therapy: this apple flower cocktail from A Beautiful Mess. Mmmm, Benedictine.
7. I have klout in ice cream, apparently: received coupons for two free Blue Bunny products and a new scooper.

Happy Summer!

Teeccino: drinks for my non-caffeinated 30-somethings!

- Mel

I was so excited to get a package on a Sunday afternoon (who knew the USPS delivered on Sundays?!), to look inside to find a box FULL of Teeccino products (and TeeChia, which I haven’t yet tried). While I don’t have a resolution to stop drinking caffeine, I do have reasons for not drinking it throughout the day. That said, because I AM an insomniac — having caffeine in the afternoon is a big no-no — this lends itself to an afternoon slump like no other. I don’t always have the luxury of napping either.

Teeccino is a non-caffeine herbal coffee, perfect for those of you looking to taper off regular coffee or, like me, seeking a mid-afternoon “pick me up.” Mocha and Vanilla Nut are my favorites. Their coffee alternative products contains no caffeine, no preservatives or GMOs or synthetic additives. I prefer the single-serve tee-bags, but Teeccino also makes an all-purpose grind (brews just like coffee).

Why Teeccino products are good for 30-somethings:

  • helps you taper off caffeine
  • prevents insomnia effects that are directly related to drinking too much caffeine
  • no more upset digestion from acidic coffee
  • none of those harmful caffeine effects on fertility and/or pregnant or nursing mothers
  • bye-bye anxiety/stress/high blood pressure/migraines/insomnia/heartburn (oh, the time of your life when your body basically rejects all things you love)
  • extra treat for dessert-loving coffee drinkers

More about Teeccino:
Teeccino has a number of health benefits, including being naturally caffeine free, non-acidic, heart-healthy and good for digestive health. Teeccino provides a natural energy boost, making the non-caf drink perfect for an afternoon pick-up or after-dinner dessert beverage. Also good for morning-only coffee drinkers or people wanting to reduce/eliminate caffeine as part of their daily habits.

Have you heard or tried Teeccino products? Which is your favorite?

Disclaimer: I received complimentary products from Teecino, courtesy of Naturally Savvy, to sample FREE with no compensation in exchange for trying or review. All thoughts and opinions contained herein are my own. See more information on my disclosure page.