Des Moines

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

Fall into Iowa (Because Winter is Coming)

- Mel

Snow is in this week’s forecast! I’ve already seen flurries at least once and it was not of much significance. But with temperatures falling to a possible FIFTEEN DEGREES, there’s a chance this might stick for a bit. At least until it’s 40 again over the weekend. I’ve barely opened my apple cider – and YES, my Halloween lights are still up.

november snow showers

I’m one of those weird people who positively loves the approach of winter (but maybe I don’t have the same fondness for my ugly winter tires). Playing outside in the snow feels like being a kid again. I love trail running in the snow. I miss my snowmobile so much (and always tempted to get another one). Last year I purchased a saucer to use on our back hill. Growing up on Lake Erie, I’m used to getting dumped on in terms of snow accumulation – like, when it snowed in Ashtabula, it would snow 3 feet. Iowa finally gave me a bunch of snow last winter. What Iowa also gives is an unholy wind chill. On New Year’s Day last year, it was negative 30-something. So, as I do every New Year’s Day, I joined my fellow runners. My Garmin died because of the cold. My eyelashes froze into mini icicles. At times, it was painfully cold. But it was one of those things I had never experienced, and I had to know what -34 felt like.

Iowa’s got nothing on Cleveland Lake Effect.

In looking for more ways to enjoy the cold winters in Iowa, I have been on the hunt for clothing items that will resist those sub-zero wind chills. Spoiler alert: Most winter gear is shit and rated to only, like, 20 degrees F. This search also includes what fun outdoor activities I can enjoy. I already enjoy trail running, and I have snow shoeing on my “winter bucket list.” I’ve also been kind of obsessed with fat bikes – especially seeing them out in snowy conditions, so I went to Rassy’s and “test drove” one last week. I’m pretty sure you’re going to find me on two wheels this winter on the Des Moines trails… but you might not recognize me under all the layers.

What outdoor activities do you do in the Iowa winters? SHOW ME YOUR LAYERS!

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?

Goals for May – and April updates

- Mel

I am busy. I know, that’s like a big no-no word these days. I am intentionally busy. And maybe because the weather is SUPER NICE (outside of that tornado passing through on Thursday canceling my plans for running-and-margaritas), but I feel energized by all the events taking place and not the least bit like a social anxiety hermit. One would say (read: my school work) that I am distracted by the outdoors right now but I won’t feel bad about that one bit. (Wo)man, if I’m being honest, motivation for grad school is so low right now… but history says that it will soon peak again.

Image source: Lifehack

Summary and review on my goals for April:

1. Adapt intentional practice to my daily meditation. Ehhhh, no. I’m still doing meditation every day but I am still using nearly session to help me fall asleep. So am I really doing relaxation and not meditation? Likely. I still hope to modify my practice and/or get back to morning meditations. I wasn’t very intentional about this in April but I am slowly making progress so far in May.

2. Visit a new art exhibit or revisit the Art Center. I went to Pappajohn Sculpture Park to view the new Kusama pumpkin, which KINDDDDAAAA fits the intention. But. BUT! Yesterday, I went to the First Fridays event at Mainframe Studios, and it was super fun to explore the space. And we came home with art!

3. Create and execute a (somewhat flawless) one-hour workshop! Executed and somewhat flawless! I’m really proud of myself for rolling with some of the challenges that were presented during the session and tweaked and changed course when necessary. It was excellent practice for me!

4. Visit a Des Moines coffee shop. I went to a Caribou. Seriously. Not even close to what I had in mind.

5. Get my bike tuned up and go to a Women on Adventures bike ride event. I ended up tuning my bike myself the day before the event (take that, procrastination!) and didn’t flake out on attending. It was one of my most favorite adventures in Des Moines so far. I got in 27 miles, got to see the High Trestle Trail Bridge (and a few local establishments along the trail), and I’m SO HAPPY about the new connections I made (I already have another bike date set for June)!

Also, while it wasn’t an intentional goal, in April I ran a .10 mile further (22.9 miles) than I did in March (22.8 miles)! I’m back to running three times per week and doing 20-30 minute workouts that are heart rate-focused. I am incorporating my PT exercises into either my run or strength days, and working with a personal trainer has been helpful to get familiar with the weight room again while also having a supervisor to ensure I am activating my glutes! It takes a lot of mental energy to be mindful about my workouts but it’s all for the greater good of my body working properly. This is my second go-around with a Lifetime Fitness membership, and in March I visited more days that I did for an entire six months when I previously was a member. (Does that sentence even make sense?)

So, what do I have on tap for May? It’s mostly school-centric because there is a LOT of shit to do still for this quarter, like, um… finishing my first draft of my lit review that’s due on Sunday:

  • Find a participant (local athlete or likewise individual interested in performance coaching) for a recorded session. Interested and live in Des Moines area? Get in touch!
  • Find a GROUP for a recorded team building session.
  • Decide on AirBnb for my my upcoming summer internship in California and get that booked (I already have a group of fellow cohorts that I’ll be rooming with).
  • STUDY FOR MY COMP EXAM. Eeeeeeeek. My exam date is May 31-June 1, and… well, I need to start focusing.
  • Turn 41 with grace and positivity (and hopefully with friends and some wine and/or cheese).

Unrelated to school, my additional intentions for physical activity:

  • Do yoga once per week.
  • Return to boxing (YAY!) at least 2x per week.
  • Start running on trails again (at least once every other week).
  • Bike once at least every other week.
  • Practice my golf swing at least once per week outside of my clinics.

Time to get to work.

Farm Report: 4.20.18

- Mel

I waffled (mmmm, breakfast) a bit on importing the posts from my prior blog and decided to do so. If you see anything wonky in the archives, let me know. And if you are at all interested in running and running gear and the running community, well there is a lot of that from the last few years. I don’t want to only write about running, so here’s where I am currently – a transition between a “running blog” and something of a “lifestyle blog.” Which… whatever, I’ll work it out as I go. I no longer have to pretend I have dual identities, which also means that I’ll no longer have to keep two blogs interesting up-to-date.

amaizing corn

really amaizing

I’m sure that I’ll get on SOME kind of list for Googling this, and I only did so because of all the pot references today (*eyeroll*): which grows faster, corn or marijuana? Results are inconclusive. Don’t try this at home. (And definitely not in Iowa, where it is not yet legal.)

moo bitch get out the whey

As part of an on-boarding package purchased at my gym, I completed both my active and resting metabolic assessments. Somehow, this tiny body is supposed to consume 4208 calories a day to properly fuel at its current level of activity (which is considerably reduced because of my Achilles injury) and I have lost all ability to comprehend how bodies work.

FOUR THOUSAND CALORIES.

Mind you, I regularly assume around 2700 calories on my active days, but this assessment is basically telling me that is the minimum my body requires for basic functioning and HOW AM I EVEN ALIVE RIGHT NOW. Also, I guess I can eat an avocado with every meal? Because no clue how I even get 229 grams of fat in my diet every day without eating McDonald’s cheeseburgers. (If I ate 3 avocados a day, I would only get 63 grams of fat. What kind of hell is this?!)

See also: currently looking for a local nutritionist.

midwest shenanigans

Are you new to Des Moines? Check out this welcoming event and RSVP for the reception!

If you’re not new here, you might have heard about the Drake Relays and its accompanying series of road races that start this weekend. Originally, I was supposed to run the half marathon, but since I got injured, I will be volunteering at the Capital Striders water stop. See me for all your Mile 8 motivation!

Goals for April – and March Updates

- Mel

BIG FEAR has been a theme around which much of my goal work has focused. What am I afraid of? has been a constant in considering some of the reasons why I either a) don’t end up doing something or b) freaking out needlessly. I have neither the mission of letting others down or creating undue stress for myself. So, I persist in exploring why fear continues to come up for me.

Let’s recap first for March:

1. Find one day every other week – at least 2 hours – where I am working outside of my home. This did not happen this month; however, I DID leave the house quite a bit this month – just not with the intention of work.
2. Connect with a friend – old or new – each and every week. DONE. This small act has made me so happy this month!
3. Do 3 things out of my comfort zone this month. I didn’t necessarily keep track of the quantity but I kept the ultimate goal of getting out of my comfort zone as a recurring theme of the month. So much so, that I submitted an application to do a workshop at a youth camp and OMG I HAVE TO ACTUALLY FOLLOW THROUGH THIS MONTH.
4. Visit one new local establishment, restaurant, shop, museum. Yes! My husband and I went to THREE new (to me) restaurants this month (801 Chophouse, Splash, and Aposto), and I met with friends at four new places (Gong Fu Tea, The Hall, The Wine Experience, and Z Mariks). I really took advantage of Spring Break. In April, I would like to do more than restaurant or drinking establishments.
5. Start a reflection journal for school. Ugh, I still haven’t started this. It’s now spring semester and will I ever? I need to explore more why I initially set this intention and haven’t been able to follow through. More to come on that reflection.
6. Publish a new One Word Project post. Yes! Read my latest post.

As I previously mentioned, spring quarter is in full swing. I am taking five classes – including starting my coursework for my corresponding Entrepreneurship Certificate. I’m excited about all my classes right now and I am also realistic that this workload doesn’t offer much “free” time to focus on other areas. And also, see #3 above where I have to create and implement a youth workshop. *gulp*

In any event, here is what I put together for April:

1. I am already doing a daily meditation – in fact, I am currently on a 54-day streak! That said, many of those times have been a OMG I’M IN BED AND I FORGOT TO DO MY MEDITATION. So I play the guided sleep meditation. Meditation is meditation (and this session in particular, while only a few minutes helps me sleep like a freaking baby)… BUT. I want to make it more of an intentional practice rather than another “thing to do” on my bedtime task list. So my goal is to at least 3x per week to do my meditation in the morning or afternoon for at least 10 minutes.

2. I want to visit the Des Moines Art Center, or a different gallery or see a new exhibition at least once this month.

3. Create and execute a (somewhat flawless) one-hour workshop!

4. I started making a Des Moines coffee shop list. There are SO MANY that I haven’t yet been. I’m already driving into downtown twice a week for physical therapy, so at least once a week, I’m going to hit one of those on my list.

5. Get my bike into Rasmussen for a season tune-up. I have a Women on Adventures event planned for the end of April, for which I’ll need my bike!

This sounds like a good place to start! What’s on your goal list for April?

Farm Report: 3.2.17

- Mel

Is the month we dub “in like a lion and out like a lamb”? Is there an Iowan farm equivalent? In like manure and out like a corn stalk? Never mind. I can’t make this one funny.

show me your sap

The next full moon on March 31 is called the Sap Moon around these parts, so sayeth The Farmer’s Almanac. But since the southern hemisphere is celebrating the opposite of whatever shit season this is, this month’s second full moon down yonder is the Corn Moon. You’ll have to wait until September harvest to get your Full Corn Moon in Iowa.

poopcorn

Guys, guys… FARMINARS. This is the best Iowan word since the Kybo. Related: “kybo” in Lithuanian means “hanging,” but kybo in Iowan means: KEEP YOUR BOWELS OPEN. OMG.

Also: low-hanging poop. *snicker*

poopcorn

midwest shenanigans

It’s Fish Fry season, aka Lent. Here’s your Fish Fry Guide for Des Moines. I still have yet to find a gluten-free fish fry. Guess Catholic Guilt doesn’t apply to those of us with dietary restrictions, aka fine GIMME ALL THE BACON.

Farm Report: 6.23.17

- Mel

Can we talk about the corn? Or is there some superstitious shit where you can’t chatter about it until July? Who made that up, by the way — the whole “knee high by the 4th of July” stuff? Was it a 7-foot farmer? Because corn ’round here is already knee high on me.

i see crop circles

pursuit of corn midwest blog
Not the 4th!

Ok, I looked it up. Your corn is bad if it’s only knee high in July, bee tee dubs.

Dear Lord, “high as an elephant’s eye” is a thing, too? Is Oklahoma! (the musical) about corn?

midwest shenanigans

I visibly cringed when the airplane gate attendant pronounced the “s” when giving flight updates to Des Moines. More than once. THE “S” IS SILENT.

PS: Downtown Cleveland now has a Taco Bell. That serves beer. This past weekend, they also had a DJ. I also really, really wanted a Chalupa, but it was only 3pm. ?

A Year Surrounded by Corn

- Mel

This post is a little delayed, as my one-year anniversary of living in Iowa was way back in March. I still wanted to post something, as I am completely smitten with this place (and still bewildered at how a year+ could pass so quickly!).

The announcement of our move last year was abrupt. And was shocking to most people who knew us (the facial expressions were a huge tell). In less than two months, we traveled to Iowa for the first time, explored the Des Moines area in one long (negative 20-degrees) weekend, shopped houses with a Realtor — and closed on the 2nd house that we saw, and visited only once (we both couldn’t remember where the lower level powder room was until we moved in) — leaving our city row home in Pittsburgh, driving across several states with three cats to settle into the suburbs.

That was quite long-winded. I KNOW.

It felt wonderful to be “back” in the Midwest. Although, you’ll get some looks if you say you’re originally from the Midwest and proceed to tell Iowans your “home” is in Ohio — because NOBODY HERE THINKS OHIO IS IN THE MIDWEST. I’ve also been nicknamed “East Coaster” at work for coming by way of Pittsburgh, despite Pittsburgh being a half-day’s drive from the actual coast.

That said, this move brought with it some fun changes. For starters, we moved to the suburbs into a house with an actual garage. And because of that, we got married. Haaaaaaa. Something that was only a brief conversation in Pittsburgh (the marriage, not the garage… but definitely the garage) became something important to us after we relocated. I realized soon after moving that my happiness increased and my anxiety lifted. I slept more than I have in decades — there’s quiet and darkness and stillness here. I’m surrounded by nature and not concrete. Which, something something, science. I have space to put my things and extra spaces for those other things, and we can watch TV in two separate places without hearing one another — and STILL not have a television in the bedroom. I drive a lot more (and we have two cars now). I left the non-profit world for a job at a corporation, and I absolutely love being in a large, social workplace that provides paid time off to volunteer ON TOP OF going on vacation.

My TV shows come on an hour earlier. Though I’m pretty sure that my body clock was destined for Central Time. I’ve adjusted to the weather, and curse the wind like a native (though silently FML’ing the summer humidity). I bought a Hawkeyes shirt… I ONLY WORE IT ONCE, OK?! (sorry, Buckeye friends).

I miss Pittsburgh (and my friends there) immensely. Though there was no doubt that I was burned out by city life; I felt on the brink of a meltdown nearly every day. And… Pittsburgh had changed a lot since we moved there. I’m so happy that we’ve made connections here in Iowa and found our respective communities — we might have even MORE social activity than when we were in the ‘Burgh. I also found my running tribe here, too.

I enjoy discovering Des Moines by foot and trail, with an intent to cover more trail mileage by skate and bike this summer. There are constantly new restaurants opening in Des Moines that we cannot keep up with (a good problem to have!) and I have yet to visit or see all the city’s points of interest. We’ve made a point of supporting our local cultural institutions and attending many of the unique local events. We have subscriptions and memberships and rewards points on grocery cards. There’s much more to explore in our new city (wait… how long can I call myself “new”?), and we’ve only scratched the surface.

EXTRA READING:
Your personality changes when you move to a new place {via Science of Us}

New here? Check out this FREE event next week with the Des Moines Partnership: Welcome to Greater Des Moines Reception