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You are here: Home / Archives for Food

Baby Steps to Improve Your Health

July 12, 2021 by Darby Brincks

Hy-Vee Registered Dietitian, Erin Good, shares three small actions to take every day to improve your health and fitness levels in BIG ways. 

Baby Step: Planning your meals
Even better: Planning your snacks! Since the pandemic, around 41 percent of consumers under age 35 say they’re snacking more than normal. Bump things up a notch and focus on eating real foods instead of bars or processed foods. Healthy snacks contain carbohydrates and protein such as fresh fruit with nuts or seeds (Erin’s pick: cherries and pistachios), raw veggies and cream cheese, or a hard-boiled egg and whole grain crackers. 

Baby Step: Buying baked chips or crackers
Even better: Substituting those with crunchy nuts, chickpea puffs, green pea crisps or popcorn. Don’t be fooled by veggie-named products! Check the food label and pick a salty snack with at least 2-3 grams of fiber to help you feel full and satisfied longer.

Baby Step: Eating fruits and veggies every day
Even better: Eating a rainbow of colors every day including dark greens (spinach, kale, broccoli), red or yellow (carrots, peppers, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peaches, watermelon), white (cauliflower, onions, water chestnuts, bananas, apples), and blue or purple (red cabbage, eggplant, blueberries).

New! Hy-Vee Dietitians Host “From Bump to Babe” Classes
Whether you’re a new mom (or planning on becoming pregnant), these new classes are for you! Providing the right nutrition is the best gift you can give your baby while you anticipate their wonderful arrival.   

For more details and easy registration, simply scan the QR code! 

Prenatal Nutrition Tour: Learn the basics of eating for all stages of pregnancy, including postpartum, as well as the best foods to build a healthy baby. 

Fuel Your Fertility Nutrition Tour: Learn the basics of eating to support your fertility, whether you’re planning for pregnancy or simply want to maintain a healthy cycle. 

Virtual Group BEGIN Class
10-Week Healthy Lifestyle & Weight Management Program
Wednesdays from 4:00 – 4:30 PM, starting August 4

Prioritize your health, gain more energy and boost your confidence alongside a nutrition expert! BEGIN is not a diet. BEGIN is a plan to help with lifelong wellness. Learn the necessary tools to tackle your health. For pricing and registration, visit hy-vee.com/health/begin-program/. 

Follow Erin on Hy-Vee’s Healthy You series on HSTV.com – for weekly meal and snack inspiration.

Erin Good, RD, LD
Hy-Vee Inc., Registered Dietitian
egood@hy-vee.com 

Filed Under: Family, Featured Recipe, Features, Food, Health

Echo Boland

July 12, 2021 by Darby Brincks

Where did you grow up? 
I grew up in Canal Fulton, Ohio.

When did you decide to make a hobby into a business?  
It’s funny, but baking was never a hobby for me. I didn’t even grow up around baking. My mom couldn’t bake anything but bread. She made her own bread because she didn’t want us to have the “junk” bread at the store. We weren’t allowed to eat sweets growing up, either.

Tell us a bit about Echo’s Cookie Shop.
When my daughter was little, I saw a book that had a cookie bouquet on the cover. I thought it would be fun to make that cookie bouquet with my daughter for her friend’s birthday. The book was called “Cooking with Kids,” so why not? Everybody loved it, and we made several for other friends. Two years later, I moved to Des Moines and asked the guys I worked with if anyone wanted a fun cookie bouquet for their wife for Valentine’s Day. I made about 10 of them, and the rest is history. I’ve probably made thousands of cookie bouquets since that day, as well as cakes, cupcakes and cinnamon rolls. When I retired from the Air Force in 2013, I never thought I would grow my cookie business big enough to own a brick and mortar store, but a friend had just started selling real estate and wanted me to look at some places. Not thinking I would even know how to open a storefront I said yes, with zero intentions on committing to anything. I walked into the first location and I felt it—this was the cookie shop’s new home. The City of Waukee walked me through the process and BOOM, I’ve been in my cookie shop for seven amazing years. This year, we added edible cookie dough—in vending machines! I have one outside my shop, ready to dispense edible cookie dough, monster bars and drinks 24/7. One of the best things about my cookie shop is that I made my first cookie bouquet with my daughter when she was 7, and she’s now 26 and the best baker I have at the shop. She’s moving on to her own career this month, but she’ll still be with me part-time. I have a very sweet life.  

What are your favorite projects at the shop? 
It’s not really a project, but I love, love, love my customers. I just saw a little girl on the 4th of July, who’s now 11, and I’ve been making cookies for her mom since her baby shower. I feel like the cookie shop and my customers are one big family. I’m so very blessed for the original group of customers and the new customers that stop in.

How has Echo’s Cookie Shop adapted during the pandemic?
I’m so grateful for everyone that has supported local business during the pandemic. Wow—I truly know the cookie shop is here to stay if we can make it through a pandemic and come out with a smile, still as busy as ever.

Filed Under: Business, Community Spotlight, Faces of Waukee, Food, Lifestyles, PinPoints of Interest, Waukee

Smart Strategies for Summer

May 1, 2021 by Darby Brincks

Warmer weather signals the arrival of summer, and with it comes many reasons to celebrate! But often good weather also brings on some of the most tempting eats and drinks around—ice cream, blended coffee beverages, and potato and pasta salads galore, just to name a few. 

Hy-Vee Registered Dietitian Erin Good shares her top three warm-weather tips to help you make the healthy choice an easy choice this summer. Your taste buds and waistline will thank you!

1. Grill something new and seasonal, like stone fruits. Stone fruits include apricots, peaches, nectarines and plums. Simply cut in half and remove pit; grill on medium heat cut-side down, flip once; and remove from grill after five minutes, or when fruit is softened and just charred. Enjoy for dessert, or add to a green or grain salad! 

2. Hydrate happier at the pool or baseball game. Plan ahead and make your own fruit-infused waters. Your beverage will not only look delicious, but it’ll taste refreshing while keeping you hydrated. Simply combine thinly sliced strawberries and lemon slices with cold water or try cilantro, lime wedges and watermelon cubes in sparkling water served over crushed ice.

Infused detox water with watermelon, mint and blueberry. Ice cold summer cocktail or lemonade in glass mason jar

3. Plan a picnic everyone can enjoy. Swap potatoes with cauliflower and mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt to save some serious calories and carbohydrates. Be sure to make extra, as I guarantee this side dish is sure to be popular!

Cauliflower

Cauliflower “Potato” Salad 
Serves: 5

All you need:
1 lb cauliflower florets, chopped into ½ inch pieces, steamed and cooled
6 hard-boiled Hy-Vee large eggs, peeled and sliced 
¼ cup dill pickle, finely chopped (or sub Hy-Vee dill relish)
1 medium celery stalk, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup red onion, chopped
½ cup Hy-Vee nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp Hy-Vee Dijon mustard
1 ½ tsp dried dill 
1 Tbsp pickle juice (or sub dill relish liquid)
Paprika for garnish 

All you do:

  1. Add cauliflower and eggs in a large bowl. Add pickle, celery, 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper and red onion. 
  2. In a small bowl, combine yogurt, mustard, dill, pickle juice and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  3. Pour yogurt mixture over the cauliflower; toss gently to coat. Garnish with paprika. Serve chilled.

Nutrition Facts per serving: 113 calories, 6 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 320 mg sodium, 3 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 11 g protein 

Connect virtually with Erin at hy-vee.com/health and follow her on Hy-Vee’s Healthy You series on HSTV.com – for weekly meal and snack inspiration.

Erin Good, RD, LD
Hy-Vee Inc., Registered Dietitian
egood@hy-vee.com 

Filed Under: Featured Recipe, Features, Food, Health, Recipe, Waukee

A Cut Above: Old Station Craft Meats

May 1, 2021 by Darby Brincks

Many of us found ourselves cooking at home more often as a consequence of spending more time there during the pandemic. Whether it’s trying out new recipes, or just throwing meat and veggies on the grill, cooking more of our own meals has become not just a necessity for many of us, but a real source of enjoyment. And Old Station Craft Meats, located on the historic Downtown Triangle in Waukee, aims to contribute to the success—and tastiness—of your next barbecue.

Old Station co-owner Nick Lenters comes by his passion for meat honestly. Born and raised on a third-generation farm in Sioux Center, Iowa, where his brother (and fellow co-owner) Adam still lives and raises cattle, the brothers were exposed to the meat industry from a young age. “We’ve always gotten all of our meat directly from the farm. It’s the way we grew up,” said Lenters. “You bought a whole animal directly from the farmer and put it in the freezer.”

As adults, the brothers began buying and owning cows together as a hobby, and a few years ago, they began to entertain the idea of opening their own butcher shop. After throwing the idea out to family and friends, it was Lenters’ dad who finally “pushed me off the fence,” he explained.

His dad challenged him to reach out to people in the butcher industry—at least one person in the following two weeks. Predictably, that person referred Lenters to another person, and so on, until Lenters had eventually accumulated a “network of people who kind of filled in all the gaps for me,” he said. Inspired by whole animal butcheries in the Denver area—places “that kind of hailed back to the old, traditional butcher shop,” according to Lenters—the brothers began to move in that direction themselves.

When it came time to find space to house their venture, Lenters, who’s lived in Waukee for 18 years, says his community stood out. The brothers looked at other areas in the metro and different demographics, but Waukee’s progressive community made it a good choice. “We figured if this concept was going to work, it would work in a place like Waukee,” he said.

Initially looking for space to rent, the brothers stumbled across a building for sale at 450 6th Street that seemed to be the perfect fit. “I like the building because it’s a 100-year-old building, and we’re doing a business that’s kind of a lost craft,” he said. “The building fits really well for what we’re doing now.”

Despite the onset of the pandemic, the brothers pushed forward with their plans to open. “My dad asked me, ‘Are you still moving forward with this?’” said Lenters, referring to the timing. His response?  “Yes, we are.”  True to their word, Old Station Craft Meats opened this past December.

The shop focuses on whole animal butchery, a butcher experience more akin to how things were done 100 years ago than the experience you’d get at a big box store today. “A long time ago, when most communities had their own butcher, they’d bring in a live animal or a carcass to that butcher, and the butcher would break down the animal and sell it,” explained Lenters. “Whole animal butchery means that when I bring in a lamb, I get a whole lamb carcass. It doesn’t have organs or the hide anymore, but it still looks like a lamb.”

Butchers at Old Station then break down the carcass. “You’ll see us processing the whole animal” if you stop in, said Lenters. “We’re taking it down to the component parts.”  

While Old Station does still bring in some boxed meat, the shop focuses on whole, single-sourced animals where possible. “When you go to the grocery store and buy ground beef, it could be from multiple animals. Our ground beef is all from a single cow,” said Lenters.

 Old Station partners with local producers and processors to source their meat, enabling them to “support local lockers and give them a fair price, based on the quality of their product,” said Lenters. All of Old Station’s meat—beef, pork, and lamb—comes from Iowa, and as close to Des Moines as possible, with the exception of poultry, which is difficult to source locally, according to Lenters.

Proper feeding programs and humane animal care also factor into the raising of the meat. For example, pork and poultry, specifically, are antibiotic-free.

Their whole animal philosophy extends to the sale of the meat as well. “We try to use the whole animal. We try to market the whole animal and celebrate the life of the animal,” explained Lenters. Old Station doesn’t just sell animal meat, but organs as well, including liver, heart, tongue and even the bones. “Sometimes we’ve made our own bone broth and sold that, and our own beef tallow,” said Lenters.

The most important aspect of their business, he said, is the transparency involved throughout the process of getting the meat from the farmer who raised it to the customer who’s purchasing it—something that’s become increasingly important to consumers over the last few years. “We know all of the people involved—I talk to all of them on a regular basis,” said Lenters. Want to know the provenance of the pig whose meat will make up tonight’s pulled pork sliders?  “I can give you the address of where the animal came from, and you can go talk to the farmer,” he explained.

Those relationships with farmers enable the staff at Old Station to better advise their customers on not only product quality, but the production process itself. Grass-fed meat, for example, will taste different from grain-fed meat. “What you feed your animals can determine how they taste,” said Lenters. “If you’re looking for a more health-conscious product, grass-fed may be the way to go. However, the trade-off is in flavor. I can explain that to the consumer.”

That background knowledge can push customers to try new things. Lenters cites lamb as an example, noting that most lamb in restaurants or big box stores comes from New Zealand or Australia, where its diet contains significant roughage and makes for a much gamier flavor than lamb raised here. “The lamb we sell, people are surprised at how similar it is to ground beef,” said Lenters.

Old Station can not only provide you with the meat for your grill, but with the actual grill itself—a product of Lenters’ past frustration with having to visit multiple locations to buy different components for the grilling experience. “I wondered, ‘Why is all this stuff not just in the same store?’” he said. In addition to being a Big Green Egg dealer, Old Station also sells charcoal and smoking wood, as well as locally-sourced beer and wine. They also look to cross-market with other local businesses whenever they can. For example, Old Station’s beer brats are made with beer from Barn Town Brewing, just a couple miles away. “We’re always looking to lift up other local businesses,” he said.

What’s next at Old Station?  “We’re very near going into goats,” said Lenters, adding that goat meat may be tested out this summer. “It’s very difficult to find high-quality goat meat, but based on our diverse population, I believe goat meat can be very successful here.”

Despite the ongoing pandemic, Lenters said that Old Station’s whole animal focus insulates it in large part from the meat shortages many grocery stores faced months ago. “If we were to have another pandemic, I can continue to get beef,” he said. “I’m processing it myself. I’m not dependent on big processing plants.”  

Pandemic or not, Old Station Craft Meats’ dedication to providing high-quality, locally-sourced meat—and supporting local producers in the process—sets it apart. Lenters notes that customers are “paying to support the local economy, and also paying for improved land stewardship. When you support small, local producers, they want to continue to have their farm be productive, so they’re taking care of the land and the animals.” 

That level of care translates to the customer experience at Old Station, as well. “We try to make it an experience for you when you come in,” said Lenters. “We really want to engage every one of our customers and help them with their selection. I want them to think, ‘Wow, I learned something today,’ or ‘I’ve got a new idea about what I want to eat or how I want to prepare it.’”

Above all, Lenters said he wants every customer to walk away satisfied. “I like the customer engagement piece of it. That’s where I find my pride—when people say they had a great experience.”

Filed Under: City of Waukee, Features, Food, My City, PinPoints of Interest, Waukee

Three Ways to Fix Healthy Eating Slip-Ups

March 1, 2021 by Darby Brincks

It shouldn’t be a shock that we nutrition experts don’t always follow our own advice for healthy eating. After all, we’re only human. We lead busy lives, don’t always have time to cook, and we give into temptation, even when it comes to food. Despite that, we ultimately follow two important guidelines: everything in moderation, and get back on track ASAP.

Here are three ways I fix healthy eating slip-ups.

SLIP: Eating in front of screens. 
FIX: Eat at the dinner table. Distracted eating often leads to overeating or feeling less satisfied. Step away from the computer screen or cell phone, and avoid standing up in the kitchen to eat your meal. Use a chair, plate and fork for best results.

SLIP: Not hydrating properly.
FIX: Hydrate regularly with water throughout the entire day. Take a reusable water bottle with you, just as you would your wallet. Take notice, are you more likely to drink ice-cold water vs. room-temperature? Remember, we often confuse dehydration for hunger. Also, don’t forget to check your urine color for extra feedback and accountability.

SLIP: Getting overwhelmed by meal prep.
FIX: Focus on a well-stocked pantry and kitchen. Spring-clean your diet and kitchen pantry while leaving the heavy comfort foods behind! Let your Hy-Vee dietitian take meal planning off your plate with our four-week menu program, Healthy Habits. This menu program outlines what to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, and comes with an easy-to-follow grocery list.

Connect virtually with Erin today or follow her on Hy-Vee’s YouTube Channel – Hy-Vee Healthy You – for weekly meal inspiration at www.youtube.com/hyvee 

Erin Good, RD, LD
Hy-Vee Inc., Registered Dietitian
egood@hy-vee.com 

Filed Under: City of Waukee, Community Spotlight, Family, Food, Health, Lifestyles

Make Your Health #1 in 2021

January 7, 2021 by Darby Brincks

The average American diet is more unbalanced than ever, resulting in a diet that is low in fruits and vegetables and high in saturated fat, sodium and added sugars. But don’t derail your diet any longer! Hy-Vee Registered Dietitian Erin Good shares her secret weapon for weight loss and better overall health—Operation: Fiber Up! 

Fiber is a highly underrated nutrition powerhouse. Think about it: 

  • Want to lose weight? Eat more fiber. 
  • Looking to lower your cholesterol or achieve better blood sugar control? Eat more fiber. 
  • Sick of relying on powdery supplements to relieve constipation? Eat more fiber.  

Unfortunately, fiber isn’t nearly as sexy of a subject as protein, the keto diet, or even your new exercise regimen, but when only six percent of Americans* meet the recommended daily intake of fiber (25 grams for women and up to 38 grams for men), it deserves more attention from nearly everyone! 

Fabulous Tasting Fiber: A Delicious Upgrade From Cardboard

  1. Eating more fiber doesn’t need to be difficult or time-consuming. Nosh on a fresh pear (6 g fiber), one-third of an avocado (3 g fiber), or half a cup of canned black beans (7.6 g fiber) for an easy daily boost.
  2. What type of music best describes your eating habits? Hopefully, it’s not “pop.” Become the family “wokstar” in your kitchen and enjoy more homemade stir-fry! Simply pick your protein (such as chicken breast, shrimp or lean beef), pair with brown rice, and pile on the fiber-filled veggies (such as carrots, broccoli or cauliflower). Add a splash of lower-sodium soy sauce, sprinkle red pepper flakes, a squeeze of fresh ginger paste and ROCK ON! You’re now eating more fiber! 
  3. Veggies still not your jam? Then go nuts! Eating a one-ounce handful of almonds, pistachios or walnuts daily can easily add around three grams of fiber to your diet. Allergic to nuts? Snack on a serving of pumpkin seeds or steamed edamame for an extra two grams of fiber.  

Need more inspiration, motivation or clarification on what foods are best for a healthier you? Ask an expert! Your Hy-Vee Dietitian is highly skilled in providing you with the best tools to kick your old eating habits! Together let’s conquer your health goals! Connect with Erin virtually today.

Erin Good, RD, LD

Hy-Vee Inc., Registered Dietitian

egood@hy-vee.com 

*Source: Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Click to access PartD_Ch1_CurrIntakes_first-print.pdf

Filed Under: City of Waukee, Community Spotlight, Food, Health, Lifestyles

Brews for You & Your Kin Kinship Brewing Company

January 7, 2021 by Darby Brincks

One might think a global pandemic would be just about the last time during which anyone would want to open a brewery. With restaurants and bars still operating at reduced capacity, plus masks and social distancing, an owner could be forgiven for thinking twice. But while the pandemic may have altered schedules slightly for Kinship Brewing Company—which will be open north of Hickman in Waukee by the time you read this—it hasn’t altered what owner Zach Dobeck and his team envision for their space: a place where residents can enjoy a great beer, let their dog off the leash, and build a community everyone can enjoy.

Dobeck, born and raised 45 minutes outside Atlanta, Georgia, had an interest in branding from a young age. “I grew up in a family of storytellers,” he said. “When it comes to branding, that’s what you’re doing.”

After graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in political science, he initially considered going to law school. Instead, he ended up at a design agency, where he received valuable experience in advertising, marketing and branding. His path eventually led to a job as a project manager in software development. By this time, he’d met his future wife, Ann, who hails from Waukee and had moved to Georgia for school, and the two had immersed themselves in the Atlanta community.

But Dobeck, who’d been brewing beer at home with his brother as a hobby and creative outlet for years, couldn’t quite get the idea of opening his own brewery out of his head. “[The idea] was in my mind for probably 12 years,” he explained. Although the company where he worked was growing, Dobeck found himself questioning whether that was what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. “It wasn’t enough for me,” he said.

Finally, on July 27, 2017, after years of kicking the idea around, Dobeck made a bold declaration. “I said out loud to my wife, ‘I want to do this for real. I’m tired of talking about it.’” Ann’s response became the guiding philosophy behind building Kinship Brewing: “Do it right.”

“That has been the theme of this brewery—doing it right,” said Dobeck.

After transitioning out of his job in software development, Dobeck spent time working with several brewing industry mentors in the Atlanta area, supplementing his marketing and branding experience with business acumen. He wanted to gain as much knowledge as possible as he took his brewery—originally named Roots Brewing Company—from a hobby to a business. “You have to understand the business side of it,” he said, adding that he intentionally gave himself time to let a business plan evolve.

He had been impressed by how welcomed he felt on trips to Iowa to visit his wife’s family, and the couple eventually decided to relocate here and open the brewery in Iowa. After establishing contacts at several Iowa breweries, Dobeck set about finding a location.

He initially had his eye on downtown Des Moines, but “a small part of me was like, ‘Maybe you should consider Waukee,’” he said. Having heard about undeveloped land near the Raccoon River Valley trailhead in Waukee, Dobeck drove out to see it for himself, and said, “The location just felt right.”

At the time, the property didn’t have a road to it other than the bike trail. But Sunrise Drive was being built to the north of Hickman Road, and “that was my timeline,” said Dobeck. “Once that was completed, we bought it—we closed on the land.”  After that, construction was able to get underway. “Now,” said Dobeck, “if I stand where I stood that day, I can see my brewery.”

At 13,000 square feet, Kinship’s substantial building sits on just over six acres of land. Most of that space will be dedicated to production. In addition, Kinship’s spacious taproom will hold up to 250 people, and there will also be a private event space. Outside of the taproom, the outdoor beer garden will eventually have 12 tap lines of its own, in addition to the 24 inside, said Dobeck. Also outside will be a dog park where local canines can safely play while their owners imbibe nearby.

The brewery is striking not only in size, but visually. Kinship tapped a local artist to do an ancient Japanese siding technique on the building’s exterior called shou sugi ban that preserves wood by charring it with fire. This makes the wood water-resistant and gives it a distinct black color. Once inside the brewery, visitors will see a large, colorful mural on one wall, featuring an imposing black and white tiger, mouth agape. (Fun fact: The tiger’s name is Sheila.)  An Atlanta artist named Greg Mike agreed to do the mural after Dobeck, who’d admired Mike’s work while still in Georgia, reached out to him on Instagram. The artist’s message of “Live life loud” resonated with Dobeck, and the same message is featured on the Kinship mural.

According to Dobeck, the nature of the tiger’s expression—she could be yawning, roaring, singing or laughing—was purposely left up to the interpretation of the viewer. That creativity, he said, “is the epitome of what Kinship represents.”  Also inside the space is a paint-by-numbers mural on a large canvas on an easel. Dobeck hopes the striking visuals, inside and out, will intrigue and entice visitors. “Hopefully, you’re already sold by the time you get to the beer,” he said.

The beer, of course, is at the heart of Kinship Brewing. Each of Kinship’s beers is named for a particular person or concept. “It’s fun to play and tell a story through that,” said Dobeck. Oh Billy, an homage to one of Dobeck’s friends, is a lighter beer, at 4.2% alcohol by volume (ABV). Dear Annie—a beer that Dobeck describes as “a love letter to my wife”—is a hazy IPA brewed with mosaic hops that comes in at 6% ABV. Off the Leash, a 4% corn lager, is designed to appeal to a broad range of palates. And Kinship’s Russian Imperial Stout, Sheriff Dobeck, is a “big, bold beer” dedicated to Dobeck’s father. In addition to Kinship’s proprietary offerings, the brewery will also offer wine, spirits and cider options from local cideries.

While the brewery’s primary emphasis is on beverages, Kinship’s food concept will lean toward smoked meats and pizza, courtesy of Des Moines’ 515 Pi and Up in Smoke food trucks, which will serve customers in the parking lot through the month of January. Kinship’s kitchen will be open after that. “We want to be able to feed the masses,” said Dobeck.

Kinship will have a series of soft openings during the week of December 26 and is aiming to open its doors to the public for the first time on January 1, 2021. Dobeck said there’s a certain symbolism to this: “It represents something about having a clean slate, a redemption year.”

He said his experience thus far with Kinship Brewing has reinforced for him that he made the right decision. “This is something I was meant to do,” he said. “I love the name Kinship. I love what it represents. It’s built on community. Kinship has already proven to me that people want to come drink beer here.”

That emphasis on community, said Dobeck, is what sets Kinship apart. “We want to be something different and change your expectation of a brewery,” he said. “We want people to walk away thinking, ‘Wow, this is something worth paying for.’ And, of course, we want you to come back!”

Filed Under: City of Waukee, Features, Lifestyles, My City, PinPoints of Interest, Restaurants, Waukee

How to Stick to Healthier Habits, with Erin Good

January 29, 2020 by admin

January 1, 2020 marks the beginning of not only a new year, but a new decade. And of course, New Year’s brings with it the traditional resolutions—for many of us, they include eating better and exercising more.  However, it’s also notoriously difficult to stick to these resolutions.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the failure rate for New Year’s resolutions is around 80 percent, and most people have abandoned theirs by the middle of February—not exactly encouraging odds.  Even worse, the demoralized feelings this can cause can lead to a lack of motivation and confidence that can permeate other areas of our lives.

So, if we want to use the start of a new decade to make permanent, positive changes in our eating and exercise habits, how can we best set ourselves up for success? 

Luckily, Waukee Hy-Vee Dietitian Erin Good, RD, LD, has some great ideas.

Good, of course, is very familiar with the struggle to stay committed to healthier habits from her work in nutrition.  One thing she recommends to help you stay committed is adding the word “no” to your vocabulary, pointing out that “saying ‘yes’ to your New Year’s resolution may mean saying ‘no’ to something else.”

 “Say ‘no’ to a TV show to choose exercise, say ‘no’ to lunch out at work to choose bringing leftovers from home, [and] say ‘no’ to overcommitting yourself and instead keeping time for yourself and your needs, health and happiness,” she advised.

Two other strategies Good recommends for people working to implement new habits are to start small and consider convenience.  In terms of healthier eating, “Are you more likely to eat more vegetables if they’re already cut and cleaned for you?” she asks.  “Would you roast more veggies if all you had to do was toss them in oil and season to taste?”

Considering the simplest ways to make things more convenient can go a long way.  Frozen veggies—many of which are available in steamable packages that are ready to eat after five minutes in the microwave—are another easy way to work in more servings per day.  

According to Good, considering convenience can also be crucial when considering workout options.  She recommends finding a gym with a convenient location and drive time.

She also said that it pays to consider which forms of exercise are most motivational for you, and to determine whether you would benefit more from attending group classes or having a workout buddy for extra accountability.

In terms of healthy habits, the ones Good recommends to just about everybody are some of the most familiar.  Upping your water intake is one of them. She says you should aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily.  “Carry your water bottle with you everywhere, like you do your wallet,” she said.

And we could all stand to keep a close eye on our added sugar intake.  Many people are surprised to learn that the dietary recommendation for daily added sugar is no more than 25 grams per day.  (For reference, a 12-oz. can of Coke contains 39 grams. Yikes!)

To make things worse, added sugar can be found in items like salad dressings and pasta sauces, in addition to the usual suspects, like soda and candy.  Good recommends being thoughtful about how you spend your daily added sugar allowance, deciding whether you would prefer to enjoy it on things like candy, cookies or your favorite condiments.  Less added sugar means fewer empty calories, making it easier to keep off unwanted pounds.

Other habits Good universally recommends to clients include—yay!—sleeping more.  “Find two to three days per week that you can go to bed 15-30 minutes earlier, and/or wake up later,” she advises.  “Extra sleep equals extra control of your hunger hormones.” Think of this as permission to relax (and maybe sleep in) a bit more often.

Good also points out that being connected with others can help boost a healthy mindset.  “Surround yourself with friends, family and coworkers that have similar health goals as you,” she said.  It can be easier to stick to healthier habits when those around you are trying to do the same.

And of course, don’t be afraid to reach out for support when you need it. Committing to making healthy changes is difficult in the best of circumstances, and we could all benefit from added guidance now and then.  If you’re not sure where to start, or need more inspiration, motivation or clarification on which foods are best for you, Good recommends scheduling a free, personalized nutrition tour with your local Hy-Vee dietitian.

“Dare to do this new decade differently, starting with the foods you place in your shopping cart,” she said.  “Walk with a nutrition expert by your side aisle-by-aisle at Hy-Vee and find the best foods to keep you fit, focused and full of energy in 2020.”  

With some smart planning, support from the people in our lives and extra shut-eye, this can be the year our New Year’s resolutions finally stick.  Armed with these tips, you’ll be ready to commit to a healthier lifestyle as we head into a new decade!

Filed Under: City of Waukee, Community Spotlight, Food, Health, Lifestyles

Business Profile – El Guapo

November 19, 2019 by Elyssa_ Appleton

Tequila! The owners of Gusto Pizza Co. are reopening their location on the border of West Des Moines and Waukee with a new, upscale “south of the border” concept. El Guapo’s Tequila and Tacos will offer street tacos and more than 50 different types of tequila.

Co-owners Jared Weiss and Josh Holderness said after six years as Gusto Pizza Co. and experiencing nearly half a dozen pizza places pop up within a one-mile radius, it was time to do something different.

“Waukee has had some unbelievable economic and residential growth, and that’s not going to slow down any time soon. We are committed to the neighborhood and enjoy being here. We wanted to create a concept that allows us to continue fostering relationships in the community,” said Holderness.

When gathering ideas from friends in the area on a new establishment, Holderness said the desire for a neighborhood bar kept coming up.  “There are a lot of options for craft beer in Waukee, but not for cocktails.”

Weiss, a southern California native with a marketing background, was particularly interested in a bar with Mexican flare—and a story. The tale concerns El Guapo (“the handsome one”), an immigrant from Jalisco, Mexico (tequila’s place of origin), who traveled to West Des Moines in 1926 as a distiller. 

“Not a lot is known about El Guapo, but we’re bringing to light to who he was and where he came from,” said Weiss.

In addition to tequila, El Guapo will serve beer—primarily Mexican, but also some domestics—as well as custom cocktails unique to the bar. Weiss said the menu will be simple, with well-thought-out traditional Mexican recipes, including tacos with house-made tortillas.

The DIY concept can also be seen in the newly-designed aesthetics of the space. Everything from the bar to the lighting and the hubcap art installation were crafted by the owners. 

Weiss said they wanted to give the location a totally different vibe and ambiance in its latest incarnation. “I think we’ve done that with finishes you’ll see. It’s really coming together with different textures and elements.”

El Guapo is comprised of three sections—a Day of the Dead room, the Agave Courtyard and the Lower Rider Lounge, which will feature a more relaxed setting with couches. TVs will be placed throughout the bar for customers to catch a game—both football and futbol.

Weiss said that while the restaurant will be family-friendly, it will transition to a bar at night with brunch available on the weekend.

Regular tasting and educational events also will be held at the bar. “We want to show people the many different types of tequila, and how to drink it and pair it with great tacos,” explained Weiss. 

Holderness feels tequila is often misunderstood, and there’s much to learn about it. “It’s a beautiful spirit,” he said.  “We want to teach people how to really enjoy and savor it.” 

The bar’s grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 1, just in time for Dia de los Muertos—the Mexican “Day of the Dead” holiday that follows Halloween. Weiss said Waukee residents can look forward to celebrating El Guapo with a costume party and a mariachi band—and, of course, tequila!

Filed Under: Business, Business Profile, Food, Lifestyles, Restaurants

Business Spotlight: B-Bop’s Waukee

July 9, 2019 by Kellyn Pappas

Des Moines fast food institution B-Bop’s has been delivering fast food with a retro flair to central Iowa residents for decades.  Now, Waukee residents will have a B-Bop’s location right in their backyard, as construction nears completion on the franchise’s newest location.

Construction began in the fall of 2018 on the 2,200-square-foot restaurant, which will be located at 855 East Hickman Road, near the Waukee Hy-Vee.  The location will offer seating for 60 inside, as well as eight tables on the patio and, of course, a drive-thru. The layout will be very similar to the B-Bop’s location on Stagecoach Drive in West Des Moines.  With the addition of the new store in Waukee, B-Bop’s will have a total of nine locations in Iowa, joining the existing stores on Fleur Drive, Southeast 14th, and East 14th in Des Moines, as well as their locations in West Des Moines, Altoona, Ankeny, Urbandale and Ames.

B-Bop’s is a much-loved fixture in the metro fast food landscape, but its owner got his start one state over.  B-Bop’s owner Bob Johnson embarked on his career in the fast food industry with the Mr. Quick franchise in Bollingbrook, Ill., in 1970.  He began as an assistant manager, a position he held for eight months. Impressed with Johnson’s ambition and skill, Mr. Quick’s corporate office offered him the opportunity to become a franchise partner in the business.  Johnson accepted this offer in 1973, moving to Newton, Iowa, and opening a Mr. Quick there. He later opened stores in Fairfield and Muscatine as well. In 1983, Johnson and his partners changed the restaurant name from Mr. Quick to Sizzlin’ Sam’s.

During the mid-1980s, as Johnson continued to open businesses, he took note of a new, burgeoning concept: the double drive-thru.  These were popping up throughout the Sun Belt states and encountering great success, and Johnson was interested in the possibility of opening one himself.  In 1988, Johnson found a building at 1500 East Euclid Avenue in Des Moines that he felt would be an ideal location for a double drive-thru. Within six months, the first B-Bop’s was opened on that spot, and the rest, as they say, is history.  (The original Euclid location has since been demolished—a new B-Bop’s was built around the corner on East 14th Street to replace it in 2016.)

It’s fair to say that B-Bop’s is known just as much for its atmosphere as for its food.  The old-school vibe inside each location, with the carefree music of an era gone by and the distinctive, colorful décor, take customers back to what many consider a golden, simpler time.  The beloved local chain, with its simple, tried-and-true menu, has won Cityview Magazine’s Best of Des Moines award in the Best Burger category for an astonishing 26 years in a row. B-Bop’s has also been a runner-up for Best French Fry in Cityview’s annual poll for the past five years, and its quarter- and half-pound burgers and fries also earned it the 2016 runner-up for Best Hangover Food.  

With the new store in Waukee set to open soon, residents will soon be able to satisfy their craving for a classic burger with a side of fries and a soundtrack that will take them right back to the olden days.  B-Bop’s represents just the latest exciting addition to the boom of new restaurants in Waukee!

Filed Under: Business, Business Profile, Lifestyles, Restaurants

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