go out for a picnic!

It sounds like this weekend will be more days of gorgeous weather. You should plan now to get your nose out of the books and spend some time with those you love!

Maybe you can go to an orchard and soak up some sunshine while picking your fruit!

Or, on Saturday morning, check out Paws 4 A Cause, a walk to raise money for Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary & Rescue. You can sign up day of the event to walk for $15. Fun stuff begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 11. You can bring your dog but you don’t have to. Come even if you are an animal-lover without a dog! This is a great cause!

Posted in Current Students, Des Moines Events, Life in Des Moines, Student Life | 3 Comments

The local Juice magazine has a nice profile today on Juan Cadenillas. Juan is a 2009 DMU M.P.H. graduate. He’s doing great things for our county’s public health department and he’s really weaving himself into the Des Moines community as a Latino role model, one of his goals.

I’ve gotten to know him a bit on Twitter and can tell you he is doing a great job promoting health causes and cool stuff in Des Moines. Way to go, Juan. You’re making DMU proud!

Posted in Des Moines Events, DMU Alumni, Life in Des Moines, Public Health | Leave a Comment

I thought I’d point out some new places to eat around town…. Because, well, I love to eat and I love new places!

Yesterday I was delighted to try the new smashburger in West Des Moines.(Full disclaimer: my entire lunch and that of my friend was free. It was a social media folks invite-only preview type event and we didn’t pay a dime.) This is a chain out of Denver and tomorrow marks the grand opening of the first smashburger in Iowa. I had the Spicy Baja which did make me sweat a bit. I also had a yummmmmmy milkshake and tried a bite of the BBQ, bacon & cheese. So delish!

Posted in Des Moines Events, Life in Des Moines, Student Life | 1 Comment

Reggie's Sleepout last year

Imagine your life now… on your way to a successful career in health care. While there are still challenges to face, your basic needs have always been met. Now imagine if you will, growing up without those basic needs and wonder… would you still be where you are today if you grew up without them?

Join the M.P.H. Student Club in raising awareness on youth homelessness in Iowa and register on our team to experience for one night what many youth endure for many nights. The event is Reggie’s Sleepout on October 24, 2009. Participants will all sleep outside at the Drake University football stadium in pup tents, sleeping bags, boxes, etc. to show support for this great cause.

Posted in Current Students, Des Moines Events, Public Health, Student Bloggers, Student Life | 2 Comments

Clemson vs. Georgia Tech. Anybody watch last night? If you did, you were treated to an enjoyable, remarkably close game… that I called. I said it was going to be close and I said it was going to be good. Nailed it.

I send an email to my classmates every week with my “What to Watch For” picks of NCAA football matchups. Below is this week’s installment (including last night’s game). If you’d like to receive my picks each week, just comment below with your email address and I’ll save you a spot on the highly coveted “CC list.”

Posted in Current Students, Student Bloggers, Student Life | 5 Comments

Squash makes me think of fall. It’s so rustic and satisfying. Yum!

What’s your favorite fall food?

Roasted Butternut Squash

2 medium butternut squash  (4-5 pounds total)

6 T. unsalted butter, melted

¼ light brown sugar, packed

1 ½ tsp kosher salt

½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Posted in Current Students, Healthy Cooking | 1 Comment