Do you need some motivation to work off those extra Turkey Day calories? Searching for a few good gifts or just a little something nice for yourself? Look no further than this week's OnMilwaukee.com Recommends.
U2 – Achtung Baby (Universal) – U2's dark, almost industrial follow-up to the more organic "The Joshua Tree," arrived about seven years after I stopped paying attention and yet it grabbed me. That was partially for personal reasons, but also because the music was melodic, yet starkly powerful. It also didn't hurt that bootlegs were everywhere showing how the band evolved a series of studio jams and lyrical and musical bits and bobs into a really unified and accomplished record. Now, 20 years on, you can officially chart that same progress thanks to this anniversary reissue, which melds the original release with a disc of b-sides and outtakes. The accompanying booklet is loaded with photos and commentaries by producers Eno and Lanois, photographer Anton Corbijn, music critic Bill Flanagan and others. If you can afford it and you care enough, buy the super deluxe, which also features a disc of remixes and the "Zooropa" record – which emerged from the same Berlin sessions – a pile of DVDs and more. There is also a vinyl box set and an uber deluxe that runs nearly $500. – Bobby Tanzilo
The Bar Method DVDs – "Barre" or "Lotte Berk"-style exercise has really lengthened, strengthened and changed the shape of my body. I was sent "The Bar Method – Dancer's Body" a while ago and avoided it because of its level of difficulty. Well, I've worked up to it and I can definitively say this is the toughest of all the "barre" DVDs I have tried so far. The Bar Method was created by Burr Leonard, who tweaked and improved upon the original Lotte Berk exercises to create a highly specific, extremely effective new workout method designed to shape bodies into long, lean, dancer-like figures. Led by "Bar Method" master instructor Marnie Alton, this 62-minute workout is so comprehensive, it will leave you shaking, sweating and feeling tighter after just one workout. Alton's instruction is so detailed and her body so inspiring, you are forced to work to your highest potential. Do this workout a few times a week in combination with some cardio and your results will be incredible. Beginners – don't fret – the Bar Method has a great selection of workout DVDs to get you started, and even a Pregnancy DVD! Learn more and purchase Bar Method workouts here. – Lindsay Garric
Jones Soda holiday packs – A fun alternative to egg nog and other seasonal beverages, Jones Soda has a little fun with the holidays each year and throws together new limited edition packs of themed soda. I can still remember being coerced into trying their Thanksgiving issue a few years back (including, but not limited to, Broccoli and Cheese Casserole and Smoked Salmon flavors). This Christmas issue is thankfully much more tame, featuring Ginger Bread, Pear Tree, Candy Cane and Sugar Plum-flavored sodas. They're available in 4- or 12-packs online. – Renee Lorenz
Hershey's cherry cordial kisses – If chocolate-covered cherries are just too much for you, but you like the cherry / chocolate combination at least in theory, try a bag of these. They give you a quick hit of uber-fruity-cocoa sweetness and then it's over and you're not left holding half of a goopy chocolate that you don't want to finish. -- Molly Snyder
