Escaping the Everyday

It is a three-day weekend for Jake and me! We had planned to visit Big Sky on Monday as we both had the day off. We were monitoring the weather, but it is expected to be too cold for skiing unless one possesses extremely expensive gear that keeps one warm in sub-zero temperatures.

On Monday, the temperature at the base was to feel like -23, so I cannot fathom what it would be at the peak of the mountain. We simply do not have the equipment to handle those temperatures, and it would be inconvenient to have retreat to the lodge after every run to warm up.

We decided to have a relaxing three-day weekend, and it has been quite nice. This may not be a typical weekend adventure post, but I hope you all enjoy it!

Please note, there are some links included in this post that are my affiliate links! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Affiliate Link Information

The Site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated websites.

Congrats to 4 Years Sober!

I feel compelled to acknowledge Jake’s significant accomplishment in my blog. On January 19, 2025, he will be four years sober from alcohol and drugs. Since Jake entered my life, he has educated me immensely about the disease. I see his dedication to maintaining his sobriety every single day. This is not an exaggeration; he genuinely works on his recovery daily.

I couldn’t be prouder of him. When we first started dating, I knew very little about the disease. So, when he told me that he always prioritizes his sobriety above everyone and everything else, I was a bit taken aback. However, after discussing it with him, it made complete sense. If he does not maintain his sobriety, he cannot be there for me, his family, friends, or anything.

The achievements he attains through his recovery are truly inspirational. I reflect on how those who are not sober likely don’t accomplish half of what he does in his journey.

Every year since he reached one year in his recovery, I have made him a special treat. This year, he requested a carrot cake, so I decided to make it. Although I had never made a carrot cake before, I thought I would give it a try. It turned out to be delicious! It was a fully gluten-filled cake as well. Usually, when I make treats for us, I make them gluten free, but it was a special day for him, and I know he prefers the regular recipes more.

One aspect that may be unknown to you all is my passion for baking. Some time ago, I acquired a cake decorating set, it proved to be transformative. Although I still need to work on my writing skills, I am very impressed with the progress I have made.

Anyways I’m so proud of him and I know he is so proud of himself!

Ninja Kitchen Creami

For the past year, I have been expressing to Jake my desire for a Ninja Kitchen Creami, which is basically an ice cream maker. To celebrate our 3-year anniversary, we decided to treat ourselves with one using a few gift cards we received. The Ninja Creami allows you to make ice cream, lite ice cream, sorbet, gel, milkshakes, smoothie bowls, and various mix-ins.

Over the past few weekends, I have been experimenting with various recipes to create a dairy and gluten-free ice cream. There is no specific recipe that must be followed, but it is essential to ensure that the mixture contains sufficient fat and a binding agent. Although we have only just begun exploring ice cream recipes, it will be enjoyable to test the other options as well.

The base consisted of a premade OWYN vanilla protein shake, a little amount of sugar-free vanilla instant pudding powder, oat milk, and vanilla extract. Jake incorporated caramel sea salt bar into his mix, while I added M&Ms and sprinkles. Our goal was to make them somewhat healthy without compromising on texture and flavor. These treats were absolutely delightful!

I greatly appreciate my mini electric whisk, which is perfect for mixing liquids and powders. It proved to be particularly useful when combining all the ingredients prior to freezing. As you may know, Jake and I have a penchant for sweet treats, and ice cream is certainly one of our favorites. However, due to my inability to consume a significant amount of dairy, traditional ice cream poses a challenge. Discovering the Creami was a remarkable experience, as it allows me to enjoy dairy-free ice cream. The batch I prepared for Jake was also dairy, even though he can consume dairy products.

We’ll definitely be experimenting more with different recipes!

Trail & Road Running

At the beginning of January, I decided to resume running to improve my fitness for trail runs and aim to complete a half-marathon this year.

I believe it also secretly inspired Jake, as he decided to start getting in shape for trail running. He intends to participate in an ultra-marathon at some point this year, which would be remarkable.

We have several exciting locations planned for our trail runs this summer. While I cannot disclose too many details at the moment, it will be enjoyable to explore this area.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this blog post even though it was a little different. We hope to get out skiing next weekend when it’s not below zero.

Stay tuned for some more exciting adventures!