Take it Easy, Make it Easy on your next ski trip

You’ve booked your flight, found the ‘just right’ rental (with a kitchen of course), pre-bought lift passes and now the time has come to hit the mountains to unplug with your squad or fam. Whether you ski or not the pristine white marshmallow landscape evokes a slower pace you will lean into.

For us lower altitude states such as Texas we need a day or longer to acclimate to the higher elevation. It can feel like the air is “thinner” which means that your body isn’t getting as much oxygen. Staying hydrated with water and electrolytes assists in acclimation. This adjustment can really drain your energy, leaving you unmotivated when it comes to making food.

Make it easy on yourself in selecting simple recipes where you’d be able to find most ingredients at a standard grocery store. No need to scrap your whole diet on vacay, cooking for yourself allows you to pivot with what is available at the grocery store.

What’s for Brekkie?

Eat like a king for breakfast, you will need all that energy on the slopes, should keep you full until the lifts close.

• BYOBT– Build Your Own Breakfast Taco- any mix of ingredients such as: eggs, sausage, bacon, tortillas (corn, flour, gluten free), pinto and/or black beans, diced sweet potato, shredded hash browns (freezer section), shredded cheese, salsa, sliced avocado, pico de gallo, cilantro, pickled onions.
• Breakfast Casserole – eggs, any meat, any pre-sauteed veggies or thawed frozen veggies, shredded cheese, sour cream, milk or heavy cream
• Baked Oatmeal– oatmeal, eggs, thawed frozen mixed berries, grade A maple syrup, baking soda, vanilla extract, cinnamon
• Lox & Bagels– smoked salmon, cream cheese, gluten free bagels (bakery or freezer section), capers, shallots or red onion, mixed greens, sliced cucumbers, sliced tomatoes, sliced hard boiled egg, crispy bacon (no nitrate if available), sliced avocado

What’s for Lunch?

Get outta the house if not hitting the slopes

• eat on the mountain if skiing/snowboarding
• bring a protein bar if skiing/snowboarding/snowshoeing
• go into town hit up a local pizza joint or brewery, ever ski town has one and the food and drink is usually solid.

What’s for Dinner?

• BYOC– Build Your Own Chili (meat or vegetarian)- chili spice kit (find in spice or canned beans aisle), ground beef/venison/bison, beans (kidney, black, pinto), diced onions, garlic cloves, crushed canned tomatoes (organic if available), baked potatoes (sweet or russet), shredded cheese, sliced green onions, corn chips, tortilla chips, sour cream or plain greek yogurt.
• Gluten Free Cheese & Charcuterie Board– shopping list and guidance below
• Gluten Free Lasagna– recipe below
• BYOP– Build Your Own Pizza – ham, pepperoni, shredded cheese, shredded parmesan, olives, mushrooms, peppers, artichoke hearts, marinara sauce, pesto, garlic, fresh basil, pizza crusts or dough, gluten free or cauliflower premade crusts
• Fajitas– Chicken, Beef, Shrimp or Mushroom/Pepper based (if vegan), tortillas, lettuce cups (for gluten free, keto), tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, sour cream or greek yogurt, salsa, shredded cheese

Gluten Free Cheese & Charcuterie Board

A cheese and charcuterie board is a staple for a low key Apres Ski nibble feast that can easily transition to a grazing dinner by a warm fire.

Build a board with common finds a grocery store that are gluten free and even keto friendly. Combining all the flavors of salty, nutty, sweet, spicy and floral for an impactful heavier appetizer. This will be the easiest meal you’ll prepare on your trip.

Upping the level of protein on your board will keep Keto as well as maintaining your blood sugar levels. You may be in luck and find local butcher items such as local sausage from wild game. One idea is boiling some local bratwurst in a local IPA or dark ale beer then searing/grilling and serve with a grainy mustard is unconventional yet satisfying add to your board.

BYOB-Build Your Own Board: add to your grocery list

• fresh fruit: strawberries (keto-low carb), raspberries (keto-low carb), granny smith apples, red/green grapes, cantaloupe (keto-low carb, lowest in sugar)
• mix of imported cheeses:
  • aged- aged cheddar, gruyere, gouda, kerrygold dubliner
  • soft- brie, triple cream, goat , boursin.
  • firm- manchego, parmigiano-reggiano, fontina.
• mix of cured meats:
  • prosciutto
  • serrano ham
  • salami
  • calabrese
  • soppressata
  • turkey pepperoni
• mix of cooked meats:
  • bratwurst- recommend to boil in beer then grill or sear, pair with grainy deli mustard
  • keilbasa- pair with grainy deli mustard
  • smoked sausage
  • smoked turkey
  • BBQ brisket chunks
• mix of antipasti items:
  • olives (watch out for those pits)
  • marinated artichoke hearts (jarred)
  • hearts of palm (jarred)
  • pepperoncini’s (jarred)
  • roasted garlic- make your own, olive oil, salt, pepper, foil, in oven, refer to my IG reels for instructions
  • pickles (jarred)
• mix of nuts:
  • roasted cashews, pecans, walnuts, almonds
• sweets:
  • chocolate covered nuts, pretzels, chips or dried fruit
  • low carb keto chocolate (such as Lily’s)
  • low sugar, no processed sugar, minimal ingredient (such as Hu Kitchen Gems)

Gluten Free Lasagna

If you are visual and want to see this dish come together in real time check out the Instagram reel on my page @mariehealthyhill , search for same photo as recipe image below.