Hope everyone is staying sane—not gonna lie, I’m slowly losing it!

I don’t think my house has ever been this clean and not sure I’ve ever made this many home-cooked meals in a row. I’ll refrain from telling you all about Veronica, my sourdough starter, but just know that we’ve rekindled our relationship.

And dare I mention the hours of Netflix I’ve recently dropped into? I mean, Tiger King: check; Ozark: check; Better Call Saul: check. Need I go on?

But if you’re like me and now want to spend a little less time watching TV (or just need something to do with your hands while you watch TV), I have two fun ideas:

1. COLOR

Our in-house creative genius (shout out to Amy!) has made all of our packaging illustrations from Alvaro Ilizarbe available as PDFs here. They make for the perfect coloring book! Just download the book, grab your favorite colored pens (or just steal your kid’s crayons…) and get to work!

And the final step of art is to show your work! Take a picture of your masterpiece and use #AlpineStartColoring and @alpinestartfoods on Instagram to be entered to win a free Alpine Start variety pack.

2. COOK... err, blend?

If coloring isn’t your thing (it’s honestly not mine… I’m not that great at keeping it between the lines), then perhaps cooking is more your speed. Check out this (dare I say, fun) video of how to make Dalgona coffee, the velvety smooth whipped coffee that’s lighter than the clouds we dream on.  If you need to stock up on ingredients use the code Dalgona20 at checkout to receive 20% off your order.

We’re also making this a fun competition, so share your Dalgona adventures with #AlpineStartDalgona and @alpinestartfoods on Instagram and you’ll be entered to win a free Alpine Start variety pack.

The best posts from each entry will be announced at the end of April.

Good luck, enjoy, and don’t forget to wash your hands,

Matt

Hey everyone,

Wow. Okay. Are you doing alright?

Hopefully the kids aren’t using your living room for P.E. class or your roommate hasn’t found a new love for playing really loud video games.

We’re all working from home and trying to stay optimistic in the face of all this anxiety. Don’t worry, our coffee isn’t going away! In fact, if you’re like us, the biggest concern is over caffeinating. So dare I say, be careful with this one… drink coffee but don’t overdo it!

And If you are working from home these days like us, I’m sure you’ve found yourself with a lot more time on your hands. Worried about getting cabin fever?

Here are a few suggestions of healthy ways to entertain yourself during quarantine. 

1. Learn the Wim Hof Method of Breathing

This guy is absolutely loco (in the best of ways). I had the good fortune of meeting him a few years back at The North Face Global Athlete summit. Download the free app or just go to his website and fill those lungs with some good ol oxygen. Who knows, you may actually enjoy it! https://www.wimhofmethod.com/

2. Take an online Training Class

Just because every gym in the country is closed doesn’t mean you have to stop training! My friend Zahan Billimoria out of Jackson WY has put together some bodyweight-only training regimes you can do in the comfort of your own home. To get people active and started he’s offering a “COVID 19 FREE WORKOUT.” https://www.samsaramtntraining.com/

3. Learn a New Recipe

I know I’ve been spending way too much time diving down all these News stories rabbit holes and over-stimulating myself with way to much information about COVID–19. Here’s a web site that has NOTHING to do with the Coronavirus and everything to do with cooking! You’ve probably also found yourself with a little more time to spend in your kitchen. So dive down this Bon Appetit rabbit hole and find something extra yummy to cook. One of my new favorite recipes is Gochujang Chicken. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/slow-roast-gochujang-chicken

4. Plan your first post-pandemic backpacking trip

One more thing… in my last note to the world—wow seems like a lifetime ago, I think it was last week—I talked about backpacking foods. I think it came across like I was saying all camping food is equally crap. Well, that’s definitely not the case and there’s one brand that sits above the rest! I’ve eaten these meals all over the world and they truly are great. https://goodto-go.com/

That’s it for now, hopefully you haven’t strangled your roommate or put your kid on a leash.

Stay safe, stay healthy AND wash your hands,

Matt  

You probably know tomorrow marks the first day of the Global Climate Strike. I hope we all have plans to get out and represent for the only planet we have. If you’re in need of ideas or more information please check out The Global Climbing Strike for activities near you. Mother Earth will thank you. 

This weeks Saturday Sippings (we know, it's Thursday) is fully dedicated climate activism. There’s a lot to do and many individuals, businesses and organizations out there doing what they can, and it's not just the “obvious” companies like Patagonia closing their doors. Hundreds of businesses and thousands of employees will be on the streets marching for our climate. 

We too will be closing our doors at Alpine Start tomorrow but haven’t quite figured out how to do a re-direct on our website ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Too busy playing outside instead of keeping up with this technology. 

Climate change affects us all and it’s not just the outdoor community that’s fighting to raise awareness: The kids are alright.
 
Hope everyone gets out and represents tomorrow!  
 
Matt