Browsing Category

News

My Year in Review

December 31, 2012
twenty-five

2012 was a big year. With only one day left of December and 2012, I wanted to share with you this landmark year. For me, 2012 has been a year of major life changes, travel, thrilling excitement and powerful personal transformation.

Throughout the year I got the chance to travel to Amsterdam, Rome, Dublin, New York City and Des Moines.

new-york

I attended my first Irish horse race.

horse-racing-lismore

I launched this blog.

three-day-juice-cleanse

I sold my vegan baked goods to a local cafe in Cork.

figgyandsprout-baking

I spent weekends in the countryside relaxing, hiking and taking things slowly.

glenshelane-waterford

I celebrated my 25th birthday with my beloved in Italy.

katie-norris-rome

I spent some time at the beach with my sister and her partner. I smiled and laughed until my cheeks hurt and my belly ached.

rockaway-beach-new-york

I celebrated one year living in the green hills of Ireland.

the-vee-waterford-knockmealdown-mountains

(My partner Gavin and I. This was taken a year and a half ago after moving to Ireland.)

I discovered my passion for raw food and began working as a raw food chef.

orange-pomegranate-salad

I joined a beginners ballet course and fell in love with the art of movement. I also met some wonderful people along the way.

ballet-shoes

I completed my first international marathon and third full marathon.

katie-norris-dublin-marathon

I spent my first Christmas away from home at my new home in Ireland. I learned the importance of love and family.

katie-christmas-in-ireland

2012 has been a fabulous year. Sharing recipes, photos and words makes me happier than I can say. I’m infinitely grateful for the many wonderful people I’ve met through this little page on the internet. Starting this blog is one of the best things I’ve ever done thanks to you, dear readers. Thank you for your constant love and support – it means the world to me. Happy New Year! xo

4 Comments

Healthy Edible Holiday Gifts

December 17, 2012
healthy-edible-holiday-gifts

With the holidays quickly approaching, I thought I would share some ideas for edible gifts! My true pleasure is giving incredible gifts and more often than not, these presents are made in my kitchen. I love hearing loved ones squeal with delight when they are handed a small package wrapped in parchment paper, anticipating the unimaginable deliciousness inside.

Inspire someone you love and give the gift of healthy inspiration. I rounded up the best edible presents from figgy & sprout, perfect to prepare ahead of time and grab last minute. These will make special gifts, and they’re easy to dress up in homemade boxes and packages for an extra bit of personal flair.

Happy holidays everyone! I hope that all of you are well and enjoying the gifts of the season. What are some of your favorite things to give during the holidays?

4 Comments

My Job

November 17, 2012
my-job

When you move to Ireland from small town USA, the culture shock is great. The weather, the cultural diversity, the dominance of the entertainment industry and the abundance of revealing clothes is all quite astonishing. What’s more, if you want to know anything about food and are curious by nature, every day in Cork can be an opportunity to move outside of your culinary comfort zone. Though this may be rather difficult when you are vegan in a country full of meat eaters, there are some rather great options here.

Let me introduce you to my favorite local eatery, Very Healthy Food. I love it so much, in fact, I got a job here! Going to work has been especially exciting and fulfilling since I began working here. The surroundings are inspiring. Everywhere I look there’s something (or someone) I want to know more about – ingredients, techniques, style, craft, food stories and big personalities abound.

 

very-healthy-food-raw-salad

miso-soup-board-very-healthy-food

I can still recall my first Raw Food Buffet at Very Healthy Food last winter. I had been invited to attend the first ever buffet by the Cork Vegans meetup group. The dinner consisted of a three course meal in which we were served a supergreen smoothie,  a huge falafel salad with assorted sprouts and veggies, and ended the meal on a sweet note with a raw brownie. Ever since the first bite I’ve been hooked.

Since opening doors in June 2011, Very Healthy Food has garnered a dedicated following. Not only do customers drive across town for a raw pizza with sun-dried tomato sauce and cashew cheese or a slice of raw chocolate cake, they return day after day for savory and sweet favorites with determined gusto.

I’m thrilled to be part of this lovely community of health freaks. If you’re in the area, be sure to pop in and say ‘hello’!

very-healthy-food-raw-cake

(Photos courtesy of Cork News and Very Healthy Food)

7 Comments

Dublin Marathon 2012

October 30, 2012
dublin-marathon-2012

Waking up the morning after a marathon has always been the same for me. Whether I ran a great race or one that I’m less than proud of, I wake up with a heavy load of race residue to process. Oh, and my body usually feels like I got hit by a truck.

On marathon day, things went pretty well at first. The morning dawned cold and overcast, I was eager to start running. Walking to the start line among 14,300 runners, I was feeling all sorts of emotions – anxiousness, nervousness, excitement. After hearing the gun go off, I was ready. I was feeling great — at least until Mile 11. That’s when my legs turned to iron, my mind was clouded and I barely noticed the cheering crowd. Every part of me knew that this day was going to be a fight to the end. I just couldn’t bring myself to fully let go of the goals and expectations that I had poured so much of my heart into over the last many months of my life.

Eventually, time no longer mattered and I felt myself finally letting go and just hoping to make it to the finish line. Making it from Mile 19 to the finish was the stretch of the race that I knew I would have to dig deeper within myself than ever before and test limits that I wasn’t prepared to test. The lessons I’ve gained from this marathon are things that I will take with me always.

I finished the race coming in a good 30 minutes later than I’d hoped, with a time of 4:36. Though I certainly felt proud of my achievement, I was so relieved that it was over. I crossed the finish line after running 26.2 miles feeling stronger, more determined and with a greater appreciation of what I am truly capable of. I will forever be changed by what I learned in the Dublin Marathon 2012. And I am only stronger for it.

katie-norris-dublin-marathon

Life lessons worth remembering:

  • We are stronger than we think we are. When we get to those moments in life where we doubt there is anything left to give, there is always more.
  • We are not alone in life. Faith, friendship and support of others around us will help us get through the difficult times. There is great beauty and value in the support of a community.
  • We can always change and set new goals. Letting go of goals and changing expectations can lead to new possibilities. When one door closes, there are more to be opened.
  • Being REAL is a gift to ourselves and to those around us. When we share our heartbreaks and struggles and allow ourselves to admit that we feel broken, we reveal the human side of ourselves that so many can relate to. We open the doors to be loved.
  • Hardships make us stronger. Life doesn’t always go as planned but each new opportunity allows for growth. Every time we are tested with challenges, we rise stronger than before.

Have any of you ever completed a marathon or is it something you aspire to accomplish one day? Let me know your stories below :)

1 Comments