About Me
46
Thanks for checking out my blog! My name is Katie and I am currently living in Chicago. I moved here in August of 2010 to start the three grueling wonderful years of law school. When I graduated from the College of Charleston I decided it was time to leave my college habits behind and start eating healthier and exercising more; if I was going to put my mind through three tough years of law school I knew I needed to keep my body feeling healthy and happy.
Actually doing so, however, has definitely been a struggle. Although my amazing brother and sister-in-law (married in June of 2011!) live nearby, moving to a new city alone was tough on me, so I decided to use running as a goal to keep myself focused and motivated and to give me a hobby outside of law school. Right after moving in I signed up for the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure 10 K run! For someone who’d never run more than 3 miles, this seemed like quite a feat! But guess what, I did it!
Another goal I had over this past year was to become more physically fit and, let’s be honest, to lose some of that college weight. I’ve struggled with my weight since I can remember; never necessarily being overweight, but definitely uncomfortable with my body. I choose the method of calorie counting and working out 6 days a week at my local gym and although it worked for me, it made me obsessive about calories and cutting certain foods out of my diet. I realized that focusing on these things, especially since I’d reached my goal weight, was unhealthy and making me very unhappy. After being inspired by Tina Haupert, writer of Carrots N Cake, I decided to ditch calorie counting and focus on eating healthy, nutritious food, and not worrying so much!
Although it’s a process, I’ve come a long way over the past few months and I’m feeling great! With this new attitude, and my new love for food blogs, I’ve started getting into trying out new recipes and sharing them with my friends. I thought starting this blog would be a great opportunity to share both the recipes I’ve been trying out, as well as the workouts and exercises that I do with my friends, and anyone else who finds my story interesting!
In October of 2011, I found out that I may be intolerant to gluten, soy, white sugar and pasteurized milk. Read more about my initial diagnosis and challenges here.
Also check out this post, for 7 interesting things you might not have known about me!
**Disclaimer: I DO NOT blog everything I eat! This isn’t a food journal, I just like to share some of the delicious (or boring…) foods that I eat! Please feel free to ask me any questions in comments or e-mail me at peaceloveandoats@gmail.com!**
I really like your blog! I don’t know, it just seems different from everyone else’s (in a good way). Happy writing!
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoy it, that’s always good to hear!
Just found your blog and wanted to say hello!
Thanks for checking me out, Erin!
Tina’s amazing. Definitely a role model for me too! I loved her book. I am enjoying your blog! Keep it up.
Thank you, Cheryl!
Hi Katie! I found your blog a few weeks ago and really enjoy it. I am just starting my own and would love to meet up in Chicago sometime if you’re up to it. It would be awesome to get some blogging tips from you and learn the tricks of navigating WordPress. Let me know
hey kate! I have no idea how I missed this comment, but I apologize! I tried to check out your blog but it said it was private!? and feel free to e-mail me if you want to meet up!
hey katie! i just changed my setting so you should be able to get on my blog now. i can’t seem to find your email but would love to send you a note. if you could let me know what it is that’d be great!
peaceloveandoats@gmail.com!
Just found your blog, wanted to say hi!!
Thanks Karlee!!!
I am so impressed that you are reading, prepping meals and making time for law school! The last book I read was on my post-Bar Exam trip, and now I just read magazines as a First-year Associate. But, my favorite magazine is The Week, which is a great summary of US news, world news, arts, entertainment, and more!
I usually don’t have time for reading but this semester my school reading is considerably lighter than normal, I have 3 classes out of 5 that have no reading at all! Congrats on finishing the Bar!!!!
I just found your blog from Tina’s and I’m so glad I did because I love it!
I’m glad you found me, Sara, thank you for reading!!!
Hi Katie…I just found your blog and love to read about other people’s love for oatmeal! I have a similar obsession. I am new to the blogging community and have a vegan food blog. My oatmeal post was my favorite to write and photo. I look forward to reading more of your posts!
Thanks for reading! And I’ll have to check out your oatmeal post!
I’m also from chicago!!
Awesome!! There seem to be a lot of bloggers here – it is a pretty great city!
I just recently found your blog, and I really like it! I’ll be sure to stop by daily!
Thanks, Alyssa!!! I appreciate that!
This is a great blog! I’m so glad I stumbled across it. I think we’re similar in some ways; at least I know the pain of being a law student in a new city! Best of luck – I look forward to following from now on.
Thanks for commenting Kate!! I’ll be sure to check out your blog, I haven’t found any other law students!
I found your blog on the Facebook page and i am so glad i stumbled upon it! Good luck with law school. I am debating on weather or not to go to law school.
I am originally from the Northern ‘burb of Chicago! I hope your liking it!!!
Beautiful lake side trail runs!
I do enjoy Chicago – especially living so close to the lakefront!
are u still in law school?? I am starting my last year of medical school this October!
I am! Starting my last year in mid-August!
I just found your blog and I really love it! I too am gluten-free so your recipes are perfect.
Ahh just saw this comment! Thanks Alaine!!
I have nominated you for the Beautiful Blogger Award. See my post :0)
http://krissyandthecity.com/2012/08/12/seven-things-about-me/
Thanks Krissy!
[...] Katie (one of my favourite bloggers!) reminded me with her Pump Some Iron post today that I have to make a doctor’s appointment. I’m exhausted all the time, and I’ve been meaning to get my iron/ferritin/folate levels checked again (they’ve been critically low before, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re back down). [...]
Just found your blog! yay! I can’t imagine having to deal with all those food allergies. I’m just allergic to gluten and that’s enough for me! Can’t wait to read more!
Just stumbled across your blog and I love it! Can’t wait to read more!!
Thanks, Sam!
I just stumbled upon your blog from Sarah @ Blonde Bostonian, so glad I did! Can’t wait to read more!
Aww, thanks for reading, Sara!
Your story sounds so familiar to mine…Im glad I found your blog! Keep it up!
I have been reading your blog for a while and I really appreciate how honest you are about everything! It’s a hard thing to do, and I really enjoy how relatable your blog is!
Thank you, Kathryn!
Hi Katie! I’m new to the blogging world, so this is the first time stumbling across your page! I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your posts. It’s so refreshing finding other women who have so much in common.
Looking forward to more posts!
Thank you, Brittany! I love hearing from new readers!
Just stopped by to tell you I really like your blog! You seem so down to earth!
Thanks, Alyssa!!