Living a Nordic Life

Welcome to Living A Nordic Life, helping you live a Nordic Life, wherever you are.

From my home in southern Norway I'd love to share my Nordic lifestyle, cooking and surroundings with you, and show you how I have discovered that you don't need to live in Norway to enjoy and embrace a Nordic lifestyle and way of living.

Funny Norwegian Phrases to Brighten Your Day

Every language has it's own idioms and funny expressions, but Norwegian ones are some of the funniest. Can you guess what each one means?

Fiona McKinna

Feb 233 min read

The Quirky Traditions of Scandinavian Fastelavn: What You Didn't Know

Fastelavn is a joyful and fun celebration throughout the whole of Scandinavia. It's a time to embrace joy before the start of Lent

Fiona McKinna

Feb 175 min read

Jordskokk Suppe (Jerusalem Artichoke Soup)

Simple, traditional and warming, Norwegian Jerusalem artichoke soup is quick and easy to make

Fiona McKinna

Feb 122 min read

How to celebrate your birthday Norwegian style

Norwegians certainly know how to celebrate. Birthdays are organised in a special way, but we can do the same wherever we are in the world.

Fiona McKinna

Feb 95 min read

Blåsmesse, a very strange day that marks windy weather

One thing I learnt when I first moved to Norway was that people here rally like to celebrate any special day that comes along. This has...

Fiona McKinna

Feb 32 min read

Velkommen februar, Welcome February!

February is such a romantic sounding month. It has the promise of an early spring, longer days and the romance of Valentine's Day. In...

Fiona McKinna

Feb 12 min read

Motti, a traditional dish from Finnskogen

Motti is a very traditional dish from Finnskog in Norway. It is a combination of Finnish and Norwegian food culture from a uni region

Fiona McKinna

Jan 292 min read

Pålsmesse, a Special Day on the Runic Calendar

The Nordic primstav or calendar stick is a special part of Norwegian culture with important days still marked today

Fiona McKinna

Jan 263 min read

Uncovering the Secrets of Scandinavian Winter Wellness for a Healthier You!

Enjoying winter also means being healthy through it regardless of the weather. Let's look at how Nordic people embrace winter wellness

Fiona McKinna

Jan 204 min read

Perfect Norwegian Pancakes

Norwegian pancakes are the ultimate in Nordic comfort food. This 4 ingredient recipe is what you need for a typical Norwegian warming dish

Fiona McKinna

Jan 152 min read

10 Unusual Facts About Oslo (To Make Your Trip More Memorable)

Oslo is a beautiful city to visit at any time of year with an abundance of culture, history and green space. It's small but mighty

Fiona McKinna

Jan 124 min read

You Don't Need to be Perfect

Life is not perfect and you don't need to be either. Despite what we see on social media you are enough as you are. Let me tell you why

Fiona McKinna

Jan 63 min read

Nordic Dill & Mustard Sauce for Fish

As delicious as gravlaks is on it's own, this mustard sauce really elevates it to something special and memorable

Fiona McKinna

Dec 25, 20241 min read

The Icelandic Yule Cat - not as fluffy as you might think!!

The Icelandic legend of the yule cat is not the cosy Christmas fireside tale you might hope for. It's a piece of scary Nordic noir

Fiona McKinna

Dec 22, 20242 min read

A Koselig Jul, A Cosy Nordic Christmas

I know that as soon as I mention Christmas in the Nordics it conjures up a picture of snow-covered wooden houses, long evenings, crisp...

Fiona McKinna

Dec 16, 20243 min read

Sjokolademousse med Polkagris (Chocolate Mousse with Polkagris)

Sjokolademousse med polkagris is a simple, luxurious treat What could be a more delicious treat than a smooth and creamy chocolate mousse...

Fiona McKinna

Dec 11, 20242 min read

The lovely simplicity of Nordic Christmas Decor

I've noticed a move in recent years from the shiny plastic, glittery Christmas decorations to the more natural, simple, Nordic style. ...

Fiona McKinna

Dec 8, 20245 min read

The Secret of Lagom: The art of Embracing Just the Right Amount

Lagom, how to have not too little, but not too much. The Swedes seem to do it effortlessly, and so can you wherver you are in the world

Fiona McKinna

Dec 2, 20243 min read

Velkommen desember, Welcome December!

Welcome to the cosiest of cosy months in the Nordics. December is all about Christmas, snow and cosiness.

Fiona McKinna

Dec 1, 20242 min read

Silppu, a very traditional comfort food from Finnskogen

Silppu or silpo is a traditional dish from Finnskogen in Norway. Bacon, potatoes, onion and milk are cooked together for best comfort food.

Fiona McKinna

Nov 27, 20242 min read

Living a Nordic Life

Funny Norwegian Phrases to Brighten Your Day

The Quirky Traditions of Scandinavian Fastelavn: What You Didn't Know

Jordskokk Suppe (Jerusalem Artichoke Soup)

How to celebrate your birthday Norwegian style

Blåsmesse, a very strange day that marks windy weather

Velkommen februar, Welcome February!

Motti, a traditional dish from Finnskogen

Pålsmesse, a Special Day on the Runic Calendar

Uncovering the Secrets of Scandinavian Winter Wellness for a Healthier You!

Perfect Norwegian Pancakes

10 Unusual Facts About Oslo (To Make Your Trip More Memorable)

You Don't Need to be Perfect

Nordic Dill & Mustard Sauce for Fish

The Icelandic Yule Cat - not as fluffy as you might think!!

A Koselig Jul, A Cosy Nordic Christmas

Sjokolademousse med Polkagris (Chocolate Mousse with Polkagris)

The lovely simplicity of Nordic Christmas Decor

The Secret of Lagom: The art of Embracing Just the Right Amount

Velkommen desember, Welcome December!

Silppu, a very traditional comfort food from Finnskogen

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