Life and Work with Amira Ibrahim

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amira Ibrahim.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Amira. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was raised in Egypt to a role model mom who raised me and my two sisters to the best she could. My dad was working in the gulf area, back then there was no internet and of course no smartphones so we had only landlines to connect with my dad while he was away. We used to spend summer vacations with my dad, which allowed me to make lots of friendships from many countries. Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Pakistan, India… and much more. These friendships came with lots of cultural exchange and of course food.

I graduated from a very reputable college in Egypt, got post graduate degree then started working immediately as a software and database programmer. While working, I met the love of my life and we got married and now I have three boys. When my second child was almost one year old my husband’s company asked him to move to the headquarter in Colorado.

It was not an easy decision as it was very hard to part with family and friends and move to the other side of the globe. I had to quit my job, say goodbye to my family and come to live in Colorado. I still tear up and get nostalgic when seeing something from the past, but I now call Colorado home.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I sure had a hard time at first getting used to Colorado especially snow. It was my first time seeing snow and I really enjoy it only from behind windows. Different weather, different culture, different food I felt like a complete stranger in fact there were times when I felt like an alien 🙂 .

I still joke with my readers about this time when I went to the grocery store and I saw a whole family size package of chicken wings and I was wondering what do Americans do with it. You see wings back then was not a thing in Egypt, it is now, as it was considered something that should be discarded. When I asked the woman working there about it she said oh it makes a very good appetizer specially around the super bowl time. With a puzzled look on my face I asked and what is super bowl?! I bet the woman started to wonder if I am from another galaxy or what?!!

My advice for expat especially if they are coming to the USA from a totally different culture is to take it easy and do not stress out. American people are nice and I believe the nicest live in Colorado. They are willing to accept different cultures, try to understand you and help you accommodate. So just do not rush yourself and always ask even if you will look like an alien 🙂 .

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a food blogger. Recipe creation, photography and videography of food are huge part of my passion. I write about Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food that are loaded with memories and stories. My blog is not just about food. It is actually a way for people who are interested in the North African, Middle Eastern and Arabic culture to understand and connect with people from this region of the world. It is a way to taste the culture in this region that goes back thousands of years ago.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
As a blogger, I always need to be aware of the new technology, marketing and planning techniques in the industry. I love listening to podcasts while testing recipes, in the gym or waiting for my kiddos in car line. Amy Porterfiled’s podcast is one of my favorite, Jenny Melrose, Marketing school, social media marketer those are my top podcasts to listen to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amiraspantry.com/
• Email: amira@amiraspantry.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amiras_pantry/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amiraspantry/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/amiraspantry
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/amiraspantry/

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