My Story
Welcome to Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life. My name is Courtney, I’m 28 years old, and I live in Upstate, NY. I have a huge interest in healthy living, food, fitness, and fashion.
I began writing this blog as a way of documenting my daily eating and fitness routines, to show that a healthy, balanced lifestyle is attainable for anyone. I love making healthy meals, baking sweet treats, and experimenting with new foods. I never deprive myself of my favorite indulgences, but am constantly striving to maintain an overall healthy attitude about food, fitness, & life.
Background
I was not always the healthiest person. During my high school years, I kept up a fairly active lifestyle, participating on volleyball, bowling, and softball teams. However, when I wasn’t playing sports, my time was often spent lounging on the couch, watching soap operas & MTV, or slouched in front of my computer screen. I paid zero attention to true hunger cues, and often ended up eating out of the mere sake of boredom. My food choices were not exactly the healthiest either: cosmic brownies & zebra cakes were the name of the game. I always struggled with body issues, but often dealt with them by continuing a cycle of unhealthy eating.
As I transitioned into college, things remained pretty much the same, until I started living on campus. All of a sudden, I was exposed to an endless supply of food, through popular dining hall favorites like pasta, cookies, and ice cream. Sure, I ate my fruits and veggies too, but knowing all of these treats were so immediately at my disposal made it very difficult to resist temptation. It wasn’t until my senior year in college where I started to become somewhat interested in exercising. My roommate, Eileen, would often hit up the gym on campus, and I’d occasionally tag along. I liked it, but not enough to go on my own.
My body issues began taking over my life. Once college was over, it was time for the real world, and that’s when things started to get shaky. My boyfriend and I were having some serious issues, and we ended up deciding to take a break. I was completely devastated. The guy I’d dated since I was 15, the guy I loved, was now no longer a part of my life. All of a sudden, I was in a situation that I felt I could no longer control, and I turned to some bad habits, which I just recently opened up about here and here. It was hard to break free of that place in my life, but I know now that I am a stronger, healthier person for having gone through it.
Everything happens for a reason. It’s funny, really, how life has a way of working itself out. Just as my body issues started to become almost too intense to handle, my “guy” and I found our way back to each other. Once that happened, my life took a complete 180. Sure, it took a while to transition back to some healthier habits, but I was no longer alone in my fight to become my healthiest, happiest self. And I am happy to say that I now have the pleasure of calling that “guy” my husband.
*******
Who’s Who?
Jay – “Hubby”
Despite a brief year apart to grow up & figure out ourselves as individuals, Jay and I have been together forover 10 years. (To read the story on how we met, you can click here.) We were married on January 2, 2010, in a beautiful (cold) winter wedding celebrated with our closest friends and family. We love entertaining with friends, playing softball together, routing on our favorite football team (“GO JETS“!”),
and enjoying frequent “Date Nights.”
He’s my rock.
Cody – “The Crazy Cat”
Cody found his way into our lives a little over two years ago, when we found him meowing late one night on our back porch. The poor thing was in rough shape, so we took him in, nursed him back to health, and called him our own. We’re still not sure exactly sure what happened for him to have gotten there, but either way, we’re so lucky to have had him find us. Now he’s my favorite cuddle buddy!
You’ll see Cody quite frequently on the blog, as he’s constantly doing something wacky or crazy. In fact, he’s even gone as far as hijacking the blog…
Mom & Dad
I grew up with the most amazing parents, Pat & Bob. They have always been nothing but supportive of me, and have afforded me so many wonderful opportunities in my lifetime. They just recently celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary and have always been a perfect example of what a true, happy marriage should be.
Dan – “The Younger Brother”
Living with a younger brother often proved to be a bit of a challenge growing up, but I really am extremely lucky to have Dan as my brother. Despite having our “I can’t stand you/Get away from me” years, we have grown pretty close as the years have passed, and we never fail to have a great time. Throw Meg & Jay in the mix, and it’s sure to be a blast!
Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog!
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at sweettoothcourtney@gmail.com, or leave a question in the comment section of any post. I love hearing from readers!







Welcome to Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life! I'm Courtney, a 28-year old personal trainer living in Upstate, NY. I enjoy all things related to food, fitness, and fashion, as well as feeding my huge sweet tooth. To find out a little bit more about the girl behind the blog, check out my



{ 110 comments… read them below or add one }
aww you used the picture! so cute! i love the new page.
Looks great Courtney! Honest, thoughtful, and lovely..like you
You’re too sweet Shanna! Thanks!
great story courtney! it’s amazing to see that through pain and difficult times with our mind&body we can emerge with such power and self-compassion! you are so beautiful and have a great hubby and fam
Great intro! How old is Cody now?
Since we don’t know for sure when his “birthday” is, the vet “guesstimated” it to be on August 1st (also my hubby’s birthday!) – so he’ll be 1 (or 7?) in a couple weeks.
Love the new page, it looks great! I’m glad you and the husband worked things out in the end. You guys are so cute together! I love happy endings
It’s nice to meet you
I look forward to reading your blog!
Thanks Monique! Nice “meeting” you too!
I just came across your blog and find it so inspiring! Thank you!
Great blog… love the cupcake recipes
you should open a cupcake shop!!
Also love your name
Hahaha…your name isn’t so bad either!
just curious what your career is?
I’m an elementary school teacher
I love your blog! Super cute! and btw you look amazing! I would have never guessed you were once heavier like you were in you jay’s prom. Im too afraid to put up my pictures of when i was heavier. its embarrassing! lol
Thank you so much!
Courtney I love your blog! Would it be OK to add it as a link in mine?
Incognito x
Absolutely!
Hi Courtney, I just discovered your blog through Freshly Pressed! I love your logo and concept. I live in San Francisco and have started a similar blog, except my three F’s are Friends, Food, and Fitness. I would love to connect with you! http://clubdinein.wordpress.com/
Ahhh….congrats on your FP! I just found your blog and I just love it! You are so very creative and talented! I should’ve guessed you were a school teacher with all the cute little details on your blog! Thank you for sharing your story…you are an inspiration!! And I LOVE the recipes!!! I will have to come check these out again in the future…when I can eat a cupcake or two again! <3
http://cleanfoodexperiemt.wordpress.com
Hi, I found your blog on Freshly Pressed when I realized that we have the same name! Awesome! Your blog is so lovely and well-written.
I’ll definitely be reading more!
Thank You, Courtney!
Hi!
I’ve been surfing around Wordpress when I came across your blog. I just loove it!! Can’t wait to read ALL of your posts. I know you know how lucky you are to have a gorgeous husband (a long love at that!) and being able to satisfy your sweet tooth while having a sweet life! =) Just barely scrolling through here and I get soo inspired! Thank you and God bless!
Hahaha…I think you’ve given my hubby a big ego boost after that!
Thanks so much for the kind words!
I’m so glad I stumbled across your blog, I love it and completely relate to your story. You’re adorable, can’t wait to try out some recipes!
Thanks, Nicole!
super happy i found your blog! youre gorgeous
hello! nice the meet you
Hey there! I found your blog through Julie @ SavvyEats… just wanted to say that I love your story and how far you’ve come. Such an inspiration to so many girls! Also, looove the layout of your site, so fun and girly!
Thanks, Allison!
Hey
, I found my way here from googling fashion styles oddly enough, and I love your blog already! I recently started a blog myself, so I’m new to all of this.
You’re story is a real inspiration. I can’t wait to see how your beautiful new kitchen turns out!
Thank You! So glad you found me…especially by googling fashion styles LOL!
just wanted to say hi and i love everything about your blog!! so glad i found it,
Thanks, Andrea!
Just found your blog and you are way too pretty! Good luck with all your goals
Jenny (Fit Girl Foodie) recently posted..Friday Fruit Loops
I’ve been enjoying your blog for about a month now! I’m friends with Colleen who just started a blog of her own and follows yours. You’re such a great example of a young woman trying to lead a healthy and happy life! It’s all about balance, isn’t it?! Btw- beautiful kitchen!
It absolutely IS! Thanks so much, Kathryn.
Very cute blog, I am so glad I found it! It seems like you have a great support system and a good head on your shoulders. Plus, I saw some of your treats and they look delish! Look forward to reading more!
Thanks, Kimberly!
Hi, Courtney! I just found your blog and love it! You have so many great recipes, tips, tricks, and stories on here. Can’t wait to read more!
Have a great day!
Hi Parita! Thanks so much for stopping by…hope to continue to see ya around!
Courtney, I LOVE your blog

DD)
I’ve been reading it since like last February and it has been one fun ride!
Thanks for almost always being so upbeat!
I subscribe to your email list, and since I have a smartphone, I read your posts during first period AP English~ (Thanks for the diversion during boring English lit
Hahaha, thank you, Jae!! I’m so glad I can keep you occupied during AP English.
You are beautiful! Thank you for sharing your story! I’m glad you and your longtime love made your way back to one another. I’m glad I found your blog
!
Kelsey, at Happyolks recently posted..Recipe Index
You have a new reader ! Great blog <3
Emon recently posted..Sorry for lacking on postings !
Recently found your blog through Une Vie Saine. Love your blog name and your posts!
Thank you! And welcome
Love your blog and you look fantastic! Your kitty is adorable as well.
Krissie J recently posted..Showtime
Thanks Krissie!
Love your website… i came across it from the Fitnessita… i am up in upstate NY as well- well albany area… i notice you take pump.. i love it.. I take it at two of the golds in the area!!!
SJ
What a small world, me too!
great blog! can’t wait to follow
jenna recently posted..Officially Summer 2011 -
Your blog is an inspiration! What an amazing woman you are:) I am 25 and am a teacher as well! I teach 8th grade and am marathon runner and have always been involved in fitness. You take it to a higher level. How do you do it all with working out and blogging as well as being a great teacher, wife, daughter, sister, etc? Thank you for sharing all your gifts:) I look forward to reading and following.
Thanks, Katie! I actually just lost my job recently, so things have certainly changed in that regard. But I’m working through it! Thanks so much for reading
LOVE your blog! i have stumbled on it multiple times but need to begin reading it more regularly!
Hannah recently posted..Friday Fun Time!
Thanks Hannah! I hope ya stick around
Courtney, you’re so cute and so is your blog! I look forward to your posts each day–keep it up, girl!
Laura @ LauraLikesDesign recently posted..Simply Delicious Part I
That is SO nice to hear, Laura! Thank you so much!!
Just found your blog! So excited to dive in!
Candice recently posted..Advice From A Tree
Yay! Hi Candice!
Hi Courtney!!!
Could you pretty pretty please do a video tutorial on your everyday hair routine and how you fix it up in what looks like a bun in some of your pics???
Love your blog sweetie!!!!
Amy
Hi Courtney! Just found your blog via #fitblog!
Happy to have found you and will be back soon to read more!
Hayley @ Oat Couture recently posted..Nearly Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse!
Awesome! Thanks for reading, Hayley!
Jets and Mets. Soul sister. Love love love.
WOOOOOT WOOOOOT!!
Hey Courtney!
I love your blog. Just started one of my own, and I can’t wait to keep following!
Thanks, Mallory!
Gorgeous pictures…it’s so nice to find your blog! I must say I am intrigued by zebra cakes??
Oh my gosh, yes! They’re a pre=packaged treat: yellow cake with cream filling and a hard, vanilla coating. Totally filled with horrible ingredients…but totally tasty!
Glad to have found your blog – following along starting now!
Thanks, Jane!!
What college did you go to? Since I came across your blog I can’t shake the feeling that you & your husband look so familiar! Keep the posts coming! You’ve made my breakfast so much better with your cereal bowl combos and you give me an excuse to be distracted by reading your posts when I need some down time at work!
Hi Courtney! I’ve never formally said hi so I wanted to here.
I love your blog and look forward to reading it everyday. I have a very similar experience with food/body issues and my current boyfriend rescuing me, and my life mantra is “Everything Happens for a Reason.” I was excited when I read the quote on this page! Thank you for making my days brighter with your fun posts, and for your awesome cupcake recipes (I made soda cupcakes with your vanilla butter cream frosting for my boyfriend a couple of weeks ago- everyone LOVED them!)!
Hi Aska!
Thank you so much for reading. It’s so nice to hear there’s someone else out there who also believes that “Everything Happens for a Reason!”
So glad you liked the soda cupcakes
Just found your blog–it’s GREAT! Can’t wait to read more!
Kiah recently posted..our story, part three
Thanks Kiah! Hope to see you around more
Just found your blog via Peanut Butter Fingers – So excited to now have you in my Google Reader
Love your blog – it is fantastic!!! You are going straight to my blogroll
Oh and Cody is so cute!
Jennie (jenandberrys) recently posted..Survey Excitement!!!
Thanks Jennie!
Hi Courtney,
I love reading your blog and congrats on your new career.
Kelly @ Taste Out Loud recently posted..Seven, Nine, Ten… Who’s Counting?
I love your site and….sweets too! We have a lot in common
Kristie recently posted..Picky Eaters: 10 Tips for Happier Mealtimes.
I loved reading about you and am so excited to check out more of your blog! I totally agree about the goals of a healthy, fashionable, active life complemented with plenty of little indulgences
Your story with your man is very similar to mine, gotta love a happy ending!
Anna @ hiddenponies recently posted..Saturday Sweets: Lemon White Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Thanks, Anna! Glad to have you reading!
Happy to have discovered your blog recently! Goodness me, you and your guy make an adorable couple
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes recently posted..Christmas Turkey Burgers
Fun and light-hearted blog, you have here, Courtney. I look forward to getting to know you more and checking out your recipes… Totally agree with your perspective on healthy living, eating, just enjoying the blessings life has to offer. Book-marking!
Just found your blog through another friend’s blog post. Really like your site and looking forward to exploring it more!
Clare recently posted..Soup from “scratch”
Just stumbled onto your page whilst looking at some new and exciting treadmills ………………………. Love it !!!!! Great reading & lots to learn
Your new English fan living in Spain
)) I”m also a “JAY”
xxx
Just found your blog and it is beautiful. You and your husband have an amazing love story. It is rare to find your first and true love when you’re 15.
Margarita recently posted..On Making Bread + Cottage Loaf
Thank you so much, Margarita!
I just stumbled upon your blog today – love it! I love the orange cat too. I once heard orange male cats are the most playful. Or, maybe I’m making that up because my orange male cat rocks.
Courtney…I just stumbled upon your website as well…looking for bloggers who also like to indulge in “treats” from time to time to keep our sanity
I, too, have a Cody and so does my daughter, Tiffany. We LOVE orange tabby’s and Cody is a good-looking guy…please tell him so from me!
I just created a website, LOAVEAFFAIR.COM, to share with everyone my Grandma Thompson’s “Date Loaf Candy”. I didn’t eat many candy bars growing up, so my Gma T introduced me to this ‘gourmet homemade candy’ at a very young age, and I’ve loved it since. Neither my mom nor my aunts ever tried to make her date loaf because of the ‘touch’ that it takes to make it just like she did. I spent 2 weeks, working in my kitchen, to gain her skill…and now that I have the ‘touch’, I hope you and your email-ers will try it!
I’m going to make your website a Favorite on my laptop!!!
Marsha Smith from Henryetta, Oklahoma
I just spent time going through your site, and I love it!! Keep up the great work, you’re beautiful!
Thanks, Emily!
I just discovered your blog a few days ago and I want to twll you how much of an inspiration you are!! I love how honest and real you are! I have had such struggles with food throughout my life…struggling with what to eat what to not each, how to be healthy, how much to exercise, when to rest etc. and reading your blog has truly given me a new outlook! All I truly want is to be healthy and content and reading your blog for a few days has already helped me – just wanted to say thanks and keep it up, girl!
Thank you so much, Alexandra! It’s so nice to hear that you’re already feeling better about things. Best of luck to you!!
Loved everything about your story!! So many people can relate and I know exactly what you mean about “taking over your life.” It’ honestly a life changing journey that doesn’t always leave 100% but we all make it through. We live.. we learn.. and I believe it’s all worth it in the end.
Much love fellow foodie. <3 <3
Lauren recently posted..FRIENDS <3
I just love your blog so much! You have great stories!
Thank you, Emily!
I’m happy to have found your blog to add to my reading list
You remind me of…well…me! haha
nice to see your blog, how come you are able to receive so many laughing cow products? Are they sponsors?
Hey Vicky! We’ve formed somewhat of a relationship over the past few months, but they aren’t a sponsor of mine.
You have been nominated for a blog award! Check it out
http://eatandsipinthecity.com/2012/06/11/eat-and-sip-in-the-city-receives-the-pink-tree-award/
your story is great and very inspiring! how did you and your husband find your way back to eachother?
It took some time, but we were just both very determined to make it work
love your blog! and Me and my family are Met’s fans as well!!
Stumbled upon your blog about a month ago and have been following it daily ever since. So many things I can relate to. Very informative, motivating, inspiring, down-to-earth and most importantly…REALISTIC! Thank you
Hi! I’ve just entered the blogging world (little overwhelming!) and I found your site while I was searching for other healthy blogs
Just wanted to introduce myself and say how much I really like your site! The articles are great and I love that the design is so pretty and cute! Looking forward to visiting often! ♥
Hi Courtney
Been reading for a while now and thought I’d let you know how much I love visiting your blog. Keep doing what you’re doing – the updates, recipes, stories, photos, layout and design are all awesome!
Hi Courtney! I just wanted to let you know that you/ everything you have shared on your blog has been a real inspiration to me — I’ve been following Sweet Tooth Sweet Life for years and even though I obviously don’t know you, I feel like you have actually had an impact in my life. I also just recently started a blog 1. because I’m a foodie and health/fitness junky (even though I haven’t always been that way) and 2 because I want to share with people that it is possible to develop a healthy relationship with food/your body. Can’t wait to see the next chapter of your life unfold!
Just wanted to let you know that your blog is pretty fantastic and I look forward to your posts. Thanks for sharing your story and recipes. Congrats to you and your husband on the upcoming birth of your baby!