Sep 10 2009
About
Thanks for stoppin’ by! 
I’m Jessica and How Sweet It Is has become my creative outlet for cooking, writing, family, and life.
I have an undying passion for fitness and nutrition, and I absolutely love to cook and bake.
I am a certified personal trainer, and have helped many of my clients adopt a healthier lifestyle and lose a few pounds, including some who have lost up to 120lbs. While I love helping others achieve their goals, I recently left my full-time job as a personal trainer, and have since began this blog. It has brought me back to life and reunited me with my first true passion – writing. While the decision to leave my personal training job has been extremely difficult to swallow, I know it is the best thing. I want nothing more than to write for a living.
I still share many of my exercise and nutrition philosophies, including diverse workouts for everyone. Let me know if you give them a try!
You will find me talking a lot about my family on this blog. I truly have an amazing family, and I don’t even think I can put into words how wonderful they are. We spend the majority of our time together, laughing wildly. And no, we are not Italian.
But we are Irish.
I have something wonderful to say about each person in my family – parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, pets, and so on. I am very blessed and truly believe that I have a perfect family. There will always be hardships, but I believe life is al about attitude. I hope to share just a bit of their special-ness with you.
I married the love of my life in October of 2008 and we are busy making our new house a home.
If you have any Q’s or just want to chat, email me at merchant.jessica@gmail.com.
I’d love to hear from you!
While many of my recipes are butter-laden, bacon-topped goodies, I do try to eat as healthy as possible. Like most, I believe in whole, natural, antioxidant-rich foods.
I did go through a period of using the occasional splenda, ‘cooking’ with protein powder and making odd food concoctions in order to fit in the requirements of protein, carbohydrates and fat. I’m no longer into that, but if you are – I won’t judge.
I’d rather eat more of that stuff that makes me feel great. I do use protein powder throughout the day. Mostly, because given my recent aversion to meat, I am not getting in the sufficient amount of protein I want to give me body. No lectures, please – I’m very educated on my protein.
I enjoy lifting a weight that challenges me. You could say it is ‘heavy,’ but I do not always lift heavy weight. Sometimes I do circuits, sometimes I rest in between sets, and sometimes I do functional training. I usually plan it out for the week beforehand – in my head. I have never been one to record my workouts. I have an excellent memory and can remember from week to week whether I using 20lb dumbbells or 25lbs. I may map out for the week what I will do, but I rarely record the actual weight and reps.
To me, recording just isn’t important. However, I have always recorded all of my clients workouts, weights and reps.
I love to lift, and have done so for over 11 years now.
I’m so old!
I have competed in fitness competitions before, and my love of performing is still alive. While I love how I look during a fitness competition, I do not look like that all the time. I do not look like that now. It took a very strict and restrictive diet to look like that – along with tons of work in the gym. A better judge of how I look day to day is from my wedding and most recent photos.
I love enjoying a social life with family and friends, baking and cooking and not feeling guilty about taking a bite, and doing workouts when and how I want, based on how I feel.
Life is all about balance, and I’m just along for the ride.
Hey, Jessica, just discovered your blog. Looks cool so far! Cute cookie jar, btw.
I recently started my own blog too; feel free to stop by. Look forward to more from you.
Thanks for stopping by! I will check it out!
Thanks for the comment Jessica! Can’t wait to follow your blog! Beautiful wedding pic BTW!
Your wedding pic is stunning!
-Sarah
Ahhhh thank you! So sweet!
I’m so jealous of your cute little bod! My thighs are killing me! I hope we can be blogging buds and perhaps you can guide me on the art of anti-cottage cheese.
Haley
Hahaha thank you so much! We can certainly be blogging buds.
I am really still trying to figure this all out!
We met on Tasty Kitchen and I have to say, you remind me so much of my daughter. Loves clothes, shoes, pink and all the girly-girl things BUT she hasn’t been inspired to get into the kitchen….yet. I keep praying for that moment. I guess I should pray for a young man to come into her life THEN she’ll get inspired. Poor fella, she’ll be practicing on him. LOL Well, you are a cutey and congratulations on your newly-wed lives. Anne
Just found your blog…You are hilarious…great writing.
Beautiful wedding pic!
I look forward to reading more!!
Thank you so much! This made my day!
I honeymooned in Vegas too, how cool!
thanks for your comment
now that i know about your blog i can’t stop reading haha so i too LOVE shoes (i work for a women’s designer shoe & clothing boutique- ahhhh!) and trashy mags (they keep me going haha). your pictures are beautiful- can’t wait to read more!
OMG your job sounds delightful!
Hallo !!
Your pictures are beautiful……..
Jessica, just found you on ”we are not martha”, I cna’t wait to read more of you blog!
Glad you found it!
How can you look like that after eating that lobster-mac-n-cheese?!!! I want your secret!
Hahah really, I don’t look like that all the time – there is a significant difference in my wedding pics and my competition pics…the competition weight is not a healthy one to stay at year round. But it is motivating to want to get back there!
Really cute blog! Thanks for the comment on mine, and I’m adding you to my reader!
I honeymooned in Vegas also! I’m looking to start back up with exercising. Looking forward to following your blog!
Hi Jessica!
Thanks so much for your comment on my blog. Yours is great too, adding you to my google reader as we speak! Keep the delicious food pics coming
Oh, and beautiful wedding pics, by the way!!
Kristen
Thanks so much!
Your blog is soo cute! I <3 your wedding picture, adorable
Thanks so much!
Such a cute blog! I’m glad I stumbled across it
I’m a terrible baker…I’ll have to live vicariously through you for that!
Your blog is so sweet – I love it! And, please don’t think me inappropriate, but you have a killer body! I may need to follow you, as you *obviously* have some idea of what you’re doing
And thank you for the comment on my blog!
You look amazing! I have always wanted to do a fitness show or competition but I don’t know much about it or where to really go. Can you give me some info? Do you train by yourself or with a trainer? I just came across your blog and look forward to reading more!!!
I just found your blog, and I love it! I recently started my own food and fitness blog too.
I’m looking forward to keep reading your blog!
Hi, I just stumbled upon your blog!I only wish I could cook!
Hi Jessica! Thanks for stopping by my blog (I like the theme you chose too
)! I hope you do try the pumpkin pancakes- great for fall and for getting the men out of bed 
Your pictures are gorgeous, I’m excited to read more and that’s good encouragement for me to post more frequently.
Have a great day!
wow! i stumbled upon your blog.. nice blog, and great body!!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Yours is super cute and well done
Found your blog on foodbuzz. Love it so far!
Just found your blog, and can’t wait to read more! I just moved about an hour and a half north of Pittsburgh from Boston! Quite a change!
Your writing is fantastic, your photos are awesome and your body is incredible. WOW, you are the total package…..too bad your married.
Great blog! I would love to hear more about your fitness show – do you have a post about that? I have a goal that I want to compete in one, not body build per-say, but something that strives me to achieve a level of fitness that I have never been at before.
Any way, I look forward to reading more! And if you have time I would love for you to check my blog out, too.
Healthy eating!
Tasha
Hi Jessica! Thanks so much for your comments on my blog! Your wedding photo is lovely…what a beautiful bride you were! And a Vegas honeymoon sounds like so much fun. I am dying to go there with my hubby someday!
The workouts listed in your blog and the recipes that you have are tremendous. I look forward to trying the puke my lunch out workout this saturday.
You must have been an excellent Trainer and an even better Friend!
Can’t wait to read your future posts.
yay i love pittsburgh! i lived there four 5 years.
Hi Jessica!
Your wedding pic looks awesome and so do you in your fitness attire. Do you do fitness competitions? I am a yoga teacher and have a passion for all things fitness. And we actually got married in Vegas so we had the honeymoon and wedding all right there. Talk about craziness 
I see you on soooo many of the blogs I read from Gina to Heather and just wanted to finally say hello to you
xoxo
averie
Hey! Just came across your blog. I just started going to grad school in Pittsburgh this year and love it so far! Do you live near the city or outside?
Hi Jessica!
Thank you for visiting my blog, and leaving your lovely comment! It’s nice to “meet” you!
You look fabulous by the way!
I’m bookmarking your blog, so I’ll be sure to visit often! =)
Happy Friday!
Something is preventing my body from looking like that… it’s ME! Oh, and those 4 kids I birthed. But you go girl!
Nice to “meet” you here Jessica!
what a sweet and amazing life you have ! Love that pre-fitness show picture! Sometime in my life, I hope I can be a certified fitness trainer as well !
I’ve include your blog into my blogroll. So excited to find someone share the same interest and life style!
Hope to read more from you, Best,
Dear Angel Cake:
Wonderful Job! How creative! I really enjoyed the Mother Lovett stories. Keep up the good work and your dreams will come true!
I love you unconditionally, DAD
Hi! Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog. I’ll definitely be checking yours out more frequently….pumpkin spice cupcakes?! Yum!
P.S. Your wedding photo is gorgeous!!!
Hi Jessica! So fun to see other talented ladies out there who share my same passions!
Gotta love the Irish!! NOT a Steelers fan though …
For some odd reason, I am only reading the “About” section now. I came back for the pumpkin spice ball recipe (which could end really badly, as i’ve mentioned, given my baking track record) and other than the fact that your body is WAAAAAAAAAAY fitter than mine, we have lots in common- from family to SHOES! Glorious, marvelous, delightful, lovable SHOES!
hi, jessica! being healthy and loving cooking/baking can go perfectly together. i’ll check back often =).
you should know that EVERYTIME i go to your blog-the james taylor song “how sweet it is to be loved by you” pops into my head!! haha but i love that song!
You are so beautiful, Jessica!!! You looked amazing on your wedding day…..=)
WOW, I have always admired those in Fitness Competitions as I know all the hard work it takes to be in one of those, not 1st hand of course, I haven’t gotten bold enough to try that yet!
My husband has been “lifting” for 10+ years now and I am going on my 2nd year of weekly lifting though I do not get as much time in as I like I do enjoy it and feel it is very important to do.
Don’t you just love October?!?! It is my favorite month….it is Fall of course, my favorite season, both my mom & daughter were born in October & I got married as well in October! =)
Hey there… just found your blog through Foodbuzz. Lately I’ve been wondering if my interests in fitness and in (good) food were conflicting ones, but you seem to balance that nicely. I look forward to reading more of your recipes and workouts!
Hi Jessica!
I’m so happy I found your blog! I’m a gym rat and always looking for new ideas.. I can’t wait to read more!
holy moly. with all the sweets on your page I am VERY impressed with how healthy/fit you look! Great job girl!
Hi Jessica,
I just saw your comment on Kath’s blog about PA– I just moved to Altoona this summer! My husband and I haven’t visited Pittsburgh yet, but we really want to. When we do, I’ll have to hit you up for recommendations on some good places to eat!
I’m excited to read another PA blog!
I like your blog a lot…very inspirational. I have you bookemarked!!
Hi Jessica!!! Just checked out your blog for the first time and i love it! You are such a sweetheart about how you talk about your family, i’m the same way! I look forward to learning more about you!
Hey, thanks for finding me! You look AMAZING in your pictures!
As for Hofbrauhaus… yeah, well, the first time I left there I literally stumbled (drunkenly) around SSW for about 2 hours afterwards. I learned to pace myself on subsequent trips.
Hi! I think this blog is SO cute and I just love how your personality sticks out through your writing :] I started my blog pretty recently, as well! Ill be stopping back often!
-Emily <3
Your blog is awesome! I’m trying to find a balance of fitness and food now and reading your story is inspiring. Keep up with the awesome recipes!
Hey, I just stumbled upon your page through Karla’s site and love your introduction! It’s so refreshing and “normal” (not meant in a bad way but some food bloggers seems to be perfect 24/7). Can’t wait to read more!
Hey Jessica. I came across your site tonight. Going to try the mini
ryebread idea this week! I recently became a Beachbody Coach
- http://www.BeachBodyCoach.com/rippedabs. I work freelance as a
massage therapist & makeup artist as well. I am always looking
for simple, but great, little nutritional choices like this that will give
me a quick pick-me up when on the run. Thanks for sharing.
I don’t even know how I stumbled across your blog but boy am I glad I did! I am looking forward to reading more and will vow to end my own excuses in the weight and lack of exercise departments.
Balancing eating well and keeping fit has been my major challenge.
[...] feel like the importance of writing in my life has been on my mind a lot lately. My friend Jessica posted about writing today, after I started working on my list, but it was so right on to what I [...]
Love the blog Jessica. I enjoy meeting fellow health professionals
Adding you to my bookmarks! I love your honesty and writing style. Can’t wait to read more!
Great bio!! I love your honesty. All your photos look great. Sounds like u have found a nice balance. We cannot deprive ourselves ’cause then we are unhappy and just crave junk more. I love your attitude
Hey I just found your blog! This section is so interesting- I completely admire that you worked so hard for a fitness competition. But I admired it more that you tell us that you don’t look like that now. It’s completely human and normal to not look “jacked” or “perfect” all the time- although it is desirable- it’s super hard to maintain a body type like that 365 days a year. I think that’s great you told us that, many people would choose not to include that very important, and informative piece of info…Thanks! And I can’t wait to read more:)
Michelle
I just came across your About section and must say I really agree. I have read your blog many times and see your comments on others and then I decided to read more about you. I love your view on food and exercising and balance. It really is all about that. I am definitely going to be back to read more!!! I need an arm routine that gets me arms like yours! KILLER!
Damn, girl!! You look good!! I hate weight lifting, but you make me want to take it up now!!
I was just re-reading your about page and realized I never left a comment here. I love that you’ve taken that leap from full-time training to go after what you really want in life. While I’m not leaving my job right now, we’re somewhat in the same boat. I agree with you on how having a blog seems to have somehow brought me back to life. Who would have thought something like a blog could do that?
Gorgeous photos!
am LOVING this new about me with all the new photos
GORGEOUS!!!
Jaw dropping gorgeous!! You are not only beautiful on the outside, but a wonderful person. I love your knowledge, positivity and passion and all the butter is growing on me (quite possibly literally)!
Jess…great new pictures! You are GORGEOUS!!!
Wow. I love your site! I, like you, love to cook the unhealthy thing (for the husband of course!) but I am studying nutrition and exercise science. I just started my own blog as well, trying to give this all a try! Thanks so much for sharing a little about your life and your wonderful recipies! Looking forward to trying them!
you’re so GORGE!
You look fantastic. I have a friend who is training for her first figure competition so I know some of what goes into it. It’s a lot of work! and you are right about it being so restrictive. I am currently studying to get certified through ACE so I can start a career (I’m a gym rat who needs more…) at 36! I’ve finally found what I love to do. As it looks like, you have also
Looking forward to keeping up with your blog and hearing your takes on things.
Hi! I just found your blog, and I love your attitude towards food and exercise! And you’re absolutely gorgeous.
You’re in my google reader now, and I can’t wait to read more!
Hi there,
We met at the Red Lobster event a couple of weeks ago…finally checking out your blog, I like it….hope you are doing well….love the bailey’s brownies!
Cortney
Hey Jessica! I was asking about other healthy Pittsburgh bloggers on Healthy Tipping Point and Julie recommended you! Nice to have some company
Anyway, I look forward to reading your blog and hopefully finding a post about how you get your hair to look that cute. lol. See you soon!
Hi Jessica – My name is Jessica, too. I just came across your blog, and I have to say that I LOVE it. I just started to blog as well. It’s about striving to be fit in every aspect of my life. I always feel very intimidated by the diet part of getting healthy, because I feel restricted and unhappy. I LOVE my food. And I love that you are healthy and into fitness, but are also writing about delicious things like those cookies I read about today. In most of the fitness blogs I read, the authors are pretty much perfect with their eating and it is very intimidating to me. I’m not sure that my diet will ever be THAT perfect.
Sorry about rambling!
jessica~i just stumbled upon your blog~i am just starting out this whole blogging thing and have to say its quite addicting! thanks for the inspiration and you are beautiful! keep up the good work!
Wow, you are stunningly beautiful. Your husband is one lucky guy haha. I love your photos!
Great website Jessica! I will definitely be trying out some of your workouts!
Fantastic site you have here!
Hi Jessica,
Please do your male audience a favor and add more pictures of yourself
Thanks!
Hey Jessica,
I just found your blog and I love it! I can’t wait to follow along. You are beautiful and your writing is great!
So, it looks like I’m really going to like this blog! You are amazingly fit and I know I can learn a thing or two from you. I’m contantly trying to adjust my workouts and habits to get the most out of them! Question for you – how much time to do you spend working out each day/week?
Wow, just discovered your blog and it is stunning! I love it.
Added to Google Reader. 
I LOVE THIS SITE! KEEP IT UP!
Jessica, Just stumbled on your blog and I love it! I can’t wait to read more to come!
woo… you’re sooo humorous. I enjoyed reading about you. You made me laugh loud with ” no lectures about protein”
You are an excellent cook! All of your food looks amazing. I love the fact that you are a personal trainer, or were, but decided to go back to your love of writing. When I was a little girl, I told my mom for years that I was going to be an author and have my own book store.
But when I got to high school I got into all the activities of dance and forgot about it. It has been just recently that my love for writing was reignited and so I started my blog. I love what you have to say and I look forward to reading more!
http://www.fitatheart.wordpress.com
Great site! I love that you incorporate fitness, healthy eating, and SWEET treats. I have a crazy sweet tooth, but love being active. It’s nice to meet another who blends the two.
Hey! I discovered your site a while ago and absolutely love it! it’s so great to read a blog where someone writes a lot about CHEESE. I love cheese <3
Have a great day and keep on entertaining us with those fun posts
Greetings from Europe,
Anne
I’ve been meaning to check out your blog! Your story is great and I love the familyl part! I totally agree. I can’t wait read more and make some of your yummy treats. Thanks so much Jessica!
LC