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Courtney Em

Courtney Em

Tag Archives: family

Christmas Collage

29 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by http://courtneyem.com/ in Thoughts

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

ballet, Chicago, christmas, collage, cookies, daisy, family, gingerbread, holidays, nutcracker, photos, traditions

Happy holidays, everyone!  I absolutely love Christmas, and I always take lots of photos around Christmastime.  I put some of my favorites into a little collage for the blog.  Look forward to a post about my 2014 goals soon!

Clockwise from top left:

// Gingerbread cookies that I made with my boyfriend.  I love baking and decorating cut-out cookies.

// A pretty Christmas dinner salad and Christmas cracker!  Crackers are a tradition for my family… my cousins and I always open them at the same time and laugh about the silly gifts inside.

// The Auditorium Theater in Chicago.  My mom and I see The Nutcracker ballet every year, and I absolutely love the theater.  It’s very old, so watching a show there feels like going back in time!

// More cookies and I made with my family.  You can never have too many Christmas cookies!

// The yearly present pile at my grandparents’ house on Christmas.  These gifts were for 20 people, not just me!

// Daisy checking out the box of treats we got her for Christmas.  My sister and I spent about 15 minutes choosing treats for Daisy at Target.  We loved that Buddy Biscuits are made of natural ingredients that we would give to Daisy at home.  And they’re shaped like people!

What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Thankful

28 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by http://courtneyem.com/ in Thoughts

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

collage, family, friends, holiday, photos, thankful, thanksgiving

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And of course, I’m thankful for my lovely readers! Have a fantastic Thanksgiving ❤

MIMM: Vacation, Easter, and a Fresh Start

01 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by http://courtneyem.com/ in Thoughts

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

brunch, cat, class, college, cupcakes, dessert, easter, family, forever 21, grand cayman, highlighters, marvelous monday, necklace, school, sharpie, waffles

As always, thanks Katie for hosting Marvelous in My Monday!  These posts are always so fun to write. 🙂

Marvelous... spending time with my family in paradise.  This photo is of my younger sister and me.  She’s 4 years younger, but she’s 3 inches taller than me!

Marvelous… kitties!  I’m allergic to cats, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting one really badly.

Marvelous… Easter!  Brunch with the family.  For some reason this photo reminds me of what breakfast on a farm would be like.  Though I have never had breakfast on a farm. And we live in the ‘burbs.

I went to my aunt and uncle’s house for dinner, and it was amazing.  How could it not be with these desserts?!

Marvelous… this necklace!  I want to wear it everywhere and never take it off.  It’s from Forever 21.  I love Forever 21’s jewelry – it’s so fun and so affordable.  Get one here.

Marvelous… a new quarter in school!  The first day of a new quarter always makes me oddly happy.  Plus, new highlighters!  I heard about these Sharpie Gel highlighters from College Prep, and OMG they are really great.  They don’t smudge, which is great for lefties.  And you can leave the cap off forever and they won’t dry out, which is great for everyone.

Today I’m going back to school!  Classes start tomorrow, and then I’ll be stressed out of my mind for 2 months.  Hooray!

What is marvelous about your Monday?

That Healthy Living Survey

21 Thursday Mar 2013

Posted by http://courtneyem.com/ in Thoughts

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

bagel, family, food, friends, fruit, health, healthy, life, living, quotation, reflection, survey

I filled out this survey, but some of the questions bothered me a little.  Read on to find out why.

What did you eat for breakfast?

Two Fiber One bars on my way to study for a final exam.  I study in the student center for people in my major.  It’s only accessible to people in the major, (which is like… nobody) so it’s always quiet and nearly empty.  It’s a great place to study, but the downside is that it’s nearly a mile from my house.  I just figure I’m killing two birds with one stone… walking counts as exercise!

How much water do you drink a day?

A lot!  I’d say anywhere between 80 and 100 ounces each day.  I get dehydrated easily, so I always have water with me.

What is your favorite current workout?

I love Zumba and the elliptical!  I haven’t gotten to work out as much as I’d like to recently… I have been so busy!  I walk a lot, but I can’t say that’s my favorite workout.

How many calories do you eat a day?

I don’t count calories.  I have no need to.  This is the first question in this survey that I’m not entirely fond of.  It only opens the door to comparing your caloric intake with someone else’s, which makes absolutely no sense.  Your body is your own, and it’s different from everyone else’s.  There is no need to compare your calories with anyone else’s, nor is there a need to even count them unless a medical professional recommended you to do it.

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What are your favorite healthy snacks?

I like grazing on snacks all day!  I love veggies with hummus, apples or bananas with peanut butter, and cereal.

What do you eat for lunch?

It depends.  I usually go for fruit, cheese, and cereal.  I like bagels and salads, too.  Like I said above, I prefer to snack throughout today rather than eat a big midday meal.  My condition causes low blood volume, so when blood rushes to my stomach after a big meal, I feel drowsy and weak.  I can deal with it at night after dinner, but not as much during the day.  I eat the same amount as anyone else would eat for lunch, I just spread it out throughout the afternoon.

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What is your favorite body part to strength train?

Legs for sure!

What is your least favorite body part to strength train?

Arms… I have small, weak arms and tiny wrists.  Strength training my arms makes me feel like I’m going to break a bone!

What are your “bad” food cravings?

There is no such thing as a “bad” food craving.  This is another question I don’t like.  Asking questions like this one only perpetuates the myth that there are “good” and “bad” foods.  Yes, some foods are better for your body than others, but it’s not as black and white as “good” and “bad” foods.

Do you take vitamins or supplements?

I take adult gummy vitamins every day.  I keep the bottle near my makeup, so I always remember to take it!  That is… if I put on makeup.  Wishful thinking?

How often do you eat out?

It depends on the week.  I usually go out to dinner with friends on Saturday, and I might go another time during the week for lunch or dinner if it’s a special occasion.  I’ve recently been obsessed with honey whole wheat bagels with egg white and cheddar cheese from Einstein’s.  So good!

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Do you eat fast food?

I don’t like how it makes me feel, but sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures.  I try to find foods that are as unprocessed as possible on the menu.  Usually if there’s fast food, there is a Starbucks nearby.  Starbucks always has great nutritious choices for on-the-go.  I especially like their fruit and cheese box.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My family and friends!  They are always there for me and I love them so much. 🙂

Do you have a gym membership?

Yep!  I have a student membership to the gym near my house, so I go when I go home for breaks.  I also have access to the gyms on campus, but I get most of my exercise from walking while I’m at school.

How many hours of sleep do you get a night?

6-8 hours.  It’s not enough, I know!

Do you have a “cheat” day?
No.  Again, another question I don’t like!  I eat what I feel like, when I feel like it.  If you deprive yourself all week, then eat everything in sight on one day, you’ll only end up feeling terrible physically and emotionally.  Your body doesn’t care what day it is: it processes food all the same.

Do you have a workout buddy?

No.  When I work out, I get in a zone and don’t talk to anyone.  My friends have told me that they tried to say hi to me at the gym, but I didn’t respond!  I literally block out everything except for my music and the gym TV.

What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to a healthy lifestyle?

I have more energy when I eat healthy, drink enough water, exercise when I can, sleep, and just generally take care of my body.

What was the last healthy thing you did?

Technically?  I breathed.  #winning

Did you fill out this survey on your blog?  How do you feel about some of the questions?  

 

Festivities

25 Sunday Nov 2012

Posted by http://courtneyem.com/ in Thoughts

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

apple, biscuits, crackers, family, festive, food, friends, holiday, inspiration, pie, thanksgiving, toffee, williams-sonoma

Crafts on crafts – my friends and I made eight of these wheat bushel place cards before giving up.  They were really difficult to make, but at least they look cute!

I didn’t realize how much I love toffee until this weekend.  This could turn out to be a very dangerous thing.

 

A cracker plate that I artfully arranged for my family’s Thanksgiving party.

I made this Apple Bourbon Streusel Pie, and though it took me a good hour of prep time to make, it turned out perfectly.  I have total confidence in Williams-Sonoma recipes – they always turn out beautifully and taste delicious.  This pie tasted even better the day after Thanksgiving.  I ate some for lunch straight out of the pie dish.  I have no regrets.

“Homemade” biscuits.  I made them at home fresh from the Pillsbury tube.

 

Can you believe the long weekend is over?  It flew by for me.  I’m so thankful for my family and friends.  They are just so much fun to hang out with, and I love them all so incredibly much.  What are YOU thankful for?

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Dreams

 

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