annemariedemyen

Daily Food Diary – Day 261 of 365 Days

September 19, 2025September 19, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today it is 261 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary. 💓

Today it is also my sister Elaine’s BIRTHDAY!

Speaking of birthday cake… I love cake, I love icing, and I especially love the icing on commercially made cakes. 👍

Unfortunately, I (as well as my daughter and her daughters) cannot eat yeast and commercially baked anything these days is made with powdered egg whites – which are made with yeast.

That is just one of the allergy/ intolerances discoveries that I have made recently.

A few weeks ago, I ate something that should have been perfectly fine. I immediately got seriously bloated and started experiencing violent abdominal cramps. 🙄

I checked the ingredients and the only thing that was slightly questionable was that the product contained palm oil. I decided to keep that in mind.

A couple of days later, daughter Jen messaged me that she was violently ill. She sent me the nutritional label/ingredient list for what she had just eaten…and it noted palm oil.

I have been fine since, but Jen has been checking anything she eats for palm oil (she has several severe food allergies so she is generally extra careful).

She has not been feeling well for some time and been experiencing allergy type issues – but she couldn’t pinpoint the issue.

This morning she messaged me that she happened to notice that the margarine that she has been using for cooking and baking has palm oil in it now.

No doubt, palm oil is becoming as ubiquitous as yeast!

That is the issue I have with a number of professionals – business administrators, doctors, investment counsellors, chefs apparently… They find one thing that works and that becomes the norm for the entire industry – until it turns out that the norm doesn’t work all that well. (At least for some of their customers) 🤦

In the meantime buyer beware, be mindful, be alert…

Daily Food Diary – Day 261

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) paratha (240)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

Lunch:

(1 1/2) oz ham (43)

(1) tomato (22)

(12) Doritos (153)

Snacks:

(1) vodka Caesar (168)

(48) oz water

(12) oz lemon water

Supper:

(11) chicken air fried wing flats (468)

(2) tbsp Frank’s Honey Garlic sauce (80)

(1) Serving Caesar Salad (250)

(1) c Apple crisp (227)

Total calories consumed: 1808

Total calories used: 439

(30) min aerobics (176)

(30) min walking (53)

(30) min garden/yardwork (88)

(30) min housework (67)

(30) min food prep/cooking (56)

Total net calories: 1369

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1369 = 139 over

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💓🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 260 of 365

September 18, 2025September 18, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 260 of my Daily Food Diary. 🌞

Yesterday was a great day! I did a complete aerobics and light weight routine plus I did twenty minutes on the treadmill. We also had visits from Maddy and Genie & Alec!

Yesterday was also another day that my collagen supplements proved their worth. At suppertime I opened a new jar of horseradish and a new can of coffee with my bare hands! The coffee comes with a top seal that requires hand strength to grab the tab and pull the seal off. Until now, I have had to take a sharp knife and slice it off. Less than three months after starting Collagen Supplements I can easily remove it as directed.

After supper and twenty minutes on our treadmill, I did my lung clearing with my Aerobika device. I take deep breath in and blow out which engages a flutter valve that vibrates and loosens the mucus in my lungs. In two years, my best effort generally involves one to two breaths before I have a coughing fit and start choking up large amounts of mucus. (Sorry, I know that sounds gross). Anyway, it is a long messy process.

Last night, I did THREE sets of TEN deep breaths, coughing up a minute amount of mucus.

That is amazing!

I did cough up a bit of mucus when I went to bed, when I woke up at 4 AM and after I got up this morning. Absolutely NOTHING compared to what I have been dealing with for the past five to twenty years.

**Purchased from Amazon for less than $30 cdn for a month’s worth**.

For twenty years, I have been telling doctors that my biggest health issue (possibly a tie with my yeast intolerance) was a collagen issue. Every one of them told me collagen issues are nothing.

Three months ago, Martha from http://walkingchester.wordpress.com left a comment on one of my blogs telling me how much collagen supplements had improved her mobility and quality of life. I ordered my first bottle of Collagen Supplements that day and they have been more effective than I could possibly have hoped for (with zero side effects).

I could be upset, or sad for the quality time I have lost in my life, but I am not. I am just grateful to Martha for encouraging me to try Collagen Supplements.

And I just want to share my results going forward in hopes that others seeing my results will look into trying the collagen option for dealing with their stubborn chronic pain, weak muscle, general health issues that do not respond to typical treatments. Especially, as we age… Collagen deficiency becomes a real issue. 🧓🧑‍🦳

(* As with any supplement anyone with health or allergy issues must do their own due diligence.)

Daily Food Diary – Day 260

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) Eggo waffles (180)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(2) tbsp syrup (104)

(2) slices bacon (87)

Snacks:

(1) Asian pear (116)

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(6) oz beef roast (376)

(1) c mashed potatoes (237)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(1/2) c gravy (50)

(1) c beets (75)

(2) tbsp horseradish (14)

Total consumed calories: 1593

Total used calories: 363

(30) min. Aerobics (176)

(30) min. Light weights (73)

(20) min. Treadmill (35)

(30) min. Food prep/cooking (56)

(30) min. Cleaning (67)

Total net calories: 1186

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1176 = 43 under 👍

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😊❣️

Daily Food Diary – Day 259 of 365

September 17, 2025September 17, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 259 of my Daily Food Diary. That is a full 37 WEEKS! 😊💞 I remember celebrating my first week in. I thought that was a major accomplishment at the time. 😂

I found a photo of my high school year book entry recently. (I have no idea why it is black and white. I am pretty sure color was a thing in 1973. 🤦)

Two things of note here:

It is funny how much I thought I knew when I graduated. 😂 I was so naive and clueless but I thought I knew myself and everything about the world around me.

And… I still have no idea where I am going or where I will end up (or what places this adventure will take me along the way). I do however, totally believe that I am on the right path. 👍

**At seventy years old, I do not know everything, but I have stopped talking to plastic cows** **– so there is that!**

I am feeling great this morning but Molly and Dan went walking without me due to another foggy morning. I will be doing my aerobics, weights, and treadmill – indoors, with the dehumidifier doing its magic.

Daily Food Diary – Day 259

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c 2% milk (28)

Lunch:

(4) slices shaved turkey (60)

(1) medium tomato (22)

(12) Lightly salted Lay’s chips (160)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

(1/2) c chicken broth (10)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) sm. Taco Time Mexi Fries (265)

(1)Taco Time Crisp Meat Burrito (428)

(2) Taco Time Hard Shell Tacos (520)

(1) 355 ml can RootBeer (170)

Total Calories consumed: 2028

Total calories used: 363

(30) min. Walk (53)

(30) min. Aerobics (176)

(1) hour house cleaning (135)

Total net calories: 1665

Net Calorie Goal: 1229 – 1665 = 435 over 👎

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💝🌞

Daily Food Diary – Day 258 of 365

September 16, 2025September 16, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 258 of my Daily Food Diary – without a single miss! 🌋

Yesterday, I returned to my typical workout routine. I had no problem doing a complete aerobics session nor a light weight routine. I only did fifteen minutes on the treadmill but I was happy with that. I was planning to step back a bit just because I had not been using the treadmill for long before I was sidelined by my latest lung infection.

Yesterday on my blog, I was discussing the benefits that I have already experienced since I started taking collagen supplements two and half months ago. One benefit that I failed to mention was my much improved balance and co-ordination.

I am so excited about all of the benefits that I am receiving from these collagen supplements. I am constantly noticing the difference and thinking “Look what I can do!” . I went for an entire full length walk this morning and I DID NOT stumble once.

Many years ago, many decades ago, I was a bridesmaid in my brother and sister-in-law’s wedding party. During the rehearsal, I tripped and stumbled so many times that the best man got annoyed and asked me if I was drunk. Nope… That was just my life before collagen supplements. 🙄

That there has always been something wrong with the way my body produces and/or uses collagen is obvious. But looking at how people in general live and age, I believe that collagen deficiency is getting and will only get worse until things change.

A couple of nights ago, Dan and I were talking about our fathers. They were both incredibly strong men – physically and otherwise. Neither of them ‘worked out’ at a gym or otherwise. Their strength came from their diet rich in collagen.

I see regular articles about the foods that Boomers (and pre-Boomers) ate – foods considered beneath the sophisticated palate of today’s youth.

Our fathers ate head cheese and pork hocks, stewing hen soups, tougher cuts of beef – slow cooked in sauce and gravy to break down the cartilage and tendons, gelatin salads and desserts, blood sausage, sardines and more of the like.

It was good flavourful food without the unhealthy additives that are in our food today and it made people strong. Strong enough to live strong, healthy, high quality lives.

**My Dad on the Left, Dan’s Dad on the right**

Our supper last night. It was good – the meat was slow cooked, the beets and garden tomato and cucumber were amazing, the mashed potatoes and gravy were perfect. But the nutritional value fell short of our Dad’s diet. Unfortunately!

Daily Food Diary – Day 258

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) crumpets (240)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

Snacks:

(1/2) c Campbell’s chicken broth (20)

(12) tortilla chips (153)

Supper:

(6) oz roast beef (376)

(1) c mashed potatoes (237)

(1/2) c gravy (50)

(1) c beets (75)

(3) tsp butter (103)

(1) tomato (22)

(5) slices cucumber (4)

(1) cooking onion(44)

(2) tbsp horseradish (14)

Total calories consumed: 1458

Total calories used: 474

(30) min. aerobics (176)

(30) min. weights (73)

(15) min. Treadmill (26)

(30) min. yard/garden (88)

(1) hr. Food prep/cooking/cleanup (111)

Total net calories: 984

Net calories goal: 1229 – 984 = 246 under 👍

That’s it for today! Take care and have a great day! ❤️☺️

Daily Food Diary – Day 257 of 365

September 15, 2025September 15, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 257 of my daily Food Diary! 🤩

After a couple of weeks off to deal with a lung infection, I am back to my regular workout routine today. 👍

Despite already encountering one small glitch, I am excited. This morning we have FOG. With my asthma, that means Dan and Molly are off on their morning walk without me while I stay housebound with the dehumidifier running on high. 😯

When it comes to being pro-active with our own health, sometimes we have to make adjustments.

Speaking of being proactive, it is 2 1/2 months since I started taking Collagen Supplements. The information that came with these gelcaps stated that it would take a full five months of use before one would see a notable difference.

The transformation that I have already experienced, two and a half months in, is definitely notable!

Top to bottom:

My hair is the consistency of hair – unlike the cat fur that I have been sporting for my entire life.

My sight is notably clearer due to..

Increased stability of my sinuses.

My hearing has improved and my vertigo has virtually disappeared due to stability of inner ear, etc.

For the first time in three years my cough is showing significant improvement due to stability of sinuses and airways in my throat and upper lungs.

My hands are not numb, achy, or stiff. My dexterity shows signs of definite improvement.

My nails are stronger and healthier.

My skin tone has improved significantly.

Increased stability in joints – I can walk (indoors or out) without tripping, stumbling….

Increased upper body muscle strength (despite not working out).

Reduced muscle pain – especially sitting or lying in place.

My hips, knees, and ankles do not automatically lock when I stand in place. I can move freely or stand in one place without feeling tense. 🥰

It has been two decades since I realized that most of my wellness issues came from a collagen disorder/deficiency. It never occurred to me that using a collagen supplement could help me. I have been told by medical professionals that collagen issues ‘are nothing’. (Maybe they are if you do not experience them).

I honestly do not understand the disconnect between what doctors (here) say and what I know. I just know that EVERY BODY is different and that mine requires more collagen than I get through my diet or that my body can produce.

It’s about being proactive and accountable, about knowing our bodies and how to maintain them. For me that means Collagen Supplements. 😉

Daily Food Diary – Day 257

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) thin slices bacon (150)

(1) 2 egg cheese omelet (260)

(2) potato patties (240)

(1) tomato (22)

Snacks:

(1) c caramel corn (170)

(1/2) c beef broth

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) Dinner salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, green onions, radishes, cauliflower, black olives, sunflower seeds, dried fried onions, lemon garlic vinaigrette (328)

(5) oz barbecued pork loin (120)

(1) SVG Apple Crisp (227)

Total calories consumed: 1524

Total calories used: 111

(1) hour food prep/cooking/cleanup: 111

Total net calories: 1413

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1413 = 183 over 👎

Daily Food Diary – Day 256 of 365

September 14, 2025September 14, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 256 of my Daily Food Diary! 🥳

Our Monsoon Season has finally passed! I have no idea how much rain we received but it was A LOT and we missed the worst of it in our neighborhood.

Not only did we get an abundance of rain, but we also had thunder and lightning for the duration. Now that the sun has come out and the heat has been turned up, we can watch our grass grow and see our garden reverting to jungle status.

While we were confined to the Ark yesterday, I baked Apple Crisp – enough to share with Jen and her girls and Genie and Alec. I sent the biggest pan to Jen and the girls. Apparently, the girls are fans. There may not be much left for Jen by the time she is done with her current run of double shifts. 🙆

This is my very last day before getting back to my regular work out routine. I couldn’t be more excited to see how it goes tomorrow. I am feeling great and anxious to get back to it. 💪

Daily Food Diary:

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) PC Crumpets (240)

(3) tsp butter (103)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

(2) Slices bacon (87)

Snacks:

(1/2) c beef broth (5)

(36) oz water

(12) oz carbonated water

(1) c Lemon Ginger Tea

(12) Low sodium Lay’s chips (160)

Supper:

(1) Manwhich Sloppy Joe – w/sourdough bread, lean ground beef, cheese, Manwhich sauce, green pepper, onions (817)

(12) Lay’s low sodium chips (160)

(1) serving Apple Crisp (227)

Total calories consumed: 1851

Total calories used: 167

(1 1/2) hours cooking/food prep: 167

Total net calories: 1684

Net Calories Goal: 1851 – 1684 = 455 over 👎

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day!

Daily Food Diary – Day 255 of 365

September 13, 2025September 13, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 255 of my Daily Food Diary! 💝

Yesterday and today our weather has been WARM and WET. I think we have gotten more rain in these two days than we have had all summer. And the humidity is through the roof!

Things are looking green and clean around here, but I can’t imagine that this is what the farmers need right now.

I am taking one final (regular) workout day off today but I am excited about getting back into my routine on Monday. It will be fun to see what I can do on our ‘new to us’ treadmill, now that my lung infection is cleared up.

Today, I will proceed with my fall cleaning and do a bit of baking.

Dan picked up a nice bag of apples yesterday, so I am going to make a double batch of Apple Crisp to split with Jen and Genie. They are both excited and it will save everyone here from reading about Dan and I eating one piece of Apple Crisp a day for the next month. 😊

**The flower pots are some of the ones that Dan bought this week to use on the new plant rack he is making next summer, using a repurposed pool ladder.**

Daily Food Diary – Day 255

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c 2% milk (28)

Lunch:

(12) Doritos (153)

(2) oz shaved turkey (60)

(1) small tomato (22)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

(1/2) c beef broth (5)

Supper:

(1 1/2) servings nachos (975)

Total calories consumed: 1608

Total calories used: 360

(30) min. cooking (56)

(1 1/2) hour house cleaning (202)

(30) min. pet care (103)

Total net calories: 1248

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1248 = 18 over 👎

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😊💕

Daily Food Diary – Day 254 of 365

September 12, 2025September 12, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness, Uncategorized

Today is Day 254 of my 2025 Daily Food Diary! 💓 I have (so far) been successful in putting out my daily post. 👍 I have been enjoying recapping my days in this manner and I have been successful in making some beneficial changes to my diet.

For the reasons above, I have decided to maintain this project through 2026 – with one slight change….

Rather than tracking my calories consumed each day, I am going to track my calories used.

I feel that I am ready for this move and I am excited to explore new ways and means to keep active. AND I am excited to share my conquests with all of the regular and occasional visitors to my blog.

Getting down to the core health issues that have plagued my entire life and discovering ways to deal with them and improve my fitness level and quality of life has been an amazing adventure for me.

I know it has been less than exciting, and more than a bit painful, for those who have been following me for the past +3 years.

I get that, and I appreciate it. But the wins I make are not made in the grand gestures or the five star days. They are an accumulation of all of the moments, the choices, the bits and pieces of knowledge that I pick up along the way.

It’s not fireworks and shooting stars – but from where I was three years ago to where I am now, I think it’s pretty impressive. 😁

**Two family weddings – only 4 years but a lifetime apart. 💞**

Daily Food Diary – Day 254

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) Denver breakfast wrap (560)

Lunch:

(1) BBQ chicken drumstick (135)

(6) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (150)

Snacks:

(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)

(3/4) c Maple Walnut Ice Cream (225)

(2) tbsp chocolate sauce (105)

(48) ox water

Supper:

(1 1/2) serving Baked French Onion Soup (552)

Total consumed calories: 1909

Total used calories: 419

(30) minutes walking (53)

(30) minutes cooking (56)

(1) hour gardening (176)

(1) hour house cleaning (135)

Total net calories: 1490

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1490 = 261 over

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞☺️

“Where you look for magic, you will find it!”

Daily Food Diary – Day 253 of 365

September 11, 2025September 11, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 253 of my Daily Food Diary! 😊

AND…today is a good day. With only one more dose of Prednisone to go and this round of antibiotics done, I am doing GOOD!

I slept well last night, waking up once for a few minutes – just long enough to realize I felt much better.

My overall word for the day today is MOMENTUM – and it is all going in the right direction. 👆

When it comes to health and fitness, momentum is such a powerful concept. Downward momentum can destroy in no time, with one health issue, one poor survival method employed, one bad habit formed, piling up to crush you in no time. Upward momentum – the exact opposite! One minor health issue resolved and we are off to the races in no time. 🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 253

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) plain paratha (240)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)

Snacks:

(1/2) c beef broth (5)

(12) Doritos (153)

(1) peach (58)

(1/4) c raspberries (32)

Supper:

(3) Barbecue chicken drumsticks (405)

(1) serving macaroni casserole (400)

(1) tomato (22)

(5) slices cucumber (4)

Total consumed calories: 1477

Total used calories: 269

(2) hours house cleaning (269)

Total net calories: 1208

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1208 = 22 under 👍

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😊💝

Daily Food Diary – Day 252 of 365

September 10, 2025September 10, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in Uncategorized

Today is Day 252 of my Daily Food Diary! 🤗

I am still on my road to recovery from my latest lung infection. I saw my Respirologist for a follow up this morning. He is super happy with my x-rays and blood tests. 👍

I feel my biggest issue now is my ongoing environmental allergies this summer. After seeing Dr. M, I went to Old Fashioned Foods and picked up a couple of natural allergy remedies that they recommended. Here is hoping they make a significant improvement in that department.

Molly and I went back to Jen’s yesterday. Molly had a great time with her dog Sasha, checking out their big back yard. I helped Jen strip more parts off of her Jeep to make it as quick and easy for her fiance and their mechanic to drop in her new motor and transmission. I can’t wait for it to be all done complete with the new paint job and roll bars.

These last two afternoons with Jen have been a LOT of fun. It is amazing to see her work on this and demonstrate the analytical and organizational skills that I did not notice, much less appreciate, in my Mother growing up.

When Jen drove Molly and I home, she swung by to pick up granddaughter Maddy from her school. When she dropped us off, she got out to help me get Molly into the yard. Maddy jumped at the opportunity to get into the driver’s seat. I am so impressed at how determined she is to practice her driving skills and ace her test next spring. I didn’t think it would be something she would be so eager to embrace. (Apparently, she is not a Grandma’s Girl in that department.)

**Yesterday, we took off the front bumper and winch, the front grille, and lights.**..

**And the radiator, battery, and air conditioner**…

**After I left, Jen took off the air filter, clutch fan, multiple hoses, etc. Everything is set aside in neat piles and every bolt that could not stay with a part is bagged and labeled.** 👍

Today is son Dan’s birthday. I did text him earlier but I am waiting to hear from him before I call. This has been a busy summer for him between work, boating, and camping so I’m never sure when it is best to get hold of him.

Daily Food Diary – Day 252

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(26) light sugar Mini Wheats (190)

(1/4) c 2% milk (28)

Snacks:

(1/2) c Campbell’s beef broth (5)

(12) Doritos (153)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) 355ml can Pepsi (150)

(1) Dairy Queen single flame thrower burger – no bun (600)

(1) small onion rings (200)

(1) small fries (90)

(1) reg. Gravy (90)

(2) chicken strips (240)

Total consumed calories: 1748

Total used calories: 296

(1) hour gardening (176)

(30) minutes house cleaning (67)

(30) minutes walking (53)

Total Net Calories: 1452

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1452 = 223 over 👎

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💕😊