Author: annemariedemyen

Wife, mother, grandmother dogmother - lover of nature, peace and tranquility. RETIRED. Life is good!

Daily Food Diary – Day 251 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 251 of my Daily Food Diary!  Only 114 Days  until my 365 Day challenge is COMPLETE without one miss! 🤩

Healthwise, yesterday was rough! I got through my Prednisone episode yesterday morning, but my sinuses and upper chest were so congested all day it was difficult to accomplish anything. 

But!!! I did go over to spend a couple of hours with daughter Jen.  Together, but mostly her, we got her transmission and transfer case off of her Jeep and she got it and her new transfer case over to their mechanic. 

He got on it right away, rebuilt the new transfer case with brackets from the old.  The next time Jen’s fiance has time off of work to come home, he and the mechanic are ready to install this, the motor from Big Red (Tanner’s Jeep), and reattach the exhaust system. 

‘Flea’ will roll again – sooner than later!

Today I am feeling MUCH better.  My blood oxygen and pulse were way better this morning, I went for a walk with Dan and Molly, and came back to get some yardwork done.  

I am on my last day of this round of antibiotics.  I have three more days of Prednisone to go.  I have a follow up appointment with my Respirologist tomorrow morning.  AND… I got the results of my X-rays yesterday afternoon.  Other than a bit of opacity (?) indicating an infection (no surprise there) everything looks good, stable, and clear of any fluid.

I am excited that everything is coming together.  By next week, I should be back to my regular workout routine. 💪😁

This afternoon, I am going back to spend a bit more time with Jen and coming home to just Putz around the house – take it relatively easy.

Daily Food Diary – Day 251

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) Cheese biscuit breakfast sandwich with game, egg, and provolone cheese (511)

Snacks:

(1/2) c Campbell’s low salt beef broth (5)

(6) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (150)

(2) tbsp salsa (8)

(2) pieces Mackintosh toffee (72)

Supper:

(5) oz barbecued pork chop (130)

(1) serving macaroni/cheese/tomato soup casserole (400)

(1) c brussel sprouts (56)

(2) tsp butter (68)

Total consumed calories: 1402

Total calories used: 104

(20) minutes walking (49)

(30) minutes cooking/food prep (56)

Total net calories: 1298

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1298 = 68 over 👎

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

Morning harvest…

Daily Food Diary – Day 250 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 250 of my Daily Food Diary! 🥰

Today is off to a bit of a rocky start.  It is Day 6 of my latest round of antibiotics and oral steroids for a lung infection.  I don’t know if there are any prescription medications that agree with me, but I do know Prednisone is not one of them. 

This morning, I made Dan and I each a Cheese Biscuit breakfast sandwich.  I took my Prednisone and set off on our morning walk with Dan and Molly.   I made it about four blocks before I was feeling so wobbly, that I decided I had better head back home.  Dan and Molly walked me back and I am fine, but definitely not the start of my week that I was hoping for. 😥

But the day has just begun and yesterday made a good turn around for me!

Yesterday morning, my glasses met with an unfortunate fatal incident.  I found an older pair of single vision glasses and decided they would have to do until I got in to see my optometrist.  I wasn’t thrilled but, you do what you have to do!

For over a decade, I have been wearing progressive bifocals.  I have never been particularly happy with them, but I got used to dealing with them.  The biggest issue was the bottom part of the lens that was set for reading.   I never could read through them (I  just read without glasses) and I struggled to go down steps or walk outside on any uneven ground. 

Walking with progressives vs single vision glasses.

So yesterday, I put on my old single vision glasses and didn’t notice much difference puttering around indoors.  I stepped outside onto the back landing, and when I went to go down the steps EVERYTHING was in perfect focus.    I walked around our yard in complete confidence – over uneven ground, cracked sidewalk, anything.  It was amazing.  This morning, on my short walk, I also noticed a drastic difference on the streets and sidewalks. 

I can’t wait to see my optometrist to get a new (updated prescription) for a pair of glasses that work FOR ME! 

In the meantime, these will work just fine!

Daily Food Diary – Day 250

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) pancakes (350)

(2) breakfast sausages (270)

(2) slices bacon (87)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(2) tbsp Maple syrup (104)

Snack:

(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(2) servings homemade wonton soup (300)

Total calories consumed: 1361

Total calories used: 56

(30) minutes cooking/food prep: 56

Total net calories: 1306

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1306 = 76 over

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 249 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 249 of my Daily Food Diary! 🥳

Today is also Sunday September 7th.  I am on my 5th day of my latest round of antibiotics and oral steroids.  I am feeling pretty decent – helped no doubt by the solid sleep that I have been getting for the past couple of nights.

All things considered, my only major issue today is that I destroyed my glasses this morning.  I am pretty much blind without them so that’s not good.   I do have one older pair that I can wear until I get replacements but they are single vision glasses AND the only time that they did not make me look goofy was when I tried them on in the optometrist’s office. 🤦 Fortunately, as long as I avoid mirrors I don’t have to see myself. 😊

Maybe I have them upside down? They are Versace frames, so great quality,  but they just don’t suit me. 🙄
Molly is having a GREAT weekend.  Yesterday, Jen and Maddy were here for an hour AND this morning Genie came by to join Molly & Grandpa for their morning walk.   (Genie took the photo)

Daily Food Diary – Day 249

Breakfast:

(1) c Coffee (2)

(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios (147)

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

Lunch:

(1) Harvest All Beef Wiener (150)

(1) No Name Low Salt Ripple Chips (130)

Snacks:

(1/2) c Home made chicken broth (27)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(1) Extra Large homemade quesadilla (861)

(3) tbsp salsa (12)

Total consumed calories: 1357

Total used calories: 243

(30) minutes housecleaning (67)

(1) hour gardening (176)

Total net calories: 1114

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1114 = 116 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 248 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 248 of my Daily Food Diary and I am still on a roll! 🥳

I am still feeling pretty adequate on Day 4 of my antibiotics and Prednisone.   A couple of news bites since yesterday morning.

* The hospital surgical unit called yesterday to book my hernia repair for September 19th.  Unfortunately, they have to delay it until I have the Prednisone out of my system, but at least I am on their radar!  And someone else gets their procedure bumped up. 👍

* I got the results of my blood tests. I’m no expert but they seem to indicate that I have an infection. 👍

* And… I have plans this weekend  to help daughter Jen work on her Jeep.  She is changing out the motor, transmission, wheels etc. from the Jeep they rolled a couple of years ago to the one they bought this spring.  My mechanical proficiency won’t help her out, but I’m pretty sure I can hand her the tools she needs and take away the parts she doesn’t.  👍

And ‘Flea’ will be back rolling better than ever, sooner than later!

Daily Food Diary – Day 248

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

Brunch:

(1) lg cheese biscuit (258)

(2) oz Piller ham (57)

(1 1/2) oz cheese (170)

(2) tsp butter (68)

Snacks:

(1/2) c caramel corn (85)

(1/2) c ice cream (120)

(2) tbsp chocolate sauce (105)

Supper:

(1) lg cheese biscuit (258)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(1) beef wiener (150)

(2) tbsp salsa (8)

(1) green onion (8)

(6) onion rings (270)

(3) cheese sticks

(1) tomato (22)

(5) sl. Cucumber (4)

Total calories consumed: 1843

Calories used: 172

(20) min. Walking (49)

(30) min min. Housecleaning (67)

(30) min. Cooking/food prep (56)

Total net calories: 1843 – 172 = 1671

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1671 = 442 over 👎

* Prednisone zoomies gone… Raging hunger on! 🤦

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 247 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in Uncategorized

Today is Day 247 of my Daily Food Diary! 😊

Today is the third day of my latest round of antibiotics and oral steroids for my latest battle of lung infection

Yesterday I did pretty well, but the drugs were definitely kicking in. 

I started the day with a bout of antibiotic nausea.  The antibiotics that I am on are disagreeable little beggars, but my doctor likes them and he does have to switch them into the rotation on occasion so I don’t get too resistant to any particular type.

By the time that settled down,the Prednisone kicked in and I started getting shaky and anxious.  Not fun, but I managed to pull myself together and Dan took me to the x-ray clinic and blood lab to deal with that funness.   Neither was bad.  There was a bit of a wait at the x-ray clinic, but it was quick and simple once the technician called me in.  There was no wait at the blood lab.  It amazes me how painlessly those technicians draw blood.  I never felt a thing and never bled a drop. (I may have been dry after the five vials I donated).

Once we returned home, the Prednisone zoomies kicked in and I was able to do my aerobics (for the first time in days), scrub down the bathroom and hall (including fixtures,  walls, floors and everything in my path), and make supper (with Dan).

Aside from doing the official meds, I have been doing pretty well at sticking to a nutritious diet for the past couple of days.  That homemade chicken soup made from homemade stewing hen broth just feels so healing. 

I haven’t had a fever for two days so hopefully I am truly on the mend!

Daily Food Diary – Day 247

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) Blueberry Eggo Waffles (270)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(3) Slices bacon (130)

(1 1/2) tsp syrup (78)

Lunch:

(1/2) c homemade chicken broth (27)

(1) peach (58)

(1) c raspberries (64)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(3) c homemade chicken noodle soup (480)

(1) Large cheese biscuit (258)

Total calories consumed: 1436

Total calories used: 366

(30) min. aerobics (176)

(1) hr housecleaning (135)

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

Total net calories: 1070

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1070 = 159 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 246 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 246 of my Daily Food Diary.  119 more days to go until the end of my 365 Day Diary – and the end of 2025. 💖

I am thinking that I need to really buckle down to make the most of this experience before I wrap it up!

This week I have been sidetracked by a lung infection.  I don’t know if everyone has their own special weakness, but my breaking point is fever.  Even a low grade fever – anything above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and I am useless. 

I am also pretty much the medical community’s worst patient.  Stress triggers my asthma, so walking into any medical facility,  doctor’s office or pharmacy is a major health event waiting to happen.   Then there is the time warp!  I can lose hours at home waiting for my nail polish to dry or for a pot of soup to cook.   Waiting five minutes for a blood test tries my patience.  And finally there is the medication…

I think the main reason I have these little health events is to remind me to have more empathy for people who truly suffer from chronic health issues.   People who regularly deal with frequent visits to health facilities, painful procedures, and multiple medications.

When I have these lung infections, I have to take THREE pills a day.   I take one antibiotic in the morning – on an empty stomach, no less than two hours AFTER I take any vitamins, followed by one hour before I can eat.  Then I have one Prednisone tablet to take, with food, but no grapefruit!  Then life proceeds as usual until after supper (except that I have to avoid sunlight or the Prednisone will turn ugly on me).    After 7 pm,  I cannot eat anything to be prepared to take my second antibiotic tablet on an empty stomach, at least one hour before going to bed.

I can’t imagine how people taking multiple medications, all with their own unique rules keep everything straight.  I would need some serious organizational skills update or things would go south PDQ.

I don’t know if it was the first pills yesterday or the chicken soup from the night before, but I felt pretty good yesterday.  I mostly took it easy, mostly relaxed outside in our gazebo, and mostly stayed out of the sun and avoided turning into a Prednisone werewolf – even when I was watering the garden, weeding, trimming plants, and picking vegetables.

Last night my appetite returned and I totally enjoyed the supper that Dan served up.

Salzburg steak, fries & gravy, broccoli & cauliflower. 😋

Today, I am doing good so far but I do have to go get X-rays and blood tests done.  😥

Daily Food Diary – Day 246

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(3) oz Rotisserie chicken (150)

(6) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (150)

Snacks:

(1)2 c caramel corn (85)

(1/2) c chicken broth (27)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(5) oz lean ground beef patty (304)

(1/4) c onions (15)

(1/4) c mushrooms (11)

(1/2) c gravy (50)

(2) tsp olive oil (79)

(16) crinkle cut fries (126)

(1/2) c broccoli (27)

(1/2) c cauliflower (14)

(1 1/2) tsp butter (51)

Total calories consumed: 1266

Total calories used: 176

(1) hour gardening (176)

Total net calories: 1090

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1090 = 139 under

Daily Food Diary – Day 245 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in Uncategorized

Today is Day 245 of my Daily Food Diary! Doing anything for 245 Days without one miss is pretty impressive, even if one is retired and has ample free time to get it done. 😁

This morning, I went to see my Respiratory Specialist (Respirologist according to the sign in his office which I had managed to miss on countless previous visits).

After a short chat, he listened to my lungs,  checked my blood oxygen/pulse readings,  and determined that I do have another lung infection.  This is my second this year and two too many in my mind.   He prescribed antibiotics and oral steroids, gave me a requisition for X-rays and blood tests, and told me to come back in a week.

While I was there, he told me that the lung function tests I had a few weeks ago were on  par with the ones last year, which were on  par with the year before.  I was hoping to see improvement, but he considers it a win if I have not gotten worse. 

They always do these tests in the summer, which while being my favourite time of year, is the worst time for my respiratory health.  Wildfire smoke and high humidity are an ongoing battle. 

This year there is also more of an issue with mould and mildew.  I noticed it on plants in our garden (tomatoes and cucumbers), and on fresh produce from the store (onions and carrots), both more than usual,  but I didn’t think that much of it.

A few days ago,  I put a couple of fruit fly traps (which I had filled with red wine) on our kitchen window sill.  They did their usual excellent job of collecting the fruit flies, but when I checked to see if they needed cleaning this morning,  they were full of mould.   I have used these traps for years and have never seen this before.

It makes sense that a bad mould season would make for a worse lung season for me.  Now I just have to figure out how to deal with it!

In the meantime, I need to take my meds, eat more chicken soup,  and take it a bit easy for a few days.  Hopefully by this time next week, I will be back to normal – or BETTER THN EVER!

Daily Food Diary – Day 245

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2)  grapefruit (39)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

Snacks:

(1) apple (95)

(1/3) c mixed nuts (238)

(48) oz water

(12) oz carbonated water

Supper:

(3) c homemade chicken noodle soup (480)

Total calories consumed:  863

Total calories used: 246

(1) hour House Cleaning (135)

(1) hour cooking/food prep (111)

Total net calories: 617

Net calories goal: 1229 – 617 = 612 under 😳

*** I was not trying to be that much under my Net Calorie Goal!   I was not feeling well enough to be hungry, but virtually everything I did eat was nutritious.

Daily Food Diary – Day 244 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 244 of my Daily Food Diary.  We are officially 2/3rds of our way through 2025! 🥳

I know that my Daily Food Diary has been beneficial.  It has kept my unhealthy snacking in check.  It has helped me to pin down foods that cause me issues.  It has helped me to tweak some of my cooking habits.  It has encouraged me to add collagen supplements to my daily round of vitamins.  And while it is an ongoing battle – it has helped me to eat more fruits and vegetables and to drink more water.

That being said – I am struggling with my health and wellness lately.

As much as I love spring and summer, they have not been kind to me this year.  I am almost excited to see September arrive and with it the end of wildfire smoke, a drop in humidity, and hopefully an eradication of all the mould and mildew this year!  The last being the worst lately.  🥺

At least for today, I am just avoiding the not so great outdoors.

Making chicken broth for homemade chicken noodle soup tonight.
While Molly guards the neighborhood from the comfort of our sofa.

Daily Food Diary – Day 244

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2) grapefruit (39)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

Lunch:

(3) oz chicken (140)

(10) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (250)

Snacks:

(1/2) c caramel corn (85)

(1) 355 mil can Root Beer (170)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) cheese tortilla wrap (85)

(1/8) c pizza sauce (17)

(1/4) c shredded marble cheese (120)

(9) slices Pepperoni (89)

(3) oz ham (86)

(1/4) c mushrooms (11)

(1/2) c onions (32)

(1/4) c green pepper (7)

Total calories: 1226

Calories burnt:

(30) minutes walking – 101

Total net calories: 1125

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1225 = 104 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 243 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 243 of my Daily Food Diary. 😁

Today is also Labour Day and a stat holiday in Canada. 

Tools of the trade… (Maybe my trade lunch 🙄)

Kudos to those who labour to provide the goods and services that we require.  And kudos to those who have in the past, and those who still do, dedicate their lives to ensure the safety, fair wages and benefits, decent working conditions, and fair/honest treatment of those in our workforce.  

Being employed in today’s work environment is far from perfect,  but fortunately improving work standards  is an ongoing process.

Happy Labour Day!

It is eight months since I began posting my Daily Food Diary. As I approach each new  month, I struggle to find another monthly focus.   This month (September) I have finally decided on calories used. 

Every month since February, I have counted my calories consumed and subtracted my calories used (by legit exercise).  This month, I am going to highlight all significant calories used – by exercise, housework, yardwork, Petcare, shopping, and the like.

Since being unwell the past few days, I need the motivation to get back to my regular level of activity.  Let’s see how that goes!

Daily Food Diary – Day 243

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) Eggs (160)

(2) slices Bacon (170)

(1/2) red tomato (22)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1/2) c caramel corn (85)

(1) c ice cream (120)

(2) tbsp chocolate sauce (105)

(10) filberts (88)

Supper:

(1) rotisserie chicken thigh/drumstick (320)

(1)c raw vegetables and – green onions, broccoli, & cucumbers, red radishes, orange carrots, white cauliflower (100)

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (50)

(1) Lightly salted ripple chips (135)

Total net calories: 1597

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1597 = 368 over 👎

* Another day of zero activity to deduct calories.   I walked with Dan and Molly this morning.  We’ll see if I can burn anymore calories off.

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 242 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 242 of my Daily Food Diary. 💯

Yesterday, I came out 76 calories over my Net Calorie Goal.  This was not because I ate more than I should have.  I just took a day off from any of the workout routines that  I  usually indulge in to burn off extra  calories. 

No walk with Molly, no aerobics, no weights, and no treadmill. 

I did drive Dan out to his golf tournament, did my typical house chores, and watered the garden.  By the time I finished my blog and did my check-in with my workout buddies I was done.

I have been under the weather this past week and yesterday I  had no gas left in the tank.

I’m not feeling any better today, so my plan is to post my blog and head off for nap.

Hopefully, by tomorrow I will be getting up to a better day – ALL DAY!

Looks good to me.  See you tomorrow!  🙂

Daily Food Diary – Day 242

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

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

Lunch:

(2) scrambled eggs (182)

(1 1/2) oz leftover Tbone steak (125)

(1/4) c white mushrooms (11)

(2) green onions (16)

(2) tsp butter (34)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) Hungry Man chicken cutlet dinner with yellow corn (520)

Total net calories: 1305

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1305 = 76 over 👎

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