Author: annemariedemyen

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 241 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 241 of my Daily Food Diary. 👍

Yesterday was a less than stellar day for me.  Despite our perfect weather and clear air, I struggled. 

My walk with Dan and Molly was too much for my lungs (For whatever reason!). I came home and had to rest easy for a few hours before I did my aerobics and weight workout.  We had takeout for supper and instead of doing my treadmill I went to bed.

After a couple of hours of sleep, I got up to have a bottle of carbonated water and a couple of aspirin.  My chest was congested, I was  feverish and headachy, and I felt nauseous.  

Having lived with asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis for years, it is easy to overthink these questionable days and start to panic.

I do have prescriptions for antibiotics and oral steroids at our pharmacy, but this being a long weekend our pharmacy is open limited hours today and then  closed Sunday and Monday.   Other pharmacies in the city are open but they do not have my ‘action plan’ on file.   If I can’t make it through the weekend without meds, it would mean a long wait in an overcrowded emergency ward being miserable.

Fortunately,  whatever was bothering me passed during the night. Today, I am perfectly fine.  I am ready to take on my aerobics, Saturday house cleaning, yardwork, and a session on our treadmill.  Plus, I drove Dan out of the city to his golf tournament this morning.

It is great to feel good again, but I do get rather frustrated with myself for panicking every time I have a poorly day.   My health has come a LONG way since a sniffle automatically meant I was in for an extended miserable health event.  🤦

It is hard to remember how strong, healthy, and resilient I am, after three and a half years of creating and maintaining a health and wellness lifestyle for myself.

I can relate to people who lose hundreds of pounds of  weight, but feel mentally stuck in that pre-weightloss mindset. 

It’s a weird challenge, but one to be conquered nonetheless. 🥴

I need to see myself as I am now, not like I used to be.  (Dan is looking pretty good too these days! Retirement looks good on him.)

Daily Food Diary – Day 241

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(26) Light sugar Mini Wheats (190)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (238)

(48) oz water

(12) oz carbonated water

Supper:

(1) Crisp Meat Burrito (428)

(2) Hardshell tacos (520)

(1) Sm. Mexi Fries (387)

Total net calories: 1321

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1321 = 92 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 240 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today  is Day 240 of my Daily Food Diary! 🥳

Today is also our daughter-in-law Amanda’s birthday!  🎂

Every day is special, but when we have one dedicated to someone we truly appreciate, it makes days like today all the better

There is so much to appreciate about Amanda that it is difficult to put into words – she is caring, upbeat, hilariously funny in her unique Amanda way.  She is adventurous, intelligent, LOUD but unassuming, high energy, and totally loving and loveable. 

Best of all, Amanda is an amazing mother and a genuinely great wife and partner for son Dan.    Truly, those two deserve each other and the life they have built together!

Happy Birthday, Amanda – and MANY more! 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 240

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) sausage patty (150)

(2) potato patties (240)

(2) eggs (160)

Snacks:

(15) Lay’s lightly salted ripple chips (218)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(5) oz Tbone steak (375)

(1) baked white potato (100)

(1) yellow ear of corn (80)

(5) tsp butter (171)

(1) red tomato (22)

(5) slices green cucumber (4)

(1/2) c  brown mushrooms  (8)

Total net calories: 1253

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1253 = 24 over

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 239 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 239 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Blog. 💗👍

I continue to enjoy this exercise, especially the benefits that I have received from it,  and the comments that I receive from posting it.

What I do not enjoy is interacting via technology. 

The most frustrating aspect of technology this year is the emergence of AI, which is hellbent on making life difficult for the technically challenged folks like Yours Truly.

But,  I have a couple of glitches that have been  directed specifically towards me.  A few weeks ago the letter  ‘A’ vanished from my online vocabulary.  Tht ws frustrting!

My ‘A’ has returned,  but with its return, my spacebar has retired any reliable operation.  I’mgettingtoooldforthisnonsense!

Yesterday, while Dan and I were walking Molly, we started talking about all of the progress over the past few decades that have proven to be less than positive..

– Anything/everything disposable from plastic bags, to diapers, to appliances….

-24 hours a day television along with streaming services (any electronic device that keeps us from fresh air and regular human interactions and activities)

– Technology in general, but specifically software updates

– Electric vehicles (especially in the wide open spaces of Saskatchewan but pretty much anywhere)

– New math (what was wrong with the old math?)

– Fast and/or junk food (remember real food that wasn’t packed full of sugar, sodium, chemicals, and yeast?)

I am probably missing a few here.  Feel free to add them in your comments. (Space breaks and random vowels  optional). 🙂

Daily Food Diary – Day 239

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) crumpets (240)

(3) tsp butter (103)

(1 1/2) tbsp jam (75)

Snacks:

(12) Doritos (153)

(1/3) c mixed nuts (238)

Supper:

(3) c salad – green lettuce, onions & cucumber, white cauliflower, red tomatoes & radishes (190)

(2) sticks pork souvlaki (270)

(2) tbsp French salad dressing (146)

Total net calories: 994

Net calories goal: 1229 – 994 = 235 under 👍

That is it for today.  Take care and have a great day! ☺️💗

It would appear that I have finally killed my last orchid.   Dan went out of his way yesterday to secure this one to take its place. 💞😊

Daily Food Diary – Day 238 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 238 of my Daily Food Diary.  That is a full 34 weeks without one miss. ☺️

Today is almost two full weeks since we got our ‘new to us’ treadmill.  The first night we got it, I used it for fifteen minutes, the second night twenty, and every night since for a full thirty.

Until last night!  For the past three or four nights,  using the treadmill had just been getting harder and harder.

Over the past three and a half years, I have found that making commitments was more effective for me than setting result driven goals.  I have found that modest, persistent, consistent efforts were more effective for me than occasional grand gestures.  And I have found that muscle fatigue is a real thing!

When my muscles turn to achy, breaky, jello, it is time to set some down time for rest and recuperating.

Last night was one of those nights, and I’m thinking I am  going to have to start taking regular  break nights from the treadmill until I build up some muscle strength. 

It is unfortunate, because I  enjoy my evening treadmill time – physically and mentally.  But it has to be done!

Maybe our treadmill will appreciate the necessary break times.
Intermittent weight lifting is helping me to develop some arm muscles!  🥳. (I’m still working on the Bingo wings. 🙄)

Daily Food Diary – Day 238

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) crumpets (240)

(1 1/2) tsp jam (75)

(3) tsp butter (103)

Lunch:

(1 1/2) c chicken, green, white, orange, red vegetable, stir-fry (307)

Snacks:

(60) oz water

(15) barbecue chips (130)

Supper:

(1 1/2) c chicken, green, white, orange, red vegetable, stir-fry (307)

(1) red tomato (22)

(3/4) c Butterscotch ice cream (180)

(10) hazelnuts (88)

(1) tbsp dark chocolate sauce (52)

(1) tbsp caramel sauce (130)

Total net calories: 1360

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1360 = 131 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 237 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 237 of my Daily Food Diary. 😋

Our skies are clear, our air is smoke free, and we are finally starting an entire week of actual summer temperatures.

Dan and I took Molly for an uncharacteristically uneventful walk this morning.  We did stop at the dog park where Molly got in a few short solo runs across the park.  

I have to cut this one short.  Our garden is starting to wilt and it’s not going to water itself!

Daily Food Diary – Day 237

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

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

Lunch:

(1) cheese tortilla wrap (170)

(2) oz ham (57)

(1) oz marble cheese (113)

(1/4) c white cooking onion (3)

Snacks:

(14) hickory smoked almonds (70)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(2 1/2) c chicken stir fry – orange carrots, green onions, cabbage & celery,  brown mushrooms, red pepper, chicken filets, ramen noodles (622)

(1) vegetable spring roll (100)

(4) Gyoza (133)

Total net calories: 1022

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1022 = 207 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 236 of 369

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 236 of my Daily Food Diary.😍

Almost eight months ago, I started keeping a Daily Food Diary.   My main goal was to eat less high calorie/low nutritional foods and to eat more foods that are high in nutritional value.

One of my secondary goals, was to determine which foods I am allergic to, or for whatever reason I cannot tolerate. 

I have a few foods that I knew I cannot eat – pumpkin seeds (home made pumpkin pie is fine), cranberries (but I can drink cranberry tea), and YEAST.

It isn’t terribly difficult to avoid pumpkin seeds or cranberries.   Yeast is a whole different story.  Despite avoiding brewers yeast and baking yeast (in obvious products) I have still been having issues with yeast showing up in less likely foods.  I have found that restaurants use red and white sauces that contain yeast, canned gravy and store bought broths contain yeast, some soda crackers, potato chips and  other snack foods  contain yeast.   But there are other foods that bother me for no conceivable reason – store bought or restaurant served cakes, pancakes, muffins and the like.

Recently, I found that a LOT of commercial baking, including cake (icing), pancakes, and  muffins contain powdered egg whites and powdered egg whites contain Yeast.  🤦

According to Google, yeast is added to egg white powder to improve product stability and prevent discoloration and off-odors.

So, there’s that!

I have also discovered recently,  as has my daughter, that foods containing palm oil cause an allergic reaction.  (A severe one for Jen!). One more thing to check for on product ingredients.

We are fortunate that in Canada  we have strict packaging labels for food that contain comprehensive ingredient and national value lists.

I am also fortunate that my daughter, and hers, work at a restaurant where they have access  to information on typical commercial food ingredients used.   (Unfortunately, they both share my food sensitivities plus have their own to deal with). 

And I am fortunate that I have become more mindful of what I eat, by using my Daily Food Diary.   It is definitely helping me to zero in on foods that I should avoid going forward. 👍

Daily Food Diary – Day 236

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) scrambled eggs (182)

(3) strips bacon (130)

(2) potato patties (240)

(1/2) red tomato (22)

Snacks:

(60) oz water

(1/2) bag popcorn (160)

(3/4) c Butterscotch ice cream (180)

(9) pecan halves (59)

(1) tbsp chocolate sauce  (52)

(1) tbsp caramel syrup (130)

Supper:

(3) c potato soup: white potatoes & onions, green chives & parsley, bacon bits, & cream mixed with water from potatoes  (420)

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

(5) soda crackers (63)

Total net calories: 1587

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1587 = 358 over 🤦

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 235 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 235 of my Daily Food Diary! 😀

We are having a fairly uneventful weekend.  Our air is (thankfully) smoke free.  Our temperatures are mild  and we have limited wind.

Yesterday, I took advantage of our pleasant weather to do some work in the garden.  Dan drove granddaughter Maddy to work and went driving with her after she was off.

Every once in a while I would check my phone (Life 360) to see where they were and make sure they were still on the road.  Dan had her drive for quite a while – in the city, far from country ditches. 😂

Apparently, she did quite well.  Our Jeep came close to losing a side mirror but no actual harm done.

I’m glad we have Life 360 – but seriously Maddy.  Using a photo from your first ever Annual Boxing Day Sleepover for your profile picture?  You should be driving a pedal car. 😳

This morning we went for an early morning walk, had our typical Sunday morning, breakfast and tidied up a bit.   Dan and his cousin from BC (who dropped in for a short visit) are outside in the gazebo.

Outside this morning – feeding the squirrels peanuts and cleaning up after Molly.

Daily Food Diary – Day 235

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) plain paratha (240)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (238)

(1) Mott’s Clamato Caesar – red (168)

(4) asparagus spears – green (20)

Supper:

(4) c nachos: tortilla chips, ground beef w/ taco seasoning, onion, peppers, & olives  – green, peppers – red, shredded cheese (650)

(3) tbsp salsa – red (15)

Total net calories: 1128

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1128 = 101 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 234

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 234 of my Daily Food Diary. 💗🌞

It is three and a half years since I set off on the  Health and Fitness Journey that I am on now. 

Three and a half years ago, I was  living a sedentary life with a questionable diet.   I was  struggling with multiple chronic health issues, and  a lack of strength, stamina and energy. 

Now,  I am physically active (aerobics, light weights, cardio, walking Molly dog,  and using our treadmill)  an average of 630 minutes a week  – plus doing housework, yard work, and the like.  And.. I am keeping my Daily Food Diary, I have eliminated yeast from my diet, and I have cut back on sugar, salt, and snacking between meals and after supper.

Recently, I ran across something in a  post on Instagram Threads.  “Sobriety is not punishment.  It is freedom.”

I have always lived a fairly sober life, but this rang true for me.

Living a life dedicated to health and fitness, isn’t always easy.   It takes effort and perseverance and sacrifice.  Some days, a lot of days, it feels like punishment.

But it really isn’t. It is the key to living my life on my terms.  It is the key to my  freedom – freedom to be happy and healthy and strong and fit.  💪

Daily Food Diary – Day 234

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(2) Potatoes patties (240)

(3) stops bacon (130)

(1) small red tomato

(48) oz water

Supper:

(5) Gyoza (167)

(2) vegetable spring rolls (200)

(1) oz riblets (49)

(1) a chicken strip (120)

(5) tempura shrimp (175)

(1) tbsp Gyoza dipping sauce (15)

(1) tbsp shrimp sauce (20)

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip  (50)

(1) tbsp plum sauce (35)

Total net calories: 1071

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1071 = 159 under

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 233 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 233 of my Daily Food Diary! 🎉

Yesterday our family acquired a newly licensed driver. (Learners license, but still!)

They grow up too fast!

From day one, Maddy was determined to be “one of the big kids” like her older siblings Genie and Rory.   She has done a good job of becoming a mature and responsible young lady.

But, to be honest I never thought she would be determined enough to embrace driving.  She just doesn’t seem to be the ‘driver’ type.  (Unlike younger sister Prim who can’t wait to get behind the wheel!)

Not only does Maddy have her license, but last night she took her first drive in the country with her Mom.  She got behind the wheel and  drove a few miles before swerving to avoid hitting a dog.  As she left the gravel road and hit the ditch, she remembered her driver trainer’s instructions and kept her wheels straight. 

First challenge in the driver’s seat and she handled it like a pro.  The dog is fine, Maddy & Mom are fine, my Taurus is almost fine – and the heat shield for my Taurus is in the trunk. 🙄

Good job Maddy! 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 233

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Rice Krispies (120)

(1/4) c 2% milk

(1) tsp sugar (8)

Lunch:

(1) Beef & pork burger with cheese (221)

(1/2) c brown mushrooms (22)

(1/4) c white onions (15)

(12) Low sodium ripple chips (159)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(12) oz carbonated water

(1) ground chicken taco salad: green lettuce, cucumber, pepper, olives, onion, red radishes, tomato (400)

(10) Hint of Lime chips (250)

Total net calories: 883

Net calories goal: 1222 – 883 = 339 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 232 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 232 of my Daily Food Diary. 😄

Today it is one week since we got our  treadmill.  I am not a world class athlete yet, but I have been using it for 30 minutes every evening and I am already noticing the difference.

Ever since I can remember, when I stand in one spot (even momentarily) my hips, knees, and ankles lock up.  Even if I am moving, it is an effort to keep them from locking up.   It is frustrating, but I am used to it.

For the past two days, I have noticed that at least my knees are moving a lot smoother.  I’m not sure if my ankles are any better, and I know I am still struggling with my hips – but it’s a start!

Daily Food Diary – Day 232

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) crumpets (240)

(2) tsp butter (69)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

Lunch:

(2) Barbecue drumsticks(270)

(1) c raw vegetables: cauliflower – white, radishes & peppers – red, onions & green (90)

(1) tbsp peppercorn ranch dressing (60)

(60) oz water

(8) oz lemon water

Supper:

(2) SVG Arby’s roast beef (200)

(1) Medium Arby’s Crinkle cut fries (530)

(2) Arby’s cheese sticks (220)

(2) Arby’s gravy (35)

(1) horseradish sauce (50)

Total net calories: 1401

Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1401 = 180 over 👎

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a good day! ☺️💕