It is 172 Days since I began my Daily Food Diary! 🤗
Today I am celebrating another non scale win. It is nice to see numbers dropping on the scale – especially knowing that the pounds I am losing are pounds of unhealthy fat.
But, it is equally exciting to be able to reach into my closet, take out a favourite pair of jeans from my younger years, and find that I can fit into them – comfortably!
First day of summer and cool enough to call for winter wear. 🤷
These Size 6 jeans bring me full circle to where I began three decades ago. Size 6 to Size 0 to Size 12 and BACK! 🥳
It is 171 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary. 171 DAYS without one miss! 🥰
I have seen a number of benefits from doing this challenge. The biggest benefit is that I am mindful of what I eat and, what I choose NOT to eat. I have done away with mindless snacking. When I eat anything, it is never straight out of the bag or box. One serving is one serving. I am conscientious when it comes to adding seasonings, sauces, or oils to food that I am cooking or preparing. None of this is anything that I stress out about, or anything that makes eating (or not eating) an uncomfortable experience. It is just a natural result of making eating a mindful experience.
Becoming mindful of what I eat, has made me more mindful in general. That has improved the overall quality of my life.
I seldom think about the past, worry about the future, or stress about what anyone else is doing. I am present in (almost) every moment of my life. I am generally happier and getting better results with anything I am doing. Life is easier and more gratifying.
Mother’s Day elephant … And Fathers Day ladybugs from Genie It is the little things, in the little moments, that make life great!💞
Daily Food Diary – Day 171
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) granola bar (160)
Lunch:
(1) c Romaine lettuce (8) (1 SVG)
(1) green onion (8)
(156) g Flakes of Chicken (210)
(1) tbsp Miracle Whip (40)
(60) oz water
Supper:
(1 1/2) SVG nachos with red pepper, green onions, jalapenos, black & green olives, ground turkey with taco seasonings, shredded marble cheese, and salsa (852) (2 SVG)
Total Net Calories: 1293
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1293 = 55 over 👎
Fruit & vegetables: 3 servings
Fruit & Vegetable goal: 7 servings 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞
It is 170 DAYS since I began posting my Daily Food Diary! 💃
We have been back home for a few days. Dan and I are both starting to feel somewhat better. The forest fire smoke has cleared for the time being, which is a good thing! Today it is humid and we are expecting a few days of rain, but that will be good for our garden and lawn.
Our Marzano tomatoes are growing and blooming.Our Blue Spruce CONTINUES to grow!
It is obvious that we are transitioning into summer. Last night we had our first ‘Gazebo’ supper. Daughter Jen and family – Maddy, Prim, Genie and her fiance Alec joined us for pierogies and sausage. It’s a rather odd picnic supper, but one of those meals that seems to take too much effort to cook for two people. 🤷
Dan and I and Molly have been walking every morning since we got home. We have been following the sidewalk around our neighbourhood, but yesterday I decided we should take a walk around the ball diamonds near us so that all of us – but especially Molly, could get a better feel for nature.
Walking the entrance into the ball park, I managed to trip over the one small rock on our path. This time, I did manage to faceplant but the only thing I hurt was one little finger and my dignity. 🙄
My finger is pretty much healed and my dignity will recover.
I am making an effort to eat better this week. I am avoiding sugar, salt, and saturated fats – plus working to meet my calorie goals. 🙂
Daily Food Diary – Day 170
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) peach (58) (1 SVG)
Lunch:
(1/2) c potato salad with radishes & green onions (231) (1 SVG)
(4) slices Piller’s shaved ham (57)
(6) multi grain crackers (7)
Snacks:
(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(4) pierogies (213)
(1/4) c onions (15) (1/2 SVG)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(3) oz Drake Sausage (285)
(1/2) c broccoli (27) (1 SVG)
(1) baby dill pickle (2) (1 SVG)
Total net calories: 987
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 987 = 251 under 👍
Fruits & vegetables:3 1/2 servings
Fruits & vegetables Goal: 7 servings 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞
It is 169 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary.
It is 35 years since I was diagnosed with asthma and 5 years since I was diagnosed with COPD and bronchiectasis. This year, I was diagnosed with chronic sinus issues.
It is 3 years since I began proactively living the health and wellness lifestyle which inspired my Daily Food Diary.
Living with chronic respiratory issues is not easy. Struggling to breathe, day in and day out, is nerve wracking and exhausting. Coughing day in and day out is frustrating to me and annoying to anyone fortunate enough to be around me. Having a severe coughing fit (which I tend to have several times a day) is concerning for me and anyone around me. Whether I will choke to death or drown in my own mucus is up for debate, but it never sounds good.
With chronic respiratory health issues there are countless things that can make matters worse – extreme cold or heat, sitting or laying down, humidity, air pollution, allergies, stress, poor diet choices….
There are also things that can make chronic respiratory disease manageable – medication, lung clearing tools and techniques, stress management, air purifiers, aerobics, walking, being generally active, healthy diet choices….
For the past few days, I have been dealing with more of the ‘making matters worse’ and less of the ‘making matters manageable’.
My lungs, and my body in general, are not happy. But, we are back in our home environment, and working to get back into our regular routine. It isn’t easy.
Yesterday we walked Molly and I did my aerobics. I cleared my lungs a few times and used my rescue inhaler more frequently. I mostly ate better – avoiding sugar and eating vegetables. I spent time outside, sweeping the patio, watering plants, feeding squirrels, and helping Dan put the patio furniture in the gazebo.
It wasn’t easy, but I was constantly inspired by my friend Jackie’s motto. Whenever things got difficult, I reminded myself “We Do Hard Things”.
Life isn’t easy. It isn’t meant to be. But if we can do the hard things, we can handle the challenges. 😊💪
We’ve got this! 👍
Daily Food Diary – Day 169
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Shreddies (200)
(1/4) c milk (28)
(1) tsp sugar (16)
Lunch:
(2) BBQ chicken drumsticks (220)
(1/2) c cauliflower (14) (1 SVG)
(1) carrot (25) (1 SVG)
(3) radishes (16) (1/2 SVG)
(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (80)
(12) BBQ potato chips (135)
Snacks:
(32) oz water
(1) Mott’s Clamato Caesar (168) (1 SVG)
Supper:
(5) oz rib steak (350)
(1/2) c mushrooms (22)
(1/5) c red onions (13)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(3/4) c potato salad (330)
(1) side salad – lettuce, green Onions, radishes, black olives, sunflower seeds, French salad dressing, dried fried onions (210) (2 SVG)
Total net calories: 1578
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1578 = 356 over 👎
Fruits & vegetables: 5 1/2 servings
Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ☺️❤️
It is 168 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary. That is a full 24 WEEKS.
Going into this challenge, I thought the most difficult part was going to be getting it done consistently every day for a FULL YEAR. There have been a few days when I have posted later in the day than usual, but it has proven to be doable. In 168 Days, I have not had a single miss. 🥳
What has proven to be more difficult is keeping it real. There have been days when I cringe while I am doing this. The days when I miss my goals by a mile and it looks like I wasn’t even trying. The days when I fall far short on hydration. The days when I eat the same snack or dessert for days on end. The days when my meals are just weird. 🤦
On those days, it is tempting to tweak things a bit… Make it look like I am trying harder than I am. Make it look like I am more focused. Make myself look ‘better’. I could tweak things, but then this would all be a waste of my time and yours.
Honestly, I am not looking for drastic weight loss or unsustainable changes in my diet or lifestyle. This is just me, gradually developing better eating habits. It isn’t an exciting process, but hopefully when this year wraps up, all of the small changes I have made will be obvious and will remain beneficial going forward. That’s the plan.
This is the amazing salad we had at son Dan’s on Sunday. Sorry I forgot to post it on my blog yesterday. We did enjoy it! 😀
It is 167 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary.
Yesterday was NOT my best effort when it came to maintaining a healthy diet. My last few days haven’t been a great effort. But, like everything else in life, I got to decide and I decided to ‘take a break’ rather than make health and wellness my top priority.
I can’t say it was a great decision. Travelling for a number of hours is hard on my lungs. I do not move enough to keep my lungs clear. Traveling through forest fire smoke, to an area enveloped in forest fire smoke for a few days, was not good. Being negligent about clearing my lungs, doing my aerobics, and managing my diet was on me. But… I stayed accountable and I take responsibility for the consequences of the decisions I made.
I cannot change the decisions I made, but I can and will get back on track. And… I will be prepared to make better choices the next time we go away. There are some things I cannot control (like forest fire smoke). I can eat better, do my aerobics and lung clearing, and plan stops for moving around during our trips – even if that means having to do occasional walkthroughs at malls or big box stores, to avoid smoke or inclement weather.
Despite everything, we had a good week, quality time with family, and we are back home happy for the memories we made.
First time on a trampoline – just standing up was a win. And first time on a zipline.Molly wallowing in the attention of Lucas and friend Emily. Dan and Amanda’s deck. The gazebo holds a huge round gas firepit, next is the lounging area, and the bottom area is the dining area. The original deck, to the side of the house, houses the hot tub, barbecue, smoker, and flat grille.
Everything at Dan and Amanda’s is designed to keep their family active and to entertain visitors. The kids have their zipline and trampoline, a geodesic climbing structure, and a wooden playhouse with a slide leading down to their sandbox. Their above ground pool needs to be replaced this year. Dan and Amanda are in the process of designing an addition to their deck to build in the new pool.
As much as it is all pretty impressive, nothing is designed to impress. Everything indoors and out is built to be functional (and fun).
Daily Food Diary – Day 167
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Cheerios (147)
(1/4) c 2 % milk (28)
(1/2) slice home cured & smoked bacon (42)
Lunch:
(1) Arby’s Dbl roast beef (no bun) (200)
(1) tbsp Horsey sauce (60)
(1/2) Arby’s crinkle cut fries (265)
(1) Arby’s gravy (35)
Snacks:
(60) oz water
(1) waffle sundae w/ chocolate sauce (450)
(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)
(25) lightly salted ripple chips (270)
Total Net Calories: 1680
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1680 = 442 over 👎
Total fruits & vegetables: 0 servings
Fruit and vegetable goal: 7 servings
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day. 💞🤗
I had expected more noticeable growth to our plants when we got back – but they are all alive and the flowers, tomatoes, and peppers are blooming. 😊
It is 166 Days since I began my Daily Food Diary and we are home!
Yesterday was our busiest and most intense day with the family.
Activity wise, I took Molly for a walk. She couldn’t make it around the subdivision without some drama, so true to form she had a traumatizing run in with two wooden deer at the entrance to one of the neighbours driveways. 🤦 Fortunately, Dan came around with the Jeep to check on us. Molly climbed in with him, while I finished our walk.
Not the greatest pics, but it you an idea of the area.
When I got back from our walk, I had my first ever experience on a trampoline. Gabby, Lucas, and Cason all joined me to show me how it was done. It was pretty awkward, but I think having (and using) a trampoline regularly would be good for developing balance and core muscles.
After the trampoline, son Dan sent me on a run on the kids’ zipline. Again, it was a bit awkward and it was more intense than I expected but I can now say that I have done it. I actually enjoyed it. I could see myself taking on a more challenging one if I had the opportunity.
Late in the afternoon, Amanda returned from her trip with her friends. Their husbands and kids arrived and the evening was an abundance of fun and food.
Dan & son Dan smoked/barbecued Prime rib roasts and the other husband’s brought twice baked potatoes and a salad. The potatoes were excellent and the salad was amazing. I will find and share the recipe for the salad tomorrow. I made an oriental ramen salad using rice noodles (to make it gluten free for Amanda). It worked out better than expected. I couldn’t even tell it wasn’t regular ramen noodles. One of the husbands grilled the asparagus and someone set out olives and pickles. For dessert we had the apple strawberry crisp that I had made earlier (again, better than I expected). Amanda and her friends served it with gluten free ice cream.
Once again I failed to meet my diet goals, but as I have said before … life is all about balance! We are back home now so I will soon be back on track – or at least making an effort to get on track. 😊
Daily Food Diary – Day 166
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Cheerios (147)
(1/4) c 2 % milk (32)
Lunch:
(1/2) c baked beans (300) (1 SVG)
(1) BBQ spare rib (81)
(32) oz water
Supper:
(4) oz prime rib roast (340)
(1) tbsp horseradish (7)
(6) oz double baked potato (180)
(1) c Gluten free Rice noodle/cabbage salad (169) (2 SVG)
(8) grilled asparagus spears (26) (1 SVG)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(1) c romaine salad (140) (1 SVG)
(1) serving Apple strawberry crisp (248) (1 serving)
(1) serving Gluten Free ice cream (98)
(2) Gin & tonics (220)
Total net Calories: 1937
Total calorie goal: 1238 – 1937 = 699 over 👎
Total fruit & vegetables: 6 servings
Fruit & vegetable goal: 7 servings 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great (rest of) your day!
Lucas and Molly saying their goodbyes this morning. 💞
This is Day 165 of my Daily Food Diary. It is also Father’s Day – Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there!
AND, It is also the 6th and final day of our stay with son Dan.
Tonight, Dan’s wife Amanda returns from her trip and tomorrow we head home. It has been nice spending time with Dan and family, but I am obviously not focussed enough on my routine and diet to manage it well on holidays. I need to get home to get back on track.
I took Molly for a good walk yesterday. Good might not be the best word. At one point we were walking along the edge of a road, when Molly bolted through a steep ditch to go check out another dog. That was a bit sketchy, but I managed to stay on my feet and rein her back in, so it ended well enough.
Presently, we are getting some quiet time as Dan and his family went to a Scout wind up for Lucas. We stayed home to keep an eye on the dogs and start supper.
I made a cabbage ramen salad yesterday and an apple strawberry crispthis morning.Dan is firing up the grille and starting the prime rib.
Amanda is coming straight home with her friends when they get back. Their husbands and families will meet them here and we will have one big supper together, before they go their own way.
Time to try taking Molly for another venture around the neighbourhood. With any luck, I will get a few photos of the scenery around here for tomorrow’s blog.
Daily Food Diary – Day 165
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) potato patties (240)
(1) tsp olive oil (40)
(2) eggs (160)
(1) slice bacon (85)
Snacks:
(24) Lightly salted potato chips (125)
(1) c coffee with amaretto (70)
(1) Ginger ale & Raspberry Lemonade (140)
(24) oz water
Supper:
(4) oz beef burger (243)
(1/2) c vegetable fried rice (250) (1 SVG)
(1) c raw vegetables (18) (2 SVG)
(1) tsp Dilly Dip (80)
(1) Lemon Desert Bars (193)
Total Net Calories: 1563
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1563 = 325 over 👎
Total Fruits & Vegetables: 3 servings
Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😊💖
We are on Day 5 of our time with son Dan and family. We have been too busy visiting today to wrap my head around my regular routine, but better late than never on posting my Daily Diary.
I haven’t done as well with my morning aerobics. This is the second day in a row that is a miss.
Since I’m already this late, I am just going to wrap this up and take Molly for a walk and get a bit of exercise.
Looks like she is ready to go!
Daily Food Diary – Day 164
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios. (147)
(1/4) c milk (28)
Lunch:
(4) oz beef burger (243)
(12) lightly salted chips (62)
(24) oz water
Supper:
(1) bowl Wonton Soup (71)
(1/2) c vegetable fried rice (250)
(1) c beef & broccoli (264)
(1/2) c sesame chicken (200)
*** Vegetables in supper (2 SVG)
Total net calories: 1507
Net Calorie Goal: 1238 – 1507 = 269 over
Total fruits and vegetables: 2 servings
Fruits and vegetable goal: 7 servings
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💖😊
This is the 163rd Day of posting my Daily Food Diary. It is also our 4th day of being away from home.
Traveling and spending time with family makes for a nice break from being home. It also makes managing one’s diet a little more challenging.
Since travel day, which was pretty bad, I have been managing fairly well. The only problem has been with water. We have spent time here at son Dan’s before, but this time I cannot handle their water. 🤦 Last night, I figured it out. Fortunately, we had a two gallon jug of filtered water from home in the Jeep. I switched to that and all is good.
This morning Dan & son Dan are gone to a golf tournament. I got Lucas off to school 0n time. Cason made his own breakfast, ate, and got himself dressed for the day. 👍
I’d say the day is going smoothly so far – except for the three problem children. 🙄
Cornelius (L) and Bacardi (R)And Molly!
Molly and Bacardi love to get each other going, and this morning they were wound up from the get go. Cornelius isn’t up for the shenanigans so he contributes to the chaos by yipping and yapping at the other two until they turn on him. They are all on a break at the moment – but it is only for the moment. 🤫
Granddaughter Gabby, is getting ready for work so I should run downstairs, get dressed, and be ready to workout when she leaves. So far so good! I haven’t been walking due to smoke and rain, but I am getting my morning aerobics done. All or something!
Gabby! 💕
Daily Food Diary – Day 163
Breakfast
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios (147)
(1/4) c 2% milk (28)
Lunch:
(3) sm. Riblets (100)
(1/2) c macaroni salad (80)
(1) c raw vegetables (18) (2 SVG)
(24) oz water
Supper:
(2) gin & tonic (220)
(4) oz ground beef burger – no bun (243)
(1/8) c marble cheese (57)
(1/2) c brown beans (300) (1 SVG)
(1/4) c macaroni salad (80)
(1) c raw vegetables (18) (2 SVG)
(12) oz water
Total net calories: 1327
Net calories goal: 1238 – 1327 = 89 over 👎
Fruits & vegetables: 5 servings
Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ☺️💕
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 