annemariedemyen

Daily Food Diary – Day 169 of 365

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

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. 😊💪

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! ☺️❤️

Daily Food Diary – Day 168 of 365

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

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! 😀

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a25324371/romaine-salad-with-lemon-pecorino-vinaigrette-recipe/

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) plain paratha (240)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)

Snacks:

(1) pear (103) (1 SVG)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(1) large salad – romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, orange pepper, radishes, green onions, olives, sunflower seeds, dried fried onions (270) (4 SVG)

(2) tbsp French salad dressing (120)

(2) BBQ chicken drumsticks (220)

Total net calories: 934

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 934 = 304 under

Fruits & vegetables: 5 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 167 of 365

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

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.**

**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**. 😊

Daily Food Diary – Day 166 of 365

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

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. 💞**

Daily Food Diary – Day 165 of 365

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

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 crisp** **this 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! 😊💖

Daily Food Diary – Day 164 of 365

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

It is Day 164 of my Daily Food Diary today. 👍

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.

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! 💖😊

Daily Food Diary – Day 163 of 365

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

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. 🙄

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!

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! ☺️💕

Daily Food Diary – Day 162 of 365

June 12, 2025June 12, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 162 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary! 😊

We are at son Dan’s for a few days. Theoretically we are here to help Dan hold down the fort and keep their two sons – Lucas (10) and Cason (6), while Dan’s wife is out of town. In reality, Dan has some unexpected time off so has a handle on everything. We aren’t doing much except enjoying our visit.

Tomorrow, Dan & son Dan are spending the day at a golf tournament so I will get a chance to step up a bit.

I did get my aerobics done yesterday. We also had enough of a break from the smoke that I got outside for a bit of fresh air. 💪

**There is plenty of space (and flowers) to enjoy on the deck that wraps around much of their house. 🤗**

Daily Food Diary – Day 162

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(25) Blueberry Mini Wheats (190)

Snacks:

(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)

(1) Mott’s Clamato/vodka Caesar (168) (1 SVG)

Supper:

(5) dry garlic pork ribs (400)

(15) French fries (50)

***Potatoes do not count as a vegetable 🤦

(2) c raw vegetables (35) (4 SVG)

(1) tbsp ranch dressing (55)

Total net calories: 1194

Net calories goal: 1238 – 1194 = 44 under 👍

Total fruits & vegetables: 5

Fruits & vegetable goal: 7 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 161 of 365

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

This is Day 161 of my Daily Food Diary. That is a solid 23 WEEKS! 😃

We are now away from our home base and spending a few days with son Dan and family.

Yesterday was our travel day here so I missed doing my morning aerobics workout. I also missed out on any walking, due to heavy smoke drifting through Saskatchewan and settling here once we arrived. Son Dan spent the day putting together an amazing supper of home made baked beans and smoked ribs. Daughter in Law, Amanda, topped it off with a decadent Gin and Tonic. All in all, the results of my Daily Diary are a cautionary tale of traveling and visiting family.

Today, things are looking up. While it is still too smokey to go out for a walk, I did get my aerobic workout in and I had a workout buddy to work with.

Six year old Cason came up to do my aerobic workout with me. We finished that and he chose one of his favourite You Tube workout challenges and we did that as well. 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 161 of 365

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) tsp butter (69)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(2) eggs (160)

(1 1/2) slices Piller’s shaved ham (25)

(2) green onions (12) (1 SVG)

Lunch:

(1) A & W Teen Burger (no bun) (390) (1 SVG)

(1) Reg. Fries (310)

(1) Reg gravy (69)

Snacks:

(1) Gin & Tonic (110)

(24) oz water

Supper:

(1 ) c brown beans (600) (2 SVG)

(3) BBQ smoked pork ribs (540)

(1) c raw vegetables (35) (2 SVG)

(2) tbsp ranch dressing (155)

Total Net Calories: 2417

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 2417 = 1179 over 👎

Fruits & Vegetables: 6 servings

Fruits & Vegetables goal: 7 servings 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 160 of 365

June 9, 2025June 10, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 160 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary. 😬

Yesterday was not a banner day in the the kitchen!

I was over on calories *, processed sugar, sodium, and saturated fats. I fell short on fruits and vegetables. 😞

There was a BUT on the calories. I was over because I didn’t do my aerobic workout in the morning. BUT, I was active all day – I was just doing things that I don’t count the calories used for.

I brushed Molly, we took her for a bath, and I walked her home from the pet store (to help finish drying her).

I finished the laundry, baked Lemon Squares for Danny and cut up all three squares I made and packaged them up. I watered the garden and the flowers in the front yard. I packed. I did the dishes from breakfast, lunch, and baking and cleaned the sink, counter tops, and stove top. I tidied up the house, had a bath and did my hair.

I had a short visit with granddaughter Genie and I brushed Molly AGAIN.

**Clean, fluffy, and totally exhausted!**

Today we hit the road to go up to son Dan’s to watch the boys for a few days. It should be a few active days and a few healthy days in the kitchen! 👍

Daily Food Diary – Day 160

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) crumpets (240)

(2) tsp butter (69)

(3) tsp jam (50)

Lunch:

(1/2) c macaroni salad (258) (1/2 SVG)

(1) radish (1) (1/4 SVG)

(1/5) c red onion (1/4 SVG)

(3) slices Piller’s shaved ham (50)

Supper:

(1) Hungry Man Chicken Cutlet Dinner (520) (1 SVG)

(1) Gluten free DK chocolate and peanut butter dessert bar (110)

(1) Lemon Dessert bar (193)

Total net calories: 1472

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1472 = 234 over 👎

Fruits & Vegetables: 2 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👎

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