Category: 2025

Daily Food Diary – Day 260 of 365

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

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

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

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.

Collagen supplements from Amazon.

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

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

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! 😊💕

A younger Genie at Wascana Park

Daily Food Diary – Day 254 of 365

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

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. 🤗

On my feet and ready to go!

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 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! 😊❤️