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! 😊❤️
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! 💞😊
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 DaySleepoverfor yourprofile 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.
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! ❤️😊
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! 😊❤️
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! ☺️💕
It is 231 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary. That is a full 33 weeks! 🤗🎈
Our weather has been warmer than usual the past couple of days so we have been taking Molly for her walk earlier.
Yesterday morning when we got back, I offered to make Denvers for Dan and I. I cracked the first couple of eggs and they were typical. I took the next two out of a new carton. Both of them cracked lengthwise.
This happened a few weeks ago. We bought two or three cartons of eggs and all (or most) of the eggs cracked lengthwise. 😯
I checked with Google and read that I was holding the egg wrong. Seriously – I have been cracking eggs for over six decades. I think I know how to hold an egg. Besides which, even when Dan would crack the eggs in these cartons, they would crack lengthwise.
Why? The eggs are perfectly fine. The shells just break weird.
Daily Food Diary – Day 231
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) eggs (160)
(1) oz ham (29)
(2) Green onions (16)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(1) tsp olive oil (40)
Lunch:
(3) crumpets (240)
(2) tsp butter (68)
(1) tbsp jam (50)
Snacks:
(60) oz water
(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)
Supper:
(1) Lean ground beef patty (293)
(12) barbecue chips (130)
(4) oz potato salad (154)
(1) c raw vegetables – red tomatoes & radishes, green onions, white cauliflower (90)
(2) tsp Dilly Dip (100)
Total net calories: 1244
Net calories goal: 1222 – 1244 = 22 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😊❣️
Today is also August 19th and for the second time this summer we have our air conditioner turned on!
This summer has been less than sunny and warm. Even on the warmest days (both of them) the temperatures at night dip to low single digits Celsius. Zero is freezing. 🙄
There are two relatively nice things about this summer.
(1) There have been fewer smoke days from the northern wildfires. The fire season has been terrible up north, but the smoke hasn’t been too bad here.
(2) There have been fewer bugs this year than usual. Less annoying, but the ones we have seem to be getting meaner.
Our new pet – the Striped Garden Spider. Relatively harmless with a sting comparableto a bumblebee. I have stepped on a bumble bee. I would NOTconsider it’s sting to be harmless. 😧
I remember that day… I was getting ready for our big move from North Battleford, Sk. to the metropolis of Spruce Lake, Sk. (Population 50 once we moved in).
As usual when these transfers came up, my ex was off to training for his new position. I was left to get everything ready for the U-Haul, our house ready for the new tenants, while taking care of the kiddos. Mark was 4 years old, it was Danny’s second birthday, and Jen was 7 months old. I had dismantled the beds, cribs, etc… I had an unhappy two year old hanging off one leg, a shrieking baby, and a four year old doing Lord knows what. The U-Haul depot manager called to cancel our truck because back in those days they didn’t rent trucks to women. Not like I would be driving – which I explained when I made the arrangements.
I decided I needed a nice cup of tea to settle my nerves before getting back to wiping out cupboards and cleaning the kitchen sink/stove/fridge. I made my tea and set it beside the teacup full of Lime Away – and proceeded to take a good swing out of the wrong cup.
Having a two and a four year old, I knew the drill. I poured myself a glass of milk and chugged it down. I don’t drink milk. I haven’t drank milk since EVER. It comes up faster than it goes down. But I knew I had to keep it down, so I battled through the nausea and got back to work.
I strode across the kitchen, more determined (and nauseated) than ever and stepped on a frigging bumble bee. The searing pain was bad enough, but the baseball sized lump on the bottom of my foot was the last straw.
At this point, my father-in-law stopped by to wish Danny a Happy Birthday. 🎈 My father-in-law was seldom my hero, but he came through that day. He scraped us all together and took us to McDonald’s for lunch.
That gave me the time to pull myself together and for the swelling on the bottom of my foot to go down. When he dropped us back off at our house, my ex’s boss called to see how everything was going. That second act of kindness in one day was one too many for me. I told him exactly how everything was going – including my dealings with the U-Haul manager.
That was too much for him. He told me he would deal with it. Within minutes, he called me back to tell me the truck was ready for my ex to pick up when he got back.
Just one of several moves we made back in the day, but I am pretty sure it was our worst.
Although… There was the bowl of chocolate pudding that got packed in the box of linens when we moved to La Ronge… Who does that? And that was the one move we made with professional packers/movers.
Today is Day 229 since I started keeping and posting my Daily Food Diary. 🤗🥳
When I started my Daily Food Diary, I had a few reasons for committing to this practice. My main reason was to become more mindful of what I was eating, to hopefully zero in on which foods were detrimental or beneficial to my health and wellness – and to adjust my diet accordingly.
I started posting my Daily Food Diet to help me to be accountable for maintaining this practice for an entire YEAR.
So far, I am finding that the benefits that I have enjoyed from this practice have been totally worth any effort that I have put into it.
By becoming mindful of what I consume, I have cut back on the sugar, salt, and between meal snacks that I was accustomed to. I have become aware of how many calories can be packed into processed foods and fast-food takeout. I have even learned the difference that supplements can make in my health and wellness – specifically (for me) collagen supplements.
I have learned that a Daily Food Diary can be a powerful tool. But apparently, like all tools it can be dangerous if it is used incorrectly or for the wrong purpose.
Yesterday, I was browsing social media and I came across a video that mentions the dangers of using a Daily Food Diary. The video itself was a bit much (for me) politically and socially.
But, the poster did make a good point about becoming overly obsessed over every calorie one consumes, in a bid to reach an unhealthy and unrealistic weight/body image.
I think it is something to definitely be mindful of before starting a Daily Food Diary – especially if one’s main goal going in is weight loss.
The point of using any weight loss tool, should be to enhance one’s health and wellness. If any weight loss tool is failing to do just that, it needs to be set aside or at least adjusted to meet one’s needs.
If you do decide to start your own Daily Food Diary, just be aware of the potential benefits and possible dangers. 💞
Daily Food Diary – Day 229
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) scrambled eggs (182)
(3) slices bacon (130)
(2) potato patties (240)
Snacks:
(1) Mott’s caesar –red w/pickled asparagus – green (120)
Yesterday marked one full month since our granddaughter Genie married her ‘To Infinity’ Alec. 💞
This week when Alec and Genie delivered our ‘new to us’ treadmill, we finally convinced them to send us some more wedding photos.
Dan & I with the happiest young couple! 😊Prim looking so pretty (as always). Acting as official flower girl, Prim took her duties seriously. With help from the mother of the bride & flower girl (our daughter Jen), Prim helped to choose, arrange, and distributeall of the flowers – including the bride’s bouquet.
Back story of theflowers… the basic blossoms were store bought (and included red carnations and pink rosebuds in memory of Genie’s great grandparents). They were also filled out with wildflowers that Jen and Prim picked for the day – in honor of another day from Genie’s youth.
When all of Jen’s kids were young, we used to take them to visit my Mother in the Foyer in Gravelbourg. We always brought Mom something, most often flowers. On one visit, I forgot to get anything, but as we turned onto the highway to Gravelbourg, the ditch alongside the road was filled with wild flowers. Jen and I decided we would pick a bouquet of wildflowers for Mom. 👍
After telling ALL of the kids to stay in the car, we made our way down into the ditch. We heard the car door open and close. And looked back to see Genie rolling into the ditch behind us.
There was no turning her back, so we just watched over her while she picked an armload of wildflowers for greatgrandma.
My mother loved the bouquet and we never let Genie forget the story. 😂
I am taking things easier this weekend. Yesterday, I went for Molly’s walk. I did a bit of housework (nothing too heroic). I did my aerobics. And… I did 21 minutes on the treadmill – getting up to a Level 4 (of 16). No incline yet, but today could be the day.
Daily Food Diary – Day 228
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1/2) pink grapefruit (39)
(1/2) tsp sugar (8)
(1) granola bar (170)
Snacks:
(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)
(12) Mini Easter Eggs (the LAST) of the mini Easter eggs: (190)
(60) oz water
Supper:
(1) sourdough bun (190)
(2) tsp butter (68)
(1) Beef/pork burger with bacon bits, provalone cheese, onions – white, tomato – red, lettuce – green , & horseradish – white (256)
(12) barbecue chips (130)
(5) slices cucumber – green (4)
(5) slices tomato – red (13)
Total net calories: 965
Net calories goal: 1222 – 965 = 256 under 👍
That’s it for today! Take care and have a great day! 💓🤗
Grandpa escorting his girl to the altar, while she clutched her, special as she is, bouquet.
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 