Category: 2025

Daily Food Diary – Day 176 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 176 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary. 🤗

In 1 week, I will have completed the first half of this challenge – to track and post my Daily Food Diary for one full year.

In 1 month, I will celebrate my 70th birthday.  I love new beginnings and noting the start of a new decade is no exception. 

I celebrated my 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th,  & 60th birthdays with high expectations that this would be my BEST decade ever!  They all had their highs and lows, but the best and the worst were my 30’s and 60’s.  Those were intense decades. 🙆

I have a really good feeling going into my 70’s.  For the past three years I have invested in my physical, mental, and emotional well being.   I know that regardless of what happens in this coming decade – for better or worse – I am as ready as I can be to embrace and appreciate the better and to manage the worst with peace, faith, and dignity.   💃💃💃

Ready as I’ll ever be! 😉

Daily Food Diary – Day 176

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2) c grapefruit (39) (1 SVG)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

(1) granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(1) c pork & vegetable fried rice (118) (1/2 SVG)

(1) PC Butterscotch Pudding Cake (153)

Snacks:

(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)

(15) raspberries (15) (1 SVG)

(48) oz water

Supper:

Taco salad:

(1) Dinner salad: lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red pepper, green onions, radishes (113) (4 SVG)

(4) oz minced turkey with taco seasoning (168)

(1/4) c shredded cheese (114)

(2) tbsp salsa ranch dressing (110)

(8) Hint of Lime chips (200)

(12) oz carbonated water

Total net calories: 1085

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1085 = 153 under 👍

Total Fruit & Vegetables: 6 1/2 servings

Fruit & vegetable goals: 7 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 175 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 175 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary.  🤗

My Daily Food Diary is part of the Health and Wellness Lifestyle that I adopted three years ago.

This week, summer has (sort of)  returned to Saskatchewan.   At least,   it is warm and DRY enough to resume our morning walks.

And Molly is ready to go!

School is winding down and the kids around here are ready for their annual summer break.  The schools are feeding into their enthusiasm by taking them on field trips to our neighbourhood park where they have basketball courts, a soccer field, a huge handicap accessible play structure, and an equally huge spray pad.

Part of the kids’ entertainment, is hiking past our front yard where Molly sits in her corner and soaks in all the attention as the kids hike by.

When we take our walk, we pass the park and Molly again becomes the centre of attention for many of the kids.   On the best days, like yesterday,  some of the kids run up to the fence to interact with her.  💞

Whether we are making memories, or trying to preserve them,  Molly takes dog walking to a new level.

Walking is only one part of the healthy active retirement lifestyle that Dan and I are working to build.   Being out in nature, together, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air,  with Molly for ongoing entertainment makes it the best part. ❤️

Daily Food Diary – Day 175

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(2) eggs (160)

(3) tbsp bacon bits (90)

(2) potato patties (240)

Snacks:

(1) pear (103) (1 SVG)

(20) lightly salted potato chips (104)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) tomato (22) (1 SVG)

(1) mini cucumber (10) (1 SVG)

(1 1/2) c white rice (363)

(2) oz pork tenderloin (91)

(1 1/2) c vegetables – red pepper, *mushrooms, cabbage, leek, gr onions, celery, carrots (80) (2 SVG)

* Mushrooms do not count as vegetables

(2) tbsp soya sauce (30)

(1) tbsp butter (103)

(2) lg vegetable spring rolls (250) (2 SVG)

(2) Gyoza (90)

(1) tbsp plum sauce (35)

Total net calories: 1589

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1589 = 351 over 👎

Fruits & vegetables: 7 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👍

Dan’s Bleeding Heart continues to THRIVE.

Daily Food Diary – Day 174 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 174 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary.  I am excited that I have gotten this far without missing a day.  I am equally excited and totally grateful for everyone who is still stopping by regularly to check on my progress and lend your support.  Thank you!  🤗💞

Yesterday, I returned to my scaled back  strength training.  Considering how hard it was for me to conquer those five pound weight exercises when I was trying to move up in weights, I was pretty impressed at how well I did.  I did two sets, of ten exercises and I was easily able to maintain control and ensure I did not stress my hernia. 

This morning, I was sitting here feeling pretty good about myself  and I heard my Mother say “I told you so!”.

My Mother, still mothering months before she passed away in 2013.

Yes, my Mother passed away twelve years ago, but she was pretty relentless – especially when it came to passing on her wisdom and advice and reminding us of both when we failed to follow either and ultimately  suffered the consequences. 

Now that I likewise try to pass on my own advice and wisdom to younger generations, I get it.  But, I digress.

When my Mother was still with us, I went through several challenging times.  Instead of the pity and outrage I wanted, my Mother would say “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger!” Being the younger generation at the time, I would think “Just kill me already.”

Now I get it.  All of those challenges that I fought, resented, and stumbled through did ultimately make me stronger.   They gave me the experience and the coping skills to handle whatever life hands me now – with faith, dignity, and respect – for my Mother and for myself. 

Today I can honestly say “You were, Mom – you were right!” 🙄

Daily Food Diary – Day 174

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) Pear (103) (1 SVG)

Lunch:

(1) serving homemade Hamburger Helper (205) (1 SVG)

Snack:

(1) PC Butterscotch Pudding Cake (153)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) Large Dinner salad – romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, green onion, cauliflower, red pepper, sunflower seeds, dried fried onions (150) (5 SVG)

(3) oz BBQ pork tenderloin (90)

(2) tbsp Vidalia Onion salad dressing (100)

(1) PC Butterscotch Pudding Cake (153)

Total net calories: 853

Net calories goal: 1238 – 853 = 385 under 👍

Fruits & vegetables: 7 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 173 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 173 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary. 

It is also 4 months since I was placed on the Waiting List for repair of my epigastric hernia.    I was told by my surgeon’s receptionist that it would probably be about  eight weeks to get a surgery date confirmed.  😐

The wait doesn’t bother me.  In the meantime, I have been working to improve my respiratory health so things will go as well as possible when I am dealing with the anesthesia.  

My hernia is generally painless.  When it does get pushed out, I can usually deal with it.  There was one painful situation that sent me to the hospital emergency room for assistance, but I have been careful since that experience so have avoided a return visit.

The only issue I do have, is that I decided to put a pause on exercising using weights until after I have my surgery.   Lifting, and holding, even seven to ten pound weights, was one thing that was almost guaranteed to bother my hernia…and it was only for a few weeks.

Obviously, the wait could be indefinite at this point and in the meantime I am losing upper body strength. 🙄

So, I have decided to (cautiously) step back to my five pound weights and restart my afternoon strength building workouts.  Wish me luck! 🤞

Daily Food Diary – Day 173

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) sl bacon (130)

(2) eggs (160)

(2) potato patties (240)

(1/2) tomato (11) (1 SVG)

Snacks:

(1) peach (58) (1 SVG)

(1/6) c dry roast peanuts (162)

(1/6) c mixed nuts (108)

(1) c licorice tea

(36) oz water

Supper:

(4) vegetable spring rolls (500) (2 SVG)

(4) shrimp nests (210) (1 SVG)

(3) riblets (49)

(2) pc’s buttermilk chicken (84)

(5) Gyoza (225)

(1) tbsp Gyoza dipping sauce (15)

(1) tbsp plum sauce (35)

(1) tbsp shrimp sauce (20)

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (80)

(1) PC Butterscotch Pudding Cake (153)

Total net calories: 2243

Net calories goal: 1238 – 2243 = 1005 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 170 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

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! 💞🌞

Daily Food Diary – Day 169 of 365

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.   😊💪

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! ☺️❤️

Daily Food Diary – Day 168 of 365

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

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.
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. 😊

Daily Food Diary – Day 166 of 365

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

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! 😊💖