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! ☺️💕
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!
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.
Grandson Cason
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! 🥰🌞
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! ❤️😊
It is 159 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary.
It is also my sister Denise’s birthday! 🎂 I do not remember sharing a home with Denise. I was two years old when she married and moved on to start her own family. Her firstborn is my niece Teenie (Jeanne Christine) who became and remains a ‘little sister’ to me. I don’t see either of them as much as I would like, but they are always in my thoughts. 💞
Back to my Daily Food Diary…. Every month, I choose one aspect of my diet to focus on. This month, it is fruits and vegetables. My goal is to meet the recommendation of the Canada Food Guide and consume 7 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
Of all of the monthly challenges that I have attempted since starting my Daily Food Diary, I thought this would be the easiest. I love vegetables. I am not so fond of fruit, but since fruit used in baking counts, I was pretty sure this was doable.
I have met or surpassed my goal most days so far. But, I am having issues!
I have been eating more fruit than usual and aside from the expected digestive issues, I am struggling with lung issues. Sugar, whether natural or processed, affects the abundance of mucus that my chronic lung issues produce. With mucus the consistency of wood glue, smoke drifting through from northern forest fires, and our uncooperative weather…. I am struggling. Also, with my sensitivity to yeast, any amount of sugar is too much – again regardless if that sugar is natural or processed.
The vegetables that I have been eating should not be causing me any grief to speak of. However, many of the vegetables that I have been eating cause gas and bloating. It isn’t anything extreme, but with my unresolved epigastric hernia (as I wait for surgery), it is a painful PROBLEM.
So no, this month is not going as well as I thought it would. This week I will be pulling back, but fruits and vegetables will definitely be my focus. I am going to spend some serious time researching lower sugar fruits and less gassy vegetables. Next week, I will be back on track!
Today, Molly is our big project. We have to get her brushed out this morning and take her for another bath.
Daily Food Diary
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(1) tsp olive oil (40)
(1) tbsp milk (8)
(2) eggs (160)
(3) slices bacon (130)
(1/2) tomato (11) (1 SVG)
Snacks:
(8) oz Clamato Juice (60) (1 SVG)
(25) light salt ripple chips (270)
Supper:
(1) Lean gr. Beef Burger (243)
(1/4) c red onion (15) (1/4 SVG)
(1) tbsp horseradish (7) (1/4 SVG)
(5) lg asparagus spears (16) (1/2 SVG)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(2) Dill pickles (10) (2 SVG)
(1) c brown beans (246) (2 SVG)
(1) serving Apple crisp (133) (1)
(1) oz raspberry desert bar (133)
Total net calories: 1886
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1886 = 648 Over 👎
*** In my defense, I do not work out on Sundays, it was too windy to walk, and I had to test one of the deserts I made for son Dan & family. 🙄
Fruits & vegetables: 8 servings
Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞☺️
It is 158 Days since I began my Daily Food Diary! 🙌
It is 3 Years and 4 Months since I became more mindful and pro-active about my health in general.
As it has been with my previous efforts – exercise, stress management, sleep habits, deep breathing – my Daily Food Diary has been a positive experience. The benefits have far exceeded the effort I have put into it.
Rather than trying to improve my diet all at once, I am focussing on one diet issue each month.
In January, I noted everything I consumed each day – and for accountability purposes began posting it on my blog… That was enough to discover that I do not drink nearly enough water and that I was constantly reaching for something to snack on. I wasn’t hungry, it was not emotional eating… It was just mindless snacking. I am still working on the water but the mindless snacking is no longer an issue. And I have lost Ten Pounds since January 1st.
In February, I started counting calories – and pretty much quit eating Fast Food, which is seriously high in calories, sodium, processed sugar, and saturated fats.
In March, I trackedthe protein I was consuming. I eat a lot of high protein food. I wasn’t too concerned as I do daily workouts and protein builds muscle! 💪
In April, I tracked my processed sugar and sodium consumption. I found how even a little sugar negatively affects my lungs and that I consume way too much sodium. I am still working on both!
In May, I tracked the saturated fats I consumed. That high protein diet from March came back to bite me in the butt. I am still working on cutting back on the saturated fats and incorporating more brown beans, barley, and oatmeal into our diet to keep our arteries clear and our cholesterol levels down.
In June, my focus is on tracking and increasing the fruits and vegetables that I consume. I thought this month was going to be an easy win. It isn’t, but I will save that story for tomorrow’s blog. 🥕
Dan got our little lawn ornaments clear coated this week. The ‘Kat’ angel is tucked into her forever home in the ground cedar. The frog will find a place by the pond once we get it cleaned out and the pumps operating.
Daily Food Diary – Day 158
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(3) crumpets (240)
(2) tsp butter (69)
(1 1/2) tsp jam (75)
Snacks:
48 oz water
(1) pear (103) (1 SVG)
(1) kiwi (46) (1 SVG)
(1) oz almonds (168)
(6) mini Easter eggs (85)
*** Yes, I did give our granddaughter Genie a couple of hundred of those candy coated chocolate Easter eggs, but the bag just keeps on giving. Note to self – never buy a little bag of candy when standing in a BIG store. Size is relative. 🤦
Supper:
(2) Pork Souvlaki Kebabs (160)
(1) c white rice (242)
(1) c broccoli (60) (2 SVG)
(2) tsp butter (69)
(1) tbsp soya sauce (15)
(8) lg. Grape tomatoes (22) (1 SVG)
(1) mini cucumber (10) (1 SVG)
(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (80)
Total Net Calories: 1270
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1270 = 32 over 👎
Total Fruits & Vegetables: 6 servings
Fruits & Vegetable goal: 7 servings 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 🥰🌹
It is hard to believe that in less than 157 short days, we went from this….
Walking around Waterfall Park with Molly
To this ….
Finished planting garden! ☺️
I am super happy about getting the garden in. We have some yard maintenance left to do, but it will happen.
This year, I added more perennials to the garden… strawberries, asparagus, and rhubarb. At this point, we are looking at what will work for our future selves – what will be sustainable and maintainable.
I love spring, I love our yard, and I love working in the dirt and seeing it come to life . But realistically, it is getting harder every year and we have to deal with.
My lungs are struggling to deal with what Mother Nature is handing out – especially these days. Humid days, smokey days, dusty days… Fresh cut grass, pollen and tree seeds. If it’s not one thing, it is another.
Notice tree seeds around the base of steps and by bricks.
After I finished the garden yesterday, I tackled the tree seeds. Our neighbours on each side of us have one big beautiful tree each (elm possibly). In the spring, they shed millions (billions possibly) of seeds, which land in our yard – in every nook and cranny and creating drifts of allergenic plant life on our patios. Besides the grief they cause my lungs, every seed that finds a speck of dirt will sprout. By the time we see a sprout, it has roots a foot long – each one a battle to uproot.
Yesterday, I dragged out the shop vac and vacuumed our patios and walkways…. (I do the garden by hand).
Shop vacs are not my friend. They do not follow, they come with long extension cords to trip over. And best of all, much like campfires – no matter where I am relative to a shop vac, the exhaust is in my face. In this case, the exhaust being fine dust and tree seed bits.
The good news is I got the bulk of the little beggars. The rest will ultimately hitch a ride on our large fluffy dog and come to live in our house – on floors and furniture and bedding.
While I feel like I am about one bad day away from respiratory failure, I am doing fairly well. My blood oxygen was 96 percent this morning. By the time I clear my lungs, I will be ready to do my aerobics and get on with my day. My rainy, humid day…😁
Daily Food Diary – Day 157
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1/2) grapefruit (39) (1 SVG)
(1/2) tsp sugar (8)
Lunch:
(1/2) c egg salad (118) (1/2 SVG)
(1) c Romaine lettuce (1/2 SVG)
(18) Onion & Garlic chips (232)
(60) oz water
Supper:
(12) oz carbonated water
(4) oz barbecue lean ground beef (243)
(4) oz macaroni salad (258)
(1/2) tomato (11)
(1/2) c onions (30)
(1/2) c mushrooms (23)
(1) tbsp horseradish (7)
*** Total vegetables (1 SVG)
(1) serving Apple Crisp (227) (1 SVG)
Total net calories: 1092
Net calories goal: 1238 – 1092 = 146 under 👍
Total Fruits & Vegetables: 4 servings
Fruits & Vegetable goal: 7 servings
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ☺️💕
It is 156 Days since I began my Daily Food Diary. That is more than posting here on my blog, consistently for the past 156 days. That is 156 Days of being mindful of everything I consume and making deliberate decisions to consume or to walk away. My life is all about balance, so perfection has never been my goal, but after 156 days, my diet has improved. 🙌
Our yard is also improving. Dan finished installing the new planters he built for the front yard.
This one replaced the wood landscaping log one that had seen its best days. Dan cleaned out a LOT of lilies, trimmed a LOT of raggedy growth off of the Weeping Willow, and added a LOT of fresh dirt. This planter is just to clean up an area under our bedroom window. I love the lattice! The flowers are coming along nicely but they disappeared in the morning sun. 🙄Molly approves….
Daily Food Diary – Day 156
Breakfast:
(1) coffee (2)
(1/2) grapefruit (39) (1 SVG)
(1/2) tsp sugar (8)
(1) peanut butter/cream cheese cookie (167)
Lunch:
(1/2) c cauliflower (14) (1 SVG)
(1/2) c red pepper (23) (1 SVG)
(1) mini cucumber (30) (1 SVG)
(12) Doritos (153)
Snacks:
(36) oz water
(6) oz Clamato Juice (45) (1/2 SVG)
(12) sm. Pickled asparagus spears (45)(1/2 SVG)
Supper:
Pan Pizza:
(1) sun dried tomato tortilla wrap (200)
(15) slices pepperoni (150)
(5) slices Piller’s shaved ham (68)
(1/3) c shredded marble cheese (119)
(1/2) cup sliced mushrooms (10)
* Mushrooms do not count as vegetable 😢
(1/2) c orange pepper (23) (1 SVG)
(1/4) c red onion (1/2 SVG)
(1/4) c black olives (6) (1/2 SVG)
(1) lg. Serving of Apple Crisp (227) (1 SVG)
Net total calories: 1170
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1170 = 68 under👍
Total fruits & vegetables: 8 servings
Total fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞☺️
The sun is shining and we are looking forward to having a good day – much of it spent outdoors in our yard and garden and of course taking Molly for a walk around the neighborhood.
Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours in the garden, working up one planter, planting more tomatoes, and watering my thriving little plants. I can’t believe how quickly these plants are getting established and growing to fit their environment.
They grow up so fast!
I also can’t believe how much stronger I am than I was three years ago. Before I started living my ‘healthier and fitter lifestyle’, everything was such a struggle. Yesterday, I was lifting five gallon pails of dirt, full (full size) watering cans, and using a garden fork to dig deep into packed earth. I was amazed at what I could do – and how easily it could be done!
This watering can used to be heavy even when it was empty. 🙄
I will always have compromised lungs. The damage from asthma, bronchiectasis, and COPD doesn’t go away. But, with being active, eating well, stress management, adequate rest, fresh air, and proper healthcare, I can have a quality of life I couldn’t imagine possible three years ago.
Daily Food Diary – Day 155
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1/2) grapefruit (39) (1 SVG)
(1/2) tsp sugar (8)
Lunch:
Ham & vegetable omelet:
(2) eggs (160)
(4) sl. Pillers shaved ham (54)
(1) tsp olive oil (40)
(1/4) c red pepper (12) (.5 SVG)
(2) green onions (16) (.5 SVG)
(5) lg. asparagus spears (16) (1 SVG)
Snacks:
(48) oz water
(3/4) c sliced strawberries (40) (1 SVG)
Supper:
Chicken salad:
(3) chicken thighs (360)
(1) tsp olive oil (40)
Vegetables – (2 1/2) c lettuce, (1) mini cucumber, (5) grape tomatoes, (2) green onions, (3) radishes, (1/4) c red pepper, (1/2) c cauliflower (125) (4 SVG)
(2) tsp sunflower seeds (33)
(3) tbsp dried onions (50)
(2) tbsp French Dressing (120)
(1) serving Apple Crisp (227) (1 SVG)
Total net calories: 1053
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1053 = 185 under 👍
Total fruit & vegetable: 9 servings
Fruit & vegetable goal: 7 servings 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💖😌
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 