Category: 2025

Daily Food Diary – Day 291 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today it is 291 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary.  💖

That is commitment people!  I have made some improvements in my diet – not GRAND improvements,  but at least I am mindful of how less than healthy my diet is.

Since I started my health and wellness journey almost four years ago, I have always kept it balanced and sustainable.  My  first year of Daily Workouts seem pretty lame now, but almost four years in I see a world of difference in how I look and feel, and my workouts are in the solid moderate range. 😋

Yesterday, I posted photos of the old and the  modern swinging bridges in Souris, Manitoba.  

Today, I wanted to send along a couple of photos of the 500 year old Mystic Oak Tree that we also visited while we were there.

It took us a couple of tries to find the path that led to the Mystic Tree, but well worth the effort.   The energy surrounding this tree does make for a mystical experience! 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 291

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Harvest Crunch Protein (270)

(1/4) c 2% milk (28)

Snacks:

(9) wine gums (158)

(1) pear (103)

(15) Lay’s Lightly Salted ripple chips (150)

Dinner:

(2) c lettuce (12)

(1/2) c green onions (20)

(1) sm can Flakes of Chicken (210)

(2) tbsp mayo (200)

(12) Doritos (153)

Total consumed calories: 1306

Total used calories: 332

(30) min walking (83)

(30) min aerobics (176)

(30) min treadmill (73)

Total net calories: 974

Net calories goal: 1229 – 974 = 255 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 290 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 290 days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary! 💐

It has been Three Years and Eight Months since I began my Health and Fitness Journey.

During the time, there have been multiple setbacks – and just as many ‘get back ups‘. There have been many days of plodding through ‘another day in the life of’ and there have been many less  days of the ‘TA DA moments‘.

Yesterday, was one of the ‘Ta Da moments’ type of day.  Yesterday, I decided to up my weights from 5 pound dumbbells to 8 pounders.   I set out for the same routine – three sets of 10 reps of 8 exercises (with dancing to some classic rock tunes before, between, and after each set).  I wasn’t sure I could do it, but… I crushed it! TA DA!

It seems like a small victory, but reminded me of other victories over the years – like a ta da moment I had when I was struggling to overcome my anxiety a few years ago…

I had been struggling with anxiety for as long as I could remember.  In fact, my very first memory was one of sheer terror as I crossed a bridge with my mother and my much less anxious sister, Lorraine.  

This is a section of the original Source Swinging Bridge – chicken wire ‘railings‘ and a total width of maybe two feet?

I was no more than two years old and Lorraine was about five.  As I clung to my mother’s leg, Lorraine ran, skipped, and bounced across this flimsy excuse of a bridge.

At some point, I decided if I could conquer this bridge, I could overcome my lifetime of anxiety.   So, on our anniversary that year, Dan took me to Souris, Manitoba to confront my demons.

Thank God, the Town of Souris had retired the bridge from  hell with this much sturdier and stabler, one. 

I made a few trips back and forth on the new bridge, and while it wasn’t the challenge I was dreading, I took it as a win!

It wasn’t a complete ‘ah ha moment’.  I still have anxious thoughts and experiences on occasion, but I do have a new appreciation for bridges.  The act of crossing a bridge excites me now  – at least as long as it is a modern, stable bridge – and I am not crossing it with sister Lorraine. 😂

Daily Food Diary – Day 290

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) plain paratha (240)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)

Snacks:

(1) pear (103)

(1/8) c mixed nuts (90)

(9) wine gums (158)

Supper:

(2 1/2) c spaghetti with meat sauce (718)

(2) Bick’s Baby Dill Pickles (10)

Total consumed calories: 1476

Total used calories: 466

(30) min walking (83)

(30) min aerobics (176)

(30) min light weights (73)

(1) hour house cleaning (135)

Total net calories: 1010

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1010 = 219 under 👍

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great day! ☺️💟

Daily Food Diary – Day 289 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 289 of my Daily Food Diary! 💝

This morning I went for a walk with Dan & Molly.  Since Dan was taking the leash, I didn’t bother switching Molly to her pinch collar.  As usual when Dan takes the leash, she was perfectly well behaved.   No trying to leap into random vehicles, no trying to chase FedEx trucks, not even a yip when she passed barking dogs.   🙄

Yesterday, Dan turned up our forced air furnace.  Since it sits idle, collecting months of dust and dog hair, turning up the furnace is a bit of an ordeal.  He covers the vents and then vacuums each vent for a full cycle before moving on to the next.  We did have ‘experts’ come in a couple of times, but honestly this works just as well in our little house and is less of a hassle (at least Molly wise).

This morning, I cleaned the filters for our air purifiers and we are ready to go.

Yesterday morning, I did my aerobics.  Last night, I did a full thirty minutes on our treadmill.  I had zero incline, but did up the speed to level five for three (three minute) rounds.   Today I am doing aerobics and thirty minutes of light weights and cardio.  I am pumped about upping the weights to eight pounders.   I know I am more than ready. 💪

Still no word on when I will be called in for my hernia surgery, but I am hoping it won’t be until after Christmas.  The surgeon wants me under general anesthesia to do it, so I want to be in the best possible shape. 

Now that the Prednisone is obviously out of my system,  and I am moving forward once again, the last thing I want is another drug induced setback.  😋

Daily Food Diary – Day 289

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(38) lightly frosted mini wheats (278)

(1/4) c 2% milk (28)

Lunch:

(3) oz turkey dark meat (175)

(15) Doritos (140)

Supper:

(1) Reuben – sourdough bun, corned beef, havarti cheese, sauerkraut, hot mustard (658)

Total consumed calories: 1282

Total used calories: 317

(30) min walking (83)

(30) min aerobics (176)

(30) min treadmill (59)

Total net calories: 965

Net calories goal: 1229 – 965 = 264 under 👍

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

My bedside bowl of stones. 😊

Daily Food Diary – Day 288 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 288 of my Daily Food Diary! 🥳

I  have a few things happening these days..

1) My food focus this month is on changing from our light summer barbecue diet to a heartier diet of winter comfort foods.   Last night, I used one of the pork tenderloins that we had bought to barbecue and serve on salad.   However, I roasted it in our small convection oven and served it with home fries, gravy, and steamed broccoli.  Very seasonal.  🙂

2) This morning, I walked Molly solo…

Molly

For the first few blocks all went well.  Molly was excellent – the image of those large mellow dogs that one sees out and about or in random photos on social media posts.

Anyway, Molly is just walking along, while I am scanning the vicinity for any potential issues. 

I catch a slight glimpse of a vehicle coming up behind us.   I glance down to Molly, just as it rolls to a stop beside us.  Molly lunges in front of me and attempts to catapult herself  through an open  window.  I am desperately holding her by her pinch collar and trying to drag her away from the vehicle.  When I finally, glance up I see daughter Jennifer and granddaughter Maddy  laughing and reaching out to her.  

I didn’t get that photo. 🤦

3)  Recently I went back to doing light weights three times a week. Since I am  waiting to have surgery to repair my epigastric hernia, I have been cautious – using only five pound weights.   Taking collagen supplements has increased my upper body strength to the point that I have  decided it was time to move back up to  eight pound weights.  Considering how long it had originally taken me to work my way up to five pounders (before collagen supplements), it seems amazing that they just aren’t doing it for me anymore. 💪😁

Daily Food Diary – Day 288

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) Eggo waffles (330)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(2) tbsp Maple syrup (104)

(2) PC bacon (87)

Snacks:

(1) c turkey broth (100)

(3/4) c Maple walnut ice cream (225)

(1) tbsp chocolate sauce (52)

(1) tbsp caramel sauce (52)

(1/8) c chopped walnuts (100)

(36) oz water

Supper:

(12) oz carbonated water

(4) oz pork tenderloin (120)

(1 1/2) cup air fried French fries (173)

(1/4) c gravy (69)

(1) c broccoli (55)

(1) tsp butter (34)

Total consumed calories: 1573

Total used calories: 332

(30) min walking (83)

(30) min aerobics (176)

(30) min light weights (73)

Total net calories: 1241

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1241 = 12 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 287 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 287 of my Daily Food Diary! 🙂

Today it is three and a half months since I started taking collagen supplements.

Throughout July and August, I noticed multiple benefits – from easing stiff achy hands, stronger longer nails, thicker stronger hair (and a virtual end to hair loss),  improved muscle strength – especially in my hands and upper body, increased stability in my joints,  and best of all increased stability in my sinuses and airways.

At the beginning of September, I saw my respirologist and,  because I was still coughing up an abundance of mucus, he put me on a round of antibiotics and Prednisone.  Neither of which have ever agreed with me – but which at times were deemed a medical necessity.

Throughout September I suffered the loss of a lot of the benefits from the collagen supplements.  It started gradually with broken nails and shedding hairs and went downhill from there. 

Sometime in this demoralizing period I ran across articles that claimed Prednisone can/does inhibit collagen synthesis.   (That makes so much sense considering my history – despite the fact that I had continued to take my collagen supplements.)

I finished this last round of Prednisone on September 13th.   Last week things finally began to turn around.  Again, I noticed the improvements first in my hands, then nails, then hair ….

This morning, I went for a walk with Dan and Molly.  Despite 100 percent humidity, I went the full distance, barely feeling the humidity until the last few blocks. 🥳💓

6 degrees Celsius – 42.8 degrees Fahrenheit

I am so so excited that this setback appears to be behind me!  Hopefully I can avoid any more setbacks (and Prednisone) going forward!  Most of all, I am excited that once again, I feel that I am capable of moving forward, stronger, and healthier! 🎈

Daily Food Diary – Day 287

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) plain paratha (240)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

Lunch:

(2) pork eggrolls (360)

(4) Gyoza (133)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1) c turkey broth (100)

Supper:

(2 1/2) c spaghetti with tomato meat sauce/peppers/onions/mushrooms/garlic (718)

Total consumed calories: 1708

Total used calories: 310

(30) min walking (83)

(30) min aerobics (176)

(15) min treadmill steep incline (52)

Total net calories: 1398

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1398  = 168 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 286 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 286 of my Daily Food Diary! 💝

Seventy Days left of  2025 and so far I haven’t missed a single day of keeping up and posting my Daily Food Diary!

No matter what, I have not missed a single day!  That is more than I can say for the rest of my daily routine. 

Having chronic health issues, there is the potential for multiple wins, if one is willing to make health a priority.  Unfortunately, there is also the risk of unavoidable setbacks.

Having been diagnosed with asthma, bronchiectasis, and COPD – weather, seasonal allergies, environmental pollution, and more can trigger flare ups.  Flare ups also make one more susceptible to infection, which is routinely treated with antibiotics and Prednisone  – both of which have detrimental effects on my health.  

In early September I went through my latest  setback complete with a round of antibiotics and prednisone.  I am finally seeing the last of these effects wearing off and feeling ready to get back on track.  👍

Last night we had a visit from our Granddaughter Genie.  Over tea – and a last minute supper of Oriental appetizers, we had a chat about investment strategies.  A topic Genie had expressed interest in recently.   We talked about everything from stocks and bonds to mutual funds – but mostly we discussed the different tax saving accounts available to keep them in.    Not  a particularly exciting topic,  but important for a young couple starting out – looking to buy their first home, start a family,  save for major expenses, and ultimately plan for  retirement.   

I’m no financial expert, but  I do have an idea of what is available, where to find more information, and who to go to for the level of advice that I cannot provide.  

Fresh from the wedding and ready to plan for the responsibilities of their life together.

The great thing about helping Genie and Alec with anything like this is knowing that they will pass anything they learn down to their younger siblings,  when the time comes. 

Daily Food Diary – Day 286

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c cinnamon oatmeal crunch Cheerios (200)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(2) c turkey broth (200)

(2 1/2) oz turkey (115)

Snacks:

(36) oz water

(1) c licorice tea

(12) oz 7up (140)

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

Dinner:

(1) egg roll (189)

(2) Gyoza (67)

(2) tempura shrimp (70)

(2) shrimp nests (52)

(1) PC Buttermilk chicken (120)

(1) tsp Gyoza sauce (5)

(1) tsp plum sauce (12)

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (50)

Total consumed calories: 1467

Total used calories: 138

(30) min walking (83)

(30) min cooking (56)

Total net calories: 1329

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1329 = 99 over 👎

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great day! 💗☺️

Daily Food Diary – Day 285 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 285 of my Daily Food Diary! 💖

Today is also our Canadian Thanksgiving. Today as always,  I am thankful that Dan & Molly & I have each other, our family & friends, our health, a roof over our heads, food for our table, a reliable vehicle, and a warm, comfortable bed.   

Yesterday, we had our first snow of the season.  (Which TBH I was not so grateful for).  🙄

After three very busy days, I took a break  to read, relax, and enjoy a quiet day with Dan and Molly.

I don’t have a lot more planned for today.  We got bundled up and took Molly for a walk earlier this morning.  The cold wasn’t too bad but the air was still thick and humid from all the rain and snow yesterday. I struggled a bit, but managed the full walk.

It will be a challenge to get back up to speed with all of my workouts this week.   I am fighting the urge to hibernate until spring returns. 🌷

Daily Food Diary – Day 285

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) potato patties (240)

(1) 2 egg Denver omelet (235)

Snacks:

(36) oz water

(15) raspberries (15)

Supper:

(12) oz carbonated water

(2) servings nachos (975)

(1) PC lemon meringue pie (303)

Total consumed calories: 1770

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1770 = 541 over 👎

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ❣️🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 284 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 284 of my Daily Food Diary! 😉

This month (October) I am focusing on how the change of season affects our diet.  So far, I have waffled between summer barbecue, to hearty soups or stews, to light salads, to a full blown Thanksgiving supper.

Today, It is cold and WET!  I am not sure there is a meal that is geared to deal with that.  We had Denver omelets for breakfast.  I am thinking something ‘Light Comfort’ for supper. Whatever that is?

Before the rain started coming down last night, Dan and I did a lot of yard and garden cleanup.  Dan worked at packing  away the patio furniture and gazebo coverings.  I picked the last of the tomatoes and peppers and pulled out the plants. 

A number of the tomato plants had oddly stunted root systems, but deeply rooted or not, I got all of them pulled out and into the green bin.  I am truly impressed with the strength I have!

Out front, the leaves are finally falling but the grass is only getting greener as the rain continues to fall. 🙄

Daily Food Diary – Day 284

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) Plain paratha (240)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)

Lunch:

(2) c turkey broth (200)

(6) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (150)

(36) oz water

Supper:

(12) oz carbonated water

(8) oz dark turkey meat (320)

(1) cabbage roll (117)

(10) asparagus spears (33)

Total consumed calories: 1217

Total used calories: 627

(47) min walking (100)

(30) min aerobics (176)

(2) hours yard/garden cleanup (351)

Total net calories: 627

Net calories goal: 1229 – 627 = 640 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 283 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 283 of my Daily Food Diary and for the third day in a row it is a BUSY one.

On Thursday we hosted our family Thanksgiving Supper and yesterday I helped daughter Jennifer with some serious fall cleaning. 

I am particularly proud of the job I did on her microwave!

There are some cleaning jobs that are so notable.  Cleaning any bathroom leaves one with a major sense of accomplishment.  Defrosting and organizing a freezer does likewise. Microwaves also likewise! With a bit of soap and water and a little elbow grease,  a microwave goes from total cringe to bright and sparkling in a few minutes.  It is quite magical!

Today, Dan and I are clearing out our  garden, putting away the patio furniture, and taking down the gazebo curtains and roof materials.  It is sad work indeed, but tomorrow we are expecting heavy rains and winter will not be far behind. 

The way the weeks and months are flying by, it will be spring before we know it and we will be reversing the process.  😊

You know what is really weird? I have been diagnosed with  multiple  chronic lung conditions – asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis.  If I sit or lay around for three days, I feel terrible.  If I keep super active, and work my butt off, I feel GREAT! 

I am feeling strong, healthy, and my lungs are clear!  It is amazing! Weird but amazing. 🙄

Daily Food Diary – Day 283

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c cinnamon oatmeal cheerios (200)

(1/4)c 2% milk

Lunch:

(12) oz 7up (140)

(1) Turkey neck (150)

Supper:

(24) oz water

(12) oz carbonated water

(1) Double Arby’s roast beef (no bun) (200)

(1) Medium crinkle cut fries (530)

(2) cheese sticks (220)

(1) gravy (35)

Total consumed calories: 1525

Total used calories: 614

(47) min walking (99)

(3) hours cleaning (404)

(1) hour food prep & cooking – making turkey broth, and packaging cabbage rolls for the freezer (111)

Total net calories: 911

Net calories goal: 1229 – 911 = 319 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 282 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 282 of my Daily Food Diary! 💝

Today is the day after we celebrated our family’s Thanksgiving (which is actually in a few days).

Being retired for five years now, I have gotten pretty comfortable with our quiet little life – generally Dan, our dog Molly, and I.  

Putting together a complete turkey supper for ten people, has become a tad outside my comfort zone – especially with the glitches and such that come with such an endeavour. 

As usual, people stepped up to help bring it all together.  The newlyweds (Genie and Alec) did MORE than their part –  making the salad and then doing the endless dishes and pots and pans after supper. Alec’s Mom, rolled up her sleeves and carved the turkey which Dan and I both appreciated!

Since our house was in order by the end of the evening, I spent this morning over at daughter Jennifer’s  – helping her to get their house tidied up before she heads back to work for the weekend.  🙂

This afternoon, I have kept busy making turkey broth and packaging cabbage rolls for the freezer.

Daily Food Diary Day 282

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(26) lightly frosted shreddies (200)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(1) c beef stew (184)

(24) oz water

Supper:

(3) oz dark turkey (175)

(1) c mashed potatoes (237)

(10) asparagus spears (33)

(3/4) c corn (105)

(1) Yorkshire pudding (100)

(1/2) c gravy (40)

(1) sour cabbage w/pork and rice roll (197)

(1) PC lemon meringue pie (303)

(3) oz red wine (75)

Total consumed calories: 1679

Total used calories: 608

(5) hours food prep/cooking (555)

(30) min walking (53)

Total net calories: 1071

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1071 = 158 under 👍

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great day! 💕☺️