Category: Health and Fitness

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! 💕☺️

Daily Food Diary – Day 281 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 281 of my Daily Food Diary! 🥳

Monday (October 13th) is our Canadian Thanksgiving.  Being the overachievers that we are, we are celebrating today! (Ok, some of us work this weekend so this just works better for our family.)  🙄

Dan and I started the day off early this morning with a walk for Molly.  I stopped enroute at Dollarama for a few things  that I needed.  Dan has already been back there plus he has made a trip to Superstore because I forgot we would need asparagus and corn yesterday when he did the last minute shopping. 🤦

I have the lemon meringue and pumpkin pies made, the turkey is stuffed and cooking, the ham is cooked and sliced, and Dan is in the process of making cabbage rolls.

Not picture perfect – but made with love! (Which is the most important ingredient)

I still have lots of food prep and setting up to go, plus my aerobics and treadmill – so best get back to work! 😊

Daily Food Diary – Day 281

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1 3/4) c Cheerios (249)

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

Lunch:

(2) potato patties (240)

(1) tomato (22)

(3) slices back bacon (52)

Snacks:

(1) c hot lemon water

(1/2) c beef broth (16)

Supper:

(4 1/2) oz baked ham (163)

(1 1/2) c potato au gratin (300)

(3/4) c corn (105)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) side salad (253)

Total consumed calories: 1465

Total used calories: 302

(30) min walking (53)

(30) min aerobics (176)

(30) min light weights (73)

Total net calories: 1163

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1163 = 66 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 280 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 280 of my Daily Food Diary! 🤩

I am running later than ever this morning, but feeling much better than yesterday. 

I started my day by taking  Molly for her walk solo.  While some of our garden plants took a hit from the frost earlier this week, it is amazing how green the grass and trees are around here. 

Molly and I walked around  the baseball diamonds across the street, before heading onto our regular route.  The entire park was as fresh and green as it was in June.  That is not at all typical for October in Saskatchewan!  But I will take it as long as it lasts.

The rest of my day will revolve around cooking our ham and baking pies for our Thanksgiving supper tomorrow. 

Some of the leaves are changing color on our street – but they are still on the trees.  Our lawn is looking better than it has all summer. 🙂

Daily Food Diary – Day 280

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) cinnamon eggos (330)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(2) tbsp Maple Syrup (104)

(2) slices bacon (87)

Lunch:

(1) c beef broth (31)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

Supper:

(3) c Beef Stew (552)

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

(2) tbsp caramel sauce (105)

(1/8) c chopped walnuts (96)

Total consumed calories: 1782

Total used calories: 287

(30) min walking (53)

(30) min aerobics (176)

(30) min treadmill (59)

Total net calories: 1495

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1495 = 265 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 279 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 279 of my Daily Food Diary! 😍

This morning Dan and I started the day with a walk for Molly.  It was the roughest one I have had for a while – and sadly the result of my own doing.

Last night, while the stew was cooking I decided that Happy Hour was in order.  For some reason, a Rye (whiskey) and Pepsi sounded good.  Finishing off the can of Pepsi after that seemed even better. 🤦

While the yeast used  in fermenting any alcohol is a problem for me, the sugar in any soda mix is a much bigger one.  Pepsi contains 41 grams of sugar in one 355ml can.  That is huge.  Too much for anyone and way too much for anyone with bronchiectasis.

So this morning while I was trying to keep up to Dan and Molly (while they deliberately took it slow for my sake), I struggled.  Trying to do anything when one is fighting to breathe through an abundance of  thick sticky mucus is never easy. 

I don’t remember when I last had a Rye and Pepsi, but I won’t be having another one any time soon.

Fortunately, having had a hot lemon water since I got back home, I am now feeling much better. 

Today is an aerobics and treadmill day. By the time I complete those, I will be back on track.  This afternoon I plan to get some housework done in preparation for our Thanksgiving  supper on Thursday. 

While Molly prepares in her own way.

Daily Food Diary – Day 279

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(1) Chicken burger (no bun) (120)

(1) sl provalone (70)

(1) tomato (22)

(25) barbecue chips (130)

Snacks:

(36) oz water

(1) Rye & Pepsi (125)

(6) oz Pepsi (75)

Supper:

(4) c Beef, gnocchi, & vegetable stew (736)

Total consumed calories: 1455

Total used calories: 360

(40) min aerobics (234)

(30) min light weights (73)

(30) min walk (53)

Total net calories: 1095

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1095 = 135 under 👎

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

Husband Dan got up before me this morning to catch this amazing sunrise. 💞🤗