Category: Health and Fitness

Daily Food Diary – Day 204 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 204 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary.

While I am counting the calories that I consume each day, losing weight is not my sole or main  goal. 

I am doing this in an attempt to eat better, not necessarily less.  I have cut some foods out of my diet, added others, and tweaked a few.    This week, I had a craving for chocolate chip cookies.   Switching out the normally  processed white flour for almond flour, using dark chocolate chips and adding chopped walnuts all helped to make them a bit more nutritious – and didn’t hurt the taste any.

Other than baking (way too many) nutritionally improved  cookies,  my week hasn’t been going too bad – but it is definitely not one of my best.

Our weather has been cool, our  HUMIDITY  high, and we have poor air quality due to smoke from northern wildfires.   The humidity does nothing for my respiratory system and the smoke (which I am allergic to) destroys it. 

I have been managing… Taking my meds, clearing my lungs and sinuses,  doing my aerobics and weight & cardio exercises, watching my diet, keeping active, managing my stress … and avoiding outside air (as much as possible). 

But my lungs are struggling and I am booked for my annual pulmonary function test tomorrow.   I cannot see this going  well.

Am I the only one who is mortified at the thought of  failing a health test?   🤦

Daily Food Diary – Day 204

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2) grapefruit (39)

(1/2) tsp. Sugar (8)

(2) crumpets (160)

(2) tsp butter (34)

(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)

Lunch:

(1/2) c potato salad (236)

(1/4) c radishes (5)

(1/4) c green onions (10)

(1 1/2) oz Piller’s Ham (43)

(5) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (125)

(2) Almond flour chocolate chip cookies (100)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1 1/2) servings nachos – tortilla chips, ground turkey, red pepper, green onion, hot pepper, black olives, shredded marble cheese, salsa (657)

Total net calories: 1188

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1188 = 40 under 👍

* Highlighted items contain significant collagen or significant contribute to the production of collagen

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 203 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 203 of my Daily Food Diary.  💖🤗

That is a full 29 weeks since I became mindful of my daily diet.   The real story is what does not appear in my diary – everything I reach for, then walk away from  or  each time I pivot and  go with a healthier choice,  rather than my first choice.

I have done temporary Food Diaries in the past (for medical reasons) and I found them to be an  annoying inconvenience – and not particularly useful to anyone.  For two or three days, I could easily deprive myself of anything that might seem questionable to a doctor or nutritionist.  Which of course would  defeat the purpose…

Now,  I  appreciate having this constant nudge to eat mindfully and (relatively)  responsibly.   

It is  bizarre how seldom it is that we seriously consider what we consume.  In that regard, I think we are far more aware of how we nourish our pets and our plants than our own bodies. (Maybe it’s just me.  😔)

This is a supermarket orchid that Dan bought me.   The instruction card said it should bloom once a year.  I have replanted it in a specific orchid potting mix, I water it sparingly, and I feed it a mixture of ground eggshells and dried banana peels.  It has been blooming for three years.  Every  set of blossoms get bigger, last longer, and are replaced by a new set as soon as they fall. 

In retrospect, it seems beyond bizarre that I have been more conscientious about nurturing a  plant than my own body.   (Even if it is a cool plant. 🤔)

Daily Food Diary – Day 203

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2) Grapefruit (39)

(1 1/2) c sugar (24)

(1) c Shreddies (200)

Lunch:

(2) oz Rotisserie chicken (100)

(8) Lay’s BBQ potato chips (75)

Snacks:

(1) Coffee Crisp Ice Cream cone (280)

(1) Almond flour/dark chocolate chip cookie (50)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) Chef Salad – lettuce, green onions, radishes, cucumber, tomato, olives, ham, boiled eggs, shredded cheese, sunflower seeds, dried fried onions, Black Peppercorn Ranch salad dressing (500)

(12) oz carbonated water

(1) Almond flour/dark chocolate chip cookie (50)

Total net calories:  1146

Net calorie goal:  1229 – 1146 = 83 under

* Highlighted items contain significant collagen or significant contribute to the production of collagen

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 202 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 202 of my Daily Food Diary.  202 Days without a single miss! 🙌

There is nothing earth shaking happening in my life today, but a few things of note…

First… Molly and I had another win yesterday!  Dan was golfing and we had a repairman come to check out our water heater.   When I saw him pull up in his van, I called Molly and put on her leash so I could ensure control while he was here.  She’s never been aggressive – but she is big and she can show attitude.

No attitude yesterday.. Molly sat beside me quiet and well mannered! 👍

Second… Yesterday, despite humidity of  100%  I had a Molly walk, did my morning aerobics, did weights and cardio and met my Net Calorie Goal.   Today we got up to a Smoke Risk of 11 (Very Bad) and humidity of 94%.  The smoke risk has dropped to a 7, which is still too high for my lungs to handle especially with the humidity.  No walk today. 😢

Third… It has been 18 days since I started taking collagen supplements.  My hands are definitely less crampy and painful than they have been for decades.  I don’t know what other benefits I may see in the months to come, but I do know that when it comes to supplements, vitamins, and medications – they don’t work unless I do.  So, I am doing the best I can to get the most I can out of these collagen supplements – weather permitting.

Daily Food Diary – Day 202

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) tortilla wrap (170)

(2) eggs (160)

    (1) tsp olive oil (40)

    (1/4) c shredded marble cheese (114)

    (2) oz. Piller’s shaved ham (57)

    (2) green onions (16)

    Snacks:

    (1) Pear (103)

    Supper:

    (6) oz water rotisserie chicken DK meat (300)

    (2/3) c potato salad (358)

    (15) BBQ potato chips (103)

    Total net calories: 1179

    Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1179 = 49 under 👍

    * Highlighted items contain significant collagen or significant contribute to the production of collagen

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

    Daily Food Diary – Day 201 of 365

    by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

    It is 201 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary.   It is two years since I eliminated yeast from diet and started taking a serious look at improving my diet in general.    And, it is three and a half years since I started living a healthier and more active lifestyle.

    One would think, I would have it all down to a science by now, but looking at my Food Diary entry from yesterday – obviously NOT.

    What is truly ironic, is that yesterday I was  messaging  back and forth with my sister Lorraine and we were discussing our health issues, our eating habits, and our frustration with North American attitudes towards diet in general.  Every day is a celebration  – and every celebration needs an overindulgence of poor food choices and alcohol fueled fun. (At least I dodged the alcohol fueled fun. 🙂) 

    Fortunately, another Monday has come around and it is a new opportunity to dial back on the calories and amp up on the exercise.  I’ve been one of the 35% of Canadians living with obesity, and I am not going back there!

    We  started our Monday with a walk with Molly.   Dan and I both struggled  with the  100% humidity – as well as with trying to keep  Molly out of the burr laden weeds along one stretch of roadway. 

    We  managed to walk a respectable distance – and brought Molly home ready for a nice quiet nap. 👍

    Being Monday, I still have my aerobics to do this morning, weights this afternoon, and chicken salad is on the menu for supper. 😊

    Daily Food Diary – Day 201

    Breakfast:

    (1) c coffee (2)

    (2) potato Patties (240)

    (2) eggs (160)

    (1/4) c shredded marble cheese (114)

    (5) asparagus spears (16)

    (1) tsp butter (34)

    (3) slices bacon (130)

    Snacks:

    (25) No Name Barbecue Chips (270)

    (48) oz water

    Supper:

    (7) oz New York Strip Steak (546)

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

    (1/2) c red pepper (23)

    (1/4) c red onion (15)

    (1/2) c celery (8)

    (1/2) c mushrooms (22)

    (2) tsp butter (69)

    (2) tbsp soya sauce (30)

    (1) c broccoli (30)

    (1/2) c cauliflower (14)

    Total net calories: 2086

    Net calories goal: 1229 – 2086 = 857 over 👎

    * Highlighted items contain significant collagen or significant contribute to the production of collagen

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

    Daily Food Diary – Day 200

    by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

    It is 200 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary! 🎈 It is also Sunday and another wet,  chilly  Saskatchewan summer day.

    Our garden is struggling this year.  We have not had enough warmth or sunshine.  AND   we  have a forty foot Blue Spruce tree that has taken over our side yard and blocks out any sunlight that our garden used to get.  AND some of our tomato plants have developed a fungal issue that makes their leaves dry out and turn rusty.   I have been picking off the affected leaves and spraying the tomato plants with a fungicide (which washes off an hour later during our next rainy spell).

    Dan went out to check things over this morning and came back  to say that one little tomato plant should be pulled out because “it is too small and will never amount to anything and it will only spread this rust fungus  to the other tomato plants” .

    I  get it.  It’s a sick little tomato plant that is unlikely to produce fruit and will more than likely spread this fungus thing.   I did go out and picked off the worst leaves. (Now it is more of a tomato stick than a plant.)

    But, saying “It is too small and will never amount to anything” was triggering.    Being the youngest of six siblings, I heard it. Being the most non-athletic kid in a town that was all about athletes, I heard it.  Leaving a miserable seventeen year  dysfunctional marriage, I heard it.   “YOU can’t take care of yourself and THREE teenagers! What will become of you?”  “I will THRIVE!” 

    And that is  exactly what I did. 💪

    I survived, I thrived, and I have celebrated many successes since.  Family wise, career wise (in a male dominated industry),  dealing with serious health issues.   I have thrived and I have amounted to ANYTHING! (Anything I want to be!)

    I know this  is just a sickly, contagious,  little tomato plant but it is going to thrive or die trying.  

    I have too much of my own baggage invested in that little tomato plant  to give up on it.   🙄

    Daily Food Diary – Day 200

    Breakfast:

    (1) c coffee (2)

    (1) Granola bar w/ nuts & dark chocolate (160)

    Snacks:

    (1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

    (1) c caramel corn (133)

    (48) oz water

    Supper:

    (4) oz Rotisserie chicken – dark meat w/skin (200)

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

    (10) Asparagus spears  (33)

    (1 1/2) tsp butter (51)

    (2) tbsp soya sauce (30)

    (1) small salad – lettuce, cucumber, green onions, tomato, sesame seeds, fried dried onions, French Salad Dressing (216)

    (12) oz carbonated water

    Total net calories: 1114

    Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1114 = 115 under

    * Highlighted items contain significant collagen or significant contribute to the production of collagen

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

    Daily Food Diary – Day 199  of 365

    by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

    It is Day 199 of my Daily Food Diary and it is 1 week until I turn seventy!

    This morning,  Dan was scheduled to pick up  granddaughter  Maddy and drop her off at work.  Since he would be at the southern end of the city, he offered to take me out to Dutch Growers.

    Dutch Growers, one of our city greenhouse/landscaping businesses was large when it was in the city.  Now that it has moved to a more rural location, it is massive.

    They sell everything Yard and Garden, plus clothing, accessories, jewellery, house plants and home decor.   They have a large four season building that leads to several large enclosed greenhouses.  

    I was looking for a specific plant spray (which they do not carry).   But, I had my eyes open for something that I would appreciate for my seventieth birthday present.  I could probably have spent a few thousand dollars on waterfalls, planters,  and fairy statues, but I managed to resist such temptations.

    I do have a sizable elephant that I picked up there years ago.

    I did walk out  with a serious case of lung congestion.  We were not halfway home before Dan asked me if the humidity in the greenhouses had bothered me. 🤦

    Seriously, I have asthma, bronchiectasis, and COPD – and I was so enthralled by all of the huge plants, decor, and miscellaneous goods that I hadn’t even noticed.  (Although, I certainly should have known going in).

    It is great that between my daily workouts, my medications, and my general attention to diet, I can forget about my chronic respiratory issues.   But on occasion,  that does come  back to bite me on the butt!

    Daily Food Diary – Day 199

    Breakfast:

    (1) c coffee (2)

    (1) granola nut bar (160)

    Lunch:

    (2) c romaine lettuce (15)

    (2) green onions (16)

    (3) oz canned chicken (150)

    (1) tbsp Dilly Dip  (80)

    (25) No Name barbecue potato chips (270)

    (6) candy coated mini Easter Eggs (130)

    * I swear, the bag is ALMOST empty

    (48) oz water

    Supper:

    (2) c chilli with meat & beans (452)

    (1) plain paratha (240)

    (3/4) c ice cream (180)

    (1) tbsp dark chocolate sauce (52)

    (1) tbsp caramel sauce (130)

    (9) pecans (59)

    Total net calories: 1574

    Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1574 = 346 over 👎

    * Highlighted items contain significant collagen or significant contribute to the production of collagen

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

    My garden meditation zone (pre Molly)

    Daily Food Diary – Day 198 of 365

    by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

    It is 198 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary!

    It is 3 and almost one-half years since I started living a lifestyle focused on my  Health and Fitness.

    The quality of my life has improved exponentially in this time.  One thing that I have been particularly grateful for is a marked decrease in my anxiety – something I have struggled with throughout my entire life.

    That being said, in the past few months my anxiety level has been creeping back up there.  I have several coping strategies but sometimes they just don’t want to work!

    This morning I took Molly on a walk around the neighborhood, by myself.  It was hardly the first time.  But,  I have been walking her alone – knowing Dan was at home and available if anything went sideways.   This morning, Dan was not home.   It was truly Molly and I – no backup, if required.  

    I’ll be good!

    I got about two feet out our gate and down the sidewalk before my anxiety went through the roof.   There was no way, I was turning back  or taking any shortcuts.  

    We finished our route with no major incidents and I felt fine as soon as we got back in the yard.    I will take that as a win,  and hopefully it will ramp up my confidence enough that it will make our next solo trek that much easier.

    I am so over this anxiety stuff!  It serves zero purpose and just makes life so  difficult.  

    Daily Food Diary – Day 198 of 365

    Breakfast:

    (1) c coffee (2)

    (1) c Shreddies (200)

    (1/4) c  2% milk (28)

    (1) tsp sugar (16)

    Snacks:

    (1) pear (103)

    (1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

    (5) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (125)

    Supper:

    Pan Pizza:

    (1) Tortilla wrap (200)

    (2) tbsp pizza sauce (17)

    (3) oz sliced ham (86)

    (15) slices pepperoni (150)

    (1/4)  c red onion (15)

    (1/2) c mushrooms (22)

    (1/2) c red pepper (23)

    (1/4) c shredded marble cheese (120)

    (1) pc chocolate cake (472)

    Total net calories:  1505

    Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1505 = 276 over

    * Highlighted items contain significant collagen or significant contribute to the production of collagen

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

    Daily Food Diary – Day 197 of 365

    by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

    Today I am celebrating posting Day 197 of my Daily Food Diary. 👍

    But yesterday, we were celebrating Alec & our granddaughter Genevieve becoming Mr. & Mrs. Alec Morrow.

    I do not possess the words to do their day justice but it was the perfect execution of the vision they had for their fairytale wedding. 

    With only their closest family and friends gathered in a modest venue at a local restaurant, everything was a reflection of the happy couple.  Without imposing on anyone,  they made everyone a willing participant  in their celebration – friends and family alike with – with none moreso than  Grandpa Dan,  who proudly escorted the fairy princess down the aisle. 

    The wedding ceremony itself was incredible.   The genuine love, joy, and excitement of the happy couple, and those of us honored to share in it,  was nothing short of magical.

    The happy couple 💞 (Despite being as young as they look, Genie and Alec have been the HAPPIEST of couples for EIGHT years)

    Mr. & Mrs. Alec Morrow / Genie with her sisters Maddy, Prim, and (her now official)  sister Rebecca /  Genie’s mother Jennifer with fiance Tanner

    Yesterday, our precious granddaughter and her kind, considerate, and caring young husband did more than share their  wedding day with us.  They shared their love with all of us.  And they reminded us (as they always do)  that in the best of times, and in the worst of times, there will always be  ‘Angels Among Us’. 💞

    Daily Food Diary – Day 197

    Breakfast:

    (1) c coffee (2)

    (2) eggs (160)

    (2) oz.  ham (57)

    (2) green onions (16)

    (1) tsp butter (34)

    (1) tsp olive (40)

    (48) oz water

    Supper:

    (1) Taco Salad (520)

    (1) Dark chocolate cake (472)

    Total net calories: 1298

    Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1298 = 70 over 👎

    * Highlighted items contain significant collagen or significant contribute to the production of collagen

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

    Daily Food Diary – Day 196 of 365

    by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

    It is 196 Days since I began my Daily Food Diary.  That is a full 28 WEEKS without one miss!

    My biggest (Food Diary) news from yesterday is that  I finally drank that Root Beer yesterday.  I’m pretty sure that was my second soda since I started this challenge back on January 1st.  (Not counting a couple of Tonic Waters used as mix with Gin).

    Anyway, I did have a root beer yesterday and did so quite deliberately.  Any amount of sugar isn’t good for me as it thickens the mucus in my lungs and makes it difficult to cough to clear them.  However, this afternoon we are having a family event so no coughing would be a good thing.  It wasn’t a moment of weakness – just a natural cough suppressant for one day. 😊

    This morning, Dan and I walked Molly – together. No smoke, no golf!  👍 We stopped at the storm channel to check out Momma Duck just sitting on a rock.   Her ducklings are probably at an age to get into all kinds of trouble and make all kinds of noise while doing so.   I think Momma just needed some alone time.

    We had enough of a walk that Molly needed a rest when we got home.  Or maybe she is just exhausted from producing hair.   I cannot  imagine why she is not bald.  I spend half my time sweeping up and dusting away dog hair – and we have already brushed her twice this week.  (Filling the garbage can with hair and destroying the porch carpet in the process! 😯)

    Daily Food Diary – Day 196

    Breakfast:

    (1) c coffee (2)

    (1) Plain paratha (240)

    (1) tbsp peanut butter (90)

    (1) tbsp jam (50)

    Lunch:

    (3) PC chicken wings (2) drumettes & (1) flat (264)

    (10) potato chips (52)

    Snacks:

    (48) oz water

    (355) ml Root Beer (170)

    Supper:

    (1) Dinner salad (190)

    (3) sticks pork souvlaki (240)

    (2) tbsp peppercorn ranch dressing (70)

    (2) tbsp dried fried onions (67)

    (2) tbsp sesame sesame (33)

    (1) serving rhubarb cheesecake (260)

    Total net calories: 1438

    Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1438 = 209 over

    * Highlighted items contain significant collagen or significant contribute to the production of collagen

    The merry little Marigolds are blooming for granddaughter Genie today 🤗

    Daily Food Diary – Day 195 of 365

    by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

    It is 195 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary.  It is 3 years and 5 months since I started living  my Health and Fitness lifestyle.

    In these past few years, I have changed –

    The changes didn’t happen in  three and a half years.   They happened moment by moment, step by step, choice by choice.

    The changes that happened aren’t all obvious.  I am physically stronger and have energy and stamina.  I can do things that I couldn’t have imagined three and a half years ago.

    The changes are not all physical.  I am  mentally sharper and emotionally stronger.  I can celebrate with joy and I can manage difficult situations with determination, perseverance, and faith.

    My life has changed, my attitude has changed, my beliefs have changed.  Early in my transformation I realized that “what doesn’t kill me  makes me stronger”.  I learned to grow through adversity, pain, setbacks, and challenges. 

    Lately, I have learned to grow through  positive experiences.   Shopping, walking Molly, doing much of the garden myself this spring, countless little wins that I have celebrated recently,  have increased my confidence, my personal sense of security, my hope for the future (for MY future).

    I can do it! 💪

    It is 11 DAYS until I turn 70 YEARS OLD.  I am ready for the seventies (regardless of what they bring).  ☺️

    Daily Food Diary – Day 195

    Breakfast:

    (1) c coffee (2)

    (1/2 grapefruit (39)

    (1/2) tsp sugar (8)

    (2) eggs (160)

    (1) tsp olive oil (40)

    (3) slices back bacon (100)

    (2) potato patties (240)

    Snacks:

    (1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

    (60) oz water

    Supper:

    (2) c chilli (452)

    (1/4) c marble cheese (120)

    (1) serving rhubarb cheesecake (120)

    Total net calories: 1274

    Net calories goal: 1229 – 1274  = 46 over

    * Highlighted items contain significant collagen or significant contribute to the production of collagen

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