Daily Food Diary – Day 316 0f 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 316 of my Daily Food Diary!

I was feeling pretty good when I got up this morning!

Yesterday, we finally did it!  After eight years, we went down to Prairie Mobile to upgrade our phones.  We survived the process and left with two Samsung 25’s.  Dan’s is an FE, but that just means it is too wide to fit in my hand.

Next, we went over to Chappys  for lunch.  I had a mushroom burger (no bun) and Dan had a small pizza (With a real pizza crust!)  Before we left, I went off to the washroom to wash up.  When I got back to the table, Dan handed me the ‘receipt’ and headed out.  I put on my coat, stuck the receipt in my purse with the papers from Prairie Mobile and left.

The rest of the day went fairly smoothly.  We had taken Molly for her walk yesterday morning, so I didn’t feel  bad forgoing any other workouts.   I worked on figuring out my new phone, signing into apps, the usual.  We had gotten all of our data transferred over at the store, so things went fairly smooth. 

I finished the day with a bit of a 911 marathon, a few Hint of Lime tortilla chips, a couple of cookies, and a sense of accomplishment. 

This morning I was still feeling pretty good until I went to check our bank accounts.  I couldn’t find the payment for Chappys.  I asked Dan how he had paid and… he didn’t.  

He had handed me the BILL! He had told me, but I had misunderstood what he said. (I generally do pay while he goes to start the Jeep, but I was still in a kerfluffle from being at Prairie Mobile for an hour).  🫣

So, this morning Dan headed back to Chappys to apologize and pay up! They were more than gracious and appreciated that he had returned to pay,  but Yikes!

For decades, I did the books for local restaurants (contract evening work after working for construction companies during the day).  I know what it costs to provide meals.  Also, I have a daughter and three granddaughters who work in food service now.  It’s not easy!

Never, ever, would I Dine & Dash, and yet I did. 😟

But we have new phones and I have no reason to head out shopping or dining any time soon.  So, there is that!

Time to get back on track with my workouts and diet today. 

Daily Food Diary – Day 316

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(1) mushroom burger (no bun) (333)

(1) serving crinkle cut fries (240)

(1) beef gravy (25)

Snacks:

(10) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (150)

(2) Belgium chocolate cookies (107)

(2) Black licorice twizzlers (45)

Supper:

(1) chicken thigh (208)

(14) lightly salted potato chips (130)

(3) mini chocolate treats (120)

Total consumed calories: 1520

Total used calories: 137

(30) minutes walking (137)

Total net calories: 1383

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1383 = 175 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 315 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 315 of my Daily Food Diary! 😲

That is 50 Days until the end of my Daily Food Diary Challenge.

In 2026, I am going to switch over to a 365 Day Daily Activity Challenge.

I have been getting back on track  doing my regular workouts – walking with Dan and Molly in the morning, and doing my aerobics, light weights, and treadmill.

Yesterday morning, I walked the full route with Dan and Molly.  After lunch I did a light weight workout – three sets of eight exercises using eight pound weights with dancing before and after each set.   After a short rest, I hopped on the treadmill.

I know that if I am going to make the most of my Activity Challenge in 2026, I am going to have to break out of my comfort zone and kick up my activity level. 

Yesterday on the treadmill, I felt it was an ideal time to start pushing my limits.  I felt great, the 80’s tunes were rocking, it was time.

I had been strolling along at speed Level 3 on the treadmill.  A couple of minutes in, I had kicked it up to a Level 5.   Still feeling good and a bit cocky, I pushed it up to a Level 6.  

Level 6 is the turning point from Slow Levels to Fat Burn.   Specifically – 3.5 km per hour to 40 miles an hour.

I was clinging to the handrails for dear life, running for my life, and wondering how I was going to slow this beast down.    I had my left foot up when I made the dubious decision to set it down on the side rail.  And the right foot hit the 40 mile an hour treadmill.  Well…

That was less than elegant and more than a little painful.  Fortunately (or not), I was still holding onto the handrails.  I got off in one piece – but with a few new stretch marks. 🙄

I know that I have to keep pushing through my comfort zone – but I can’t see myself ever hitting Performance Level.   Maybe by 2027. 🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 315

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (200)

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

Lunch:

(3) PC’s roast chicken (319)

(1) cheese biscuit (129)

(1/3) c gravy (24)

Snacks:

(1) tbsp honey (40)

(1) snickerdoodle (90)

(1) Belgium Chocolate cookie (120)

Supper:

(1) homemade chicken quesadilla (464)

(1) 315 mil Pepsi (150)

Total consumed calories: 1565

Total used calories: 282

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min light weights (73)

(30) min treadmill (73)

Total net calories: 1283

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1283 = 75 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 314 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 314 of my Daily Food Diary. 🥰

Today is November 11th, 2025  – Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the USA – a day for us to show respect and appreciation for those who have served our countries,  so that we may live in peace.   That is no doubt the greatest gift that anyone could give, and one that should be honored every day in my mind.  🌺

I am finally getting back on track with my Health and Fitness.  Between my  collagen supplements, Quercetin, and local raw honey – and our morning walks, my aerobics, light weights – and especially my treadmill time, my lungs (and my  body in general)  are getting stronger all of the time.

I know that I have always had, and will always have asthma.  I know that it will be triggered by humidity, allergies, and stress.  I will be on inhalers for the rest of my life.  But, I have always had doubts about my diagnosis for COPD and bronchiectasis, so we will see about that as time goes on…

It has all been rather frustrating to get to the point where I am at, but it brings to mind my favourite quote from Rumi:

“It’s your road, and yours alone.
others may walk it with you,
but no one can walk it for you.”

Before (and after) I retired five years ago, I read several retirement planning articles. They all stressed the importance of wealth – being financially secure was the be all and end all of successful retirement.   

Those articles were wrong.  I know people who have money – a lot of money.  They (for the most part) spend their time stressing about losing their money.

People who prioritize their health, prioritize  living their best life – regardless of any challenges or setbacks (financial or otherwise) that arise.  That’s the best  retirement plan in my mind – and the road that I choose to follow.

Daily Food Diary – Day 314

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) ham & cheese omelet (300)

(1) c pan fried potatoes (350)

Snacks:

(1) tbsp honey (40)

(14) Lightly salted potato chips (130)

(1) Snickerdoodles (90)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(2) bowls beef, barley, vegetable soup (360)

(3) cheese biscuits (310)

(12) oz carbonated water

Total consumed calories: 1583

Total used calories: 384

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min aerobics (174)

(30) min treadmill (73)

Total net calories: 1199

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1199 = 9 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 313 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 313 of my Daily Food Diary. 🤗

Yesterday was a nice quiet Sunday.  Dan, Molly, and I went for our morning walk around the neighborhood.  The highlight of my afternoon was making a batch of Snickerdoodles – my first ever.

Snickerdoodles

The snickerdoodles didn’t  live up to the hype in my mind, but a little cream cheese icing would probably take them up a notch.

Today we had a plan to go to Prairie Mobile to trade up our cell phones and then head down the strip mall to Chappy’s for lunch.  The day hasn’t gone according to plan – my bad. 🙄

I forgot the plan and made a big breakfast of fried leftover potatoes and ham & cheese omelets.   Half way through our walk this morning, I realized neither of us would be up for a restaurant lunch.

Granddaughter Maddy would be so disappointed.  She was born with a plan – and a plan is a done deal!

It started innocently enough when she showed up with a plan to go to McDonald’s for lunch, which morphed into a plan to make a list and go shopping for: a new coloring book & crayons, new panties, a new purse, and a balloon on a stick.

Nowadays, she is working on a life plan… education, career, lifestyle – it’s there,  written in black and white but set in stone. 

And, meanwhile Grandma can’t stick with the plan to go pick out a new phone and have lunch.  As much as I need a new phone, I seriously need a new phone case!  Both are about eight years old and my case is hanging by a thread (a dirty thread to boot 🤦).

Daily Food Diary – Day 313

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c brown sugar cheerios (210)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Snacks:

(2) black licorice Twizzlers (45)

(1) tbsp honey (40)

(2) Snickerdoodles (180)

(1) Belgium Chocolate cookie (53)

Dinner:

(1) baked chicken leg & thigh (150

(1) c boiled potatoes (160)

(1/2) c gravy (80)

(1) c corn (125)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) glass Red Wine (165)

Total consumed calories: 1272

Total used calories: 137

(30) min walking (137)

Total net calories:  1135

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1135 = 73 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 312 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 312 Days since I began maintaining and posting my Daily Food Diary.  🌟

From the very beginning of this challenge, I knew it would not be about perfection.  As it is with my Health and Fitness Lifestyle in general – it is about balance. 

My Daily Food Diary has been very helpful in making regular  improvements to my diet.   But, there have been days that have shown my diet to be less impressive than others.

Yesterday, on the other hand, was a good day! I started the morning with half a grapefruit, for a shot of vitamin C.  My lunch included a couple of chicken wing drumettes, which are high in collagen.  My snack was a tablespoon of raw local honey to help mitigate the environmental allergies that I have been struggling with.  The beef, barley, vegetable soup for supper was the star of the day with homemade broth – low in salt and rich in collagen, barley – part of any cholesterol diet, and mega vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals.

Yesterday’s good for body, mind, and soul menu was just part of my good day ….

I went for a morning walk with Dan and Molly, easily covering the full circuit in the crisp, fresh air.   In the afternoon, I completed (3) sets of light (8 pound dumbbell) weight exercises.   And, in the evening, after straightening up the kitchen and doing dishes (with Dan)….

I hit the treadmill for thirty minutes. 😊

Action shot…

Today, being Sunday, I will probably scale things back as usual – possibly focus more on the Mind and Soul with some reading and relaxation.

We did go for our walk this morning, after Grandpa Dan got back from taking Maddy to work.   It was quite the interesting walk with the city closing off an intersection that affects access to two major streets and one avenue in our area.   The traffic on our quiet little side streets was uncharacteristically heavy and with many of the drivers looking fairly lost, confused, and frustrated, the intersections were pretty dicey! Not to mention icy from yesterday’s snowfall.   Fun stuff, but we made it home in one piece and we all felt  better for having gotten the fresh air and exercise!

Daily Food Diary – Day 312

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2) grapefruit (39)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

(1) granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(2) chicken wing drumettes (122)

(6) onion rings (150)

(8) tater tots (124)

Snacks:

(1) tbsp raw local honey (40)

(36) oz water

Supper:

(12) oz carbonated water

(2) bowls beef, barley, vegetable soup (360)

(3) mini chocolate treats (120)

Total consumed calories: 1188

Total used calories: 282

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min weights (73)

(30) min treadmill (73)

Total net calories: 906

Net calories goal: 1208 – 906 = 302 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 311 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 311 of my Daily Food Diary. 🙌

Today we woke up to the first notable snowfall of the season.

With plus 9 degree C temperatures expected Monday, this snow won’t last, but the air was crisp and clean when we walked Molly earlier. 

Fortunately, Dan took the leash while Molly bopped around, zigging and zagging to sniff out anything buried under the fresh snow.  I followed behind, grateful to stay vertical on the snowy sidewalks and icy streets.

Tonight we are celebrating the arrival of winter with a pot of ground beef, vegetable, & barley soup.

Other than that, we don’t have any major plans today.  I have a list of small chores to get done around the house, some aerobics and and a weight session to do, and possibly a batch of cheese biscuits and/or snickerdoodles to get in the oven.  ☺️

Daily Food Diary – Day 311

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2) c grapefruit (39)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

(2) crumpets (160)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

Snacks:

(2) black licorice Twizzlers (45)

(1) tbsp honey (40)

(14) lightly salted chips (130)

(1) oz chip dip (40)

Supper:

(9) air fried chicken wing flats  (364)

(1 1/2) oz riblets (74)

(6) onion rings (150)

(3) cheese sticks (190)

(8) tater tots (124)

(1) tbsp Frank’s Louisiana Hot Sauce

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (50)

(2/3) c Maple walnut ice cream (198)

(2) Belgium Chocolate cookies (107)

Total consumed calories: 1806

Total used calories: 210

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min treadmill (73)

Total net calories: 1596

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1596 = 388 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 310 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 310 of my Daily Food Diary! 💓

310 days, since I have been maintaining and posting my Daily Food Diary.   Every day,  for 310 days,  of being mindful of everything that I consume – and virtually 310 days of thinking that I could and should be doing better. 

But today I realized how different things would feel if I had a Daily Food Diary from  last year to use as a comparison. 😳

1. I do not drink enough water – but I drink a lot more than I drank in the past.

2. I still drink an occasional soda.  I have probably averaged one each month this year. Last year… Probably at least 4 each week.

3. I still have a snack most days – depending on what I have for breakfast. I used to mindlessly snack from morning to night.

4. A snack used to often be regular or seasoned  potato chips – now virtually all of our chips are lightly salted – as is our bacon, broth, and anything that we season as we cook.

5. I used to snack in the evening – especially when Dan was out.  Industrial sized snacks – a bag of popcorn, toffee by the handful, big bowls of icecream with unlimited toppings, cookies, the occasional cake…. Now,  I do not snack in the evenings.

Setting myself up for Dart Night (pre Food Diary) 🙄

6. I used to eat at least a couple of FULL servings every night, cooked with butter, seasoned with lots of salt, unlimited cheese.. Now my meals are generally one reasonable serving cooked in olive oil – light on the salt and cheese.

7. Take out or eat out used to be a regular thing – Chinese, KFC, Taco Time, Arby’s, steak & lobster on special occasions.  Now we have take out, Arby’s, Taco Time, or DQ once every couple of weeks – maybe!

There are more changes that I/we have made in the past year.   Being mindful of what I eat, has influenced what we eat and what Dan buys (since he does the shopping in our house).

Improvements can,  and may eventually,  be made to our daily diet.  But today I’m feeling pretty good about how far we have come! 😊

Daily Food Diary – Day 310

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) crumpets (160)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)

Lunch:

(2) chicken drumsticks (152)

(2/3) scalloped potatoes (150)

Snacks:

(3) mini chocolate treats (120)

(1) tbsp raw local honey (40)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1 1/2) c Herb & Butter Sidekicks (240)

(3) sticks souvlaki (345)

(1) c broccoli & cauliflower (55)

(1) tsp butter (34)

Total consumed calories: 1382

Total used calories: 183

(30) min treadmill (73)

(1) hr food prep/cooking/cleanup (110)

Total net calories: 1199

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1199 = 9 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 309 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in Uncategorized

This is Day 309 of my Daily Food Diary! 🙌

This entire week seems to be more challenging than most. 

On Monday, Dan went indoor golfing.    Molly and I stayed home to host a full grown sparrow who swept into our house.  It took THREE hours but Molly finally herded it out the back door.

Tuesday, Dan and I went shopping.  That wasn’t particularly challenging, but a change of scenery and my typical daily routine.

Yesterday, I picked-up granddaughter Prim  at lunch time and took her to a dental appointment later in the afternoon.  All went well enough, but she was given a serious amount of freezing for one small cavity.  Poor kid looked rough coming out of the dentist’s office.

Today, things were supposed to get back to normal!  But, after daughter Jen left for work,  her daughter  Prim decided to go back to bed for a quick nap.  🤦 When the school called Jen to report her MIA, Jen called us to go check on her and get her to school.  So Dan and I headed over.  On the way there, Dan saw what looked like a person (big person) laying half on a sidewalk/half on the street.  It was on a side street that we don’t take and there was fairly steady traffic going past him.  We went straight to Jen’s house, got Prim to school, and Dan detoured to the side street to check on the other situation on our way back.

The guy was still there, looking like he hadn’t moved.  Dan dove past him a couple of times and stopped beside him.   There was no sign of life, and no response when Dan called to ask if he needed help.    I called 911 to ask if they could have someone to check on him.  They sent an ambulance and a fire department paramedic vehicle right away.   We waited there until they arrived  – mostly because he was half a block from Prim’s school and we were concerned that some kid could happen along.   When the paramedics did arrive, one of them called the guy and tried to shake him.  He sat up (fairly quickly, but a bit befuddled).  We got out of there and headed home.  Hopefully, the guy is ok and the paramedics were able to get him safely on his way to somewhere. 🤷

The rest of my day should get back on track.  I’m about to have lunch, then do time on the treadmill, followed by a round of weights – followed by finally spending some time getting our kitchen cupboards in order.

Daily Food Diary – Day 309

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee(2)

(1/4) c milk (28)

(1) c Cheerios (200)

Lunch:

(2) crumpets (160)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) tsp jam (50)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(3) chocolate treats (120)

(1) tbsp honey (40)

(12) Doritos (155)

Supper:

(3) oz ham (109)

(2/3) c scalloped potatoes (150)

(1) c brussel sprouts (56)

(1) tsp butter (34)

Total calories consumed: 1306

Total Calories Used: 384

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min aerobics (174)

(30) min light weights (73)

Total net calories: 922

Net calories goal: 1306 – 922 = 286 under 👍

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

Gravelbourg graveyard – this isn’t my parent’s grave but I have always loved this sculpture. This is a very picturesque graveyard in general and extremely well maintained.

Daily Food Diary – Day 308 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 308 of my Daily Food Diary! 🥳

We are already solidly into November.  This morning it was minus 9 Celsius, but with no wind and an abundance of sunshine, it was a beautiful day for a walk with Dan and Molly this morning. 🌞

Yesterday I went shopping.  I’m not a ‘shopper’ at the best of times, but I needed a new hoodie, socks, and face mask.  Dan came along as chauffer.  It was just a Walmart run but it was good to get out, see a few unfamiliar faces, and I did score the items I needed.  Finding socks was more difficult than I thought it needed to be but I persevered and scored a winter sock stash.   For the hoodie, we had to head over to Giant Tiger, but worth the extra trip as I got TWO  hoodies and a couple of lighter tops.

Today, I am out and about again.  Daughter Jen works this afternoon and her daughter Prim has a dental appointment.

Prim Rose

I picked Prim up at noon and made lunch for her – a toasted (buttered) bacon and tomato sandwich with cheese, lettuce, mayonnaise, and salt and pepper. It’s a family joke that Maddy came over one day and asked me if I had a tomato.  That morphed into her scoring a bacon and tomato sandwich which continues to grow in complexity.   The next level up might be a side of home fries. (chances are with a side order of gravy)

We don’t have to leave for her appointment for an hour so that gives me time to get a few things done around here and for Prim to finish her homework.

My day is rather a muddle again, but since it is dart night (which means an early supper), I am confident I will get my weight and aerobic workouts in this evening.  Plus, I will have plenty of time left to do my nails and do a face mask. ☺️

Daily Food Diary – Day 308

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) sourdough bun (259)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) sausage patty (150)

(1) egg (72)

Snacks:

(3) Black licorice Twizzlers (68)

(3) mini chocolate treats (120)

(1) tbsp raw local honey (40)

Supper:

(3) c dinner salad (190)

(2) tbsp Vidalia Onion salad dressing (100)

(2) chicken drumsticks (152)

Total consumed calories: 1187

Total used calories: 282

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min weights (73)

(30) min treadmill (73)

Total net calories: 905

Net calories goal: 1208 – 905 = 304 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 307 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 307 of my Daily Food Diary. 🌟

For the past couple of weeks, I have been struggling with environmental allergies.   This week, I finally decided that I am better off dealing with the consequences of the allergies than the side effects of the anti histamines I have tried.

This week’s ‘alternative medicine’.

Quercetin: long-term relief, mast cell stabilizer, anti-inflammatory, reduces release of histamines

Face mask: moisturize, reduces effect of watering eyes and runny nose

Cucumber: (not shown) peel and slice, place on eyes to reduce burning

Two Sisters Lip balm: Beef Tallow lip balm used to sooth dry, cracked lips caused by constantly wiping nose with tissues

Local Raw Honey: helps build immunity to seasonal allergies, soothes throat and cough caused by post nasal drip, antioxidant

H20 : Keep hydrated, flush out allergens and histamines.

Aerobika: device used to clear mucus in lungs due to post nasal drip aggravating bronchiectasis

Black licorice: a health risk if consumed in quantity or for an extended period of time – check warnings!  Contains glycyrrhizin which is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant

I am feeling better so far.  Yesterday, I took Molly for another solo walk.  Getting out in  the fresh air helps and she gets easier to handle all the time.  I’m not sure if I am getting stronger or if she is just getting better. 🤷

In the afternoon, I was able to do my aerobics and treadmill.   I am happy with how much easier the treadmill sessions are getting for me.  I keep upping the speed, but still able to finish the session!

Today,  I am going to do another treadmill session and a light weight/cardio session.  I’m still using the right pound weights but happy to be crushing them!

Daily Food Diary – Day 307

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(1) enchilada (194)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(12) oz 7 up (140)

(3) black licorice Twizzlers (68)

(1) tbsp raw local honey (40)

Supper:

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

(2) tbsp horsey sauce (120)

(1) Gravy (35)

(1) sm crinkle cut fries (390)

(2) cheese sticks (220)

Total consumed calories: 1569

Total used calories: (358)

(30) min walking (104)

(30) min aerobics (174)

(30) min treadmill (80)

Total net calories: 1211

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1211 = 3 over 👎

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