Daily Food Diary – Day 294 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 294 of my Daily Food Diary. 💓

Dan and Molly and I got back from our morning walk a bit ago.   Since we headed out a bit later than usual, the sun had a nice warmth to it.  Unfortunately, the air was heavy and humid and much of the time we were dealing with a cloud of cement dust – the result of some work being done to the pool in the park.   It was a bit hard going, but I made the distance.

When we got home, I fed the squirrels and picked up in the yard. 

Once the critters were fed, I came into the house and Dan and I checked our Amazon for an air purifier that can live in our bedroom.   I think we agreed on what would work best for the space, but he was on his way out so said he would check Canadian Tire to see if he could find something comparable.  👍

Today is Wednesday, so I am about to do my aerobics followed by light weights.

Yesterday morning I did my aerobics but left my treadmill session for later.  Later ended up being after supper once Dan was gone to darts and I was watching Homestead Rescue.  By the time my show was done, it was a toss up between doing my treadmill or cracking open a box of Halloween treats and pouring myself a glass of wine. 

I went with the treadmill with no regrets.  I even went up one level on the speed.   🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 294

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) cheese tortilla wrap (170)

(1) Denver omelet (235)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (238)

Supper:

(1) Hungry Man chicken cutlet TV dinner (520)

(1) extra (ie Dan’s) brownie (121)

Total Consumed Calories: 1286

Total used calories: 317

(30) min aerobics (176)

(30) min walking (68)

(30) min treadmill (73)

Total net calories: 969

Net calories goal: 1229 – 969  = 250 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 293 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 293 of my Daily Food Diary! 😋

Yesterday was a pretty good day.  I only made one block of the walk I set out on with Dan and Molly.  I could have handled the cold and wind, but the rain was a bit much.   I came home and did my aerobics and weights – plus I did half an hour on the treadmill before supper. 👍

For supper last night, I decided we should indulge in some Taco Time.   One of the most  mind-boggling  things I have found since I began tracking my Daily Food Diary is how many calories there are in such meals.     I knew it was bad, but I had no idea. 🤦

Obviously, last night’s indulgence is a hard one to report on my Daily Food Diary, but it’s all about balance.  Last night, I was balancing out the salad I had for supper on Saturday. 🙄

Last night, for the second night in a row, we put the air purifier from our living room in our bedroom.    I slept really well both nights and with minimal coughing before I fell asleep and after I woke up.    I have to try it for a few days, but we might have to get another one before we get tired of hauling this one back and forth between rooms.

Daily Food Diary – Day 293

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cinnamon Cheerios (200)

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

Lunch:

(4) air fried chicken wing flats & (4) drummets (440)

(14) Lay’s lightly salted ripple chips (140)

(36) oz water

(8) oz lemon water

Supper:

(1) 12 oz A & W Rootbeer (170)

(1) Small Mexi Fries (265)

(2) hardshell tacos (520)

(1) crisp meat burrito (390)

Total calories consumed: 2155

Total calories used: 329

(30) min aerobics (176)

(30) min weights (73)

(30) min treadmill (80)

Total net calories: 1826

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1826 = 597 over 👎

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

Sunrise Through the Fog

Daily Food Diary – Day 292 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 292 of my Daily Food Diary! 🌟

We had a nice quiet weekend.  Husband Dan  was a bit under the weather, but he was back on his feet by the time Maddy was ready to be picked up from work yesterday.

Not her work uniform 😂

Like all the grands, Maddy enjoys her time with Grandpa.  When she called to ask if she could get a ride yesterday morning, she made an effort not to sound disappointed when I told her I would be picking her up.  But, when she called to say she was done work and ready to go, she did not do as well at hiding her excitement when I told her Grandpa was on his way. 😂

To be fair, Grandpa does take a quicker route, let’s her drive home, waits while she runs in to change, AND THEN let’s her drive over to her friend’s house, before he comes home.  🙄

Number 1 Grandpa 💖

Today starts a new week.  I have decided that Monday, Wednesday, and Friday will be for aerobics and light weights (8 pounders!) and Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday will be aerobics and treadmill.

Aerobics will always be a solid part of my daily workouts.  The routines that I do help to clear my lungs, are good for balance and flexibility.  Apparently, a lot of people with chronic lung disease cannot lift their arms over their heads.  While that was a struggle for me at one time, I have overcome it and plan to keep it that way.

Plus these routines are just a great way to start the day. 😁

Weights workouts – light or not,  are great at any age but more important than ever as we age.  They provide multiple benefits but helping us to maintain muscle strength and bone density is reason enough for me to keep doing them.

Time on the treadmill (and morning walks with Dan and Molly) are great for cardio vascular health and lung function – which is always my top priority. 

I only take one full day off a week (Sunday), but my favourite day of the week is still  Monday, when I  get back to my weekly workout routine.   😁

Daily Food Diary – Day 292

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) eggs (160)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(2) potato patties (240)

(2) slices bacon (87)

Snacks:

(36) oz water

(9) wine gums (158)

Supper:

(12) oz carbonated water

(9) chicken hot wing flats (383)

(1) Caesar salad (250)

Total consumed calories: 1336

Total used calories: 111

(1) hour food prep/cook (111)

Total net calories: 1225

Net calories goal: 1229-1225 = 4 under 👍

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

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! ❣️🤗