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. 💞🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 278 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 278 of my Daily Food Diary! 💗

Next Monday (October 13th) is our Canadian Thanksgiving.  Of all the major holidays that we celebrate, Thanksgiving is my favourite. There is none of the stress that comes with all the commercialization of  other holidays.  Thanksgiving is just that, a day to be grateful for what we have and an opportunity to share it with loved ones. 💞

Dan and I are hosting our Thanksgiving supper this Thursday.  It is the best day for those family members who work over the weekend.   And the leftovers they take home will make a handy meal for them, when they will be too busy to cook!

After joining Dan and Molly for a frigid walk this morning (as in our bird bath is now a miniature skating rink), I decided a pot of hearty beef stew was on the menu for tonight.   

Beef gnocchi stew. 😯

Just to note.. Jet Pack/WordPress is glitching out for me.  I find myself unable to like posts or comments.  Hopefully, you are getting my comments. And hopefully… The situation resolves itself soon.

Daily Food Diary – Day 278

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) eggs (160)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(2) sl. Bacon (87)

(1) tomato (23)

(2) potato patties (240)

Snacks:

(1) pkg. Sesame snacks (150)

(48) oz water

(8) oz lemon water

Supper:

(1) bowl Knorr minestrone (66)

(5) soda crackers (63)

(1) cheese tortilla wrap (170)

(2) oz ham (89)

(2) oz marble cheese (227)

(2) green onions (16)

Total consumed calories: 1326

Total used calories: 59

(30) min treadmill (59)

Total net calories: 1267

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1267 = 38 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 277 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 277 of my Daily Food Diary.  😍

Today is Sunday and my husband Dan is out picking up a few groceries.  Yesterday,  he did likewise.  Yesterday, we even went through the fliers together before he went.  I showed him that one store had bags of Halloween Candy on sale.  One brand contained  Reese’s Peanut Butter cups, Oh Henry’s, plus three types of candy that I wouldn’t eat, even if it was leftover.  So.. relatively safe. Right?

He came home with three bags of Halloween candy – all the same – all with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups…..

Basically, I will have one full bag of Peanut Butter Cups and Oh Henry Bars if we get our typical handful of Trick and Treaters…

But it gets better.  He hid them so I would not be sneaking any before Halloween (to save them for any possible Trick or Treaters).   Great idea, EXCEPT…

He hid them behind a bag of potato chips. 😳

There was another bag of chips on this side of the Doritos, but still…

Between Thanksgiving and Halloween, this could be a rough month for my Daily Food Diary. 

Daily Food Diary – Day 277

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Protein Oatmeal Crisp (180)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(1/2) c beef broth (15)

Snacks:

(1) Mott’s Clamato Caesar (168)

(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)

Supper:

(1) chicken burger: sourdough bun, butter, chicken patty, havarti cheese, mushrooms, onion (517)

(25) barbecue chips (260)

(1) pc puffed wheat cake (130)

Total consumed calories: 1480

Total used calories: 176

(30) min aerobics (176)

Total net calories: 1304

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1304 = 75 over 👍

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

Oh, oh..Now look what he bought me while I was sitting here picking on him.   Thank you, Dear… For ALWAYS doing the shopping and for always thinking of me and for buying me chocolate and flowers.  💞🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 276 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 276 of my Daily Food Diary! 💝

It is three years and eight months since I started my general Health and Fitness Journey – diet, exercise, stress management…

Since I began this journey, I have noticed a number of benefits due to my new lifestyle.  Most, if not all, creep up so gradually that I do not recognize them until one day – poof! I look at the scale and realize I have lost forty pounds, I try on pants that I have not been able to squeeze into for years and they are a perfect fit.  I go to take out a bag of garbage and there is no struggle getting it to the bin out back or lifting it high enough to toss it in…

This morning,  I came across such a benefit that had crept up on me…

The cabinet where I stockpile my OTC medications.

I went to get my vitamins (B12, Lutein, D3) to fill my weekly pill dispenser and I  realized that my cabinet had little else in it.

Over the past few years, I have done away with the giant bottle of Aspirin, the huge bottle of Tums, the cough syrup,  the Imodium, the cortisone creams,  and more.  To be honest, other than the Claritin and my three vitamins, I don’t remember when I used anything in this cabinet. 

Not only this cabinet, but my purse as well, used to look like a well stocked drug store.  😳

I still have my inhalers for asthma, bronchiectasis, and COPD.   I have a bottle of CBD drops and CBD cream (which I seldom use) and I have my Collagen Supplement (which is not going anywhere, anytime soon).

Today it is time to celebrate another win. 🎊

Daily Food Diary – Day 276

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(2) potato patties (240)

(2) tomatoes (44)

(1) chocolate brownie (121)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1/2) c beef broth (15)

Supper:

(1) sourdough bun (190)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(2) oz ham (89)

(1) slice havarti cheese (110)

(3) sliced white onion (32)

(15) Barbecue chips (156)

Total consumed calories: 1242

Total used calories: 243

(30) min walking (53)

(30) min food prep (56)

(1) hour cleaning (135)

Total net calories: 999

Net calories goal: 1229 – 999  = 230 under

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 275 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 275 of my Daily Food Diary – and poof another ten days of 2025 have passed – just like that! 🫰

Yesterday was another somewhat productive day.  It was warm enough to get outside and clean the interior of the Jeep.  It is pretty much all leather,  so climbing around with a spray bottle of leather cleaner,  a wet cloth, and a dry cloth was more doable than the vacuuming extravaganza on Wednesday.

The reward for my efforts was a supper out at Fin’s Fish and Chips.   Their food is hearty, healthy, yeast and palm oil free – and delicious.  🤩

Today is cool and raining off and on.  We got in our morning walk with Molly. 

Which was obviously exhausting…

Dan is off shopping.  I am juggling my morning routine with getting our house in order.  The days have been going by so quickly that I haven’t done a good solid cleaning for a bit and it is beginning to show. 🙄

I still have my aerobics and weights to do, but at least the porch is clean.  But first.. it is time to tackle the kitchen.

Daily Food Diary – Day 275

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) crumpets (240)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)

Lunch:

(1/2) serving Smoked beans (196)

(1) Harvest all beef hot dog (160)

(6) Hint of Lime chips (150)

(48) oz water

(12) oz lemon water

Supper:

(1) Sprite (140)

(2) PC’s  Fin City battered pickerel (500)

(1/2) c coleslaw (104)

(1) c home fries (331)

(1/4) c gravy (25)

(1) tbsp tartar sauce (40)

Total consumed calories: 2007

Total used calories: 422

(30) min. Aerobics (176)

(1) hr clean Jeep interior (135)

(30) min. Treadmill (59)

(30) min walking (53)

Total net calories: 1585

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1585 = 356 over 👎

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