Daily Food Diary – Day 256 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 256 of my Daily Food Diary! 🥳

Our Monsoon Season has finally passed!  I have no idea how much rain we received but it was A LOT and we missed the worst of it in our neighborhood.

Not only did we get an abundance of rain, but we also had thunder and lightning for the duration.  Now that the sun has come out and the heat has been turned up, we can watch our grass grow and see our garden reverting to jungle status. 

While we were confined to the Ark  yesterday, I baked Apple Crisp – enough to share with Jen and her girls and Genie and Alec.   I sent the biggest pan to Jen and the girls.  Apparently, the girls are fans. There may not be much left for Jen  by the time she is done with her current run of double shifts.  🙆

This is my very last day before getting back to my regular work out routine.  I couldn’t be more excited to see how it goes tomorrow.  I am feeling great and anxious to get back to it. 💪

Daily Food Diary:

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) PC Crumpets (240)

(3) tsp butter (103)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

(2) Slices bacon (87)

Snacks:

(1/2) c beef broth (5)

(36) oz water

(12) oz carbonated water

(1) c Lemon Ginger Tea

(12) Low sodium Lay’s chips (160)

Supper:

(1) Manwhich Sloppy Joe – w/sourdough bread, lean ground beef, cheese,  Manwhich sauce, green pepper, onions (817)

(12) Lay’s low sodium chips (160)

(1) serving Apple Crisp (227)

Total calories consumed: 1851

Total calories used: 167

(1 1/2) hours cooking/food prep:  167

Total net calories: 1684

Net Calories Goal: 1851 – 1684 = 455 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 255 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 255 of my Daily Food Diary! 💝

Yesterday and today our weather has been WARM and WET.  I think we have gotten more rain in these two days than we have had all summer.  And the humidity is through the roof!

Things are looking green and clean around here, but I can’t imagine that this is what the farmers need right now.

I am taking one final (regular) workout day off  today but I am excited about getting back into my routine on Monday.  It will be fun to see what I can do on our ‘new to us’ treadmill, now that my lung infection is cleared up.

Today, I will proceed with my fall cleaning and do a bit of baking.

Dan picked up a nice bag of apples yesterday, so I am going to make a double batch of Apple Crisp to split with Jen and Genie.   They are both excited and it will save everyone here from reading about Dan and I eating one piece of Apple Crisp a day for the next month. 😊

The flower pots are some of the ones that Dan bought this week to use on the new plant rack he is making next summer,  using  a  repurposed pool ladder. 

Daily Food Diary – Day 255

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

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

Lunch:

(12) Doritos (153)

(2) oz shaved turkey (60)

(1) small tomato (22)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

(1/2) c beef broth (5)

Supper:

(1 1/2) servings nachos (975)

Total calories consumed: 1608

Total calories used: 360

(30) min. cooking (56)

(1 1/2) hour house cleaning (202)

(30) min. pet care (103)

Total net calories: 1248

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1248 = 18 over 👎

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

A younger Genie at Wascana Park

Daily Food Diary – Day 254 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness, Uncategorized

Today is Day 254 of my 2025 Daily Food Diary! 💓 I have (so far) been successful in putting out my daily post. 👍 I have been enjoying recapping my days in this manner and I have been successful in making some beneficial changes to my diet.

For the reasons above, I have decided to maintain this project through 2026 – with one slight change….

Rather than tracking my calories consumed each day, I am going to track my calories used.

I feel that I am ready for this move and I am excited to explore new ways and means to keep active.   AND I am excited to share my conquests with all of the regular and occasional visitors to my blog.

Getting down to the core health issues that have plagued my entire life and discovering ways to deal with them and improve my fitness level and quality of life has been an amazing adventure for me. 

I know it has been less than exciting, and more than a bit painful, for those who have been following me for the past +3 years. 

I get that, and I appreciate it.  But the wins I make are not made in the grand gestures or the  five star days.  They are an accumulation of all of the moments, the choices, the bits and pieces of knowledge that I pick up along the way.

It’s not fireworks and shooting stars – but from where I was three years ago to where I am now, I think it’s pretty impressive. 😁

Two family weddings – only 4 years but a lifetime apart. 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 254

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) Denver breakfast wrap (560)

Lunch:

(1) BBQ chicken drumstick (135)

(6) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (150)

Snacks:

(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)

(3/4) c Maple Walnut Ice Cream (225)

(2) tbsp chocolate sauce (105)

(48) ox water

Supper:

(1 1/2) serving Baked French Onion Soup (552)

Total consumed calories:  1909

Total used calories: 419

(30) minutes walking (53)

(30) minutes cooking (56)

(1) hour gardening (176)

(1) hour house cleaning (135)

Total net calories: 1490

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1490  = 261 over

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

“Where you look for magic, you will find it!”

Daily Food Diary – Day 253 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 253 of my Daily Food Diary! 😊

AND…today is a good day.  With only one more dose of Prednisone to go and this round of antibiotics done, I am doing GOOD!

I slept well last night, waking up once for  a few minutes – just long enough to realize I felt much better.

My overall word for the day today is MOMENTUM – and it is all going in the right direction. 👆

When it comes to health and fitness, momentum is such a powerful concept.  Downward momentum can destroy  in no time, with one health issue, one poor survival method employed, one bad habit formed, piling up to crush you in no time.  Upward momentum – the exact opposite! One  minor health issue resolved and we are off to the races in no time. 🤗

On my feet and ready to go!

Daily Food Diary – Day 253

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) plain paratha (240)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)

Snacks:

(1/2) c beef broth (5)

(12) Doritos (153)

(1) peach (58)

(1/4) c raspberries (32)

Supper:

(3) Barbecue chicken drumsticks (405)

(1) serving macaroni casserole (400)

(1) tomato (22)

(5) slices cucumber (4)

Total consumed calories: 1477

Total used calories: 269

(2) hours house cleaning (269)

Total net calories: 1208

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1208 = 22 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 252 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in Uncategorized

Today is Day 252 of my Daily Food Diary! 🤗

I am still on my road to recovery from my latest lung infection.  I saw my Respirologist for a follow up this morning.  He is super happy with my x-rays and blood tests. 👍

I feel my biggest issue now is my ongoing environmental allergies this summer.  After seeing Dr. M, I went to Old Fashioned Foods and picked up a couple of natural allergy remedies that they recommended.  Here is hoping they make a significant improvement in that department.

Molly and I went back to Jen’s yesterday.  Molly had a great time with her dog Sasha,  checking out their big back yard.  I helped Jen strip more parts off of her Jeep to make it as quick and easy for her fiance and their mechanic to drop in her new motor and transmission.  I can’t wait for it to be all done complete with  the new paint job and roll bars. 

These last two afternoons with Jen have been a LOT of fun.  It is amazing to see her work on this and demonstrate the analytical and organizational skills that I did not notice, much less appreciate, in my Mother growing up. 

When Jen drove Molly and I home, she swung by to pick up granddaughter Maddy from her school.  When she dropped us off, she got out to help me get Molly into the yard.  Maddy jumped at the opportunity to get into the driver’s seat.  I am so impressed  at how determined she is to practice her driving skills and ace her test next spring.   I didn’t think it would be something she would be so eager to embrace.  (Apparently, she is not a Grandma’s Girl in that department.)

Yesterday, we took off the front bumper and winch,  the front grille, and lights...
And the radiator, battery, and air conditioner…
After I left, Jen took off the air filter, clutch fan, multiple hoses, etc.  Everything is set aside in neat piles and every bolt that could not stay with a part is bagged and labeled. 👍

Today is son Dan’s birthday.  I did text him earlier but I am waiting to hear from him before I call.   This has been a busy summer for him between work, boating, and camping so I’m never sure when it is best to get hold of him.

Dan and Amanda – always busy. 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 252

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(26) light sugar Mini Wheats (190)

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

Snacks:

(1/2) c Campbell’s beef broth (5)

(12) Doritos (153)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) 355ml can Pepsi (150)

(1) Dairy Queen single flame thrower burger – no bun (600)

(1) small onion rings (200)

(1) small fries (90)

(1) reg. Gravy (90)

(2) chicken strips (240)

Total consumed calories: 1748

Total used calories: 296

(1) hour gardening (176)

(30) minutes house cleaning (67)

(30) minutes walking (53)

Total Net Calories: 1452

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1452  = 223 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 251 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 251 of my Daily Food Diary!  Only 114 Days  until my 365 Day challenge is COMPLETE without one miss! 🤩

Healthwise, yesterday was rough! I got through my Prednisone episode yesterday morning, but my sinuses and upper chest were so congested all day it was difficult to accomplish anything. 

But!!! I did go over to spend a couple of hours with daughter Jen.  Together, but mostly her, we got her transmission and transfer case off of her Jeep and she got it and her new transfer case over to their mechanic. 

He got on it right away, rebuilt the new transfer case with brackets from the old.  The next time Jen’s fiance has time off of work to come home, he and the mechanic are ready to install this, the motor from Big Red (Tanner’s Jeep), and reattach the exhaust system. 

‘Flea’ will roll again – sooner than later!

Today I am feeling MUCH better.  My blood oxygen and pulse were way better this morning, I went for a walk with Dan and Molly, and came back to get some yardwork done.  

I am on my last day of this round of antibiotics.  I have three more days of Prednisone to go.  I have a follow up appointment with my Respirologist tomorrow morning.  AND… I got the results of my X-rays yesterday afternoon.  Other than a bit of opacity (?) indicating an infection (no surprise there) everything looks good, stable, and clear of any fluid.

I am excited that everything is coming together.  By next week, I should be back to my regular workout routine. 💪😁

This afternoon, I am going back to spend a bit more time with Jen and coming home to just Putz around the house – take it relatively easy.

Daily Food Diary – Day 251

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) Cheese biscuit breakfast sandwich with game, egg, and provolone cheese (511)

Snacks:

(1/2) c Campbell’s low salt beef broth (5)

(6) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (150)

(2) tbsp salsa (8)

(2) pieces Mackintosh toffee (72)

Supper:

(5) oz barbecued pork chop (130)

(1) serving macaroni/cheese/tomato soup casserole (400)

(1) c brussel sprouts (56)

(2) tsp butter (68)

Total consumed calories: 1402

Total calories used: 104

(20) minutes walking (49)

(30) minutes cooking/food prep (56)

Total net calories: 1298

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1298 = 68 over 👎

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

Morning harvest…

Daily Food Diary – Day 250 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 250 of my Daily Food Diary! 🥰

Today is off to a bit of a rocky start.  It is Day 6 of my latest round of antibiotics and oral steroids for a lung infection.  I don’t know if there are any prescription medications that agree with me, but I do know Prednisone is not one of them. 

This morning, I made Dan and I each a Cheese Biscuit breakfast sandwich.  I took my Prednisone and set off on our morning walk with Dan and Molly.   I made it about four blocks before I was feeling so wobbly, that I decided I had better head back home.  Dan and Molly walked me back and I am fine, but definitely not the start of my week that I was hoping for. 😥

But the day has just begun and yesterday made a good turn around for me!

Yesterday morning, my glasses met with an unfortunate fatal incident.  I found an older pair of single vision glasses and decided they would have to do until I got in to see my optometrist.  I wasn’t thrilled but, you do what you have to do!

For over a decade, I have been wearing progressive bifocals.  I have never been particularly happy with them, but I got used to dealing with them.  The biggest issue was the bottom part of the lens that was set for reading.   I never could read through them (I  just read without glasses) and I struggled to go down steps or walk outside on any uneven ground. 

Walking with progressives vs single vision glasses.

So yesterday, I put on my old single vision glasses and didn’t notice much difference puttering around indoors.  I stepped outside onto the back landing, and when I went to go down the steps EVERYTHING was in perfect focus.    I walked around our yard in complete confidence – over uneven ground, cracked sidewalk, anything.  It was amazing.  This morning, on my short walk, I also noticed a drastic difference on the streets and sidewalks. 

I can’t wait to see my optometrist to get a new (updated prescription) for a pair of glasses that work FOR ME! 

In the meantime, these will work just fine!

Daily Food Diary – Day 250

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) pancakes (350)

(2) breakfast sausages (270)

(2) slices bacon (87)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(2) tbsp Maple syrup (104)

Snack:

(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(2) servings homemade wonton soup (300)

Total calories consumed: 1361

Total calories used: 56

(30) minutes cooking/food prep: 56

Total net calories: 1306

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1306 = 76 over

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 249 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 249 of my Daily Food Diary! 🥳

Today is also Sunday September 7th.  I am on my 5th day of my latest round of antibiotics and oral steroids.  I am feeling pretty decent – helped no doubt by the solid sleep that I have been getting for the past couple of nights.

All things considered, my only major issue today is that I destroyed my glasses this morning.  I am pretty much blind without them so that’s not good.   I do have one older pair that I can wear until I get replacements but they are single vision glasses AND the only time that they did not make me look goofy was when I tried them on in the optometrist’s office. 🤦 Fortunately, as long as I avoid mirrors I don’t have to see myself. 😊

Maybe I have them upside down? They are Versace frames, so great quality,  but they just don’t suit me. 🙄
Molly is having a GREAT weekend.  Yesterday, Jen and Maddy were here for an hour AND this morning Genie came by to join Molly & Grandpa for their morning walk.   (Genie took the photo)

Daily Food Diary – Day 249

Breakfast:

(1) c Coffee (2)

(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios (147)

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

Lunch:

(1) Harvest All Beef Wiener (150)

(1) No Name Low Salt Ripple Chips (130)

Snacks:

(1/2) c Home made chicken broth (27)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(1) Extra Large homemade quesadilla (861)

(3) tbsp salsa (12)

Total consumed calories: 1357

Total used calories: 243

(30) minutes housecleaning (67)

(1) hour gardening (176)

Total net calories: 1114

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1114 = 116 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 248 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 248 of my Daily Food Diary and I am still on a roll! 🥳

I am still feeling pretty adequate on Day 4 of my antibiotics and Prednisone.   A couple of news bites since yesterday morning.

* The hospital surgical unit called yesterday to book my hernia repair for September 19th.  Unfortunately, they have to delay it until I have the Prednisone out of my system, but at least I am on their radar!  And someone else gets their procedure bumped up. 👍

* I got the results of my blood tests. I’m no expert but they seem to indicate that I have an infection. 👍

* And… I have plans this weekend  to help daughter Jen work on her Jeep.  She is changing out the motor, transmission, wheels etc. from the Jeep they rolled a couple of years ago to the one they bought this spring.  My mechanical proficiency won’t help her out, but I’m pretty sure I can hand her the tools she needs and take away the parts she doesn’t.  👍

And ‘Flea’ will be back rolling better than ever, sooner than later!

Daily Food Diary – Day 248

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

Brunch:

(1) lg cheese biscuit (258)

(2) oz Piller ham (57)

(1 1/2) oz cheese (170)

(2) tsp butter (68)

Snacks:

(1/2) c caramel corn (85)

(1/2) c ice cream (120)

(2) tbsp chocolate sauce (105)

Supper:

(1) lg cheese biscuit (258)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(1) beef wiener (150)

(2) tbsp salsa (8)

(1) green onion (8)

(6) onion rings (270)

(3) cheese sticks

(1) tomato (22)

(5) sl. Cucumber (4)

Total calories consumed: 1843

Calories used: 172

(20) min. Walking (49)

(30) min min. Housecleaning (67)

(30) min. Cooking/food prep (56)

Total net calories: 1843 – 172 = 1671

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1671 = 442 over 👎

* Prednisone zoomies gone… Raging hunger on! 🤦

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 247 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in Uncategorized

Today is Day 247 of my Daily Food Diary! 😊

Today is the third day of my latest round of antibiotics and oral steroids for my latest battle of lung infection

Yesterday I did pretty well, but the drugs were definitely kicking in. 

I started the day with a bout of antibiotic nausea.  The antibiotics that I am on are disagreeable little beggars, but my doctor likes them and he does have to switch them into the rotation on occasion so I don’t get too resistant to any particular type.

By the time that settled down,the Prednisone kicked in and I started getting shaky and anxious.  Not fun, but I managed to pull myself together and Dan took me to the x-ray clinic and blood lab to deal with that funness.   Neither was bad.  There was a bit of a wait at the x-ray clinic, but it was quick and simple once the technician called me in.  There was no wait at the blood lab.  It amazes me how painlessly those technicians draw blood.  I never felt a thing and never bled a drop. (I may have been dry after the five vials I donated).

Once we returned home, the Prednisone zoomies kicked in and I was able to do my aerobics (for the first time in days), scrub down the bathroom and hall (including fixtures,  walls, floors and everything in my path), and make supper (with Dan).

Aside from doing the official meds, I have been doing pretty well at sticking to a nutritious diet for the past couple of days.  That homemade chicken soup made from homemade stewing hen broth just feels so healing. 

I haven’t had a fever for two days so hopefully I am truly on the mend!

Daily Food Diary – Day 247

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) Blueberry Eggo Waffles (270)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(3) Slices bacon (130)

(1 1/2) tsp syrup (78)

Lunch:

(1/2) c homemade chicken broth (27)

(1) peach (58)

(1) c raspberries (64)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(3) c homemade chicken noodle soup (480)

(1) Large cheese biscuit (258)

Total calories consumed: 1436

Total calories used: 366

(30) min. aerobics (176)

(1) hr housecleaning (135)

(30) min. cooking/food prep (56)

Total net calories: 1070

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1070 = 159 under 👍

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