Daily Food Diary – Day 212 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 212 of my 365 Day Food Diary!

Today is also August 1st, which means this is my last diary entry focussed on foods that contain collagen or significantly contribute to the production or use of collagen in our bodies. 

I know that I have genetic collagen issues.  I also  know that lack of collagen becomes an issue for everyone as we age  – and I AGED this month.  I celebrated my 70th birthday a few days ago.  While I have considered it in the past, this month I decided the time had come to start taking collagen supplements.

I went with these capsules from Amazon.  I liked the variety of collagen they provide.

Sometimes I avoid trying something like collagen supplements, because I am afraid I will be disappointed in the results and I don’t want to deal with that!    In this case, I am sorry that I waited so long.

The supplements that I chose came with a notice that it can take 5 months of 6 gelcaps a day, to notice much difference.  In one month – the chronic pain and stiffness in my hands has eased considerably, my nails are stronger and healthier than they have been in decades, and I am shedding far less hair. 

I cannot tell what the collagen is doing for my internal issues (which is my real goal), but I believe the airways in my sinuses, throat,  and lungs are improving.  It is difficult to tell because our weather and frequent smokey spells cause breathing issues – and I have been taking antihistamines and a natural lung clearing tonic. 

While taking collagen supplements seems to be beneficial so far, it is still important to keep on top of my diet to ensure that I am getting the nutrients required for my body to effectively utilize collagen.   For that, I require adequate protein, vitamin C, zinc, copper, and amino acids.    And of course – adequate exercise, rest, and stress management. 

When it comes to one’s health, it is never a matter of just taking a pill (or six pills a day).  At least not for me.  If I don’t work – the pills don’t either. 😕

And of course, eliminating the foods that are detrimental to my system is as important as taking the foods that are beneficial.  In that regard, I am happy to announce that with my birthday and our anniversary behind me – my cake is finally GONE.

But it was really good while it lasted! 😊

And in other monthly wrap up news, I may or may not have packed on 5 pounds this month.   It’s a good thing I am taking up running – and that we are out of cake. 🤦

Daily Food Diary – Day 212

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) Egg Denver omelet with ham & green onion, shredded marble cheese, & Salsa (363)

(1) cheese tortilla wrap (170)

Snack:

(48) oz water

(4) oz lemon water

(1) piece Caramel Toffee cake (1050)

Supper:

(3) battered & fried haddock filets (435)

(6) oz fries (230)

(1/2) c gravy (50)

(1/2) c coleslaw (104)

(12) oz 7 up (140)

Total net calories: 2289

Net calorie goal: 1222 – 2289 = 1067 over

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

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 211 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 211 of my Daily Food Diary.   Today is also Dan and my 26th Wedding Anniversary. 

That was us – with Dan’s Dad and my Mom.  Dan’s Mom & My Dad passed away before we met but I have always felt that they had a part in our getting together.

We are having another nice quiet day today.  I went for a walk with Dan and Molly earlier.  Our air quality was No. 5 again due to ongoing forest fire smoke.  It didn’t seem that bad, so I thought I would be ok.  I was wrong.  A few blocks in my lungs were so congested That I couldn’t keep up with Molly.    I gave Dan her lead and turned back home.   We were at a spot on our route where we could see almost to our house, so Dan and Molly waited until I got to our corner and then proceeded to finish their regular walk.

This afternoon, I am going to make a reservation for our short visit to  Gravelbourg.  Tonight we are going out for supper again.   We are going laid back again. This time we are going to a Fish & Chip restaurant that Dan’s cousin has been recommending for months.  We go out to eat so seldom now since I discovered my yeast issues, that we have to make the most out of it when we do.  Tonight we are going to experience our new favourite fish joint! 😊

Obviously, another day without my daily run today.  Yesterday, I ran on the spot on my kitchen fatigue mat.  I will do the same today.  If I can find a way to actually make running a regular part of  my daily routine, I will look at investing in a fold-up treadmill for our spare bedroom.  I know that come winter, I won’t be running on the snow and ice anyway, so I might as well start looking at options!

Daily Food Diary:

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios (147)

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

Snacks:

(4) oz lemon water

(8) Hint of Lime Tortilla Chips (200)

(2) tbsp Salsa (8)

Supper:

(5) oz pork chop (162)

(1/2) pkg chicken ramen noodles (120)

(1) c brussel sprouts (56)

(3) tsp butter (103)

(1) sm side salad w/lettuce, cucumber, green onions, sunflower seeds, dried fried onions, Vidalia Onion salad dressing (256)

(1) piece Caramel Toffee Cake (1050)

Total net calories: 2117

Net calorie goal: 2117 – 1229 = 896 over

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

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 210 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 210 Days (30 WEEKS) since I started posting my Daily Food Diary.  Thirty full weeks without a single miss. 🤗💞

It is 3 days since I started running daily.   Today our air quality is ‘moderate’ coming in at a number 5.  Dan and Molly walked alone.  Today being a Wednesday, I will do a  weight/cardio  workout after my aerobics.  Tomorrow, hopefully the smoke will clear and I will be able to get in Run #3.

This is summer in Saskatchewan.   Cold, wet, hot, humid, smokey, clear, dry, and windy! This morning it was +6 Celsius when I got up. (42.8 Fahrenheit). 😯

The one positive of having a cold smokey summer day, is that it helps control the mosquitos and other obnoxious little bugs that generally thrive around here.  Of course it also discourages the butterflies and bees as well.  Such is life!

On the upside, I spent yesterday dressing up our patio furniture with the new seat cushions Dan bought yesterday.   If the smoke clears, I am ready to drag out a space heater and blanket to enjoy a bit of fresh air.

In other news, my  Lose It!  app sent me a notice this morning.  For the past 29 days, I have averaged 221 calories over my net calorie daily goal.  🙄

And in more news, Google just noted that I should have written ‘lost it’  instead of ‘Lose It!’  (Google isn’t wrong. 😂)

To be honest… While I have been noting a LOT of extra calories this month, I haven’t taken any credit for extra calories burnt this month.  I do spend as much time as possible out in our yard – cleaning, weeding, watering (much of it with a heavy metal watering can).  And, Molly is into super shedding mode so I also spend a lot of time in the  house dealing with that situation.

It’s exhausting losing so much hair and spreading it throughout the house.

Daily Food Diary – Day 210

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Shreddies (200)

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

(1) tsp sugar (16)

Lunch:

(1) PC Buttermilk chicken (240)

(1/3) c potato salad w/radish & green onion (113)

(2) Gyoza (90)

(1) egg roll (190)

(1) almond flour/chocolate chip cookie (50)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

(4) oz lemon water

Supper:

(1) sourdough bun (259)

(5 1/2) oz lean ground beef  patty (334)

(1) slice havarti cheese (80)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) tbsp bacon bits (30)

(1/2) c fried mushrooms & onions (30)

(10) lightly salted potato chips (52)

Total net calories: 1730

Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1730 = 509 over 👎

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

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 209 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 209 of my Daily Food Diary.  🤗💞 I celebrate the accomplishment each and every day, but I am to the point where it doesn’t really surprise me how far I have come.  It is just a natural part of my day to day life.

I track everything I consume.  I am mindful of everything I consume.  My health is better for it.

Two years ago I quit eating yeast because I realized it was having a seriously detrimental effect on my health.  I am still on the waiting list to see an allergy specialist, but in the meantime  I am  working out the details of my yeast  issue.   I have learned that there are many yeast related foods – like mushrooms, which are also fungi.  There are foods that are very susceptible to mold (another fungi),  like strawberries and black berries.  There are foods that trigger yeast issues (generally any form of sugar).   AND, while we often think of yeast as being used to rise bread doughs or  to ferment beer and wine, it can be used and found ANYWHERE especially in processed or restaurant foods. 

Keeping a Daily Food Diary has been a huge help in sorting this all out.  I keep track of everything I consume over the course of the day.  When I come to post it the next day, I am feeling any ill effects from anything I should have steered clear of, and it doesn’t take long to pinpoint the problem.

It is pretty cool actually, for something that is just a natural part of my day. 🙂

This week,  I have started something else that I hope to make a natural part of my day. Yesterday,  while Dan and I were out walking Molly, I broke away to go for a short run.  I ran from a bench to the first intersection on our park path.   This morning, I did likewise except I ran  through the intersection to a big rock (just short of the small dog park).   It is still not much, but  I know that within a few days, I will be running the entire length of our park path.  🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 209

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) crumpets (160)

(1 1/2) tsp butter (51)

(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)

(3) slices back bacon (100)

Snacks:

(60) oz water

(4) oz lemon water

(1) apple (95)

(10) raspberries (10)

Supper:

(6) tempura shrimp (285)

(1) lg PC Buttermilk Chicken (240)

(3) Pork riblets (49)

(2) egg rolls (380)

(4) Gyoza (180)

(1) tsp plum sauce (6)

(1) tbsp shrimp sauce  (20)

(1) tbsp Gyoza dip (50)

(1/2) PC caramel toffee cake (525)

Total net calories: 1904

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1904 = 683

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

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 208 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 208 of my Daily Food Diary! 🌹

Yesterday, I posted that I was going to start running today.  I always try to keep my word,  and this time (as usual) I did so!  I went for a run in the park.  I did not  run far and I did not run fast… But I did RUN.

It is rather smokey today, but it did not bother me as much as the patch that drifted through last week.  I am sure the species of trees that are burning makes a difference.  Some species, like Birch, are always more of an issue for me.

Despite the smoke, I finished my little run, none the worse for wear – except my left hand ring finger is sore and swollen.

Bizarre!  Dan figures I must have caught it on Molly’s chain when I was leading her.  🤔

Sore finger or not, today is Monday so it is back to doing my morning aerobics and it is a day for weights and cardio. 

Daily Food Diary – Day 208

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) Sourdough bun (259)

(1 1/2) tsp butter (51)

(2) eggs (160)

(1 1/2) oz ham (67)

(2) green onions (16)

Supper:

(1) medium salad (130)

(2) sticks chicken souvlaki (180)

(2) tbsp French Dressing (146)

(2) tbsp dried fried onion (33)

(2) tsp sunflower seeds (33)

(1) PC caramel toffee cake (1050)

(60) oz water

Total net calories: 2055

Net calorie goal: 1222 – 2055 = 833 over 👎

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

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 207 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 207 of my Daily Food Diary.  🙌

Yesterday was my birthday.  It was a great day.  I appreciated all of the well wishes from friends and family.  I appreciated the calls from son Dan and daughter Jennifer.  And we all appreciated the visit from the newly weds (Genie & Alec) – especially MOLLY!

I love the card and the flowers.  The sourdough buns are pretty good. (Toasted & buttered with ham & cheese omelets to fill). Grandpa and I might have to check out the farmers market ourselves soon!

My Daily Food Diary entry for the day looks pretty brutal, but it was my 70th Birthday and we did go to Montana’s for (a very early)  supper followed by Birthday Cake later in the evening.

Takeaway from this entry.. my total calories for the day were BAD And my food choices were not the most nutritionally sound.  While I ate what I wanted… I could have done worse.  Dan and I both had water with our meal.  We generally pass on soda or alcoholic beverages.  I gave Dan part of my (Ribfest) entree.  The one I chose had 4 breaded hot wings.  Dan ordered a smaller entree and took the yeast hit.   And when we had cake, we both passed on the ice cream.

This cake does not require ice cream!

Today we are both back on track.  We started our day with coffee before taking Molly on a good trek around the neighborhood.   And, we had a relatively  light meal for our Sunday brunch. 

Our air is finally clear and our humidity is  down.  I am breathing somewhat easier.   so I am thinking of going for a jog around our neighbourhood to kick off my 70’s tomorrow morning.    I’ll let you know how that plays out. 👍

Daily Food Diary – Day 207

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) crumpets (160)

(1 1/2) tsp  butter (51)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

Supper:

(6) Montana’s Honey Garlic Pork Ribs w/cornbread  (880)

(1) serving seasoned fries (790)

(1) side gravy (25)

(1) 85g side baked beans (110)

Snacks:

(72) oz water

(1) pc caramel toffee cake (1050)

Total net calories:  3118

Net calorie goal: 1222 – 3118  = 1898 😲

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

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 206 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 206 of my Daily Food Diary.  Today is also my 70th birthday!

Dan went to get my birthday cake yesterday and bought me TWO birthday cards. My sister Elaine also sent me a card to mark the occasion.  She makes all of her own greeting cards and they are always amazing. 

“It’s not how old we are in life.  It’s how bold we are in life.” 🙌
Best cake EVER.  I love salted caramel and in cake form it is over the top.

Dan and I are going to Montana’s for supper.  We just had an amazing steak a couple of days ago and I have been craving ribs so RIBS it is!

Neither Dan or I could think of any present that I could want or need.  Then I decided that I would like to go to Gravelbourg next week to put new flowers on my parents and grandparents graves and repaint the letters on my Uncle Herman’s gravestone.  My Dad worked as a stonemason in his younger years so he carved the gravestone himself.  Uncle Herman passed away from leukemia when he was only twenty-five.  His passing left a profound mark on my Dad throughout his life.

Anyway, I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate my 70th birthday by showing my appreciation for my parents and ancestors.  I would not have been blessed with the years I have had,  were it not for them.  🌹

Daily Food Diary – Day 206

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

(2) oz 2% milk

Lunch:

(2) eggs (160)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(1 1/2) oz ham (67)

(2) green onions (16)

(2) almond flour chocolate chip cookies (100)

(10) Raspberries (10)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(1) lg. Dinner salad (356)

(4) oz tenderloin (120)

Total net calories: 799

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 799 = 529 under 👍

* I wasn’t starving myself yesterday.  I did my aerobics and my cardio/weights yesterday, so that brought my net calories down.  Also, my pulled muscle was pretty uncomfortable after all that deep breathing at my lung function test yesterday morning so I just wasn’t hungry. 

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

A personal note of appreciation from me to you. 🌹

Daily Food Diary – Day 205 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 205 of my Daily Food Diary! 🙌

I am posting a bit later than usual this morning because I went to see my respiratory therapist for my annual lung function test. 

The test itself is not going to win any awards – or bring up any discussion of oxygen tanks 🤗, but it was a good appointment.

Katie cut me some leeway for the muscle I pulled during a coughing fit yesterday.  It was painful when I did it, and much worse after I had a hot bath.  But Dan rubbed CBD oil on the affected area three times and I put an ice pack on it twice.  It is much better today, but still tender enough to be an issue doing all the deep breaths for the tests

Also, this past week has been horrid for humidity and forest fire smoke – both of which have a detrimental effect on my breathing.   The good news is that today the humidity is down and the smoke is gone!

I told Katie that I was feeling much better this year because I had gotten a handle on my diet – especially my sugar consumption.  I mentioned that my Daily Food Diary helped immensely in making me more mindful of what I was eating. (Especially my ‘throughout the day’ snacking).   She said she had a relative who was struggling with her diet, and she was going to mention this to her.  Then she said how much she enjoys my appointments because she always learns something new.   I appreciate how much I have learned from Katie over the years, but it made me feel really good that I have been giving something back.

Finally, I don’t usually wear nail polish but I had done my nails for Genie & Alec’s wedding last week.  I had to remove the nail polish before I went for my appointment.  I noticed that my nails are significantly stronger and healthier since I started taking collagen supplements a couple of weeks ago.   That was a bonus that I was not expecting this soon! 👍

Daily Food Diary – Day 205

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios (147)

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

Lunch:

(3/4) serving nachos

(1) almond flour/chocolate chip cookie (50)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(7) oz ribeye steak (490)

(1) tbsp BBQ sauce (25)

(1) sm. Baked potato (80)

(3) tsp butter (103)

(1/4) c green onion (10)

(1) c fried mushrooms (44)

(1) ear of corn (78)

Total net calories: 1229

Net calorie goal:  1229! 🙌

Seriously, I got that dead-on without even trying. 🙂

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

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

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! 💞🌞