Daily Food Diary – Day 166 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 166 Days since I began my Daily Food Diary and we are home!

Yesterday was our busiest and most intense day with the family.  

Activity wise, I took Molly for a walk.  She couldn’t make it around the subdivision without some drama, so true to form she had a traumatizing run in with two wooden deer at the entrance to one of the neighbours driveways.  🤦 Fortunately, Dan came around with the Jeep to check on us.  Molly climbed in with him, while I finished our walk.

Not the greatest pics, but it you an idea of the area. 

When I  got back from our walk, I had my first ever experience on a trampoline.  Gabby, Lucas, and Cason all joined me to show me how it was done.   It was pretty awkward, but I think having (and using) a trampoline regularly would be good for developing balance and core muscles.

After the trampoline, son Dan sent me on a run on the kids’ zipline.  Again, it was a bit awkward and  it was more intense than I expected but I can now say that I have done it.  I actually enjoyed it.  I could see myself taking on a more challenging one if I had the opportunity.

Late in the afternoon, Amanda returned from her trip with her friends.  Their husbands and kids arrived and the evening was an abundance of fun and food.

Dan & son Dan smoked/barbecued Prime rib roasts and the other husband’s brought twice baked potatoes and a salad.  The potatoes were excellent and the salad was amazing.  I will find and share the recipe for the salad tomorrow.   I made an oriental ramen salad using rice noodles (to make it gluten free for Amanda).  It worked out better than expected.  I couldn’t even tell it wasn’t regular ramen noodles. One of the husbands grilled the asparagus and someone set out olives and pickles.  For dessert we had the apple strawberry crisp that I had made earlier (again, better than I expected).  Amanda and her friends served it with gluten free ice cream.  

Once again I failed to meet my diet goals, but as I have said before … life is all about balance!  We are back home now so I will soon be back on track – or at least making an effort to get on track. 😊

Daily Food Diary – Day 166

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c 2 % milk (32)

Lunch:

(1/2) c baked beans (300) (1 SVG)

(1) BBQ spare rib (81)

(32) oz water

Supper:

(4) oz prime rib roast (340)

(1) tbsp horseradish (7)

(6) oz double baked potato (180)

(1) c Gluten free Rice noodle/cabbage salad (169) (2 SVG)

(8) grilled asparagus spears (26) (1 SVG)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) c romaine salad (140) (1 SVG)

(1) serving Apple strawberry crisp (248) (1 serving)

(1) serving Gluten Free ice cream (98)

(2) Gin & tonics (220)

Total net Calories: 1937

Total calorie goal: 1238 – 1937 = 699 over 👎

Total fruit & vegetables: 6 servings

Fruit & vegetable goal: 7 servings 👎

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great (rest of) your day!

Lucas and Molly saying their goodbyes this morning. 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 165 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 165 of my Daily Food Diary.   It is also Father’s Day – Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there! 

AND, It is also the 6th and final day of our stay with son Dan. 

Tonight, Dan’s wife Amanda returns from her trip and tomorrow we head home.  It has been nice spending time with Dan and family, but I am obviously not focussed enough on my routine and diet to manage it well on holidays. I need to get home to get back on track.  

I took Molly for a good walk yesterday.  Good might not be the best word.   At one point we were walking along the edge of a road,  when Molly bolted through a steep ditch to go check out another dog. That was a bit sketchy, but I managed to stay on my feet and rein her back in, so it ended well enough.  

Presently, we are getting some quiet time as Dan and his family went to a Scout wind up for Lucas.   We stayed home to keep an eye on the dogs and start supper. 

I made a cabbage ramen salad yesterday and an apple strawberry crisp this morning.
Dan is firing up the grille and starting the prime rib.

Amanda is coming straight home with her friends when they get back.  Their husbands and families will meet them here and we will have one big  supper together, before they go their own way. 

Time to try taking Molly for another venture around the neighbourhood.  With any luck, I will get a few photos of the scenery around here for tomorrow’s blog.

Daily Food Diary – Day 165

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) potato patties (240)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(2) eggs (160)

(1) slice bacon (85)

Snacks:

(24) Lightly salted potato chips (125)

(1) c coffee with amaretto (70)

(1) Ginger ale & Raspberry Lemonade (140)

(24) oz water

Supper:

(4) oz beef burger (243)

(1/2) c vegetable fried rice (250) (1 SVG)

(1) c raw vegetables (18) (2 SVG)

(1) tsp Dilly Dip (80)

(1) Lemon Desert Bars (193)

Total Net Calories:  1563

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1563 = 325 over 👎

Total Fruits & Vegetables: 3 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 164 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 164 of my Daily Food Diary today.  👍

We are on Day 5 of our time with son Dan and family.  We have been too busy visiting today to wrap my head around my regular routine, but better late than never on posting my Daily Diary.

I haven’t done as well with my morning aerobics. This is the second day in a row that is a miss.  

Since I’m already this late, I am just going to wrap this up and take Molly for a walk  and get a bit of exercise. 

Looks like she is ready to go!

Daily Food Diary – Day 164

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios. (147)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(4) oz beef burger (243)

(12) lightly salted chips (62)

(24) oz water

Supper:

(1) bowl Wonton Soup (71)

(1/2) c vegetable fried rice (250)

(1) c beef & broccoli (264)

(1/2) c sesame chicken (200)

*** Vegetables in supper (2 SVG)

Total net calories: 1507

Net Calorie Goal: 1238 – 1507 = 269 over

Total fruits and vegetables: 2 servings

Fruits and vegetable goal: 7 servings

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 163 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is the 163rd Day of posting my Daily Food Diary.   It is also our 4th day of being away from home.

Traveling and spending time with family makes for a nice break from being home.  It also makes managing one’s diet a little more challenging. 

Since travel day, which was pretty bad,  I have been managing fairly well.  The only problem has been with water.   We have spent time here at son Dan’s before, but this time I cannot handle their water. 🤦 Last night,  I figured it out.    Fortunately, we had a two gallon jug of filtered water from home in the Jeep.   I switched to that and  all is good.

This morning Dan & son Dan are gone to a golf tournament.  I got Lucas off to school 0n time.   Cason made his own breakfast, ate, and got himself dressed for the day. 👍

I’d say the day is going smoothly so far – except for the three problem children. 🙄

Cornelius (L) and Bacardi (R)
And Molly!

Molly and Bacardi love to get each other going, and this morning they were  wound up from the get go.  Cornelius isn’t up for the shenanigans so he contributes to the chaos by yipping and yapping at the other two until they turn on him.   They are all on a break at the moment – but it is only  for the moment. 🤫

Granddaughter Gabby, is getting ready for work so I should run downstairs, get dressed, and be ready to workout when she leaves. So far so good! I haven’t been walking due to smoke and rain, but I am getting my morning aerobics done.  All or something!

Gabby! 💕

Daily Food Diary – Day 163

Breakfast

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c  2% milk (28)

Lunch:

(3) sm. Riblets (100)

(1/2) c macaroni salad (80)

(1) c raw vegetables (18) (2 SVG)

(24) oz water

Supper:

(2) gin & tonic (220)

(4) oz ground beef burger  – no bun (243)

(1/8) c marble cheese (57)

(1/2) c brown beans (300) (1 SVG)

(1/4) c macaroni salad (80)

(1) c raw vegetables (18) (2 SVG)

(12) oz water

Total net calories: 1327

Net calories goal: 1238 – 1327 = 89 over 👎

Fruits & vegetables:  5 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 162 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 162 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary! 😊

We are at son Dan’s for a few days.  Theoretically we are here to help Dan hold down the fort and keep their two sons – Lucas (10) and Cason (6), while Dan’s wife is out of town.   In reality, Dan has some unexpected time off  so  has  a handle on everything.  We  aren’t doing much except enjoying our visit.   

Tomorrow, Dan & son Dan are spending the day at a golf tournament so I will get a chance to step up a bit.

I did get my aerobics done yesterday.  We also had enough of a break from the smoke that I  got outside for a bit of  fresh air.   💪

There is plenty of  space (and flowers) to enjoy on the deck that wraps around much of their house. 🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 162

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(25) Blueberry Mini Wheats (190)

Snacks:

(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)

(1) Mott’s Clamato/vodka Caesar (168) (1 SVG)

Supper:

(5) dry garlic pork ribs (400)

(15) French fries (50)

***Potatoes do not count as a vegetable 🤦

(2) c  raw vegetables (35) (4 SVG)

(1) tbsp ranch dressing (55)

Total net calories: 1194

Net calories goal: 1238 – 1194 = 44 under 👍

Total fruits & vegetables: 5

Fruits & vegetable goal: 7 👎

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

, FC : (0,0,0)

Daily Food Diary – Day 161 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 161 of my Daily Food Diary. That is a solid  23 WEEKS! 😃

We are now away from our  home base and spending a few days with son Dan and family. 

Yesterday was our travel day here so  I missed doing my morning aerobics workout.  I also missed out on any walking, due to heavy smoke drifting through Saskatchewan and settling here once we arrived.  Son Dan spent the day putting together an amazing supper of home made baked beans and smoked ribs.   Daughter in Law,  Amanda, topped it off with a decadent Gin and Tonic.  All in all, the results of my Daily Diary are a cautionary tale of traveling and visiting family.

Today, things are looking up.  While it is still too smokey  to go out for a walk, I did get my aerobic workout in and I had a workout buddy to work with.

Grandson Cason

Six year old Cason came up to do my aerobic workout with me.   We finished that and he chose one of his favourite You Tube workout challenges and we did that as well. 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 161 of 365

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) tsp butter (69)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(2) eggs (160)

(1 1/2) slices Piller’s shaved ham (25)

(2) green onions (12) (1 SVG)

Lunch:

(1) A & W Teen Burger (no bun) (390) (1 SVG)

(1) Reg. Fries (310)

(1) Reg gravy  (69)

Snacks:

(1) Gin & Tonic (110)

(24) oz water

Supper:

(1 ) c brown beans (600) (2 SVG)

(3) BBQ smoked pork ribs (540)

(1) c raw vegetables  (35) (2 SVG)

(2) tbsp ranch dressing (155)

Total Net Calories: 2417

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 2417 = 1179 over 👎

Fruits & Vegetables: 6 servings

Fruits & Vegetables goal: 7 servings 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 160 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 160 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary. 😬

Yesterday was not a banner day in the the kitchen!

I was over on calories *, processed sugar, sodium, and saturated fats.  I fell short on fruits and vegetables.  😞

There was a BUT on the calories.  I was over because I didn’t do my aerobic workout in the  morning.  BUT, I was active all day – I  was just doing things that I don’t count the calories used for.

I brushed Molly, we took her for a bath, and I walked her home from the pet store (to help finish drying her). 

I finished the laundry, baked Lemon Squares for Danny and cut up all three squares I made and packaged them up.  I watered the garden and the flowers in the front yard.  I packed. I did the dishes from breakfast, lunch, and baking and  cleaned the sink, counter tops, and stove top.  I tidied up the house, had a bath and did my hair.

I had a short visit with granddaughter Genie and I brushed Molly AGAIN.

Clean,  fluffy, and totally exhausted!

Today we hit the road to go up to son Dan’s to watch the boys for a few days.    It  should be a few active days and a few healthy days in the kitchen!  👍

Daily Food Diary – Day 160

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) crumpets (240)

(2) tsp butter (69)

(3) tsp jam (50)

Lunch:

(1/2) c macaroni salad (258) (1/2 SVG)

(1) radish (1) (1/4 SVG)

(1/5) c red onion (1/4 SVG)

(3) slices Piller’s shaved ham (50)

Supper:

(1) Hungry Man Chicken Cutlet Dinner (520) (1 SVG)

(1) Gluten free DK chocolate and peanut butter dessert bar (110)

(1) Lemon Dessert bar (193)

Total net calories: 1472

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1472 = 234 over 👎

Fruits & Vegetables: 2 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 159 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 159 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary.  

It is also my sister Denise’s birthday! 🎂  I do not remember sharing a home with Denise.  I was two years old when she married and moved on to start her own family.  Her firstborn is my niece Teenie (Jeanne Christine) who became and remains  a ‘little sister’ to me. I don’t see either of them as much as I would like,  but they are always  in my thoughts.   💞

Back to my Daily Food Diary….  Every month, I choose one aspect of my diet to focus on.  This month, it is fruits and vegetables.  My goal is to meet the recommendation of the Canada Food Guide and consume 7 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

Of all of the monthly challenges  that I have attempted since starting my Daily Food Diary, I thought this would be the easiest. I love vegetables.  I am not so fond of fruit, but since fruit used in baking counts, I was pretty sure this was doable.

I have met or surpassed my goal most days so far.  But, I am having issues!  

I have been eating more fruit than usual and aside from the expected digestive issues, I am struggling with lung issues.   Sugar, whether natural or processed, affects the abundance of mucus that my chronic lung issues produce.   With mucus the consistency of wood glue, smoke drifting through from northern forest fires, and our uncooperative weather…. I am struggling.   Also, with my sensitivity to yeast, any amount of sugar is too much – again regardless if that sugar is natural or processed.

The vegetables that I have been eating should not be causing me any grief to speak of.   However, many of the vegetables that I have been eating cause gas and bloating.  It isn’t anything extreme, but with my unresolved epigastric hernia (as I wait for surgery), it is a painful PROBLEM.  

So no,  this month is not going as well as I thought it would.  This week I will be pulling back, but fruits and vegetables will definitely be my focus.  I am going to spend some serious time researching lower sugar fruits and less gassy vegetables.  Next week, I will be back on track!

Today, Molly is our big project.  We have to get her brushed out this morning and take her for another bath.  

Daily Food Diary

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(1) tbsp milk (8)

(2) eggs (160)

(3) slices bacon (130)

(1/2) tomato (11)  (1 SVG)

Snacks:

(8) oz Clamato Juice (60) (1 SVG)

(25) light salt ripple chips (270)

Supper:

(1) Lean gr. Beef Burger (243)

(1/4) c red onion (15) (1/4 SVG)

(1) tbsp horseradish (7) (1/4 SVG)

(5) lg asparagus spears (16) (1/2 SVG)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(2) Dill pickles (10) (2 SVG)

(1) c brown beans  (246) (2 SVG)

(1) serving Apple crisp (133) (1)

(1) oz raspberry desert bar (133)

Total net calories: 1886

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1886 = 648 Over 👎

*** In my defense, I do not work out on Sundays, it was too windy to walk, and I had to test one of the deserts I made for son Dan & family. 🙄

Fruits & vegetables: 8 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 158 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 158 Days since I began my Daily Food Diary! 🙌

It is 3 Years and 4 Months since I became more mindful and pro-active about my health in general.

As it has been with my previous efforts – exercise, stress management, sleep habits, deep breathing – my Daily Food Diary has been a positive experience.   The benefits have far exceeded the effort I have put into it.

Rather than trying to improve my diet all at once, I am focussing  on one diet issue each  month.

In January, I noted everything I consumed each day – and for accountability purposes began posting it on my blog… That was enough to discover that I do not drink nearly enough water and that I was constantly reaching for something to snack on.  I wasn’t hungry, it was not emotional eating… It was just mindless snacking.    I am still working on the water but the mindless snacking is no longer an issue.   And I have lost Ten Pounds since January 1st.

In February, I started counting calories – and pretty much quit eating Fast Food, which is seriously high in calories, sodium, processed sugar,  and saturated fats.

In March, I tracked the protein I was consuming.   I eat a lot of high protein food.  I wasn’t too concerned as I do daily workouts and protein builds muscle! 💪

In April, I tracked my processed sugar and sodium consumption.  I found how even a little sugar negatively affects my lungs and that I consume way too much sodium. I am still working on both!

In May, I tracked the saturated fats I consumed.  That high protein diet from March came back to bite me in the butt.  I am still working on cutting back on the saturated fats and incorporating more brown beans, barley, and oatmeal into our diet to keep our arteries clear and our cholesterol levels down.

In June, my focus is on tracking and  increasing the fruits and vegetables that I consume.  I thought this month was going to be an easy win.  It isn’t, but I will save that story for tomorrow’s blog. 🥕

Dan got our little lawn ornaments clear coated this week.  The ‘Kat’ angel is tucked into her forever home in the ground cedar.  The frog will find a place by the pond once we get it cleaned out and the pumps operating.

Daily Food Diary – Day 158

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) crumpets (240)

(2) tsp butter (69)

(1 1/2) tsp jam (75)

Snacks:

48 oz water

(1) pear (103) (1 SVG)

(1) kiwi (46) (1 SVG)

(1) oz almonds (168)

(6) mini Easter eggs  (85)

*** Yes, I did give our granddaughter Genie a couple of hundred of those candy coated chocolate Easter eggs, but the bag just keeps on giving.  Note to self – never buy a little bag of candy when standing in a BIG store.  Size is relative. 🤦

Supper:

(2) Pork Souvlaki Kebabs (160)

(1) c white rice (242)

(1) c broccoli (60) (2 SVG)

(2) tsp butter (69)

(1) tbsp soya sauce (15)

(8) lg. Grape tomatoes (22) (1 SVG)

(1) mini cucumber (10) (1 SVG)

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (80)

Total Net Calories: 1270

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1270 = 32 over 👎

Total Fruits & Vegetables: 6 servings

Fruits & Vegetable goal: 7 servings 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 157 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 157 of my Daily Food Diary. 🤩

It is hard to believe that in less than 157 short days, we went from this….

Walking around Waterfall Park with Molly

To this ….

Finished planting garden! ☺️

I am super happy about getting the garden in.  We have some yard maintenance left to do, but it will happen.

This year, I added more perennials to the garden… strawberries, asparagus, and rhubarb.  At this point, we are looking at what will work for our future selves –  what will be sustainable and maintainable.

I love spring, I love our yard, and I love working in the dirt and seeing it come to life .  But realistically, it is getting harder every year and we have to deal with.

My lungs are struggling to deal with what Mother Nature is handing out – especially these days.   Humid days, smokey days, dusty days… Fresh cut grass,  pollen and tree seeds. If it’s not one thing,  it is another. 

Notice tree seeds around the base of steps and by bricks.

After I finished the garden yesterday, I tackled the tree seeds.   Our neighbours on each side of us have one big beautiful tree each  (elm possibly).   In the spring, they shed millions (billions possibly) of seeds, which land in our yard – in every nook and cranny and creating drifts of allergenic plant life on our patios.   Besides the grief they cause my lungs, every seed that finds a speck of dirt will sprout.  By the time we see a sprout, it has roots a foot long – each one a battle to uproot. 

Yesterday, I dragged out the shop vac and vacuumed our patios and walkways….   (I  do the garden by hand).

Shop vacs are not my friend.  They do not follow, they come with long extension cords to trip over.  And best of all, much  like campfires – no matter where I am relative to a shop vac, the exhaust is in my face.  In this case,   the exhaust being fine dust and tree seed bits. 

The good news is I got the bulk of the little beggars.  The rest will ultimately hitch a ride on  our large  fluffy dog and come to live in our house – on floors and furniture and bedding. 

While I feel like I am about one bad day away from respiratory failure, I am doing fairly well.  My blood oxygen was 96 percent this morning.   By the time I clear my lungs, I will be ready to do my aerobics and get on with my day.  My rainy, humid day…😁

Daily Food Diary – Day 157

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2) grapefruit (39) (1 SVG)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

Lunch:

(1/2) c egg salad (118) (1/2 SVG)

(1) c Romaine lettuce (1/2 SVG)

(18) Onion & Garlic chips (232)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(12) oz carbonated water

(4) oz barbecue lean ground beef   (243)

(4) oz macaroni salad (258)

(1/2) tomato (11)

(1/2) c onions (30)

(1/2) c mushrooms (23)

(1) tbsp horseradish (7)

*** Total vegetables (1 SVG)

(1) serving Apple Crisp (227) (1 SVG)

Total net calories: 1092

Net calories goal: 1238 – 1092 = 146 under 👍

Total Fruits & Vegetables: 4 servings

Fruits & Vegetable goal: 7 servings

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