Daily Food Diary – Day 84 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 84 days (11 Weeks) since I started my Daily Food Diary.   It is incredible how quickly the weeks go by.

When I started this diary, we were heading into a brutal winter.  We have left that behind as we now head into spring.  Yesterday, we had our back door open so we could let the fresh air in and Molly could come and go on her own. 

Spring is easily my favourite season of the year! It is the promise of summer – without the bugs.  It is ultimately great grass and trees, flowers, and sunshine! What is not to love?

Spring Dogs.. 😳

Daily Food Diary – Day 84

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2) (.3)

(1) c Raisin Bran Crunch (190) (3)

(1/4) c milk (31) (2)

Lunch:

(1) Granola Bar (160) (3)

(12) oz water

Snack:

(1) c licorice tea

Supper:

(12) oz carbonated water

Chef Salad…

(2) c Romaine Lettuce (12) (.9)

(2) Radishes (3) (.1)

(10) slices cucumber (10) (.4)

(1/2) tomato (11) (.5)

(1/4) c green onions (10) (1)

(3) oz baked ham (140) (14)

(1/3) c shredded cheese (137) (8.4)

(2) hard boiled eggs (156) (14.1)

(1 1/2) tsp sunflower seeds (135) (4.5)

(3) tbsp Peppercorn Ranch dressing (165)

(2) tbsp French’s dry fried onions (200) (8)

Total Calories: 1362

Less 126 calories for 30 minutes aerobics

Net Calories: 1236

Daily Net Calorie Goal:  1269 – 1236 = under 33

Total Protein: 60.2 grams

Daily Protein Goal:  46 to 58.5 grams

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

Happy Belated Birthday to Madison, who turned 15 years old the day BEFORE her sister Prim turned 13. 🤦🎂
 Grandma and Grandpa have ALWAYS known this because Mom went to the hospital as soon as we finished celebrating your second birthday. 🙄🎂

It is impossible to believe our little girls have grown up so fast! We love you both and we are so proud of both of you!

Daily Food Diary – Day 83 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It has been 83 days since I began keeping and posting my Daily Food Diary.   It has been 3 years and 10 days since I began my health and fitness lifestyle.

Nowadays,   I keep plugging along with my efforts, always with a quiet appreciation for how far I have come and how many benefits I have received from living a healthier more active life.

Then there are days like yesterday! While I have washed our Jeep on occasion, it is generally one of those chores that Dan handles.  Yesterday, I decided it was my turn. 

I headed down to a self-serve carwash ready to do battle.   Half an hour later, I was heading home with a sparkly clean Jeep.  Not only did I do a great job, best job ever – but there was no battle.  I sprayed the pre-soak, used the foamy brush to scrub down the Jeep top to bottom, sprayed it all down with more soapy spray, and gave it a thorough rinse.  

I came home, did my aerobic workout, had a granola bar AND headed down to Wascana Lake for a walk with Dan and Molly.

There was a time (3 years ago) when I thought that being a flabby, clumsy old  wimp, that having asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis, that being sick and weak and miserable, that struggling every day was who I was.  

It was.   But three years later,  I am stronger and happier and healthier than I ever could have imagined.  And some days that is just so beyond  exciting!   😁

Daily Food Diary – Day 83

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2) (.3)

(1) c Raisin Bran Crunch (190) (3)

(1/4) c milk (31) (2)

Lunch:

(24) oz water

(1) Granola Bar (160) (3)

Snacks:

(1) c green tea

(25) Lay’s Classic Potato Chips(160) (2)

Supper:

(1) c white rice (242) (4.4)

(2) tbsp soya sauce (30) (2)

(3) sm. Chicken drumsticks(300) (30.5)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(10) asparagus spears (33) (3.6)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(5) pcs cucumber (4) (.2)

(1/2) med. Tomato (11) (.5)

Total Calories: 1237

Less 126 Calories for 30 min. aerobics

Less 85 Calories for 37 min walking

Net Calories: 1026

Daily net calorie goal 1269 calories

1269 – 1026 =  243 calories under for the day

Total Protein: 51.2 Grams

Protein goal for per day: 46 to 58.5 grams per day

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

Happy Birthday to our newest teenager PrimRose! We love you and wish the best for you – ALWAYS! 💞🎂

Daily Food Diary – Day 82 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 82 days since I started my Daily Food Diary.   With the arrival of spring, we have been getting out and about a lot more.

I love the fresh air and the opportunity to get out walking the trails around Regina.  My only issue is that the more time I spend outside, the more calories I and protein I am consuming. 

Reaching my ultimate weight goal, isn’t my biggest concern.  However,  I have to start working on scaling back or I will be heading in the wrong direction.  That will be my focus for this week…. scaling back. ☺️

On yesterday’s walk, I stopped to take a couple of pics of the flowing creek. 
I told Dan & Molly to go ahead and I would catch up. 
* Nobody tells Dan or Molly what to do.  ☺️

Daily Food Diary – Day 82

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2) (.3)

(3) PC back bacon (52) (12)

(2) Scramble Eggs (212) (14.8)

(2) Potato Patties (240) (2)

Snacks:

(1) c tea

(25) BBQ potato chips (230) (.2)

(36) oz water

Supper:

(12) oz carbonated water

(6) Pierogies (330) (9)

(1) tbsp onion chip dip (45)

(2) oz Drake Sausage (190) (16)

(1) sm side salad (230) (7.8)

(2/3) c Butter Pecan Ice cream with caramel & chocolate syrup and pecans (381) (3.6)

Total Calories: 1913

Total Protein: 67.5 grams

Daily protein goal: 46 to 58.5 grams

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 81 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 81 days since I began my Daily Food Diary.  This month I have been tracking my protein consumption.  I obviously don’t have any trouble getting enough protein in my diet.  With only  a week to go of this particular exercise, we went all out yesterday.

Steak & Shrimp Supper – we do own real dishes and actual placemats 🙄

It is Sunday today – a good day for relaxing and contemplating life.  Dwight, one of my amigos, shared a quotation yesterday that made me think, so I decided to  pass it on today…

It is humbling  to consider how amazing we are – Body, Mind, and Spirit.  💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 81

Breakfast:

(1) c Coffee (2) (.3)

(2) eggs scrambled with back bacon, green onion, red pepper, and  asparagus fried in butter    (289) (25.8)

Snacks:

(1) c Lemon Ginger tea

(1/3) c Dill Pickle Peanuts (300) (11)

(2) sq dark chocolate (113) (.9)

(1/2) c sunflower seeds with shells (120) (4)

(36) oz water

Supper:

(12) oz water

(1) c white rice (242) (4.4)

(2) tbsp soya sauce (15) (1)

(10) Asparagus spears (33) (3.6)

(4) oz minute steak (267) (33.3)

(1/2) c mushrooms (22) (1.7)

(7) Jumbo shrimp (140) (26.8)

(3) tsp butter (1030 (.1)

(2) tbsp Honey Garlic Sauce (45)

Total Calories: 1689

Total Protein: 112.6 grams 😲

Protein daily goal: 46 to 58.5

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 80 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

I am 80 days into my 365 day Daily Food Diary.  There’s only 285 more days to go before I will have to find something else to do first thing every morning.  With my hernia repair hopefully behind me, I am considering upping my daily activity by starting a 365 day Daily Workout Diary. 💪

Right now,  I am maintaining my morning aerobics.  I have been doing You Tube aerobic workouts for over two years now.  While the results have been subtle, they have been there.  I have lost +30 pounds, toned up my body, improved my lung function and  increased my stamina.  I have also  noticed a major improvement in my flexibility and balance – two things that are of major importance as I will soon be in my seventies.  Being able to move forward easily and confidently, is a huge win!

Dan, Molly, and I have also been out doing more walking, with the official arrival of spring this week.  I love walking and  spending dedicated time with Dan and Molly. 

I am looking forward to getting back to more strength training, once my repair is done.  Working with weights – even light weights is important to maintaining muscle and bones.  

I am still looking at  moving outside of my comfort zone and trying some of the  professional workout facilities around the city.   We have a variety of gyms, indoor tracks, climbing walls, trampoline parks… and more.  A Daily Workout Diary – especially one that I posted on here – would definitely give me the incentive to get out and do it.   Hmmm…

Daily Food Diary – Day 80

Breakfast:

1 c coffee (2) (.3)

1 c Cheerios (147) (2.7)

(1/4) c milk (31) (2)

Snacks:

(2) pc Matrimonial Cake (278) (2)

(1) c Licorice Tea

(1/2) c Sunflower Seeds -inc shell (120) (4)

(26) oz water

Supper:

(4) oz Drake Sausage (380) (32)

(1/2) c Sauerkraut (20)

(7) Cheemo Pierogies (385) (10.5)

(1) tbsp Butter (103) (.1)

(1) med. Onion (46) (1.4)

(2) tbsp onion chip dip (45) (2)

(12) oz carbonated water

Total Calories:  1557

Total Protein: 57 Grams

Daily Protein Goal: 46 to 58.5 grams

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 79 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in Uncategorized

It is 79 days since I became mindful of everything I consume,  and started  keeping track of it in my Daily Food Diary. 

Yesterday, was not a stellar day for staying on track.  We opted for takeout from Taco Time.  It is one of the few restaurants here where I do not have to worry about avoiding yeast.  That is good, but the sodium served up in their food is through the roof and they do pack in the calories!

I was mindful of the sodium when Dan and I were deciding what to order.  We don’t order in  or eat out often, so I don’t beat myself up when we do.  But, I am still mindful of whatever I order and act accordingly.

Last night, that meant cancelling the Caesar I was planning to indulge in last night.  I wanted one, and I certainly deserved one, but no! After I finished doing our taxes (which made me crazy as usual) I filled my water bottle and sat down to enjoy my tacos, burrito, and Mexi Fries – almost guilt free.

Feeling like Maddy in her self portrait!

Daily Food Diary – Day 79

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2) (.3)

(1/2) c grapefruit (41) (.8)

(1) tsp sugar (16)

(3) waffles (300) (5.1)

(1) tbsp butter (103) (.1)

(2) tbsp syrup (94)

(3) slices bacon

Snacks:

(36) oz water

(1) c Lemon Ginger tea

Supper:

(2) crisp shell tacos (520) (28)

(1) sm. Mexi fries (265) (3)

(1) crisp meat burrito (428) (22)

Total Calories: 1899

Total Protein: 68.2 grams

Daily Protein Goal: 46 to 58.5 grams

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 78 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

I am 78 DAYS in and still showing up every morning to post my Daily Food Diary.  It is a small, simple act,  but it is becoming an important part of starting my day on the right track.  Every morning, I commit  to being accountable for my health and wellness.

It is not just about my physical well-being.  My mental and emotional health, affect my physical health.  My lung issues are triggered by stress, so I  have been focussing on dialing it down. 

This cracked me up when it popped up on my Facebook feed the other day.  It’s funny because it’s true. 😂

Stress and anxiety have been an ongoing issue for my entire life.   I have dialed it down A LOT in the past few years, especially since I retired.  But it is still an issue.

I work on it before I go to sleep – listening to soothing music, guided meditations, or inspiring videos.  And I work on it in the morning – by setting my health and wellness as a priority – body, mind, and soul.  Because it doesn’t just happen.  We have to make it happen. 😉

Food Diary – Day 78

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2) (.3)

(2) Potato Patties (240) (2)

(2) Eggs (160) (14)

(3) Slices back bacon (52) (12)

Snacks:

(1) c Cherry Trifle Tea

(1/2) pkg Popcorn (160) (2)

(1) pc Matrimonial Cake (139) (1)

(24) oz water

Supper:

(12) oz carbonated water

(1) porkchops (177) (26)

(1/2) pkg Ramen Noodles (190) (5)

(1) c broccoli (60) (9)

(1) tsp butter (34)

Total Calories: 1215

Total Protein: 71.3 grams

Protein goal per day: 46 to 58.5 grams

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 77 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 77 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary.  That is 11 Weeks! By the time I knock off another 41 weeks, I might be addicted to this morning exercise and being mindful of what I consume on a regular basis.

Another thing I could easily become addicted to is getting out walking with Dan and Molly. 

Yesterday we ventured down to Waterfall Park.  Our temps were still well in the chilly range, there was yet another fresh layer of snow, and I was walking on an iffy ankle and a slightly wobbly knee.  But… The only hard part is taking the first step (after I put on my sweater, ski pants, boots, jacket, and gloves 🙄).

Once we got to the park, it was all good.  I took Molly’s lead and we made out fairly well.  My knee and ankle felt fine and we even ventured down an unfamiliar path.  It was not as groomed as our regular ones and there was a steep drop off of both sides – one side leading down to the creek.  Molly and I managed to both stay upright.    Dan caught sight of three dogs and a group of kids approaching, so he took Molly’s lead.  It was all good – until Molly’s collar came apart for some reason.   Dan was able to hold onto her while I got the collar back together.  It is a heavy duty pinch collar, with steel links that are almost impossible to take apart and to replace.  Apparently, it just takes the perfect move to slip it apart!  I lucked out getting it back together.

This shot was from a couple of days ago but shows Molly in her element.

The rest of the walk was uneventful. When we got home, Dan brought Molly in and made our tea.  I spent a few minutes shoveling our front walks before I joined them.  At the end of the day, my left knee was fine, my right ankle was fine – and my left foot had a weird kink in it.  It is still bothering me a bit this morning, but I am sure I can walk that off when we head out today.  🙂

Food Diary – Day 77

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2) (.3)

(1/2) Grapefruit (41) (.8)

(1) tsp sugar (16)

(1) Granola Bar (160) (3)

Lunch:

(24) oz water

(1/2) Beef burrito (308) (15)

Snacks:

(1) c Lemon Ginger tea

(25) Lay’s Classic chips (160) (2)

Supper:

(12) oz carbonated water

(1) lg. Taco Salad (520) (16)

(6) Hint of Lime chips (150) (2)

Total Calories: 1357

Total Protein: 39.1 grams

Daily Protein Goal: 46 to 58.5 grams

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 76 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 76 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary.  One thing that may, or may not,  be noticeable is that almost everything we eat for meals is homemade and made  from scratch.   That is a matter of personal preference, and done in an effort to avoid yeast, which I cannot tolerate.

That being said, last night we tossed a couple of TV Dinners in the oven after getting home from a walk with Molly.  We were walking a wide clear, level path.  When we came to a section of path that ran parallel to a high ridge of snow and ice, Molly went mountain goat on us.

Dan managed to maintain a hold on Molly’s leash throughout her adventure.  I stayed on the nice clear path.  Regardless, I managed to slip on a miniscule bit of ice and pulled something in my left knee AND I tripped over nothing and twisted my right ankle.  Both are still bothering me a bit today, but I plan to do my aerobics and hopefully head out for another walk.

Food Diary – Day 76

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2) (.3)

(1) c Shreddies (200) (6)

(1/4) c 2% milk (31) (2)

(1) tsp sugar (16)

Snacks:

(36) oz water

(1) c Licorice Tea

(1) pc matrimonial cake (139) (1)

(1/2) c Sunflower seeds (with shells) (70) (5)

Supper:

(1) Hungry Man Chicken Cutlet Meal (550) (23)

Total Calories: 1008

Total Protein: 37.3 grams

Daily Protein Goal: 46 to 58.5 grams

Note: Hungry Man Chicken Cutlet Meal is the only one  sold here that does not contain yeast.

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 75 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today,  I am celebrating 75 Days since I began recording and posting my Daily Food Diary.  75 DAYS and I am 75 hits and 0 misses. 👍

Today, I am also celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.   (Photo from my Jigsawscapes App.  My daily jigsaw obsession).

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you and yours,  especially to all of my Irish friends who are celebrating today!

Today, I am ALSO celebrating what would have been my Father’s 116th birthday!

My Dad & Son Dan

My Father passed away 32 years ago. That is inconceivable to me. For some reason, my Father and my Mother have been popping up in my dreams on a regular basis lately.  To me, there is nothing odd or upsetting about their appearances.  The dreams are not about them, they are just there, very normal, very natural, very familiar. 

I was fortunate to have parents who worked hard to provide a stable, secure home for my siblings and I.   I appreciate all that they both did for me, but to be honest, I was closer to my Father.  Yes, I was a Daddy’s girl.

My Dad was everything I strive to be –  kind, gentle, strong, happy, caring, determined,  dignified (and determined to respect the dignity of others). 

Last year, my sister Jeanne reminded me of something that I had forgotten about my Father.  Something that seems so timely with all of belittling, dehumanizing, and hateful treatment towards people nowadays – based on their color, religion, nationality, sexuality or whatever!

My Father had a Grade Two education – French education.  Despite this, he was a very intelligent man and accomplished in many ways.   I knew that his Mother struggled with serious health issues and that when my Father left school, he went to work to help his father provide for his siblings.  He sat in the basement of the general store, removing the eyes from potatoes, to keep them marketable. 

Over the years, I came to believe that Dad quit school because  his family needed his help at home taking care of little ones and bringing in what little money he could from his humble position at the general store.

What I forgot was that he was expelled from school. IN GRADE TWO! Why? Because his teachers, good Catholic Nuns that they were, decided that he was stupid and unteachable because he was left-handed and refused to change his wayward ways.   He was deemed unworthy of an education.

Amazingly, they did not break him.  He was who he was – caring, kind, strong, loving, respectful, patient, and more.  Most important to me … He was my Dad.

Food Diary – Day 75

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2) (.3)

(2) potato patties (240) (2)

(2) eggs (160) (14)

(3) slices bacon (135) (7.5)

(1/2) medium tomato (11) (.5)

Snacks:

(36) oz water

(1) c Cinnamon Tea

(1) PC Matrimonial Cake (139) (1)

(25) Lay’s Classic Potato Chips (160) (2)

Supper:

(1) Large bowl Baked Onion Soup – beef broth, caramelized onions,  (soda bread) croutons, shredded marble cheese (368) (19.5)

Total Calories: 1222

Total Protein: 48.3 grams

Daily protein goal: 46 to 58.5

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