Tag: accomplishments

Daily Food Diary – Day 241 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 241 of my Daily Food Diary. 👍

Yesterday was a less than stellar day for me.  Despite our perfect weather and clear air, I struggled. 

My walk with Dan and Molly was too much for my lungs (For whatever reason!). I came home and had to rest easy for a few hours before I did my aerobics and weight workout.  We had takeout for supper and instead of doing my treadmill I went to bed.

After a couple of hours of sleep, I got up to have a bottle of carbonated water and a couple of aspirin.  My chest was congested, I was  feverish and headachy, and I felt nauseous.  

Having lived with asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis for years, it is easy to overthink these questionable days and start to panic.

I do have prescriptions for antibiotics and oral steroids at our pharmacy, but this being a long weekend our pharmacy is open limited hours today and then  closed Sunday and Monday.   Other pharmacies in the city are open but they do not have my ‘action plan’ on file.   If I can’t make it through the weekend without meds, it would mean a long wait in an overcrowded emergency ward being miserable.

Fortunately,  whatever was bothering me passed during the night. Today, I am perfectly fine.  I am ready to take on my aerobics, Saturday house cleaning, yardwork, and a session on our treadmill.  Plus, I drove Dan out of the city to his golf tournament this morning.

It is great to feel good again, but I do get rather frustrated with myself for panicking every time I have a poorly day.   My health has come a LONG way since a sniffle automatically meant I was in for an extended miserable health event.  🤦

It is hard to remember how strong, healthy, and resilient I am, after three and a half years of creating and maintaining a health and wellness lifestyle for myself.

I can relate to people who lose hundreds of pounds of  weight, but feel mentally stuck in that pre-weightloss mindset. 

It’s a weird challenge, but one to be conquered nonetheless. 🥴

I need to see myself as I am now, not like I used to be.  (Dan is looking pretty good too these days! Retirement looks good on him.)

Daily Food Diary – Day 241

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(26) Light sugar Mini Wheats (190)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (238)

(48) oz water

(12) oz carbonated water

Supper:

(1) Crisp Meat Burrito (428)

(2) Hardshell tacos (520)

(1) Sm. Mexi Fries (387)

Total net calories: 1321

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1321 = 92 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 229 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 229 since I started keeping and posting my Daily Food Diary.  🤗🥳

When I started my Daily Food Diary, I had a few reasons for committing to this practice.  My main reason was to become more mindful of what  I was eating, to hopefully zero in on which foods were detrimental or beneficial to my health and wellness – and to adjust my diet accordingly. 

I started posting my Daily Food Diet  to help me to be accountable for maintaining this practice for an entire YEAR.

So far, I am finding that the benefits that I have enjoyed from this practice have been totally worth any effort that I have put into it.

By becoming mindful of what I consume, I have cut back on the sugar, salt, and between meal snacks that I was accustomed to.  I have become aware of how many calories can be packed into processed foods and fast-food takeout.  I have even learned the difference that supplements can make in my health and wellness – specifically (for me) collagen supplements.

I have learned that a Daily Food Diary can be a powerful tool.  But apparently, like all tools it can be dangerous if it is used incorrectly or for the wrong purpose.

Yesterday, I was browsing social media and I came across a video that mentions the dangers of using a Daily Food Diary.  The video itself was a bit much (for me) politically and socially.  

But, the poster did make a good point about becoming overly obsessed over every calorie one consumes, in a bid to reach an unhealthy and unrealistic weight/body image.

I think it is something to definitely be mindful of before starting a Daily Food Diary – especially if one’s main goal going in is weight loss.

The point of using any weight loss tool, should be to enhance one’s health and wellness.   If any weight loss tool is failing to do just that, it needs to be set aside or at least adjusted to meet one’s needs. 

If you do decide to start your own Daily Food Diary, just be aware of the potential benefits and possible dangers. 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 229

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) scrambled eggs (182)

(3) slices bacon (130)

(2) potato patties (240)

Snacks:

(1) Mott’s caesar –red w/pickled asparagus – green (120)

Supper:

(1) Tortilla wrap (170)

(5) slices pastrami (206)

(4) slices Swiss Cheese (426)

(1) c sauerkraut – off white (45)

(1/4) c onions – white (12)

(1) tbsp Frank’s Red Hot Sauce – red (0)

Total net calories:  1440

Net calories goal: 1222 – 1440 = 219 over

Daily Food Diary – Day 228 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 228 of my Daily Food Diary.  ☺️

Yesterday marked one full  month since our granddaughter Genie married her ‘To Infinity’ Alec. 💞

This week when Alec and Genie delivered our ‘new to us’ treadmill, we finally convinced them to send us some more wedding photos.

Dan & I with the happiest young couple! 😊
Prim looking so pretty (as always).   Acting as official flower girl, Prim took her duties seriously.   With help from the mother of the bride & flower girl (our daughter Jen), Prim helped to choose,  arrange, and distribute all of the flowers – including the bride’s bouquet.

Back story of the flowers…  the basic blossoms were store bought (and included red carnations and pink rosebuds in memory of Genie’s great grandparents).   They were also  filled out with wildflowers that Jen and Prim picked for the day – in honor of another day from Genie’s youth.

When all of Jen’s kids were young,  we used to take them to  visit my Mother in the Foyer in Gravelbourg.  We always brought  Mom something, most often flowers.  On one visit, I forgot to get anything, but as we turned onto the highway to Gravelbourg, the ditch alongside the road  was  filled with wild flowers.   Jen and I decided we would pick a bouquet of wildflowers for Mom.   👍

After telling ALL of the kids to stay in the car, we made our way down into the ditch.  We heard the car door open and close. And looked back to see Genie rolling into the ditch behind us. 

There was no turning her back, so we just watched over her while she picked an armload of wildflowers for greatgrandma.

My mother loved the bouquet and we never let Genie forget the story. 😂

I am taking things easier this weekend. Yesterday,  I went for Molly’s walk.   I did a bit of housework (nothing too heroic).   I did my aerobics.  And…  I did 21 minutes on the treadmill – getting up to a Level 4 (of 16).   No incline yet, but today could be the day.

Daily Food Diary – Day 228

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2) pink grapefruit (39)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

(1) granola bar (170)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

(12) Mini Easter Eggs (the LAST) of the mini Easter eggs:   (190)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(1) sourdough bun (190)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(1) Beef/pork burger with bacon bits, provalone cheese, onions – white, tomato –  red, lettuce – green , & horseradish – white  (256)

(12) barbecue chips (130)

(5) slices cucumber – green (4)

(5) slices tomato – red (13)

Total net calories: 965

Net calories goal: 1222 – 965 = 256 under 👍

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

Grandpa escorting his girl to the altar, while she clutched her, special as she is, bouquet.

Daily Food Diary – Day 175 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 175 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary.  🤗

My Daily Food Diary is part of the Health and Wellness Lifestyle that I adopted three years ago.

This week, summer has (sort of)  returned to Saskatchewan.   At least,   it is warm and DRY enough to resume our morning walks.

And Molly is ready to go!

School is winding down and the kids around here are ready for their annual summer break.  The schools are feeding into their enthusiasm by taking them on field trips to our neighbourhood park where they have basketball courts, a soccer field, a huge handicap accessible play structure, and an equally huge spray pad.

Part of the kids’ entertainment, is hiking past our front yard where Molly sits in her corner and soaks in all the attention as the kids hike by.

When we take our walk, we pass the park and Molly again becomes the centre of attention for many of the kids.   On the best days, like yesterday,  some of the kids run up to the fence to interact with her.  💞

Whether we are making memories, or trying to preserve them,  Molly takes dog walking to a new level.

Walking is only one part of the healthy active retirement lifestyle that Dan and I are working to build.   Being out in nature, together, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air,  with Molly for ongoing entertainment makes it the best part. ❤️

Daily Food Diary – Day 175

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(2) eggs (160)

(3) tbsp bacon bits (90)

(2) potato patties (240)

Snacks:

(1) pear (103) (1 SVG)

(20) lightly salted potato chips (104)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) tomato (22) (1 SVG)

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

(1 1/2) c white rice (363)

(2) oz pork tenderloin (91)

(1 1/2) c vegetables – red pepper, *mushrooms, cabbage, leek, gr onions, celery, carrots (80) (2 SVG)

* Mushrooms do not count as vegetables

(2) tbsp soya sauce (30)

(1) tbsp butter (103)

(2) lg vegetable spring rolls (250) (2 SVG)

(2) Gyoza (90)

(1) tbsp plum sauce (35)

Total net calories: 1589

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1589 = 351 over 👎

Fruits & vegetables: 7 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👍

Dan’s Bleeding Heart continues to THRIVE.

Daily Food Diary – Day 170 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 170 DAYS since I began posting my Daily Food Diary! 💃

We have been back home for a few days.  Dan and I are both starting to feel somewhat better.  The forest fire smoke has cleared for the time being, which is a good thing!  Today it is humid and we are expecting a few days of rain, but that will be good for our garden and lawn. 

Our Marzano tomatoes are growing and blooming.

Our Blue Spruce CONTINUES to grow!

It is obvious that we are transitioning into summer.  Last night we had our first ‘Gazebo’ supper.  Daughter Jen and family – Maddy, Prim, Genie and her fiance Alec joined us for pierogies and sausage.  It’s a rather odd picnic supper, but one of those meals that seems to take too much effort to cook for two people.  🤷

Dan and I and Molly have been walking every morning since we got home.   We have been following the sidewalk around our neighbourhood, but yesterday I decided we should take a walk around the ball diamonds near us so that all of us – but especially Molly, could get a better feel for nature. 

Walking the entrance into the ball park, I managed to trip over the one small rock on our path.   This time, I did manage to faceplant but the only thing I hurt was one little finger and my dignity. 🙄

My finger is pretty much healed and my dignity will recover.

I am making an effort to eat better this week.  I am  avoiding sugar, salt, and saturated fats – plus working to meet my calorie goals. 🙂

Daily Food Diary – Day 170

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) peach (58) (1 SVG)

Lunch:

(1/2) c potato salad with radishes & green onions (231) (1 SVG)

(4) slices Piller’s shaved ham (57)

(6) multi grain crackers (7)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(4) pierogies (213)

(1/4) c onions (15) (1/2 SVG)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(3) oz Drake Sausage (285)

(1/2) c broccoli (27) (1 SVG)

(1) baby dill pickle (2) (1 SVG)

Total net calories: 987

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 987 = 251 under 👍

Fruits & vegetables:  3 1/2 servings

Fruits & vegetables 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! ☺️💕

Daily Food Diary – Day 138 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It has been 138 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary! 💃🕺

Yesterday, I blew my nutrition goals again BUT once again, the extra calories were justified. 

Yesterday, grandson Rory came over to help clean up our front yard.  He did the heavy work of raking up the lawn, but I cleaned up two big flower beds and and I helped him  bag all of his hard work. (Several bags!)

Rory, Molly, and I – wrapping up for the day. I love this photo that Dan took.   It took time to get Molly onboard but I think it turned out so perfect!

It will be a few days before Rory can come back to work up the garden planters for me.  It rained all night and it doesn’t look like we will be seeing any sunshine until next weekend.  It is frustrating, but it will be nice to see the city turn fresh and green.

Molly and I took another solo trip around the neighborhood yesterday, after Rory left.  The humidity makes it harder for me to walk, but hopefully we can keep getting out there this week.

Dan is here and he is fine, but the cold wet weather is affecting his joints so he has been focussed on working in the garage.   I can’t wait for him to finish the new planters he is building.  I think I have enough plants to fill them, but that remains to be seen.

Daily Food Diary – Day 138

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) tsp olive oil (40) (.7 grams)

(2) eggs (160) (3 grams)

(1) sl. Cheese for omelet (80) (4.5 grams)

(3) sl. Bacon (130) (3.3 grams)

(2) potato patties (240)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1) Asian pear (116)

(12) Raspberries (12)

(10) Doritos (127) (.9 grams)

Supper:

(1) Tortilla cheese wrap (170) (1.5 grams)

(1) tsp Miracle Whip Light  (12) (.2 grams)

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (80) (1.2 grams)

(6) sl. Piller’s shaved ham (90) (1.5 grams)

(1) c Romaine  lettuce (8)

(1/5) c red onions (13)

(1/4) c orange pepper (4)

(1) tomato (22)

(1) peanut butter/cream cheese cookie (167) (3.5 grams)

(1) Lemon oatmeal cookie (68) (.6) grams

Total net calories: 1481

Net calorie goal: 1243 – 1481 = 237 over 👎

Total saturated fats: 22 grams

Saturated fats goal: 13.75 grams 👎

Avg. Sodium for past week:  2338 mg

Avg. Processed sugar for past week: 20 grams

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

September 25th – Success

by annemariedemyen, posted in Uncategorized

Today I am delving into the ‘piece of my mind’ that has been pondering success.

According to dictionary.com there are multiple definitions for success.

‘the favourable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors ; the accomplishment of one’s goals’

‘the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like’

‘a performance or achievements that is marked by success, as the attainment of honors:‘

‘A person or thing that has success, as measured by attainment of goals, wealth, etc.‘

I have issues with these definitions – or issues with success as it is defined. I think there should be a word dedicated to worthy POSITIVE success.

There is nothing admirable in achieving one’s goals, if one’s goal is to be miserable and cause as much misery and grief as one can in a lifetime. Wealth, position, and honors mean nothing if they are ill-gained or used to abuse others. A performance or achievement is meaningless if it destroys peace and harmony. And finally, a person or thing that has success as measured by the attainment of goals or wealth at the detriment of others is no success in my mind.

This morning I browsed through our local paper, as I typically do. There were articles and editorials regarding the latest mis-information and deflection by our miserable Premier. There were the articles and editorials regarding those who refuse and refute any and all health measures to control Covid. And of course… There are the mobs (miserable old bastards) who have to add their miserable comments to each and every article or editorial. None of which defines success as I believe it should be – Not our hapless Premier. Not our ongoing spread of what should be an easily controllable disease in a province where we could easily drive a tractor (sideways) between our residents. Not our miserable bullies who relentlessly push their miserable agenda in every comment section running.

But our paper did have a couple of amazing articles highlighting the admirable achievements of two amazing people. These articles, were in fact death notices, in today’s obituary section.

The first obituary of note was a woman who passed away at the age of 86. (I dealt with her son and daughter during my years in the construction industry – they are good people). She was a devoted wife and dedicated mother. She worked at the local tuberculosis sanitarium and was a strong advocate for her community. She served two terms as a counsellor and two terms as town mayor. She was a founder of the local dance association, President of the Rotary Club, and was an avid bridge player. She loved owls, Canadian thistles, and Liberals. She will be missed by her family and her many friends.

The second obituary of note was a man who passed after a brief and unexpected illness at the age of 97. Over the course of his lifetime he worked for and with his father, served in the RCAF in WWII, operated a successful automobile dealership in Regina and then one in Victoria B.C. He was active with the Shriners. He became a private pilot and a competitive trap shooter. After the passing of his first wife, he remarried and moved to Scottsdale, Arizona where he lived joyfully with his second wife until his passing. He is remembered by his family and by all who knew him as an astute businessman, a long-time Harley rider who rode until he was 93, and an old school gentleman who had a kind word for everyone he met.

These people – they epitomize success for me. They lived good lives serving others. They spread love and goodwill. They celebrated life. They paid the price of hard work and dedication and they reaped the rewards of lives well lived. This is what success should be – or we should have a word for what this is!

That is my ‘piece of mind’ for the day. As always, thank you for listening and feel free to comment in the section below.

Take care and have a great day!💞