Our skies are clear, our air is smoke free, and we are finally starting an entire week of actual summer temperatures.
Dan and I took Molly for an uncharacteristically uneventful walk this morning. We did stop at the dog park where Molly got in a few short solo runs across the park.
I have to cut this one short. Our garden is starting to wilt and it’s not going to water itself!
Daily Food Diary – Day 237
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Cheerios (147)
(1/4) c 2 % milk (28)
Lunch:
(1) cheese tortilla wrap (170)
(2) oz ham (57)
(1) oz marble cheese (113)
(1/4) c white cooking onion (3)
Snacks:
(14) hickory smoked almonds (70)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(2 1/2) c chicken stir fry – orange carrots, green onions, cabbage & celery, brown mushrooms, red pepper, chicken filets, ramen noodles (622)
(1) vegetable spring roll (100)
(4) Gyoza (133)
Total net calories: 1022
Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1022 = 207 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😊❤️
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)
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 distributeall of the flowers – including the bride’s bouquet.
Back story of theflowers… 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.
Time is such a strange concept. Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years… All are set in stone. But, this year is just flying by. I can’t believe I have been posting every day for 227 DAYS in a row.
While this year has been passing ridiculously fast, this week has been dragging on forever! This is the longest week since I retired. 😳
At least, the days have been productive this week. Yesterday, Dan and I emptied our upright freezer and defrosted it. That was a job and then some, but it was great to have it all done and everything packed back in, in some kind of order.
I love those Dollar Store containers for keeping things organized!
Other than cleaning our deep freezer, We walked Molly, I did my aerobic workout, I did my Friday weights and cardio, AND last night I took another spin on my ‘new to me’ treadmill. Sixteen minutes and I got to Level 3. I haven’t attempted the incline yet. 🙄
Daily Food Diary – Day 227
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1/2) pink grapefruit (39)
(1/2) tsp sugar (8)
Lunch:
(2) eggs (160)
(1) oz ham (29)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(1/5) c chopped red onion (13)
(1/4) c red pepper (12)
(2) brown mushrooms (20)
(1) oz marble cheese (113)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(1) sourdough bun (190)
(3) oz pistrami (120)
(1) slice Swiss Cheese (106)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(1/2) c whitish sauerkraut (23)
(1) PC apple pie (296)
(1) vodka cooler (228)
Total net calories: 1046
Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1046 = 176 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a good day! 💖😊
A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I was thinking of buying a portable folding treadmill to keep me walking through smokey summer days and the worst of our winter days (December thru March).
A few days later, granddaughter Genie called to say they had Alec’s Grandma’s treadmill in their garage. Since it wasn’t being used, she said if I would be welcome to it.
Dan and I, decided it would work so we made a deal. A modest sum for Alec’s Grandma and a batch of Caramel Popcorn and a couple of Apple Pies for delivery. They didn’t ask – I was happy to offer. 🤗
Yesterday, we got our ‘new to us’ treadmill/cross trainer and Alec and Genie were eating caramel corn before they got out the door.
I don’t know if I will be using the exercise bench before my hernia operation but I will put the treadmill to use. In fact, I took a spin on it last night. It will take me a while before I am ready to reach its full potential. It has a pretty good incline that I didn’t try and I’m thinking it has a top speed of about 40 miles an hour. 😳 I used the first two warm up speeds and I was hustling. 😂
This morning, we went for our walk and defrosted our stand up freezer. As soon as, it has cooled off, we will put everything back into it. Then, I can finally tackle my morning aerobics and my Friday weights/cardio workout. 💪
Daily Food Diary – Day 226
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Lightly Frosted Mini Wheats (190)
(1/4) 2 % milk (28)
Snacks:
(12) tortilla chips (140)
(2) tbsp salsa – red (10)
Supper:
(1 1/2) srv nachos – red, green, white (870)
(3) tbsp salsa (15)
Total net calories: 1201
Net calories goal: 1222 – 1201 = 20 under
That’s it for today! Take care and have a great day! 💕🌞
It is Day 225 of my Daily Food Diary. Not a single miss in 225 Days! 💃
Yesterday was another busy and productive day. I got to go for Molly’s morning walk with Dan. (We have been wildfire smoke free for a few days now. 👍) I did my morning aerobics and Wednesday weights. I spent the afternoon outside watering, pulling weeds, trimming plants, and doing general yardwork. And, I came in to bake apple pies and straighten up the kitchen.
I can’t tell you how great it feels to wake up every morning feeling well and going to bed every night feeling that my day was productive.
I have been on this Health and Fitness Journey for three and a half years. It hasn’t always been easy. Not that it has been that hard, but there have been setbacks. Regardless, weeks like this make it all worthwhile.
It isn’t about living forever, it is about living well. This week, I am living exceptionally well! 😊
Daily Food Diary – Day 225
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Rice Krispies (120)
(1/4) c 2% milk (28)
(1) tsp sugar (16)
Lunch:
(2) chicken drumsticks (401)
(9) Lay’s Low Salt wavy chips (131)
Supper:
(1) sourdough bun (190)
(2) tsp butter (68)
(1) tomato (22)
(3) slices bacon (130)
(1) PC apple pie (178)
Total net calories: 944
Net calories goal: 1222 – 944 = 278 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ❤️😊
It is 224 days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary. That is a full 32 WEEKS! 🌹
You would think for such a notable day, that I would have done better for my diet yesterday.
Net calorie wise, I actually did. When I subtract the calories used I only use exercise – walking, aerobics, weights and cardio. Yesterday, I walked with Molly and Dan and I did my aerobics. It wasn’t a weight/cardio day, but I used a LOT of calories cleaning house. Our house wasn’t that dirty, but I was clearing out our spare room and one thing led to another. (Including but not limited to: laundry – several trips up and down the basement stairs, dusting living room shelves and rearranging elephants, repacking Dan’s Mother’s china, hanging a couple of paintings, and cleaning out, sorting, and rearranging one kitchen drawer).
Totally off topic here: Pet peeve time – This morning I caught a news blurb about how extreme heat is detrimental to one’s mental health. After noting a couple of ways that one can help themselves, family, or neighbours during a heal spell, the experts have decided that our provincial and federal governments should be held accountable for providing extensive mental healthcare for people during such times.
I agree that mental healthcare should be available and accessible to people when they need it. Absolutely!
But I am really tired of hearing how we as Canadians are too pathetic to deal with any and every challenge in our lives without government intervention.
On another topic (sort of), it reminds me of my son Dan’s Two Year checkup with the health nurse. She was asking him a few random questions, for whatever reason. A couple of questions in, she asked him what his mother would tell him to do if he was cold. Without hesitation, he said “She would tell me to put on my damn sweater”. The nurse laughed and then she asked “What would your Mother tell you to do if you were hungry?”
In retrospect maybe I have never been into coddling people, but I can’t imagine what good can come of constantly being told that our physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being should be the responsibility of our various levels of government. 🤦
Mark, Genie, and Dan – red pj’s (Does it look like I ever starved him?)
* And for the record, all three of my kids have turned out relatively responsible and self sufficient.
Daily Food Diary– Day 224
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) sausage patty (150)
(1) cheese biscuit (151)
(1) egg (72)
(1) oz marble cheese (113)
(2) tsp butter (68)
Lunch:
(1) c homemade soup – white, red, green orange (125)
Supper:
(1) Taco Time Mexi-fries (265)
(2) hard shell tacos – green, red, white (520)
(1) crisp meat burrito (428)
Total net calories: 1624
Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1624 = 403 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💖😊
Genie taking a break at Waterfall Park (old pic/young Genie)
Today is Day 222 of my Daily Food Diary. 222 seemed like an auspicious number so I decided to run it past Google.
The number 222 signifies Balance, Harmony, and Trust. That sounds pretty good to me!
I started my morning by taking Molly for her morning walk. It went well – better than usual, so that backed up Google’s prediction for the day. 😊
Daughter, Jennifer and I are taking her dog Sasha to Pet Value today to introduce her to their dog bath. We’ll see how powerful Number 222 really is.
Molly with Sasha. Sasha isn’t short of sass and attitude (even when she’s not the big dog).
Yesterday, I learned something new about my eating habits.
Left to my own devices, I am an evening snacker. I knew that from the night shifts that Dan used to work and the Dart Nights he goes to in the winter since he retired. Alone, I could mindlessly munch my way through countless empty calories.
Now that I am more mindful and accountable for what I consume in a day, that is not so much of an issue. But, I have a new one!
This summer, Dan has been golfing quite frequently. I am fine with that. He sees his friends, gets out in the fresh (somewhat) air, and is relatively active. It is all around healthy, quality time for him. I have my time to do my workouts, read, do my nails, whatever.
The only problem is, supper is generally much later than I am accustomed to. Even, if I have a good breakfast and lunch – or a hearty brunch, I am ready for supper by 6:30. By 7:30 I am starving! I am in a losing battle with any random snack that crosses my path. Even if I have a good mid-afternoon snack, it is a struggle until supper is served. 🤦
Daily Food Diary – Day 222
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) scrambled eggs (182)
(3) slices bacon (130)
Snacks:
(3/4) c ice cream with pecans, chocolate sauce, and caramel syrup (421)
(1) almond flour/chocolate chip cookie (50)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(4) oz pork cutlet (240)
(12) crinkle cut fries (82)
(1/2) c gravy (50)
(1) mini cucumber (green) 10
Total net calories: 1168
Net calories goal: 1222 – 1168 = 54 under
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ❤️😊
It is 218 days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary.
It is six years since I began posting my blog on WordPress. I had just given my boss a one year heads up that I would be retiring on my 65th birthday.
For a few weeks, I had been sourcing out articles on retirement. I’m not sure what I was looking for – but it wasn’t the plethora of articles regarding the problems and pitfalls of retirement with less than millions of dollars in the bank, a substantial amount of investment income rolling in each month, and estate planning that I should have began before giving birth to my children (forty some years ago🤦).
Our retirement was not going to meet the standards of the financial gurus who write such articles. But then our lives had never revolved around our finances.
So, I started a blog to help me find my way from full time employment to successful retirement.
Once I did retire, I soon realized that our financial situation was the least of our retirement challenges. Financially, we are comfortable – even since Dan joined me in retirement. We manage.
Our health is on shakier ground. I learned three years ago that to enjoy retirement, I was going to have to get a handle on my chronic lung issues and the lack of strength and stamina that I struggled with.
My health and wellness journey began. It has been two steps forward, one step back, and a series of twists and turns that I could never have imagined.
This year, the biggest and best change in my life has been seeing how I have become a better influence for my children and grandchildren. It has been seeing and appreciating the time my son and his wife invest in being outdoors and active with their family. It has been seeing my daughter-in-law and daughter deal with food allergies and personal fitness. It has been seeing our grandchildren put down their iPads and get out and get active. It has been seeing our granddaughter Genie & her husband Alec, happily and healthily married, and planning to one day add a new generation to our family.
Health and wellness has become a priority in our family and is the subject of many conversations – conversations started by daughter Jen, granddaughter Prim, or my husband Dan.
This morning, I went looking to source out articles on Generational HEALTH, to get more insight on the subject.
I didn’t look far, but from what I saw Google AI pretty much summarized everything I came across.
“the health conditions, risks, and patterns that are passed down through families across generations”.
That sounds pretty sad, but it is a definition that I see changing – in my family and others.
This is ‘Generational Health’ – Maddy and Prim at Wascana Park with sister GenieAnd this – Granddaughter Gabby with brothers Lucas and Cason boating with Dan & Amanda And this – Genie & Alec celebrating their life together in sickness AND health & fitness (physically, mentally, and spiritually)And this – starting married life with a healthy bowl of vegetable soup! 😂
Daily Food Diary – Day 218
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) granola bar (160)
Lunch:
(1/2) stuffed pepper – green, red, white (190)
(1) oatmeal lemon cookie (68)
Snacks:
(48) oz water
(5) Hint of Lime chips (125)
(1/3) c Weekender Mix peanuts (240)
Supper:
(12) oz carbonated water
(1) large dinner salad – Romaine lettuce, cucumber, broccoli, green onion – green, tomato, red pepper, radishes – red, sunflower seeds, dried fried onions, Vidalia Onion salad dressing (263)
(3) sticks pork souvlaki (240)
Total net calories: 964
Net calorie goal: 1222 – 964 = 258 under
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ❤️😊
We are home and our heatwave is over. It is forecast to be cooler and wetter today. The humidity is already 100%. (Good thing I watered our garden yesterday!)
Between wildfire smoke and high humidity this summer, my lungs are struggling. I can’t imagine how I would manage if I wasn’t on inhalers, using my Aerobika, doing aerobics, breathing exercises, weights and cardio, walking (weather permitting) – and running (a little bit).
It’s funny, in an odd way, that I used to think working out was for athletes and healthy young people who joined gyms to keep in shape.
I am infinitely grateful that I have learned that living a life based on exercise and healthy habits is for anyone wanting to enjoy quality of life. (Even seventy year olds with multiple chronic lung conditions 😊).
Daily Food Diary – Day 216
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Cheerios – no milk (147)
Lunch:
(4) radishes – red/white (21)
(1) c broccoli – green (31)
(2) pcs celery – green (14)
(1/2) c red pepper – red (23)
(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (80)
(1 1/2) oz marble cheese (170)
(2) oz Piller’s Ham (57)
(9) Lay’s wavy lightly salted chips (131)
Snacks:
(48) oz water
(11) Hint of Lime chips (275)
(3) tbsp salsa – red (12)
(1) Rolo ice cream cone (310)
Total net calories: 1273
Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1273 = 51 over
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ☺️❣️
I haven’t planted sunflowers for years, but always manage to have a few of them pop up in our flower bed. I don’t have the heart to pull them out as they have always been granddaughter Maddy’s favourite flower.
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 