Tag: active lifestyle

Daily Food Diary – Day 330 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 330 of my Daily Food Diary. 🔥

Today our friends and family in the USA are celebrating  Thanksgiving. While we, in Canada, celebrated in October, we are thinking of you and wishing the best for you and yours during this holiday season. 

My day started off on the slightly rocky side.  While I was paying some bills online, I tried to check into our Canadian Tire account on my new phone.  Eventually, I managed to get myself locked out of my account.  I called their 1-800-welcome to hell hot line.   Ten minutes later, I was finally on hold to speak to a human.  Never happened.  I finally hung up to get ready to walk Molly.

Now for the wins..

1) Last night I made a roast beef supper for Dan & I.  The roast came out perfectly as well as all the sides.  🤗

2) For the third day in a row, Molly and I walked solo. (Dan is doing much better but he had a routine Dr’s appointment this morning.) It was COLD out and there were multiple distractions to be had – but Molly was exceptionally co-operative.  We went the full circuit and  I coughed ZERO times!  🎉

Cold and frosty!
Molly sat patiently while I photographed the frost. 

3) When we returned from our walk, I tried my Canadian Tire app and whoops hoo, I got in on my first try. 😅

Daily Food Diary – Day 330

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee(2)

(2) eggo waffles (180)

(3) slices bacon (130)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(2) tbsp maple syrup (104)

Snacks:

(36) Oz water

(4) pcs black licorice (19)

(15) light salted Lays wavy chips (218)

(1) Oz onion chip dip (40)

Supper:

(6) Oz roast beef (376

(1) c oven roasted potato (255)

(1 1/2) cup oven roasted vegetables – onion, carrots, celery (37)

(1/2) c gravy (50)

(1) tbsp horseradish (7)

(1) sidesalad w/ French dressing (246)

(12) Oz carbonated water

Total consumed calories: 1769

Total used calories: 337

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min aerobics (200)

Total net calories: 1432

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1432 = 224 over 👎

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

Happy Thanksgiving

Daily Food Diary – Day 328 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 328 of my Daily Food Diary. 😄

Despite snow storm warnings for the past week, any such weather seems to have missed Saskatchewan.  It is cool this morning but dry.   While there are plenty of dried leaves that have finally fallen, most of the grass around here is still suspiciously green.   I swear our seasons are shifting  later each year.   We are still mid autumn – and come June it will still be winter.  🤔

I am still enjoying that break between our Canadian Thanksgiving and full on  Christmas Season.  But,  I do have two wins to celebrate today.

1) Yesterday, I broke away from my less than impressive typical lunch and made myself a full on (small) salad.   I should generally make more of an effort when it comes to lunches, but it is too easy to grab a handful of chips and/or a couple of cookies.  But, yesterday I did it.   I made myself something relatively nutritious so I will take the win.

2) This morning, I took Molly for a walk by myself.  That alone is win worthy, but today on our walk I coughed twice.  A couple of coughs each time to clear my lungs/throat and we moved on.  I know it doesn’t sound that impressive, but for me,  walking our dog alone without multiple coughing fits is a massive double win for me!

Molly sharing the win.  (She did contribute to the win by being an especially good girl this morning. 💞)

Daily Food Diary – Day 328

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c brown sugar Shreddies (210)

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

Lunch:

(1) small salad – romaine lettuce, green onions, radishes, cauliflower, ham, cheese, peppercorn ranch dressing, fried dried onions (393)

(36) Oz water

Supper:

(2) large sour cabbage rolls (360)

(12) Oz carbonated water

(1) snickerdoodle (90)

Total consumed calories: 1083

Total used calories: 337

(35) min aerobics (200)

(30) min walking (137)

Total net calories: 746

Net calorie goal: 1208-746 = 462 under 🤔

That’s it for today.  take care and have a great day! 💞🥳

August 2018

Daily Food Diary – Day 188 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 188 of my Daily Food Diary. 

This month I am focusing on collagen.  Collagen is important to everyone, but particularly so if one is born with genetic collagen issues and/or as we age.    By our mid twenties collagen production begins to decline.  😮

Since collagen affects every function in our bodies, it is important to be as proactive as possible in maintaining our collagen production and metabolism.

There are few foods that are actually a source of collagen for us – meat, fish, and poultry.   Each of these contains specific sources of collagen – generally organs, tendons, skin, and cartilage.  Bone broth and gelatin, made from these sources, are often used to access this collagen.

Our bodies produce most of the collagen we need, but we require specific nutrients to do so.

Some minerals (copper, zinc, and manganese) are an important part of collagen production.  Other minerals (iron and selenium) are required for collagen metabolism.

Amino acids (proline, lysine, and glycine) are also necessary for collagen production.

And finally, vitamins C, E, B12, and Biotin (B7) are required.

Every day this month, I am highlighting the foods I consume that contain collagen – or the minerals, amino acids, and/or vitamins that are needed for the production and metabolism of collagen. 

In the next few weeks, I will source out these different foods and note what they specifically contribute to the process.  (So far, I know that egg whites are a good source of proline. 👍)

The San Marzano tomatoes from our  patio planter will be a good source of Vitamin C and Lycopene (which protects our skin from sun damage and ultimately collagen breakdown).
Our parsley will be another source of Vitamin C plus iron

Daily Food Diary – Day 188

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) Eggo waffles (270)

(2) tsp butter (69)

(1 1/2) tbsp Maple Syrup

Snacks:

(1) Mott’s Clamato Caesar (168)

Supper:

(1 1/2) serving nachos – Tortilla chips, ground turkey, red peppers, hot peppers, green onions, green olives, shredded marble cheese, salsa (875)

Total net calories: 1270

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1270 = 41 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 179 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 179 of my Daily Food Diary.  🥰

Yesterday, I was not feeling well.   Fortunately, I am much better today!

Dan and I took an early walk with Molly.  I even felt well enough to cross Elphinstone and walk around Patricia Park.   This is a small, fairly well kept park, but the gophers have been going crazy there this year.   There are big, deep gopher holes everywhere and Molly insisted on checking out every one of them.  🤦

As usual,  she also insisted on looking at everything, except Dan, when he was trying to take a picture of us.

These were the best five shots out of ten or so.  😊

I have learned one thing about my eating habits this month.  When good nutrition really matters – when I am traveling or when I do not feel well – I drop the ball.  I eat what I shouldn’t and avoid what I should.  Every time!

I know how much what I eat affects how I feel.  But,  when it matters most, I make poor choices. 🙄

I need to get pro-active about this and start planning ahead.  I need quick, easy meal plan options available for when I get sick.  I also need to plan what I will eat and what I will avoid when I travel.   Mostly, I need to remember that no matter what I am doing, it is never a free pass when it comes to my diet – especially when it comes to my food allergies and intolerances. 

Daily Food Diary – Day 179

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(2) Chicken drumsticks (152)

(15) light salted potato chips (78)

(1) PC butterscotch pudding cake (153)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1) c Lemon Ginger tea

(1/4) c spicy dill pickle peanuts (117)

Supper:

(2) Harvest all beef hotdogs – no bun (440)

(1/2) c baked beans (123) (1 SVG)

(1/2) tomato (1/2 SVG)

(1/2) mini cucumber  (1/2 SVG)

(1/4) c red onions (1/4 SVG)

(15) light salted potato chips (78)

(1/2) c French* Vanilla ice cream (138)

(2) tbsp butterscotch sauce (130)

(1) tbsp chocolate sauce (52)

(9) pecan halves (59)

* Have you ever noticed that diet wise ‘French‘ is a code word meaning “twice the calories”?  I’m surprised obesity has never been a serious issue in our family. 🤔

Total net calories: 1807

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1807 = 569 over 👎

Fruits & vegetables: 2 1/4 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 167 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 167 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary.  

Yesterday was NOT my best effort when it came to maintaining a healthy diet.  My last few days haven’t been a great effort. But, like everything else in life, I got to decide and I decided to ‘take a break’ rather than make health and wellness my top priority.

I can’t say it was a great decision.   Travelling for a number of hours is hard on my lungs.  I  do not move enough to keep my lungs clear.  Traveling through forest fire smoke, to an  area  enveloped in  forest fire smoke  for a few days,  was not good.  Being negligent  about clearing my lungs, doing my aerobics,  and managing my diet was on me.  But… I stayed accountable and I  take responsibility for the consequences of the decisions I made.

I cannot change the decisions I made, but I can and will get back on track.  And… I will  be prepared to make better choices the next time we go away.  There are some things I cannot control (like forest fire smoke).   I can eat better, do my aerobics and lung clearing, and plan stops for moving around during our trips – even if that means having to do occasional  walkthroughs at malls or big box stores, to avoid smoke or inclement weather.

Despite everything, we had a good week, quality time with family, and we are back home happy for the memories we made.

First time on a trampoline – just standing up was a win.
And first time on a zipline.
Molly wallowing in the attention of Lucas and friend Emily. 
Dan and Amanda’s deck.  The gazebo holds a huge round gas firepit, next is the lounging area, and the bottom area is the dining area.  The original deck, to the side of the house, houses the hot tub, barbecue, smoker, and flat grille.  

Everything at Dan and Amanda’s is designed to keep their family active and to entertain visitors.  The kids have their zipline and trampoline, a geodesic climbing structure, and a wooden playhouse with a slide leading down to their sandbox.  Their above ground pool needs to be replaced this year.  Dan and Amanda  are in the process  of designing an addition to their deck to build  in the new pool. 

As much as it is all pretty impressive, nothing is designed to impress.  Everything indoors and out is built to be functional (and fun).  

Daily Food Diary – Day 167

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

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

(1/2) slice home cured & smoked bacon  (42)

Lunch:

(1) Arby’s Dbl roast beef (no bun) (200)

(1) tbsp Horsey sauce (60)

(1/2) Arby’s crinkle cut fries (265)

(1) Arby’s gravy (35)

Snacks:

(60) oz water

(1) waffle sundae w/ chocolate sauce (450)

(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)

(25) lightly salted ripple chips (270)

Total Net Calories: 1680

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1680 = 442 over 👎

Total fruits & vegetables: 0 servings

Fruit and vegetable goal: 7 servings

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

I had expected more noticeable growth to our plants when we got back – but they are all alive and the flowers, tomatoes, and peppers are blooming. 😊