Tag: active living

Daily Food Diary – Day 236 of 369

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 236 of my Daily Food Diary.😍

Almost eight months ago, I started keeping a Daily Food Diary.   My main goal was to eat less high calorie/low nutritional foods and to eat more foods that are high in nutritional value.

One of my secondary goals, was to determine which foods I am allergic to, or for whatever reason I cannot tolerate. 

I have a few foods that I knew I cannot eat – pumpkin seeds (home made pumpkin pie is fine), cranberries (but I can drink cranberry tea), and YEAST.

It isn’t terribly difficult to avoid pumpkin seeds or cranberries.   Yeast is a whole different story.  Despite avoiding brewers yeast and baking yeast (in obvious products) I have still been having issues with yeast showing up in less likely foods.  I have found that restaurants use red and white sauces that contain yeast, canned gravy and store bought broths contain yeast, some soda crackers, potato chips and  other snack foods  contain yeast.   But there are other foods that bother me for no conceivable reason – store bought or restaurant served cakes, pancakes, muffins and the like.

Recently, I found that a LOT of commercial baking, including cake (icing), pancakes, and  muffins contain powdered egg whites and powdered egg whites contain Yeast.  🤦

According to Google, yeast is added to egg white powder to improve product stability and prevent discoloration and off-odors.

So, there’s that!

I have also discovered recently,  as has my daughter, that foods containing palm oil cause an allergic reaction.  (A severe one for Jen!). One more thing to check for on product ingredients.

We are fortunate that in Canada  we have strict packaging labels for food that contain comprehensive ingredient and national value lists.

I am also fortunate that my daughter, and hers, work at a restaurant where they have access  to information on typical commercial food ingredients used.   (Unfortunately, they both share my food sensitivities plus have their own to deal with). 

And I am fortunate that I have become more mindful of what I eat, by using my Daily Food Diary.   It is definitely helping me to zero in on foods that I should avoid going forward. 👍

Daily Food Diary – Day 236

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) scrambled eggs (182)

(3) strips bacon (130)

(2) potato patties (240)

(1/2) red tomato (22)

Snacks:

(60) oz water

(1/2) bag popcorn (160)

(3/4) c Butterscotch ice cream (180)

(9) pecan halves (59)

(1) tbsp chocolate sauce  (52)

(1) tbsp caramel syrup (130)

Supper:

(3) c potato soup: white potatoes & onions, green chives & parsley, bacon bits, & cream mixed with water from potatoes  (420)

(1/4) c shredded marble cheese (120)

(5) soda crackers (63)

Total net calories: 1587

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1587 = 358 over 🤦

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 231 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 231 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary.  That is a full 33 weeks! 🤗🎈

Our weather has been warmer than usual the past couple of days so we have been taking Molly for her walk earlier.

Yesterday morning when we got back, I offered to make Denvers for Dan and I.   I cracked the first couple of eggs and they were typical.  I took the next two out of a new carton.  Both of them cracked lengthwise. 

This happened a few weeks ago.  We bought two or three cartons of eggs and all (or most) of the eggs cracked lengthwise.  😯

I checked with Google and read that I was holding the egg wrong.  Seriously – I have been cracking eggs for over six decades.  I think I know how to hold an egg.  Besides which,  even when Dan would crack the eggs in these cartons, they would crack lengthwise.

Why?   The eggs are perfectly fine.  The shells just break weird.

Daily Food Diary – Day 231

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) eggs (160)

(1) oz ham (29)

(2) Green onions (16)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

Lunch:

(3) crumpets (240)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

Snacks:

(60) oz water

(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)

Supper:

(1) Lean ground beef patty (293)

(12) barbecue chips (130)

(4) oz potato salad (154)

(1) c raw vegetables – red tomatoes & radishes, green onions, white cauliflower (90)

(2) tsp Dilly Dip (100)

Total net calories: 1244

Net calories goal: 1222 – 1244 = 22 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 198 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 198 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary!

It is 3 and almost one-half years since I started living a lifestyle focused on my  Health and Fitness.

The quality of my life has improved exponentially in this time.  One thing that I have been particularly grateful for is a marked decrease in my anxiety – something I have struggled with throughout my entire life.

That being said, in the past few months my anxiety level has been creeping back up there.  I have several coping strategies but sometimes they just don’t want to work!

This morning I took Molly on a walk around the neighborhood, by myself.  It was hardly the first time.  But,  I have been walking her alone – knowing Dan was at home and available if anything went sideways.   This morning, Dan was not home.   It was truly Molly and I – no backup, if required.  

I’ll be good!

I got about two feet out our gate and down the sidewalk before my anxiety went through the roof.   There was no way, I was turning back  or taking any shortcuts.  

We finished our route with no major incidents and I felt fine as soon as we got back in the yard.    I will take that as a win,  and hopefully it will ramp up my confidence enough that it will make our next solo trek that much easier.

I am so over this anxiety stuff!  It serves zero purpose and just makes life so  difficult.  

Daily Food Diary – Day 198 of 365

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Shreddies (200)

(1/4) c  2% milk (28)

(1) tsp sugar (16)

Snacks:

(1) pear (103)

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

(5) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (125)

Supper:

Pan Pizza:

(1) Tortilla wrap (200)

(2) tbsp pizza sauce (17)

(3) oz sliced ham (86)

(15) slices pepperoni (150)

(1/4)  c red onion (15)

(1/2) c mushrooms (22)

(1/2) c red pepper (23)

(1/4) c shredded marble cheese (120)

(1) pc chocolate cake (472)

Total net calories:  1505

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1505 = 276 over

* Highlighted items contain significant collagen or significant contribute to the production of collagen

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 196 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 196 Days since I began my Daily Food Diary.  That is a full 28 WEEKS without one miss!

My biggest (Food Diary) news from yesterday is that  I finally drank that Root Beer yesterday.  I’m pretty sure that was my second soda since I started this challenge back on January 1st.  (Not counting a couple of Tonic Waters used as mix with Gin).

Anyway, I did have a root beer yesterday and did so quite deliberately.  Any amount of sugar isn’t good for me as it thickens the mucus in my lungs and makes it difficult to cough to clear them.  However, this afternoon we are having a family event so no coughing would be a good thing.  It wasn’t a moment of weakness – just a natural cough suppressant for one day. 😊

This morning, Dan and I walked Molly – together. No smoke, no golf!  👍 We stopped at the storm channel to check out Momma Duck just sitting on a rock.   Her ducklings are probably at an age to get into all kinds of trouble and make all kinds of noise while doing so.   I think Momma just needed some alone time.

We had enough of a walk that Molly needed a rest when we got home.  Or maybe she is just exhausted from producing hair.   I cannot  imagine why she is not bald.  I spend half my time sweeping up and dusting away dog hair – and we have already brushed her twice this week.  (Filling the garbage can with hair and destroying the porch carpet in the process! 😯)

Daily Food Diary – Day 196

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) Plain paratha (240)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (90)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

Lunch:

(3) PC chicken wings (2) drumettes & (1) flat (264)

(10) potato chips (52)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(355) ml Root Beer (170)

Supper:

(1) Dinner salad (190)

(3) sticks pork souvlaki (240)

(2) tbsp peppercorn ranch dressing (70)

(2) tbsp dried fried onions (67)

(2) tbsp sesame sesame (33)

(1) serving rhubarb cheesecake (260)

Total net calories: 1438

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1438 = 209 over

* Highlighted items contain significant collagen or significant contribute to the production of collagen

The merry little Marigolds are blooming for granddaughter Genie today 🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 195 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 195 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary.  It is 3 years and 5 months since I started living  my Health and Fitness lifestyle.

In these past few years, I have changed –

The changes didn’t happen in  three and a half years.   They happened moment by moment, step by step, choice by choice.

The changes that happened aren’t all obvious.  I am physically stronger and have energy and stamina.  I can do things that I couldn’t have imagined three and a half years ago.

The changes are not all physical.  I am  mentally sharper and emotionally stronger.  I can celebrate with joy and I can manage difficult situations with determination, perseverance, and faith.

My life has changed, my attitude has changed, my beliefs have changed.  Early in my transformation I realized that “what doesn’t kill me  makes me stronger”.  I learned to grow through adversity, pain, setbacks, and challenges. 

Lately, I have learned to grow through  positive experiences.   Shopping, walking Molly, doing much of the garden myself this spring, countless little wins that I have celebrated recently,  have increased my confidence, my personal sense of security, my hope for the future (for MY future).

I can do it! 💪

It is 11 DAYS until I turn 70 YEARS OLD.  I am ready for the seventies (regardless of what they bring).  ☺️

Daily Food Diary – Day 195

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2 grapefruit (39)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

(2) eggs (160)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(3) slices back bacon (100)

(2) potato patties (240)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(2) c chilli (452)

(1/4) c marble cheese (120)

(1) serving rhubarb cheesecake (120)

Total net calories: 1274

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1274  = 46 over

* Highlighted items contain significant collagen or significant contribute to the production of collagen

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 168 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 168 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary.  That is a full 24 WEEKS.

Going into this challenge, I thought the most difficult part was going to be getting it done  consistently every day for a FULL YEAR.  There have been a few days when I have posted later in the day than usual, but it has proven to be doable.  In 168 Days, I have not had a single miss. 🥳

What has proven to be more difficult is keeping it real.  There have been days when I cringe while I am doing this.  The days when I miss my goals by a mile and it looks like I wasn’t even trying.  The days when I fall far short on hydration.  The days when I eat the same snack or dessert for days on end.  The days when my meals are just weird. 🤦

On those days, it is tempting to tweak things a bit… Make it look like I am trying harder than I am.  Make it look like I am more focused.  Make myself look ‘better’.  I could tweak things, but then this would all be a waste of my time and yours. 

Honestly, I am not looking for drastic weight loss or  unsustainable changes in my diet or lifestyle.    This is just me,  gradually developing better eating habits. It isn’t an exciting process, but hopefully when this year wraps up, all of the small changes I have made will be obvious and will remain beneficial going forward. That’s the plan.

This is the amazing salad we had at son Dan’s  on Sunday.   Sorry I forgot to post it on my blog yesterday.  We did enjoy it!   😀

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a25324371/romaine-salad-with-lemon-pecorino-vinaigrette-recipe/

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) plain paratha (240)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)

Snacks:

(1) pear (103) (1 SVG)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(1) large salad – romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, orange pepper, radishes, green onions, olives, sunflower seeds, dried fried onions (270) (4 SVG)

(2) tbsp French salad dressing (120)

(2) BBQ chicken drumsticks (220)

Total net calories: 934

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 934 = 304 under

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 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 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 152 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 152 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary! 💃

Our weather is a bit cloudy and chilly today,  but it is relatively SMOKE FREE – at least so far.  I have high hopes that it will stay that way so that we can walk Molly, I can spend time outside working in the garden, and that my lungs and laryngitis will have a fighting chance to clear up today. 🤗

Forest fires are so terrible.  With my somewhat manageable lung issues and allergies, I find the smokey days difficult.  I know that my issues are minimal compared to the people directly affected by these fires – especially those who also have  respiratory issues, the very young, and the elderly.

There have been numerous people evacuated from live  fire zones in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.  Many of these people will have health issues.  Many will be evacuated to smaller centres where healthcare is not readily available and many will be evacuated to cities – where our hospitals and especially our emergency rooms are typically running at over capacity.  

We are often led to believe that the state of our health system is the responsibility of our federal or provincial government.   I agree that government is responsible for the  management of our health system.  I also believe that each of us can do our part to alleviate some, if not all, of the issues affecting our health facilities.

I am NOT suggesting that anyone should avoid using emergency rooms – or any part of our health system. 

But, most of us can do our part to avoid (or manage) our health issues.  Regular activity, attention to diet, adequate rest, stress management,  proper use of prescribed medication or therapy,  responsible/limited  use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs,  and proper  attention when engaged in risky activities like driving, operating power tools and equipment… are all things the we can do to protect and maintain our health – and our health system.

If we do find ourselves in need of medical care, tests, treatments, procedures, we can do our part to make such time as efficient as possible. 

Nothing is done in our health system without showing our health card (if we have one).   While in line, whining won’t help – having  your Health Card in your hand (or at least readily accessible) will.   Dressing appropriately will speed up any test, treatment, examination, or procedure.  Reading the preparation instructions we are given beforehand, will also be beneficial.   Anything done to BE PREPARED is a good thing. 

If we take some personal responsibility for our healthcare our health and quality of life will improve.   It will also help take  pressure off of our health system – always important but especially so in times like these.  

*** I do not work for our healthcare system or any level of government.  In my mind, this is just common sense.  Or should be. 🙄

Daily Food Diary – Day 152

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) scrambled eggs (160)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(2) potato patties (250)

(3) sl. Bacon (130)

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

Snacks:

(1/2) c pineapple (42) (1 SVG)

(3) strawberries (12) (.5 SVG)

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

(12) pickled asparagus spears (40) (1 SVG)

(1) c licorice tea

(1) tsp honey (21)

(1/2) oz Dilly pickle peanuts (85)

(1/4) c mixed nuts (170)

Supper:

(2) bowls wonton soup – mini wontons, salt free chicken broth, sesame oil, soya sauce, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, red onion, leek, Bok choy, celery, garlic, ginger, hot pepper flakes, black pepper (330) (4 SVG)

Total net calories: 1339

Net calories goal: 1238 – 1339 = 101 over 👎

Total servings fruits & vegetables: 8

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 👍

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