Tag: aging gratefully

Daily Food Diary – Day 189 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 189 of my Daily Food Diary.   189 Days without one miss! 🤗 🙌

This is the month I am focussing on the importance of foods containing collagen and those that support the production of  collagen.

For myself, I cannot imagine living a life with adequate, healthy collagen.  Knowing that everyone will ultimately struggle with collagen deficiency as they age, makes this month a special mission for me.

Collagen deficiency is MORE than wrinkles, hair loss, and fragile nails.   Collagen deficiency is a combination of any, or all of,  the following….

Migraines, ear, eyes, nose, and throat issues, respiratory issues,  tripping, stumbling and falling, a complete lack of balance, severe  muscle cramps, dislocated and sprained joints, digestive issues, a weak pelvic floor causing:   weak bladder, fallen bladder and pregnancy issues, vertigo, motion sickness, dizziness, fainting, choking,  exhaustion, difficulty speaking,  discomfort being still but pain caused by moving,  general muscle weakness, difficult and painful periods, dexterity issues – frequently dropping items and always struggling to:  write, deal with buttons, zippers, shoelaces, cutlery…

And that is just some of the physical problems that collagen deficiency can cause…

Then there are the very real mental and emotional problems that one deals with (especially if they have no clue that there is an actual reason for why they are the way they are!)

Anxiety – fear of falling, fear of being mocked, fear of rejection – especially in ANY sports related situation, fear of being humiliated for any number of reasons, fear of traveling and dealing with escalators, elevators, moving sidewalks,  fear of heights or water (vertigo)

Depression, grief, confusion, lack of self worth –   often caused by the way they are perceived by others, especially  professionals – teachers, doctors, therapists.

Fortunately, collagen deficiency is finally being recognized and understood as the root cause for the physical, mental, and emotional chaos that it can create in one’s body and in one’s life. 

And, fortunately,  while there is no (medical)  cure for collagen deficiency, a healthy lifestyle can definitely help to improve one’s physical, mental, and emotional situation.

The hardest part is knowing how and where to start.  Getting out of one’s comfort zone to get to a better place takes a lot….

My friend Dwight, made taking another  step out of my comfort zone that much easier for me today.    Instead of listening to all the what if’s – what if I fail, what if I humiliate myself, what if I get hurt or injured, what if people mock me or get impatient with me… Just do it, move forward with confidence and declare..

“Here I grow again!”

If I ever get a tattoo – that will be the one.   I know how far I have come, I know I have potential to go further  and I know that those words have the power to help get me through the challenges  that lies ahead.  😁

Daily Food Diary – Day 189

Breakfast:

(1) coffee (2)

(1/2) grapefruit (39)

(2) tsp sugar (32)

Snacks:

(30) Doritos (210)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(1) Dairy Queen 6 chicken strip basket (1250)

Total net calories: 1484

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1484 = 255 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 174 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 174 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary.  I am excited that I have gotten this far without missing a day.  I am equally excited and totally grateful for everyone who is still stopping by regularly to check on my progress and lend your support.  Thank you!  🤗💞

Yesterday, I returned to my scaled back  strength training.  Considering how hard it was for me to conquer those five pound weight exercises when I was trying to move up in weights, I was pretty impressed at how well I did.  I did two sets, of ten exercises and I was easily able to maintain control and ensure I did not stress my hernia. 

This morning, I was sitting here feeling pretty good about myself  and I heard my Mother say “I told you so!”.

My Mother, still mothering months before she passed away in 2013.

Yes, my Mother passed away twelve years ago, but she was pretty relentless – especially when it came to passing on her wisdom and advice and reminding us of both when we failed to follow either and ultimately  suffered the consequences. 

Now that I likewise try to pass on my own advice and wisdom to younger generations, I get it.  But, I digress.

When my Mother was still with us, I went through several challenging times.  Instead of the pity and outrage I wanted, my Mother would say “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger!” Being the younger generation at the time, I would think “Just kill me already.”

Now I get it.  All of those challenges that I fought, resented, and stumbled through did ultimately make me stronger.   They gave me the experience and the coping skills to handle whatever life hands me now – with faith, dignity, and respect – for my Mother and for myself. 

Today I can honestly say “You were, Mom – you were right!” 🙄

Daily Food Diary – Day 174

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) Pear (103) (1 SVG)

Lunch:

(1) serving homemade Hamburger Helper (205) (1 SVG)

Snack:

(1) PC Butterscotch Pudding Cake (153)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) Large Dinner salad – romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, green onion, cauliflower, red pepper, sunflower seeds, dried fried onions (150) (5 SVG)

(3) oz BBQ pork tenderloin (90)

(2) tbsp Vidalia Onion salad dressing (100)

(1) PC Butterscotch Pudding Cake (153)

Total net calories: 853

Net calories goal: 1238 – 853 = 385 under 👍

Fruits & vegetables: 7 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 161 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 161 of my Daily Food Diary. That is a solid  23 WEEKS! 😃

We are now away from our  home base and spending a few days with son Dan and family. 

Yesterday was our travel day here so  I missed doing my morning aerobics workout.  I also missed out on any walking, due to heavy smoke drifting through Saskatchewan and settling here once we arrived.  Son Dan spent the day putting together an amazing supper of home made baked beans and smoked ribs.   Daughter in Law,  Amanda, topped it off with a decadent Gin and Tonic.  All in all, the results of my Daily Diary are a cautionary tale of traveling and visiting family.

Today, things are looking up.  While it is still too smokey  to go out for a walk, I did get my aerobic workout in and I had a workout buddy to work with.

Grandson Cason

Six year old Cason came up to do my aerobic workout with me.   We finished that and he chose one of his favourite You Tube workout challenges and we did that as well. 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 161 of 365

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) tsp butter (69)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(2) eggs (160)

(1 1/2) slices Piller’s shaved ham (25)

(2) green onions (12) (1 SVG)

Lunch:

(1) A & W Teen Burger (no bun) (390) (1 SVG)

(1) Reg. Fries (310)

(1) Reg gravy  (69)

Snacks:

(1) Gin & Tonic (110)

(24) oz water

Supper:

(1 ) c brown beans (600) (2 SVG)

(3) BBQ smoked pork ribs (540)

(1) c raw vegetables  (35) (2 SVG)

(2) tbsp ranch dressing (155)

Total Net Calories: 2417

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 2417 = 1179 over 👎

Fruits & Vegetables: 6 servings

Fruits & Vegetables goal: 7 servings 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 153 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 153 since I began posting my Daily Food Diary. 🙌.   It is amazing how fast this year is going – one day at a time. 🥳

Yesterday, was a very welcome smoke free day. 

We were able to take Molly for a short walk over to the dogpark.  Her friend Willy was there.  They didn’t do a lot of running, but Molly did take one jog across the park when she noticed I was walking the perimeter checking for dog 💩.  Willy took a leisurely stroll when he snatched Molly’s water bowl and tried to sneak off with it. 😂

Yesterday afternoon, I was finally able to get outside to do some yard and garden work.

My carnation plant is still waiting to go in the front yard flower bed.
But Dan’s Bleeding Heart is continuing to thrive and I got pepper plants in yesterday.
Meanwhile, Molly took another round out of my poor little watering can.

Today isn’t looking too promising.  I was just outside and it appears the smoke is drifting back in.   This  could be a laundry and baking day.

Daily Food Diary – Day 153

Breakfast:

(1) Coffee (2)

(1) Granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(1) pear (103) (1 SVG)

(1) peach (51) (1 SVG)

(20)  Doritos (255)

Snacks:

(2) mini cucumbers (60) (2 SVG)

(1) c licorice tea

(1) tsp honey (21)

(36) oz water

Supper:

(1.5)  Svg.  Homemade nachos with unsalted tortilla chips, ground beef with taco seasoning, red pepper, green onions, jalapenos, olives, shredded cheese (852)      (2 SVG)

Total net calories: 1219

Net calorie Goal: 1238 – 1219 = 19 under 👍

Total servings fruit & vegetable: 6

Fruit & vegetable goal: 7 👎

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

2021 Photo of the garden pond.  I’m pretty sure that turtle riding gnome became one of Molly’s casualties.  He disappeared a couple of years ago. 🙄

Daily Food Diary – Day 146 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is my 146th consecutive day since I began posting my Daily Food Diary! 🎉😳

Molly is waiting at the back door for our morning walk so I have to make this one really quick!

I lost some time this morning making pancakes and sausages for breakfast.  It isn’t the healthiest breakfast, especially for someone who is working to be mindful of what I am eating.  But… I used vegetable oil in and to cook the pancakes in, rather than melted butter.  I used one tablespoon of sugar  rather than two in the pancake batter.  I went very light on the butter on the pancakes I had, and we used Pure Maple Syrup – which is supposedly the least unhealthy option for processed sugar.

Yesterday, we spent much of the day outside working in the yard and garden and enjoying the beautiful weather.

That Tiny Tim Tomato plant looks pretty tiny, but it is double the size it was when I planted it in this grow bag.
And the flowers seem to be happy in their new flower bed.  This little petunia burst into bloom overnight. 

I have to run or Molly might leave without me.  I’m pretty sure she could scale our chain link fence if she wanted to.  So far we have been lucky that she hasn’t been that motivated.

But she could be – motivated that is!

Daily Food Diary – Day 146

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) plain paratha (240) (1 gram)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (90) (1 gram)

(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)

Lunch:

(2) chicken drumsticks (160) (3 grams)

(6) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (150) (1 gram)

Snack:

(1) peach (51)

(20) raspberries (20)

Supper:

(3) oz BBQ pork tenderloin (125) (1.1 grams)

(1) garden salad with lettuce, tomato, green onion, red pepper, radishes, sunflower seeds, olives, dried fried onions, and Vidalia Onion salad dressing (168) (4.2 grams)

Total net calories: 1000

Net calorie goal: 1243 – 1000 = 243 under 👍

Total Saturated Fats: 10.3

Saturated fats goal: 13.75 👍

Weekly Avg Roundup :

Saturated fats: 18.6 grams

Sodium: 2639 mg

Processed sugar: 25 grams

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 122 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 122 Days since I began my Daily Food Diary.  This is Day 2 of my focus on tracking  saturated fats.

In March, my focus was on tracking protein in my diet.  I learned that my diet is high in protein.  This did not really surprise me, as I feel like a dishrag if I do not have my protein.

In April, my focus was on tracking sodium and processed sugar.  I learned that any amount of processed sugar has a detrimental effect on my respiratory health and that I consume a lot of sodium.

This month, I am focussing on saturated fats.   Eliminating saturated fats is important for everyone for heart health, so that obviously includes me!

The challenge here is that animal based products, be it meat, eggs, cheese, milk, etc. are high in saturated fats – except for fish which I prefer to avoid .  Plant based, high protein food,  like brown beans,  are low in saturated fats but high in processed sugar. 

This month it will take time, effort and research to maintain the protein in my diet while reducing the saturated fats,  while eliminating the processed sugar, and while cutting back on sodium.  

Once I have a handle on these four areas of concern in my diet (protein, sodium, processed sugar, and saturated fat), I can start working on all of the vitamins and minerals that we tend to receive from our vegetables and fruits. 

I do not expect to ever reach a perfect palatable place in my diet.  It is always going to be about balance.  But I do expect that as long as I keep up my Daily Food Diary, I will keep learning and making positive adjustments, that will serve me well throughout 2025 – and beyond.  ☺️

Daily Food Diary – Day 122

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) Cashew granola breakfast bar (160) (2.5 grams)

Lunch:

(2) chicken drumsticks (401) (5.8 grams)

(1/2) pkg spicy chicken ramen (190) (3 grams)

Supper:

Nachos:

(6) oz extra lean turkey (221) (2.6 grams)

(1) tbsp taco seasoning (40)

(25) salt free tortilla chips (260) (1 gram)

(5) black olives (18) (.2 grams)

(1) jalapeno (4)

(1/4) c green onions (10)

(1/2) c red pepper (23)

(1/2) c shredded Habanero cheese (240) (12 gram).  (we didn’t have a lower saturated fat option – but I did use half as much cheese as I usually do)

Total net calories: 1354

Net calorie goal: 1247 – 1354 = 107 over 👎

Total saturated fats: 27.1 grams

Saturated fat goal: 13.75 👎

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