Tag: aging healthy

Daily Food Diary – Day 246 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 246 of my Daily Food Diary.  119 more days to go until the end of my 365 Day Diary – and the end of 2025. 💖

I am thinking that I need to really buckle down to make the most of this experience before I wrap it up!

This week I have been sidetracked by a lung infection.  I don’t know if everyone has their own special weakness, but my breaking point is fever.  Even a low grade fever – anything above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and I am useless. 

I am also pretty much the medical community’s worst patient.  Stress triggers my asthma, so walking into any medical facility,  doctor’s office or pharmacy is a major health event waiting to happen.   Then there is the time warp!  I can lose hours at home waiting for my nail polish to dry or for a pot of soup to cook.   Waiting five minutes for a blood test tries my patience.  And finally there is the medication…

I think the main reason I have these little health events is to remind me to have more empathy for people who truly suffer from chronic health issues.   People who regularly deal with frequent visits to health facilities, painful procedures, and multiple medications.

When I have these lung infections, I have to take THREE pills a day.   I take one antibiotic in the morning – on an empty stomach, no less than two hours AFTER I take any vitamins, followed by one hour before I can eat.  Then I have one Prednisone tablet to take, with food, but no grapefruit!  Then life proceeds as usual until after supper (except that I have to avoid sunlight or the Prednisone will turn ugly on me).    After 7 pm,  I cannot eat anything to be prepared to take my second antibiotic tablet on an empty stomach, at least one hour before going to bed.

I can’t imagine how people taking multiple medications, all with their own unique rules keep everything straight.  I would need some serious organizational skills update or things would go south PDQ.

I don’t know if it was the first pills yesterday or the chicken soup from the night before, but I felt pretty good yesterday.  I mostly took it easy, mostly relaxed outside in our gazebo, and mostly stayed out of the sun and avoided turning into a Prednisone werewolf – even when I was watering the garden, weeding, trimming plants, and picking vegetables.

Last night my appetite returned and I totally enjoyed the supper that Dan served up.

Salzburg steak, fries & gravy, broccoli & cauliflower. 😋

Today, I am doing good so far but I do have to go get X-rays and blood tests done.  😥

Daily Food Diary – Day 246

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(3) oz Rotisserie chicken (150)

(6) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (150)

Snacks:

(1)2 c caramel corn (85)

(1/2) c chicken broth (27)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(5) oz lean ground beef patty (304)

(1/4) c onions (15)

(1/4) c mushrooms (11)

(1/2) c gravy (50)

(2) tsp olive oil (79)

(16) crinkle cut fries (126)

(1/2) c broccoli (27)

(1/2) c cauliflower (14)

(1 1/2) tsp butter (51)

Total calories consumed: 1266

Total calories used: 176

(1) hour gardening (176)

Total net calories: 1090

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1090 = 139 under

Daily Food Diary – Day 197 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today I am celebrating posting Day 197 of my Daily Food Diary. 👍

But yesterday, we were celebrating Alec & our granddaughter Genevieve becoming Mr. & Mrs. Alec Morrow.

I do not possess the words to do their day justice but it was the perfect execution of the vision they had for their fairytale wedding. 

With only their closest family and friends gathered in a modest venue at a local restaurant, everything was a reflection of the happy couple.  Without imposing on anyone,  they made everyone a willing participant  in their celebration – friends and family alike with – with none moreso than  Grandpa Dan,  who proudly escorted the fairy princess down the aisle. 

The wedding ceremony itself was incredible.   The genuine love, joy, and excitement of the happy couple, and those of us honored to share in it,  was nothing short of magical.

The happy couple 💞 (Despite being as young as they look, Genie and Alec have been the HAPPIEST of couples for EIGHT years)

Mr. & Mrs. Alec Morrow / Genie with her sisters Maddy, Prim, and (her now official)  sister Rebecca /  Genie’s mother Jennifer with fiance Tanner

Yesterday, our precious granddaughter and her kind, considerate, and caring young husband did more than share their  wedding day with us.  They shared their love with all of us.  And they reminded us (as they always do)  that in the best of times, and in the worst of times, there will always be  ‘Angels Among Us’. 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 197

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) eggs (160)

(2) oz.  ham (57)

(2) green onions (16)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) tsp olive (40)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) Taco Salad (520)

(1) Dark chocolate cake (472)

Total net calories: 1298

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1298 = 70 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 144 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 144 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary.   144 Days without one miss! That says a lot for my tenacity – or the amount of free time I have in retirement. 

Yesterday was relatively eventful, as our days go. 

We had a hearty breakfast and set out for a walk with Molly.  Dan’s hips were done after a few blocks, but Molly and I persevered on our own.  Other than a couple of dog encounters that set Molly off a bit, it went well.  She was on a mission to cruise and to stop and sniff every blade of grass, tree, and sign that we passed.   One of these days, I will go head over tea kettle when she makes a sudden stop right in front of me.   Fortunately, yesterday was not the day.

When we got home, I did my workout, did my sinus rinse and meds,  put away the groceries Dan brought home, and had a short rest before heading outdoors.

Basil to keep flies and mosquitos away
Dan planted the rhubarb plant he bought me a few days ago

After minimal effort to help Dan put the covers on our gazebo, I spent a couple of hours transplanting seedlings into planters around the yard.   I could have done a few more but we had unexpected (but ALWAYS WELCOME) company arrive.

Molly’s favourite human, granddaughter Genie,  stopped by with an elephant and a few lady bugs (for Grandpa & I) and a buffalo ear (for Molly).

I didn’t get a chance to get a pic of the buffalo ear. 😂

Genie was able to stay for a couple of hours so we had a really nice lengthy chat.  She played an audio file of her and a  friend working on a song that they are co-creating.  Genie has always had a nice voice and has always loved to sing.  Her and her friend harmonize so perfectly that it is incredible.  I cannot wait for them to finish their song so I can share their work here – and they can start attending open mike events around the city  so they can share it with live audiences. 

We also talked about ongoing  health issues – hers and mine.   A few weeks ago Genie quit eating yeast to see if it was at the root of a lot of her health issues – as it is with her mother and with me.   She has been doing well but realized she wasn’t doing quite well enough, so she decided to avoid processed sugar as well.  That did the trick.  She is looking and feeling great!

It annoys me no end that it took me well over sixty years to figure out that I was poisoning myself with yeast and processed sugar.  (Who knew that I shared my daughter’s allergy to yeast?) But it is heartwarming to see that this discovery led my grandchildren to find their own issues, while young enough to change the course of their entire lives.

Genie with her fiance Alec (who was still at work when Genie came by)

Daily Food Diary – Day 144

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) tsp olive oil  (40) (.7 grams)

(2) eggs (160) (3 grams)

(2) sl. Ham (27) (.2 grams)

(2) green onions (16)

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

(1/8) c shredded cheddar (57) (3 grams)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1) pear (103)

(20) raspberries (20)

(15) tortilla chips (191)(1.4 grams)

(1) Clamato Caesar (168)

Supper:

(2) low sodium Top Dogs (180) (5 grams)

(1/2) c chilli (113) (.9 grams)

(2) slices bacon (87) (2.2 grams)

(1/8) c shredded cheese (114) (6 grams)

(1/4) c red onion (15)

(8) ripple chips light salt (116) (1.1 grams)

(8) barbecue chips (86) (.5 grams)

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

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

Total net calories: 1557

Net calorie goal: 1243 – 1557 = 314 over 👎

Total saturated fats: 26.5 grams

Saturated fats goal: 13.75 👎

Daily Food Diary – Day 140 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 140 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary.  That is TWENTY solid weeks of mindful eating and accountability! 🥇

It is one year since my daughter and I headed south to Nebraska to celebrate my sister’s birthday. 

Happy Birthday, Jeanne –  with friends & family

On the way back to Canada, Jen and I spent a day exploring the Black Hills of South Dakota.   It was our long anticipated ‘Thelma & Louise’ trip. (Minus the driving off the cliff scene. 😂)

Driving THROUGH the Black Hills of South Dakota

It was an excellent trip all around.  We were gone for five days, but we made memories that will last a lifetime. 

Yesterday, I did get my x-ray done and the results were posted last night.  The only NEW note of interest was some possible issue with the lower left lung. 

“mild increase in density in the left lower lung, suggesting a possible atelectasis (collapsed lung) that is slightly more prominent than in a previous image.”   I have a follow up appointment with my respiratory specialist, so I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.   To be honest, I expect it is residual damage caused by my lung extravaganza of 2023. 

On our way home, Dan and I stopped at one greenhouse to pick up a few seedlings – herbs, flowers, and peppers.  They did not have the rhubarb plant that I wanted, but in typical Dan fashion, he went on a mission after dropping me off at home to do my aerobic workout.   AND – he scored at Canadian Tire. (Also in Dan fashion he got it on sale for half the price that I would have paid at the Home Depot garden center).

Rhubarb Torte in our future. 🤗🙌

Daily Food Diary – Day 140

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) Eggo classic waffles (180) (1.5 grams)

(2) tsp butter (69) (4.7 grams)

(1) tbsp Maple Syrup (55)

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

Snacks:

(24) oz water

(1/2) oz dry roast peanuts (81) (1 gram)

(2) c air popped popcorn – no butter (62) (1 grams)

(1/4) c bbq corn nuts (115) (.5 grams)

(1) pear (103)

(1) peach (51)

Supper:

(1) lg serving of spaghetti with ground turkey meat sauce  (no cheese 😢) (628) (2 grams)

(1/2) c broccoli (30)

(1/2) c cauliflower (14)

(2) tsp butter (69) (4.7 grams)

Total net calories: 1243

Net calorie goal: 1411 – 1243 = 168 over 👎

Total saturated fats: 17.8 grams

Saturated fats goal: 13.75

* I totally skimped on the hydration yesterday.  I am so waterlogged from this weather, it was just off my radar. 🙄

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 88

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

On January 1st,  I started tracking everything I consume each day and posting it in my Daily Food Diary.   I have never been great at keeping New Years resolutions, but I approached this more as a commitment and 88 days later, I am still on track! 😊

Yesterday, our main meal of the day was a family affair.  Dan and I spent most of the day tidying up the house and getting supper together. 

Maddy & Prim – the birthday girls
Their sister, Genie
Their Mom  Jen with her fiance Tanner
Maddy’s boyfriend Ronan with Dan

I struggle taking family photos.  To be honest, I think it is the family that  I have to work with.   The photo of Genie on her own  went well enough.  (Her fiance Alec was at work) The other three were a challenge.  How hard is it for TWO people to face the same direction at the same time?  By the time I got to Dan and Ronan, they were all over the place.  I am pretty sure they were trying to be difficult.  I got one shot of Dan looking at the ceiling while Ronan was looking at the floor.  🙄

All in all, everything went as well as can be expected when you get a lot of family into a small house.  Supper went particularly well.  They all said  our first attempt at pulled pork was a win.  The girls chose the menu,  with a bit of tweaking.  Jen requested the brussel sprouts and Dan and I added buns and yeast free paratha bread for anyone wanting to build a pulled pork sandwich.  It all worked.

Food Diary

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2) (.3)

(1) c Raisin Bran Crunch (190) (3)

(1/4) c milk  (31) (2)

Snack:

(1) c Licorice tea

(30) oz water

Supper:

(3) oz pulled pork (150) (2.2)

(1/2) c cole claw (74) (1.2)

(1) baked potato (139) (3.7)

(3) tsp butter (10) (.1)

(1/4) c green onion (10) (1)

(1/2) c brussel sprouts (28) (2)

(10) asparagus spears (33) (3.6)

(1) pc ice cream cake (613) (10.4)

Total Calories: 1373

Less 106 (26 min. Aerobics)

Net Calories:  1267

Calorie goal: 1269 – 1267 = 2 under 👍

* I can’t believe half of my calories yesterday came from DQ Blizzard Ice Cream Cake.  The cake was a 10″ round cake (calories per DQ nutrition menu – 7360) cut into 12 equal pieces. One piece 613 calories.  😳

Total Protein: 47.5 grams

Daily Protein Goal: 46 to 58.5 grams

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