Tag: bronchiectasis

Daily Food Diary – Day 314 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 314 of my Daily Food Diary. 🥰

Today is November 11th, 2025  – Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the USA – a day for us to show respect and appreciation for those who have served our countries,  so that we may live in peace.   That is no doubt the greatest gift that anyone could give, and one that should be honored every day in my mind.  🌺

I am finally getting back on track with my Health and Fitness.  Between my  collagen supplements, Quercetin, and local raw honey – and our morning walks, my aerobics, light weights – and especially my treadmill time, my lungs (and my  body in general)  are getting stronger all of the time.

I know that I have always had, and will always have asthma.  I know that it will be triggered by humidity, allergies, and stress.  I will be on inhalers for the rest of my life.  But, I have always had doubts about my diagnosis for COPD and bronchiectasis, so we will see about that as time goes on…

It has all been rather frustrating to get to the point where I am at, but it brings to mind my favourite quote from Rumi:

“It’s your road, and yours alone.
others may walk it with you,
but no one can walk it for you.”

Before (and after) I retired five years ago, I read several retirement planning articles. They all stressed the importance of wealth – being financially secure was the be all and end all of successful retirement.   

Those articles were wrong.  I know people who have money – a lot of money.  They (for the most part) spend their time stressing about losing their money.

People who prioritize their health, prioritize  living their best life – regardless of any challenges or setbacks (financial or otherwise) that arise.  That’s the best  retirement plan in my mind – and the road that I choose to follow.

Daily Food Diary – Day 314

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) ham & cheese omelet (300)

(1) c pan fried potatoes (350)

Snacks:

(1) tbsp honey (40)

(14) Lightly salted potato chips (130)

(1) Snickerdoodles (90)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(2) bowls beef, barley, vegetable soup (360)

(3) cheese biscuits (310)

(12) oz carbonated water

Total consumed calories: 1583

Total used calories: 384

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min aerobics (174)

(30) min treadmill (73)

Total net calories: 1199

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1199 = 9 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 313 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 313 of my Daily Food Diary. 🤗

Yesterday was a nice quiet Sunday.  Dan, Molly, and I went for our morning walk around the neighborhood.  The highlight of my afternoon was making a batch of Snickerdoodles – my first ever.

Snickerdoodles

The snickerdoodles didn’t  live up to the hype in my mind, but a little cream cheese icing would probably take them up a notch.

Today we had a plan to go to Prairie Mobile to trade up our cell phones and then head down the strip mall to Chappy’s for lunch.  The day hasn’t gone according to plan – my bad. 🙄

I forgot the plan and made a big breakfast of fried leftover potatoes and ham & cheese omelets.   Half way through our walk this morning, I realized neither of us would be up for a restaurant lunch.

Granddaughter Maddy would be so disappointed.  She was born with a plan – and a plan is a done deal!

It started innocently enough when she showed up with a plan to go to McDonald’s for lunch, which morphed into a plan to make a list and go shopping for: a new coloring book & crayons, new panties, a new purse, and a balloon on a stick.

Nowadays, she is working on a life plan… education, career, lifestyle – it’s there,  written in black and white but set in stone. 

And, meanwhile Grandma can’t stick with the plan to go pick out a new phone and have lunch.  As much as I need a new phone, I seriously need a new phone case!  Both are about eight years old and my case is hanging by a thread (a dirty thread to boot 🤦).

Daily Food Diary – Day 313

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c brown sugar cheerios (210)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Snacks:

(2) black licorice Twizzlers (45)

(1) tbsp honey (40)

(2) Snickerdoodles (180)

(1) Belgium Chocolate cookie (53)

Dinner:

(1) baked chicken leg & thigh (150

(1) c boiled potatoes (160)

(1/2) c gravy (80)

(1) c corn (125)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) glass Red Wine (165)

Total consumed calories: 1272

Total used calories: 137

(30) min walking (137)

Total net calories:  1135

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1135 = 73 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 279 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 279 of my Daily Food Diary! 😍

This morning Dan and I started the day with a walk for Molly.  It was the roughest one I have had for a while – and sadly the result of my own doing.

Last night, while the stew was cooking I decided that Happy Hour was in order.  For some reason, a Rye (whiskey) and Pepsi sounded good.  Finishing off the can of Pepsi after that seemed even better. 🤦

While the yeast used  in fermenting any alcohol is a problem for me, the sugar in any soda mix is a much bigger one.  Pepsi contains 41 grams of sugar in one 355ml can.  That is huge.  Too much for anyone and way too much for anyone with bronchiectasis.

So this morning while I was trying to keep up to Dan and Molly (while they deliberately took it slow for my sake), I struggled.  Trying to do anything when one is fighting to breathe through an abundance of  thick sticky mucus is never easy. 

I don’t remember when I last had a Rye and Pepsi, but I won’t be having another one any time soon.

Fortunately, having had a hot lemon water since I got back home, I am now feeling much better. 

Today is an aerobics and treadmill day. By the time I complete those, I will be back on track.  This afternoon I plan to get some housework done in preparation for our Thanksgiving  supper on Thursday. 

While Molly prepares in her own way.

Daily Food Diary – Day 279

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(1) Chicken burger (no bun) (120)

(1) sl provalone (70)

(1) tomato (22)

(25) barbecue chips (130)

Snacks:

(36) oz water

(1) Rye & Pepsi (125)

(6) oz Pepsi (75)

Supper:

(4) c Beef, gnocchi, & vegetable stew (736)

Total consumed calories: 1455

Total used calories: 360

(40) min aerobics (234)

(30) min light weights (73)

(30) min walk (53)

Total net calories: 1095

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1095 = 135 under 👎

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

Husband Dan got up before me this morning to catch this amazing sunrise. 💞🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 244 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 244 of my Daily Food Diary.  We are officially 2/3rds of our way through 2025! 🥳

I know that my Daily Food Diary has been beneficial.  It has kept my unhealthy snacking in check.  It has helped me to pin down foods that cause me issues.  It has helped me to tweak some of my cooking habits.  It has encouraged me to add collagen supplements to my daily round of vitamins.  And while it is an ongoing battle – it has helped me to eat more fruits and vegetables and to drink more water.

That being said – I am struggling with my health and wellness lately.

As much as I love spring and summer, they have not been kind to me this year.  I am almost excited to see September arrive and with it the end of wildfire smoke, a drop in humidity, and hopefully an eradication of all the mould and mildew this year!  The last being the worst lately.  🥺

At least for today, I am just avoiding the not so great outdoors.

Making chicken broth for homemade chicken noodle soup tonight.
While Molly guards the neighborhood from the comfort of our sofa.

Daily Food Diary – Day 244

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2) grapefruit (39)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

Lunch:

(3) oz chicken (140)

(10) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (250)

Snacks:

(1/2) c caramel corn (85)

(1) 355 mil can Root Beer (170)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) cheese tortilla wrap (85)

(1/8) c pizza sauce (17)

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

(9) slices Pepperoni (89)

(3) oz ham (86)

(1/4) c mushrooms (11)

(1/2) c onions (32)

(1/4) c green pepper (7)

Total calories: 1226

Calories burnt:

(30) minutes walking – 101

Total net calories: 1125

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1225 = 104 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 234

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 234 of my Daily Food Diary. 💗🌞

It is three and a half years since I set off on the  Health and Fitness Journey that I am on now. 

Three and a half years ago, I was  living a sedentary life with a questionable diet.   I was  struggling with multiple chronic health issues, and  a lack of strength, stamina and energy. 

Now,  I am physically active (aerobics, light weights, cardio, walking Molly dog,  and using our treadmill)  an average of 630 minutes a week  – plus doing housework, yard work, and the like.  And.. I am keeping my Daily Food Diary, I have eliminated yeast from my diet, and I have cut back on sugar, salt, and snacking between meals and after supper.

Recently, I ran across something in a  post on Instagram Threads.  “Sobriety is not punishment.  It is freedom.”

I have always lived a fairly sober life, but this rang true for me.

Living a life dedicated to health and fitness, isn’t always easy.   It takes effort and perseverance and sacrifice.  Some days, a lot of days, it feels like punishment.

But it really isn’t. It is the key to living my life on my terms.  It is the key to my  freedom – freedom to be happy and healthy and strong and fit.  💪

Daily Food Diary – Day 234

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(2) Potatoes patties (240)

(3) stops bacon (130)

(1) small red tomato

(48) oz water

Supper:

(5) Gyoza (167)

(2) vegetable spring rolls (200)

(1) oz riblets (49)

(1) a chicken strip (120)

(5) tempura shrimp (175)

(1) tbsp Gyoza dipping sauce (15)

(1) tbsp shrimp sauce (20)

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip  (50)

(1) tbsp plum sauce (35)

Total net calories: 1071

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1071 = 159 under

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 217 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 217 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary!  That is 217 days without a single miss! 💖

This month, I am focussed on adding more color to our diet.  This will mean adding some new foods – or at least foods that we don’t make on a regular basis.

Last night, I decided on Stuffed Green Peppers.  If I have ever made them before, it was long enough ago that I don’t remember.   Dan has made them, so he was amenable to the plan and offered to help.

Stuffed GREEN Pepper

We didn’t follow a recipe.  It was just a team effort of this and that and whatever we had in the fridge.

At any rate, they turned out pretty well and gave us ideas for a few more colorful meals.  You might be seeing Enchiladas and Spanish Rice.   I am NOT a squash fan but we might try some Spaghetti Squash.  I used to enjoy cooking  it for our dogs Casey and Kat.  They seemed to like it.  

Casey & Kat

Our weather is warm, sunny, and clear today.  We all took a walk this morning.  I made the full circuit but the humidity didn’t help for sure!

I am just clearing my lungs out with my Aerobika and then I am going to do my Wednesday workout – half an hour of aerobics and half an hour of weights and cardio. 💪

Hopefully, the humidity will drop so I can spend some time outside this afternoon.  Our garden is suddenly entering its jungle phase. 😳

Daily Food Diary – Day 217

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios (147)

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

Lunch:

(1) Apple – Red (95)

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1 1/4) c Caramel Corn (233)

Supper:

(1) Stuffed pepper – green pepper, white onion & garlic, seasoned ground beef, rice cooked in beef broth,  red pepper,  brown mushrooms, green celery, shredded habanero cheese, dried fried onions.  (465)

Total net calories: 1012

Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1012 = 210 under

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 211 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 211 of my Daily Food Diary.   Today is also Dan and my 26th Wedding Anniversary. 

That was us – with Dan’s Dad and my Mom.  Dan’s Mom & My Dad passed away before we met but I have always felt that they had a part in our getting together.

We are having another nice quiet day today.  I went for a walk with Dan and Molly earlier.  Our air quality was No. 5 again due to ongoing forest fire smoke.  It didn’t seem that bad, so I thought I would be ok.  I was wrong.  A few blocks in my lungs were so congested That I couldn’t keep up with Molly.    I gave Dan her lead and turned back home.   We were at a spot on our route where we could see almost to our house, so Dan and Molly waited until I got to our corner and then proceeded to finish their regular walk.

This afternoon, I am going to make a reservation for our short visit to  Gravelbourg.  Tonight we are going out for supper again.   We are going laid back again. This time we are going to a Fish & Chip restaurant that Dan’s cousin has been recommending for months.  We go out to eat so seldom now since I discovered my yeast issues, that we have to make the most out of it when we do.  Tonight we are going to experience our new favourite fish joint! 😊

Obviously, another day without my daily run today.  Yesterday, I ran on the spot on my kitchen fatigue mat.  I will do the same today.  If I can find a way to actually make running a regular part of  my daily routine, I will look at investing in a fold-up treadmill for our spare bedroom.  I know that come winter, I won’t be running on the snow and ice anyway, so I might as well start looking at options!

Daily Food Diary:

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios (147)

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

Snacks:

(4) oz lemon water

(8) Hint of Lime Tortilla Chips (200)

(2) tbsp Salsa (8)

Supper:

(5) oz pork chop (162)

(1/2) pkg chicken ramen noodles (120)

(1) c brussel sprouts (56)

(3) tsp butter (103)

(1) sm side salad w/lettuce, cucumber, green onions, sunflower seeds, dried fried onions, Vidalia Onion salad dressing (256)

(1) piece Caramel Toffee Cake (1050)

Total net calories: 2117

Net calorie goal: 2117 – 1229 = 896 over

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

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 210 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 210 Days (30 WEEKS) since I started posting my Daily Food Diary.  Thirty full weeks without a single miss. 🤗💞

It is 3 days since I started running daily.   Today our air quality is ‘moderate’ coming in at a number 5.  Dan and Molly walked alone.  Today being a Wednesday, I will do a  weight/cardio  workout after my aerobics.  Tomorrow, hopefully the smoke will clear and I will be able to get in Run #3.

This is summer in Saskatchewan.   Cold, wet, hot, humid, smokey, clear, dry, and windy! This morning it was +6 Celsius when I got up. (42.8 Fahrenheit). 😯

The one positive of having a cold smokey summer day, is that it helps control the mosquitos and other obnoxious little bugs that generally thrive around here.  Of course it also discourages the butterflies and bees as well.  Such is life!

On the upside, I spent yesterday dressing up our patio furniture with the new seat cushions Dan bought yesterday.   If the smoke clears, I am ready to drag out a space heater and blanket to enjoy a bit of fresh air.

In other news, my  Lose It!  app sent me a notice this morning.  For the past 29 days, I have averaged 221 calories over my net calorie daily goal.  🙄

And in more news, Google just noted that I should have written ‘lost it’  instead of ‘Lose It!’  (Google isn’t wrong. 😂)

To be honest… While I have been noting a LOT of extra calories this month, I haven’t taken any credit for extra calories burnt this month.  I do spend as much time as possible out in our yard – cleaning, weeding, watering (much of it with a heavy metal watering can).  And, Molly is into super shedding mode so I also spend a lot of time in the  house dealing with that situation.

It’s exhausting losing so much hair and spreading it throughout the house.

Daily Food Diary – Day 210

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Shreddies (200)

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

(1) tsp sugar (16)

Lunch:

(1) PC Buttermilk chicken (240)

(1/3) c potato salad w/radish & green onion (113)

(2) Gyoza (90)

(1) egg roll (190)

(1) almond flour/chocolate chip cookie (50)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

(4) oz lemon water

Supper:

(1) sourdough bun (259)

(5 1/2) oz lean ground beef  patty (334)

(1) slice havarti cheese (80)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) tbsp bacon bits (30)

(1/2) c fried mushrooms & onions (30)

(10) lightly salted potato chips (52)

Total net calories: 1730

Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1730 = 509 over 👎

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

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 201 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 201 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary.   It is two years since I eliminated yeast from diet and started taking a serious look at improving my diet in general.    And, it is three and a half years since I started living a healthier and more active lifestyle.

One would think, I would have it all down to a science by now, but looking at my Food Diary entry from yesterday – obviously NOT.

What is truly ironic, is that yesterday I was  messaging  back and forth with my sister Lorraine and we were discussing our health issues, our eating habits, and our frustration with North American attitudes towards diet in general.  Every day is a celebration  – and every celebration needs an overindulgence of poor food choices and alcohol fueled fun. (At least I dodged the alcohol fueled fun. 🙂) 

Fortunately, another Monday has come around and it is a new opportunity to dial back on the calories and amp up on the exercise.  I’ve been one of the 35% of Canadians living with obesity, and I am not going back there!

We  started our Monday with a walk with Molly.   Dan and I both struggled  with the  100% humidity – as well as with trying to keep  Molly out of the burr laden weeds along one stretch of roadway. 

We  managed to walk a respectable distance – and brought Molly home ready for a nice quiet nap. 👍

Being Monday, I still have my aerobics to do this morning, weights this afternoon, and chicken salad is on the menu for supper. 😊

Daily Food Diary – Day 201

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) potato Patties (240)

(2) eggs (160)

(1/4) c shredded marble cheese (114)

(5) asparagus spears (16)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(3) slices bacon (130)

Snacks:

(25) No Name Barbecue Chips (270)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(7) oz New York Strip Steak (546)

(1 1/2) c white rice (363)

(1/2) c red pepper (23)

(1/4) c red onion (15)

(1/2) c celery (8)

(1/2) c mushrooms (22)

(2) tsp butter (69)

(2) tbsp soya sauce (30)

(1) c broccoli (30)

(1/2) c cauliflower (14)

Total net calories: 2086

Net calories goal: 1229 – 2086 = 857 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 199  of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 199 of my Daily Food Diary and it is 1 week until I turn seventy!

This morning,  Dan was scheduled to pick up  granddaughter  Maddy and drop her off at work.  Since he would be at the southern end of the city, he offered to take me out to Dutch Growers.

Dutch Growers, one of our city greenhouse/landscaping businesses was large when it was in the city.  Now that it has moved to a more rural location, it is massive.

They sell everything Yard and Garden, plus clothing, accessories, jewellery, house plants and home decor.   They have a large four season building that leads to several large enclosed greenhouses.  

I was looking for a specific plant spray (which they do not carry).   But, I had my eyes open for something that I would appreciate for my seventieth birthday present.  I could probably have spent a few thousand dollars on waterfalls, planters,  and fairy statues, but I managed to resist such temptations.

I do have a sizable elephant that I picked up there years ago.

I did walk out  with a serious case of lung congestion.  We were not halfway home before Dan asked me if the humidity in the greenhouses had bothered me. 🤦

Seriously, I have asthma, bronchiectasis, and COPD – and I was so enthralled by all of the huge plants, decor, and miscellaneous goods that I hadn’t even noticed.  (Although, I certainly should have known going in).

It is great that between my daily workouts, my medications, and my general attention to diet, I can forget about my chronic respiratory issues.   But on occasion,  that does come  back to bite me on the butt!

Daily Food Diary – Day 199

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) granola nut bar (160)

Lunch:

(2) c romaine lettuce (15)

(2) green onions (16)

(3) oz canned chicken (150)

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip  (80)

(25) No Name barbecue potato chips (270)

(6) candy coated mini Easter Eggs (130)

* I swear, the bag is ALMOST empty

(48) oz water

Supper:

(2) c chilli with meat & beans (452)

(1) plain paratha (240)

(3/4) c ice cream (180)

(1) tbsp dark chocolate sauce (52)

(1) tbsp caramel sauce (130)

(9) pecans (59)

Total net calories: 1574

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1574 = 346 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! 💞😊

My garden meditation zone (pre Molly)