Tag: chronic health issues

Daily Food Diary – Day 228 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 228 of my Daily Food Diary.  ☺️

Yesterday marked one full  month since our granddaughter Genie married her ‘To Infinity’ Alec. 💞

This week when Alec and Genie delivered our ‘new to us’ treadmill, we finally convinced them to send us some more wedding photos.

Dan & I with the happiest young couple! 😊
Prim looking so pretty (as always).   Acting as official flower girl, Prim took her duties seriously.   With help from the mother of the bride & flower girl (our daughter Jen), Prim helped to choose,  arrange, and distribute all of the flowers – including the bride’s bouquet.

Back story of the flowers…  the basic blossoms were store bought (and included red carnations and pink rosebuds in memory of Genie’s great grandparents).   They were also  filled out with wildflowers that Jen and Prim picked for the day – in honor of another day from Genie’s youth.

When all of Jen’s kids were young,  we used to take them to  visit my Mother in the Foyer in Gravelbourg.  We always brought  Mom something, most often flowers.  On one visit, I forgot to get anything, but as we turned onto the highway to Gravelbourg, the ditch alongside the road  was  filled with wild flowers.   Jen and I decided we would pick a bouquet of wildflowers for Mom.   👍

After telling ALL of the kids to stay in the car, we made our way down into the ditch.  We heard the car door open and close. And looked back to see Genie rolling into the ditch behind us. 

There was no turning her back, so we just watched over her while she picked an armload of wildflowers for greatgrandma.

My mother loved the bouquet and we never let Genie forget the story. 😂

I am taking things easier this weekend. Yesterday,  I went for Molly’s walk.   I did a bit of housework (nothing too heroic).   I did my aerobics.  And…  I did 21 minutes on the treadmill – getting up to a Level 4 (of 16).   No incline yet, but today could be the day.

Daily Food Diary – Day 228

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2) pink grapefruit (39)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

(1) granola bar (170)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

(12) Mini Easter Eggs (the LAST) of the mini Easter eggs:   (190)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(1) sourdough bun (190)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(1) Beef/pork burger with bacon bits, provalone cheese, onions – white, tomato –  red, lettuce – green , & horseradish – white  (256)

(12) barbecue chips (130)

(5) slices cucumber – green (4)

(5) slices tomato – red (13)

Total net calories: 965

Net calories goal: 1222 – 965 = 256 under 👍

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

Grandpa escorting his girl to the altar, while she clutched her, special as she is, bouquet.

Daily Food Diary – Day 227 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 227 of my Daily Food Diary!  💞🌞

Time is such a strange concept.  Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years… All are set in stone.  But,  this year is just flying by.  I can’t believe I have been posting every day for 227 DAYS in a row.  

While this year has been passing ridiculously fast, this week has been dragging on forever!  This is the longest week since I retired.  😳

At least, the days have been productive this week.  Yesterday, Dan and I emptied our upright freezer and defrosted it.  That was a job and then some, but it was great to have it all done and everything packed back in, in some kind of order.

I love those Dollar Store containers for keeping things organized!

Other than cleaning our deep freezer, We walked Molly, I did my aerobic workout, I did my Friday weights and cardio, AND last night I took another spin on my ‘new to me’ treadmill.   Sixteen minutes and I got to Level 3.   I haven’t attempted the incline yet. 🙄

Daily Food Diary – Day 227

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2) pink grapefruit (39)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

Lunch:

(2) eggs (160)

(1) oz ham (29)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1/5) c chopped red onion (13)

(1/4) c red pepper (12)

(2) brown mushrooms (20)

(1) oz marble cheese (113)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) sourdough bun (190)

(3) oz pistrami (120)

(1) slice Swiss Cheese (106)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1/2) c whitish sauerkraut (23)

(1) PC apple pie (296)

(1) vodka cooler (228)

Total net calories: 1046

Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1046 = 176 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 225 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 225 of my Daily Food Diary.  Not a single miss in 225 Days!  💃

Yesterday was another busy and productive day.   I got to go for Molly’s morning walk with Dan. (We have been wildfire smoke free for a few days now. 👍) I did my morning aerobics and Wednesday weights. I spent the afternoon outside watering, pulling weeds, trimming plants, and doing general yardwork.   And, I came in to bake apple pies and straighten up the kitchen.

I can’t tell you how great it feels to wake up every morning feeling well and going to bed every night feeling that my day was productive.

I have been on this Health and Fitness Journey for three and a half years.  It hasn’t always been easy.  Not that it has been that hard, but there have been setbacks.  Regardless, weeks like this make it all worthwhile.

It isn’t about living forever, it is about living well.  This week, I am living exceptionally well! 😊

Daily Food Diary – Day 225

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Rice Krispies (120)

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

(1) tsp sugar (16)

Lunch:

(2) chicken drumsticks (401)

(9) Lay’s Low Salt wavy chips (131)

Supper:

(1) sourdough bun (190)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(1) tomato (22)

(3) slices bacon (130)

(1) PC apple pie (178)

Total net calories:  944

Net calories goal: 1222 – 944 = 278 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day and 223 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 223 of my Daily Food Diary. 😁

Yesterday was one of those days when I realized how far I have come in the past three and a half years – since I first set out on my health and wellness journey to build up my strength and stamina.

Yesterday, I walked Molly first thing in the morning.  I came home to do half an hour of yard work, clear my lungs and then do my Daily Food Diary blog.  I was just about to post it, when my daughter arrived with her dog Sasha.

We had previously arranged to take Sasha for a bath at Pet Value.  But first,   we tag teamed a serious brushing session.    Once done, we headed off to bathe her.  An hour later, Sasha was fully groomed.   Jen and I should have both been exhausted.

Sasha, in the zone – enjoying her first Pet Value bath.

However, once I got home, I changed and  did my morning aerobics followed by my Monday weights and cardio. 

Following that, I made a batch of caramel corn and tidied up the house.  I made homemade macaroni and cheese and fixed vegetables while Dan barbecued the chicken for our supper.  After, supper I set up the coffee pot for this morning, straightened  up the kitchen and Dan came in to help with dishes.

This may not seem like that much,  but three and a half years ago, I would never have been able to take Molly for a walk…  much less everything, or anything else.

I honestly don’t know what most people expect life at seventy should look like.  To me these days, mine looks like a miracle. 🌹

Daily Food Diary – Day 223

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) granola bar (160)

Snacks:

(1) cream cheese/peanut butter/chocolate chip cookie (160)

(1/4) c caramel corn (43)

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(2) BBQ chicken drumsticks (401)

(1) c macaroni & cheese (400)

(1 1/2) brussel sprouts – green (84)

(1) mini cucumber – green (30)

(1/2)  tomato – red (11)

Total net calories: 1233

Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1233 = 11 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 222 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 222 of my Daily Food Diary.   222 seemed like an auspicious number so I decided to run it past Google.

The number 222 signifies Balance, Harmony, and Trust.  That sounds pretty good to me!

I started my morning by taking Molly for her morning walk.   It went well – better than usual, so that backed up Google’s prediction for the day. 😊

Daughter, Jennifer and I are taking her dog Sasha to Pet Value today to introduce her to their dog bath.  We’ll see how powerful Number 222 really is.

Molly with Sasha.  Sasha isn’t short of sass and attitude (even when she’s not the big dog).

Yesterday, I learned something new about my eating habits. 

Left to my own devices, I am an evening snacker.  I knew that from the night shifts that Dan used to work and the Dart Nights he goes to in the winter since he retired.   Alone, I could mindlessly munch my way through countless empty calories. 

Now that I am more mindful and accountable for what I consume in a day, that is not so much of an issue.  But, I have a new one! 

This summer, Dan has been golfing quite frequently.  I am fine with that.   He sees his friends, gets out in the fresh (somewhat) air, and is relatively active.  It is all around healthy, quality time for him.  I have my time to do my workouts, read, do my nails, whatever.

The only problem is, supper is generally much later than I am accustomed to.  Even, if I have a good breakfast and lunch – or a hearty brunch, I am ready for supper by 6:30.  By 7:30 I am starving!  I am in a losing battle with any random snack that crosses my path.  Even if I have a good  mid-afternoon snack, it is a struggle until supper is served.  🤦

Daily Food Diary – Day 222

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) scrambled eggs (182)

(3) slices bacon (130)

Snacks:

(3/4) c ice cream with pecans, chocolate sauce, and caramel syrup (421)

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

(48) oz water

Supper:

(4) oz pork cutlet (240)

(12) crinkle cut fries (82)

(1/2) c gravy (50)

(1) mini cucumber (green) 10

Total net calories: 1168

Net calories goal: 1222 – 1168 = 54 under

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 221 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 221 of my Daily Food Diary.  ☺️

Today is another  high risk smoke day, so another indoor day.  I had hoped to spend some time walking Molly, puttering around our yard, and reading in our gazebo.  Apparently,  that is not going to happen. 

It is amazing how suddenly we went from, hot, summer days to spending days on end trapped indoors to escape wildfire smoke.  I know we are far from alone in this and much better off than those living in fire zones.  Still, it is frustrating for those of us dealing with chronic lung disease and  environmental allergies.

I miss sunny summer days!

Souris, Manitoba
Wascana Trails outside Regina
Candy Cane Park at Wascana Lake

Daily Food Diary – Day 221

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) plain paratha (240)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

(1) tablespoon raspberry jam (red) (50)

Lunch:

(1) c beef/vegetable stir-fry (brown, red, green, orange, white) (100)

Snack:

(48) oz water

(1) 355 A & W Root beer (170)

Supper:

(2) c homemade beef, barley, vegetable soup (brown, white, red, orange, green) (250)

(2) cheese biscuits (302)

(2) tsp butter (69)

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 220 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 220 of my Daily Food Diary.  🌞💞

It has been over a month since I started taking Collagen Supplements.  My nails are stronger and healthier than they have ever been, my hands are barely achy (even first thing in the morning), my hair is shedding less and looking healthier, my skin texture is improving,  AND my sinuses are starting to feel noticeably better.  I don’t know how to describe that, except they feel firmer and less collapsible, if that makes any sense.

A couple of days ago, I mentioned Generational Health here,  on my blog.  I was talking about  the positive health and wellness lifestyle habits that we pass down to future generations.  I was mostly  referring to physical health.

Last night our daughter-in-law sent me a photo of our grandson Cason and son Dan.  Since Cason was a tot he has been playing board games, card games, and doing Jigsaw Puzzles with his parents, older siblings and grandparents.

When we were at Dan and Amanda’s  this spring, Cason brought out a chess board and asked me to play a game.   He said he knew how because he had seen someone playing Chess on one of his kiddie shows.  I was a bit skeptical but, ok then! 

With a little help setting up the board and the occasional advice during the first round, Cason had a good grasp on the game.    Despite my best efforts, he won the second one.

Natural talent, and above average intellect aside, kids need encouragement, support, and adult role models to thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally.

As a parent, I have occasionally wondered  if my parenting was ever effective or appreciated.    Seeing my sons and daughter  parenting their children, it is obvious that they were both. 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 220

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios (147)

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

Lunch:

(1/4) stuffed GREEN pepper (86)

Snacks:

(10) Lay’s lightly salted potato chips (57)

(1/4) c barbecue corn nuts (260)

48) oz water

Supper:

(2) c beef steak and vegetable – green, red, orange &  white stir-fry (200)

(1) c white rice  (242)

(2) tbsp soya sauce (30)

(1) tbsp butter (103)

(5) Gyoza (167)

(1) tbsp Gyoza dipping sauce (15)

Total net calories: 1090

Net calorie goal:  1222 – 1090 = 131 under

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 218 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 218 days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary.

It is six years since I began posting my blog on WordPress.   I had just given my boss a one year heads up that I would be retiring on my 65th birthday.  

For a few weeks, I had been sourcing out articles on retirement.  I’m not sure what I was looking for –  but it wasn’t the plethora of articles regarding the problems and pitfalls of retirement with less than millions of dollars in the bank, a substantial amount of investment income rolling in each month, and estate planning that I should have began before giving birth to my children (forty some years ago🤦).

Our retirement was not going to meet the standards of the financial gurus who write such articles.  But then our lives had never revolved around our finances.

So, I started a blog to help me find my way from full time employment to successful retirement.

Once I did retire, I soon realized that our  financial situation was  the least of our retirement challenges.   Financially, we are comfortable – even since Dan joined me in retirement.  We manage.

Our health is on shakier ground.   I learned three years ago that to enjoy retirement, I was going to have to get a handle on my chronic lung issues and the lack of strength and stamina that I struggled with.

My health and wellness journey began.  It  has been two steps forward, one step back,  and a series of twists and turns that I could never have imagined.

This year, the biggest and best change in my life has been seeing how I have become a better influence for my children and grandchildren.   It has been seeing and appreciating the time my son and his wife invest in being outdoors and active with their family.  It has been seeing my daughter-in-law and daughter deal with food allergies and personal fitness.  It has been seeing our grandchildren put down their iPads and get out and get active.  It has been seeing our granddaughter Genie & her  husband Alec, happily and healthily  married,  and planning  to one day add  a new generation to our family.  

Health and wellness has become a priority in our family and is the subject of many conversations – conversations started by daughter Jen, granddaughter Prim, or my husband Dan.

This morning, I went looking to source out articles on Generational HEALTH, to get more insight on the subject.

I didn’t look far, but from what I saw Google AI pretty much summarized everything I came across.

“the health conditions, risks, and patterns that are passed down through families across generations”.

That sounds pretty sad, but it is a definition that I see changing – in my family and others.

This is ‘Generational Health’ – Maddy and Prim at Wascana Park with sister Genie
And this – Granddaughter Gabby with brothers Lucas and Cason boating with Dan & Amanda
And this – Genie & Alec celebrating their life together in sickness AND health & fitness (physically, mentally, and spiritually)
And this – starting married life with a healthy bowl of vegetable soup! 😂  

Daily Food Diary – Day 218

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(1/2) stuffed pepper – green, red, white (190)

(1) oatmeal lemon cookie (68)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(5) Hint of Lime chips (125)

(1/3) c Weekender Mix peanuts (240)

Supper:

(12) oz carbonated water

(1) large dinner salad – Romaine lettuce, cucumber, broccoli, green onion – green, tomato, red pepper, radishes – red, sunflower seeds, dried fried onions, Vidalia Onion salad dressing  (263)

(3) sticks pork souvlaki (240)

Total net calories: 964

Net calorie goal: 1222 – 964 = 258 under

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 216 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 216 of my Daily Food Diary.

We are home and our heatwave is over.  It is forecast to be cooler and wetter today.   The  humidity is already 100%. (Good thing I watered our garden yesterday!)

Between wildfire smoke and high humidity this summer, my lungs are struggling.  I can’t imagine how I would manage if I wasn’t on inhalers, using my Aerobika, doing  aerobics,  breathing exercises,  weights and cardio,  walking (weather permitting) – and running (a little bit).

It’s funny, in an odd way,  that  I used to think working out was for athletes and healthy young  people who joined gyms to keep in shape.

I am infinitely grateful that I have learned that living a life based on exercise and healthy habits is for anyone wanting to enjoy quality of life. (Even seventy year olds with multiple chronic lung conditions 😊). 

Daily Food Diary – Day 216

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios – no milk (147)

Lunch:

(4) radishes – red/white (21)

(1) c broccoli –  green (31)

(2) pcs celery – green (14)

(1/2) c red pepper – red (23)

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (80)

(1 1/2) oz marble cheese (170)

(2) oz Piller’s Ham (57)

(9) Lay’s wavy lightly salted chips (131)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(11) Hint of Lime chips (275)

(3) tbsp salsa – red (12)

(1) Rolo ice cream cone (310)

Total net calories: 1273

Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1273 = 51 over

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

I haven’t planted sunflowers for years, but always manage to have a few of them pop up in our flower bed.  I don’t have the heart to pull them out as they have always been granddaughter Maddy’s favourite flower.

Daily Food Diary – Day 213 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 213 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary.  😊🌹

I have completed SEVEN of the twelve months that I set out to post.  Every month I choose a different focus and for August I planned to do likewise.

Choosing a new focus is always a challenge and this month (August) has been the most difficult.  I drew a blank for the past week, I settled on making this a month to focus on weekly meal planning.  But our summers are notoriously short and meal planning is just too September Greige for me to get excited about.

So… I chose to go with COLOURFUL foods for August.   While our garden is struggling this year, we do have a variety of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, carrots, rhubarb,  and  several herbs to provide color (and healthy goodness) to our meals.  Of course, we also have access to all of the fresh colorful foods  available at our supermarkets and local Farmer’s Market. 

To kick the month off, I sourced out this short article which offers information on why a colorful diet is beneficial, plus the specific nutrients relative to each basic food color.

Eat the rainbow for good health – Mayo Clinic News Network https://share.google/13HbshB2dmRhHkj45

A bowl of  mini  hot peppers that we harvested from our garden a couple of years ago. 

Daily Food Diary – Day 213

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(1) mango (135)

(1) kiwi (46)

Supper:

(1) Caesar salad (440)

(12) chicken wing flats (510)

(2) tbsp Frank’s Xtra Hot sauce (26)

(1) pinch of dried HOT pepper flakes

Total net calories: 1009

Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1009 = 212 under

*** Yesterday’s diet entries included the  yellow mango,  green kiwi and lettuce in the Caesar salad,  and the red of the pepper flakes and hot sauce.

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