Tag: chronic health issues

Daily Food Diary – Day 239 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 239 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Blog. 💗👍

I continue to enjoy this exercise, especially the benefits that I have received from it,  and the comments that I receive from posting it.

What I do not enjoy is interacting via technology. 

The most frustrating aspect of technology this year is the emergence of AI, which is hellbent on making life difficult for the technically challenged folks like Yours Truly.

But,  I have a couple of glitches that have been  directed specifically towards me.  A few weeks ago the letter  ‘A’ vanished from my online vocabulary.  Tht ws frustrting!

My ‘A’ has returned,  but with its return, my spacebar has retired any reliable operation.  I’mgettingtoooldforthisnonsense!

Yesterday, while Dan and I were walking Molly, we started talking about all of the progress over the past few decades that have proven to be less than positive..

– Anything/everything disposable from plastic bags, to diapers, to appliances….

-24 hours a day television along with streaming services (any electronic device that keeps us from fresh air and regular human interactions and activities)

– Technology in general, but specifically software updates

– Electric vehicles (especially in the wide open spaces of Saskatchewan but pretty much anywhere)

– New math (what was wrong with the old math?)

– Fast and/or junk food (remember real food that wasn’t packed full of sugar, sodium, chemicals, and yeast?)

I am probably missing a few here.  Feel free to add them in your comments. (Space breaks and random vowels  optional). 🙂

Daily Food Diary – Day 239

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) crumpets (240)

(3) tsp butter (103)

(1 1/2) tbsp jam (75)

Snacks:

(12) Doritos (153)

(1/3) c mixed nuts (238)

Supper:

(3) c salad – green lettuce, onions & cucumber, white cauliflower, red tomatoes & radishes (190)

(2) sticks pork souvlaki (270)

(2) tbsp French salad dressing (146)

Total net calories: 994

Net calories goal: 1229 – 994 = 235 under 👍

That is it for today.  Take care and have a great day! ☺️💗

It would appear that I have finally killed my last orchid.   Dan went out of his way yesterday to secure this one to take its place. 💞😊

Daily Food Diary – Day 238 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 238 of my Daily Food Diary.  That is a full 34 weeks without one miss. ☺️

Today is almost two full weeks since we got our ‘new to us’ treadmill.  The first night we got it, I used it for fifteen minutes, the second night twenty, and every night since for a full thirty.

Until last night!  For the past three or four nights,  using the treadmill had just been getting harder and harder.

Over the past three and a half years, I have found that making commitments was more effective for me than setting result driven goals.  I have found that modest, persistent, consistent efforts were more effective for me than occasional grand gestures.  And I have found that muscle fatigue is a real thing!

When my muscles turn to achy, breaky, jello, it is time to set some down time for rest and recuperating.

Last night was one of those nights, and I’m thinking I am  going to have to start taking regular  break nights from the treadmill until I build up some muscle strength. 

It is unfortunate, because I  enjoy my evening treadmill time – physically and mentally.  But it has to be done!

Maybe our treadmill will appreciate the necessary break times.
Intermittent weight lifting is helping me to develop some arm muscles!  🥳. (I’m still working on the Bingo wings. 🙄)

Daily Food Diary – Day 238

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) crumpets (240)

(1 1/2) tsp jam (75)

(3) tsp butter (103)

Lunch:

(1 1/2) c chicken, green, white, orange, red vegetable, stir-fry (307)

Snacks:

(60) oz water

(15) barbecue chips (130)

Supper:

(1 1/2) c chicken, green, white, orange, red vegetable, stir-fry (307)

(1) red tomato (22)

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

(10) hazelnuts (88)

(1) tbsp dark chocolate sauce (52)

(1) tbsp caramel sauce (130)

Total net calories: 1360

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1360 = 131 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 237 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 237 of my Daily Food Diary. 😋

Our skies are clear, our air is smoke free, and we are finally starting an entire week of actual summer temperatures.

Dan and I took Molly for an uncharacteristically uneventful walk this morning.  We did stop at the dog park where Molly got in a few short solo runs across the park.  

I have to cut this one short.  Our garden is starting to wilt and it’s not going to water itself!

Daily Food Diary – Day 237

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

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

Lunch:

(1) cheese tortilla wrap (170)

(2) oz ham (57)

(1) oz marble cheese (113)

(1/4) c white cooking onion (3)

Snacks:

(14) hickory smoked almonds (70)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(2 1/2) c chicken stir fry – orange carrots, green onions, cabbage & celery,  brown mushrooms, red pepper, chicken filets, ramen noodles (622)

(1) vegetable spring roll (100)

(4) Gyoza (133)

Total net calories: 1022

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1022 = 207 under 👍

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

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 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 232 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 232 of my Daily Food Diary. 😄

Today it is one week since we got our  treadmill.  I am not a world class athlete yet, but I have been using it for 30 minutes every evening and I am already noticing the difference.

Ever since I can remember, when I stand in one spot (even momentarily) my hips, knees, and ankles lock up.  Even if I am moving, it is an effort to keep them from locking up.   It is frustrating, but I am used to it.

For the past two days, I have noticed that at least my knees are moving a lot smoother.  I’m not sure if my ankles are any better, and I know I am still struggling with my hips – but it’s a start!

Daily Food Diary – Day 232

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) crumpets (240)

(2) tsp butter (69)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

Lunch:

(2) Barbecue drumsticks(270)

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

(1) tbsp peppercorn ranch dressing (60)

(60) oz water

(8) oz lemon water

Supper:

(2) SVG Arby’s roast beef (200)

(1) Medium Arby’s Crinkle cut fries (530)

(2) Arby’s cheese sticks (220)

(2) Arby’s gravy (35)

(1) horseradish sauce (50)

Total net calories: 1401

Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1401 = 180 over 👎

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