Tag: chronic health issues

Daily Food Diary –  Day 335 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 335 of my Daily Food Diary. 🤩

As the final days of 2025 pass by, I am counting the wins that I have celebrated since I began my Food Diary in January.

When I began this challenge, it was all about becoming  more mindful of what I was consuming on a daily basis.   One of the first things people here noticed was how little water I drank.  🙄

I knew it wasn’t much, but I hadn’t really considered that it wasn’t enough.  I just wasn’t a fan.   I still fall short of what I should drink, but I have improved my water intake to the point where I will take it as a win (with room for improvent.)  Proper hydration is important for everyone, but with my family history of kidney disease and my personal history of chronic respiratory issues, I know that it is one area that I must continue to monitor and improve on.

As for my more recent general life wins…

My morning walk yesterday with Dan & Molly was a disaster of draining sinuses, coughing fits, and Pyrenees attitude.  

1) I tried to take the pressure off of Dan’s back, but even with Molly’s pinch collar on  she was lunching and lunging.  I was choking and sputtering.  It was bad.  I made it around one block, before Dan had to take the leash and we headed home.  Dan headed off solo with Molly prancing  in unison beside him –  as if  this was a fabulous win for her. 😣

While waiting for Dan and Molly to finish their walk, I cleared my lungs with my Airobika and calmed down and regrouped. 

2) When they got back, Dan and I went down to Southland Mall.  I felt better and things went perfect.  We returned with four  Christmas gifts plus a new pair of winter gloves for me.  I saved ten dollars plus taxes on the goves – and I paid for them with Canadian Tire money since I bought them at Mark’s Work Wearhouse.  Wins all around!

3) Later in the afternoon, we had a surprise visit from  granddaughter Prim.   She helped me make supper.   She did all the prep and she whipped up a pan of chocolate/walnut brownies for dessert.   We had supper, and she watched the end of a game show with Dan before he drove her home with plenty of leftovers for her sister Maddy.   Prim’s visit was a win for all of us! 

This morning’s walk went way better.   Molly was still too wound up for me to hold onto her,  but she walked well for Dan.  On our way home we stopped at the dog park for half a hour where she had a good run with her friend Ripple.

Daily Food Diary – Day 335

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) granola bar (160)

Snacks:

(36) Oz water

(8) Hint of Lime chips (200)

Supper:

(12) Oz carbonated water

(1 1/2) servings homemade hamburger helper (615)

(2) Bicks baby dill pickles (6)

(1) Chocolate brownie with walnuts (101)

Total consumed calories: 1264

Total used calories: 0

Total net calories: 1264

Net calories goal: 1208 – 2264 = 56 over 👎

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

I miss summer already. 💗

Daily Food Diary – Day 332 0f 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 332 of my Daily Food Diary. 😚

This morning, Facebook sent me a ‘memory’ of the last Christmas tree we had.   That was FOUR years ago.  That was not a memorable Christmas Season, nor was it a memorable Christmas tree – at least not in a good way.

The tree was perfect, in every sparkly way – until we realized it came complete with a family of shrews.  A big family – and they were indestructible, cocky, bizarre little creatures.  They lived with us for months before the last of them moved out in the spring.

Good times… 🤦‍♀️

I am so glad that life has turned around and that we are at a place where I can count my wins each and every day!

#1 – Our first REAL snow of the season. I declined to walk Molly solo this morning, but I did go outside with her to clean our walks and paths around our patios.
#2 – I did laundry, including the living room blankets.  A win for me because it didn’t bother my lungs AT ALL to spend time in our basement.  (Dan has been doing the laundry because it had gotten to be such a struggle for me.) 😊
#3 – A win for Molly – Dan had to run over to a friend’s,  so he took Molly to meet Tucker, their young Labradoodle. 😁

#4 – Yesterday, I finally hit the trifecta – a walk with Molly, time on the treadmill, and a session with light weights and cardio. 👍

Daily Food Diary – Day 332

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) paratha (240)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

Lunch:

(1) Harvest hot dog (160)

(10) Lays lightly salted chips (1=5)

(1/2) Oz onion dip (20)

Supper:

(2) servings nachos with ground turkey, red pepper, jalapeños, olives, green onions, shredded habanero cheese. Salsa (865)

Total consumed calories: 1587

Total used calories: 280

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min treadmill (71)

(30) min light weights (71)

Total net calories: 1307

Net calories goal: 1208  – 1307 = 99 over

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 331 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 331 of my Daily Food Diary! 🥳

This morning, I am just going to jump right into my wins since I posted yesterday.

1) For the forth day in a row, Molly and I  went for our morning walk solo.  Molly was very good,  again.    But, it was COLD!    Despite wearing 2 sets of gloves, my hands were freezing.  When we got back home,  my fingers were stiff and in excruciating pain.   I grabbed a jar of CBD cream and lathered it on.  By the time I had it rubbed in, the pain was easing – and in no time my fingers were as good as new.  CBD cream for the win!

2) Last night was dart night for Dan.  I cleared up the kitchen, did the dishes, massaged my hands and did my nails.   After digging in garden dirt, pulling weeds, and the like all spring/summer/fall,  it felt  good to show my hands some winter love.

Healing hands for the win!

3) Finally, shortly after Thanksgiving we asked our Genie if she and her husband Alec would consider hosting Christmas this year.    It is all rather complicated but with help of Alec’s Mom (who is  the official hostess)  that is now the plan.  

Big win – First  Family Christmas,  with and for, the newly weds.  💞🎄

Daily Food Diary – Day 331

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2) grapefruit (39)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

(1) granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(1/2) c potato (127)

(1 1/2) c Baked vegetables (37)

(1) snickerdoodle (90)

Snacks:

(6) Hint of Lime chips (150)

(48) Oz water

Supper:

(1 1/2) c macaroni & cheese (380)

(2) Harvest weiners (360)

(2) Belgium chocolate cookies (107)

(1) can A & W rootbeer (170)

Total consumed calories: 1694

Total used calories: 337

(30 min walking (137)

(30) min aerobics 200)

Total net calories: 1357

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1357 = 149 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary –  Day 329 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 329 of my Daily Food Diary! 😆

This morning we woke up to find our city shrouded in fog.  That seems to be the norm lately, more often that not.   I am not loving the high humidity, as it is one thing that triggers my asthma – and the one thing that I cannot control. 

8 A.M. this morning

Staying indoors does help, but it is 11 AM and the fog is still hanging on. 

Molly is not a happy camper.  Dan’s back went out a couple of days ago.   The pain is  easing off but he is not ready to take Molly for her walk.   It will be on me again, but we won’t get far if this fog does not ease up.

There is nothing sadder than a sad Pyrenees 😔

Other than the fog (and Dan’s back issue) , all is relatively well.   I have a couple of more wins to celebrate…

1) Yesterday, for the second day in a row I put together a passable healthy lunch for myself – raw vegetables, bacon, and crackers.

2) Plus,  I got in two workouts on top of my walk with Molly yesterday – light weights and treadmill

Also, not really a win for me, but definitely something to appreciate… I have spoken to granddaughter Genie.  If Grandpa is still struggling on the weekend, she will be able to detour out of her way and drive Maddy for work.  It is so nice that they are sisters, workmates, and the best of friends!

Genie training Maddy on the first day of her first job. (March 2024) 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 329

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) Granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(2) slices thick cut bacon (170)

(2 1/4) c raw vegetables (37)

(2) tbsp Dilly Dip (100)

(14)  crackers (128)

(48) Oz water

Supper:

(1) c cream of mushroom soup (200)

(1) Pan fried Ham, cheese, and onion wrap (382)

(2/3) maple walnut ice cream with chocolate sauce (303)

Total consumed calories: 1483

Total used calories: 280

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min treadmill (71)

(30) min light weights (71)

Total net calories: 1203

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1203 = 5 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 328 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 328 of my Daily Food Diary. 😄

Despite snow storm warnings for the past week, any such weather seems to have missed Saskatchewan.  It is cool this morning but dry.   While there are plenty of dried leaves that have finally fallen, most of the grass around here is still suspiciously green.   I swear our seasons are shifting  later each year.   We are still mid autumn – and come June it will still be winter.  🤔

I am still enjoying that break between our Canadian Thanksgiving and full on  Christmas Season.  But,  I do have two wins to celebrate today.

1) Yesterday, I broke away from my less than impressive typical lunch and made myself a full on (small) salad.   I should generally make more of an effort when it comes to lunches, but it is too easy to grab a handful of chips and/or a couple of cookies.  But, yesterday I did it.   I made myself something relatively nutritious so I will take the win.

2) This morning, I took Molly for a walk by myself.  That alone is win worthy, but today on our walk I coughed twice.  A couple of coughs each time to clear my lungs/throat and we moved on.  I know it doesn’t sound that impressive, but for me,  walking our dog alone without multiple coughing fits is a massive double win for me!

Molly sharing the win.  (She did contribute to the win by being an especially good girl this morning. 💞)

Daily Food Diary – Day 328

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c brown sugar Shreddies (210)

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

Lunch:

(1) small salad – romaine lettuce, green onions, radishes, cauliflower, ham, cheese, peppercorn ranch dressing, fried dried onions (393)

(36) Oz water

Supper:

(2) large sour cabbage rolls (360)

(12) Oz carbonated water

(1) snickerdoodle (90)

Total consumed calories: 1083

Total used calories: 337

(35) min aerobics (200)

(30) min walking (137)

Total net calories: 746

Net calorie goal: 1208-746 = 462 under 🤔

That’s it for today.  take care and have a great day! 💞🥳

August 2018

Daily Food Diary – Day 327 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 327 of my Daily Food Diary! 😎

I have been trying to be mindful of what I eat (and cook) for almost eleven months now.  I have even been  putting a respectable effort into choosing our menu – especially supper.   Despite all this effort, often – like once a week,  I find out that my  daughter, her daughter, or both of them – made exactly the same thing as us on the same day.   Last week it was Genie.  For supper on Saturday, Dan made Baked French Onion Soup.   After, seeing my blog on Sunday – Genie messaged me to say that she had done likewise for herself and her sister Prim.  So strange – I know Genie makes a lot of homemade soup, but I don’t think either of us make French Onion Soup regularly.  But apparently, when we do..🤔

It is another relatively pleasant day in Southern Saskatchewan – so far!  There is talk of snow but we have dodged it so far. (or at least the snow that comes and stays until spring)

We went for our morning walk.  The  humidity was relatively high (93%) but I still did quite well coughing wise –  a few random coughs, but no coughing fits, so that was good!

Another hand shot today. 

This one is to share my win for yesterday.  I got my wedding rings on.  I haven’t been able to wear them for months –  since I caught my finger on Molly’s chain (leash) when I was walking her.    The swelling in my knuckle refused to go down.   Now it is finally gone. 😁

Daily Food Diary – Day 327

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) 2 egg Denver omelet (235)

(2) potato patties (240)

Snacks:

(36) oz water

(2) Belgium chocolate cookies (107)

Supper:

(3) spring rolls (375)

(3) c chicken stir fry (614)

(12) Oz carbonated water

Total consumed calories: 1573

Total used calories: 137

(30) min walking  (137)

Total net calories: 1436

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1436 = 222 over 👎

That is it for today.  take care and have a great day! 🤗🧡

Daily Food Diary – Day 326 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 326 of my Daily Food Diary. 🙉  It is Sunday and our weather is amazing.  It is a few degrees above freezing, sunny,  warm, and DRY!  

We went for our morning walk a while ago.  The streets were relatively quiet.  We crossed paths with one dog that Molly would have liked to interact with, but they both just wanted to play so it was not a big deal.

On our walk, I coughed three times.  That was not three coughing fits – just a couple of coughs each time to clear my throat.  I am sure that is a three year record. 🤩

Last night Dan made Baked French Onion Soup for supper.   He used lots of onions, unsalted Campbell’s beef broth, toasted sourdough bun, and shredded cheese (marble for mine/mozzarella, provolone, & parmesan for his).   It was our second amazing supper in a row.

After supper we watched a movie (after the Toronto/Montreal hockey game).   We seldom watch movies.  I usually choose the movies we watch and my choices are questionable at best.  ‘Catnado’ hit a new low for me – and that took some doing! Last night we watched one that Dan was interested in seeing.  It was definitely a step up. 👍

The rest of our day today should be quiet.  Dan is going to pick up granddaughter Maddy in a bit.  He will probably let her drive home, as he usually does.  She completed her Driver’s Training course with a very respectable 93% – now she just has to keep practicing until the end of March, when she will be old enough to go ace her Driver’s Test.

Maddy – Her first drive ever. (With her Mom as co-pilot in my Taurus)

  

Daily Food Diary – Day 326

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) crumpets (240)

(2) tsp butter (69)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

Snacks:

(48) Oz water

(1) snickerdoodle (90)

(1) Matt’s climate caesar (168)

Supper:

(1 1/2) servings baked French onion soup (552)

Total consumed calories: 1171

Total used calories: 337

(35) min aerobics (200)

(30) min walking (137)

Total net calories: 834

Net calories goal: 1208 – 834 = 374 under 👍

That is it for today.  take care and have a great day! 🤗💓

Daily Food Diary – Day 323 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 323 of my Daily Food Diary.  323 Days in and this is the closest I have come to missing posting my blog.  😳

Our humidity was finally down this morning, so I joined Dan and Molly for a  walk.   We stopped at the dog park for a while so Molly got in a good run with her friends, but set us back a bit.  

We got home and I did some poo cleanup in the yard, fed the squirrels, brought in the mail, and had a bath.  By then, I was just all sorts of off track for the day.

It has been almost five months since I started taking collagen supplements.  I have seen a number of benefits and a few changes in my health/body that I wasn’t expecting.

The weirdest change could be to my hands.  They feel a little better and they are stronger, but they also look different!

They look kind of alien- ish and the color is off  (seriously difficult to take pictures of my own  hands) but my veins (or arteries?) are almost gone.  The left side photos were taken in July.

I have been noticing the change for a few months.  Whatever is going on, my blood pressure and pulse are fine.  🤷‍♀️

Daily Food Diary – Day 323

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/4) c milk (28)

(1) c brown sugar  Shreddies (210)

Lunch:

(2/3) c chicken broth (10)

(3/4) c Hamburger Helper Lasagna (210)

Snacks:

(1) tbsp honey (40)

(10) Hint of Lime Tortilla Chips (200)

Supper:

(1) Hungry Man Chicken Dinner (520)

(1) extra brownie (50)

Total consumed calories: 1360

Total used calories: 174

(30) min aerobics (174)

Total net calories: 1186

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1186 = 22 under 👎

That’s it for today.  TAKE CARE AND HAVE A GREAT DAY! 😊💖

In front of the main branch of our library.  We drove downtown just to see this elephant (a few years ago).   Im not surprised I hadn’t seen it before – it was almost impossible to see it when we were looking for it. 😂

Daily Food Diary – Day 322 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 322 of my Daily Food Diary.  With 46 weeks down, I have a mere 6 weeks left to my 2025 Daily Food Diary Challenge! 💥

This week, I have been trying to up my activity level.  Our weather isn’t really co-operating.  Yesterday it rained all day, so none of us went for our daily walk.  Today it is foggy, so Dan and Molly went without me.

Yesterday, I did do my aerobics and light weights.  I got on the treadmill last night, but had to pull the plug after ten minutes due to a severe coughing fit.  Dan and I did give Molly a good brushing yesterday, so that was a workout of sorts.

Molly, showing her appreciation for our efforts. 😆

Last night, I watched our evening news.  I generally avoid watching our news – preferring to read it online, where I can skip over the articles of little personal interest or those that will just serve to annoy me.

But, last night I watched the evening news.  Elections Saskatchewan announced that they were planning to do a test run of phone in voting for our next election,   plus they are looking at replacing Election Day with Election Week.   We currently have Advance Polling, Mail In Voting, Curbside Voting, Homebound Voting, and Personal Care Home and Hospital Voting. 

In last year’s provincial election, a paltry 54% of eligible voters exercised their right to vote.  So, Elections Saskatchewan has decided to take steps to make the election process easier.

Personally, I don’t care how votes are colleced,  as long as the votes are legitimate.  

But I don’t believe ‘easier’ is the way to go.  I think it cheapens the entire election process.   Easier seldom means better in my mind and rarely, if ever, brings out the best in people.  

Personally, I think we should look deeper if we want to really engage more people in the election process.   The problem isn’t access, it is apathy.  (In my mind)

Any thoughts?

Daily Food Diary – Day 322

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) Eggo Waffles (180)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(2) tbsp syrup (104)

(3) slices bacon (130)

Lunch:

(1) c broth (5)

(8) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (200)

(1/2) c raspberries (32)

(1) snickerdoodle (90)

Snack:

(60) Oz water

(1) tbsp honey (40)

Supper:

(2) servings chicken caesar salad (630)

(2) Belgium chocolate cookies (107)

Total consumed calories: 1588

Less used calories: 271

(30) min aerobics. (174)

(30) min light weights (73)

(10) min treadmill (24)

Total net calories: 1317

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1317 = 109 over 👎

Daily Food Diary – Day 321 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 321 of my Daily Food Diary!🤗

I am not sure where this week is going, but it seems to be heading upwards! 🖕 (well that’s an awkward emoji)

Anyway… Sunday was rough.  It was foggy all day and my lungs were not happy.  I didn’t walk, didn’t workout, and didn’t sleep that night.

Yesterday, the humidity was lower.  I went for a morning  walk with Dan and Molly.  I did an aerobics workout and spent thirty minutes on the treadmill.   I did some cleaning up around here. And.. I slept like a rock last night.

Today, I got up to rain.  Obviously, the humidity is back up.  We did not walk – partly because of my lungs, mostly because our Molly dog does not like rain.

Nope!

I had a breakfast high in bacon protein.  I used my Aerobika to clear my lungs and I did my aerobics.   🤗

I plan to do light weights this afternoon, spend time on the treadmill, brush Molly dog – followed by swiffering, dusting, and cleaning the filters in our air purifiers.  (Because that’s what I do after brushing Molly. 😉)

Just working on getting through this unseasonably humid rainy season.

Daily Food Diary – Day 321

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c cheerios (200)

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

Lunch:

(1) c Campbell’s chicken broth (5)

(10) light salted chips (70)

Snacks:

(1) tbsp raw local honey (40)

(1) Oz Planters dry roast peanuts (162)

(36) Oz water

Supper:

(12) Oz carbonated water

(2) c Lasagna Hamburger Helper w/ lean ground beef, onions, and orange pepper (677)

(2) c Brussels sprouts w/ butter (180)

(1) snickerdoodle (90)

Total consumed calories: 1454

Total used calories:

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min aerobics (174)

(30) min treadmill (73)

Total net calories: 1070

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1070 = 138 under 👍

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