Today is Day 318 of my Daily Food Diary. 318 DAYS without a single miss! 🤩
Today, I am celebrating another non-scale victory. This morning, I checked my blood pressure – 100/65. I also checked my blood oxygen 95% and pulse 74 btm. My scale fluctuates a few pounds every day, but today I weighed in at 122.6 pounds (normal for my 5′-1″). All in all, not bad for my current age 70 yrs and 4 months. 😁
Yesterday, I received my latest Amazon order:
Collagen drops for Molly (the jury is still out as to how they are helping her, but they obviously aren’t hurting and she seems to scratch less than she did)
A case for my new phone – It’s a teal wallet type that holds my bank cards, health card, driver’s license and the like. It works for me – better than anything I could find here.
And… pink earmuffs to keep my ears comfy, cozy on our Molly walks.
No, I did not know they would be that big and fluffy. Also NO, I will not care when it is 40 below and I am out plodding through the snow with Molly and Dan.
Daily Food Diary – Day 318
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(23) brown sugar shreddies (210)
(1/4) c 2% milk
Snacks:
(1) apple (95)
(1/4) c Planters dry roast peanuts (324)
(14) low salt chips (130)
(1) snickerdoodle (90)
(48) Oz water
Supper:
(1) sourdough bun (190)
(2) top butter (68)
(3) Oz mini steaks (200)
(1/8) c mushrooms (5)
(1/4) c onions (15)
(1) c airfield French fries (115)
(2) Belgium chocolate cookies (95)
Total consumed calories:1579
Total used calories: 210
(30) minutes walking (137)
(30) minutes treadmill (73)
Total net calories: 1369
Net calories goal: 1208 – 1369 = 161 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 🤗💗
For our grandson Logan who turns four years old today. We have never met him, but we think of him and his brother, Dominic every day. 💝
I was feeling pretty good when I got up this morning!
Yesterday, we finally did it! After eight years, we went down to Prairie Mobile to upgrade our phones. We survived the process and left with two Samsung 25’s. Dan’s is an FE, but that just means it is too wide to fit in my hand.
Next, we went over to Chappys for lunch. I had a mushroom burger (no bun) and Dan had a small pizza (With a real pizza crust!) Before we left, I went off to the washroom to wash up. When I got back to the table, Dan handed me the ‘receipt’ and headed out. I put on my coat, stuck the receipt in my purse with the papers from Prairie Mobile and left.
The rest of the day went fairly smoothly. We had taken Molly for her walk yesterday morning, so I didn’t feel bad forgoing any other workouts. I worked on figuring out my new phone, signing into apps, the usual. We had gotten all of our data transferred over at the store, so things went fairly smooth.
I finished the day with a bit of a 911 marathon, a few Hint of Lime tortilla chips, a couple of cookies, and a sense of accomplishment.
This morning I was still feeling pretty good until I went to check our bank accounts. I couldn’t find the payment for Chappys. I asked Dan how he had paid and… he didn’t.
He had handed me the BILL! He had told me, but I had misunderstood what he said. (I generally do pay while he goes to start the Jeep, but I was still in a kerfluffle from being at Prairie Mobile for an hour). 🫣
So, this morning Dan headed back to Chappys to apologize and pay up! They were more than gracious and appreciated that he had returned to pay, but Yikes!
For decades, I did the books for local restaurants (contract evening work after working for construction companies during the day). I know what it costs to provide meals. Also, I have a daughter and three granddaughters who work in food service now. It’s not easy!
Never, ever, would I Dine & Dash, and yet I did. 😟
But we have new phones and I have no reason to head out shopping or dining any time soon. So, there is that!
Time to get back on track with my workouts and diet today.
Daily Food Diary – Day 316
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) granola bar (160)
Lunch:
(1) mushroom burger (no bun) (333)
(1) serving crinkle cut fries (240)
(1) beef gravy (25)
Snacks:
(10) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (150)
(2) Belgium chocolate cookies (107)
(2) Black licorice twizzlers (45)
Supper:
(1) chicken thigh (208)
(14) lightly salted potato chips (130)
(3) mini chocolate treats (120)
Total consumed calories: 1520
Total used calories: 137
(30) minutes walking (137)
Total net calories: 1383
Net calories goal: 1208 – 1383 = 175 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a good day! 💞🎇
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! 💖😁
It is 312Days since I began maintaining and posting my Daily Food Diary. 🌟
From the very beginning of this challenge, I knew it would not be about perfection. As it is with my Health and Fitness Lifestyle in general – it is about balance.
My Daily Food Diary has been very helpful in making regular improvements to my diet. But, there have been days that have shown my diet to be less impressive than others.
Yesterday, on the other hand, was a good day! I started the morning with half a grapefruit, for a shot of vitamin C. My lunch included a couple of chicken wing drumettes, which are high in collagen. My snack was a tablespoon of raw local honey to help mitigate the environmental allergies that I have been struggling with. The beef, barley, vegetable soup for supper was the star of the day with homemade broth – low in salt and rich in collagen, barley – part of any cholesterol diet, and mega vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals.
Yesterday’s good for body, mind, and soul menu was just part of my good day ….
I went for a morning walk with Dan and Molly, easily covering the full circuit in the crisp, fresh air. In the afternoon, I completed (3) sets of light (8 pound dumbbell) weight exercises. And, in the evening, after straightening up the kitchen and doing dishes (with Dan)….
I hit the treadmill for thirty minutes. 😊
Action shot…
Today, being Sunday, I will probably scale things back as usual – possibly focus more on the Mind and Soul with some reading and relaxation.
We did go for our walk this morning, after Grandpa Dan got back from taking Maddy to work. It was quite the interesting walk with the city closing off an intersection that affects access to two major streets and one avenue in our area. The traffic on our quiet little side streets was uncharacteristically heavy and with many of the drivers looking fairly lost, confused, and frustrated, the intersections were pretty dicey! Not to mention icy from yesterday’s snowfall. Fun stuff, but we made it home in one piece and we all felt better for having gotten the fresh air and exercise!
Daily Food Diary – Day 312
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1/2) grapefruit (39)
(1/2) tsp sugar (8)
(1) granola bar (160)
Lunch:
(2) chicken wing drumettes (122)
(6) onion rings (150)
(8) tater tots (124)
Snacks:
(1) tbsp raw local honey (40)
(36) oz water
Supper:
(12) oz carbonated water
(2) bowls beef, barley, vegetable soup (360)
(3) mini chocolate treats (120)
Total consumed calories: 1188
Total used calories: 282
(30) min walking (137)
(30) min weights (73)
(30) min treadmill (73)
Total net calories: 906
Net calories goal: 1208 – 906 = 302 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞😊
310 days, since I have been maintaining and posting my Daily Food Diary. Every day, for 310 days, of being mindful of everything that I consume – and virtually 310 days of thinking that I could and should be doing better.
But today I realized how different things would feel if I had a Daily Food Diary from last year to use as a comparison. 😳
1. I do not drink enough water – but I drink a lot more than I drank in the past.
2. I still drink an occasional soda. I have probably averaged one each month this year. Last year… Probably at least 4 each week.
3. I still have a snack most days – depending on what I have for breakfast. I used to mindlessly snack from morning to night.
4. A snack used to often be regular or seasoned potato chips – now virtually all of our chips are lightly salted – as is our bacon, broth, and anything that we season as we cook.
5. I used to snack in the evening – especially when Dan was out. Industrial sized snacks – a bag of popcorn, toffee by the handful, big bowls of icecream with unlimited toppings, cookies, the occasional cake…. Now, I do not snack in the evenings.
Setting myself up for Dart Night (pre Food Diary) 🙄
6. I used to eat at least a couple of FULL servings every night, cooked with butter, seasoned with lots of salt, unlimited cheese.. Now my meals are generally one reasonable serving cooked in olive oil – light on the salt and cheese.
7. Take out or eat out used to be a regular thing – Chinese, KFC, Taco Time, Arby’s, steak & lobster on special occasions. Now we have take out, Arby’s, Taco Time, or DQ once every couple of weeks – maybe!
There are more changes that I/we have made in the past year. Being mindful of what I eat, has influenced what we eat and what Dan buys (since he does the shopping in our house).
Improvements can, and may eventually, be made to our daily diet. But today I’m feeling pretty good about how far we have come! 😊
Daily Food Diary – Day 310
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) crumpets (160)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)
Lunch:
(2) chicken drumsticks (152)
(2/3) scalloped potatoes (150)
Snacks:
(3) mini chocolate treats (120)
(1) tbsp raw local honey (40)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(1 1/2) c Herb & Butter Sidekicks (240)
(3) sticks souvlaki (345)
(1) c broccoli & cauliflower (55)
(1) tsp butter (34)
Total consumed calories: 1382
Total used calories: 183
(30) min treadmill (73)
(1) hr food prep/cooking/cleanup (110)
Total net calories: 1199
Net calories goal: 1208 – 1199 = 9 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💓😊
For the past couple of weeks, I have been struggling with environmental allergies. This week, I finally decided that I am better off dealing with the consequences of the allergies than the side effects of the anti histamines I have tried.
Face mask: moisturize, reduces effect of watering eyes and runny nose
Cucumber: (not shown) peel and slice, place on eyes to reduce burning
Two SistersLip balm: Beef Tallow lip balm used to sooth dry, cracked lips caused by constantly wiping nose with tissues
Local Raw Honey: helps build immunity to seasonal allergies, soothes throat and cough caused by post nasal drip, antioxidant
H20 : Keep hydrated, flush out allergens and histamines.
Aerobika: device used to clear mucus in lungs due to post nasal drip aggravating bronchiectasis
Black licorice: a health risk if consumed in quantity or for an extended period of time – check warnings! Contains glycyrrhizin which is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
I am feeling better so far. Yesterday, I took Molly for another solo walk. Getting out in the fresh air helps and she gets easier to handle all the time. I’m not sure if I am getting stronger or if she is just getting better. 🤷
In the afternoon, I was able to do my aerobics and treadmill. I am happy with how much easier the treadmill sessions are getting for me. I keep upping the speed, but still able to finish the session!
Today, I am going to do another treadmill session and a light weight/cardio session. I’m still using the right pound weights but happy to be crushing them!
Daily Food Diary – Day 307
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) granola bar (160)
Lunch:
(1) enchilada (194)
Snacks:
(48) oz water
(12) oz 7 up (140)
(3) black licorice Twizzlers (68)
(1) tbsp raw local honey (40)
Supper:
(1) Arby’s Dbl roast beef no bun (200)
(2) tbsp horsey sauce (120)
(1) Gravy (35)
(1) sm crinkle cut fries (390)
(2) cheese sticks (220)
Total consumed calories: 1569
Total used calories: (358)
(30) min walking (104)
(30) min aerobics (174)
(30) min treadmill (80)
Total net calories: 1211
Net calories goal: 1208 – 1211 = 3 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😊❤️
Yesterday in my blog, I wrote about my yeast allergy and how it has affected my health.
I was born with three health issues – asthma (which I was diagnosed with in my thirties), allergies (I have been officially diagnosed with environmental allergies but have yet to be tested and officially diagnosed with food allergies), and a collagen disorder/deficiency.
Of the three health issues – the collagen issue has been the most detrimental when it comes to my quality of life. For the first fifty some years of my life, I struggled with head to toe issues that affected me physically and emotionally. The most difficult part being that I had absolutely no idea why I struggled so much – just that I did!
Finally, in my fifties, my grandson was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome – Type 3 (a genetic mutation that affects the collagen in one’s body. I started searching reputable health sites on the internet and I discovered information regarding not only the prevalence and importance of collagen in our bodies – but that the information described me and my long standing health issues perfectly. During the past twenty years, others in my immediate and extended family have likewise been diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos 3 and/or with relative collagen issues.
Doctors that I have seen have brushed me off EVERY time I have brought up the subject. My respiratory therapist acknowledged the possibility that EDS could be affecting my respiratory system and my optometrist explained how it does affect my eyes.
Just having a solid lead as to the root of so many of my health issues has helped me immensely. For the first time ever, I understand my body. I have been able to make lifestyle changes that have helped me to live better.
This year, I began taking collagen supplements to see if they could possibly be of any benefit – particularly to my muscles and joints. While I had found a lot of information on collagen and Ehlers Danlos – I did not find much suggesting collagen supplements would be beneficial.
In the first two months, I noticed positive results to my nails, hair, skin, muscles, and joints. I was starting to notice an improvement to my sinuses. Then I saw my respirologist who put me on a course of antibiotics and 50mg Prednisone per day for ten days. (In a follow up visit, blood tests and X-rays indicated a possible minor infection/inflammation – which my respirologist said was nothing but that I had extra prescriptions on file if I required them. For an infection that I didn’t really have in the first place ?)
Within a few days of starting the antibiotics and Prednisone, I noticed that I was losing the benefits that I had been getting from the collagen supplements. My nails were breaking, my hair was thinning and falling, I was feeling like a dishrag and struggling to exercise with 5 pound weights.
I went back to the medical sites on the internet and found evidence that Prednisone inhibits the synthesis of collagen. The same Prednisone that doctors had been prescribing to me regularly (up to six times a year) for decades.
I continued to take the Collagen Supplements and once again (as the effects from the Prednisone wore off) began to see positive results. Except, that four months in, not only am I seeing an improvement to my nails, hair, skin, muscles, and joints, sinuses – I am feeling a notable improvement to the airways throughout my respiratory system. Despite, having recent issues with a flare up of environmental allergies, I can breathe easily. I can lay down or recline back in my chair without feeling like my airways are collapsing and that I am smothering. And I have upped my weights to eight pounders because the five pounders just weren’t cutting it. 👍
These are the Collagen Supplements that I have been using. (From Amazon Canada)
Once again, my point being that it is up to us to be proactive when it comes to our health. It is nothing against medical professionals – they save lives. But – we each live in our own body, day in and day out. And when it comes to resolving chronic health issues that matters – especially as we age.
Daily Food Diary – Day 306
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) potato patties (240)
(2) eggs (160)
(2) slices thick cut bacon (170)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(1) tomato (22)
Snacks:
(3) black licorice Twizzlers (68)
(1) tbsp local raw honey (40)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(2) c fried rice w/rice, pork, red onion, mushrooms, celery, red pepper, soya sauce, olive oil, butter (237)
(2) egg rolls (377)
(1) tsp plum sauce (12)
Total consumed calories: 1362
Total used calories: 110
(1) hr food prep/cooking/cleanup (110)
Total net calories: 1252
Net calories goal: 1208 – 1252 = 44 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💝🤗
Wood carving for sale in Deadwood, South Dakota – it probably would have come home with me if our grandbabies were still small enough to ride it…
It is 304 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary. ☺️
Today is November 1st. TEN months down and Two to go.
I generally begin each month with a fresh focus for my diary. This month, I am just going to wing it. Each day, I will focus on a different aspect of nutrition – good, bad, or otherwise. 🤷
Since yesterday was Halloween, prepackaged treats seem to be a good place to begin.
This year as always, we stocked up on Halloween treats to hand out, and as always we overstocked! Now that we are retired, we do not have the option of donating such leftovers to company lunch rooms.
Fortunately, daughter Jen’s girls have aged out of Trick or Treating… and her youngest (Prim) chose the option of having a sleepover with Grandma and Grandpa.
While she arrived costumed up from her school dance, she soon opted to get comfortable.
After a supper of enchiladas, an evening of watching the Blue Jays, a surprise visit from her best friend, a good night sleep, and a breakfast bacon & tomato sandwich, she headed home WITH our leftover Halloween treats to share with her sisters!
Another sugar and salt crisis averted – at least for us. 😁
Daily Food Diary – Day 304
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) potato patties (240)
(2) eggs (160)
(3) slices back bacon (52)
(1) tsp olive oil (40)
Snacks:
(3) black licorice Twizzlers (68)
(1) mini bag ripple chips (86)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(1 1/2) homemade enchiladas: ground chicken with onions, peppers & taco sauce, rice with green salsa, refried bees, shredded marble cheese, cheese tortilla shell (600)
Total consumed calories: 1249
Total used calories: 104
(40) min walking (104)
Total net calories: 1145
Net calories goal: 1208 – 1145 = 64 under 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💗☺️
For the past few weeks, I have been struggling to eat as well, or to eat less poorly, than I would hope to be doing at this point.
From early September when I went through my latest round of antibiotics and Prednisone to the last few days when my allergies have been out of control, it seems that there is always one thing or another. My appetite is up, but my inclination to prepare nutritious meals or snacks is way down. 🙄
I am too close to finishing this 365 day Challenge to stop now, so I persist.
Unfortunately….
Persistence is not enough. One must decide whether to persist as a sufferer or persist as a warrior. – author unknown
I thought of this quote earlier this morning when I took Molly for her morning walk. It was just Molly and I and it didn’t start off well. I was feeling pretty rough and Molly wasn’t feeling particularly co-operative.
At first, I was hesitant to commit. I walked her around our block. I reluctantly, decided to keep going past our house and try for another block…and another. Finally I reached a point where I either turned back or pushed out of my comfort zone and went the distance.
We went the distance!
Either way, it would have been a win. Either way, it would have been a walk and some fresh air. But with a change of attitude, we went the distance and that felt pretty empowering today!
Now, I just have to warrior up in the kitchen and get my diet on track. 😊
Daily Food Diary – Day 303
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(3) Eggo Waffles (270)
(2) tsp butter (68)
(2) tbsp Maple syrup (104)
(3) sl. Bacon (130)
Snacks:
(48) oz water
(3) black licorice Twizzlers (68)
(1/4) hickory almonds (180)
(6) mini chocolate treats (240)
Supper:
(1) bowl Campbell’s chicken noodle soup (120)
(1) sourdough bun (190)
(2) slices havarti cheese (160)
(2) tsp butter (68)
Total consumed calories: 1600
Total used calories: 0
Total net calories: 1600
Net calories goal: 1208 – 1600 = 392 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ❤️😊
It is cold, it is WINDY, and my allergies are through the roof.
Molly, back from her walk with Dan. If the weather doesn’t improve, he might be on his own tomorrow.
About the most exciting thing around here these days, has been watching the Blue Jays play in the World Series this week.
For the record, I do not follow sports. I have watched more baseball in the past few days than I have in my lifetime. While I can’t say I have been enjoying it – I can see why people get caught up in the hype. The game that went on for eighteen innings had me so engaged, I had to go to bed before I got too into it.
I was hoping the Blue Jays would win – Canadian pride and all. 🇨🇦 But it just got weird that I was getting so desperate for a win. 🙄🤦
It was a relief to see last night’s game over in the allotted nine innings.
Only a couple of more games and life can return to our less intense normal. 😂🙆
Daily Food Diary – Day 302
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) plain paratha (240)
(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)
(1) tbsp jam (50)
Lunch:
(1) cabbage roll (197)
(6) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (150)
(3) black licorice Twizzlers (68)
Supper:
(2) bowls wonton soup (450)
(1) mini peanut butter cup (40)
(1) snack size Reese’s pieces (67)
Total consumed calories: 1369
Total used calories:
(30) min walking (68)
(30) min treadmill (80)
(30) min weights (73)
Total net calories: 1149
Net calories goal: 1208 – 1149 = 60 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ❤️😊
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 