Today is Day 265 of my Daily Food Diary! 100 days to go and I will have completed a solid year without one miss! 😁🎈
We are having the roof of our garage reshingled today so I took Molly for her walk solo again. That went well so it was a boost for my confidence as well as hers.
I have yet to do my aerobics but that as well as time on the treadmill will happen today.
And.. This afternoon, daughter Jen is coming over to do some baking with me.
All things considered, I don’t have much time to blog this morning so I will just leave you with a bit of ‘Food for Thought’.
“It’s your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.” – Rumi (my favourite quote ever)“This is a happy moment!” Thich Nhat Hanh in his book ‘No Mud, No Lotus’ (An unexpected random Sunday afternoon visit from Dan’s cousin from BC)“More harm is done not by the evil, but by the good who do nothing about it” – Martin Luther King (This rings so true to me. I have seen bad apples everywhere – law enforcement, court rooms, politics, schools, churches, hospitals…. I get it, but I have never understood how their good, competent, caring, decent coworkers, bosses, unions, etc. can support the rotten apples and ignore the pain of their victims.) “If you knew it all now, there would be no point to the rest of your life.” Nobody brilliant or famous, just something I said to Genie one day when we were having tea and discussing life. She keeps it on her list of favourite quotes so I had to include it. 🙂
Daily Food Diary – Day 265:
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Light frosting Shreddies (170)
(1/4) c milk (28)
Lunch:
(6) Gyoza (200)
(3) oz riblets (148)
(1) PC Buttermilk chicken (120)
Snacks:
(48) oz water
(8) oz herbal lemon tea
Supper:
(1) pan pizza – tortilla wrap, pizza sauce, ham, pepperoni, onion, yellow pepper, mushrooms, black olives, shredded marble cheese (599)
Total consumed calories:1266
Total used calories: 390
(30) min walking (53)
(30) min Aerobics (176)
(30) min light weights (73)
(30) min yard/garden work (88)
Total net calories: 876
Net calories goal: 1229 – 876 = 353 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💝😊
Today is also son Mark’s birthday. He lives across the city from us with his fiance and two young sons. I have not seen him in almost four years, but he is still and always will be my son – and of course I wish him well on his birthday (as well as every other day of the year 🎂💝).
This morning, I took Molly for a walk by myself, as Dan is taking advantage of our gorgeous weather to go golfing.
I came home to have a bowl of cereal and found that the only container of milk in our fridge had not been wrestled open. 🤬
On my first try, with my bare hands, I got that sucker open!
Every day since I started taking collagen, my strength is increasing, and I find myself easily doing things that I have not been able to do for decades (or ever). It is incredible!
Of course the most incredible thing is how much better my respiratory system is doing. I will always have asthma and multiple environmental allergies. But in general, my sinuses, throat, and lungs are feeling strong and clear. Much better than they have been for five years. 🤗
Daily Food Diary – Day 264
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(3) thin slices of bacon (87)
(2) eggs (160)
(2) potato patties (240)
(1) tsp butter (30)
(1) small tomato (22)
Snacks:
(1) c caramel corn (160)
(22) Doritos (153)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(12) oz carbonated water
(4) oz ribeye steak (280)
(1) c linguine (200)
(6) shrimp (74)
(3) tsp butter (103
(1/2) c mushrooms (8)
(2) Cloves garlic (4)
(1) tomato (22)
(5) slices cucumber (4)
Total consumed calories: 1549
Total used calories: 114
(30) min. Food prep/cooking/cleanup (56)
(30) min. Treadmill (59)
Total net calories: 1435
Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1549 = 205 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day!
Today is Sunday and I am looking forward to a laid back day, much of which I intend to spend out in the gazebo reading and enjoying this beautiful, sunny, unseasonably warm day. 🌞💞
Yesterday was a fairly laid back day as well with a couple of notable exceptions.
Late in the evening, our granddaughters Maddy & Genie, stopped by for a quick visit and a little quality time with Molly.
They also dropped off a couple of candles that daughter Jen picked up for me at Superstore. They smell amazing!
The other notable moment for me was making a snack for Dan and I earlier in the day. Not only did I open the new uncracked jar of cheese with my bare hands, but I also tore open the bag of Hint of Lime tortilla chips likewise! 💪 Since I began taking collagen supplements, less than three months ago, I cannot believe the difference they have made. 😊💖
Daily Food Diary – Day 263
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1/2) grapefruit (39)
(1/2) tsp sugar (8)
(1) granola bar (160)
Snacks:
(12) Hint of Lime chips (300)
(1/2) c nacho cheese w/salsa (172)
(1/4) c peanuts (240)
(60) oz water
Supper:
(1 1/2) servings homemade Hamburger Helper (615)
Total calories consumed: 1536
Total calories used: 228
(30) min. Walking (53)
(30) min. Aerobics (176)
Total Net calories: 1308
Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1308 = 78 over 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! ❤️😊
There is not a lot happening in our little corner of the world this morning.
We started the day with a nice walk around the neighborhood with Molly.
I didn’t really leave the yard dressed like this nor did I really want to slap somebody 🤦 – but this was a great photo of Molly.
Molly walked particularly well this morning despite crossing paths with several other dogs, including her old friend Ripple.
Molly & Ripple back in their dogpark days.
I am not anticipating anything happening for the rest of the day, but I am about to do my aerobic workout and then will buckle down to some Saturday cleaning. 🤷
Daily Food Diary – Day 262
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1/2) grapefruit (39)
(1/2) tsp sugar (8)
Lunch:
(1) sourdough bun (259)
(4) oz roast beef (251)
(2) tsp butter (68)
(2) tbsp horseradish (14)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(2) oz riblets (99)
(6) Gyoza (200)
(3) egg rolls (440)
(1) PC Buttermilk chicken (120)
(6) tempura shrimp (210)
(1) tbsp Gyoza sauce (15)
(1) tbsp seafood sauce (12)
(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (50)
(1) tbsp plum sauce (35)
Total calories consumed: 1809
Total calories used: 548
(30) min. Aerobics (176)
(30) min. Walking (53)
(20) min. Treadmill (35)
(30) min. Light weights (73)
(30) min garden/yard (88)
(30) min. Cooking (56)
(30) min. Cleaning (67)
Total net calories: 1261
Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1261 = 32over 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💖☺️
After a couple of weeks off to deal with a lung infection, I am back to my regular workout routine today. 👍
Despite already encountering one small glitch, I am excited. This morning we have FOG. With my asthma, that means Dan and Molly are off on their morning walk without me while I stay housebound with the dehumidifier running on high. 😯
When it comes to being pro-active with our own health, sometimes we have to make adjustments.
Speaking of being proactive, it is 2 1/2 months since I started taking Collagen Supplements. The information that came with these gelcaps stated that it would take a full five months of use before one would see a notable difference.
Collagen supplements from Amazon.
The transformation that I have already experienced, two and a half months in, is definitely notable!
Top to bottom:
My hair is the consistency of hair – unlike the cat fur that I have been sporting for my entire life.
My sight is notably clearer due to..
Increased stability of my sinuses.
My hearing has improved and my vertigo has virtually disappeared due to stability of inner ear, etc.
For the first time in three years my cough is showing significant improvement due to stability of sinuses and airways in my throat and upper lungs.
My hands are not numb, achy, or stiff. My dexterity shows signs of definite improvement.
My nails are stronger and healthier.
My skin tone has improved significantly.
Increased stability in joints – I can walk (indoors or out) without tripping, stumbling….
Increased upper body muscle strength (despite not working out).
Reduced muscle pain – especially sitting or lying in place.
My hips, knees, and ankles do not automatically lock when I stand in place. I can move freely or stand in one place without feeling tense. 🥰
It has been two decades since I realized that most of my wellness issues came from a collagen disorder/deficiency. It never occurred to me that using a collagen supplement could help me. I have been told by medical professionals that collagen issues ‘are nothing’. (Maybe they are if you do not experience them).
I honestly do not understand the disconnect between what doctors (here) say and what I know. I just know that EVERY BODY is different and that mine requires more collagen than I get through my diet or that my body can produce.
It’s about being proactive and accountable, about knowing our bodies and how to maintain them. For me that means Collagen Supplements. 😉
Daily Food Diary – Day 257
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(3) thin slices bacon (150)
(1) 2 egg cheese omelet (260)
(2) potato patties (240)
(1) tomato (22)
Snacks:
(1) c caramel corn (170)
(1/2) c beef broth
(48) oz water
Supper:
(1) Dinner salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, green onions, radishes, cauliflower, black olives, sunflower seeds, dried fried onions, lemon garlic vinaigrette (328)
Today is Day 254 of my 2025 Daily Food Diary! 💓 I have (so far) been successful in putting out my daily post. 👍 I have been enjoying recapping my days in this manner and I have been successful in making some beneficial changes to my diet.
For the reasons above, I have decided to maintain this project through 2026 – with one slight change….
Rather than tracking my calories consumed each day, I am going to track my calories used.
I feel that I am ready for this move and I am excited to explore new ways and means to keep active. AND I am excited to share my conquests with all of the regular and occasional visitors to my blog.
Getting down to the core health issues that have plagued my entire life and discovering ways to deal with them and improve my fitness level and quality of life has been an amazing adventure for me.
I know it has been less than exciting, and more than a bit painful, for those who have been following me for the past +3 years.
I get that, and I appreciate it. But the wins I make are not made in the grand gestures or the five star days. They are an accumulation of all of the moments, the choices, the bits and pieces of knowledge that I pick up along the way.
It’s not fireworks and shooting stars – but from where I was three years ago to where I am now, I think it’s pretty impressive. 😁
Two family weddings – only 4 years but a lifetime apart. 💞
Daily Food Diary – Day 254
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) Denver breakfast wrap (560)
Lunch:
(1) BBQ chicken drumstick (135)
(6) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (150)
Snacks:
(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)
(3/4) c Maple Walnut Ice Cream (225)
(2) tbsp chocolate sauce (105)
(48) ox water
Supper:
(1 1/2) serving Baked French Onion Soup (552)
Total consumed calories: 1909
Total used calories: 419
(30) minutes walking (53)
(30) minutes cooking (56)
(1) hour gardening (176)
(1) hour house cleaning (135)
Total net calories: 1490
Net calories goal: 1229 – 1490 = 261 over
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞☺️
Yesterday was a less than stellar day for me. Despite our perfect weather and clear air, I struggled.
My walk with Dan and Molly was too much for my lungs (For whatever reason!). I came home and had to rest easy for a few hours before I did my aerobics and weight workout. We had takeout for supper and instead of doing my treadmill I went to bed.
After a couple of hours of sleep, I got up to have a bottle of carbonated water and a couple of aspirin. My chest was congested, I was feverish and headachy, and I felt nauseous.
Having lived with asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis for years, it is easy to overthink these questionable days and start to panic.
I do have prescriptions for antibiotics and oral steroids at our pharmacy, but this being a long weekend our pharmacy is open limited hours today and then closed Sunday and Monday. Other pharmacies in the city are open but they do not have my ‘action plan’ on file. If I can’t make it through the weekend without meds, it would mean a long wait in an overcrowded emergency ward being miserable.
Fortunately, whatever was bothering me passed during the night. Today, I am perfectly fine. I am ready to take on my aerobics, Saturday house cleaning, yardwork, and a session on our treadmill. Plus, I drove Dan out of the city to his golf tournament this morning.
It is great to feel good again, but I do get rather frustrated with myself for panicking every time I have a poorly day. My health has come a LONG way since a sniffle automatically meant I was in for an extended miserable health event. 🤦
It is hard to remember how strong, healthy, and resilient I am, after three and a half years of creating and maintaining a health and wellness lifestyle for myself.
I can relate to people who lose hundreds of pounds of weight, but feel mentally stuck in that pre-weightloss mindset.
It’s a weird challenge, but one to be conquered nonetheless. 🥴
I need to see myself as I am now, not like I used to be. (Dan is looking pretty good too these days! Retirement looks good on him.)
Daily Food Diary – Day 241
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(26) Light sugar Mini Wheats (190)
(1/4) c milk (28)
Snacks:
(1/3) c mixed nuts (238)
(48) oz water
(12) oz carbonated water
Supper:
(1) Crisp Meat Burrito (428)
(2) Hardshell tacos (520)
(1) Sm. Mexi Fries (387)
Total net calories: 1321
Net calories goal: 1229 – 1321 = 92 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💖☺️
Today is also August 1st, which means this is my last diary entry focussed on foods that contain collagen or significantly contribute to the production or use of collagen in our bodies.
I know that I have genetic collagen issues. I also know that lack of collagen becomes an issue for everyone as we age – and I AGED this month. I celebrated my 70th birthday a few days ago. While I have considered it in the past, this month I decided the time had come to start taking collagen supplements.
I went with these capsules from Amazon. I liked the variety of collagen they provide.
Sometimes I avoid trying something like collagen supplements, because I am afraid I will be disappointed in the results and I don’t want to deal with that! In this case, I am sorry that I waited so long.
The supplements that I chose came with a notice that it can take 5 months of 6 gelcaps a day, to notice much difference. In one month – the chronic pain and stiffness in my hands has eased considerably, my nails are stronger and healthier than they have been in decades, and I am shedding far less hair.
I cannot tell what the collagen is doing for my internal issues (which is my real goal), but I believe the airways in my sinuses, throat, and lungs are improving. It is difficult to tell because our weather and frequent smokey spells cause breathing issues – and I have been taking antihistamines and a natural lung clearing tonic.
While taking collagen supplements seems to be beneficial so far, it is still important to keep on top of my diet to ensure that I am getting the nutrients required for my body to effectively utilize collagen. For that, I require adequate protein, vitamin C, zinc, copper, and amino acids. And of course – adequate exercise, rest, and stress management.
When it comes to one’s health, it is never a matter of just taking a pill (or six pills a day). At least not for me. If I don’t work – the pills don’t either. 😕
And of course, eliminating the foods that are detrimental to my system is as important as taking the foods that are beneficial. In that regard, I am happy to announce that with my birthday and our anniversary behind me – my cake is finally GONE.
But it was really good while it lasted! 😊
And in other monthly wrap up news, I may or may not have packed on 5 pounds this month. It’s a good thing I am taking up running – and that we are out of cake. 🤦
Daily Food Diary – Day 212
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) Egg Denver omelet with ham & green onion, shredded marble cheese, & Salsa (363)
(1) cheese tortilla wrap (170)
Snack:
(48) oz water
(4) oz lemon water
(1) piece Caramel Toffee cake (1050)
Supper:
(3) battered & fried haddock filets (435)
(6) oz fries (230)
(1/2) c gravy (50)
(1/2) c coleslaw (104)
(12) oz 7 up (140)
Total net calories: 2289
Net calorie goal: 1222 – 2289 = 1067 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! 😊💕
It is Day 202 of my Daily Food Diary. 202 Days without a single miss! 🙌
There is nothing earth shaking happening in my life today, but a few things of note…
First… Molly and I had another win yesterday! Dan was golfing and we had a repairman come to check out our water heater. When I saw him pull up in his van, I called Molly and put on her leash so I could ensure control while he was here. She’s never been aggressive – but she is big and she can show attitude.
No attitude yesterday.. Molly sat beside me quiet and well mannered! 👍
Second… Yesterday, despite humidity of 100% I had a Molly walk, did my morning aerobics, did weights and cardio and met my Net Calorie Goal. Today we got up to a Smoke Risk of 11 (Very Bad) and humidity of 94%. The smoke risk has dropped to a 7, which is still too high for my lungs to handle especially with the humidity. No walk today. 😢
Third… It has been 18 days since I started taking collagen supplements. My hands are definitely less crampy and painful than they have been for decades. I don’t know what other benefits I may see in the months to come, but I do know that when it comes to supplements, vitamins, and medications – they don’t work unless I do. So, I am doing the best I can to get the most I can out of these collagen supplements – weather permitting.
Daily Food Diary – Day 202
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) tortilla wrap (170)
(2) eggs (160)
(1) tsp olive oil (40)
(1/4) c shredded marble cheese (114)
(2) oz. Piller’s shaved ham (57)
(2) green onions (16)
Snacks:
(1) Pear (103)
Supper:
(6) oz water rotisserie chicken DK meat (300)
(2/3) c potato salad (358)
(15) BBQ potato chips (103)
Total net calories: 1179
Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1179 = 49 under 👍
* 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! ☺️❤️
It is 194 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary! 😁🎈
I have a few random topics to touch on today:
On Saturday, I had a major craving for a root beer.. I took a hard pass and had carbonated water. Yesterday, I was looking to have an afternoon snack. Being Sunday, I was thinking of something high in calories and low in nutrition… I had a pear and a handful of raspberries. My Daily Food Diary continues to work for me. 🤗
Ten days ago, I started taking collagen supplements. I don’t know what I was looking for but I wasn’t expecting to see any notable change for six weeks to five months. Oddly enough, for three mornings now I have woken up without stiff, achy hands – for the first time since I can ever remember. 🤔
After one nice warm day of sunshine, we are back to cool, wet weather. We took Molly for her walk before the rain started. We went to Northgate Mall. Dan got a haircut while I wandered the halls counting empty storefronts. We both got wet getting back to the Jeep. 🌨️
Today it is 3 Years and 5 Months since I started my Health & Fitness lifestyle. Last night, I remembered how I used to get a brutal stabbing pain in my right side every time I twisted sideways. I know it was from Slipping Rib Syndrome (floating ribs that slip out of place). But that doesn’t happen anymore. It hasn’t for at least a couple of years. The random benefits of living a healthy, active lifestyle never cease to amaze me. 😁
Daily Food Diary – Day 194
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(2) scrambled eggs (182)
(2) Eggo waffles (180)
(2) tbsp Maple syrup (110)
(3) slices bacon (130)
Snacks:
(1) Pear (103)
(10) Raspberries (10)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(1) Ham salad wrap (196)
(15) Light Salt potato chips (78)
(1) serving rhubarb cheese cake (227)
Total Net Calories: 1187
Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1187 = 42 under 👍
* 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! 🌞💝
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 