Tag: counting calories

Daily Food Diary – Day 187 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

This is Day 187 of my Daily Food Diary. 🧑‍🍳 Each month of my diary,  I set out to highlight one nutritional  aspect of my diet.  This month, my focus is on collagen.

Since collagen is so important to having and maintaining a strong and healthy body, I have been sourcing out and highlighting foods that contain or assist in the production of collagen for the past five days.

Today, I decided to touch on foods that destroy or slow down the production of collagen.

Foods to avoid for collagen health include: processed sugar, refined carbohydrates (especially white bread), and  fried foods.  It is also beneficial  to avoid alcohol consumption and smoking.

Personally, I believe in balance and sustainable changes when it comes to eating, and life in general.  I am trying to be mindful of what I consume and I am gradually making ‘better’ food choices.   For better or worse, my Daily Food Diary is always a reflection of my reality. 🙄

Despite the high humidity this morning, Dan and I took Molly for her morning walk .  Walking is good for our collagen and hers. Just like people, dogs need collagen for their joints, skin, hair/fur, digestive health, and for their overall well-being.  Also, just like people, dogs lose and produce less collagen as they age.  Molly just turned three years old, but it is never too soon to ensure her health.

When we got back home, Dan took a few more photos of Molly and I.   As usual, she was less than co-operative. And yes, she was drinking out of the bird bath. 🤦

Daily Food Diary – Day 187

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) potato patties (240)

(2 1/2) eggs (200)

(2) tsp butter (34)

(2) slices bacon (170)

(1/2) tomato (11)

Snacks:

(1) peach (51)

(1) pear (103)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(2) cabbage rolls (300)

(3/4) c ice cream (208)

(2) tbsp dark chocolate sauce (105)

Total net calories: 1424

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1424 = 195 over 👎

* 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! 💞🌞

Daily Food Diary – Day 179 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 179 of my Daily Food Diary.  🥰

Yesterday, I was not feeling well.   Fortunately, I am much better today!

Dan and I took an early walk with Molly.  I even felt well enough to cross Elphinstone and walk around Patricia Park.   This is a small, fairly well kept park, but the gophers have been going crazy there this year.   There are big, deep gopher holes everywhere and Molly insisted on checking out every one of them.  🤦

As usual,  she also insisted on looking at everything, except Dan, when he was trying to take a picture of us.

These were the best five shots out of ten or so.  😊

I have learned one thing about my eating habits this month.  When good nutrition really matters – when I am traveling or when I do not feel well – I drop the ball.  I eat what I shouldn’t and avoid what I should.  Every time!

I know how much what I eat affects how I feel.  But,  when it matters most, I make poor choices. 🙄

I need to get pro-active about this and start planning ahead.  I need quick, easy meal plan options available for when I get sick.  I also need to plan what I will eat and what I will avoid when I travel.   Mostly, I need to remember that no matter what I am doing, it is never a free pass when it comes to my diet – especially when it comes to my food allergies and intolerances. 

Daily Food Diary – Day 179

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(2) Chicken drumsticks (152)

(15) light salted potato chips (78)

(1) PC butterscotch pudding cake (153)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1) c Lemon Ginger tea

(1/4) c spicy dill pickle peanuts (117)

Supper:

(2) Harvest all beef hotdogs – no bun (440)

(1/2) c baked beans (123) (1 SVG)

(1/2) tomato (1/2 SVG)

(1/2) mini cucumber  (1/2 SVG)

(1/4) c red onions (1/4 SVG)

(15) light salted potato chips (78)

(1/2) c French* Vanilla ice cream (138)

(2) tbsp butterscotch sauce (130)

(1) tbsp chocolate sauce (52)

(9) pecan halves (59)

* Have you ever noticed that diet wise ‘French‘ is a code word meaning “twice the calories”?  I’m surprised obesity has never been a serious issue in our family. 🤔

Total net calories: 1807

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1807 = 569 over 👎

Fruits & vegetables: 2 1/4 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 176 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 176 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary. 🤗

In 1 week, I will have completed the first half of this challenge – to track and post my Daily Food Diary for one full year.

In 1 month, I will celebrate my 70th birthday.  I love new beginnings and noting the start of a new decade is no exception. 

I celebrated my 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th,  & 60th birthdays with high expectations that this would be my BEST decade ever!  They all had their highs and lows, but the best and the worst were my 30’s and 60’s.  Those were intense decades. 🙆

I have a really good feeling going into my 70’s.  For the past three years I have invested in my physical, mental, and emotional well being.   I know that regardless of what happens in this coming decade – for better or worse – I am as ready as I can be to embrace and appreciate the better and to manage the worst with peace, faith, and dignity.   💃💃💃

Ready as I’ll ever be! 😉

Daily Food Diary – Day 176

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2) c grapefruit (39) (1 SVG)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

(1) granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(1) c pork & vegetable fried rice (118) (1/2 SVG)

(1) PC Butterscotch Pudding Cake (153)

Snacks:

(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)

(15) raspberries (15) (1 SVG)

(48) oz water

Supper:

Taco salad:

(1) Dinner salad: lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red pepper, green onions, radishes (113) (4 SVG)

(4) oz minced turkey with taco seasoning (168)

(1/4) c shredded cheese (114)

(2) tbsp salsa ranch dressing (110)

(8) Hint of Lime chips (200)

(12) oz carbonated water

Total net calories: 1085

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1085 = 153 under 👍

Total Fruit & Vegetables: 6 1/2 servings

Fruit & vegetable goals: 7 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 175 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 175 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary.  🤗

My Daily Food Diary is part of the Health and Wellness Lifestyle that I adopted three years ago.

This week, summer has (sort of)  returned to Saskatchewan.   At least,   it is warm and DRY enough to resume our morning walks.

And Molly is ready to go!

School is winding down and the kids around here are ready for their annual summer break.  The schools are feeding into their enthusiasm by taking them on field trips to our neighbourhood park where they have basketball courts, a soccer field, a huge handicap accessible play structure, and an equally huge spray pad.

Part of the kids’ entertainment, is hiking past our front yard where Molly sits in her corner and soaks in all the attention as the kids hike by.

When we take our walk, we pass the park and Molly again becomes the centre of attention for many of the kids.   On the best days, like yesterday,  some of the kids run up to the fence to interact with her.  💞

Whether we are making memories, or trying to preserve them,  Molly takes dog walking to a new level.

Walking is only one part of the healthy active retirement lifestyle that Dan and I are working to build.   Being out in nature, together, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air,  with Molly for ongoing entertainment makes it the best part. ❤️

Daily Food Diary – Day 175

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(2) eggs (160)

(3) tbsp bacon bits (90)

(2) potato patties (240)

Snacks:

(1) pear (103) (1 SVG)

(20) lightly salted potato chips (104)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) tomato (22) (1 SVG)

(1) mini cucumber (10) (1 SVG)

(1 1/2) c white rice (363)

(2) oz pork tenderloin (91)

(1 1/2) c vegetables – red pepper, *mushrooms, cabbage, leek, gr onions, celery, carrots (80) (2 SVG)

* Mushrooms do not count as vegetables

(2) tbsp soya sauce (30)

(1) tbsp butter (103)

(2) lg vegetable spring rolls (250) (2 SVG)

(2) Gyoza (90)

(1) tbsp plum sauce (35)

Total net calories: 1589

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1589 = 351 over 👎

Fruits & vegetables: 7 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👍

Dan’s Bleeding Heart continues to THRIVE.

Daily Food Diary – Day 170 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 170 DAYS since I began posting my Daily Food Diary! 💃

We have been back home for a few days.  Dan and I are both starting to feel somewhat better.  The forest fire smoke has cleared for the time being, which is a good thing!  Today it is humid and we are expecting a few days of rain, but that will be good for our garden and lawn. 

Our Marzano tomatoes are growing and blooming.

Our Blue Spruce CONTINUES to grow!

It is obvious that we are transitioning into summer.  Last night we had our first ‘Gazebo’ supper.  Daughter Jen and family – Maddy, Prim, Genie and her fiance Alec joined us for pierogies and sausage.  It’s a rather odd picnic supper, but one of those meals that seems to take too much effort to cook for two people.  🤷

Dan and I and Molly have been walking every morning since we got home.   We have been following the sidewalk around our neighbourhood, but yesterday I decided we should take a walk around the ball diamonds near us so that all of us – but especially Molly, could get a better feel for nature. 

Walking the entrance into the ball park, I managed to trip over the one small rock on our path.   This time, I did manage to faceplant but the only thing I hurt was one little finger and my dignity. 🙄

My finger is pretty much healed and my dignity will recover.

I am making an effort to eat better this week.  I am  avoiding sugar, salt, and saturated fats – plus working to meet my calorie goals. 🙂

Daily Food Diary – Day 170

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) peach (58) (1 SVG)

Lunch:

(1/2) c potato salad with radishes & green onions (231) (1 SVG)

(4) slices Piller’s shaved ham (57)

(6) multi grain crackers (7)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(4) pierogies (213)

(1/4) c onions (15) (1/2 SVG)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(3) oz Drake Sausage (285)

(1/2) c broccoli (27) (1 SVG)

(1) baby dill pickle (2) (1 SVG)

Total net calories: 987

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 987 = 251 under 👍

Fruits & vegetables:  3 1/2 servings

Fruits & vegetables Goal: 7 servings 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 168 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 168 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary.  That is a full 24 WEEKS.

Going into this challenge, I thought the most difficult part was going to be getting it done  consistently every day for a FULL YEAR.  There have been a few days when I have posted later in the day than usual, but it has proven to be doable.  In 168 Days, I have not had a single miss. 🥳

What has proven to be more difficult is keeping it real.  There have been days when I cringe while I am doing this.  The days when I miss my goals by a mile and it looks like I wasn’t even trying.  The days when I fall far short on hydration.  The days when I eat the same snack or dessert for days on end.  The days when my meals are just weird. 🤦

On those days, it is tempting to tweak things a bit… Make it look like I am trying harder than I am.  Make it look like I am more focused.  Make myself look ‘better’.  I could tweak things, but then this would all be a waste of my time and yours. 

Honestly, I am not looking for drastic weight loss or  unsustainable changes in my diet or lifestyle.    This is just me,  gradually developing better eating habits. It isn’t an exciting process, but hopefully when this year wraps up, all of the small changes I have made will be obvious and will remain beneficial going forward. That’s the plan.

This is the amazing salad we had at son Dan’s  on Sunday.   Sorry I forgot to post it on my blog yesterday.  We did enjoy it!   😀

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a25324371/romaine-salad-with-lemon-pecorino-vinaigrette-recipe/

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) plain paratha (240)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)

Snacks:

(1) pear (103) (1 SVG)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(1) large salad – romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, orange pepper, radishes, green onions, olives, sunflower seeds, dried fried onions (270) (4 SVG)

(2) tbsp French salad dressing (120)

(2) BBQ chicken drumsticks (220)

Total net calories: 934

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 934 = 304 under

Fruits & vegetables: 5 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 164 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 164 of my Daily Food Diary today.  👍

We are on Day 5 of our time with son Dan and family.  We have been too busy visiting today to wrap my head around my regular routine, but better late than never on posting my Daily Diary.

I haven’t done as well with my morning aerobics. This is the second day in a row that is a miss.  

Since I’m already this late, I am just going to wrap this up and take Molly for a walk  and get a bit of exercise. 

Looks like she is ready to go!

Daily Food Diary – Day 164

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios. (147)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(4) oz beef burger (243)

(12) lightly salted chips (62)

(24) oz water

Supper:

(1) bowl Wonton Soup (71)

(1/2) c vegetable fried rice (250)

(1) c beef & broccoli (264)

(1/2) c sesame chicken (200)

*** Vegetables in supper (2 SVG)

Total net calories: 1507

Net Calorie Goal: 1238 – 1507 = 269 over

Total fruits and vegetables: 2 servings

Fruits and vegetable goal: 7 servings

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 162 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 162 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary! 😊

We are at son Dan’s for a few days.  Theoretically we are here to help Dan hold down the fort and keep their two sons – Lucas (10) and Cason (6), while Dan’s wife is out of town.   In reality, Dan has some unexpected time off  so  has  a handle on everything.  We  aren’t doing much except enjoying our visit.   

Tomorrow, Dan & son Dan are spending the day at a golf tournament so I will get a chance to step up a bit.

I did get my aerobics done yesterday.  We also had enough of a break from the smoke that I  got outside for a bit of  fresh air.   💪

There is plenty of  space (and flowers) to enjoy on the deck that wraps around much of their house. 🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 162

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(25) Blueberry Mini Wheats (190)

Snacks:

(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)

(1) Mott’s Clamato/vodka Caesar (168) (1 SVG)

Supper:

(5) dry garlic pork ribs (400)

(15) French fries (50)

***Potatoes do not count as a vegetable 🤦

(2) c  raw vegetables (35) (4 SVG)

(1) tbsp ranch dressing (55)

Total net calories: 1194

Net calories goal: 1238 – 1194 = 44 under 👍

Total fruits & vegetables: 5

Fruits & vegetable goal: 7 👎

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

, FC : (0,0,0)

Daily Food Diary – Day 154 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 154 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary.  That is 22 Full WEEKS! 🥳💞

Consistently keeping a Daily Food Diary and posting it has been a bit challenging, but obviously not undoable.  I was fortunate to have an opening in my regular morning routine.  Fitting in my Daily Food Diary and making it a habit has come  quite naturally.

The real test will come next week when we head to son Dan’s to watch the boys for a few days and our routine is suddenly blown apart.  It will take some planning but I am confident that I can get it done.

I started this adventure to find where I needed to work on my diet, and discover  ways to make it happen.  This Daily Diary has been a big help.

This month, I am trying to increase the fruits and vegetables I eat.  My goal is  seven servings per day (combined).   This is the recommendation of the Canada Food Guide  – and one that few people come close to meeting.

I am struggling, but I have come up with a few things that will help…

* I asked Dan to buy me 3 grapefruits.  If I start breakfast with 1/2 grapefruit, that is one serving down. 😁

* I also asked Dan to buy a container of mini cucumbers and miniature tomatoes.  I know slicing a cucumber or tomato isn’t that difficult, but it is just easier to grab a mini cucumber or a handful of miniature tomatoes.  The easier the better, when it comes to changing or building habits. 🙄

* I have started making pickles a regular part of supper planning – dill pickles, pickled  asparagus, olives, or pickled beets – they all count as vegetables, and they are as  easy as it gets.  🙂

* Dan brought home 4 huge apples.  I made them into an Apple Crisp.  1 large serving counts as a serving of fruit!  I used vegetable oil instead of butter in the crumble (to reduce saturated fats) and I used honey with the apple mixture in lieu of sugar.  And, between the goodness of the apples and the oatmeal, it is a  relatively healthy dessert!

Daily Food Diary – Day 154

Breakfast:

(1) coffee (2)

(1/2) grapefruit (39) (1 SVG)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

(1) plain paratha (240)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (90)

(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)

Lunch:

(1) hard boiled egg (78)

(1/2) c cauliflower (14) (1 SVG)

(1) mini cucumber (10) (1 SVG)

(14) grape tomatoes (70) (1 SVG)

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (80)

(36) oz water

Supper:

(12) oz carbonated water

(3 1/2) oz pork chop (141)

(1) corn on the cob (90) (1 SVG)

(3) tsp butter (103)

(2) green onions (16) (1 SVG)

(5) large stuffed olives (68) (1 SVG)

(1) lg serving Apple Crisp (227) (1 SVG)

Total net calories:  1270

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1270 = 32 over 👎

Total fruits & vegetables: 8 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal:  7 servings 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 126 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 126 Days (18 weeks) since I started my Daily Food Diary.   My ultimate goal setting out on this adventure was more about improving the nutritional value of what I consume each day, than any effort to lose weight. 

That being said, today I weighed in at 124 pounds! That is nine pounds down from the 133 pounds that I weighed on January 1st of this year AND 36 pounds down from the hefty 160 pounds that I weighed three years ago, when I kicked off my Healthy Active  Lifestyle.  💃

I do have a general goal to eventually reach my ‘best weight’ of 115 pounds.  That is where I feel and look my best.  But, being my best is more about how fit and healthy I am.  That is where daily exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress management all matter. 

I have been struggling with my morning exercises for the past couple of days.  The following video popped up on my You Tube feed yesterday.  It is one I hadn’t tried previously.   I found it motivating so am sharing the link for anyone who is looking for a boost to their daily workout.

* I do not, and never have, promoted any product or video for any financial kickback.  If I share anything like this, it is just because it worked for me.  🙂

Daily Food Diary – Day 126

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) oatmeal/bran/apple muffin (164)              (.6 grams)

(1) tsp butter (34) (2.3 grams)

Lunch:

(25) Lightly salted ripple chips (270) (1 gram)

(3) oz dark turkey meat (150) (1.9 grams)

Supper:

(4) oz lean ground burger (307) (7.6 grams)

(1/2) c baked brown beans (196) (2.5 grams)

(2) cornmeal muffins (290) (2 grams)

(2) tsp butter (69) (4.7 grams)

(1) PC bacon (43) (1.1 grams)

(1) tbsp habanero cheese (25) (1.1 grams)

(1/4) c mushrooms (11)

(1/4) cooking onion (3)

(1) tsp olive oil (40) (.7 grams)

(1) side salad (90) (1)

Total net calories: 1528

Net calorie goal: 1244 – 1528 = 285 over 👎

Total saturated fats: 26.5 grams

Saturated fats goal: 13.75 grams 👎

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