Tag: grandparenting

Daily Food Diary – Day 120 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 120 days since I started my Daily Food Diary.

Looking at the results of my calorie counting and sodium and processed sugar tracking yesterday, it doesn’t look good for my progress in this exercise.   But, results do not always tell the entire story.

Last night, I was planning a supper that would have had me meet my nutritional goals for the day.  But plans change.

At lunchtime yesterday, Granddaughter Prim texted to ask if she and her sister Maddy could come for supper.   We went from a supper for two to a ham and scalloped potato family meal – and I hit the ham hard.

Prim and Maddy

We always enjoy time spent with any of our grandkids.  Last night,  we had three big wins to celebrate as well!

1) Maddy who has been struggling with her math,  got the results of her latest math test since starting to work with a tutor  (a retired math teacher who Genie introduced her to) … 48 out of 50!  Big win for Maddy!!

2) Prim and I started talking about obesity and restaurant food.  It might seem like a  strange subject for a thirteen year old, but she instigated it.   That led to her checking out nutritional information for one of her favourite restaurants and comparing a Veggie Burger and a Deep Fried Chicken Burger.  The clear winner (nutritionally)  – Deep Fried Chicken Burger had lower calories, sodium, and processed sugar.  We both learned something new – which is always a win.  And it was a big win for Prim because she learned that, especially when it comes to food – better choices are not always that obvious.

3) The girls’ sister Genie dropped by for a short visit and to drive the girls home after supper.

Left, Genie last June.  Right, Genie last night.

Genie has struggled with health issues since she was born – partly genetic, partly due to being born prematurely.   The last couple of years have been particularly difficult for her.  Since giving up yeast and starting to feel so much better,  I have been trying to convince Genie to try that as well.  In the past few months, she decided it was worth trying.  The proof is on her face! Her bloating is gone, she is feeling much better, and she is so much happier.  It wasn’t all about the yeast, but it was a big win for Genie – and one that encouraged her to adopt other positive changes.

It is always good to see the grandkids.  It is even better when we see them learning  how much power they possess – to deal with the challenges that life hands them and to earn the wins that life has to offer .  🌹

Daily Food Diary – Day 118

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2) (4.7 mg)

(1/4) c milk (31) (28.7 mg) (3.1 grams)

(1) c Raisin Bran Crunch (190) (210 mg) (20 grams)

Snacks:

(44) oz water

(12) oz carbonated water

(1) oz BBQ corn nuts (124) (277 mg)

(1) oz Spicy dill pickles (170) (221 mg)

(1) oz smoked almonds (310) (90 mg)

Supper:

(2/3) c scallop potatoes (15) (620 mg)

(1/2) c corn (62) (10.9 mg)

(1) tsp butter (34) (31.7)

(6) oz old fashion ham (238) (1497 mg)

(1) side salad (90) (115 mg)

Total net calories:  1290

Net calorie goal: 1247 – 1290 = 43 over 👎

Total Processed Sugar: 30.9 grams

Processed sugar goal: < 25 👎

Total Sodium: 3106 mg

Sodium goal: 1500 to 2300 mg 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 114 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It has been 114 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary! 🎊

I started this process to get a better handle on what, and how much, I have been consuming each day. 

For the past month I have been tracking my processed sugar, sodium, and net calorie intake. 

A few notes on this…

(1) My Total Net Calories is based on calories consumed minus calories burned by exercise.  I haven’t been posting my daily exercise here since it is generally morning aerobics and afternoon walking (weather permitting).

(2) Yesterday, for the first time in months, I missed my six morning a week aerobics, but  I did walk – a lot!

(3) Due to a yeast allergy, I avoid consuming  anything containing yeast.  I also avoid consuming processed sugar for health reasons.   I generally eat foods that I make  from scratch.  This helps me to avoid yeast and processed sugar.  👍

(4)  Yesterday, having spent a good part of the day walking  (a lengthy and irrelevant story), I decided we deserved supper out.  (my second mistake of the day).   We went to a local restaurant that has always been a favourite.  We went early, so I had visions of an evening snack.   Totally out of character, I ordered lasagna.  (THIRD and worst mistake of the day).  The lasagna looked, smelled, and tasted amazing! I ate every bite.   We returned home and it became obvious that the lasagna had been a bad idea.  The intestinal distress hit hard and fast.  I can’t imagine why lasagna would be filled with yeast and sugar (and sodium 🙄) but my body did not appreciate it.  By the time, I felt human again, the last thing I wanted was an evening snack.   I finished the day  260 net calories under my goal.

So there you have it.  Today is a new day and a new start to reaching my diet goals.  A diet where lasagna, and probably any restaurant meal,  will not be found any time soon. 🤦

Daily Food Diary – Day Day 114

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2) (4.7 mg)

(1) Baking Powder Biscuits (40) (45.6 mg)

(1) sl Back bacon (36) (306 mg)

(1) egg (80) (70 mg)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(1) tsp butter (34) (31.7 mg)

Snacks:

(1) c Lemon Ginger tea

(48) oz water

(1) peach (58)

(6) strawberries (23) (.7 mg)

Supper:

(2 1/2) c lasagna (796) (2201 mg) (6.5 grams)

Total net calories: 987

Net calorie goal: 1247 – 987 = 260 under 👍

Total Processed sugar:  6.5 grams

Processed sugar goal: < 25 grams  👍

Total Sodium: 2659.7 mg

Sodium goal: 1500 to 2300 mg 👎

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