Tag: healthy living

Daily Food Diary – Day 305 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 305 of my Daily Food Diary.  Sixty more days and I will have successfully completed one full year of mindful eating via tracking and posting everything I consume- one day at a time.  🤗

This challenge has been less about losing weight than anything.  It has been about eating better – cutting back on salt and  sugar, increasing more natural and less processed foods and identifying foods that have been causing digestive issues for as long as I could remember.

For decades, I dealt with bloating, severe abdominal cramps, chronic diarrhea, heartburn, and oddly enough hiccups.

Doctors sent me for ultrasounds, cat scans, blood tests, and a surgery for an epigastric hernia.  I was given prescription strength medication for excess stomach acid.

At one point, I suggested an allergy test for yeast.  Despite the fact that my daughter had tested positive for a yeast allergy I was told that there was no such thing.  I was sent for a blood test for celiac disease, because it was probably a gluten intolerance.  It wasn’t.

Finally, I took it upon myself to eliminate yeast from my diet.   Amazingly, to everyone but me, my digestive issues disappeared with the yeast in my diet.  

I have no idea why doctors are so averse to allergy testing in this province – or why we have virtually no allergy specialists.

I do know that being allergic to yeast is a thing.  A bad thing.   And I know it is a thing that other people are still struggling with and still being misled about.  When my granddaughter met with a potential family physician recently she told him about her digestive issues and her family history of yeast allergy.  She was told there is no such thing.  🤦  Fortunately, she does know better.

Sometimes it’s not that obvious.

It’s not just that yeast is an allergen, it is also used as an additive to foods where no one would expect it to be found – from prepared meat sauce to powdered egg whites (plus anything made using such products).  

And being a fungus, yeast is a relative to many other fungi that can cause issues – mold, mildew, mushrooms, foods that are susceptible to mold and mildew, anything that is pickled or fermented…

Plus anyone who is allergic to yeast is also sensitive to any form of  processed or natural sugar,  which yeast feeds on.

It is complicated and one of the reasons  I have ultimately become proactive about my health.   Every body is different.  Even if multiple doctors cannot diagnose an issue it does not mean that there isn’t one – or that it cannot be dealt with.  

Daily Food Diary – Day 305

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Jordans Morning Crisp cereal (333)

(1/4)  c milk (28)

Snacks:

(1/4) c peanuts (162)

(1/4) c corn nuts (132)

(3) Black Licorice Twizzlers (68)

(3) mini chocolate treats (100)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(3) c garden salad (190)

(2) tbsp French Dressing (146)

(3) oz pork tenderloin (206)

Total consumed calories: 1367

Total used calories: 174

(30) min aerobics (174)

Total net calories: 1193

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1193 = 16 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 302 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 302 of my Daily Food Diary.  🥳

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! ❤️😊

Daily Food Diary – Day 298 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 298 of my Daily Food Diary. 🙌

I don’t know if anyone has noticed, but every time I register a drop in my weight, the LoseIt! app that I use drops my calorie goal for the day.   When I began using the app, my goal was 1255 calories a day – now I am down to 1208.   Weight loss apps  do not reward one for success. 😒

Next year, rather than focusing on calories consumed, I am going to count calories used.  My main goal has always been more about health and wellness, than about losing weight – so it just makes sense to track (and expand) my level of activity.

Lately, I have been looking at different activities, how effective they are for increasing fitness, strength, flexibility, balance…. plus how effective they are at burning calories.

One such ‘activity’ that I have encountered in this search is coughing.  One cough should burn 1/2 to 2 calories.   Right now I am doing very well, and not coughing at night.  VERY Conservatively, if I calculate 10 coughs per hour, 15 hours per day – I should burn 54,000 calories a year which should result in a 15  pound weight loss.  Just for coughing!   In 2023, when I coughed continuously and violently day and night, I should have disappeared.  

Obviously, coughing will not be recorded on my Calories Used Diary, but it does make me wonder what else is at play here.  I am recording every calorie I consume – and obviously I am still here. 🙄

Once I have had my hernia surgery, I look forward to expanding my light weight exercises using the weight bench and guide on our treadmill. 💪

Daily Food Diary – Day 298

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) crumpets (240)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

Lunch:

(1) c pepper steak (150)

(1) c white rice (242)

(1) mini peanut butter cup (40)

(1) snack pack Reese’s pieces (67)

Snacks:

(36) oz water

(1) Mott’s Clamato Caesar (168)

(12) Lay’s lightly salted ripple chips (140)

Supper:

(1) serving chilli (190)

(2) all beef Top Dogs (240)

(2) Brazilian Cheese Rolls (249)

Total consumed calories: 1812

Total used calories: 383

(30) min walking (68)

(30) min treadmill (80)

(30) min yardwork (102)

(1) hr cleaning (134)

Total net calories: 1429

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1429 = 221 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 294 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 294 of my Daily Food Diary. 💓

Dan and Molly and I got back from our morning walk a bit ago.   Since we headed out a bit later than usual, the sun had a nice warmth to it.  Unfortunately, the air was heavy and humid and much of the time we were dealing with a cloud of cement dust – the result of some work being done to the pool in the park.   It was a bit hard going, but I made the distance.

When we got home, I fed the squirrels and picked up in the yard. 

Once the critters were fed, I came into the house and Dan and I checked our Amazon for an air purifier that can live in our bedroom.   I think we agreed on what would work best for the space, but he was on his way out so said he would check Canadian Tire to see if he could find something comparable.  👍

Today is Wednesday, so I am about to do my aerobics followed by light weights.

Yesterday morning I did my aerobics but left my treadmill session for later.  Later ended up being after supper once Dan was gone to darts and I was watching Homestead Rescue.  By the time my show was done, it was a toss up between doing my treadmill or cracking open a box of Halloween treats and pouring myself a glass of wine. 

I went with the treadmill with no regrets.  I even went up one level on the speed.   🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 294

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) cheese tortilla wrap (170)

(1) Denver omelet (235)

Snacks:

(1/3) c mixed nuts (238)

Supper:

(1) Hungry Man chicken cutlet TV dinner (520)

(1) extra (ie Dan’s) brownie (121)

Total Consumed Calories: 1286

Total used calories: 317

(30) min aerobics (176)

(30) min walking (68)

(30) min treadmill (73)

Total net calories: 969

Net calories goal: 1229 – 969  = 250 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 293 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 293 of my Daily Food Diary! 😋

Yesterday was a pretty good day.  I only made one block of the walk I set out on with Dan and Molly.  I could have handled the cold and wind, but the rain was a bit much.   I came home and did my aerobics and weights – plus I did half an hour on the treadmill before supper. 👍

For supper last night, I decided we should indulge in some Taco Time.   One of the most  mind-boggling  things I have found since I began tracking my Daily Food Diary is how many calories there are in such meals.     I knew it was bad, but I had no idea. 🤦

Obviously, last night’s indulgence is a hard one to report on my Daily Food Diary, but it’s all about balance.  Last night, I was balancing out the salad I had for supper on Saturday. 🙄

Last night, for the second night in a row, we put the air purifier from our living room in our bedroom.    I slept really well both nights and with minimal coughing before I fell asleep and after I woke up.    I have to try it for a few days, but we might have to get another one before we get tired of hauling this one back and forth between rooms.

Daily Food Diary – Day 293

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cinnamon Cheerios (200)

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

Lunch:

(4) air fried chicken wing flats & (4) drummets (440)

(14) Lay’s lightly salted ripple chips (140)

(36) oz water

(8) oz lemon water

Supper:

(1) 12 oz A & W Rootbeer (170)

(1) Small Mexi Fries (265)

(2) hardshell tacos (520)

(1) crisp meat burrito (390)

Total calories consumed: 2155

Total calories used: 329

(30) min aerobics (176)

(30) min weights (73)

(30) min treadmill (80)

Total net calories: 1826

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1826 = 597 over 👎

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

Sunrise Through the Fog

Daily Food Diary – Day 287 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 287 of my Daily Food Diary! 🙂

Today it is three and a half months since I started taking collagen supplements.

Throughout July and August, I noticed multiple benefits – from easing stiff achy hands, stronger longer nails, thicker stronger hair (and a virtual end to hair loss),  improved muscle strength – especially in my hands and upper body, increased stability in my joints,  and best of all increased stability in my sinuses and airways.

At the beginning of September, I saw my respirologist and,  because I was still coughing up an abundance of mucus, he put me on a round of antibiotics and Prednisone.  Neither of which have ever agreed with me – but which at times were deemed a medical necessity.

Throughout September I suffered the loss of a lot of the benefits from the collagen supplements.  It started gradually with broken nails and shedding hairs and went downhill from there. 

Sometime in this demoralizing period I ran across articles that claimed Prednisone can/does inhibit collagen synthesis.   (That makes so much sense considering my history – despite the fact that I had continued to take my collagen supplements.)

I finished this last round of Prednisone on September 13th.   Last week things finally began to turn around.  Again, I noticed the improvements first in my hands, then nails, then hair ….

This morning, I went for a walk with Dan and Molly.  Despite 100 percent humidity, I went the full distance, barely feeling the humidity until the last few blocks. 🥳💓

6 degrees Celsius – 42.8 degrees Fahrenheit

I am so so excited that this setback appears to be behind me!  Hopefully I can avoid any more setbacks (and Prednisone) going forward!  Most of all, I am excited that once again, I feel that I am capable of moving forward, stronger, and healthier! 🎈

Daily Food Diary – Day 287

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) plain paratha (240)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

Lunch:

(2) pork eggrolls (360)

(4) Gyoza (133)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1) c turkey broth (100)

Supper:

(2 1/2) c spaghetti with tomato meat sauce/peppers/onions/mushrooms/garlic (718)

Total consumed calories: 1708

Total used calories: 310

(30) min walking (83)

(30) min aerobics (176)

(15) min treadmill steep incline (52)

Total net calories: 1398

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1398  = 168 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 286 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 286 of my Daily Food Diary! 💝

Seventy Days left of  2025 and so far I haven’t missed a single day of keeping up and posting my Daily Food Diary!

No matter what, I have not missed a single day!  That is more than I can say for the rest of my daily routine. 

Having chronic health issues, there is the potential for multiple wins, if one is willing to make health a priority.  Unfortunately, there is also the risk of unavoidable setbacks.

Having been diagnosed with asthma, bronchiectasis, and COPD – weather, seasonal allergies, environmental pollution, and more can trigger flare ups.  Flare ups also make one more susceptible to infection, which is routinely treated with antibiotics and Prednisone  – both of which have detrimental effects on my health.  

In early September I went through my latest  setback complete with a round of antibiotics and prednisone.  I am finally seeing the last of these effects wearing off and feeling ready to get back on track.  👍

Last night we had a visit from our Granddaughter Genie.  Over tea – and a last minute supper of Oriental appetizers, we had a chat about investment strategies.  A topic Genie had expressed interest in recently.   We talked about everything from stocks and bonds to mutual funds – but mostly we discussed the different tax saving accounts available to keep them in.    Not  a particularly exciting topic,  but important for a young couple starting out – looking to buy their first home, start a family,  save for major expenses, and ultimately plan for  retirement.   

I’m no financial expert, but  I do have an idea of what is available, where to find more information, and who to go to for the level of advice that I cannot provide.  

Fresh from the wedding and ready to plan for the responsibilities of their life together.

The great thing about helping Genie and Alec with anything like this is knowing that they will pass anything they learn down to their younger siblings,  when the time comes. 

Daily Food Diary – Day 286

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c cinnamon oatmeal crunch Cheerios (200)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(2) c turkey broth (200)

(2 1/2) oz turkey (115)

Snacks:

(36) oz water

(1) c licorice tea

(12) oz 7up (140)

(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)

Dinner:

(1) egg roll (189)

(2) Gyoza (67)

(2) tempura shrimp (70)

(2) shrimp nests (52)

(1) PC Buttermilk chicken (120)

(1) tsp Gyoza sauce (5)

(1) tsp plum sauce (12)

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (50)

Total consumed calories: 1467

Total used calories: 138

(30) min walking (83)

(30) min cooking (56)

Total net calories: 1329

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1329 = 99 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 279 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 279 of my Daily Food Diary! 😍

This morning Dan and I started the day with a walk for Molly.  It was the roughest one I have had for a while – and sadly the result of my own doing.

Last night, while the stew was cooking I decided that Happy Hour was in order.  For some reason, a Rye (whiskey) and Pepsi sounded good.  Finishing off the can of Pepsi after that seemed even better. 🤦

While the yeast used  in fermenting any alcohol is a problem for me, the sugar in any soda mix is a much bigger one.  Pepsi contains 41 grams of sugar in one 355ml can.  That is huge.  Too much for anyone and way too much for anyone with bronchiectasis.

So this morning while I was trying to keep up to Dan and Molly (while they deliberately took it slow for my sake), I struggled.  Trying to do anything when one is fighting to breathe through an abundance of  thick sticky mucus is never easy. 

I don’t remember when I last had a Rye and Pepsi, but I won’t be having another one any time soon.

Fortunately, having had a hot lemon water since I got back home, I am now feeling much better. 

Today is an aerobics and treadmill day. By the time I complete those, I will be back on track.  This afternoon I plan to get some housework done in preparation for our Thanksgiving  supper on Thursday. 

While Molly prepares in her own way.

Daily Food Diary – Day 279

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Honey Nut Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(1) Chicken burger (no bun) (120)

(1) sl provalone (70)

(1) tomato (22)

(25) barbecue chips (130)

Snacks:

(36) oz water

(1) Rye & Pepsi (125)

(6) oz Pepsi (75)

Supper:

(4) c Beef, gnocchi, & vegetable stew (736)

Total consumed calories: 1455

Total used calories: 360

(40) min aerobics (234)

(30) min light weights (73)

(30) min walk (53)

Total net calories: 1095

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1095 = 135 under 👎

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

Husband Dan got up before me this morning to catch this amazing sunrise. 💞🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 276 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 276 of my Daily Food Diary! 💝

It is three years and eight months since I started my general Health and Fitness Journey – diet, exercise, stress management…

Since I began this journey, I have noticed a number of benefits due to my new lifestyle.  Most, if not all, creep up so gradually that I do not recognize them until one day – poof! I look at the scale and realize I have lost forty pounds, I try on pants that I have not been able to squeeze into for years and they are a perfect fit.  I go to take out a bag of garbage and there is no struggle getting it to the bin out back or lifting it high enough to toss it in…

This morning,  I came across such a benefit that had crept up on me…

The cabinet where I stockpile my OTC medications.

I went to get my vitamins (B12, Lutein, D3) to fill my weekly pill dispenser and I  realized that my cabinet had little else in it.

Over the past few years, I have done away with the giant bottle of Aspirin, the huge bottle of Tums, the cough syrup,  the Imodium, the cortisone creams,  and more.  To be honest, other than the Claritin and my three vitamins, I don’t remember when I used anything in this cabinet. 

Not only this cabinet, but my purse as well, used to look like a well stocked drug store.  😳

I still have my inhalers for asthma, bronchiectasis, and COPD.   I have a bottle of CBD drops and CBD cream (which I seldom use) and I have my Collagen Supplement (which is not going anywhere, anytime soon).

Today it is time to celebrate another win. 🎊

Daily Food Diary – Day 276

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

(1/4) c milk (28)

Lunch:

(2) potato patties (240)

(2) tomatoes (44)

(1) chocolate brownie (121)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1/2) c beef broth (15)

Supper:

(1) sourdough bun (190)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(2) oz ham (89)

(1) slice havarti cheese (110)

(3) sliced white onion (32)

(15) Barbecue chips (156)

Total consumed calories: 1242

Total used calories: 243

(30) min walking (53)

(30) min food prep (56)

(1) hour cleaning (135)

Total net calories: 999

Net calories goal: 1229 – 999  = 230 under

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 275 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 275 of my Daily Food Diary – and poof another ten days of 2025 have passed – just like that! 🫰

Yesterday was another somewhat productive day.  It was warm enough to get outside and clean the interior of the Jeep.  It is pretty much all leather,  so climbing around with a spray bottle of leather cleaner,  a wet cloth, and a dry cloth was more doable than the vacuuming extravaganza on Wednesday.

The reward for my efforts was a supper out at Fin’s Fish and Chips.   Their food is hearty, healthy, yeast and palm oil free – and delicious.  🤩

Today is cool and raining off and on.  We got in our morning walk with Molly. 

Which was obviously exhausting…

Dan is off shopping.  I am juggling my morning routine with getting our house in order.  The days have been going by so quickly that I haven’t done a good solid cleaning for a bit and it is beginning to show. 🙄

I still have my aerobics and weights to do, but at least the porch is clean.  But first.. it is time to tackle the kitchen.

Daily Food Diary – Day 275

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) crumpets (240)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)

Lunch:

(1/2) serving Smoked beans (196)

(1) Harvest all beef hot dog (160)

(6) Hint of Lime chips (150)

(48) oz water

(12) oz lemon water

Supper:

(1) Sprite (140)

(2) PC’s  Fin City battered pickerel (500)

(1/2) c coleslaw (104)

(1) c home fries (331)

(1/4) c gravy (25)

(1) tbsp tartar sauce (40)

Total consumed calories: 2007

Total used calories: 422

(30) min. Aerobics (176)

(1) hr clean Jeep interior (135)

(30) min. Treadmill (59)

(30) min walking (53)

Total net calories: 1585

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1585 = 356 over 👎

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