Yesterday our family acquired a newly licensed driver. (Learners license, but still!)
They grow up too fast!
From day one, Maddy was determined to be “one of the big kids” like her older siblings Genie and Rory. She has done a good job of becoming a mature and responsible young lady.
But, to be honest I never thought she would be determined enough to embrace driving. She just doesn’t seem to be the ‘driver’ type. (Unlike younger sister Prim who can’t wait to get behind the wheel!)
Not only does Maddy have her license, but last night she took her first drive in the country with her Mom. She got behind the wheel and drove a few miles before swerving to avoid hitting a dog. As she left the gravel road and hit the ditch, she remembered her driver trainer’s instructions and kept her wheels straight.
First challenge in the driver’s seat and she handled it like a pro. The dog is fine, Maddy & Mom are fine, my Taurus is almost fine – and the heat shield for my Taurus is in the trunk. 🙄
Good job Maddy! 💞
Daily Food Diary – Day 233
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Rice Krispies (120)
(1/4) c 2% milk
(1) tsp sugar (8)
Lunch:
(1) Beef & pork burger with cheese (221)
(1/2) c brown mushrooms (22)
(1/4) c white onions (15)
(12) Low sodium ripple chips (159)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(12) oz carbonated water
(1) ground chicken taco salad: green lettuce, cucumber, pepper, olives, onion, red radishes, tomato (400)
(10) Hint of Lime chips (250)
Total net calories: 883
Net calories goal: 1222 – 883 = 339 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a good day! 😊❤️
Today it is one week since we got our treadmill. I am not a world class athlete yet, but I have been using it for 30 minutes every evening and I am already noticing the difference.
Ever since I can remember, when I stand in one spot (even momentarily) my hips, knees, and ankles lock up. Even if I am moving, it is an effort to keep them from locking up. It is frustrating, but I am used to it.
For the past two days, I have noticed that at least my knees are moving a lot smoother. I’m not sure if my ankles are any better, and I know I am still struggling with my hips – but it’s a start!
Daily Food Diary – Day 232
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(3) crumpets (240)
(2) tsp butter (69)
(1) tbsp jam (50)
Lunch:
(2) Barbecue drumsticks(270)
(1) c raw vegetables: cauliflower – white, radishes & peppers – red, onions & green (90)
(1) tbsp peppercorn ranch dressing (60)
(60) oz water
(8) oz lemon water
Supper:
(2) SVG Arby’s roast beef (200)
(1) Medium Arby’s Crinkle cut fries (530)
(2) Arby’s cheese sticks (220)
(2) Arby’s gravy (35)
(1) horseradish sauce (50)
Total net calories: 1401
Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1401 = 180 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a good day! ☺️💕
It is 231 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary. That is a full 33 weeks! 🤗🎈
Our weather has been warmer than usual the past couple of days so we have been taking Molly for her walk earlier.
Yesterday morning when we got back, I offered to make Denvers for Dan and I. I cracked the first couple of eggs and they were typical. I took the next two out of a new carton. Both of them cracked lengthwise.
This happened a few weeks ago. We bought two or three cartons of eggs and all (or most) of the eggs cracked lengthwise. 😯
I checked with Google and read that I was holding the egg wrong. Seriously – I have been cracking eggs for over six decades. I think I know how to hold an egg. Besides which, even when Dan would crack the eggs in these cartons, they would crack lengthwise.
Why? The eggs are perfectly fine. The shells just break weird.
Daily Food Diary – Day 231
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) eggs (160)
(1) oz ham (29)
(2) Green onions (16)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(1) tsp olive oil (40)
Lunch:
(3) crumpets (240)
(2) tsp butter (68)
(1) tbsp jam (50)
Snacks:
(60) oz water
(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)
Supper:
(1) Lean ground beef patty (293)
(12) barbecue chips (130)
(4) oz potato salad (154)
(1) c raw vegetables – red tomatoes & radishes, green onions, white cauliflower (90)
(2) tsp Dilly Dip (100)
Total net calories: 1244
Net calories goal: 1222 – 1244 = 22 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😊❣️
Today is also August 19th and for the second time this summer we have our air conditioner turned on!
This summer has been less than sunny and warm. Even on the warmest days (both of them) the temperatures at night dip to low single digits Celsius. Zero is freezing. 🙄
There are two relatively nice things about this summer.
(1) There have been fewer smoke days from the northern wildfires. The fire season has been terrible up north, but the smoke hasn’t been too bad here.
(2) There have been fewer bugs this year than usual. Less annoying, but the ones we have seem to be getting meaner.
Our new pet – the Striped Garden Spider. Relatively harmless with a sting comparableto a bumblebee. I have stepped on a bumble bee. I would NOTconsider it’s sting to be harmless. 😧
I remember that day… I was getting ready for our big move from North Battleford, Sk. to the metropolis of Spruce Lake, Sk. (Population 50 once we moved in).
As usual when these transfers came up, my ex was off to training for his new position. I was left to get everything ready for the U-Haul, our house ready for the new tenants, while taking care of the kiddos. Mark was 4 years old, it was Danny’s second birthday, and Jen was 7 months old. I had dismantled the beds, cribs, etc… I had an unhappy two year old hanging off one leg, a shrieking baby, and a four year old doing Lord knows what. The U-Haul depot manager called to cancel our truck because back in those days they didn’t rent trucks to women. Not like I would be driving – which I explained when I made the arrangements.
I decided I needed a nice cup of tea to settle my nerves before getting back to wiping out cupboards and cleaning the kitchen sink/stove/fridge. I made my tea and set it beside the teacup full of Lime Away – and proceeded to take a good swing out of the wrong cup.
Having a two and a four year old, I knew the drill. I poured myself a glass of milk and chugged it down. I don’t drink milk. I haven’t drank milk since EVER. It comes up faster than it goes down. But I knew I had to keep it down, so I battled through the nausea and got back to work.
I strode across the kitchen, more determined (and nauseated) than ever and stepped on a frigging bumble bee. The searing pain was bad enough, but the baseball sized lump on the bottom of my foot was the last straw.
At this point, my father-in-law stopped by to wish Danny a Happy Birthday. 🎈 My father-in-law was seldom my hero, but he came through that day. He scraped us all together and took us to McDonald’s for lunch.
That gave me the time to pull myself together and for the swelling on the bottom of my foot to go down. When he dropped us back off at our house, my ex’s boss called to see how everything was going. That second act of kindness in one day was one too many for me. I told him exactly how everything was going – including my dealings with the U-Haul manager.
That was too much for him. He told me he would deal with it. Within minutes, he called me back to tell me the truck was ready for my ex to pick up when he got back.
Just one of several moves we made back in the day, but I am pretty sure it was our worst.
Although… There was the bowl of chocolate pudding that got packed in the box of linens when we moved to La Ronge… Who does that? And that was the one move we made with professional packers/movers.
Today is Day 229 since I started keeping and posting my Daily Food Diary. 🤗🥳
When I started my Daily Food Diary, I had a few reasons for committing to this practice. My main reason was to become more mindful of what I was eating, to hopefully zero in on which foods were detrimental or beneficial to my health and wellness – and to adjust my diet accordingly.
I started posting my Daily Food Diet to help me to be accountable for maintaining this practice for an entire YEAR.
So far, I am finding that the benefits that I have enjoyed from this practice have been totally worth any effort that I have put into it.
By becoming mindful of what I consume, I have cut back on the sugar, salt, and between meal snacks that I was accustomed to. I have become aware of how many calories can be packed into processed foods and fast-food takeout. I have even learned the difference that supplements can make in my health and wellness – specifically (for me) collagen supplements.
I have learned that a Daily Food Diary can be a powerful tool. But apparently, like all tools it can be dangerous if it is used incorrectly or for the wrong purpose.
Yesterday, I was browsing social media and I came across a video that mentions the dangers of using a Daily Food Diary. The video itself was a bit much (for me) politically and socially.
But, the poster did make a good point about becoming overly obsessed over every calorie one consumes, in a bid to reach an unhealthy and unrealistic weight/body image.
I think it is something to definitely be mindful of before starting a Daily Food Diary – especially if one’s main goal going in is weight loss.
The point of using any weight loss tool, should be to enhance one’s health and wellness. If any weight loss tool is failing to do just that, it needs to be set aside or at least adjusted to meet one’s needs.
If you do decide to start your own Daily Food Diary, just be aware of the potential benefits and possible dangers. 💞
Daily Food Diary – Day 229
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) scrambled eggs (182)
(3) slices bacon (130)
(2) potato patties (240)
Snacks:
(1) Mott’s caesar –red w/pickled asparagus – green (120)
Time is such a strange concept. Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years… All are set in stone. But, this year is just flying by. I can’t believe I have been posting every day for 227 DAYS in a row.
While this year has been passing ridiculously fast, this week has been dragging on forever! This is the longest week since I retired. 😳
At least, the days have been productive this week. Yesterday, Dan and I emptied our upright freezer and defrosted it. That was a job and then some, but it was great to have it all done and everything packed back in, in some kind of order.
I love those Dollar Store containers for keeping things organized!
Other than cleaning our deep freezer, We walked Molly, I did my aerobic workout, I did my Friday weights and cardio, AND last night I took another spin on my ‘new to me’ treadmill. Sixteen minutes and I got to Level 3. I haven’t attempted the incline yet. 🙄
Daily Food Diary – Day 227
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1/2) pink grapefruit (39)
(1/2) tsp sugar (8)
Lunch:
(2) eggs (160)
(1) oz ham (29)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(1/5) c chopped red onion (13)
(1/4) c red pepper (12)
(2) brown mushrooms (20)
(1) oz marble cheese (113)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(1) sourdough bun (190)
(3) oz pistrami (120)
(1) slice Swiss Cheese (106)
(1) tsp butter (34)
(1/2) c whitish sauerkraut (23)
(1) PC apple pie (296)
(1) vodka cooler (228)
Total net calories: 1046
Net calorie goal: 1222 – 1046 = 176 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a good day! 💖😊
A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I was thinking of buying a portable folding treadmill to keep me walking through smokey summer days and the worst of our winter days (December thru March).
A few days later, granddaughter Genie called to say they had Alec’s Grandma’s treadmill in their garage. Since it wasn’t being used, she said if I would be welcome to it.
Dan and I, decided it would work so we made a deal. A modest sum for Alec’s Grandma and a batch of Caramel Popcorn and a couple of Apple Pies for delivery. They didn’t ask – I was happy to offer. 🤗
Yesterday, we got our ‘new to us’ treadmill/cross trainer and Alec and Genie were eating caramel corn before they got out the door.
I don’t know if I will be using the exercise bench before my hernia operation but I will put the treadmill to use. In fact, I took a spin on it last night. It will take me a while before I am ready to reach its full potential. It has a pretty good incline that I didn’t try and I’m thinking it has a top speed of about 40 miles an hour. 😳 I used the first two warm up speeds and I was hustling. 😂
This morning, we went for our walk and defrosted our stand up freezer. As soon as, it has cooled off, we will put everything back into it. Then, I can finally tackle my morning aerobics and my Friday weights/cardio workout. 💪
Daily Food Diary – Day 226
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Lightly Frosted Mini Wheats (190)
(1/4) 2 % milk (28)
Snacks:
(12) tortilla chips (140)
(2) tbsp salsa – red (10)
Supper:
(1 1/2) srv nachos – red, green, white (870)
(3) tbsp salsa (15)
Total net calories: 1201
Net calories goal: 1222 – 1201 = 20 under
That’s it for today! Take care and have a great day! 💕🌞
Yesterday was one of those days when I realized how far I have come in the past three and a half years – since I first set out on my health and wellness journey to build up my strength and stamina.
Yesterday, I walked Molly first thing in the morning. I came home to do half an hour of yard work, clear my lungs and then do my Daily Food Diary blog. I was just about to post it, when my daughter arrived with her dog Sasha.
We had previously arranged to take Sasha for a bath at Pet Value. But first, we tag teamed a serious brushing session. Once done, we headed off to bathe her. An hour later, Sasha was fully groomed. Jen and I should have both been exhausted.
Sasha, in the zone – enjoying her first Pet Value bath.
However, once I got home, I changed and did my morning aerobics followed by my Monday weights and cardio.
Following that, I made a batch of caramel corn and tidied up the house. I made homemade macaroni and cheese and fixed vegetables while Dan barbecued the chicken for our supper. After, supper I set up the coffee pot for this morning, straightened up the kitchen and Dan came in to help with dishes.
This may not seem like that much, but three and a half years ago, I would never have been able to take Molly for a walk… much less everything, or anything else.
I honestly don’t know what most people expect life at seventy should look like. To me these days, mine looks like a miracle. 🌹
It is 204 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary.
While I am counting the calories that I consume each day, losing weight is not my sole or main goal.
I am doing this in an attempt to eat better, not necessarily less. I have cut some foods out of my diet, added others, and tweaked a few. This week, I had a craving for chocolate chip cookies. Switching out the normally processed white flour for almond flour, using dark chocolate chips and adding chopped walnuts all helped to make them a bit more nutritious – and didn’t hurt the taste any.
Other than baking (way too many) nutritionally improved cookies, my week hasn’t been going too bad – but it is definitely not one of my best.
Our weather has been cool, our HUMIDITY high, and we have poor air quality due to smoke from northern wildfires. The humidity does nothing for my respiratory system and the smoke (which I am allergic to) destroys it.
I have been managing… Taking my meds, clearing my lungs and sinuses, doing my aerobics and weight & cardio exercises, watching my diet, keeping active, managing my stress … and avoiding outside air (as much as possible).
But my lungs are struggling and I am booked for my annual pulmonary function test tomorrow. I cannot see this going well.
Am I the only one who is mortified at the thought of failing a health test? 🤦
Daily Food Diary – Day 204
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1/2) grapefruit (39)
(1/2) tsp. Sugar (8)
(2) crumpets (160)
(2) tsp butter (34)
(1) tbsp raspberry jam (50)
Lunch:
(1/2) c potato salad (236)
(1/4) c radishes (5)
(1/4) c green onions (10)
(1 1/2) oz Piller’s Ham (43)
(5) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (125)
(2) Almond flour chocolate chip cookies (100)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(1 1/2) servings nachos – tortilla chips, ground turkey, red pepper, green onion, hot pepper, black olives, shredded marble cheese, salsa (657)
Total net calories: 1188
Net calories goal: 1229 – 1188 = 40 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 Day 199 of my Daily Food Diaryand it is 1 week until I turn seventy!
This morning, Dan was scheduled to pick up granddaughter Maddy and drop her off at work. Since he would be at the southern end of the city, he offered to take me out to Dutch Growers.
Dutch Growers, one of our city greenhouse/landscaping businesses was large when it was in the city. Now that it has moved to a more rural location, it is massive.
They sell everything Yard and Garden, plus clothing, accessories, jewellery, house plants and home decor. They have a large four season building that leads to several large enclosed greenhouses.
I was looking for a specific plant spray (which they do not carry). But, I had my eyes open for something that I would appreciate for my seventieth birthday present. I could probably have spent a few thousand dollars on waterfalls, planters, and fairy statues, but I managed to resist such temptations.
I do have a sizable elephant that I picked up there years ago.
I did walk out with a serious case of lung congestion. We were not halfway home before Dan asked me if the humidity in the greenhouses had bothered me. 🤦
Seriously, I have asthma, bronchiectasis, and COPD – and I was so enthralled by all of the huge plants, decor, and miscellaneous goods that I hadn’t even noticed. (Although, I certainly should have known going in).
It is great that between my daily workouts, my medications, and my general attention to diet, I can forget about my chronic respiratory issues. But on occasion, that does come back to bite me on the butt!
Daily Food Diary – Day 199
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) granola nut bar (160)
Lunch:
(2) c romaine lettuce (15)
(2) green onions (16)
(3) oz canned chicken (150)
(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (80)
(25) No Name barbecue potato chips (270)
(6) candy coated mini Easter Eggs (130)
* I swear, the bag is ALMOST empty
(48) oz water
Supper:
(2) c chilli with meat & beans (452)
(1) plain paratha (240)
(3/4) c ice cream (180)
(1) tbsp dark chocolate sauce (52)
(1) tbsp caramel sauce (130)
(9) pecans (59)
Totalnet calories: 1574
Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1574 = 346 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! 💞😊
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 