Today is another high risk smoke day, so another indoor day. I had hoped to spend some time walking Molly, puttering around our yard, and reading in our gazebo. Apparently, that is not going to happen.
It is amazing how suddenly we went from, hot, summer days to spending days on end trapped indoors to escape wildfire smoke. I know we are far from alone in this and much better off than those living in fire zones. Still, it is frustrating for those of us dealing with chronic lung disease and environmental allergies.
I miss sunny summer days!
Souris, Manitoba Wascana Trails outside ReginaCandy Cane Park at Wascana Lake
Daily Food Diary – Day 221
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) plain paratha (240)
(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)
(1) tablespoon raspberry jam (red) (50)
Lunch:
(1) c beef/vegetable stir-fry (brown, red, green, orange, white) (100)
It is 73 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary. As much as I could lose a few more pounds, this exercise is more about eating well than it is about restricting calories.
I went into this with three chronic lung conditions – asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis. Proper nutrition is only part of my routine to keep these issues in check. I exercise, I see a respiratory specialist and a respiratory therapist regularly, I use inhalers, and antibiotics with oral steroids for flare-ups, and I get regular vaccines. 👍
I also went into this exercise with a failed epigastric hernia repair from three years ago. On February 24th, I went to see a surgeon about having this repaired.
My hernia is bothersome on occasion and a bit dangerous to ignore, so it has to be done. Heading out for my appointment, I was fine. Dan was driving, we were going to the Pasqua Hospital (a few blocks from home), the repair I had done last time was laparoscopic surgery done under local anaesthetic. No big deal!
Except, due to delays in traffic, parking issues, and a mix-up at the hospital, we were cutting it close timewise for my appointment. My stress ramped up, my stress triggered my asthma, and I walked into the surgeon’s office having an uncontrollable coughing fit.
The appointment went as well as possible, but the surgeon decided that he was putting me under anesthesia for the procedure. (It is difficult to do this kind of thing when someone is coughing their lungs out).
I came home upset, demoralized, and annoyed that Itry so hard to manage my lung issues and I had failed, again, big time!
After a short pity part, I pulled it together. I got on with my respiratory management routine and soldiered on.
Then, I went for a CT scan that the surgeon had ordered. On top of a couple of other issues, the scan showed that I now have a NEW lung issue – bronchiolitis. Seriously!
Cue another pity party, cue another comeback – this time more intense and determined than ever. Not just to make my lungs stronger but to destroy the stress and anxiety issues that I have battled with forever.
So.. more exercise – more focused and intense, I switched up my bedtime meditation for Goggins inspirational podcasts/videos, I got an herbal brew from our local health food store. I am getting outside for more fresh air and exercise! 👍
And our weather tanked. More cold, more wind, more wet snow. Not good for my lungs. Another pity party… 🤦
Yesterday, I had it together! I decided to stay indoors and do a serious house cleaning & laundry including bedding.
And our power went out – for hours. I decided to forgo the pity party. I messaged my sister Elaine and we chatted back and forth for the duration, exchanging meal plans and shopping wins (and losses 😂).
It was a good chat and it was good for the soul – much better than another pity party. 🙂
Food Diary:
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2) (.3)
(2) eggs (180) (14)
(3) slices back bacon (52) (2)
(2) potato patties (240) (2)
Snack:
(24) oz water
(2) oz Dill Pickle peanuts (324) (14.2)
Supper:
(12) oz carbonated water
(1) Burrito –
(1) Tortilla wrap (170) (5)
(4) Oz ground beef (280) (19)
(1) c mixed veggies – onion, red pepper, black olives, mushrooms, oriental cabbage (68) (2.4)
(1) Tbsp taco sauce
(2) Oz shredded cheddar (114) (7)
(1) PC matrimonial cake (139) (1)
Totalcalories: 1600
Total Protein: 76.9 grams
Protein goal per day: 46- 58 grams
Notes:
I am fairly certain that Molly, our picky Pyrenees, would not be caught dead eating a dill pickle – but if I have Dill Pickle Peanuts, Molly has Dill Pickle Peanuts.
Dan and I made supper together last night, and yes he shredded oriental cabbage for the burritos. (The celery I took out didn’t make the cut… 🙄) Once the cabbage was cooked with the rest of the burrito filling, there was no trace of it. (I trust the nutrients remained? 🤔)
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💗🌞
I’m just burning through this challenge. I’m already at Day Four and I haven’t had a miss yet! 🤗
We are still huddled down in our extreme cold spell, so Dan and I spent a good part of the day in the kitchen yesterday whipping up some comfort food to take the chill off.
Dan chopped and I cooked for a potof Beef, Vegetable, and Barley soup. I mixed and Dan formed a tray of Baking Powder Biscuits. The big ones are for yeastless breakfast sandwiches in the days to come.
Food Diary – Day Four
(1) c coffee
(23) mini wheats
(1/4) c 2% milk
(8) oz water
(1) Apple
(2) Bowls of Beef/Vegetable/Barley soup **
(2) Baking Powder/Cheese Biscuits – made with butter and served likewise
(12) oz carbonated water
(1) cookie
** Soup was made with beef broth, beef, barley, onion, leek, carrots, celery, mushrooms, cabbage, baby Bok Choy and a dash of salt, pepper, and ground hot peppers.
Fun fact… Barley is one of the best foods to eat when dealing with high cholesterol. Butter is not. But butter tastes better. 🙂
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 🤗💞
Is anyone else ready for birthday and barbecue season? ( Genie & Prim)
I can’t believe we have made it almost mid-month and last night was our first meal of beef dip. It is one of my favourites, so we have it relatively frequently.
Dan has been under the weather for a couple of days, so he wasn’t up for too much. Supper was basic, but totally delicious and the protein seems to have done him some good as he is looking a little better today.
Shaved roast sirloin with onions and horseradish on Villagio buns, served with air fried sliced potatoes, gravy, and au jus.
The only thing I go rogue on is the au jus. We buy Club House Mix but I only use half a package mixed with two cups of salt-less Campbell’s beef broth instead of water. It tastes just as good but is considerably less salty.
After supper, we finished off our individual cartons of Haagen Daz ice cream. Am I the only one who has an overwhelming urge to snack while watching ‘My 600 Pound Life’ ? I love that show, root for each week’s guest star, and am totally happy and inspired by each success story. But every week it is the same thing – I am straight to the ice cream, popcorn, or potato chips. 🤦
The obvious solution would be to quit watching ‘My 600 Pound Life’ but good television is hard to find – especially on Wednesday nights.
I still haven’t found a new winter project. I am torn between cleaning out closets or searching out seed catalogues. Decisions, decisions! Retirement is such a taxing time in one’s life. 🙂
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day!
It has taken me nine days but here it is! The focus of my June ‘Accentuate the Positive’ challenge for today is everyone’s favourite – FOOD. 🥘
The title of this post was my son Dan’s motto growing up. (Ok it is the Pillsbury motto but Dan used it a lot). He loved to eat and now he loves to cook (and he stillloves to eat).
Makin’ Bacon! Five pounds of bacon! We eat a lot of bacon – especially on salad, since bacon has no calories if you put it on salad. 😉Spiced pork salad with homemade croutons. Elegant chef salad with wine. (It’s the wine that makes it elegant). Dan fired up the barbecue. His steaks are good but his seafood is phenomenal.Christmas supper – my favourite part of Christmas! (Or any holiday when I can have turkey). I love the dark meat! 🤶Ham supper – we eat so much asparagus! It is very good for a body and so delicious. Gnocchi stew. It’s like regular beef stew but I don’t have to peel the potatoes. 🙃Loaded nachos – what’s not to love about nachos? Son Dan puts bacon on his nachos and we use spicy hamburger on ours. Both versions are delicious!Last night’s supper (served at 2:30 PM) – chicken fajitas. I am thinking that if I do another challenge, it might be quick, easy, hearty meals to serve at off-times for SHIFTWORKERS. That is a challenge!Butter tarts – coconut on the left and walnut with raisin on the rightTurtle cheesecake – so sweet 😳Of course we have to make dedicated meals for Kat 🐕🦺. We make a big pan full and freeze it in weekly portion for her.
Nine days down and twenty-one days to go! I think I might crush this challenge. 🤔
Have a great day and I hope to see you tomorrow. 👋
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 