Today is Day 351 of my Daily Food Diary and I am still on track for a perfect run of 365 days! 😁
I have plenty of wins to celebrate today!
First and foremost, my hernia surgery is behind me. I do NOT do hospitals well, but I was fortunate that Dan plugged through the latest experience with me.
Second, despite yesterday’s ‘Alberta Clipper’ which apparently is a heavy freezing rain followed by plunging temperatures and a major blizzard – our family (and our vehicles) survived it with no major issue. (Our power didn’t even go out, while that was the norm in much of the city.)
And third..Yay for warm winter outerwear and the new snowblower we got last year. Dan got our walks, patio, and area behind our garage cleared up in an hour. (Plus did in front of and behind a couple of our neighbours’ homes.)
For my Daily Food Diary December Wrap-up Win of the Day I would have to go with focusing on nutritional values. This morning, Dan made me an awesome breakfast of poached eggs, bacon, and potato patties. An abundance of protein to help me heal from my surgery – easy peasey!
This morning, Facebook sent me a ‘memory’ of the last Christmas tree we had. That was FOUR years ago. That was not a memorable Christmas Season, nor was it a memorable Christmas tree – at least not in a good way.
The tree was perfect, in every sparkly way – until we realized it came complete with a family of shrews. A big family – and they were indestructible, cocky, bizarre little creatures. They lived with us for months before the last of them moved out in the spring.
Good times… 🤦♀️
I am so glad that life has turned around and that we are at a place where I can count my wins each and every day!
#1 – Our first REAL snow of the season.I declined to walk Molly solo this morning, but I did go outside with her to clean our walks and paths around our patios.#2 – I did laundry, including the living room blankets. A win for me because it didn’t bother my lungs AT ALL to spend time in our basement. (Dan has been doing the laundry because it had gotten to be such a struggle for me.) 😊#3 – A win for Molly – Dan had to run over to a friend’s, so he took Molly to meet Tucker, their young Labradoodle. 😁
#4 – Yesterday, I finally hit the trifecta – a walk with Molly, time on the treadmill, and a session with light weights and cardio. 👍
Daily Food Diary – Day 332
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) paratha (240)
(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)
(1) tbsp jam (50)
Lunch:
(1) Harvest hot dog (160)
(10) Lays lightly salted chips (1=5)
(1/2) Oz onion dip (20)
Supper:
(2) servings nachos with ground turkey, red pepper, jalapeños, olives, green onions, shredded habanero cheese. Salsa (865)
Total consumed calories: 1587
Total used calories: 280
(30) min walking (137)
(30) min treadmill (71)
(30) min light weights (71)
Total net calories: 1307
Net calories goal: 1208 – 1307 = 99 over
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day. 💞🤗
Our skies are clear, our air is smoke free, and we are finally starting an entire week of actual summer temperatures.
Dan and I took Molly for an uncharacteristically uneventful walk this morning. We did stop at the dog park where Molly got in a few short solo runs across the park.
I have to cut this one short. Our garden is starting to wilt and it’s not going to water itself!
Daily Food Diary – Day 237
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Cheerios (147)
(1/4) c 2 % milk (28)
Lunch:
(1) cheese tortilla wrap (170)
(2) oz ham (57)
(1) oz marble cheese (113)
(1/4) c white cooking onion (3)
Snacks:
(14) hickory smoked almonds (70)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(2 1/2) c chicken stir fry – orange carrots, green onions, cabbage & celery, brown mushrooms, red pepper, chicken filets, ramen noodles (622)
(1) vegetable spring roll (100)
(4) Gyoza (133)
Total net calories: 1022
Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1022 = 207 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😊❤️
It is 174 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary. I am excited that I have gotten this far without missing a day. I am equally excited and totally grateful for everyone who is still stopping by regularly to check on my progress and lend your support. Thank you! 🤗💞
Yesterday, I returned to my scaled back strength training. Considering how hard it was for me to conquer those five pound weight exercises when I was trying to move up in weights, I was pretty impressed at how well I did. I did two sets, of ten exercises and I was easily able to maintain control and ensure I did not stress my hernia.
This morning, I was sitting here feeling pretty good about myself and I heard my Mother say “I told you so!”.
My Mother, still mothering months before she passed away in 2013.
Yes, my Mother passed away twelve years ago, but she was pretty relentless – especially when it came to passing on her wisdom and advice and reminding us of both when we failed to follow either and ultimately suffered the consequences.
Now that I likewise try to pass on my own advice and wisdom to younger generations, I get it. But, I digress.
When my Mother was still with us, I went through several challenging times. Instead of the pity and outrage I wanted, my Mother would say “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger!” Being the younger generation at the time, I would think “Just kill me already.”
Now I get it. All of those challenges that I fought, resented, and stumbled through did ultimately make me stronger. They gave me the experience and the coping skills to handle whatever life hands me now – with faith, dignity, and respect – for my Mother and for myself.
Today I can honestly say “You were, Mom – you were right!” 🙄
It is 167 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary.
Yesterday was NOT my best effort when it came to maintaining a healthy diet. My last few days haven’t been a great effort. But, like everything else in life, I got to decide and I decided to ‘take a break’ rather than make health and wellness my top priority.
I can’t say it was a great decision. Travelling for a number of hours is hard on my lungs. I do not move enough to keep my lungs clear. Traveling through forest fire smoke, to an area enveloped in forest fire smoke for a few days, was not good. Being negligent about clearing my lungs, doing my aerobics, and managing my diet was on me. But… I stayed accountable and I take responsibility for the consequences of the decisions I made.
I cannot change the decisions I made, but I can and will get back on track. And… I will be prepared to make better choices the next time we go away. There are some things I cannot control (like forest fire smoke). I can eat better, do my aerobics and lung clearing, and plan stops for moving around during our trips – even if that means having to do occasional walkthroughs at malls or big box stores, to avoid smoke or inclement weather.
Despite everything, we had a good week, quality time with family, and we are back home happy for the memories we made.
First time on a trampoline – just standing up was a win. And first time on a zipline.Molly wallowing in the attention of Lucas and friend Emily. Dan and Amanda’s deck. The gazebo holds a huge round gas firepit, next is the lounging area, and the bottom area is the dining area. The original deck, to the side of the house, houses the hot tub, barbecue, smoker, and flat grille.
Everything at Dan and Amanda’s is designed to keep their family active and to entertain visitors. The kids have their zipline and trampoline, a geodesic climbing structure, and a wooden playhouse with a slide leading down to their sandbox. Their above ground pool needs to be replaced this year. Dan and Amanda are in the process of designing an addition to their deck to build in the new pool.
As much as it is all pretty impressive, nothing is designed to impress. Everything indoors and out is built to be functional (and fun).
Daily Food Diary – Day 167
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) c Cheerios (147)
(1/4) c 2 % milk (28)
(1/2) slice home cured & smoked bacon (42)
Lunch:
(1) Arby’s Dbl roast beef (no bun) (200)
(1) tbsp Horsey sauce (60)
(1/2) Arby’s crinkle cut fries (265)
(1) Arby’s gravy (35)
Snacks:
(60) oz water
(1) waffle sundae w/ chocolate sauce (450)
(1/4) c mixed nuts (180)
(25) lightly salted ripple chips (270)
Total Net Calories: 1680
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1680 = 442 over 👎
Total fruits & vegetables: 0 servings
Fruit and vegetable goal: 7 servings
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day. 💞🤗
I had expected more noticeable growth to our plants when we got back – but they are all alive and the flowers, tomatoes, and peppers are blooming. 😊
This is Day 161 of my Daily Food Diary. That is a solid 23 WEEKS! 😃
We are now away from our home base and spending a few days with son Dan and family.
Yesterday was our travel day here so I missed doing my morning aerobics workout. I also missed out on any walking, due to heavy smoke drifting through Saskatchewan and settling here once we arrived. Son Dan spent the day putting together an amazing supper of home made baked beans and smoked ribs. Daughter in Law, Amanda, topped it off with a decadent Gin and Tonic. All in all, the results of my Daily Diary are a cautionary tale of traveling and visiting family.
Today, things are looking up. While it is still too smokey to go out for a walk, I did get my aerobic workout in and I had a workout buddy to work with.
Grandson Cason
Six year old Cason came up to do my aerobic workout with me. We finished that and he chose one of his favourite You Tube workout challenges and we did that as well. 💞
Daily Food Diary – Day 161 of 365
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) tsp butter (69)
(1) tsp olive oil (40)
(2) eggs (160)
(1 1/2) slices Piller’s shaved ham (25)
(2) green onions (12) (1 SVG)
Lunch:
(1) A & W Teen Burger (no bun) (390) (1 SVG)
(1) Reg. Fries (310)
(1) Reg gravy (69)
Snacks:
(1) Gin & Tonic (110)
(24) oz water
Supper:
(1 ) c brown beans (600) (2 SVG)
(3) BBQ smoked pork ribs (540)
(1) c raw vegetables (35) (2 SVG)
(2) tbsp ranch dressing (155)
Total Net Calories: 2417
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 2417 = 1179 over 👎
Fruits & Vegetables: 6 servings
Fruits & Vegetables goal: 7 servings 👎
That’s it for today! Take care and have a great day! 🥰🌞
It is 158 Days since I began my Daily Food Diary! 🙌
It is 3 Years and 4 Months since I became more mindful and pro-active about my health in general.
As it has been with my previous efforts – exercise, stress management, sleep habits, deep breathing – my Daily Food Diary has been a positive experience. The benefits have far exceeded the effort I have put into it.
Rather than trying to improve my diet all at once, I am focussing on one diet issue each month.
In January, I noted everything I consumed each day – and for accountability purposes began posting it on my blog… That was enough to discover that I do not drink nearly enough water and that I was constantly reaching for something to snack on. I wasn’t hungry, it was not emotional eating… It was just mindless snacking. I am still working on the water but the mindless snacking is no longer an issue. And I have lost Ten Pounds since January 1st.
In February, I started counting calories – and pretty much quit eating Fast Food, which is seriously high in calories, sodium, processed sugar, and saturated fats.
In March, I trackedthe protein I was consuming. I eat a lot of high protein food. I wasn’t too concerned as I do daily workouts and protein builds muscle! 💪
In April, I tracked my processed sugar and sodium consumption. I found how even a little sugar negatively affects my lungs and that I consume way too much sodium. I am still working on both!
In May, I tracked the saturated fats I consumed. That high protein diet from March came back to bite me in the butt. I am still working on cutting back on the saturated fats and incorporating more brown beans, barley, and oatmeal into our diet to keep our arteries clear and our cholesterol levels down.
In June, my focus is on tracking and increasing the fruits and vegetables that I consume. I thought this month was going to be an easy win. It isn’t, but I will save that story for tomorrow’s blog. 🥕
Dan got our little lawn ornaments clear coated this week. The ‘Kat’ angel is tucked into her forever home in the ground cedar. The frog will find a place by the pond once we get it cleaned out and the pumps operating.
Daily Food Diary – Day 158
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(3) crumpets (240)
(2) tsp butter (69)
(1 1/2) tsp jam (75)
Snacks:
48 oz water
(1) pear (103) (1 SVG)
(1) kiwi (46) (1 SVG)
(1) oz almonds (168)
(6) mini Easter eggs (85)
*** Yes, I did give our granddaughter Genie a couple of hundred of those candy coated chocolate Easter eggs, but the bag just keeps on giving. Note to self – never buy a little bag of candy when standing in a BIG store. Size is relative. 🤦
Supper:
(2) Pork Souvlaki Kebabs (160)
(1) c white rice (242)
(1) c broccoli (60) (2 SVG)
(2) tsp butter (69)
(1) tbsp soya sauce (15)
(8) lg. Grape tomatoes (22) (1 SVG)
(1) mini cucumber (10) (1 SVG)
(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (80)
Total Net Calories: 1270
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1270 = 32 over 👎
Total Fruits & Vegetables: 6 servings
Fruits & Vegetable goal: 7 servings 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 🥰🌹
It is 156 Days since I began my Daily Food Diary. That is more than posting here on my blog, consistently for the past 156 days. That is 156 Days of being mindful of everything I consume and making deliberate decisions to consume or to walk away. My life is all about balance, so perfection has never been my goal, but after 156 days, my diet has improved. 🙌
Our yard is also improving. Dan finished installing the new planters he built for the front yard.
This one replaced the wood landscaping log one that had seen its best days. Dan cleaned out a LOT of lilies, trimmed a LOT of raggedy growth off of the Weeping Willow, and added a LOT of fresh dirt. This planter is just to clean up an area under our bedroom window. I love the lattice! The flowers are coming along nicely but they disappeared in the morning sun. 🙄Molly approves….
Daily Food Diary – Day 156
Breakfast:
(1) coffee (2)
(1/2) grapefruit (39) (1 SVG)
(1/2) tsp sugar (8)
(1) peanut butter/cream cheese cookie (167)
Lunch:
(1/2) c cauliflower (14) (1 SVG)
(1/2) c red pepper (23) (1 SVG)
(1) mini cucumber (30) (1 SVG)
(12) Doritos (153)
Snacks:
(36) oz water
(6) oz Clamato Juice (45) (1/2 SVG)
(12) sm. Pickled asparagus spears (45)(1/2 SVG)
Supper:
Pan Pizza:
(1) sun dried tomato tortilla wrap (200)
(15) slices pepperoni (150)
(5) slices Piller’s shaved ham (68)
(1/3) c shredded marble cheese (119)
(1/2) cup sliced mushrooms (10)
* Mushrooms do not count as vegetable 😢
(1/2) c orange pepper (23) (1 SVG)
(1/4) c red onion (1/2 SVG)
(1/4) c black olives (6) (1/2 SVG)
(1) lg. Serving of Apple Crisp (227) (1 SVG)
Net total calories: 1170
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1170 = 68 under👍
Total fruits & vegetables: 8 servings
Total fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞☺️
It is 148 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary. 148 Days without ONE MISS! 🔥🎉🔥
It has been 5 Years since I retired. At the time, I was in poor health. I had no idea what I would, or could, do with my retirement. AND… I went through an identity crisis of sorts.
I was no longer the work that I did. My parents were gone, so I wasn’t engaged as a daughter (as I had been). I wasn’t actively parenting, or even grandparenting (due to COVID and family dynamics at the time). With Dan working 13 hour shifts, I was on my own A LOT. And I spent much of the time trying to figure out who, or what, I was.
Throughout my life, I have come to know a handful of rare and wonderful people who stood out. They were people who were always so consistent and solid that I KNEW they NEVER doubted who they were – anytime or anywhere. But I couldn’t put my finger on why – or what they did differently. I just knew that I wanted to be one of them. 🤔
Recently, I finally figured it out. These people who always stood out to me embodied the core values that I had been raised to value.
I was very fortunate growing up because my parents did stress core values that would help me to appreciate and enjoy the good times in my life. They also stressed the core values that would help me to get through the challenges and the difficult time.
I always knew these core values were important, and I valued them, but somehow I thought they were rules about how to treat others. If I treated people a certain way, it would keep me out of trouble, it would make them like me, it would make people validate my self worth. I always wondered if I was being sincere, or if others believed I was sincere, because I was using these values as bartering tools.
Five years into my retirement I finally get it. Core values are not something we have or something we use…. Our core values are who we are. 🤦
*** I need to make a retraction or a clarification to an earlier post where I was talking about my drinking (or non drinking) history. At one point I said I started drinking more (at least more regularly) once my husband Dan came into my life. I did not mean to imply that Dan drove me to drink… We were just at a place where we had the freedom, means, and motivation to socialize more than was ever typical for me – with each other and with his hockey team.. etc.
Dan, holding baby Cason. Very much the man I married. 💞
Daily Food Diary – Day 148
Breakfast:
(1) coffee (2)
(1) tsp olive oil (40) (.7 grams)
(2) eggs (160) (3 grams)
(4) slices shaved ham (54) (.5 grams)
(4) mushrooms (11)
(2) green onions (16)
(3) asparagus spears (15)
Snacks:
(60) oz water
(1) mango (135) (.1 gram)
Supper:
(1) potato (163)
(2) tsp butter (69) (4.7 grams)
(7) jumbo shrimp (140) (1.2 grams)
(1) tsp olive oil (40) (.7 grams)
(15) asparagus spears (49)
(4) mushrooms (40)
(2) green onions (16)
(5) oz beef strip sirloin (225) (3.8 grams)
(1) Lemon oatmeal cookie (68) (.6 grams)
Total net calories: 1089
Net calorie goal: 1243 – 1089 = 154 under 👍
Total saturated fats: 15.4 grams
Saturated fats goal: 13.75👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a good day! ☺️💕
It has been 138 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary! 💃🕺
Yesterday, I blew my nutrition goals again BUT once again, the extra calories were justified.
Yesterday, grandson Rory came over to help clean up our front yard. He did the heavy work of raking up the lawn, but I cleaned up two big flower beds and and I helped him bag all of his hard work. (Several bags!)
Rory, Molly, and I – wrapping up for the day. I love this photo that Dan took. It took time to get Molly onboard but I think it turned out so perfect!
It will be a few days before Rory can come back to work up the garden planters for me. It rained all night and it doesn’t look like we will be seeing any sunshine until next weekend. It is frustrating, but it will be nice to see the city turn fresh and green.
Molly and I took another solo trip around the neighborhood yesterday, after Rory left. The humidity makes it harder for me to walk, but hopefully we can keep getting out there this week.
Dan is here and he is fine, but the cold wet weather is affecting his joints so he has been focussed on working in the garage. I can’t wait for him to finish the new planters he is building. I think I have enough plants to fill them, but that remains to be seen.
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 