Tag: living well

Daily Food Diary – Day 226 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 226 of my Daily Food Diary. 🥳

Yesterday was another busy day around here!

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! 💕🌞

Daily Food Diary – Day 206 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 206 of my Daily Food Diary.  Today is also my 70th birthday!

Dan went to get my birthday cake yesterday and bought me TWO birthday cards. My sister Elaine also sent me a card to mark the occasion.  She makes all of her own greeting cards and they are always amazing. 

“It’s not how old we are in life.  It’s how bold we are in life.” 🙌
Best cake EVER.  I love salted caramel and in cake form it is over the top.

Dan and I are going to Montana’s for supper.  We just had an amazing steak a couple of days ago and I have been craving ribs so RIBS it is!

Neither Dan or I could think of any present that I could want or need.  Then I decided that I would like to go to Gravelbourg next week to put new flowers on my parents and grandparents graves and repaint the letters on my Uncle Herman’s gravestone.  My Dad worked as a stonemason in his younger years so he carved the gravestone himself.  Uncle Herman passed away from leukemia when he was only twenty-five.  His passing left a profound mark on my Dad throughout his life.

Anyway, I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate my 70th birthday by showing my appreciation for my parents and ancestors.  I would not have been blessed with the years I have had,  were it not for them.  🌹

Daily Food Diary – Day 206

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Cheerios (147)

(2) oz 2% milk

Lunch:

(2) eggs (160)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(1 1/2) oz ham (67)

(2) green onions (16)

(2) almond flour chocolate chip cookies (100)

(10) Raspberries (10)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(1) lg. Dinner salad (356)

(4) oz tenderloin (120)

Total net calories: 799

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 799 = 529 under 👍

* I wasn’t starving myself yesterday.  I did my aerobics and my cardio/weights yesterday, so that brought my net calories down.  Also, my pulled muscle was pretty uncomfortable after all that deep breathing at my lung function test yesterday morning so I just wasn’t hungry. 

* Highlighted items contain significant collagen or significantly  contribute to the production of collagen

A personal note of appreciation from me to you. 🌹

Daily Food Diary – Day 117 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is the 117th day since I began posting my Daily Food Diary. ☺️ Today is also federal election day in Canada. 🙄

For the past month, every politician,  newscaster, and everyone with an opinion on social media have been blasting us on  how this is  the most important Canadian election EVER.   It is imperative that we  make the right decision when we decide how to use our  vote or we will suffer the consequences for lifetimes to come! 

In July, I will be turning seventy.  Over the years I have made countless decisions – some more important than others.  I have made great decisions (in my mind) that have ultimately led to heartbreak and regret.   I have made poor decisions (made out of desperation) that led to the most amazing results in my life.  I have occasionally opted out, avoiding making any decision until someone or something made it for me. (That has never been good).

I made one of my most memorable decisions when I was a mere three years old.  I was in my father’s shop where he had been  working.  He had to turn his back for a moment and he issued a stern warning to stay far away from a red-hot rod that he had been welding.   In my defense, I was THREE and it was a very pretty shade of red.  I couldn’t possibly hurt it by picking it up for just a second.  In retrospect, I may not have thought this one through.  There wasn’t really an upside to that decision – other than I could have learned to take decisions more seriously following that incident.  

One of my most recent and one of the best  decisions that I have made, was when I decided to make my health and wellness my top priority.  The results of that decision have all been far better than I could ever have imagined three years ago.  

I have only one regret when it comes to the decision I made to prioritize my health.   I do  regret that I did not do it sooner.   But, I learned that it is never too late to make a good decision.

The decisions we make  regarding our values, our principles, and our priorities matter!   These decisions,  will have consequences – for better or worse, for lifetimes to come.  

Deciding which name to check off on an election ballot? In my opinion, not so much.   We choose our own fate – not a handful of politicians.

Daily Food Diary – Day 117

Breakfast:

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

(4) thin sliced bacon (173) (739 mg)

(2) scrambled eggs (160) (480 mg)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(1/8) tbsp milk (1) (.9 mg)

(1/4) c mushrooms (11) (.8 mg)

(1) green onion (8)

(2) potato patties (240)(420 mg)

(1/2) tomato (11) (3.1)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1) c  Tumeric Tea

(24) Salt & Vinegar chips (270) (450 mg)

Supper:

(2) c chicken noodle soup (320) (850 mg)

(2) Baking Powder Biscuits (184) (91.2 mg)

(2) tsp butter (69) (63.3 mg)

(2/3) c French vanilla ice cream (211) (39.6 mg) (19.8 g)

(8) pecans (52)

(1) tbsp chocolate syrup (33) (22.2 mg) (5.9 grams)

Total net calories: 1712

Net calorie goal: 1247 – 1712 = 465 over 👎

Total Processed sugar: 25.7 grams

Processed sugar goal: 25 grams 👎

Total Sodium: 3164.8 mg

Sodium goal: 1500 to 2300 mg 👎

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

This pic was taken years ago.  Our granddaughter Maddy was helping me put together a spring bouquet for my in-laws grave.  Not surprisingly, Maddy chose an abundance of blossoms that were sunshine yellow! 🌞

Daily Food Diary – Day 108 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 108 Days since I started keeping my Daily Food Diary.

Over the past 108 days, I have made some disturbing revelations about my consumption habits and the foods that I assumed were healthier (or less unhealthy) than they are.

I have also learned a few ‘good to know’ things.  Mrs. Dash seasoning is not only salt free, it is also processed sugar and chemical free!  Hard taco shells are relatively low in sodium and contain no processed sugar.   I am still learning and appreciating the ‘Lose It!’  App that Terry from  http://radicallyretired.com  introduced me to.   AND… I am still enjoying following Dr. Mark Hyman, who  shares a wealth of nutrition  information on LinkedIn. 

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drhyman_a-study-in-plos-medicine-just-confirmed-what-activity-7318714865034899457-gRUM?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=android_app&rcm=ACoAAEX04IEBYVjQ3nVnIhzxWf3ysVJtCMfnJLo&utm_campaign=copy_link

I am excited to celebrate Easter with my first blossom of the season.  I cannot plant my seedlings for another month so I’m not too sure how this will pan out in the long run but I thought it was exciting enough to share. 🥰

Morning Glory! 🌞

Daily Food Diary – Day 108

Breakfast:

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

(3) slices bacon (130) (554 mg)

(15) tater tots (233) (333 mg)

Snacks:

(1) c Lemon Ginger tea

(24) oz water

(1) pear (103) (1.8 mg)

Supper:

(3) Taco Shells (195) (82.5)

(6) oz ground chicken (238) (128)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(1) tsp taco seasoning (13) (373 mg)

(1/2) c lettuce (3) (1.4 mg)

(1/2) tomato (12) (3.1 mg)

(1/4) c green onions (10)

(10) Doritos (127) (191 mg)

Total net calories: 1152

Net calorie goal: 1255 – 1152 = 103 under 👍

Total Processed Sugar: 0 Grams

Processed sugar goal: < 25 grams 👍

Total Sodium: 1672.5 mg

Sodium goal: 1500 to 2300 mg 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 102 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 102 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary in an effort to become more mindful of what I consume.   It is also Three Years & Two Months since I started this Health & Fitness Lifestyle that I have adopted.

Over the past few years, I have joined different Facebook Groups.   Shortly after I started working out, I joined one that is for those who follow David Goggins.  For me, his work pushes me past my comfort zone and challenges me to continually expand my potential.  In three years, I have come much further than  I would have imagined possible.  For a lot of the other members, their goal seems to be about proving the superiority of their political views.  🙄

When, I broke my arm a couple of years ago, I joined a ‘fractured humerus’ group.  I know everyone is different, as is every injury.  But I was amazed that within nine weeks, I was fully healed, while the majority of members were still confined to a recliner 24/7.  I had to wonder if they would ever heal,  if they never moved.  It seemed to me that my level of  activity had given me an edge. 💪

Lately, I joined a group for people with bronchiectasis.   I have struggled to find information on this condition – even from health professionals.  Most ‘chronic lung disease’ research seems to be aimed at COPD.   Many of the new members in this group seem to find likewise.  They join  asking for tips on what they can or should be doing.   Other members offer advice on what tests they should request,  which medications are most effective, and which lung clearing devices to purchase.  I find it bizarre that they do not  mention exercise, diet, or stress control – all of which are far more important than anything for me. 🚶🍎 🧘

I have gotten some valuable information  from the different groups that I have joined, but I struggle to stay engaged.  It seems that for the most part, I am on my own specific path for this Health and Fitness Journey.  As long as it is working for me,  I guess it doesn’t matter, but it seems odd  – because what I am doing does work for me. 😊

Daily Food Diary – Day 102

Breakfast:

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

(1/2) grapefruit (41)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8) (2.1 grams)

Lunch:

(2.1) oz chicken breast (89) (27.4 mg)

(24) Lightly salted Lays potato chips (134)  (48 mg) (.5 grams)

Snacks:

30 oz water

(1) c Hibiscus tea

(1/4) cup unsalted peanuts (83) (3.8 mg)

Supper:

(4) oz pork chop (130) (190 mg)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(1) c Rice. (242)

(1) tbsp soya sauce (15) (610 mg)

(1) c peas (111) (156 mg)

(2) tsp butter (69) (63.3 mg)

(2) sq 85% dark chocolate (125) (3 grams)

Total net calories: 983

Net calorie goal: 1269 – 983 = 286 under 👍

Total Sodium: 1103.2 mg

Sodium goal: 1500 to 2300 mg  👍

Total Processed sugar: 5.6 grams

Processed sugar goal: < 25 grams 👍

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