Tag: nature

Daily Food Diary – Day 193 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 193 of my Daily Food Diary.  Today is also SUNDAY. 

Being retired, one does not generally dwell on days of the week.  Sundays, or at least Sundays in our household,  have a unique flow to them.

This morning, I slept in until 7:00 AM.  I could have slept longer.  I was up at 3 AM dealing with a coughing fit that refused to pass.  Dan was up early, dealing with Molly. So there was no good reason why I had to get up.  Alas, Molly felt otherwise. 

Morning Breath!

I was up at seven, and by eight we were heading out for our morning walk.   Even in a neighbourhood surrounded by major roadways, Sunday morning walks are peaceful.   This morning, we detoured through two parks.  We were surrounded by nature and sunshine. 🤗

When we got back home, we whipped up a quick Sunday morning breakfast.  By the time we finished eating, it was time for Dan to head out to pick up granddaughter Maddy to take her to work – another Sunday morning ritual in our lives. 💓

I gave Molly her Sunday pig’s ear.  Being primarily cartilage, it is a great source of collagen for her – and one of her favourite treats.

I headed outdoors to my personal retreat, to write my daily blog and soak in the sounds of Sunday – from the water feature in our pond, to the birds, to the muffled sounds of traffic in a city slowly coming to life.

Daily Food Diary – Day 193

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1/2) grapefruit (39)

(1/2) tsp sugar (8)

(1) granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(2) oz roast beef (109)

(12) French fries (120)

(1) c broccoli (60)

(4) tbsp gravy (20)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(10) chicken wing flats (425)

(6) multigrain crackers (180)

(6) vegetable thins (40)

(2) c raw vegetables – cucumber, mini carrots, cauliflower, radishes, broccoli (100)

(2) tbsp Frank’s honey garlic sauce (40)

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (80)

Total net calories: 1209

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1209 = 20 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! 💞🌞

Daily Food Diary – Day 71 of 365 

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It has been 71 days since I began my Daily Food Diary.   It has become an important part of my personal healthcare, but it is only one part.

Keeping active is a part that I have been working on for the past three years.  I do aerobics every morning, I dance when the urge hits me, I do strength training with light weights three times a week (when I am not waiting for hernia surgery), and I love to walk – especially when the weather is nice and the path is free of snow and ice.

We are fortunate to have miles and miles of well kept paths in and around our city.  Some of those ‘around’ the city are more challenging, but most are easily walkable. 

When I am out walking, one thing that I generally notice is the lack of others who are likewise out and about.    Regardless of season, weather,  time of day, or path we choose,  these well kept paths are  a lifeless stretch as far as the eye can see (other than squirrels or geese). AND… In Saskatchewan, we can generally see pretty far. 

Walking in nature is such an easy and awesome way to improve and maintain our health and well being.    I can’t imagine why our paths seem so under utilized.  Is this normal?

Food Diary – Day 71

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2) (.3)

(1) Plain Paratha (240) (7)

(1) Tbsp Peanut Butter (105) (4)

(2) Tsp jam (33) (.1)

Snacks:

(24) oz water

(1) c tea

(1/2) c raspberries (32) (.7)

(1 1/2) pc matrimonial cake (208) (1.5)

(25) Lay’s Salt & Vinegar chips (230) (2)

Supper:

(2) servings Chicken Caesar Salad (700) (16)

(2) slices bacon (87) (5.9)

(2) tbsp dried fried onions (33)

(12) oz carbonated water

Total Calories: 1671

Total Protein:  37.5 grams

Protein goal for the day: 46 to 58.5 grams

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 67 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 67 days since I began tracking everything I consume each day.   This is just another step to living a healthy lifestyle.

Fresh air and exercise are both important to  me as well.  Yesterday, I nailed both with a nice walk along the bike paths in the A. E. Wilson Park on the west side of Regina.  It is a huge park with playgrounds, a toboggan hill, a creek opening up into at least one small lake, open prairie, and miles of well maintained paths for bikers, hikers, and dogs to enjoy.

It was warm enough to take my gloves off, so I took a few photos. You might have to zoom in to see what I was trying to take a picture of.  🙄

Canada Geese by the open water
Dan & Molly – Molly was excellent yesterday, even when we encountered other dogs. 👍
Bunnies in the snow

Food Diary – Day 67

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2) (.3)

(2) potato patties (240) (2)

(2) Eggs with ham and green onions pan fried in olive oil (260) (24)

Snack:

(24) oz water

(1) c tea

(1/3) c Dill Pickle peanuts (170) (8)

(1/2) c Raspberries (32) (.7)

(1) Vodka Caesar with Pickled Asparagus                   (178) (3)

Supper:

(1) c Homemade Bacon Beans (300) (12)

(2) Hotdogs (no bun) (360) (12)

(1) Side Salad with dressing & dried fried onions  (160) (5)

(14) oz water

Total Calories: 1702

Total Protein: 67 grams

Protein Daily Goal: 46-58 grams

Notes:

  1. It has been a few weeks since Dan bought me a cruet for olive oil to keep on the cupboard next to the stove.   We have been using the oil for any pan frying, instead of butter.   It has been a simple and painless cut to a less healthy option.
  2. The baked beans yesterday were amazing.  I found a recipe that we both like.   I did switch out the one cup of tomato juice and five cups of water for two cups of tomato juice and four cups of home made chicken broth.         https://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-baked-beans-in-tomato-sauce-341593

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 54 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 54 days into my Daily Food Diary.  I am not starting to slide, I am running later than usual this morning because I had to get to an appointment with the hernia surgeon. 

Everything is fine, he is going ahead with surgery – under general anesthesia this time.   Surgery will probably happen three or four months from now. 

I am fine with the wait.  As long as I take care, the hernia does not bother me.  The wait also gives me time to Goggins up and build up my respiratory system as much as possible before I go under the anesthetic. 

Our weather is co-operating with my intention to get more active and get more fresh air.  The sun is shining and it is beautiful out!

A few weeks away, but I am ready to lose the  winter boots, grab the sneakers, and get out to enjoy some nature walks.

Food Diary – Day 54

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) slices bacon No Name thin low salt (140)

(2) large eggs (140)

(1/4) med tomato (6)

(6) oz coconut water (34)

(25) No Name BBQ chips (270)

(9) Almonds (90)

(1) c tea

(1 1/2) c Habitant pea soup (271)

(5) Sofa Crackers (63)

Total Calories: 1247

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

Garden Update

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2023

Our yard is coming together, so I thought I would share a few random photos. From day one this year, we have had smoke drifting in and out from Alberta wildfires and I have been fighting off a lung infection that just doesn’t want to let go. Most of the outside work has fallen on husband Dan. If you compare our yard this year with how it has been in the past, there is a clear winner when it comes to landscaping around here. (It isn’t me 😂).

I bought the new rosebush but Dan planted it by the freshly cleaned pond.
It is hard to see, but Dan created the cutest fencing around this corner flowerbed. 💞
Got a little too magical with the gold paint but I love this old plaque and love where Dan put it.
Workout corner – Dan is still working on getting the big punching bag setup together. 🤛
Some cleanup and a fresh coat of paint to the planters coming along – soon!
More detail of the ‘Keep Molly Out of the Garden’ fence that Dan installed. So far so good. 👍

That is about it for today. I will have more photos to share as the season progresses.

Take care and have a beautiful SUNDAY! 🌞💞

Natural Beauty

by annemariedemyen, posted in August 2022

Our weather is overcast today and a few degrees cooler than it has been. Other than the adorable GoldenDoodle that Molly got to play with on our walk this morning, our neighbourhood seems to be just a little gloomy.

Fortunately, our Genie is out and about taking in the scenes in Toronto with her new iphone 13 Pro Max. I am not sure how anyone gets that excited about using any new piece of technology, but I am grateful that she sent me plenty of new photos to share.

Today I decided to focus on a few of her nature shots….

I think she is doing great with her new phone but these kids were born into technology. I remember Genie sitting on my knee playing games on our computer, when she was too small to reach the top of the desk on her own. I also remember the day my boss bought me my very first calculator. 🤣

Anyway, that’s it for today. Take care and have a good day! 💞🤗

Molly’s First City Walk

by annemariedemyen, posted in June 2022

We finally did it! I took Molly for her first official walk yesterday. We went around our block and to say it went badly is an understatement. She had two speeds – fast and stop and she insisted on walking right in front of me or right behind me (perpendicular to me of course 🙄).

Molly’s First Walk

This morning Molly seemed bored. (Sometimes, it is hard to tell if Molly is bored or tired, but when she stole the bra out of my drawer and went racing around the yard with it flapping in the wind , she didn’t appear to be tired). I decided this could be as good a time as ever to try walking her again. I traded her a Milk Bone for my bra and got her into her harness and leash.

Today went much better. I took Molly to the ball diamonds across the street (a ways) from our house.

Past the housing complex and seniors building and across the open field to the ball diamonds.
Rest Break

Molly did fairly well on the way to the ball diamonds. I took her into one of the diamonds and walked the bases with her, teaching her to walk nicely on my left side. It took about 30 sudden u-turns but she got the hang of it and walked home like a pro – even when we had to walk past the scary miniature dachshund (in the fenced in yard ten feet from where we were walking).

I stopped to chat with a neighbour. Molly politely said hi and proceeded to roll into the one patch of mud on our block.

We practiced sitting to wait before crossing our street. Finally, I stopped for a chat with Liam and Molly sat (occasionally rolled) patiently.

All in all, today went pretty well. It will be interesting to see if she remembers the lessons tomorrow and fun to see how things progress on busier and more distracting paths.

That is it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞

February 11th – For the Love of Trees

by annemariedemyen, posted in Updates - February 2022

Back in June of 2020, I shared a post dedicated to the trees around our neighbourhood. For my update today, I give you – more trees!

https://seclusion101withannemarie.com/2020/06/17/for-the-love-of-trees/

There is nothing more perfect than the beautiful imperfection of trees. 🌲

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

February 5th – Ontario

by annemariedemyen, posted in Updates - February 2022

While going through my archives looking for today’s post to update, I came across this one highlighting our trip to Ontario some years ago.  Every photo in this post still holds the happiest of memories for me. 😊

Along with the beautiful Ontario scenery and sites, I will always carry the fondest memories of the people that we met during our visit.  From the time we stepped off of the airplane at the Pearson International Airport, to our visit to Construction Specialties Inc., to our time spent at restaurants, hotels, shops, and tourist attractions,  the people of Ontario  were exceptionally friendly, considerate and helpful.  They made our visit truly special.💞

https://seclusion101withannemarie.com/2019/12/06/ontario/

I have only one update for this post – Dan’s sister has moved back to Ontario and I cannot wait until we can go to visit her and this beautiful province! 😊

That is it for today. Take care and have a great day!💞

November 12th – Inspired Life

by annemariedemyen, posted in Wisdom - November 2021

Life is so short and precious, that we should always strive to be inspired. Unfortunately, that is not the reality for most of us – or at least it is not my reality. I have days when I am tired or stuck or bored or impatient for something to come along to inspire me. At times such as those, rather than just waiting helplessly, I turn to words of wisdom to re-inspire me.

Today, being one such day, I searched, I found, and I decided to make this my wisdom share of the day.

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud”

– Maya Angelou

“Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”

– Albert Camus

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

– Leonardo da Vinci

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it”

– Edith Wharton

“Pleasure is always derived from something outside you, whereas joy arises from within.”

– Eckhart Tolle

“Within all of us is a divine capacity to manifest and attract all that we need and desire.”

– Wayne Dyer

“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.”

– Henry David Thoreau

That is it for today! Take care and have a wonderfully inspired day. 💞