#personal beliefs – Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie

Daily Food Diary – Day 194 of 365

July 14, 2025July 14, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 194 Days since I started my Daily Food Diary! 😁🎈

I have a few random topics to touch on today:

On Saturday, I had a major craving for a root beer.. I took a hard pass and had carbonated water. Yesterday, I was looking to have an afternoon snack. Being Sunday, I was thinking of something high in calories and low in nutrition… I had a pear and a handful of raspberries. My Daily Food Diary continues to work for me. 🤗
Ten days ago, I started taking collagen supplements. I don’t know what I was looking for but I wasn’t expecting to see any notable change for six weeks to five months. Oddly enough, for three mornings now I have woken up without stiff, achy hands – for the first time since I can ever remember. 🤔
After one nice warm day of sunshine, we are back to cool, wet weather. We took Molly for her walk before the rain started. We went to Northgate Mall. Dan got a haircut while I wandered the halls counting empty storefronts. We both got wet getting back to the Jeep. 🌨️
Today it is 3 Years and 5 Months since I started my Health & Fitness lifestyle. Last night, I remembered how I used to get a brutal stabbing pain in my right side every time I twisted sideways. I know it was from Slipping Rib Syndrome (floating ribs that slip out of place). But that doesn’t happen anymore. It hasn’t for at least a couple of years. The random benefits of living a healthy, active lifestyle never cease to amaze me. 😁

Daily Food Diary – Day 194

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(2) scrambled eggs (182)

(2) Eggo waffles (180)

(2) tbsp Maple syrup (110)

(3) slices bacon (130)

Snacks:

(1) Pear (103)

(10) Raspberries (10)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) Ham salad wrap (196)

(15) Light Salt potato chips (78)

(1) serving rhubarb cheese cake (227)

Total Net Calories: 1187

Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1187 = 42 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 178 of 365

June 28, 2025June 28, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 178 of my Daily Food Diary. For whatever reason, I am struggling today. I am not feeling well and going for an 8 am walk with Dan and Molly didn’t help. 🤷

I was fine yesterday – in fact this entire week has been going well. I even added a couple of exercises to my daily routine.

First, I went back to adding a strength and cardio workout three afternoons a week. That went well. 💪 😊

Second, I started making a to-do list every day. I keep it simple – just a small effort to make myself a bit more efficient and productive.

One item that I added to my list and completed this week was to finish reading a book that I borrowed from Granddaughter Genie a few weeks ago.

‘ No Mud, No Lotus’ is an excellent book. It offers practical Buddhist practices and exercises to transform the suffering in our lives to joy. For whatever reason, as I got to the last few chapters, I struggled to find time to pick it up and finish it. This week, I put it on my to-do list and I am glad that I did so.

The final chapter discussed Walking Meditation. This is a practice I am familiar with. The author, touched on mindful breathing – which I struggle with. But, he also touched on using this mantra to add peace and focus to this practice…

“I have arrived, I am home.”

I have always been obsessed with the concept of home. A real home, to me, is our most sacred place on Earth.

A home does not have to be a priceless mansion, it does not have to be spotless or perfect, and it definitely does not need a wow factor. 🤦

A home should be comfortable, functional, clean, and cared for. A home should be a refuge for ourselves, our family (including pets), and visitors. Regardless of who you are, or where you go, entering a real home should make you feel welcome, worthy, and safe. Being home, or entering any home, gives you a responsibility to act with respect, dignity, and kindness towards yourself and towards all others within – family, extended family, friends, or strangers.

Finishing this book was more than having the satisfaction of crossing an item off of a list. It was the opportunity to revisit the memories, the experience, and the emotional relief of saying “I have arrived. I am home”. And, it will be a powerful and favourite mantra going forward. 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 178

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(2) eggs (160)

(2) oz ham (57)

(1/4) c green onions (10) (1 SVG)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(2) potato patties (240)

Snacks:

(1) peach (58) (1 SVG)

(15) raspberries (15) (1 SVG)

(72) oz water

Supper:

(6) oz ribeye steak (420)

(1) corn on the cob (78) (1 SVG)

(1) side salad (90) (1 SVG)

(1) baked potato (80)

(1/4) c green onions (1 SVG)

(1 1/2) tbsp French dressing (110)

Total net calories: 1207

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1207 = 31 under 👍

Fruits & vegetables: 6 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 169 of 365

June 19, 2025June 19, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 169 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary.

It is 35 years since I was diagnosed with asthma and 5 years since I was diagnosed with COPD and bronchiectasis. This year, I was diagnosed with chronic sinus issues.

It is 3 years since I began proactively living the health and wellness lifestyle which inspired my Daily Food Diary.

Living with chronic respiratory issues is not easy. Struggling to breathe, day in and day out, is nerve wracking and exhausting. Coughing day in and day out is frustrating to me and annoying to anyone fortunate enough to be around me. Having a severe coughing fit (which I tend to have several times a day) is concerning for me and anyone around me. Whether I will choke to death or drown in my own mucus is up for debate, but it never sounds good.

With chronic respiratory health issues there are countless things that can make matters worse – extreme cold or heat, sitting or laying down, humidity, air pollution, allergies, stress, poor diet choices….

There are also things that can make chronic respiratory disease manageable – medication, lung clearing tools and techniques, stress management, air purifiers, aerobics, walking, being generally active, healthy diet choices….

For the past few days, I have been dealing with more of the ‘making matters worse’ and less of the ‘making matters manageable’.

My lungs, and my body in general, are not happy. But, we are back in our home environment, and working to get back into our regular routine. It isn’t easy.

Yesterday we walked Molly and I did my aerobics. I cleared my lungs a few times and used my rescue inhaler more frequently. I mostly ate better – avoiding sugar and eating vegetables. I spent time outside, sweeping the patio, watering plants, feeding squirrels, and helping Dan put the patio furniture in the gazebo.

It wasn’t easy, but I was constantly inspired by my friend Jackie’s motto. Whenever things got difficult, I reminded myself “We Do Hard Things”.

Life isn’t easy. It isn’t meant to be. But if we can do the hard things, we can handle the challenges. 😊💪

Daily Food Diary – Day 169

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) c Shreddies (200)

(1/4) c milk (28)

(1) tsp sugar (16)

Lunch:

(2) BBQ chicken drumsticks (220)

(1/2) c cauliflower (14) (1 SVG)

(1) carrot (25) (1 SVG)

(3) radishes (16) (1/2 SVG)

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (80)

(12) BBQ potato chips (135)

Snacks:

(32) oz water

(1) Mott’s Clamato Caesar (168) (1 SVG)

Supper:

(5) oz rib steak (350)

(1/2) c mushrooms (22)

(1/5) c red onions (13)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(3/4) c potato salad (330)

(1) side salad – lettuce, green Onions, radishes, black olives, sunflower seeds, French salad dressing, dried fried onions (210) (2 SVG)

Total net calories: 1578

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1578 = 356 over 👎

Fruits & vegetables: 5 1/2 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 153 of 365

June 3, 2025June 3, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 153 since I began posting my Daily Food Diary. 🙌. It is amazing how fast this year is going – one day at a time. 🥳

Yesterday, was a very welcome smoke free day.

We were able to take Molly for a short walk over to the dogpark. Her friend Willy was there. They didn’t do a lot of running, but Molly did take one jog across the park when she noticed I was walking the perimeter checking for dog 💩. Willy took a leisurely stroll when he snatched Molly’s water bowl and tried to sneak off with it. 😂

Yesterday afternoon, I was finally able to get outside to do some yard and garden work.

**My carnation plant is still waiting to go in the front yard flower bed.**

**But Dan’s Bleeding Heart is continuing to thrive and I got pepper plants in yesterday.**

**Meanwhile, Molly took another round out of my poor little watering can.**

Today isn’t looking too promising. I was just outside and it appears the smoke is drifting back in. This could be a laundry and baking day.

Daily Food Diary – Day 153

Breakfast:

(1) Coffee (2)

(1) Granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(1) pear (103) (1 SVG)

(1) peach (51) (1 SVG)

(20) Doritos (255)

Snacks:

(2) mini cucumbers (60) (2 SVG)

(1) c licorice tea

(1) tsp honey (21)

(36) oz water

Supper:

(1.5) Svg. Homemade nachos with unsalted tortilla chips, ground beef with taco seasoning, red pepper, green onions, jalapenos, olives, shredded cheese (852) (2 SVG)

Total net calories: 1219

Net calorie Goal: 1238 – 1219 = 19 under 👍

Total servings fruit & vegetable: 6

Fruit & vegetable goal: 7 👎

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

**2021 Photo of the garden pond. I’m pretty sure that turtle riding gnome became one of Molly’s casualties**. **He disappeared a couple of years ago.** 🙄

Daily Food Diary – Day 116 of 365

April 27, 2025April 27, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is Day 116 of my Daily Food Diary! 🤗

Today, we are enjoying more beautiful spring weather. We just finished our Sunday morning brunch and we are relaxing for a few minutes before we head out for a walk with Molly.

Our walks are getting longer and easier all the time. I am moving easier, faster, and for the most part – far more confidently.

Confidence can be touch and go when walking Molly dog. One minute we are striding along just fine, the next we can be lunging at a ‘free range’ cat or a dead squirrel. 😳

Lately, we have had a couple of granddaughter encounters, while out walking. Genie deliberately came out to meet us one day and on Friday we just happened to run into Maddy. It is always nice to see any of the girls, but it is over the top exciting when Molly sees them. Being on the receiving end of her leash in the midst of such excitement is an experience.

Here is to hoping our walk today will be relatively uneventful. 🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 116

Breakfast:

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

(1/2) grapefruit (39)

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

(1/4) c Jordan’s Granola Honey Crunch (115) (2.5 mg) (5 grams)

Lunch:

(1) Baking Powder Biscuits (92) (45.6 mg)

(1) tsp butter (34) (31.7 mg)

(2) slices bacon (87) (370 mg)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1) c Lemon Ginger tea

(1/3) c unsalted peanuts (112)

Supper:

Yeast free Pan Pizza:

(1) Tortilla wrap (170) (480 mg) (1 gram)

(2) tbsp pizza sauce (17) (104 mg) (1.5 grams)

(4) sl. Deli Ham (114) (34.6 mg)

(15) sl. Pepperoni (150) (610 mg)

(1/2) c mushrooms (22) (1.6 mg)

(1/4) c red onion (15)

(2) tbsp black olives (19) (146 mg)

(1/4) c red pepper (12) (1.5 mg)

(2) oz shredded marble cheese (208) (416 mg)

Total net calories: 1113

Net calorie goal: 1247 – 1113 = 134 under 👍

Total Processed Sugar: 9.6 grams

Processed sugar goal: < 25 grams 👍

Total Sodium: 2248.2 mg

Sodium goal: 1500 to 2300 mg 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 81 of 365

March 23, 2025March 23, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

It is 81 days since I began my Daily Food Diary. This month I have been tracking my protein consumption. I obviously don’t have any trouble getting enough protein in my diet. With only a week to go of this particular exercise, we went all out yesterday.

**Steak & Shrimp Supper** – we do own real dishes and actual placemats 🙄

It is Sunday today – a good day for relaxing and contemplating life. Dwight, one of my amigos, shared a quotation yesterday that made me think, so I decided to pass it on today…

**It is humbling to consider how amazing we are – Body, Mind, and Spirit.** 💞

Daily Food Diary – Day 81

Breakfast:

(1) c Coffee (2) (.3)

(2) eggs scrambled with back bacon, green onion, red pepper, and asparagus fried in butter (289) (25.8)

Snacks:

(1) c Lemon Ginger tea

(1/3) c Dill Pickle Peanuts (300) (11)

(2) sq dark chocolate (113) (.9)

(1/2) c sunflower seeds with shells (120) (4)

(36) oz water

Supper:

(12) oz water

(1) c white rice (242) (4.4)

(2) tbsp soya sauce (15) (1)

(10) Asparagus spears (33) (3.6)

(4) oz minute steak (267) (33.3)

(1/2) c mushrooms (22) (1.7)

(7) Jumbo shrimp (140) (26.8)

(3) tsp butter (1030 (.1)

(2) tbsp Honey Garlic Sauce (45)

Total Calories: 1689

Total Protein: 112.6 grams 😲

Protein daily goal: 46 to 58.5

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

Questioning My Existence

June 3, 2024February 9, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2024

A friend of mine is listening to an audiobook (“Dream Big” by Bob Goff) that poses some interesting questions. She shared a few of these questions and, after thinking about them for a few days, I thought I would share them (and my answers) in a blog post.

Who are you?

As Wayne Dyer would say ” I am a spiritual being having a physical experience.”

Where are you?

I (and my husband) are at an amazing point in our lives where we do not need anyone to take care of us and no one needs us to take care of them. Others occasionally do for us, as we do for them, but no one depends on us and we depend only on each other. At this point, retirement is a wonderful thing. This is our time to ponder life on a deeper level and enjoy each day as it occurs.

What do you want?

I want to spend the rest of my time here striving to reach my potential – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

How many of your ambitions have been mothballed?

One, but it is out of the mothballs. My only ambition is, and has always been, to evolve as far as I can, in the time that I have here. That ambition was mothballed for sixty five years while life happened. Any personal growth that I experienced was accidental or incidental. Now that I am retired, it is my top priority. My days are spent learning and growing, embracing challenges, and clearing my mind to enhance my spirit.

**Do better, be better, live better! 🌞**💞

Take care and have a great rest of your day! 😘

Confidence…

April 8, 2024February 9, 2025 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2024, Health and Fitness

Being as this is Monday, it is time to choose my focus for the week and this week I have chosen to focus on confidence. This won’t be an easy one for me, as I have a serious tendency to lean towards insecurity. Regardless of what I have endured, survived, and succeeded at in life, confidence has always been and remains a challenge for me.

It is beyond time for me to make a conscious effort to rectify this situation. To help get me on the right path, I turned to Google to source out what advice the experts have to offer.