Daily Food Diary – Day 267 of 365

Today is Day 267 of my Daily Food Diary! 💝

This is starting out to be a good day.  Dan is off golfing so Molly and I went solo on our walk.  We both went the distance without any issues whatsoever. 😀

Yesterday did not go as planned.  I did walk Molly and I got my workouts in.  My baking date with Jen fell apart.  She had errands to run and work to do on her truck..plus a bit of a vehicle tuneup demo that she gave to Maddy and her friends who are all working on their Drivers Training this year.  (If you are going to drive, you should know the basics of vehicle maintenance. 👍)

It was one of the warmest days of our year so far, so baking wasn’t looking like a great idea.  I was happy to water our garden and do a bit of reading.  

First published December 24th, 2024.

I am not too deep into this book, but I am thoroughly enjoying it.   I highly recommend it.  In fact, I think it should be required reading in highschool, recommended reading before getting married, and an absolute necessity before having children and/or grandchildren.

Since I began my health and fitness journey, one unexpected benefit that I have enjoyed is that I worry less about what others are doing, eating, thinking, or saying while being more focused on working on myself.  

This book is next level and well worth the modest price and time it takes to read it. 

Today I have my regular aerobics workout and treadmill time.  I am going to do more baking – alone as Jennifer is at work, and hopefully get more reading time.

Daily Food Diary – Day 267

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) paratha (240)

(1) tbsp peanut butter (105)

(1) tbsp jam (50)

Lunch:

(1) cheese tortilla wrap (170)

(1 1/2) oz sliced chicken (70)

(2) slices bacon (87)

(1) tomato (22)

(1/4) c white onion (5)

(1) c lettuce (8)

(1) tbsp peppercorn ranch dressing (30)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(1) sourdough bun (259)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(5) oz lean ground beef burger (304)

(1) slice havarti (180)

(1) tomato (22)

(1/4) c white onion (5)

(1/2) c spinach (2)

(20) lightly salted ripple chips (160)

(1/2) oz Philidelphia Cheese onion dip (20)

Total consumed calories: 1694

Total used calories: 302

(30) min. Aerobics (176)

(30) min. Walking (53)

(30) min weights (73)

Total net calories: 1392

Net calories goal: 1229 – 1392 = 163 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 175 of 365

It is 175 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary.  🤗

My Daily Food Diary is part of the Health and Wellness Lifestyle that I adopted three years ago.

This week, summer has (sort of)  returned to Saskatchewan.   At least,   it is warm and DRY enough to resume our morning walks.

And Molly is ready to go!

School is winding down and the kids around here are ready for their annual summer break.  The schools are feeding into their enthusiasm by taking them on field trips to our neighbourhood park where they have basketball courts, a soccer field, a huge handicap accessible play structure, and an equally huge spray pad.

Part of the kids’ entertainment, is hiking past our front yard where Molly sits in her corner and soaks in all the attention as the kids hike by.

When we take our walk, we pass the park and Molly again becomes the centre of attention for many of the kids.   On the best days, like yesterday,  some of the kids run up to the fence to interact with her.  💞

Whether we are making memories, or trying to preserve them,  Molly takes dog walking to a new level.

Walking is only one part of the healthy active retirement lifestyle that Dan and I are working to build.   Being out in nature, together, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air,  with Molly for ongoing entertainment makes it the best part. ❤️

Daily Food Diary – Day 175

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

(2) eggs (160)

(3) tbsp bacon bits (90)

(2) potato patties (240)

Snacks:

(1) pear (103) (1 SVG)

(20) lightly salted potato chips (104)

(48) oz water

Supper:

(1) tomato (22) (1 SVG)

(1) mini cucumber (10) (1 SVG)

(1 1/2) c white rice (363)

(2) oz pork tenderloin (91)

(1 1/2) c vegetables – red pepper, *mushrooms, cabbage, leek, gr onions, celery, carrots (80) (2 SVG)

* Mushrooms do not count as vegetables

(2) tbsp soya sauce (30)

(1) tbsp butter (103)

(2) lg vegetable spring rolls (250) (2 SVG)

(2) Gyoza (90)

(1) tbsp plum sauce (35)

Total net calories: 1589

Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1589 = 351 over 👎

Fruits & vegetables: 7 servings

Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👍

Dan’s Bleeding Heart continues to THRIVE.

Daily Food Diary – Day 144 of 365

It is 144 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary.   144 Days without one miss! That says a lot for my tenacity – or the amount of free time I have in retirement. 

Yesterday was relatively eventful, as our days go. 

We had a hearty breakfast and set out for a walk with Molly.  Dan’s hips were done after a few blocks, but Molly and I persevered on our own.  Other than a couple of dog encounters that set Molly off a bit, it went well.  She was on a mission to cruise and to stop and sniff every blade of grass, tree, and sign that we passed.   One of these days, I will go head over tea kettle when she makes a sudden stop right in front of me.   Fortunately, yesterday was not the day.

When we got home, I did my workout, did my sinus rinse and meds,  put away the groceries Dan brought home, and had a short rest before heading outdoors.

Basil to keep flies and mosquitos away
Dan planted the rhubarb plant he bought me a few days ago

After minimal effort to help Dan put the covers on our gazebo, I spent a couple of hours transplanting seedlings into planters around the yard.   I could have done a few more but we had unexpected (but ALWAYS WELCOME) company arrive.

Molly’s favourite human, granddaughter Genie,  stopped by with an elephant and a few lady bugs (for Grandpa & I) and a buffalo ear (for Molly).

I didn’t get a chance to get a pic of the buffalo ear. 😂

Genie was able to stay for a couple of hours so we had a really nice lengthy chat.  She played an audio file of her and a  friend working on a song that they are co-creating.  Genie has always had a nice voice and has always loved to sing.  Her and her friend harmonize so perfectly that it is incredible.  I cannot wait for them to finish their song so I can share their work here – and they can start attending open mike events around the city  so they can share it with live audiences. 

We also talked about ongoing  health issues – hers and mine.   A few weeks ago Genie quit eating yeast to see if it was at the root of a lot of her health issues – as it is with her mother and with me.   She has been doing well but realized she wasn’t doing quite well enough, so she decided to avoid processed sugar as well.  That did the trick.  She is looking and feeling great!

It annoys me no end that it took me well over sixty years to figure out that I was poisoning myself with yeast and processed sugar.  (Who knew that I shared my daughter’s allergy to yeast?) But it is heartwarming to see that this discovery led my grandchildren to find their own issues, while young enough to change the course of their entire lives.

Genie with her fiance Alec (who was still at work when Genie came by)

Daily Food Diary – Day 144

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) tsp olive oil  (40) (.7 grams)

(2) eggs (160) (3 grams)

(2) sl. Ham (27) (.2 grams)

(2) green onions (16)

(1) tortilla cheese wrap (170) (1.5 grams)

(1/8) c shredded cheddar (57) (3 grams)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1) pear (103)

(20) raspberries (20)

(15) tortilla chips (191)(1.4 grams)

(1) Clamato Caesar (168)

Supper:

(2) low sodium Top Dogs (180) (5 grams)

(1/2) c chilli (113) (.9 grams)

(2) slices bacon (87) (2.2 grams)

(1/8) c shredded cheese (114) (6 grams)

(1/4) c red onion (15)

(8) ripple chips light salt (116) (1.1 grams)

(8) barbecue chips (86) (.5 grams)

(1) Lemon oatmeal cookie (68) (. 6 grams)

(1) peanut butter, cream cheese cookie (167) (3.5 grams)

Total net calories: 1557

Net calorie goal: 1243 – 1557 = 314 over 👎

Total saturated fats: 26.5 grams

Saturated fats goal: 13.75 👎

Daily Food Diary – Day 138 of 365

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.

Daily Food Diary – Day 138

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) tsp olive oil (40) (.7 grams)

(2) eggs (160) (3 grams)

(1) sl. Cheese for omelet (80) (4.5 grams)

(3) sl. Bacon (130) (3.3 grams)

(2) potato patties (240)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1) Asian pear (116)

(12) Raspberries (12)

(10) Doritos (127) (.9 grams)

Supper:

(1) Tortilla cheese wrap (170) (1.5 grams)

(1) tsp Miracle Whip Light  (12) (.2 grams)

(1) tbsp Dilly Dip (80) (1.2 grams)

(6) sl. Piller’s shaved ham (90) (1.5 grams)

(1) c Romaine  lettuce (8)

(1/5) c red onions (13)

(1/4) c orange pepper (4)

(1) tomato (22)

(1) peanut butter/cream cheese cookie (167) (3.5 grams)

(1) Lemon oatmeal cookie (68) (.6) grams

Total net calories: 1481

Net calorie goal: 1243 – 1481 = 237 over 👎

Total saturated fats: 22 grams

Saturated fats goal: 13.75 grams 👎

Avg. Sodium for past week:  2338 mg

Avg. Processed sugar for past week: 20 grams

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 132 of 365

It is 132 Days since I began posting my Daily Food Diary! 🤗 It is also 5 days since I began my latest round of antibiotics and Prednisone. 

Yesterday started way too early.  The latest episode of Prednisone side effects woke me up at 4:00 am and I wasn’t getting back to sleep. Fortunately, the vibrating eased off and I was able to have a relatively productive day.

I got my morning aerobics done…

And we took, Molly for a bath at Pet Value..

Not much of a drama queen! 🙄

Molly and I walked home after her bath, since she was still pretty damp.  It was only one kilometer and supposedly took us fourteen minutes but it seemed much further and much longer!  I don’t think my health app included for the poop stop (3 BAGS full!) or stops to sniff every tree, sign, post, and blade of grass.

Finally home and looking good.

After we returned home, I still had enough in me to do a bit of house work, plant care, and  to change over the blankets on the living room furniture.

For supper, I spatchcocked my first chicken – ever!  That was not as much of an ordeal as I assumed it would be, but my kitchen scissors may never be the same.

Dan barbecued the chicken, once I had it spread out, oiled and seasoned.  It was pretty good for a first effort, in my mind!  It will be fun to try again later in the season when I have fresh herbs from the garden to season it with. 👍

Daily Food Diary

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1 1/2) oz low sodium ham (50) (.7 grams)

(2) Eggo classic waffles (180) (1.5 grams)

(1) tsp butter (34) (2.3 grams)

(1) tbsp Maple Syrup (55)

Snack:

(1) pear (103)

(9) raspberries (9)

(60) oz water

Supper:

(1) BBQ chicken thigh & drumstick (180) (3.1 grams)

(1) BBQ chicken wing (50)

(2) tsp olive oil (79) (1.3 grams)

(1/2) c potato salad (220) (2 grams)

(3) radishes (4)

(1/4) c orange pepper (4)

(1) carrot (25)

(5) slices cucumber (4)

(1 1/2) tbsp Dilly Dip (120) (1.9 grams)

Total net calories: 1042

Net calorie goal: 1243 – 1042 = 201 under 👍

Total saturated fats: 13.4 grams

Saturated fats goal: < 13.75 grams 👍

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

Wascana Trails North West of Regina

Daily Food Diary – Day 128 of 365

It has been 128 days since I started my Daily Food Diary.   In 128 days, I have missed zero daily entries,  or posts on Jetpack (WordPress). 💃

People do not succeed in reaching goals, or in life, by hiding behind excuses.  That is one of life’s basic truths. 

That being said, yesterday’s diet goals were a complete miss.  While excuses cannot turn my results into a win, I do have a few to share. 🙂

* Starting my morning with a medical appointment – a less than stellar one that resulted in three prescriptions (one that may be a permanent addition to my daily routine), a requisition for a chest x-ray and an appointment for a check up in two weeks.  ⚕️

* Having taken my first dose of the antibiotic I received, I was hit by some bizarre side effects.  I felt like I had been punched between my eyes and felt dizzy. 🥴

* Since I felt rather off, I passed on my daily aerobics and walk.  That meant I had zero calories to subtract from the calories that I consumed.  😒

* We took Molly to the vet for a tic treatment and to get one of her ears checked out.  While there the vet did her upcoming annual checkup, identified a fungal ear infection and prescribed medication, and provided her with a tic prevention as well as one for worms.  Molly came away with a clean bill of health and kudos for being such a big, beautiful, happy, friendly, calm girl.  I came away with a $442.00 bill. 🙄

* And finally, we got home and I received the sundress I had ordered. Size Small. AND.. It fits perfectly! 💃 🎉🎉🎉

So there you have it, a few hits, a celebration, and a miss on my daily diet goals.  I am not terribly upset.  I, am delusional enough to  think days like this help  to keep my body from going into starvation mode. (That will never happen. 😂)

Daily Food Diary – Day 128

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) cornmeal muffins (130)

(1) tsp butter (34) (2.3 grams)

Lunch:

(3) oz dark skinless turkey (150) (1.9 grams)

(6) Hint of Lime tortilla chips (150) (1 gram)

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1) pear (103)

(7) raspberries (7)

Supper:

Taco Time Takeout:

(1) Small Mexi-Fries (265) (3)

(1) crisp Meat Burrito (428) (6)

(2) Hard shell tacos (432) (9.8)

Total Net Calories: 1701

Net calories goal: 1243 – 1701 = 458 over 👎

Total saturated fats: 24

Saturated fats goal: <13.75. 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 118 of 365

It is Day 118 of my Daily Food Diary. ☺️ This month I have been tracking the calories, processed sugar, and the sodium that I consume every day.

I still have work to do on my processed sugar and sodium consumption. However, I have learned which foods I need to avoid or eliminate from my diet.  And.. I have made a couple of positive changes this month.  I have switched from salted nuts to unsalted peanuts and I have started eating Lightly Salted chips – at least sometimes.

For May,  I will switch things up and track saturated fat.  That should be interesting, since I will still be counting calories and avoiding sodium and processed sugar.  And of course, I always avoid yeast! This is getting to be a juggling act.  It is getting difficult to consume enough calories each day, when I am avoiding everything that contains calories!

Yesterday, was election day in Canada.  I am glad that is finally behind us!

I am super happy with how our trip to our voting station went yesterday.  It was only about one kilometer from here so we decided to take Molly and walk over there. (We took turns going in to vote and staying outside with Molly).   Anyway… We got halfway there and realized we had forgotten 💩bags for Molly.  That is never a safe gamble to take.  I power walked home and back to where Dan and Molly were waiting for me.

The exciting part… That extra kilometer, made in record time, did not bother me  at all! I did not struggle to breathe, and there was no muscle or joint discomfort.  My blood oxygen was 98% last night.   And, even this morning, I am fine.  That is what makes this all worth while!

While I was in the polling station, I ran into someone I actually know – and really like. And… Since our polling station was at a high school we saw a lot of teenagers.  They were all friendly, polite, and happy to see Molly.  A couple of them even came over and visited with me and Molly –  the entire time that Dan was inside.   They were both  charming and they kept Molly totally distracted! (A good thing because she usually gets rather stressed when Dan has to leave us on our own when we are out and about).

Daily Food Diary – Day 118

Breakfast:

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

(2) Eggo waffles (180) (300 mg) (4 grams)

(1) tsp butter (34)

(1) tbsp maple syrup (55) (12.5 grams)

(2) slices back bacon (50) (425 mg)

(1) tsp olive oil (40)

Snacks:

(30) oz water

(1) c Matcha green tea

(1) Asian Pear (180)

(4) strawberries (15) (.5 mg)

Supper:

(1) Hamburger – Thick & Juicy. (290) (440 mg)

(1) slice Havarti cheese (70) (160 mg)

(4) oz potato salad (154) (332 mg) (4.9 grams)

(24) Lightly salted Lays chips (134) (48 mg)

(1) tbsp Philadelphia onion chip dip (23) (75 mg)

(1/4) c mushrooms (12) (.8 mg)

(1/4) c onions (15)

Total net calories: 1095

Net calorie goal:  1247 – 1095 = 152 under 👍

Total Processed sugar:   20.4 grams

Processed sugar goal: < 25 grams 👍

Total Sodium: 1817.7 mg

Sodium goal: 1500 – 2300 mg 👍

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

Kept on my kitchen window ledge, this little vase was a gift from granddaughter Genie to my mother (many years ago).  The carnation came from the spray on my Father’s casket (1993).  The rosebuds came from my Mother’s. (2013).

Daily Food Diary – Day 105 of 365

It is 105 Days since I started my Daily food diary.  That is 15 Weeks ! 🥳

I have learned a few lessons in these past few weeks.  The biggest thing that I have learned has been  how getting a handle on yeast and sugar is going to make a huge difference to my health in general – but specifically to my respiratory health.   I have been avoiding yeast for a couple of years and that has made a big difference, especially to my digestive health.    These last few days,  I have been avoiding as much processed  sugar as possible.  That has already made a huge difference to my respiratory health

I have been diagnosed with asthma – a genetic disease, which is triggered by stress and allergies.  I can manage that by taking preventative inhaled steroids, rescue inhalers, stress management, and avoiding allergens (like fresh cut grass).   I have also been diagnosed with COPD, bronchiectasis, and bronchiolitis.  They all have understandable causes.  Management, has been  an issue.  The issue with all of them is the amount and consistency of the mucus that they produce.  If I can get a long term solution to that with diet and hydration, it will be a gamechanger for sure.   I seem to finally be on the right track.  That is so much more than I could have hoped for when I started this Daily Food Diary fifteen weeks ago!

Food Diary – Day 105

Breakfast:

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

(2) slices back bacon (35) (500 mg)

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

Snacks:

(48) oz water

(1/8) c Dill Pickle Peanuts (113) (146mg ) (.5g)

(1/8) c unsalted peanuts (43)

Supper:

(1 1/2) c Rice (363)

(3) oz pork tenderloin  (125) (62.1 mg)

(1/4) c red onion (15)

(1/2) c canned mushrooms (20) (333 mg)

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

(1) c Bok Choy (60)

(1/2) c celery (8)  (40.4 mg)

(2) tsp olive oil (79)

(1/8) tsp seasoning salt (190 mg)

(3/4) tbsp soya sauce (11) (458 mg)

(1) tbsp butter (103) (95 mg)

(3) spring rolls (135) (330mg) (2.2 g)

(1) egg roll (100) (270 mg) (2 g)

(1) tsp plum sauce (6) (5 mg) (1.3 g)

Total Net Calories: 1283

Net calorie goal: 1259 – 1283 = 24 over 🙄

Total Sodium: 2854.7 mg

Sodium goal: 1500 to 2300 mg 🙄

Total Processed Sugar: 6 grams

Processed sugar goal: <25 grams 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 94 of 365

It is 94 days since I started keeping my Daily Food Diary and making a serious effort to become a mindful eater.

This month, I am working on tracking and reducing my salt and processed sugar consumption – while still tracking my overall calories.   Yesterday, I hit the trifecta reaching all three goals that I was aiming for.  Yay me! 

Our weather is improving which is definitely going to help me reach some non food goals – especially the fresh air and exercise.  Yesterday, Dan, Molly, and  I took our longest walk  this year. We stayed in our neighborhood.  It isn’t the nice smooth paths that we have in our park walks, and the scenery is lacking.  There is traffic, streets to cross, and more people – so it is good for getting Molly acclimatized to more and different distractions.

Molly is getting better on our walks.  I have been taking her leash more and more often – and for longer periods.  Yesterday she did great.  We had one busy street to cross, so I made her sit for a break in the traffic.  She sat like a champ for a good two to three minutes! (We were at a crosswalk but back from the street as we didn’t want to disrupt the flow of traffic). 

Molly did have one moment yesterday.  I was distracted by the uneven sidewalk (ie trying not to trip and faceplant). Molly saw two teenagers sitting at a bus stop with their backs towards us.  Molly, stopped suddenly stuck her head in the bus shelter  and booped one of the young guys with her nose.  No harm done, but the poor guy jumped about a foot off the bench.

“She’s just friendly!” 🤦

Food Diary:

Breakfast:

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

(2) Potato patties (240) (420 mg)

(3) sl bacon (300) (645 mg)

Snacks:

(1) c Tumeric Tea

(6) mini Easter eggs (85) (10 mg) (14 g)

(36) oz water

Supper:

(3) oz minced turkey (111) (85 mg)

(1) tbsp taco seasoning (40) (280 mg)

(25) Low salt tortilla chips (260) (80 mg) (1g)

(1/2) c Habanero cheese (165) (315 mg)

(1/2) c red onions (32) (3.2 mg)

(5) black olives (18) (140 mg)

(1/2) c red pepper (23) (3 mg)

(1) jalapeno (4) (.1 mg)

(2) tbsp salsa (19) (273 mg)

Total Net Calories: 1109

Calories goal: 160 under 👍

Total Sodium: 2260 mg

Sodium goal: 1500 to 2300 mg 👍

Total Processed Sugar: 15 grams

Processed Sugar: 25 grams 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 82 of 365

It is 82 days since I started my Daily Food Diary.   With the arrival of spring, we have been getting out and about a lot more.

I love the fresh air and the opportunity to get out walking the trails around Regina.  My only issue is that the more time I spend outside, the more calories I and protein I am consuming. 

Reaching my ultimate weight goal, isn’t my biggest concern.  However,  I have to start working on scaling back or I will be heading in the wrong direction.  That will be my focus for this week…. scaling back. ☺️

On yesterday’s walk, I stopped to take a couple of pics of the flowing creek. 
I told Dan & Molly to go ahead and I would catch up. 
* Nobody tells Dan or Molly what to do.  ☺️

Daily Food Diary – Day 82

Breakfast:

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

(3) PC back bacon (52) (12)

(2) Scramble Eggs (212) (14.8)

(2) Potato Patties (240) (2)

Snacks:

(1) c tea

(25) BBQ potato chips (230) (.2)

(36) oz water

Supper:

(12) oz carbonated water

(6) Pierogies (330) (9)

(1) tbsp onion chip dip (45)

(2) oz Drake Sausage (190) (16)

(1) sm side salad (230) (7.8)

(2/3) c Butter Pecan Ice cream with caramel & chocolate syrup and pecans (381) (3.6)

Total Calories: 1913

Total Protein: 67.5 grams

Daily protein goal: 46 to 58.5 grams

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