Tag: saskatchewan

January 24th – Day 22 & 23  of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

We are still in our deepfreeze here  in Saskatchewan.  I haven’t been outside for DAYS.  I haven’t been further than our front yard in weeks. 😟

On February 14th, I will close the door on Year Four of my Health and Wellness Journey and I will begin Year Five.

Every single year since Year ONE, I have approached this date with excitement and anticipation.   Every single year, I have crashed and burned as the date approaches.

Yes, Molly… wrapping up Year One and well into my plans for Year Two, you broke my arm.   It was an accident – but still!

Every single year, January has thrown me a curve ball!  It is like the universe is hellbent on dragging a deeper commitment out of me before allowing me to move forward. 

This year is no different, but…

Yesterday, I happened upon a free Tony Robbins online seminar.  Three days –  three hours per day.  January 29th, 30th, and 31st.

I know three things about Tony Robbins.  He is a motivational speaker, he has been around forever, and my sister-in-law attended one of his retreats in Bali a lifetime ago. 

I decided to sign up for it.  What do I have to lose?

Part of the sign up procedure involved an invitation to  join a Tony Robbins 2026 Tour Facebook page.

I avoid most social media.  Not ALL, but most…

Anyway, I accepted the invitation to join the Tony Robbins Facebook page. 

Then!! I was invited to post a photo of myself, a bit of an introduction, with  a few words about why I was attending this seminar and what I hoped to get out of it.

I went with this photo, a few words about my Heath & Fitness Journey, and that I was looking for the motivation to kickstart it for another year and to reach my 2026 goal.

I completed my registration, marked it on my calendar,  and moved on.  I thought that would be it until the seminar began.

This morning, I picked up my phone and  opened Facebook to find countless posts from people around the globe who had signed up for this seminar. 

These posts are incredible! They are filled with grief and pain and joy and hope and humanity! People living their lives and focusing on becoming people who make the most of their own lives by learning and growing, accepting gratefully, and giving generously.  

I have no idea how this nine hour seminar will go.  I have no idea what to expect.  But,  I do know that I have already gotten more out of this experience than I honestly expected to.

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

January 22nd – Day 21  of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

Since I began my Health and Fitness Journey four years ago, I have focussed on Body, Mind, and Soul – physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

Today, I am focussed on all three, not just for myself,  but for those around me.

When I got up this morning it felt like -44 ° celcius (-47.6 ° fahrenheit) with the windchill.  It wasn’t much better without it!  🥶

That is brutal for anyone who must venture out.  We are fortunate that we have the option to stay in our home, snug and warm and comfortable in our retirement.   But, I feel for those who have to deal with this weather – as would any normal human being with an ounce of empathy.

But empathy be damned.  Our city planners, managers, mayor, councillors, and any and all overpaid city hierarchy who have a voice in such decisions – decided this was a good day to unleash the city graders on our residential streets.

This is our street.  The photo does not do the situation justice.  The grader operator (under order from those higher up on the chain of command no doubt) passed up and down our street – scraping off the solid pack of ice and snow (which was not causing any issue) and pushed it up against the sidewalks.

It is hard to tell, but this is not a lttle ridge of snow.  It is higher and  wider than it looks.  It is a solid,  impenetrable barrier of ice and snow.   The city will not be back to clear it away.  (This is not a one and done – this is an annual event in recent years.)

Our neighbours who do not have the luxury of offstreet parking, will return  from work  unable to park in front of their homes.  They will park as close as they can, and risk exiting their vehicle in traffic –  then struggle to climb over this city built obstacle – carrying tots from daycare, groceries, and whatever else they need, to go about their daily lives.

Delivery drivers will risk life and limb to climb over these icy ridges, as will seniors accessing their vehicles,  as will  people –  especially those with mobility issues, struggling to access public transit. 

For most people in our city, life at minus 44 degrees is more than an inconvenience.  That our city would do anything as unconcienable, dangerous, and stupid to make things harder is beyond comprehehension.

It is not a matter of finances. Our city has no issue raising taxes, or spending outrageous sums on vanity projects, or paying obscene severance packages to incompetent city managers who should never have been hired in the first place. They have no problem buying electric buses – in Saskatchewan 🤦‍♀️, questionable artwork,  and so much more.

It is beyond  stupid and irresponsible.  It is  a danger to our physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing and that of our friends, neighbours, and family. 

Ready for signs of spring. 🥲

January 21st – Day 20  of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

This morning, I woke up anticipating the blog I would post today. 

I was excited to share the news that,  not only had I done my aerobics and treadmill yesterday, but I got outside and shoveled snow!  The walks were not bad, but our front steps and landing had a solid layer of snow to clear.  And, I cleared it!

But, Mother Nature made a mockery of my efforts.   We awoke to a  thick layer of fresh snow.

The front steps and landing were buried (as well as that back steps and landing 🤦‍♀️).  After a walk that was cut short by an overexcited Molly dog, Dan returned and got out the snowblower.

Our walks, as well as our neighbours’, have been cleared.  As well as the snow behind our garage (and the neighbours).  And our landings and steps have been cleared.

I do plan to venture outside for more fresh air today.  It is doubtful that I will find more snow to clear, but who knows.  Mother Nature may just have a fresh load to dump on us.

At least, we do not live in Russia!

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/video/sTQEBYIl?playlist=oLRZ3mum

I cannot imagine getting snow like that!  I doubt that Dan could even make a dent in it – with or without our new snowblower.

Anyway, that is all that is newsworthy in my world today.

Take care and have a great day!

January 15th – Day 14 of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness, Uncategorized

Today is Thursday and I am still on target for my respiratory care goals for this week.  I have been struggling a bit, but I have been completing my aerobic and treadmill workouts and I have been getting outside for a bit of fresh air.

This afternoon, I spent the better part of an hour outside with Molly.   Our temperature is around the thawing point, which is nice enough for January in Saskatchewan, but the wind was rough.

The ice on the sidewalk is from the past few days of freeze/thaw temperatures.
The front and back patios are packed snow.

My mission outside today was to test the traction cleats that Dan bought for my boots a few weeks ago. I want to get back to walks with Dan and Molly but our streets and walks are daunting without some help.

These things are amazing!  I did not slip at all on the solid ice and on the packed snow they were just as  great.  I always had concerns that the cleats would bite into the ice and snow and I would faceplant then and there.  It’s not like that at all.  It is just like walking on a rough surface.

I walked around different areas in our yard – stepping up to the backyard and down to the sideyard.  I went out the gate to our front walk that slopes down to the city sidewalk and along the sidewalk.  Even with the strong wind hitting me, I felt solid, safe and confident.

My only regret is that I was not open to trying them a lot sooner.  🤦‍♀️

I can’t wait to go hiking some of the city parks.  We have several beautiful parks in the city, but they have been difficult to enjoy when I was always concerned about staying upright.

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great rest of your day! 😁💞

January 9th – Day 8 of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

It is twenty-three days  since I had my hernia repair repaired.  Today I feel GOOD.  I am still coughing – and coughing up some mucus, but the upper chest congestion that I have been struggling with since I entered  the operating room has finally cleared!

The incision is fine.  It has been fine  from the beginning – zero signs of infection and just a little swelling the first couple of days.  There was a bit of discomfort in those early days but definitely nothing that would warrant the use of OTC painkillers, much less the hydromorphone that I was prescribed.  That will go back to the pharmacy for disposal, along with the anti inflammatory.  🤷‍♀️

It has been a rather frustrating recovery, but only in regards to my respiratory system.   Thankfully that appears to be behind me.

Yesterday, my only workout was freelance dancing to some tunes from the 80’s.  It felt good to move and the music was great for elevating my mood! 

I straightened out a couple of more shelves in my closet and I packed away the Christmas wrapping paper, ribbons, etc.  It feels every bit as good to pack everything away, as it did to take it out in the first place. 😁

I spent some time outside yesterday afternoon.  I  enjoyed the fresh air, cleared the ice and snow off of our front steps and landing, and basked in the Saskatchewan sunshine.

For supper, I made a chef salad with ham,  eggs, and cheese on a bed of lettuce and fresh vegetables.   That was my forth salad in the first eight days of 2026.    I am happy with that!

After supper, I watched 911 and The Pitt on TV  before resuming my crochet project.

I now have a ball of yarn to work with 😂

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

January 4th – Day 3 of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

Today things are starting to come together!

For the past few days, I have been seriously focussed on healing – daily aerobics, healthy diet, serious hydration, fresh air, and SOLID sleep – 8 to 10 hours a night!

Molly sleeping in solidarity…

Today is Sunday.  Typically this is my ‘rest’ day.  At this point, I do not work out hard enough to need a day to rest,  but Health and Fitness is more than physical – SO  today, I will indulge in some self pampering – show  my hands some love with a hot waxing and a manicure, do some reading, maybe (finally) finish my Christmas Jigsaw puzzle.

Tomorrow, I will get back on track to increase my activity levels in 2026.   As well as doing my daily aerobics, getting back on the treadmill, and starting back to light weight workouts, I have set one goal for the first week of 2026…

This week, I am going to get out and about to visit one of our local malls.  There is nothing that I particularly need to buy – I just need space space to walk (preferably space that is not covered with ice and snow) and the opportunity to mingle with humanity outside of my immediate family.

It is not that I am totally antisocial.   Since Covid I have avoided unnecessary contact.  Since I developed this miserable chronic cough,  that I am working to overcome, I have been avoiding necessary contact as well.

I am well overdue for a haircut, an eye examination, a visit to my dentist, and probably more!

So… first steps first.. I need to get myself out there and prove to myself that I am ready to re-enter society. 

This seems to be a happening place!  I wonder what happened to all my fellow shoppers?

If this goes well, who knows where it  will lead?  Museums, art galleries, floral conservatory…my options are endless. 

Daily Food Diary – Day 349 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 349 of my Daily Food Diary. 🥳

Yesterday, I had a few wins to celebrate:

1) I walked with Dan and Molly in the morning, did my aerobics in the afternoon and went for a spin on the treadmill in the evening.

2) I got most of the house vacuumed, scrubbed,  and tidied up – while dan washed all of the bedding.  Even if I am totally knocked down by my little surgery tomorrow, the house will be in order when son Dan and family arrive on the weekend.

3) I messaged with one of my nieces yesterday and it was all good news with her and hers! 🤗

This morning I awoke to a weird win…

I swear, since my Mother passed away in 2013, she communicates in music – music and hymns that I am vaguely familiar with.   I woke up to this tune playing in my mind this morning. (?) Not my favourite but not the worst way to wake up. 😂

My Daily Food Diary win for the day…

Cutting back on restaurant meals and on using processed foods at home.  We still get take out, eat out, and use some processed foods – but we have cut back a lot and Dan and I are both better off without the additives and extra salt and sugars.  👍

Good, nourishing, and natural (mostly)!

Daily Food Diary – Day 349

Breakfast:

(1l c coffee (2)

(1) granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(1) serving shepherds pie (340)

(5) hot chicken wings flats (156)

(60) Oz water

Supper:

(2) Harvest hotdogs (320)

(6) onion rings (150)

(8) tater tots (124)

(2) mozzarella cheese sticks (127)

(2) tbsp Dilly Dip (100)

Total consumed calories:  1479

Total used calories: 379

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min aerobics (171)

(30) min treadmill (71)

Total net calories: 1100

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1100 = 108 under 👍

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 344 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 344 of my Daily Food Diary. 🤩

The win for my December Recap of my Daily Food Diary today is as simple and basic as they come – I started!

My main reason for starting this challenge was to get a handle on foods that were giving me grief and to eliminate them from my diet. 

I decided the best way to do that would be to note everything that I consumed – for a full year.   I figured the best way to keep myself accountable was to post these daily entries on my blog.  Since it was mid December, it seemed to make sense to begin on January 1st. 

It made sense until January 1st…  our house was still filled with caramel corn, chocolates, nuts, and home baking.  And.. I was facing a 365 DAY commitment.

But, you don’t get anywhere without taking that first step – so I started.  As basic and simple as they come, but a BIG win for me!🎀

Happy New Year!

My real time/real life wins for the day today are also pretty basic:

1) I managed a relatively productive day yesterday,  getting in three workouts, starting my Christmas baking, and making an early supper to get ready for Maddy’s band concert.

2) Attending Maddy’s band concert with daughter Jen.  These events are so packed that we get  there an hour early to get parking and seating, which made for some quality visiting time.  The concert was excellent, as usual.  I love that the teachers at O’Neil make these events ALL about the kids, showcasing their talent and their commitment to music.  💝

Maddy – our musical reindeer.

3) I was up at 6:30 this morning to drive Maddy to early morning band practice.  Jen was at work at 6 so could not drive her, walking through their neighborhood, over ice and snow to O’Neil from their house before sunrise is a bit much.🙄   Plus, I got to see Maddy and get some extra driving in… Ok, I missed her school so we did a bit of touring around.   She was still on time – with time you spare. Multiple wins!

4) Bonus win.. I made plans with granddaughter Prim to do more Christmas baking this weekend!

Daily Food Diary -Day 344

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(3) eggo waffles (270)

(2) tsp butter (68)

(3) tbsp maple syrup (157)

(2) slices bacon (87)

Snacks:

(48) Oz water

(15) Lays chips (218)

(1) almond roca (67)

Supper:

(2) c pork fried rice (580)

(1) butter tart (230)

Total consumed calories: 1679

Total used calories: 379

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min aerobics (171)

(30) min treadmill (71)

Total net calories: 1300

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1300 = 91 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 343 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in Health and Fitness, 2025

Today is Day 343 of my Daily Food Diary! That is a full 49 weeks of maintaining and posting my Food Diary every day!

For my December recap, My Daily Food Diary win for today is another BIG one – possibly the biggest so far!

As part of my overall Health and Fitness Lifestyle, becoming mindful of what I consume each day has helped me to FEEL GOOD.

In July,  I turned seventy years old.  I have no real idea how good I should feel – but I feel good!  When I go out anywhere, I notice the grey haired women around me.  I never know how old they are or any extenuating health issues they may have, but they do not look like me, they do not move like me, and they do not seem as happy as me.  Obviously, I cannot see myself but I know I do not shuffle, I am not bowed over or leaning on the grocery cart for support, or using one of those store scooters.   And, whether I look it or not, I know I am happy.

In the online world, I likewise seldom see myself – especially in those ‘after sixty you should never… articles’.  I read one this week, by a supposed heart specialist, who claimed that while some people may be able to shovel snow until the are 65, however most  people over 45 should refrain from doing so – unless they are using a snow blower or possibly a push shovel (if used with caution).   😳

70 years and feeling fine! 😊

Today I have a few general life wins to celebrate and appreciate…

1) This morning Dan, Molly, and I went for our walk and stopped off at the dogpark.  We didn’t make our full typical route, but Molly got in a few good runs with Ripple. We were out in the fresh air  for pretty much a full hour.. (very fresh air  -30° Celsius  with the windchill or -22° F).  I had no trouble breathing, very little coughing, and I didn’t feel that the cold was unbearable.

2) I got the results from my blood tests that I had done yesterday.  They weren’t as thorough as usual, but everything they tested for came back perfectly NORMAL

3) Yesterday, I did  all of our laundry – I am now officially ready to start tackling Christmas baking.

4) Tonight, I am out and about – heading off to Maddy’s band concert with Jen.

So many wins these days, so much to be grateful for! 🤗

Daily Food Diary – Day 343

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) breakfast sandwich – sourdough bun with butter, egg, sausage patty, havarti (645)

Snacks:

(36) Oz water

(1) PC Christmas cake (240)

Supper:

(2) servings nachos with ground beef, peppers, green onions, black olives shredded cheese, and salsa  (865)

(12) Oz carbonated water

Total consumed calories: 1752

Total used calories: 379

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min aerobics (171)

(30) min treadmill (71)

Total net calories:  1373

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1373 = 164 over 👎

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

Daily Food Diary – Day 336 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 336 of my Daily Food Diary! 💥

I am three days into my Food Diary recap.  As I have mentioned regularly, this challenge was never about losing weight, however in February I decided to up my effort by counting calories.  This led to 3 distinct wins!

1) I did lose  a total of 12 pounds in 2025

2) Terry from http://radicallyretired.com, a friend that I have made here on Jetpack introduced me to Lose It! an app that has been very educational and extremely helpful in maintaining my Daily Food Diary.

3) Counting calories was far more interesting and educational that I thought it would be.   

I thought I had a pretty good handle on portion control (I didn’t). I was comparing the portions I ate versus those that others ate – like my 220 lb husband, who until recently worked 13 hour, 24/7 shifts in a steel pipe plant.  🤦‍♀️

I also thought I had foods figured out calorie wise..

Salad was good… until I put salad dressing, sesame seeds, or cheese on it.

Nuts are good for you – until you look at the calories in them! (Salt and saturated fats add to the mayhem)

Sugar has tons of calories..not really, but sugar seriously ramps up my appetite so leads to a revolving door of calories

Chicken is low in calories – unless like me you like the dark meat skin on. That is where they hide the calories but that is also where the collagen is – so I have to balance that one.

Anyway, counting calories takes time but I would definitely recommend it, especially if one is trying to lose weight.

I am super late posting today.  I didn’t forget to post, we were just out and about so I did not have time to post …walking Molly, running errands, doing a bit of shopping, having lunch at The Canadian Brewpub – which was win Number 1 today.  Neither of us had brew but Dan’s chicken wings looked delicious and my taco salad was amazing.

Paying our annual house insurance was painful, but I did score a new fridge calendar for win Number 2.

Daily Food Diary – Day 336

Breakfast:

(1) c coffee (2)

(1) Denver wrap (537)

Snacks:

(1/8) c peanuts (162)

Supper:

(1) Manwich bun (811)

(8) lightly salted lays chips (116)

(1/2) Oz chip dip (20)

Total consumed calories: 1648

Less calories used: 337

(30) min. walking (137)

(35) min aerobics (200)

Net total calories: 1311

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1311 = 103 over 👎

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