Things are looking up today! My congestion has improved considerably and I am in a much better frame of mind. The latter triggered by a strange realization that I had this morning.
This may be trivial (and a bit odd) but I love the color of my hair!
My hair has all the body of cat fur, but in the light of day – or the light of our bathroom light fixture, my hair sparkles and shines. Photos don’t do it justice, but the color of my hair makes me happy.
Oddly, since the hair I was used to for several decades was dark brown (and naturally curly).
With daughter Jen..
It is strange how we are led to believe that as we age and change, the changes are never ‘as good as’ or Heaven forbid ‘even better’.
I think a lot of the changes for the better, just go unnoticed…
1) The wisdom and insight that we have gained over the years
2) The peace that comes from knowing that nothing lasts forever – not the worst, not the best
3) The time to appreciate what is truly precious
4) The freedom to take care of ourselves – body, mind, and spirit
Today, my day has been spent taking care of my body. Once again, I am hopeful that my latest setback is behind me and I am back on track with my daily workouts. 🤞
And our home. .. Dan and I continued work on our kitchen project. I can access the rest of the cupboards on my own now – and in my own time. They are not in dire need of clearing out.
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 🤗💞
Today is Day 301 of my Daily Food Diary! That is 43 WEEKS without a single miss. 🙌
Today, I am feeling a solid improvement in how I am feeling! I am four months into using Collagen Supplements and they are doing wonders for me. My strength has improved, my endurance has improved, and best of all – my breathing has significantly improved. I can breathe without feeling like my sinuses and respiratory airways are collapsing and I can even lay flat on my back without feeling like I am smothering!
My only respiratory issues these days are obviously caused by allergies. Since we started running an air purifier in our bedroom at night, I am good there. In the daytime, my eyes are burning, my nose is runny, and I am still coughing.
The third Honeywell air purifier we have bought and I am happy with all of them.
We have our best air purifier running in the living room so I’m not sure what my problem is. I have taken Claritin (which doesn’t work for me) and some ‘natural’ antihistamines which just seem to make me sleepy. 😴
Yesterday, I got some black licorice to see if that would help. I know it is something that is not good to eat regularly or in excess, but it also helps to control allergies, so we will see.
Daily Food Diary – Day 301
Breakfast:
2) c coffee (4)
(1/4 c milk (28)
(1) c cinnamon cheerios (200)
Snacks:
(2) black licorice Twizzlers (45)
(1/8) c mixed nuts (90)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(2) servings c nachos – Hint of Lime tortilla chips with seasoned ground beef, peppers, green onions, black olives, shredded cheese, and salsa (865)
(12) oz carbonated water
(1) PC Chocolate cake (300)
Total consumed calories: 1530
Total used calories: 501
(30) min walking (68)
(30) min aerobics (244)
(1) hr housecleaning (134)
(30) min food prep/cooking (55)
Total net calories: 1029
Net calories goal: 1208 – 1029 = 179 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞☺️
Today is my 273rd consecutive day of posting my Daily Food Diary! 🎀
For some reason it is getting harder to post in the morning these days, but I am getting it done. 🙂
I get up early enough to see the sun rise…and to see weird alien clouds across the street.
Today is shaping up to be another relatively quiet day. I have my aerobics and light weights to do, a bit of touching up around the house, and I will hopefully get the Jeep cleaned today.
My big excitement will be venturing over to granddaughter Maddy’s school tonight to pick her up after her band retreat. It’s only a few blocks from here so the only real challenge will be dealing with the other parents and grandparents who will be doing likewise. I cannot imagine how this school has such huge band events. It is nuts just dropping her off at a regular early morning band practice.
Maddy and I went to see a friend of hers who was involved in a band/choir event at his school a few months ago. There were about fifty people there including the performers. And there are way more students attending his school. 😧
Anyway, I have things to do so I should get on with it.
Daily Food Diary – Day 273
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(3) crumpets (240)
(2) tsp butter 68)
(1) tbsp jam (50)
Lunch:
(1/2) c beef broth (15)
(10) low salt ripple chips (75)
(1/2) PC Chocolate Coconut Brownies (60)
Snacks:
(1/3) c mixed nuts (216)
(48) oz water
Supper:
(1) lg dinner salad – lettuce, spinach, radishes, cauliflower, green onions, dried fried onions, sesame seeds, salad dressing (256)
(2) chicken drumsticks (401)
(1) PC Chocolate Amaretto cheesecake (257)
Total consumed calories: 1641
Total used calories: 489
(30) min walking (53)
(30) min aerobics (176)
(30) min treadmill (59)
(1) hour housework (202
Total net calories: 1152
Net calories goal: 1229 – 1152 = 78 under 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😊❤️
This is Day 189 of my Daily Food Diary. 189 Days without one miss! 🤗 🙌
This is the month I am focussing on the importance of foods containing collagen and those that support the production of collagen.
For myself, I cannot imagine living a life with adequate, healthy collagen. Knowing that everyone will ultimately struggle with collagen deficiency as they age, makes this month a special mission for me.
Collagen deficiency is MORE than wrinkles, hair loss, and fragile nails. Collagen deficiency is a combination of any, or all of, the following….
Migraines, ear, eyes, nose, and throat issues, respiratory issues, tripping, stumbling and falling, a complete lack of balance, severe muscle cramps, dislocated and sprained joints, digestive issues, a weak pelvic floor causing: weak bladder, fallen bladder and pregnancy issues, vertigo, motion sickness, dizziness, fainting, choking, exhaustion, difficulty speaking, discomfort being still but pain caused by moving, general muscle weakness, difficult and painful periods, dexterity issues – frequently dropping items and always struggling to: write, deal with buttons, zippers, shoelaces, cutlery…
And that is just some of the physical problems that collagen deficiency can cause…
Then there are the very real mental and emotional problems that one deals with (especially if they have no clue that there is an actual reason for why they are the way they are!)
Anxiety – fear of falling, fear of being mocked, fear of rejection – especially in ANY sports related situation, fear of being humiliated for any number of reasons, fear of traveling and dealing with escalators, elevators, moving sidewalks, fear of heights or water (vertigo)
Depression, grief, confusion, lack of self worth – often caused by the way they are perceived by others, especially professionals – teachers, doctors, therapists.
Fortunately, collagen deficiency is finally being recognized and understood as the root cause for the physical, mental, and emotional chaos that it can create in one’s body and in one’s life.
And, fortunately, while there is no (medical) cure for collagen deficiency, a healthy lifestyle can definitely help to improve one’s physical, mental, and emotional situation.
The hardest part is knowing how and where to start. Getting out of one’s comfort zone to get to a better place takes a lot….
My friend Dwight, made taking another step out of my comfort zone that much easier for me today. Instead of listening to all the what if’s – what if I fail, what if I humiliate myself, what if I get hurt or injured, what if people mock me or get impatient with me… Just do it, move forward with confidence and declare..
“Here I grow again!”
If I ever get a tattoo – that will be the one. I know how far I have come, I know I have potential to go further and I know that those words have the power to help get me through the challenges that lies ahead. 😁
Daily Food Diary – Day 189
Breakfast:
(1) coffee (2)
(1/2) grapefruit (39)
(2) tsp sugar (32)
Snacks:
(30) Doritos (210)
(60) oz water
Supper:
(1) Dairy Queen 6 chicken strip basket (1250)
Total net calories: 1484
Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1484 = 255 over 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞
It is 184 Days since I began keeping and posting my Daily Food Diary.
It is 3 years and 4 months since I began living my Health and Fitness Lifestyle.
It can be difficult, and honestly scary (terrifying), to begin the journey from being an exhausted, sickly, weak, overweight, aging, couch potato to being a healthy, happy, fit, strong, and active senior.
When you have multiple chronic lung issues , constantly struggle to breathe and your heart pounds every time you shuffle from your rocking chair to your snack cupboard, it is easy to imagine a heart attack if you attempt anything more strenuous than putting on your socks.
When you are born with collagen issues and have failed at every effort to build any muscle or develop any coordination, failure is no longer a possibility – it is a probability.
Somehow, when you combine your two biggest fears – dying or failing (which has become an ultimate death sentence) – you can succeed. 🙄
When I began it wasn’t easy. But, I did something I had never tried before. I began where I was – at a point where I was comfortable.
The first day of living my Health and Fitness Lifestyle I danced (shuffled around) to one Buddy Holly song. Five minutes tops. And I built on that, gradually – until now I am doing aerobics six mornings a week, walking our dog Molly daily (weather permitting), and doing light weights and cardio three afternoons a week. Plus I can, and I am, living a relatively active life – off the rocking chair and out of the snack cabinet.
Exercise supports collagen synthesis – even for someone who has genetic collagen issues or anyone whose collagen production has decreased due to aging.
Anyone who suffers from joint pain can struggle to keep active and fit. This article by the Arthritis Foundation might help you to get started on your own fitness journey, with the help of collagen supplements and/or adding more foods that contain collagen, or support the natural production of collagen, to your daily diet.
We took a break on our walk this morning to allow Molly a short run at the off leash dogpark.
Daily Food Diary – Day 184
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) eggs (160)
(2) tsp butter (69)
(1) tsp olive oil (40)
(1) oz marble cheese (113)
(1) serving homemade hash browns (80)
(2) tbsp bacon bits (60)
(60) oz water
Supper:
(5) oz barbecued pork chop (241)
(1/2) pkg ramen noodles (220)
(1) corn on the cob (90)
(3) tsp butter (103)
(1) serving rhubarb torte (286)
Total net calories: 1291
Net calorie goal: 1229 – 1291 = 62 over 👎
With our temperatures soaringyesterday afternoon, daughter Jen took Maddy and Prim to Regina Beach to cool off . Thank you Maddy for the cheeky photo of Prim!
It is 174 Days since I started posting my Daily Food Diary. I am excited that I have gotten this far without missing a day. I am equally excited and totally grateful for everyone who is still stopping by regularly to check on my progress and lend your support. Thank you! 🤗💞
Yesterday, I returned to my scaled back strength training. Considering how hard it was for me to conquer those five pound weight exercises when I was trying to move up in weights, I was pretty impressed at how well I did. I did two sets, of ten exercises and I was easily able to maintain control and ensure I did not stress my hernia.
This morning, I was sitting here feeling pretty good about myself and I heard my Mother say “I told you so!”.
My Mother, still mothering months before she passed away in 2013.
Yes, my Mother passed away twelve years ago, but she was pretty relentless – especially when it came to passing on her wisdom and advice and reminding us of both when we failed to follow either and ultimately suffered the consequences.
Now that I likewise try to pass on my own advice and wisdom to younger generations, I get it. But, I digress.
When my Mother was still with us, I went through several challenging times. Instead of the pity and outrage I wanted, my Mother would say “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger!” Being the younger generation at the time, I would think “Just kill me already.”
Now I get it. All of those challenges that I fought, resented, and stumbled through did ultimately make me stronger. They gave me the experience and the coping skills to handle whatever life hands me now – with faith, dignity, and respect – for my Mother and for myself.
Today I can honestly say “You were, Mom – you were right!” 🙄
This is Day 165 of my Daily Food Diary. It is also Father’s Day – Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there!
AND, It is also the 6th and final day of our stay with son Dan.
Tonight, Dan’s wife Amanda returns from her trip and tomorrow we head home. It has been nice spending time with Dan and family, but I am obviously not focussed enough on my routine and diet to manage it well on holidays. I need to get home to get back on track.
I took Molly for a good walk yesterday. Good might not be the best word. At one point we were walking along the edge of a road, when Molly bolted through a steep ditch to go check out another dog. That was a bit sketchy, but I managed to stay on my feet and rein her back in, so it ended well enough.
Presently, we are getting some quiet time as Dan and his family went to a Scout wind up for Lucas. We stayed home to keep an eye on the dogs and start supper.
I made a cabbage ramen salad yesterday and an apple strawberry crispthis morning.Dan is firing up the grille and starting the prime rib.
Amanda is coming straight home with her friends when they get back. Their husbands and families will meet them here and we will have one big supper together, before they go their own way.
Time to try taking Molly for another venture around the neighbourhood. With any luck, I will get a few photos of the scenery around here for tomorrow’s blog.
Daily Food Diary – Day 165
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(2) potato patties (240)
(1) tsp olive oil (40)
(2) eggs (160)
(1) slice bacon (85)
Snacks:
(24) Lightly salted potato chips (125)
(1) c coffee with amaretto (70)
(1) Ginger ale & Raspberry Lemonade (140)
(24) oz water
Supper:
(4) oz beef burger (243)
(1/2) c vegetable fried rice (250) (1 SVG)
(1) c raw vegetables (18) (2 SVG)
(1) tsp Dilly Dip (80)
(1) Lemon Desert Bars (193)
Total Net Calories: 1563
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1563 = 325 over 👎
Total Fruits & Vegetables: 3 servings
Fruits & vegetables goal: 7 servings 👎
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 😊💖
The sun is shining and we are looking forward to having a good day – much of it spent outdoors in our yard and garden and of course taking Molly for a walk around the neighborhood.
Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours in the garden, working up one planter, planting more tomatoes, and watering my thriving little plants. I can’t believe how quickly these plants are getting established and growing to fit their environment.
They grow up so fast!
I also can’t believe how much stronger I am than I was three years ago. Before I started living my ‘healthier and fitter lifestyle’, everything was such a struggle. Yesterday, I was lifting five gallon pails of dirt, full (full size) watering cans, and using a garden fork to dig deep into packed earth. I was amazed at what I could do – and how easily it could be done!
This watering can used to be heavy even when it was empty. 🙄
I will always have compromised lungs. The damage from asthma, bronchiectasis, and COPD doesn’t go away. But, with being active, eating well, stress management, adequate rest, fresh air, and proper healthcare, I can have a quality of life I couldn’t imagine possible three years ago.
Daily Food Diary – Day 155
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1/2) grapefruit (39) (1 SVG)
(1/2) tsp sugar (8)
Lunch:
Ham & vegetable omelet:
(2) eggs (160)
(4) sl. Pillers shaved ham (54)
(1) tsp olive oil (40)
(1/4) c red pepper (12) (.5 SVG)
(2) green onions (16) (.5 SVG)
(5) lg. asparagus spears (16) (1 SVG)
Snacks:
(48) oz water
(3/4) c sliced strawberries (40) (1 SVG)
Supper:
Chicken salad:
(3) chicken thighs (360)
(1) tsp olive oil (40)
Vegetables – (2 1/2) c lettuce, (1) mini cucumber, (5) grape tomatoes, (2) green onions, (3) radishes, (1/4) c red pepper, (1/2) c cauliflower (125) (4 SVG)
(2) tsp sunflower seeds (33)
(3) tbsp dried onions (50)
(2) tbsp French Dressing (120)
(1) serving Apple Crisp (227) (1 SVG)
Total net calories: 1053
Net calorie goal: 1238 – 1053 = 185 under 👍
Total fruit & vegetable: 9 servings
Fruit & vegetable goal: 7 servings 👍
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💖😌
It is 135 Days since I started my 365 Day Food Diary! 🎉 I am DONE my entire round of antibiotics and I only have 2 more days of Prednisone! ☺️
With chronic respiratory issues, this has NOT been my first rodeo with antibiotics and Prednisone, but for whatever reason, this has been a rough one.
Yesterday, I was finally feeling pretty good once I got past the high humidity in the morning. I had a great aerobic workout and I got some kitchen deep cleaning done.
My only issue was a serious appetite ALL day. I don’t know if my body needed the calories to recover, if I haven’t been drinking enough water, or if it was the Prednisone talking – but I was HUNGRY all day.
I had a good enough breakfast, and lunch, but supper was over the top. I chopped everything up for the stir fry and Dan came in and offered to cook it. It was amazing. It was dessert worthy amazing!
I blew through both my net calories and saturated fat goals for the day, but there you go. In the past two weeks, I only totally missed one workout, we took a few walks, and I was somewhat productive even on my worst days.
Fall down, get back up, repeat. But the falls get fewer and the get back up comes sooner. It is progress. 👍
Daily Food Diary – Day 135
Breakfast:
(1) c coffee (2)
(1) sausage patties (190) (5 grams)
(2) Classic Eggos (180) (1.5)
(1) tsp butter (34) (2.3 grams)
(1) tbsp Maple Syrup (55)
Lunch:
(48) oz water
(1) BBQ chicken thigh (160) (1 gram)
(1/2) c potato salad (220) (2 grams)
Supper:
(1 1/2) c white rice (363) (.2 grams)
(8) oz stir-fry (pork tenderloin, leek, red onion, mushroom, carrots, celery, cabbage, baby Bok choy, water chestnuts, terriaki-oyster-soya sauce, black pepper, crushed hot peppers). (349) (3.8 grams)
(3/4) c French Vanilla Ice Cream (240) (7.5 grams)
(1) tbsp Chocolate sauce (52) (.1 gram)
(1) Lemon oatmeal cookie (68) (.6 grams)
Total net calories: 1736
Net calorie goal: 1243 – 1736 = 493 over 👎
Total saturated fats: 24 grams
Saturated fats goal: 13.75 grams 👎
That’s it for today! Take care and have a great day! 💞😊
It is Day 134 of my Daily Food Diary! Only 231 Days to go until I am a nutritional expert. 😄
After no sleep the night before, I did not make any great strides on my Health & Fitness Journey yesterday.
It gets incredibly frustrating to be tripping along and then have a massively rough day, when you wonder if you are going to survive – much less ever get back on track to bigger and better things. 😬
Fortunately, yesterday wasn’t a total write off. Dan and I took Molly for a short walk. As we were passing the dogpark, Dan noticed that Molly’s friend Willy and his human Randy, were there so we stopped to visit. Ripple, and his human Lyndon, showed up and Molly wasn’t going anywhere.
I left Dan and Molly at the park and came home to do my aerobic workout. When Dan got home, we headed out to go shopping.
I used all of our Canadian Tire points on bedding plants but I scored big – several herbs, peppers, strawberries, pansies, AND portulaca.
We moved on to Walmart and bought a new coffee maker, a few groceries, laundry detergent AND dog treats. We picked up dental treats (pricey but not as bad as dental surgery!), bedtime cookies, and general snack treats.
When we got Molly we paid $250.00 for her plus took her straight to the vet’s for a checkup and her vaccines (another $250.00 ?). In the past week, we took her to the vet ($442.00), bath at Pet store ($20.00 incl tip), got her a new bag of dogfood ($60.00) and got her treats… ($60.00). And she needs a new collar. 🤦 Molly dogs are not for the faint of heart!
Healthwise I am hopefully back on track today. I slept like a rock last night – ALL NIGHT. This is my last day of antibiotics, three more days of Prednisone, and if we get past this solid rainy day with 92% humidity – I think I will be good to go! 💃
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 