Wheat-Free and Dairy-Free?

Before I begin, I'd just like to clarify that I am not actually allergic to those foods. I am however quite ill.

One of the conditions I suffer from is a form of chronic pain that unfortunately has no cure. It means that I am in constant pain pretty much all the time, and although it can be controlled, it may never totally go away. So one of the control measures my doctor advised me to try was cutting wheat and dairy out of my diet completely for three months. If it works, I should carry on after the three months.*Disclaimer: Never cut entire food groups out of your diet without consulting a doctor first* He made no promises but I was at a point where I really was willing to try anything.

So I did.

I had one of two options: Gradually cut foods out of just go cold-turkey. I chose the latter because I know that if I just tried to gradually do it, I would never have been able to give certain things up.

And did it work?

Well so far I'm a month and a half in, and it seems to be working.

Now I'm not going to lie, it was so hard at first. But looking back, it was also definitely worth it. ... It's bitter-sweet. On one hand I'm glad there is less pain but on the other I do miss certain things. That said, there are plenty of alternatives and 'free-from' options so I don't really feel like I'm missing out (they are a bit hit and miss though unfortunately).

I'm not saying the pain has disappeared, but I have noticed that it's taken the edge off of it for sure. And that can only be a good thing right?

And speaking of alternatives, I've been doing a lot of 'free-from' cooking/baking recently since I realised there isn't a huge range of decent or affordable alternatives for certain things in the supermarkets. So hopefully I'll start sharing some of my trials with you all soon!

Time For a Change

So I finally went for it.
I put all my fears aside and just got it done. 
Said goodbye to the old me and embraced the new.
Yes, I only went and got all my hair chopped off!

Surprise!
Everyone that knows me, will know that I hate getting my hair cut. After one hideous experience I vowed to always keep it long.
Until now that is!
So why the sudden change of heart? Well three reasons actually. The first: I was just a little sick of my hair to be honest. It's been a variation of long and layered for so many years that I was just a bit bored of it. The second: I kept getting told off for having blue hair because it was against the dress code and really hated having to put it in a bun to hide it everyday. And the third and final: My hair was in such bad condition. So bad that even my split ends had split ends!
Before:

After:

I think it looks so much better, and healthier too!
It also means it will take so much less time and effort to look after, which I am beyond glad about. 
It's definitely going to take some getting used to, but I really do love it!

I'm Back!

Hello there!
I know, I know. I disappeared again. I didn't mean to, honest! It was all because I had to say bye-bye to my laptop while it go fixed. But, I've just go it back! YAY
It was SO difficult  to function normally without it, I felt like I was missing a leg or something! Haha, I'm totally not addicted or anything ;P
Also, during that time a lot happened in my personal life. Many things changed and I had to make some pretty huge decisions, but I feel they are ultimately for the best. :) They included leaving, moving and re-starting.
During all that, I didn't have much time to do some of the things I loved to do. But things have begun to settle down a little (actually everything's still pretty hectic but definitely more organized at least) and I can finally get back to my passions!
And I can't wait to resume blogging again! I've got so many ideas for posts and stuff. Hopefully I can get myself sorted over the next few days or so and then regular posting can commence.