I would like to wish all my readers a very HAPPY NEW YEAR and I hope all your dreams for 2019 come true!
I haven't made any New Year resolutions but I have a couple of things I would like to achieve in 2019 and beyond.
I start this year with a new look.
Since June 2018 I have not dyed my hair, and a few days ago I visited the hairdressers to make the transition to grey a little easier, as it was getting awkward. When I say grey I really mean silvery white lol! This has been a hard and interesting journey, but I have stuck with it and at this stage do not intend to go back (I was adding colour to my hair every few weeks). It feels like I have been set free, after dying my hair for 40 plus years! I started greying at 15 and it has caused me so much anxiety through the years but now I am at peace with this season of my life, and look forward to what lies ahead.
Since June 2018 I have not dyed my hair, and a few days ago I visited the hairdressers to make the transition to grey a little easier, as it was getting awkward. When I say grey I really mean silvery white lol! This has been a hard and interesting journey, but I have stuck with it and at this stage do not intend to go back (I was adding colour to my hair every few weeks). It feels like I have been set free, after dying my hair for 40 plus years! I started greying at 15 and it has caused me so much anxiety through the years but now I am at peace with this season of my life, and look forward to what lies ahead.
My lifestyle is a healthy and natural one and I felt uneasy to continually put chemicals on my head. My scalp would go bright red and itch for about a week afterwards whenever a colour was added, so it was really time to stop!
I feel uncomfortable posting photos of myself, but it is all part of the journey...first photo taken in 15th June 2018 and the second on December 27th 2018.
before and after
The vegan journey will continue. I have upped the ante with the food plan and cut out most of the junk I was eating. Now I am more whole food plant based and feeling fantastic!
Hubby is also continuing on with the healthy food plan. You may remember a while ago I told you about his cholesterol being high. His level started at 9, then went down to 8.5 and he could not seem to lower it further. He was desperate not to take pills so I suggested to try eating what I ate, and I was pleasantly surprised when he said yes (I think he wanted to really prove me wrong...wink, wink). So after three months his cholesterol dropped to 6.3 and after another three months his levels are down to 4.8! Proof that you are what you eat! Food is thy medicine, is true after all...Even the doctor was shocked at the results having told hubby that he had familial cholesterol (hereditary) and there was nothing he could do about it! Every part of hubby's bloods were perfect and in the normal range. No low iron, B12, calcium, protein etc...I will add that hubby does eat fish very occasionally, so not fully transitioned to plant based, but he is doing enough to drop those numbers. I hope this information may be helpful to someone that has cholesterol issues J
The other thing I will do is get fitter (I know I say this every year!) and I am making this a priority. I want to lose at least five kilos in the process, and feel very determined at this early stage.
Most of all I would like to post regularly on this blog, I have been very neglectful of this little place in recent years. To do this I will be less active on Facebook and Instagram. That is going to take all my willpower haha!
I am looking forward to 2019 and all that it will bring.
Stay happy and healthy, and I will see you soon.
xTania
May 2019 be a banner year for you and yours, Tania!
ReplyDeleteThank you Gorges.
DeleteYou have been a dedicated follower of my musings, it is so much appreciated :)
xTania
I think your new hair is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI hope the sun shines, the gentle rains fall and the wind is set fair over your outback homestead in 2019.
Frances
Thank you Frances for your kind words.
DeleteMay you be blessed in abundance too...
xTania
Tania I love your hair. Having it natural has taken years off your face. You are now a silver foxy lady. Well done to you. Have a wonderful New Year. I'm looking forward to reading more of your life here on the blog.
ReplyDeleteAw thank you Jane. I am still getting used to the new hair! I am happy that I have taken the plunge, and hopefully I can continue on.
DeleteI am hoping to post at least once a week from now on...we will see how that goes haha!
xTania
Wow that is a great result with your husband's cholesterol. I think your hair is a lovely colour. I hope 2019 is a wonderful year for you Tania.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is a great result Sherri, even we got a shock at how low hubby's cholesterol actually was. We were not expecting that amount at all. I am happy now because I know I have done the right things to lower the numbers :)
DeletexTania
Well done Tania,
ReplyDeleteI too need to follow by example.
All my levels are up, weight,cholesterol,sugar and BP... I need to get real.
Thanks for the shove !!! it might just spur me on.
I too am guilty of not keeping up my blog and will also endeavour to post more often.Happy New Year to you and yours Tania,
Take care
Cheers.
Hi Jane, thank you so much for your comment.
DeleteThe message is to cut out or down on animal products and eat more fruit and vegetables. Remember this; Anything that has a liver will increase your cholesterol, so that is what you need to target. Also cut right down on sugar and salt. I have cut out bread for the time being as I am trying to lose some kilos, it does make a big difference as already my weight is going down. Sadly I love my sourdough bread, but must eat in moderation. Same with cakes, desserts etc. The western diet is so bad for us!
I have spent the last six months really researching this subject and have learned so much that I did not know! Replace meat with beans, legumes etc, and dairy with plant based milk. I use almond and soy products. Almost every recipe you make now has a healthier vegan option. Contact me through this blog is you want to ask any questions.
Hope you can work out your levels, and start to decrease them. You will start to feel so much better and have more energy, and we can all do with some of that ~smiles.
Best of luck!
xTania
The silver colour suits you...I love that colour on you. I am focusing on my healthy eating too this year for better health. Glad that your husbands health has improved and it's so true about the type of food we eat does affect our bodies and our health. You only have to look at "That Sugar Film" experiment to view in 2 months what happens with food. Happy New Year to you and your family. Kathy
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy.
DeleteI like the colour of my hair now, but had a fear of looking too old. I think I am young enough to still get away with it even though I am 56 lol!
The health message is simple, all you need to do is add more fruit and veggies and cut down on animal products, they are so bad for our health. Six months of research has taught me this. There is plenty of info out there. If you get the chance, watch Forks over Knives, this is the documentary that started me on my healthy journey.
All the best,
xTania
Happy New Year Tania! I think your hair looks blondish and you look younger! Also yes we are what we eat. Wheat turned out to be terrible for me now trying to cut down on sugar. Looking forward to following your year Tania I hope it is a great one for you! xxx
ReplyDeleteOh I am so glad to hear that about my hair Annabel! Thank you :)
DeleteI am going to work harder to cut sugar and salt from my eating, there is so much of these hidden in our foods! I am glad you worked out about wheat to help you with your symptoms. It has definitely worked for you!
Its going to be a great year Annabel, I can sense it!
xTania
Happy New Year to you and your family Tania!
ReplyDeleteI love that you’ve adopted your natural hair colour. Do you know how much the young ones will pay for “platinum blonde” locks these days! 😉
Gosh those cholesterol numbers are impressive! Dietary changes are big on my radar lately, I’m giving up wheat from today for 6 weeks to see if it helps some of my ailments, if it does, I will stop eating it for good.
Is it selfish of me to be glad you are going to blog more? 😉😁
Dear Cheryl,
DeleteThat is exactly what my hairdresser said! Its all the rage at the moment, so the perfect time to transition to grey :)
I know I have been a bad blogger and I am sorry. Too many other distractions like Facepoop and Instagram, but I am almost over both of those and look forward to rekindling my love of blogging. Thank you for being so selfish lol!
Add more fruit and vegetables in your diet, they help to carry out the bad stuff :)
xTania
Tania, my hair is white in the front and I am waiting for it to all be white like my sister's is and like Mum's was. Your hair colour looks great and really suits you. All the best for 2019. I hope it brings you and your family much joy and good health.
ReplyDeleteDear Nanna Chel,
DeleteI am actually liking the change in my hair. It is healthier and even has a bit of a shine, something that was lacking while I was colouring it.
Apparently it is all the fashion to have grey hair. My eldest daughter has embraced it and also my daughter in law, so I will fit right in. My eldest said we rock the Scandinavian look lol!
Have a great year!
xTania
Love your new hair color, it is very flattering and makes you look younger! Wishing you all the best for 2019. I am looking forward to reading here more often : )
ReplyDeleteThank you Candace :)
DeletexTania
Looks very nice and thicker. And you have a nice wave. I've only used a temporary dye here and there, but even that was strong. I stopped a couple years ago because I decided to choose healthy hair over a younger color! So true that it is in style. although tinged with other colors such as a gray-purple, for younger people. Blueberries are the best for lowering cholesterol. And prescribed drugs have so many bad side-effects, such as statins causing diabetes. Andrea
ReplyDeleteVery informative comment Andrea, thank you :)
DeletexTania
Beautiful Tania! Wishing you and Phil a wonderful 2019.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cath. Happy New Year to you and family too!
DeletexTania
I really like your hair, Tania. You look great.
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting to read about your husband's cholesterol levels and vegan diet. I too have slightly high cholesterol and my doctor said it could be due to genetic factors.
Happy New year to you and your family!
You need less animal products and more plants in your life Nil, this will help lower cholesterol. I wish you success with lowering your numbers naturally, it can be done :)
DeletexTania
Beautiful curls Tania! It suits you
ReplyDeleteThank you xxx
DeleteHappy New Year to you, Tania! It sounds like you have set your priorities, with continuing your vegan lifestyle and wanting to be fitter, so that's really great. My hair is greying too and every now and again I think I will dye it (I never have) but then I think about all those chemicals too, and the expense of it, and I change my mind! I also know I'd be terrible at the upkeep of it:/ I think your curls are lovely and that you look healthy and happy in your photos. That's what matters most! MegXx
ReplyDeleteThank you Meg, you have just made my day :D
DeletexTania
Hi Tania, You look beautiful! I love your natural hair color. I think it makes you look younger. I am still coloring my hair with henna. At least it is natural. Congratulations on getting your husband's numbers down so dramatically. That's an amazing improvement. I agree that our diet really dictates our health. I think a positive attitude helps a lot, too. You sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThank you Stephenie. I did consider using henna, but decided to go this way. Less maintenance :)
DeleteYes is was a big surprise when the doctor told us his cholesterol had dropped yet again. I was so relieved.
xTania
Gosh - the silver looks stunning! Why did you delay doing this? (all a bit awkward coming from a bloke, sorry - but you know me well enough :-) )
ReplyDeleteI know women at work who pay mega-bucks to do the Nordic-Ice grey look and yet yours is just natural.
Own it.
Hi Phil,
DeleteI certainly wish now that I had ditched the hair dye sooner! I had always said I would do it once I turned fifty, it has taken another six years to take the plunge. I am getting used to this new look, it took a while though.
Thank you for your encouragement, it means a lot. The stigma of "grey hair" is sometimes more than I can handle. It is just hair colour for goodness sake!
Wishing you a wonderful New Year,
xTania
Your hair looks great
ReplyDeleteI’m going grey and I don’t care
I haven’t coloured my hair in well over ten years and I’m not about to start again
The comments oh my. Women really are paranoid about going grey but I’m sticking to my guns
Sliver sister rock!
Grey hair, don't care is where my mind is too Angela :)
DeleteSilver is my new favourite colour :)
xTania
Happy new year.
ReplyDeleteThank you Stewart :)
DeleteYour new look is fabulous. My goal this year reduse junk food and eat more fruit and veg and less meat and processed foods. Look forward to reading more posts from you. Regards Cheryl
ReplyDeleteThank you Cheryl. Good luck with your clean eating, hope you have great success!
DeletexTania
It looks lovely. My hair is dark with silvery streaks here and there. Before I finished work a young lady enquired as to my hairdresser was as the streaks looked good, lol. I said umm, all natural. She said her mum would kill for that, hahaha.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased to learn I am not alone on this grey journey. I feel so much better having shared my transition with the world haha!
DeleteThe hairdressers always loved my curls through the years, saying how lucky I was. "People pay big money to get curls like yours" they would say. Now they pay big money for curls and grey hair and I have them both for cheap as hahaha!!
Thank you for making me smile Brigie :)
I made the decision to stop dyeing my hair last year too. I started to go grey very young as well and I just got sick of having to be bother with it (and I am glad to not be using all those harsh chemicals and putting them in the drain). I'll be on the get fitter wagon this year too. Happy 2019 to you and yours Tania.
ReplyDeleteGood reasons to stop the dye Tracy. So far this year the heat (45C today) is sabotaging my fitness plans, so I have had to change the routine a little but that's okay, I'm still determined.
DeleteAll the best this year,
xTania
Your hair is such a pretty colour without dye. It is liberating and saves a fortune doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cherie, it certainly is liberating and expensive, but apart from the cost, spending 2-3 hours of my time at least once a month is something I dont want to do.
DeleteIt is lovely that you dropped in today, I am off to check out your crafty blog. Crafting is something I want to get back to also :)
xTania
Nice Do, Tania. So much softer than the harsh look of bottle dye. I gave up dying for many years, then my son started school last year. I didn't want him being teased that his mum had grey hair. To make his transition a little easier, I started dying with Sienna. It's a natural plant die. It adds golden highlights to the natural grey. So the roots aren't even noticeable when they regrow - as it's very similar to my natural grey. No grief with the Sienna journey, so far. So I'll keep applying it every few months. As I didn't die for years, I won't have a struggle switching back if I change my mind.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to embrace this aspect of life though. Grey hair and all! Happy new year, Tania.