Hi {!firstname_fix}

I know I talked about spring coming last week. But this morning, the sandhill cranes were flying North. How very kewl is that!!

I am enjoying regular life. I have been taking Ronan and Pepper to dog school. Ronan is in obedience class. I have aspirations to be like the dog whisperer. I have a long way to go but my heart is in the right place. And Pepper is da bomb in agility. She is agile and smart and fast. I can barely keep up. We sure have lots of fun!

These are the classes that will be starting this week:

Using Radiant Resources is our Free class for all you folks who are new to the community. Come take a guided bus tour with Kathleen.

Journal: Skillful Use is the class for you if you are interested in learning how to *use* your journal. It counts on your skill at keeping a journal but offers wonderful tips on interpretation and seeing patterns.

Brain Chemistry: Dopamine is a NEW class never before offered. I know this will be a popular class since you have been waiting for 8 years (smile). We will start on March 20. I am putting this up now so you can make sure to get a seat.

A number of you have asked me how the classes work. Check the class list page for more information on this. The classes are done online with one lesson each day. You do not have to be at your computer at any set time.

Please note that we have added the classes to the new schedule so you can see what is coming up. And go read the questions and answers before you write to me. The classes are done online with one lesson each day. You do not have to be at your computer at any set time. If you have trouble getting through the process, write the tech forum.

Please feel free to pass this week's newsletter on to your friends and family. Don't forget to let me know what you like and would like to see me cover.

Be sure to visit our Radiant Recovery® website and Community Forum regularly.

Warmly,
Kathleen

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March 6, 2006
** Quote From Kathleen **


There is NO failure in this plan, only more information to help you learn about your body and your self.

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** Testimonial for the Week**


Hi all! I am so excited and I have to share... I have been on the program for a little over a month now. I am solid on eating breakfast and have been journaling for a couple weeks. Well, I'm a Doula - a professional labor support provider. I had a client that had been in labor since Monday night. She called me that night every hour or so to ask questions and keep me up to speed on what was going on. So, needless to say, I didn't get much sleep, anticipating the phone ringing for me to have to head to the hospital. Well, things slowed down on Tuesday and she had mild labor all day. That night, at 12:30am, she called and said she was heading to the hospital. So, I got ready and went. We spent the whole night there with her in labor only for them to send her home Wednesday morning because she wasn't progressing. Wednesday night, we talked at around 8pm and she felt we wouldn't be going to the hospital that night. But they called me a few times in the middle of the night. Finally, at 6:30am this morning, she called and we headed back to the hospital. She was 9 1/2 cm dilated when we got there. But, 5 hours later, she hadn't moved past that. She ended up with a c-section.

So, why am I excited? Well, this whole week has been very physically and emotionally exhuasting for me. Lack of sleep and the stress and tension that just comes as part of the Doula job make it hard. When I have had these sorts of births in the past, I barely make it through and am *wiped out* for days after. This time, I made sure I ate my breakfast like normal. I took healthy snacks. And, while I do feel tired from the experience - I am not *at all* as tired and run down as I usually am when I do this.

So, I am here to say that just having taking the simple step of establishing breakfast helped me in many wonderful ways. It was the only thing that kept me from being brain and body wasted this week!!! Yeah for breakfast and this program!!!

Christine

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**Recipe of the Week**


Chicken Potato Kugel

  • 3 T. oil
  • 4 chicken thighs/legs, cut into pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • 1 T. hearty deli style mustard
  • (cayenne pepper to taste if you like things hot, if not omit)
  • 4 medium-large sized new potatoes, skin-on, scrubbed well (or any other thin skinned potato)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 onion
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. pepper
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place oil in a roasting pan and place inside the oven to warm up. Meanwhile, mix garlic, onion powder, mustard and cayenne together. Spread the mustard mixture over the chicken and place in heated roasting pan. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.

Grate potatoes with skins (food processor recommended) and squeeze out any liquid. Grate onion. Mix potatoes, onion, eggs, salt and pepper until combined. Pour potato batter over the chicken. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

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**Your Last Diet: More Than What You Think**


Two different questions, two different answers. (I'm a long-time 7- stepper and I'm still fat. )

What you didn't ask is, am I healed from bingeing after 40 years? YES. I feel like I'm still in the honeymoon period from the happiness of that.

sounds like you think "the problem" is fat.

For me "the problem" is addiction, and a side effect is, it made me fat.

NOW that my addiction is quieted down, to take off the fat, I need to tweak my food and exercise, to re-deploy the pounds I gained while bingeing. And I am. But since it takes a while, I am yes, still fat. And gasp, sometimes I take a break from that and coast.

I could do it faster if I wanted to do a "weight loss" plan that included food deprivation or punishing exercise. I truly honestly don't give a rip about that desperate rushing any more. and when I adopt a plan that includes moderate exercise and moderate food changes, then it goes more slowly.

Connie

Come and join us. Click here if you are ready to change your life or just plain ole have fun. It is not too late to get into the classes if you come right now.
 


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**David's Corner **



Ok, I am in the process of making arrangements to carry a new product called King of the Sea tuna. It is kosher, low sodium, tastes great and is certified to have almost no mercury. I am really excited to have found this product. We don't have a final price yet, but I am thinking it will be around $2.50 a can. What I am needing is a sense of whether you would like this option and if so, how much you would be ordering. Here is the way I am structuring it. If you are making another order, I can sell you one can. Otherwise, we will sell it in lots of 12. I know that Kathleen is going to use it and I know that a whole lot of folks on the parents' list are interested. And I know I am going to get it for Madison. But I don't know how much we will need to order from the store. So I have asked Gretel to put up a preorder survey on the store. Let me know your interest so I can make sure to order what you need. Once I have a price, I will call or email you.

Click here if you would like to preorder.

If you haven't been to the store for a while, how about just coming over and browsing. You will be thrilled to see all the changes!

Please send questions and suggestions. I love hearing from you and truly want to help you do your program better.

 
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**Our Online Groups**


Just a reminder that these new groups have started. Those who are in them are having lots of fun so if you are on these middle steps, be sure to come join them.
Step Four will help you with the potato. You will be amazed at the ideas we have for potatoes. Naomi is the liaison.
Step five will help you with how to brown, how to convince your family and how to learn the best browns around. Even learn about beans. Val is the liaison.


Or come to the group page to see all our groups. http://www.radiantrecovery.com/list_serves.htm


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**Sometimes It Is The Little Things**
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.


I put this out every so often because I love it so much.

We ask people what has changed since they started the program. I think you will love this list as much as I do.

  • I don't have to go into the handicap stall in the public restrooms.
  • I can fit into almost any booth at restaurants.
  • I am no longer defensive about my eating habits.
  • I enjoy smells differently.
  • I have more energy.
  • I am able to love.
  • I feel God closer than ever.
  • I have lots of new friends.
  • I eat food for fuel.
  • I celebrate the real meaning of the holiday.
  • Just yesterday, I noticed that I have collar-bones.
  • I smile.
  • I wear two sizes smaller in shorts.
  • I love my husband unconditionally now.
  • I really LIKE looking at flowers.
  • I enjoy my granddaughter more every day.
  • The sunsets are more magnificent than ever.
  • I am able to listen in church with a calm understanding.
  • I appreciate the air.
  • I have been able to forgive.
  • I don't have swelling in my ankles and legs anymore.
  • My dogs don't aggravate me anymore.
  • I don't smother when I lay down.
  • My triple chin is now a double.
  • I marvel at the whole Creation.
  • I can think clearly.
  • I am not embarrassed to swim in front of anyone.
  • I no longer need a seat belt extender.
  • I only weigh when I feel a loss.
  • I thirst for knowledge and actually seek it.
  • I have let go of some of my perfectionism.
  • I no longer HAVE to have sugar after each meal.
  • I read EVERY food label.
  • I no longer beat myself up for a mistake, but go on learn about it.
  • I WANT to grow old.
  • I care more deeply for other people.
  • I get a pedicure now and then. (used to be a big hangup)
  • Negative control is not as strong as it used to be.
  • I crave those cool evenings relaxing in my porch swing.
  • I can fit in most wheelchairs.
  • I don't have to have the largest hospital gown anymore.
  • The birds chirping have become quite beautiful.
  • I love eating "YLD Healthy Foods".
  • I have become ONE with my local health food store.
  • I am proud to answer "those questions" about my food plan.
  • I love knowing that this programs works.
  • I love helping my family understand about fuel for their bodies.
  • I can hardly wait until the Christmas Season.
  • I look at professionals w/admiration, instead of a threat.(hugehangup)
  • I care about my fingernails.
  • I am much more organized in my housekeeping.
  • I park farther from the store.
  • I hum a lot.
  • I WANT to exercise.
  • I have learned it is ok to set goals.
  • I no longer consider myself on a diet, but I am on a LIFE PLAN.
  • The sun seems brighter.
  • I can ASK for help without the guilt.
  • I can see my feet when I stand or lie down.
  • I no longer expect myself to fail with my weight loss.
  • I can tie my shoes with out cutting off my oxygen supply.
  • I can also tie my shoes in the middle of my shoe instead of to the side.
  • I can say "no".
  • I crave green things and feel good about it!
  • I like cottage cheese.
  • Fresh air makes me feel alive.
  • I can cut my own toenails.
  • I can wear a smaller bra size.... smaller panties too.
  • I have so much more energy.
  • I have less PMS.
  • I don't worry about what people think about me.
  • I don't feel helpless anymore. Even if things are not going my way or I have a slip, I know that I can help myself.
  • Cinnamon is delicious without sugar.
  • Corn is sweet.
  • I wake up in the morning now (no more "10 snooze" mornings!).
  • I don't hide "forbidden food" all over the house anymore.
  • I don't sneak the wrappers out of the house so my husband doesn't see the evidence of last night's binge anymore.
  • I wear shorts because I like my legs even though they haven't made it to their full recovery yet.
  • I can fall asleep when I go to bed.
  • I can play with my children after dinner since I no longer feel comatose from eating huge white meals.
  • I feel *whole*, steady and real.
  • I feel.
  • I'm just plain happy and I can't put my finger on it.
  • Things that would have freaked me out before don't anymore.
  • Three months ago my protein was in my ice cream, wasn't it?
  • I've figured out that this is about life changes, not just about food.
  • I realize my life has more out of whack in it than just food".
  • After fighting exercise and the journal so long, they have become incredibly important to me. Feel frantic if I've left my journal home.
  • The journal is my home.
  • am a size smaller but have only lost a few pounds.
  • The "girls" (my chest) are a size smaller.
  • I love shopping at the health food store. Shoppers are so much nicer there than at sugar stores.
  • I've gotten used to packing two meals a day.
  • I am very slowly gaining confidence in handling the feelings that the bingeing covered. Feelings really won't kill me, they do pass and generally teach me something. Sometimes the journal helps me catch feelings before I binge them temporarily away.
  • I have finally taken responsibility for my own life after feeling abandoned by others.
  • I no longer feel suicidal about turning 50 this Nov. Sometimes I feel that my life is just starting.
  • I have reduced my anti-depressants by 25% in agreement with my doctor.
  • I don't feel dirty, worthless and physically ill from bingeing nearly as much.
  • My office no longer does doughnut runs every afternoon. The communal chocolate drawer is gone. I don't miss either.
  • My food slips are more often portion explosions that sugar/white binges.
  • I think my fist is shrinking. (HA!)
  • I have returned to my art hobby and am having a blast.
  • I'm not afraid of going to a family reunion this Sept much heavier than the last reunion.
  • I don't go shopping now unless I really NEED something. I think I used to go shopping to feel better (raise by BE's).
  • My PMS symptoms have almost vanished.
  • I actually enjoy wearing pants with a zipper.
  • My migraines are gone - along with much of my fibromyalgia pain.
  • I don't feel like I'm hanging on to life with my fingertips any more - I have a much firmer grasp - and it's good!!!
  • I've gone through really tough times and had the clarity of mind to make wise and thoughtful decisions.
  • I don't apologize for making my food needs known - I've gotten REALLY good in resturants (remember how Meg Ryan ordered in the movie "When Harry met Sally"?)
  • I have reduced the amount of alcohol easily and don't crave it like I used to.


©Kathleen DesMaisons 2006.

Here are the folks who are helping put the newsletter together:

Gretel, the liaison for the recovery list and the webmaster puts it all together
Naomi, liaison for big ones gathers the recipes
Marie, the liaison for diabetes gathers the info on the online lists
David, who runs the Radiant Recovery® Store talks about what new products we have.

You are getting the weekly newsletter from Radiant Recovery® in response to your signup. A copy of this newsletter may also be found posted on the web at http://www. radiantrecovery.com/weeklynewsletter.htm.

©2006 by Kathleen DesMaisons . All rights reserved. You are free to use or transmit this article to your ezine or website as long as you leave the content unaltered and use this attribution: "By Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D. of Radiant Recovery®. Please visit Kathleen's website at http://www.radiantrecovery.com for additional resources on sugar sensitivity and healing addiction." Please notify me at kathleen@radiantrecovery.com to let me know where the material will appear.

Banner Photograph by Geraint Smith