Ok, we have leaves in New Mexico now, wahoo. The air has changed. Everything is sort of streaming with the idea of new life. I love this time of year. We are getting everything set for ranch. We have 2 slots left if you have last minute stirrings and decide you want to come. And if not, it looks like I can do a summer mini ranch so those of you that are teachers can come. More on that soon. These are the classes that will begin this week: Brain Chemistry: Serotonin Week 1 is one of the brainchemistry favorites. If you have a problem with impulse control (that means can’t say no, LOL), or are depressed or have trouble sleeping, come find out why and what you can do about it. Using Community Resources is our guided tour for new people. If you just found us, come to the free introductory class I do. Get a personal Kathleen escorted guided tour. Step 3: 3 Meals a Day is a great support if you are getting ready for Step Three. Step 3 is way harder that it seems. This class helps you break it up into smaller steps so you can catch all the nuances. Everyone loves the Step 3 class. Back to Basics 2 is the second phase of the three part sequence of getting back on track for fallen seven steppers (smile). 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 **********************************************************************
April 3, 2006 ** Quote From Kathleen **
When your food is steady, your life is steady. When your food is wobbly, your life is wobbly. *********************************************************************
** Testimonial for the Week**
Of course I have feelings. I should have clarified what I meant by "negative feelings and thoughts." It's that stuff we sometimes refer to as "negativity" in a person -- the gloom and doom, people do it to me, I hate myself, life sucks, you can't trust anybody, I'm totally fat and stupid, I can't handle life, I hate this whole damn world, life is so unfair -- you get the idea. My sister is dying -- I feel very sad about it. My grandson is blossoming in the theatre -- I feel very happy about it. My life is changing directions -- I feel very excited about it. Lots of feelings. No negative stuff. The anger piece is interesting -- you suggest maybe we have anger to tell us something is not right in our life and to make changes. Maybe we do, but I don't seem to operate that way anymore. I make changes because I notice something new popping up that is more appealing than the present so I move toward it, whether it is more direct communication or finding a new place to live. I live with honesty, integrity and fullness out of a deep appreciation and love for life and people around me, not out of feeling guilty or miserable or judged about bad behavior. This is different than it was before I did the food. As you can imagine, I live with deep gratitude for finding this program that has changed my life in many wonderful ways. Joy S ********************************************************************
**Recipe of the Week**
This recipe has been around the community a long time. Everyone who tries it just loves it. Hope you do, too! Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Citrus and Mascarpone
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**Your Last Diet: More Than What You Think**
Ok, we are down to the wire getting ready for the new classes. We are just doing introductions. If you have been thinking about joining, now is the time to do it. I have been getting the class materials ready. It makes me smile. This is such a kewl way to lose weight. And, one thing to remember, you do not have to be set on Step 7 to use YLD. Many people have been asking me, *Should I join now, Kathleen, or should I wait?* I always say, come NOW. YLD is a happening place and the support is amazing. Spring is a great time to care for yourself. We will love to have you. YLD Foundation for folks who are ready for weight loss but are just starting off in the program. This class takes people through building a foundation. You get steady, clear, mobilized and funny. You learn how to use the resources of the community. YLD Weight Loss is for those of you who are on Step 7 and are ready to begin your weight loss process. This is one of the most transformative classes we do. Everyone who takes it reports a total transformation. YLD Weight Loss in Action is the implementation class. Learn practical tips on how to put together the plan that suits your body best. Learn the parts of refining the basic 7 steps to lose weight. And most of all, have a blast doing it. If you are not a YLD member, 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. ********************************************************* *********** **David's Corner ** 
Please send questions and suggestions. I love hearing from you and truly want to help you do your program better. ********************************************************* ***********
**Our Online Groups**
Our new vegetarian group is rockin! I am pleased that our team is being so creative. Here is what Franny had to say about it. I really just wanted to say thank you to Mika and Bob. I started this program really worried that being a vegetarian would make it about impossible, but your ideas, recipes (that cheesy nut loaf is yummy!), and positive energy have made me hopeful and able to take action. Franny Or come to the group page to see all our groups. http://www.radiantrecovery.com/list_serves.htm ********************************************************************
**Holiday Help ** Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D. As you are developing your new program, you will want to change how you deal with holidays. Historically holidays have meant food - sweet, white and fat food. Much of what we have loved about holidays has been the food. Let's think about some ways to reframe holidays. Listen to the suggestions from some of the people in the Radiant Recovery® community. Potluck Solution I spend the holidays with the same family every year, and we pot-luck the meal...so I will be able to bring something on the Plan, and they probably won't notice I'm not eating a lot of the other stuff. Laurie W. Plan Ahead and Speak in a Wistful Tone Make a firm decision ahead of time-- plan! If you know you can't resist Aunt Ethel's Pecan Pie, decide how much you will have, what you have to eliminate to help balance, what to say... People seem more responsive to my being "sugar sensitive, my body doesn't process sugar properly" said with a wistful sigh than to declarations that I'm not "eating sugar". Pat Tell Your Family in Advance I told family members in advance about the sugar sensitivity stuff. With that knowledge, they will hopefully refrain from offering me the things they know I don't want to eat. By the same token, I will be more likely to check myself if I reach for something I have already told them I am not going to eat. Anne Eat Before You Go Eat before you go wherever you're going. My determination is at its lowest when I'm hungry, and I have learned that I can stay with the program much more effectively if I face all the "goodies" I can't have on a protein-full stomach. Karen Bring Your Own Drinks I will make sure to have a supply of my sparking mineral water on hand and possibly orange juice to put in it. Maybe some lemon juice to put in ice water, too, which I find very refreshing unsweetened. Delita Eating Out The best of both worlds: good food with no cooking or cleanup. Have it your way! The best thing I ever did about holidays was go to restaurants for the BIG MEAL (this was over the past 10 years until my mother died in 1996). This was a good choice because somehow the food never tasted as good and there was no bird to pick at and no leftovers. Once we even went to a fish restaurant and I had Dungeness Crab Louis that I like better than turkey. Judy Just you or you and the kids? Design your own holiday! My son and I lived 800 miles from the rest of the family so we had some holidays with them, some holidays with friends and some holidays with just the two of us. Instead of feeling left out, we decided to look on our "just us" as the opportunity to choose our own way to celebrate. One year we had a full course holiday dinner... all microwave! One year, pizza. One year, Mexican. Sometimes we planned a day's outing or a meal out, some years we chose a day at home playing games and watching videos. Many years we invited unattached friends and acquaintances to share in our celebration. None were more memorable than others... we loved them all! Delita Alternative Celebrations Joy is as joy does. Lots of folks find new ways to enjoy and share their holidays. Spreading Cheer in Service Many folks spend their holiday helping in local programs serving the needy. In most communities there are ongoing services that get swamped during the holidays, or a *special* holiday meal that you can probably find advertised in the paper. Whole families are known to find their gratitude in sharing together. Sign Up After Dinner Walkers I also plan to pack my sneakers, pick a time and sign up "after --dinner-walkers" before we even eat -- I'm planning it right into the old agenda so that the idea won't wane as the day wears on. That way, we're all committed to go, and the dog will love us for it! Karen Cooking in New Ways When you are first starting your program, preparing holiday meals can be daunting. If you have always served your family sweet potatoes with brown sugar and little Marshmallows, they may balk at trying something new. You might want to introduce some of these recipes one at a time and then put them together for the celebration. I have personally tried each of the recipes and I can tell you that a sugar free holiday can be a mighty nice thing! These are all in the cookbook.
©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 step 4 gathers the recipes 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 |
