Hi {!firstname_fix}

I am on my way back from Ireland. I LOVED seeing all our European buddies. We had such a wonderful time. There is something about really connecting to a global community that is breathtaking.

And I have to admit that I loved being in a place where all the people sound like my grandmother. Now that was an experience all in itself. I will write more about that in detail when I am settled and have integrated it some.

And we will not be starting any new classes this week due to traveling back from Ireland

I have posted a new class schedule on line. Click here to see what is planned.

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.

And please go read the questions and answers before you write to me. 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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September 18, 2006
** Quote From Kathleen **


When you eat according to your food plan, you will have a solid sense of self-esteem that comes from biochemical balance, clarity, and well-being.

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** Testimonial for the Week**


I'm a 30-year veteran of the Battle of the Bulge. I remember thinking that if only I could get thin, life would be better. I'd have confidence, I'd have energy, I'd be able to eat moderate amounts of whatever it is like a Normal Person. That's what I wanted: to just be normal.

Lo and behold, one day I actually did reach my goal weight! And guess what? Life was not a dream. It was more like a nightmare. I belonged to a diet club that conferred special status on those who had attained their goal weights. I had a 7 pound range outside of which I could lose my status. I also had horrible PMS and incredible cravings. I seemed to spend a week going into it, a week going through it, a week coming out of it and a week to live. I didn't have more energy. I didn't have more confidence. I was exhausted from compulsively dieting three weeks out of the month to make up for a week-long binge that I kept promising myself would not happen. I lived in constant fear of gaining the weight back. At one point I got really tired and just gave up. I lost my status. I lived in shame. I felt like a failure. I quit the club.

Now here I am in Radiant Recovery. I came here when I was going absolutely bonkers over my son's wedding. Being Mother of the Groom all I really needed to do was find something to wear, which was more difficult than ever for this 5'3" pear-shaped extra heavy matron. My sister and I had become "diet buddies" (which didn't work for either of us) and one day she told me she was craving sugar so bad she could chew sugar cubes. I remembered reading PnP years ago and that there was a Radiant Recovery web site that I thought she should look into. Then something inside me said that I should look at the web site.

I was amazed! I saw the classes, the new books, the journals, the online support! I found out that my idea of Breakfast wasn't near what it should be I ordered some materials and started Step One. I was tempted to do a lot of steps at once, but I kept reminding myself to focus on Step One. When I got my journal I loved it. Because I was tracking my body and my emotions it had a different feel from those old "diet journals". In just a month or two, my son's fiancee declared, "You're the calmest one!" And indeed I was. I wore a big smile on the big day and when people told me that I looked great I actually believed them. I hadn't lost any weight, maybe even put on a pound or two, but the inner glow told me I was on the right track.

When I lost weight from dieting it didn't feel on the inside the way it looked on the outside. My "success" was not a success; it was more like a failure waiting to happen because my body was not healed from the problems that set me up for craving and bingeing in the first place. Now I am still as heavy as I was when I started (maybe a couple of pounds lighter) but my heart is already light. My healing body isn't craving sweets all the time. Most of the time when I see sweet foods they look like beautiful arts and crafts. My emotions aren't so dramatic as they used to be. I have more energy in my 50's than I had in my 20's, mostly because I'm not emotionally exhausted all the time.

I'm looking forward to the new YLD classes, but in the meantime I can't believe how patient I have become with the process. I am loving my body right now, just the way she is. I appreciate her so much for everything she has been through with me and for me. She has served me well for a good long time and the least I can do is give her what she needs and be patient with her. As she has learned to trust me that I will feed her enough and on time, she has been able to release her hold on the extra weight slowly and gently. I am listening to her instead of trying to impose my will on her. It's like having a new relationship with an old acquaintance.

How I love our abundant Radiant lifestyle!

Lora

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**Recipe of the Week**


For those celebrating Rosh Hashana, carrots play an important part. Here is my program friendly version for "sweet" carrots. And for those of you not celebrating, they are yummy for any time.

MAPLE ORANGE GLAZED CARROTS

  • 12 medium carrots
  • 2 T. light tasting olive oil (or butter)
  • 2 T. orange juice
  • grated zest from one small orange
  • 1 tsp. sea salt
  • 2 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1 T. alcohol-free maple extract
Peel the carrots and then slice into 1/4 inch pieces. Place carrots in a covered vegetable steamer over boiling water for 10 minutes or until they are tender. Remove from heat and set aside. In a large saucepan, heat the oil. Add orange juice, orange zest, steamed carrots, salt and nutmeg. Stir to coat and cook until heated through. Remove from heat and add maple extract., mixing well. Serve immediately.

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


Don't forget to go over and check the schedule to see when your weight loss class gets started. There will be 2 classes starting the week of 9/25 and two the week of 10/11.

Weight Loss Readiness is the class for those of you just starting out. This gives you a jump start by shifting your mind starting right out the gate.

Settling the Emotional Pieces of Weight Loss is a terrific adjunct to your process. Find out what gets in the way and heal it. This class lets you come to the main part with a clear heart.

Weight Loss in Action is the specific how-to piece of your program. You have your body balanced with the steps, are ready to rock. Learn how with efficiency and grace.

Weight Loss for Stubborns is a problem-solving group for people who have been working the program and have found it hard to lose the extra weight.

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.
 


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**David's Corner **





Kathleen asked Rachel if she could quote her in the newsletter. I think Rachel sure got how neat our journals are, LOL . If you want a journal or two, just click here and I will send one out in a flash.

I'm a newbie, so I can't say much on this step except how THRILLED I was when I found out that journaling was switched from step 1 to step 2! I read PNP and was excited to start, but scared to death of the journal. Now that I've been doing step one for a few weeks and feeling good about it, it's not so scary and I'm actually looking forward to it.

I do have to plug Kathleen's journal that you can buy. I have one already, and I love its format. The website really doesn't describe all the extra fun stuff that is in it.
  1. The cover is black and it doesn't say: I'M A PSYCHO WHO HAS TO WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING THAT I EAT AND FEEL on it. :)
  2. Very nice message from Kathleen in the front. Thank you!
  3. The seven steps
  4. Balanced/unbalanced physical and emotional feelings in word lists - Very Handy!
  5. Charts with signs of imbalance and balance for your blood sugar, serotonin and beta-endorphin levels
  6. Protein Values! Woo-hoo!
  7. Lists of White things, Brown Things, Green Things, Fruits, Sugars
  8. Raising Beta-endorphin list which you can add on to
  9. Blank Things to Remember pages
  10. And then it actually starts! The pages are laid out very nicely with sections on things to pay attention to, exercise, gratitude for today, special commitment for tomorrow and a tip for each day
So I'm sorry if I'm boring those of you who already have Kathleen's journal, but I just wanted those of you who don't yet to know how cool it is! :)

I used to keep a journal in high school and college and I've always enjoyed them. I know I will enjoy these too. Oh my goodness, am I ready for step 2? I love breakfast and couldn't live without it. I guess I'll bring this up on the breakfast forum. Elaine - where are you?

Rachel

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**


Hi I am Ann the geo coach for the Radiant Big Apple group. We are a fun group of people from the New York and New Jersey area, who are following the steps to a radiant recovery. Sometimes we actually can coordinate our busy schedules and have a meeting at a local restaurant. At those meetings it is always fun to meet face to face and discuss food, recipes and our life. We would love to have you to join us. Living in New York or New Jersey is not a requirement.

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


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**Reflecting on the Heart of It **
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.


I asked Kayla if I might share this quote with you. It so captures the essence of what we are about, that I wanted to use it to walk you through some of the key stuff about the program. I am going to reflect right with your words.

OK. I felt so good when I was really doing the program, so the idea that I would give it up does cause me shame. I start going into the whole psychological inquiry: Am I self sabatoging, do I not want to face life? So you are saying that I should not go that route?

I know the idea to not do a lot of psychological exploration is foreign to many of you. Gee, it was huge for me. I had studied the psychology of self development for 15 years, had a master’s degree in it when I came to the program. I was sure that addiction was about self destruction and shame. I started my own program to lose weight. I developed the steps to help support the guys to not drink. I had NO idea what was coming. Then I listened to you guys as you talked and talked. And something profound happened. I learned that it is NOT a psychological issue, it is a biochemical one. Listen to one of the best descriptions I have ever heard:

Well, I will trust you on that, because I know that in other things it has been true. For example, when I am eating well, I really like my job: I see the problems (a lot of bureaucracy and directives), but I also see the many good and exciting things I do and can do more of (really helping people heal and adjust to their life changes, encouraging other employees, research). When I am eating poorly, I spend my free time looking up early retirement plans and fantasizing about winning the lottery.

Exactly. Same life, different biochemistry. How can I help you connect to the power of this? You do not have to get a new job, win the lottery or throw the bastard out. First you get steady, and then these life choices are seen through a very different filter. You may decide that you need a new job, but it will not be reactive and frantic. You will do it in a planful and reflective way. Or you may say, hmm, I have 3 more years, I can manage. You may think I need not to be in this unhealthy relationship. Let’s think about this. Or you may say, hmm, the dude makes $100,000 a year and leaves me alone, maybe I will just do my life here. Rather than thinking about the lottery, you will think about paying your bills on time, starting a savings account, and just doing life.

Mostly though, you will really, really get it that if you do the food, do the program, EVERYTHING changes. Everything.

I am trying to understand what you are saying. I can see from my journal that my road to full blown relapse was when first my journal became sketchy (2), then I let in white things(5), then I stopped journal altogether (2) then the potato & vitamins missed a few days(4), then I went for sugar (6) and then everything was gone.

Yes, this is relapse in a nutshell. The really, really kewl thing is that we know how to get back. And it is as simple as the other direction. Eat breakfast on time. Journal. Pay attention to meals. Potato and vitamins. Brown things and no sugar. Not complex. But mighty, mighty.



©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 Food and Cooking 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