Hi {!firstname_fix}

Spring has certainly started. The flowers are making their way up - these are daffodils I planted after 9/11 and when they come back I always remember and send blessings for the families left behind.

Plans for ranch are in full swing. I have decided to record the sessions again this year. If you come, you will have a way to get CDs before you leave. If you don’t come, you will be able to get recordings of the material. And we are setting it up so you can hear all the questions really well (smile). I love the roster for who is coming. It just makes me smile to think of all those folks here at the same time. We still have a few spaces left, so sign up now if you are planning to come.

We will be starting these new classes the week of 3/21. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page:

Hormones is a class for women dealing with perimenopause, menopause, PMS or whatever. Let's discover what you can do to refine your program to support feeling better. I have been working on the curriculum for this class for several weeks. My, oh my, the material I have found is fascinating. The story is way more intriguing than the things we were taught.

Resource Center Tour is another one of our free walking tours through the website. This one takes you through the resource center. Explore all the nooks and crannies and discover things you did not know were there.

YLDweightlossreadiness is the new getting started class for YLD members. We are really excited to do this new format. Come learn how Phase One of your program sets the foundation for your entire weight loss plan.

Step 6: Going off Sugar is a class for those of you getting ready to detox or having detoxed and wondering why it is so hard after. We talk about *the flat*.

We had 3 classes planned for this week that will have some changes. Based on enrollment, I am canceling the Sleep class, and postponing Step 4 and BtB until next month. Gretel will be in touch with you about logistics.

We will be starting these new classes the week of 03/28. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page:

Step 2: Journal, Skillful Use is the next level of journaling. This is for those of you who know *how* and want to learn what to do with your data. This class shows you how to interpret what you have written in an exciting and pragmatic way.

Learning About Depression is a key class for the Potatotes Not Prozac crowd. Learn in-depth information on the kinds of depression, why drugs will or will not work, how they work and how Doing the Food can help.

Step 3: Three Meals is one of our core classes. This is a skilled based class. If you want to learn the baby steps of a successful step 3, come join us. This class is ALWAYS fun.

Using the Resources of the Community is for those of you who are brand new and would like to find your way around town. Come sit on the top of our double decker bus for a guided tour. And even if you are not brand new, this is a really fun class to reconnect with all the treats of the community.

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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March 19, 2007
** Quote From Kathleen **


Remember that you are literally learning a new language. You are going to ahve to practice to become fluent in body talk.

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** Testimonial for the Week**

Carol, Step 7, is the Geo Hospitality coach for the Plains area. She is also really active on the Movement list.


I asked Carol if I could feature her story here. She has been an inspiration to me for years. Four years ago, she came to Ranch and basically got by. Then she came to ranch and rented a scooter and was zipping around. Then she came to ranch and was in the pool and hot tub. We are looking forward to this year!!!

Just 3 years ago I was very ill and had to leave my job and go on disability. I was 89 lbs. heavier and I could barely take 2 steps out my front door and then I would have to lean on my support cane and gasp for breath. My heart disease and asthma really fatigued me and the pain from arthritis was terrible too. Since being on step 7 my arthritis is much more tolerable even though it is end stage. My doctor told me that my heart disease is reversing itself at least to some degree and I have a lot more energy and stamina than I did even a few years ago. I am not working now, but I am writing a new chapter of my life and I have had so many opportunities to share the program with others which I might never have had otherwise.

Moving for even a short period of time does make a significant difference, and for some of us, it is a lot of exertion. Mon. eve I got my DH to walk with me in our neighborhood for 15 minutes and this was my limit because of my arthritis and asthma. But it got my heart rate up and it was quite a work out for me. There are a lot of raised-up and cracked sidewalks in our area so I really don't like to walk alone around here but I am hoping to do this more often. On Tues. I went to the Y and did weights for biceps and triceps, walked around the track 3 times, did 30 walking laps in the pool and did my aquatic wellness class. Tomorrow after the class we will be taking our instructor out for lunch for her birthday and to give her a gift. There will be about 25 people. There are really a lot of terrific people in the class and going to it is a main highlght of my week.

Today I was the guest speaker for a support group at the St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired. I told my own story, explained the RR program and sugar sensitivity and answered a lot of questions. It was a good group and everyone took an RR business card.

Wash Univ's OT program and an Independent Living center is doing a 1 year project regarding people with disabilities and exercise. I am to go to an orientation meeting about it on the 29th and I may be able to participate in a 12-week program where you basically get one on one help to build strength and endurance and to determine where you can start and what you should safely be able to do. If this works out I will probably do it one day a week and the Y 2 days. I am glad to see that everyone is striving to keep moving in some way. Our persistence paves the way to further recovery.

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**Travel Tips**

By Terri Louise Snyder, Step 7, Liaison for the Geo Hospitality Groups


I thought it would be nice to send along this wonderful list that TL drew up. She travels all the time. I know that many of you are making plans for ranch.

Before you go:
  1. My most important planning element is food for when I get back. I get that on a list first thing. Frozen veggies, frozen meats, browns stocked...including my night-time potato. Going out to get food is NOT the first thing you want to do after getting off a plane.
  2. I take shake for my breakfast. Shake is crucial because you don't always know what the arrangements for breakfast will be. You don't always know when your flight will arrive.
What to carry on:
  1. I always have almonds, turkey jerky, some type of brown in there.
  2. I carry vitamin c, zinc and ginger in there, in case I start to feel a cold coming on while on a plane. Ginger is for nausea.
  3. Decaf coffee I divide up into individual portions. I have tiny little nagalene containers with screw tops. (available at all travel stores).
  4. Something essential I have in there is a plastic 'juice box' shaped thing. (Made by Rubbermaid...I bought it at the grocery) I keep it filled with protein powder and quinoa flakes. If things are really breaking down with timing, I can ask for a carton of milk (or water), shake it up, and have it as an emergency meal. (doesn't happen often, but it does happen)
  5. The best way I have found to do water is to always request it when they come around.
What to pack in your luggage:
  1. I have both a portable mini plug-in blender. Try the whisk ball mixer jar the store sells. I usually take both. Travel is uncertain.
  2. When I am planning I get my adapters and my voltages straight by using a tool they have on www.magellans.com. I do my best to have all power adapters for my blender and for my laptop computer with me. Things don't always work out. Then I have my back-up mixer.
  3. Decaf coffee is not widely available world wide. I pack instant in my bag. I pack a water heater. (the coil type is good enough) Remember to pack good sized thermal cup to heat your water in.
  4. In my luggage I usually place at least 2 foil packs of salmon, or small cans of chicken. (make sure they are pop-top) If I am going on a long trip, I will pack more. These are just for the odd timing moments, when food is not at hand and I can get to my bags. Traveling with a group, I usually use these while I am waiting for others to get ready to leave for dinner, etc.
  5. I also have browns packed in my bags. I go through phases with how I pack my browns. I have a cylinder container that a whole bag of brown rice cakes fits in without getting crushed. I have some metal boxes that I can load up with ryevitas or brown rice crackers. I have taken sweet potato chips in my metal boxes. The boxes take a beating. I'm sure good sized, flat pieces of tupperware would hold up well enough for storage, you just don't want your browns to get pulverized in your luggage.
  6. Browns for travel:
    • brown rice cakes
    • brown rice crackers
    • ryvitas
    • finn crisps
    • sweet potato chips
    • Take some brown rice pasta and brown rice and ask to have it cooked for me
  7. It is important to have a bottle of water in your luggage. They are not always provided by hotels and there may not be time (or inclination after flying 20 hours) to get to a store.
  8. I do my 'potato' with my browns. Usually my brown rice crackers. I don't know if it is a good substitute, but I don't want to get out of the ritual of it. I think it helps me sleep. (which can be an issue with jet-lag)
Traveling with Shake:
  1. Right now I make my shake with water, whey protein powder, all one vitamin powder, quinoa flakes and cinnamon. I take all my ingrediants and I transfer them into ziplock bags.
  2. Whey protein powder cleans up really quickly with just a rinse.
  3. I know other people have used baby oatmeal for their brown. The point is to have a brown that doesn't have to be cooked or heated to soften enough to be smooth and drinkable.
  4. Having cinnamon along in your luggage smells kind of nice whenever you open your bag.
  5. This is probably not the tastiest shake you have ever had in your life. The point is function. The ingrediants produce a mild flavored, milky shake that can be breakfast, within an hour, anywhere in the world.
  6. I remember to take measuring tools or spoons. (they can be hard to come by if you have just landed)
  7. Usually, within the next 5 hours, you will be able to figure out your food sources. If you can't you will need to fall back on some emergency protein sources in your luggage.
How to eat well timed meals:
  1. Crossing time zones. If I am at home for breakfast, it is usually earlier than I normally eat. Stay aware of this, 5 hours can creep up on you with the drive to the airport, parking, checking in process. I can usually find something to eat in airports. Sometimes I take along a chicken breast or a cut-up pork chop from home for that first meal.
  2. A RULE I never break is I don't get on airplanes without food. So, I will usually get something, a turkey sandwich (throw away the bread) before I board.
  3. In the case of a long flight I just leave my watch on my at home time and I eat every 5 hours. I don't pack a cooler, though one could if it were a shorter flight. I find there is usually something I can have that is served on a plane.
  4. Most airlines outside the U.S. still serve meals. I supplement with the browns from my backpack. If there is NOTHING on the tray I can eat (and it happens) I go into my stock of turkey jerky, almonds, browns in my back-pack. Ultra crisis, I have my protein shake in its shaker box. V-8 is an excellent drink when veggies are getting hard to come by.
  5. So you have flown forever and you land. If I am exhausted and am going to nap, I wait until I wake up and I have my first 'breakfast'. Then from there I change my watch and I follow the meal times we are in locally with the 5 hour rule. (if the first meal happens under 5 hours, that's O.K. with me. I really don't pass up meals when timing and availability is uncertain) If I am not going to nap, if I am going out into the world, I change my watch, I usually will snack if I am between meal times. I have my day and then start again next morning (local time) with my first breakfast.
Airports:
  1. The food is not going to be great. You will have to do the very best you can to find 'pure' things. I have found Triscuits in airports.
  2. Nuts are your friends, they are widely available world wide in airports to keep those emergency stocks up.
  3. I eat steaks, hamburgers, sometimes chicken breasts (but I find they are often injected and processed, but better than no protein), fish without breading or sauces. Sometimes baked potatoes are on offer.
  4. I plan on having lots of browns with me cause for the most part I will be suppying my own. I really try to get vegetables. I will have salads if that is all I can get. I look for V-8 and when I find it, I buy 2. All dressings and sauces are suspect and I avoid them.
  5. It is really easy to get off water while traveling and it is just too important in terms of overall energy and health upon landing. I always buy some at airports too. When I am getting my 'don't go on planes without food' rule, I get a bottle of water for my backpack.
Other tips:
  1. I take BE lifters on planes. I take knitting and I listen to music while I fly. (I really can't say enough good things about noise reducing headsets...oh and earplugs) I meditate.


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

YLDonline is a membership program run directly by Kathleen DesMaisons herself.


Ok, everyone, by popular demand, we are starting the newest Weight Loss readiness class for YLD members this week. What fun!

And we just graduated a whole group of folks from the Weight Loss in Action class. Congratulations...they are out there with their plans and doing it. The class was so amazing. We had a group of focused, relaxed, intentional people saying, 'this is what I want, this is what I am doing.' We have come a long way, baby!!!

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.
 


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**David's Corner **

David manages the Radiant Recovery Store. He is also Kathleen’s oldest son.



Let’s follow along with TL’s travel tips. Get some:

George’s ® Restore

All-One powder

oatcakes

a whisk blender

and you will be set to go anywhere!!

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**


The Radiant Garden list is for sugar sensitive people who integrate or wish to integrate gardening into their radiant journey. This list is not meant to solve all of your gardening problems (the liaison is not a master gardener LOL); rather, the focus is on how gardening and related issues enhance our food programs and help us to connect with food sources beyond our own backyards. Some themes may include the radiant aspect of gardening, finding local produce, supporting sustainable agriculture, and managing all that bounty. There will be basic resources and links in the files section to help with specific gardening needs, but the conversation will move beyond. Come on over and play in the soil with us!

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


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**What is This Program Anyway?**

Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.


We have had a lot of new people come to the program in the last few weeks. Many of them come and say, *I have done most of the steps, I just need to add a potato.* * I eat protein, I gave sugar up 2 years ago, I am on step 6 and a half. * Or *I have been doing the program for a year but I don’t really feel all that good.*

Something is amiss. When we talk about doing the food, it really means something quite different. It means doing the steps, yes. But it also means doing the steps in order, one at a time with enough time to integrate what they are about. Does the amount of time matter? Yes.

Let me say a little more. The Radiant Recovery® plan as outlined in all 4 of the books is about healing your brain and body AND healing addiction. We change the chemistry and we teach you a new set of behaviors. There is actually a long list of them:

  1. Learning to listen
  2. Learning to follow instructions
  3. Learning to wait (impulse control)
  4. Knowing the consequence of your behaviors
  5. Making connections with other people
  6. Surrendering that silly belief that you can do it all on your own
  7. Surrendering the belief that you are the only one who has this situation so of course the program has to be adapted to 'you'
  8. Listening to your body
  9. Talking with your body in a dialogue
  10. Getting steady
  11. Planning
  12. Shopping for food
  13. Cooking
  14. Cleaning up
  15. Following what is important to you even if no one else cares
  16. Showing up
  17. Eating a POTATO even if you think you know something better
  18. Letting go of having to lose weight so your life can start
And you know that there are a hundred more. The front cover of Potatoes Not Prozac says, ' A natural seven Step Dietary Plan to stabilize the level of sugar in your blood, control cravings and lose weight and recognize how foods affect the way you feel.' This is kind of what my publisher thought ten years ago. I think I did as well.

I don’t any more. I didn’t get what else was embedded in the steps until about three years ago. All these changes had happened to me. I thought they were just my path. But I noticed that everyone who was continuing with the 'program' (not just the food) was experiencing the same things. Lives change, profoundly.

So I started noticing patterns. I started seeing a developmental path. This happens in year one, this is year two, this in year five.

So if you think you just have to 'add a potato', you be wrong by a long shot. Try for the gold. Do the steps, in order, one at a time. Integrate them. Connect with the community. Post on the forum. Come read the extraordinary haiku being written over there. Take some classes. Meet the radiant buds in your town. Sign the global map. Something is happening and you are going to like it.



©Kathleen DesMaisons 2007.

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 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.

©2007 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 Patti Holden, Step 7