 Hi {!firstname_fix} Today the sun is out. The water is green in some places and steel grey in others. It is churning round and round in one place out there. I think the wind is doing that. The whole scene is so affected by the wind. Whether there are waves, what kind of waves, how they flow. It is so restful for me to be here. My writing is moving like the water. Depending on the wind (smile), it is either smooth or choppy. I decided to stop trying to be *disciplined* and let grace have her way with me. This morning I had three things going on at once: my own journal of reflections, a series of 4 x 6 cards with concepts and then a pad with writings for the book. Each in a different color and with a different pen. The dogs were mad because it was cold and they feel they own the couch and didn't understand why I had appropriated the space. Then of course they saw the S-Q-U-I-R-R-E-L walking on the power lines and thought it was their job to get it. The sight of them standing next to the front window in alert mode cracks me up. The wonders of genetics...same bodies...same back ends, same heads...just Ronan is bigger. And Josie's hips are bad so she stands on the chair and then they talk and cry to one another about Mr. Squirrel. Lest you think I am totally sequestered, I am not. I shifted my morning break to Dunkin Donuts drive through. I like their decaf and $1.59 is way nicer than a price point at Starbucks which is now over $4. The drive through has cookies for the dogs. The only problem with that is Josie starts to whine and quiver at the entrance to the Maine turnpike now. They think open window means cookies. And the woman at the local clam shack knows I like a lobster roll without the roll. I know how to get to the only Whole Foods in the state. And last ngiht, I visited a Staples (office supply store) and was totally laughing at myself at the feeling of happiness it evoked. I bought a large cardboard for science projects to use as a cover for the fireplace. The damper rusted out and a new one is $350. Yankee ingenuity strikes again. I guess you want to know what I am writing for you (smile). I made a list of those things. How sugar sensitive introverts can thrive in the world, how to remap your brain after it is balanced, how to do the program if you are homeless...a wide range of things. I am taking a podcasting class and will add that to our services. As I learn more, I also hope to get the classes into spoken format. And I have set up a conferencing room so we can do phone seminars. Heh heh, and you thought I was just writing a new book. Well, actually, I thought so too, but it seems as if my creativity is directly proportionate to solitude. Oh, and one other fun thing....I have set up my new internet phone. This means I can call places anywhere in the world for almost no money. So for those of you who are far away, we can now do consultations by my calling you. We just did one in London and it sounded like the person was in my living room. David and I have worked out a better system for following up on the consults, so if you have been thinking about doing one, now is a good time. These classes will begin the week of February 6, 2008. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page: Brain Frontiers: The Practice of Renewal is a second level for those of you in the first class who would like an opportunity to explore the practical application in every day life. Come and learn new techniques and share your practice of implementing the ideas of reshaping your brain. Step 1: The Art of Breakfast is our foundation class to get you started. Learn all four parts of step 1 in a structured way. Learn how to progress through them with enjoyment. Let 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. These classes will begin the week of February 13, 2008. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page: Step 2 Journal: An Introduction will teach you the basics of journaling. The class will give you step by step instructions in how to record your food and feelings in a way that gets you excited. Radiant Store Tour is a free guided tour of the store. David will be leading this class so if you want to get to know the guy that makes it all work, come sign up. This is his first teaching experience, so you can show your support for the work he does to keep you happy. YLDweightlossinaction is the *let's do it!* class for YLD members who are ready to rock on losing weight in a healthy and focused way. The class schedule is on line. Click here to see what is planned. Please do not sign up for classes that are not yet scheduled. 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 and you do not have to be at your computer at any set time. It does not matter whether you are in the US, Europe, the Far East or Australia, you simply respond on your own time. And although I advertise that the classes are one or two weeks, sometimes we are a little flexible and they may run longer. 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 **********************************************************************
February 4, 2008 ** Quote From Kathleen **
Remember that you are literally learning a new language. You are going to have to practice to become fluent in body talk. *********************************************************************
** Testimonial for the Week**
Hi Lisa: Very well put. I remember when I started the program, all these "issues" would come up. The Wise Ones would say "do the food." They were kind and gentle about it, but I wasn't sure they understood my particular "special" problems. But, I had tried everything else, so I did the food. And slowly, these issues just sorta went away like a bubble popping in the wind. All sorts of issues I had never identified, never approached. That first year was a constant tug between the issues coming up, and then dissipating as I did the food. And after a while, it all settled. Now, when "issues" show up, I check my food. It goes back to that almost every time. Second on the list is sleep. Third is "am I spending enough time on me?" But 2 and 3 don't count if I am not taking care of 1 -- the food. Thanks for posting. Delse ********************************************************************
**Radiant Ambassadors** We have a lovely little group and are sharing ideas about what we can say where. It is really fun. Come join us if you are excited about spreading the news. ********************************************************************
I am sharing this with some adaptations I just made. It was so yummy, it knocked my slipper socks right off. And comfort food, yes!! - Kathleen KATHLEEN'S MACARONI & CHEESEIngredients:
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**Your Last Diet: More Than What You Think**
YLDonline is a membership program run directly by Kathleen DesMaisons herself. When should you join YLD? Anytime you want extra coaching. Anytime you want to be able to talk about losing weight. You DON'T have to be on step 7 to join us. In fact, the sooner you join, the easier the whole process is. Here is what Jaki commented about it when some one left in a panic about not being able to lose 30 pounds in thirty days: No I didn't lose weight 'fast' on this programme - but then I didn't lose any weight permanently on the other 40 years worth (including Jenny Craig) which I tried before it (ouch). I have, however, lost weight slowly, surely and steadily and felt better than I have ever felt in years. I am also totally free of the psoriasis which plagued my hands and elbows for the last fifteen years and I sleep through the night every night instead of not dropping off until 1 - 2 am and then waking up after three or four hours. This has happened over 22 months which is 20 months longer than I ever stuck to anything before (smile). I hope you will come back to us when your weight panic has lessened as I am sure we could help. Good luck. Jaki. 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. ********************************************************* ***********
**Radiant Recovery Store **
David manages the Radiant Recovery Store. He is also Kathleen's oldest son.
Please send questions and suggestions. I love hearing from you and truly want to help you do your program better. ********************************************************* ***********
**Our Online Groups**
Hi I'm Karen the liaison for the RadiantStep3 group. Like the name says, this group is all about our very favorite Step 3. This was a tough step for me when I started the programme and it was definitely the hardest! I either forgot to eat meals, ate the most inappropriate sugar-laden stuff or just grazed my way through the day. It took me ages to master this step, but now I happily eat three meals a day. It's easy and very natural and I never dreamed I would ever say that in my lifetime! The Step 3 list is a great place to stop by for those who are finding this a challenging step, or who are starting out or who would just like some extra support. We talk a lot about things like: What is a meal, exactly? How do I get my body to cooperate with eating "just" three meals a day? What are some tips to help me with consistent timing? And all sorts of other aspects of this step. We try to make it fun, because... well why not make it fun?? Since being the liaison for this list, I've been thrilled to see so many people come through and "graduate" to the next steps! It's a great place of support... come and join us! (And it matters not if you are new to the step, totally re-doing the step or just shoring up your Step 3 after being further along in the program.) ********************************************************************
**Do Da Food Do Da Food**
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D. I have been seeing an interesting theme in the community over the past few weeks. A number of people have been asking how they can raise beta endorphin, raise serotonin, activate dopamine. Some of these folks are fairly new to the program and some are old timers who are on step seven and thinking about deepening. For those of you early in the program, the trick is not to think about BE, serotonin and DA, but to think about the FOOD. If you try to tweak what you do for a given effect, you will derail yourself. It is like going back to taking this for that, and something else for another symptom. All of what we are trying to do is move you away from fixing into healing. The miracle is very simple. Your body will adjust and balance things if it has what it needs to do that. Your body has a cellular memory of things being balanced and if you help it with what you eat, it will go, 'oh, yes!!!' And move in into change. Honestly, your body is smarter than you have thought. Your body has really worked to serve you in spite of your meanderings and addiction. Given half a chance, it will be your ally and guide. Your task is to do the food. Doing the food is our code for doing the steps, carefully and with attention. It means breakfast on time with enough protein for your body, a complex carbohydrate. Lunch on time with the right foods. Dinner on time with the right foods. It means eating salad and vegetables and whole grains. It means going off sugar. It means journaling. The amazing part is that the core program works on healing. You do the food, and things change. It gets interesting when step 7 people say, "OK, now I am ready to raise BE or to stop spiking DA." And they try to start 'doing' all sorts of extras. And then they feel flat and out of sorts. Some of that comes post detox. Life without sugar takes some getting used to. So the ole addict brain says, "OK, I need to take something, I need to do something." But...they don't remember that they forgot to journal every day, or that they are eating 'program' food but having cheese with every meal, and skin off French fries twice a day as a brown. They don't remember that lunch is late and dinner is later. The food is OK, so they think they are 'doing the food' so it must be BE or dopamine. And it sounds so boring, so stubborn if I say, "Go back with a beginner's mind. Refine your food, work with your journal. And when that is all steady, exercise every day in a consistent manner. NO spiking, no big bursts of exercise and then collapse. Just every day, consistent. And learn to sit quietly, I would call this meditation, just sitting quietly for 20 minutes morning and night. Do not worry about BE and dopamine. Just do life." But here is the kicker. If you do this, when you do this, some miracle continues. It is not dramatic and all at once, but one day you turn around and realize that NOTHING of your old life is the same. You haven't had to fix it all. It just happened. Now, I totally get it that this idea seems outrageous. It seems way too simple. But I have been listening. I have read maybe 500,000 postings, that would be a half a million comments. And you know what, the miracle comes. It comes in the same way, over and over and over again. It doesn't matter if you have a PhD or have not graduated from high school. It doesn't matter how old you are, or what sex you are or whether you are a Christian or not, or a Jew or not. It doesn't matter whether you are happily married, have a gay or lesbian relationship, live alone, love dogs, or cats or birds. It doesn't matter where you live or what you do. If you do the food, and exercise and meditate, you get the same miracle. So this is an invitation to fuss less about your brain and more about your journal. We can do the brain stuff for fun (and I love it as much as you do), but the brain stuff is not the program. Breakfast is. ©Kathleen DesMaisons 2008. Here are the folks who are helping put the newsletter together: Gretel, our 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. ©2008 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 |
