**********************************************************************
** Quote From Kathleen ** The more you are able to just observe and note your food and feelings, the easier it will be for you to make changes in them. **********************************************************************
** Testimonial of the Week ** Well that's a good question. And it turns out that today is the date that I "detoxed" 8 years ago! So it's a good day to think about what, specifically, I have gained. So my answer is long! I guess I would want to say first that I did the steps all at once. And the healing doesn't come all at once, lol, so that's been my big lesson. In some ways, I think my program was 'slower' than for people who do the steps slowly and in order. The healing has been a process and it didn't come at any specific step and it does continue for me. In the beginning, I was depressed. I was obsessive. I had a whole lot of anxiety. I had a major internal negative dialog that never ended, although my negativity was always directed at myself rather than others. (I lived in the 'You're OK, I'm Not OK' world). I had reflux disease. I had rosacea. I had insomnia. My blood pressure was creeping up. I had absolutely no energy. I had headaches. I had lower backaches. I had a very painful knee and wore a knee brace constantly. I had numerous sinus infections and I came down with laryngitis annually. I also got ear infections from time to time. I was borderline diabetic. I had abnormal liver enzyme levels (indicating possible fatty liver disease in process). Well that's all I can think of now, but there were probably some more, lol. None of those things are a problem for me now, but they all took time -- some disappeared more quickly than others. I know that the first thing that disappeared was the negative thinking and the second thing I noticed was an easing of the depression, although it probably took a couple of years to disappear completely. The physical things were slower. My knee has been really good only the past two years or so. I can't remember when I last had an ear infection. Sinus infections are rare but I wouldn't say I'm entirely past them yet. But I expect almost. I simply don't get headaches unless I forget to drink my water. My blood readings normalized, both for sugar and liver enzymes. The insomnia hung around for a long time, years. I thought it would never leave me but it has, probably in the last two or three years. What I noticed most recently was a further drop in my blood pressure -- which is now running about 100/65, down from about 135/85 pre-program, down maybe 10 points this past year. Another piece of healing that I am curious about 'unfolding' right now is this. I had my last eye exam 5 years ago (age 60) at which time I was told I had small cataracts developing in both eyes. I had an eye exam two weeks ago and was told I had a small cataract developing in my left eye. I questioned my doctor about the right eye and he assured me there was no sign of one in my right eye. Mistake on the part of the doctor five years ago? Maybe. Continued healing? I don't know, but I think it's possible. Today I would say my favorite change is attitude. I now expect every day to be a good one. And I get it. Don't give up, I'm sure you will continue in the healing process too. It has been really important, and I would add difficult, for me to learn to listen to my body and use my journal. It helps so much. I am *finally* doing a daily journal review and learning better ways to feel, for example, more energy (more veggies!). At least for my body. I think if I were in your shoes, instead of thinking candida, I would be looking hard at my journal for weak spots --- foods I didn't tolerate, timing that wasn't right for me, that sort of thing. I think it's amazing how much food affects our bodies, but then, when you think of it, that's what they are *made* out of! Joy S **********************************************************************
** Radiant Ambassadors ** What's your Radiant Recovery success story? Are you now radiant after having been written off as a compulsive eater for years? Yep, that would apply to me! I was also depressed, had no self-esteem and wild mood-swings. Boy, how things change after doing the food for a while! There's a section on the new Facebook RR group where you can share your story and inspire others. Why not come on over and have a look? Selena Come join us if you are excited about spreading the news. **********************************************************************
** Radiant Kitchen ** CORNBREAD CREPES
Process:
Yield: 16 Crepes For more great program-friendly recipes, check out these great cookbooks in the store.
**********************************************************************
** Your Last Diet - More Than What You Think ** I always love this these times when we start a new readiness class. It is so exciting. You are excited, fresh and enthusiastic. And the Weight Loss in Action group continues to rock [and lose weight]. How fun is that. If you are not a YLD member, come and join us. Click here if you are ready to change your life or just have some plain ol' fun! **********************************************************************
** Radiant Recovery® Store ** David manages the Radiant Recovery® Store. He is also Kathleen's oldest son. I have had some newly pregnant women ask me about which fish oil to get so I thought it would be good to say a little about the different oils we carry.
Please send questions and suggestions. I love hearing from you and truly want to help you do your program better. **********************************************************************
** Our Online Groups ** A "BigOne" is a person who has 100 or more pounds to lose. The Radiantbigones list is unique in that we don't just focus on food challenges but we also share information and support for issues that non-BigOnes may not even realize are an issue in day-to-day life. The interaction on this list is great because everyone is so supportive of everyone else and we learn so much from each other. We have people on the list who are in various stages of the 7 Steps, so if you're a BigOne, you'll fit right in! Come join us. **********************************************************************
** A Shift is Happening ** Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.
Many of us have been going through big shifts in the last few weeks. Disorientation seems to be par for the course. Things as they were just are not fitting. This is way deeper than personal change. I began to hear the same story, spoken in different ways and the more I listened the more I began to sense that something bigger is happening. Now, it is funny, but this is the same theme I have been hearing over and over. Nothing that was makes sense. Everything I counted on no longer fits. I don't know who I am, I don't know where I belong, I cannot find my center. Too much, too fast and at the same time there is this stirring. It feels like the darkness in the early morning, just before the sun comes up. If you go to a doctor or counselor, their model may prescribe medication. They might identify the situations that precipitated these feelings of darkness. Of course there will be "situations" - a lost job, a move, a promotion, stress at work, no sleep from a new baby, the death of a mother, a son at war, an abusive husband, a lost relationship or all of the above. But we have all had these things all our lives. Why are we being nudged so deeply? I think the energy shift of the world has discombobulated us on a cellular level. Things as they were actually do not exist any longer. Literally, our 'magnetic north' changed and we can't get our bearings. And if we stumble and then our food gets off, we cannot sort it out. It feels so personal. We do not experience it as a major spiritual crisis, it just feels horrible and we feel lost. This is a time of awakening. When things no longer fit, we have an opportunity to clear out that stuff, to throw away the stuff that does not fit and to make room for something new. We don't know what that will be yet, it has not emerged. So we have to endure this time of "in between" where the old is gone and the new has not emerged. However can we make sense of this? At the first level, comfort comes with doing the food, doing the program. Not just taking out sugar, that is a tiny part of it. But following instructions, being connected, being patient. Rebuilding a solid foundation that cannot be swept away are all part of creating a way to hold what is emerging. This is the time to go back to basics. Literally. Rather than getting caught in how horrible it is, ask for help. Get connected. Trust that this is not just a personal stumble, but that you are part of a great shift. You got thrown off kilter and you can get steady. Get back on track with your food and program. Don't beat yourself up. Last week, I said "If you are going to be with a person in a dark hole, take a ladder and a lantern." .The steps are the ladder and our humor and perspective is the lantern. You are not alone. Grace is unfolding. Here are the folks who are helping put the newsletter together:
Gretel, our webmaster, puts it all together. David runs the Radiant Recovery® Store. Selena provides the weekly Ambassadors column. The banner photograph is by Patti Holden. ©2009 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, use this attribution: "By Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D. of Radiant Recovery®", and notify kathleen@radiantrecovery.com of the location. Please visit the Radiant Recovery® website at http://www.radiantrecovery.com for additional resources on sugar sensitivity and healing addiction. 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. |
