Hi {!firstname_fix}

Well the birds are outside my window, goldfinches, hummingbirds, purple finches and little sparrows. It is late light and everything is turning New Mexico Gold. I always love checking in with you.

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.

A copy of this newsletter may also be found posted on the web at http://www.radiantrecovery.com/weeklynewsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, use the link at the bottom of the page. Do not email me, do not get mad at me, just click on the link and you will be forever removed.

And be sure to visit our Radiant Recovery website and Community Forum regularly.

Warmly,
Kathleen

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June 7, 2004
** Quote From Kathleen **

There is life after addiction and it is a very good one!


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** Testimonial for the Week**

Instead of testimonials, I would like to make a few announcements.

1) We have added a new place for you to get technical help. It is like our community forum. If you get stuck, or if yahoo baffles you, or if you can't get into chat or if your email isn't working, come over to our Technical Forum and ask us. Our volunteer techies will help you sort it out.

2) The Danish paper back edition of the book is now in publication if any of you are in Denmark and would like to read it.



And perhaps you did not know there is also a Swedish edition



Är du en dr Jekyll och mr Hyde med kraftiga svängningar i humöret? Varför kan vissa människor aldrig tacka nej till efterrätter, godis eller alkohol? Svaret är att de är sockerkänsliga, deras kroppar skriker efter fettbildande mat och de är beroende av sina sockerkickar. I den här nytänkande boken presenterar Kathleen DesMaisons sju steg för att må bättre till kropp och själ genom att:
- stabilisera blodsockernivån
- kontrollera godissuget och gå ner i vikt
- upptäcka hur maten inverkar på hur man mår

Kathleen DesMaisons är fil. dr och expert på beroende av olika slag, såsom matmissbruk, depression och andra tillstånd som har att göra med en obalans i hjärnkemin.

pris 95 (SEK)

3) We are working on a new program for certifying Radiant Practitioners. If this is something that interests you, please join the online group called radiantcounselors to hear what we are thinking. I will write more as we get this set up. Right now it is in the planning stages.

4) We have a whole new group of volunteer liaisons on board. Next week, I will introduce them to you and talk about how YOU can get involved!

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

Are you tired of hearing me talking about Your Last Diet online? I love talking about it because it is the heart beat of our community. I am thinking about changing the name to something else. It is so much more than weight loss. Let me know your thoughts. Email me on the YLD main list.

Come join us and hear about this success!

http://www.radiantrecovery.com/YLD_signup.htm


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** Something New **

I am going to be introducing a new section here in this edition. I have recently found Coach Sonnon's work and it is changing my life. He generously came to Radiant Ranch and shared his work. We are now talking on some mutual lists. This was a post he recently sent. I love it and think it is adding to what we are all learning. If you would like to learn a little more about his work (Circular Strength Training), please start here and then have fun exploring (smile).

http://www.radiantrecovery.com/CST/CST.html


** Our Warrior Partnership **

Coach Scott Sonnon


Like many of you, I was always the last to be picked for sports, and the first to be eliminated all through grade school and junior high. Very intimidating, frustrating and embarrassing. But our childhood experiences give us the opportunity to learn what those who dash ahead may not - pace, consistency, technique, persistence, determination and most of all... perspective.

If you've only ever been in front, you never know what the world REALLY looks like. Most often, only someone who's been in the back - like us - can appreciate overcoming challenges to the fullest degree. For successful, full lives, it's not about always winning but being able to recover from when things go awry, when you're at your worst, when situations are most difficult. We have an extensive job history with this, don't we?

And because of that history, we are the proverbial under-dogs which ignite such impassioned come-backs. Poets write great epics about the victories of our simple lives, because what we accomplish takes so much courage and patience. And greater still are the times when we move enthusiastically from failure to failure without breaking stride. We've learned to endure, which is why...

Warriors are made, not born. And it's in the "back" where warriors are made, because only one who can recover from perceived failures, surprises and the unexpected has the strength and stamina to overcome the only real obstacles in life - our self-imposed limitations on our potential. You're already a warrior... Embrace it, and you'll discover that there is no back - only inward.

If you resonate with the notion of being a warrior, it's because your "sugar sensitivity" predisposes you to revel in great challenges. So, in a way I'm saying that you are indeed BORN with all of the disadvantages requisite to warriorhood. That you are hear, reading this forum, should be stark proof to you of your courage, drive and heart. This is what I mean by warriors being "made in the back."

Whenever you pick yourself up and temporarily become overwhelmed by the illusion of lost ground, remember that there's no pack to catch, and no one to beat. Remember... we are the "Warriors in the Back." Enjoy the scenery. Experience the internal event of movement. Explore and find your chains of tension... and be consistent, patient and compassionate, so that you may release them... and heal the warrior within.

Your kindred warrior,

Scott

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** David's Corner **

Allergies bothering you? Omega 3 fish oil goes to the heart of the problem. Rather than dealing with symptoms, they literally change the way your body responds to allergens. We offer 3 types of omega 3:

ProEPA
DHA Junior for children
Cod Liver Oil

Come read what Kathleen has to say about fish oil. She LOVES it.

Please send questions and suggestions for items you might like to see in our store. YOU are building our store. Tell me what you want and we will sort it out.

Thanks
David

And of course, we have something for everybody in our store


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** Featured Topic**
Kids and Discipline
by Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.

Another Excerpt from Little Sugar Addicts, being published next month. Hope you like it.

We held a chat on discipline. Many of the parents were trying to sort out how to handle children who were exhibiting these types of behaviors. They listed all the typical interventions you have heard: time outs, warnings, taking away privileges, negotiating – all the things the experts tell you to do. They also noted the things that the experts tell you not to do like yelling and smacking. These will not work with sugar sensitive children. Little sugar addicts are in an altered state when their chemistry is off. They are not rational. Punishment or discipline does not achieve the desired effect.

If you can begin to look at these behaviors in a new way, you may be able to come up with some creative alternatives to what you have been doing. If your little sugar sensitive child starts acting up, feed him. Give him some protein and fruit right away. The fruit will deal with any sugar withdrawal that might be operating and will provide quick blood sugar relief. The protein will provide sustained, time-release support to his blood sugar.

We have a funny saying in our parent community – “cheese not soap”. A cheese stick does wonders for a mouthy kid. Keep cheese sticks in the refrigerator all the time. Carry almonds in your purse. Put cheese and crackers in the glove compartment. Always have some power food available. Know where to stop and what to get in an emergency.

Yesterday my 13 year old did not do his chores exactly right and when I asked him to finish them correctly, he said, “Mom, what do you expect? It is not my fault that I forgot to finish – it is my messed up biochemistry.” My kids are too smart for me – but I was able to counter him by tossing him a cheese stick. And it worked. Today I noticed my husband giving the kids protein. And even better – telling the kids to wait for a sugar treat until dinner. Sometimes I think I need to stop thinking so much and just start doing. My husband did not need the whole theory, he just thought it made sense and gave it a try. I think I can learn from this. DeAnna.

Feed your children when they come home from school. They cannot go from noon 'til six. Their metabolism simply cannot cope with that amount of time without eating. If you are home, fix them something. If you work and they are responsible for after school fare, make sure to stock up and leave sufficient choices for them. Many children do really well with leftovers. If you make extra and have planned overs, you can make it really easy for your children to snack when they get home.

For children who play after school sports, a planned snack is even more important. Pack an extra sandwich. Send along shake mix in a plastic bag. Your child can get an extra carton of milk and mix it with the protein powder. Or you can get some dry milk powder and mix it with the protein powder, put it in a shaker cup and stash it in the backpack.

Many parents send sandwiches with lunchmeat or peanut butter for after school snacks. Go back and look again at the discussion of the protein amount your child needs. Generally speaking, shoot for a snack to contain 1/2 the protein that a meal will contain. If your child needs 20 grams of protein for breakfast, she will need 10 grams for her snack. A slice of bologna has about 3 grams, so it may not be the best choice. As they do these calculations, most parents realize that the snacks they have been providing are low in protein. A number of people have reported a huge change in their child’s attitude just from this one change. Getting enough to eat and regular intervals is crucial for the sugar sensitive child. Maintaining a stable blood sugar is significantly more important in children than in adults and I think it s easy for parents to miss this.

©Kathleen DesMaisons 2004.