August 24, 2009


Hi {!firstname_fix}

I thought you would like to have an update on Mr. Will, our rescue dog. He has gained 4 pounds and his foster mom calls him *frisky* because he is up and about all day. He is way better than he arrived on death's door. The vet is continuing to try to explore what is going on for him. His x-rays showed some major deterioration in his bones...she refers to it as *grim*...we had a consult with an orthopedic doc as well.
Neither of them is sure yet. There are many possibilities, and we are simply moving down the diagnostic tree one test at a time. Your generosity has made this possible. Basically I have told the vet that as long as he is improving, and is enjoying life, we will keep sorting it out. You can see how much better he is from the picture. If you want to see before pictures, go over to www,grrnm.com.

I have also put up a video at YouTube. He has an amazing spirit that is a gift for all of us. My request this week is for your prayers or good thoughts imagining healing for his bones. I will keep you posted.

We do have some spaces left at euroranch if you are interested.

Here is all the info: www.radiantrecovery.com/ranch_signup.html#EURO

I would like to talk a bit about classes. As we have been looking at registrations, we realize that we need to do some adjusting in our schedule. This may be a little confusing to you. If a class has less than 5 people in it, I won't run it and will postpone the date for a bit. I will be looking at the entire schedule to see what changes might make sense.

Short term, I am holding off on the addiction amoeba class to allow people to finish the family and friends class. And I am redesigning the skilled journal class so we will put that one on hold for a bit as well.


This class will begin Wednesday, August 26, 2009. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page:

Getting Started with Limited Funds (1 week) is a special free class for those of you with limited funding who are trying to make do. Come hear some fun ideas to maintain your humor and find tasty and inexpensive solutions.

These classes will begin Wednesday, September 2, 2009. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page:

Radiant Store Tour (1 week) 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 and show your support for the work he does to keep you happy.

Radiant Step 1 (1 week) 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 us support getting your program off to a fabulous start.

Radiant Step 3 (2 weeks) is one of our core classes. This is a skill-based class. If you want to learn the baby steps of a successful step 3, come join us. This class is ALWAYS fun. .

If you are on disability or low income (your household income is less that $1000 a month), you may take classes for free if you get certified. I have put the guidelines for certification on the class schedule page.

The class schedule is online. 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. 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.

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

Warmly,
Kathleen

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** Quote From Kathleen **


Doing the food creates a steady bowl to hold your life experience. As it fills, the connection deepens inside and outside.

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** Testimonial of the Week **


Hi again all,

I also just told my story of the moment on the list. It struck me doing it that it keeps changing and evolving.

I don't think my story would evolve so much without this community and the list in particular.

I like that it is so inclusive.

For me connection with others in recovery is the thing, and I love seeing the amazing trasformations that happen here. I just want everyone to do the food and find the life they could have.

Mel


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** Radiant Ambassadors **


On the BBC website, there is a section called Headroom which provides education and support in the mental health sector. There are well-being videos, newsletters, doctors and just plain old-fashioned advice. I'm thinking that RR could have a huge impact on the majority of things they are talking about right now.

Now, it seems that the BBC has a tie-in with libraries up and down the UK. Headroom recommends books that might be helpful and provides stickers to highlight those books. I recently picked up a copy of PNP in my local library and it had a Headroom recommendation sticker on it (grin)! That particular copy had been out three times in the last month, so this is good news!

Anyway, I came home to check out Headroom a bit more thoroughly and looked at the book recommendations on their website - I couldn't find PNP anywhere. Ok, so I did a bit more poking around and discovered that you can actually recommend books to go on the recommendation list :) So, I have written to them, explaining about my experiences with PNP and the fact that it is consistently at the top of the list in the depression section of Amazon UK.

I'm also going to write to Ruby Wax and send her a copy of PNP. She is a well-known contributor to the Headroom site and is currently doing a masters degree in Neuroscience. I'm sure she will understand!

I'll let you know if I hear anything. And if you want to come and join in the fun in the meantime, then come on over to the Ambassadors list - we'd love to have you :)

Selena

Come join us if you are excited about spreading the news.


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** Radiant Kitchen **


OK, so many of you may realize I was in Maine. When in Maine, I eat lobster that comes from the fisherman who gets it from his pots that are laid in Penobscot Bay. Before I left, I got 4 lobsters so I could freeze the meat and bring it home. Here is a picture of 2 of them along with the mayonaise I made after my French SIL taught me how. I cooked the lobsters and got the meat and put it in containers with milk and then froze it.
I asked Diane for a recipe to use in making lobster stew. I am sharing this in case you decide you might like to try something really, really yummy this fall. Now I know that lobster is a delicacy and way too expensive. In Maine, they cost less than steak. I am sharing this so you don't think the program is about deprivation and so you know why I go to Maine, LOL.

Lobster Stew

Here is the ratio.
  • 1 lb cooked lobster meat, roughly chopped.
  • 1.5 sticks of butter (if it's just for me I use a bit less)
  • (3) 14-oz cans evaporated milk and 1.5 cans of water (2-1) -OR- 2 qts half and half (no water)
  • pepper to taste
If you want to get fancy ...try this...
  • 1/2 lb of lobster
  • 2/3 stick butter
  • 1 can evaporated milk, 1/2 can water
  • 1 pint 1/2 and 1/2
...and hold on-to-your socks!!!

Saute the lobster in butter until it turns orangey pink. Add milk and pepper and gently heat through on low uncovered (never simmer or boil). Let cool and then refrigerate overnight..reheat gently. Fine to eat it the day you make it..but way better the next day.

I think I remember that your lobster was in larger blocks. If so, you can saute extra in butter until orangey pink, and refreeze a portion of it with a small amount of milk. Then when you want stew again all you have to do is add milk..and heat..good to go. My mother froze it sauteed in butter for stew a lot. She would just tip the frozen sauteed block into a pan, add the milk and slide it onto the back of the wood cook stove. In later years she did that in the crock pot on low with a dish towel under the lid to catch the steam so it doesn't drip back in and water it down.

Drool, drool, drool... LOL

For more great program-friendly recipes, check out these great cookbooks in the store.



Radiant Recovery
Cookbook


Naomi's Nutritious and
Delicious Cookbook

Sheila's
Kitchen Recipes

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


If you think that losing weight is about calories, then this weight-loss program is NOT for you. YLD is about changing the core of your chemistry. You will learn why you got fat in the first place, why diets really do not work, and why this will make a difference. As I am sure you know, most ads for weight-loss programs on TV include a little disclaimer that says "Results not typical." Now, we would say, "Results not only typical, but usual." Quite a shift.

Of course, the process is not either quick or sexy. It is functional and highly effective. If you want something that works, this is the program to join. And the very best of it is the weekly chats!



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!


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** Radiant Recovery® Store **

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


Since we are doing an issue on getting started, the BEST resource you can get is the 3 CD set Kathleen did as a teaching tool on the program. It includes a discussion of every step and a very, very fascinating discussion of what is embedded in the steps. A lot of people get this CD, and download it on their ipod or MP3 player. Then you can listen over and over.
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 Step One list is a great place to learn the nuances of breakfast, build a strong foundation for the rest of the steps, and find how helpful it is to share our journey with others. It is great for new people and those who have been on the program a long time. Sharing helps everyone.

The awesome thing is we all, Step 1 or Step 7, eat breakfast every single day. How cool is that?

We have had a lot of people join us this week. Do plan on coming over to the Step One list to talk with others about what you are learning.


Or come to the group page to find the one that will best support your program: http://www.radiantrecovery.com/list_serves.htm


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** A Lot of New People **
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.



As I have been posting the forum and reading emails this week, I realize we have a LOT of new people coming in. Here is some of what I have been hearing.

**After a week of being on step 1 and cutting back significantly on my sugar intake I am experiencing what I assume are withdrawal symptoms.

**I've been trying to work the program for a couple of months and have been having trouble sticking to only 3 meals a day. I find I get sooo hungry between meals; even get lightheaded and a growling stomach.

**I'm new and I ate a protein meal last night 3 hours before the potato and I couldn't sleep.

** I am 40 pounds overweight and I would like to get started on losing weight. How do I do this?

** Do you have to give up "fake sugar?"

**Do you have to give up caffeine? (I'm super addicted to this and don't want to give it up yet.)

**What do we do about the ketchup and mayo and relish? Do they sell it somewhere without sugar ? That doesn't cost $5.00 or more a bottle?

**I am wondering what a crash is bio-chemically. I have had crashes in the past- where I just can't keep my eyes open another minute, and I sleep like a stone for one to two hours - when I was younger and consuming really large quantities of sugar. I guess it is like passing out.

** I'm a real all-or-nothing person - you know, setting myself up to fail by trying everything at once - so I'm going to try really hard just to take this one step at a time.

** I thought I had a fairly healthy diet (chocolate binges aside), but now I realize I've been kidding myself for years. That takes a bit of getting used to.

** Right now I certainly cannot imagine doing without sugar altogether, although I have already cut down a lot. Golly, it sounds so stupid to say things have changed so much in two days, but that's just how I feel!

I love all the energy…and…I am also thinking it might be a good time to talk some about how the program works, what “beginner’s mind” is, and why we keep talking about breakfast, breakfast, breakfast. Many of you come to the program having read the book or stumbled on the website. You know in your heart of hearts that this information is right on target. I have heard the comment, “Kathleen, I felt like you were writing my story. Finally, I have something that makes sense!” a thousand times. You are overjoyed to have finally found something that gives a name to what you have felt for so long. And of course you gulp down the book and are set to go.

You have done many, many diets, read every self-help book and you are really, really motivated. In your mind, you think," OK, I understand the principles here, let me simply get started with the potato and I will be on my way." You might decide to give up sugar right away because you always knew you had a problem with it. And you wonder why so many of us keep talking about breakfast. It seems like every time you ask a question, we answer and then ask, “How is breakfast going?” And that gets a little aggravating. You’ve got breakfast under control for heaven’s sake.

Here is the thing. The program is way more than eating a potato before bed or giving up sugar. The program is about balancing your sugar-sensitive body and healing your sugar addiction. The balancing heals the chemical part of the addiction, but there is more to healing the behavioral part of your addiction. Doing the steps the way I designed them is a map that guides you through that process.

Most addicts honestly believe that they know what is best for them. They believe that they have a special set of circumstances that account for the reason they use their “drugs”, even if the drug is sugar….we call this belief terminal uniqueness. So the very first part of the program is designed to help you take a look at that belief and imagine that someone else may have a better idea for you. If you can entertain this possibility, then you can start with the idea that following instructions might be good. This very first act of letting go and trusting is the beginning of healing your addictive behavior.

So breakfast becomes the first place of listening.

There is another key thing that is written in all of the steps. If you take tiny increments, what we call nano steps, you raise the chance of succeeding. If you do just one small thing at a time, and MASTER it, then this success actually creates a chemical change in your brain. The change alters how your brains works with the new information. Success sets the learning in place. New science is showing that we do not learn from our mistakes, we learn from our mastery. So we want you to do well, we want mastery. We set the tasks small enough to make sure you get an A at every one. This is not about pain, or struggle or drama. This is about doing well.

Of course, we do know that most sugar sensitives are drama puppies. We love struggle, we have been known to thrash around, whine, scream, complain and then flop on the couch and have to eat for comfort. We know this because we have been there. This funny little fact can be very comforting. EVERY single person you hear who sounds settled, clear, focused and aware was once where you are. This includes me, especially me.

If you are starting off, just work on step one. In fact, just work on one part of breakfast at a time. Learn all four parts, but just do one. Take the step one class, join the step one list. Read Potatoes Not Prozac over and over, but highlight the chapter on step one. Make notes for yourself. Put cards up on your refrigerator. Ask questions. Go listen to the video at You Tube. It is fun! And then…LISTEN to the answers you find here on the website.

We love having you here. In fact, YOU are the reason we do this. You are the joy of our recovery.


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.