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June 6, 2011 Hi {!firstname_fix} Well this edition of the newsletter will be bringing a lot of things for you to think about. I am getting creative with ways to honor your growing. As many of you are getting more and more steady on the food, I am hearing that you are ready for new ideas and tools for going deeper in your recovery. We are settled now from Ranch. Summer is clearly here. I am doing a lot of cooking outside and love just enjoying the evening dusk with salads and nice food outdoors. I wanted to just comment a bit about planning for classes. I am aware that I have had some trouble with rhythm and consistency in some of the classes. I sincerely apologize for this. I have set up a new method of being able to track my classes better so I think we will be set on that. I also am going to upgrade and revamp some of the classes, so I think you will be pleased with the changes. This class will begin Wednesday, June 8, 2011. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page: Using Radiant Resources (4 weeks) is a free orientation 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. These classes will begin Wednesday, June 15, 2011. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page: Radiant Step 2: Introduction (2 weeks) 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. Brain Chemistry: Serotonin (2 weeks) is one of our most popular classes. It helps you make sense of why the potato works, why you have a problem in the winter and how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can play into this. If you munch in your mind, if you are depressed or edgy or feel sad, this is the class for you. The class schedule is online. Click here to see what is planned. We have updated it. I will be adding some new classes when I settle on what is best for you. Please wait to sign up for classes until a week or two before, and 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 **********************************************************************
** Quote From Kathleen ** All this work will create enormous gains for you. As you 'do the food,' you are going to reconnect with your birthright. **********************************************************************
** Testimonial of the Week ** Nice to have you here. That is a wonderful "catch" about starting fights after running. And what an interesting question about the exercise threshold. I don't know the answer. My impression is both that it's possible to build up over time, and that there is a point where it's too much. When I was on step 6, I started running races. I was nervous about spiking, and I did. I got advice here to train specifically for the type of race. For example, I spiked on a hilly course and I hadn't trained for it, but a flat course was OK. I also got advice to eat soon after running, within half an hour to an hour. Those two things helped the spiking stop. Over time (I've been on step 7 for about 5 years, I think), I've gotten more steady and able to tolerate just about any sport I love without spiking. Getting enough food with proper timing makes all the difference. That said, as an addict, I'll always be susceptible to BE spiking, so I keep a watchful eye out to make sure I don't overdo it. Am I cranky, unable to sleep, too wired, hesitant to stop? I train for triathlons, which breaks things up nicely. But there are still times once in a great while that I overdo it, and I find out backwards by the day 4s-something that's easier to track on the later steps. Oops, I overexerted myself in the heat, oops, not enough sleep for that level of training. There definitely is a wise voice inside me that knows when to stop, and I like to align with that. Using your journal will be helpful. That's great you're doing the step 3 nanos too. What are you having for breakfast these days? We love talking about that-it makes all the difference anytime, but especially with sports. JoEllen **********************************************************************
** Radiant Ambassadors ** 
Which website do you use to check out a book before you buy it? Would I be right in thinking it's Amazon? Well, we're not alone! Millions of people all over the world check out Amazon book reviews prior to buying a book.As I'm from England I generally look at the UK Amazon site but I thought I'd try something different today - and I checked out Amazon.com, the US version. It was wonderful inputting 'Potatoes not Prozac' and seeing 47 different reviews - that's far more than in the UK! Of those 47 reviews, 40 of them have given the book 5 stars out of 5! As a taster - here are the titles to the last two reviews: 'Changed my life...' 'Most beneficial and excellent book' :) Do you fancy adding your voice to the masses and writing a review too? The more reviews a book gets, the more likely it is that Amazon will sit up and take notice and promote the book itself. And that can't be a bad thing! Selena selenas@blueyonder.co.uk Come join us if you are excited about spreading the news. **********************************************************************
** How I Found Radiant Recovery ** I am 50 years old and perimenopausal. A friend suggested I read this book that she had been reading called "The Wisdom of Menopause" by Dr. Christiane Northrup. In the book she talks about the Menopause Food Plan and lists PNP and SATRP as good books to read if you think you have a carb addiction. I couldn't believe that there was actually a book on this. I had not been feeling well for quite some time and was desperately seeking answers. I ran right to the book store and found PNP. I answered "yes" to every criteria question and knew this book was for me. That was a little over 2 months ago and I have been following step 1 since then. I see a lovely difference already in my cravings and my moods. I used to think I was going crazy! Not any more! Thank you, Kathleen DesMaisons!! Jen **********************************************************************
** Radiant Recovery® Store ** David manages the Radiant Recovery® Store. He is also Kathleen's oldest son. 
I was talking with David about which of our store products he loves. He said Pycnogenol® 'because it is so light I can tuck it in anywhere.' This made me laugh. I thought it would be fun to share the other side of how we decide to carry a product. I think Pycnogenol® is an incredible thing. Let me walk you through some of what has been written about it. I will add my thoughts and explanations to these citations. You can go and read any of the cites by going over to Pub Med and typing in the name of the article in the Search Pub Med for box. - KathleenAllergy Sharma, S. C., S. Sharma, et al. (2003). "Pycnogenol inhibits the release of histamine from mast cells." Phytother Res 17(1): 66-9. So Pycnogenol® makes your body less reactive to allergens. This is why Pycnogenol® and fish oil act synergistically to reduce allergy. Arthritis Schafer, A., Z. Chovanova, et al. (2006). "Inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 activity by plasma of human volunteers after ingestion of French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol)." Biomed Pharmacother 60(1): 5-9. Ok, so think VIOXX on this one. Instead of nasty side effects, you can get a positive effect with an herbal intervention. Pycnogenol® is made from pine bark. Diabetes Kamuren, Z. T., C. G. McPeek, et al. (2006). "Effects of low-carbohydrate diet and Pycnogenol treatment on retinal antioxidant enzymes in normal and diabetic rats." J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 22(1): 10-8. Belcaro, G., M. R. Cesarone, et al. (2005). "Venous ulcers: microcirculatory improvement and faster healing with local use of Pycnogenol." Angiology 56(6): 699-705. Berryman, A. M., A. C. Maritim, et al. (2004). "Influence of treatment of diabetic rats with combinations of pycnogenol, beta-carotene, and alpha-lipoic acid on parameters of oxidative stress." J Biochem Mol Toxicol 18(6): 345-52. Liu, X., H. J. Zhou, et al. (2004). "French maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol dose-dependently lowers glucose in type 2 diabetic patients." Diabetes Care 27(3): 839. Liu, X., J. Wei, et al. (2004). "Antidiabetic effect of Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract in patients with diabetes type II." Life Sci 75(21): 2505-13. Spadea, L. and E. Balestrazzi (2001). "Treatment of vascular retinopathies with Pycnogenol." Phytother Res 15(3): 219-23. There is lots written about Pycnogenol® and diabetes. It is pretty powerful stuff. ADD Heimann, S. W. (1999). "Pycnogenol for ADHD?" J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 38(4): 357-8. Interesting question here. Makes me wonder about the brain effect of pycnogenol. See what you think. Air Travel Belcaro, G., M. R. Cesarone, et al. (2004). "Prevention of venous thrombosis and thrombophlebitis in long-haul flights with pycnogenol." Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 10(4): 373-7. Cesarone, M. R., G. Belcaro, et al. (2005). "Prevention of edema in long flights with Pycnogenol." Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 11(3): 289-94. These are actually the reasons I first got interested in Pycnogenol®. The biggest risk in air flight is not having an accident, it is having a blood clot from sitting for a long time with pressure on the back of your knees. Pycnogenol® seems to prevent this. I recommend that anyone flying for more than 2 hours just add Pycnogenol® to your travel kit. Cancer Huang, W. W., J. S. Yang, et al. (2005). "Pycnogenol induces differentiation and apoptosis in human promyeloid leukemia HL-60 cells." Leuk Res 29(6): 685-92. Huynh, H. T. and R. W. Teel (2000). "Selective induction of apoptosis in human mammary cancer cells (MCF-7) by pycnogenol." Anticancer Res 20(4): 2417-20. These articles are talking about cell death in cancer cells. Go read about apoptosis here at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apoptosis Maybe this is a preventative that we should pay attention to. Pregnancy Ni, Z., Y. Mu, et al. (2002). "Treatment of melasma with Pycnogenol." Phytother Res 16(6): 567-71. Melasma is the brown mask that comes with pregnancy. It is hormonally induced. I am wondering if pycnogenol will affect the brown spots of aging. Weight Loss Mochizuki, M. and N. Hasegawa (2004). "Pycnogenol stimulates lipolysis in 3t3-L1 cells via stimulation of beta-receptor mediated activity." Phytother Res 18(12): 1029-30. Hasegawa, N. (2000). "Inhibition of lipogenesis by pycnogenol." Phytother Res 14(6): 472-3. Ok, so these two are saying Pycnogenol® stimulates fat burning and inhibits fat storing. Hmmm, how did I miss that one in my YLD class, LOL. IBD Mochizuki, M. and N. Hasegawa (2004). "Therapeutic efficacy of pycnogenol in experimental inflammatory bowel diseases." Phytother Res 18(12): 1027-8. This made me smile since I have been dealing with colitis in the dogs all week. They are getting it now. Surgery Blazso, G., M. Gabor, et al. (2004). "Pycnogenol accelerates wound healing and reduces scar formation." Phytother Res 18(7): 579-81. Is there anything this little sucker does not help? Ok, Ok, she says, take it, LOL. I originally got it for the store because the other thing it does is strengthen capillary walls. If you take higher doses of fish oil (or even aspirin), it thins your blood. And if you have brittle capillaries, it can make you more vulnerable to bruising. I found that pycnogenol seems to really help this. Then I learned about the travel and blood clots thing and said, 'ok, let's get this stuff in the store.' Then one day, I started poking around in Medline. This is a mighty powerful little option we have. See what you think. Please send questions and suggestions. I love hearing from you and truly want to help you do your program better. **********************************************************************
** Radiant Kitchen ** 
Kathleen’s Baking Mix
And remember that everyone should have the RR cookbook. It is chock full of fabulous info! **********************************************************************
** Radiant Conversations ** Many of you know that we have been talking about the whole concept of Chat. Is it YLD or *conversations* or what. We know we all love it, but I have been doing lots of thinking about the best way to keep these two needs and interests separate. This week's article will help you make sense of where we are going. If you are not a YLD member, come and join us. Click here if you want to be a part of the latest and greatest or just have some plain ol' fun! **********************************************************************
** Our Online Groups ** Radiant Depression. Think this list is a sad a grim place? Think again. This is the *Joy* list - where it all started. Come visit if you want to enjoy a loving exploration of bringing joy into your life. **********************************************************************
**New Membership Options ** Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.
As you all know, the core of our healing program is about learning to do the steps to heal sugar sensitivity. After mastering the steps, then you start feeling settled and focused and it comes time to look at the other issues in your life. One of these is weight loss, but it is not the only one. Emotional maturity, looking at other addictions, learning to play and many other pieces are part of the story. In the last few years we have worked on all of these. The original Your Last Diet program worked with weight loss by offering a weekly chat and then developing a number of specialized classes. Then as chat matured, we began looking at some of those other issues. It evolved into a weekly dialogue called *conversations*. These, as you know have been wonderful. But they have meant that we are less focused on weight loss and those of you who really want that have not had the same place to brainstorm about solutions. While the conversations chats have flourished, we have been working behind the scenes with Weight Loss in Action. Our lived experience allowed us to take weight loss to the next level. It took a while because so many of us were so happy with the liberation from obsession that the numbers on the scale just didn't call in the same way. But we collectively decided that it was a good thing to add to our healing, so we have. We are confident that the emergent process works beyond anything any of us imagined. We kept talking. At the beginning of the year, we started a pilot project to just *do* what we know. Not surprisingly, everyone, including me, started losing weight. Even the people who were convinced that they were unique and couldn't are. Is it magic? Hardly. It is simply taking the healing of addiction and applying it to the process of weight loss. The sum of all this is that I am revising the process. We will go back to having Your Last Diet as an exclusive process for weight loss. Your lifetime membership will include classes and two dedicated chats — one mid day so folks from Europe can attend and one in the evening, once a week. YLD will also have a private yahoo list to talk about these things. Conversations is going to spin off into a separate membership process. It will be designed to ask questions that are more about living a life of recovery. I will do a special blog only for members and post the concepts we will be talking about. We will cover not only the kinds of things we have been playing with this last year, but we will ask questions like how to we take care of negative thoughts, how do we transform fear, what is equanimity, how silence heals, and how guided imagery works. So, you may be wondering how this all will work logistically. Each membership program will be $99 for a lifetime membership. Joining both will be $149. If you are a current YLD member, you will be able to upgrade for $49. All the current members will default into the YLD group. If you wish to transfer into the new conversations group only, you can. If you wish to be in both, you will simply upgrade. We will have all the official pages and materials posted up on the web in the next few weeks. For now, the conversations chats will continue as they have. If you want to be part of the first membership of the new process, you can join now and get access to the preview material. Join YLD Weight Loss Now: click here - $99 Join Conversations 2011 Now: click here - $99 Join Both YLD and Conversations Now: click here - $149 Current YLD members wish to Upgrade to Both, click here - $49 Current YLD members who wish to Transfer to Conversations 2011 Only can do so for a $14.99 admin fee: click here Now, if you followed all that, you get a gold star!!! It is actually pretty straightforward and after you sit with it for a while, it will totally make sense... And you can see that we believe in the simple and easy approach rather than all that marketing stuff we all get in our emails. If you have questions, ask me on the forum. 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. ©2011 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/ |
