Hi {!firstname_fix}

What a week it has been here. Hot, hot, hot...so on Thursday, I sent 3 rescues to the cleaners. They came back all shiny, buffed, with tidy toenails, glistening teeth and strutting. Then we got the NM summer rain, i.e., a massive downpour...and my rescue yard has dirt that is actually clay....so...the dogs loved it. And since Golden Retrievers are Water dogs, they thought it was just nifty to have a mud bath. I decided to think of it as a spa treatment. When I went out to feed everyone, LOL, the mud sucked my flip flops in and grabbed my ankles. Why they refuse to go and stand in the kennels and stay dry is simply beyond my ken. But it was warm, they were fine, just MUDDY!!!

All the trees, grasses and plants are thrilled. The errant flock of pigeons has discovered the land under my feeders so there is a constant flap of the flock taking off as Ronan and Pepper run out the door to get them off their turf.


These classes will begin Wednesday, July 11, 2012. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page:

Step 1

Step 1 (2 weeks) - 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. We are running a special and reducing the price and the time for this class. It will now be a one week intensive. Let's see if it suits you better.


Step 3

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.


Brain Chemistry Serotonin (2 weeks) - CEU - is the other 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.


This class will begin Wednesday, July 18, 2012. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page:

Step 2

Step 2: Skilled (2 weeks) - is the next level of journaling. This is for those of you who know *how* and want to learn what to do with your data. This class shows you how to interpret what you have written in an exciting and pragmatic way.


The class schedule is online. Click here to see what is planned.

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 **


The foods you think of as providing comfort are the very things that have contributed to your problems.

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** Testimonial of the Week **


I also gained a bit of weight when I started Step 1 (I was doing a lot of 'not eating' to balance my daily 'treats' etc.)

However, I lost a big chunk on Step 6 (way more than I gained on Step 1) and it's stayed off for over 4 years now.

I later found out that this is a pretty common pattern for those of us on the food.

HTH,

Warmly,
Vinny


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** Radiant Ambassadors **




How often does the subject of addiction come up on television programs?

Quite often in the UK it would seem. A friend texted me to let me know that a morning talk show was discussing whether or not you could spot an addictive personality in a 3 year old. My Radiant Recovery antenna started twitching at this!

I tweeted the show several times and sent them a text. My friend also texted the show. In the end they only took two calls but the host said he was fascinated by the topic and wished he could devote a whole show to it. Neither text was read out but someone somewhere will have now heard of sugar sensitivity. And then of course there's the tweets that I sent which will still show up in their timelines.

I heard back from one of the presenters on twitter. I tweeted that you can spot an addict from the amount of sugar they ate. She replied that she was more optimistic and that you could spot the potential towards addiction. I agreed with 'potential' and said that changing what you ate can have a profound effect on addiction. She agreed.

So that's yet another person who has now heard of sugar sensitivity!!

Getting the word out one person at a time

Til next week

Selena
selenas@blueyonder.co.uk

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


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** How I Found Radiant Recovery **




Hi! My name is Marci and I live in the beautiful Pacific NW outside of Seattle. I am just beginning the program, trying to get my breakfast under control. I'm hoping this class will help me get involved with the RR community and possibly make some new friends in the process. I read part of The Sugar Addict's Total Recovery Program book last summer but wasn't ready to accept my "fate" as a sugar addict. Then, I came across a suggestion by a blogger I follow to look into Potatoes not Prozac and I immediately knew this program was meant for me!! I am definitely a sugar sensitive/addict and have faith that I can make positive changes in my life doing the steps.


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** Radiant Recovery® Store **


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

We have had so many people ask about a dairy free/soy free protein powder, we decided to try this one out. Kathleen likes the flavor. Let's see if it will work for you.

A high quality, plant-based protein plus live probiotics and enzymes, fat-soluble vitamins and nutrient Code Factors» such as Beta-glucans, SOD, glutathione and CoQ10 for overall health and vitality, RAW Protein provides the following benefits:

  • Provides RAW organic sprouted protein and live probiotics and enzymes
  • Excellent source of protein 17 grams
  • Suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets
  • Alternative to soy and animal protein powders
  • Good for those with gastrointestinal sensitivities to milk, whey and other protein sources
  • Easily digested supports digestive health and function with live probiotics and protein-digesting enzymes

    Ê there are no fillers, no artificial flavors and no synthetic ingredients and it's gluten-free and dairy-free.


More Information


Order Now
Regular Price $39.99 Subscription Price $36.99
Buy




Please send questions and suggestions. I love hearing from you and truly want to help you do your program better.


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** Radiant Kitchen **


CHICKEN FINGERS


1/2 cup whole grain bread crumbs (toast and process to crumbs bread of your choice)**
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 1" x 3" strips
1 egg lightly beaten or 2 Tbsp. milk

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Mix crumbs, salt and pepper in bowl. Dip the chicken pieces first in either milk or egg and then dip them in the breadcrumbs to coat. Place chicken on an ungreased cookie sheet (or place on parchment paper for easier cleanup).

Bake 7-9 minutes until cooked through, but not overcooked.

These freeze very well so you can make larger batches and freeze packages of them for later.

**Variation (Substitute for breadcrumbs):

1/3 cup cornflake crumbs
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans

For more great program-friendly recipes, check out our cookbook in the store and visit our online Radiant Recipes site.



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** Radiant YLD **


We have talked about just doing the *gist* of the program. I am loving our chats these days!

(Kathleen DesMaisons) ok, what do you think that would mean?
(Ann H) steps are not steady
(Elaine) the general idea
(Val L.) having a "basic" idea but missing most of the details?
(Lucy) that you understand it intellectually?
(Joan) broad sweeping commitment
(Dori) for me, the "gist" is about knowing, in my head, but not living it
(gail) loosely following the program, the basics?
(Nancy) to me -- understanding and implementing the steps but not necessarily feeling it.
(Maureen) but maybe not enuf protein, maybe skipping veggies
(Maureen) blipping around w/timing
(carrie) not making the connection?
(Maureen) maybe not doing such a great job of journaling
(Jennifer M.) following all the steps, but not necessarily doing them well.
(gretel) understanding the principles, but not feeling the radiance
(Maureen) but not eating sugar and not feeling like crap - feeling okay
(KittyMorel) getting the gist could also mean really doing your own program
(KittyMorel) your "interpretation"
(Maureen) it's like 'good enough" -- sort of like doing what you need to pull a B -
(Nancy) going through the motions -- good one.
(Kathleen DesMaisons) yes, good enough without the spirit
(Kathleen DesMaisons) ok, so there are two parts...sloppy around the edges
(Kathleen DesMaisons) and not getting the spirit
(Kathleen DesMaisons) it is kinda like showing up for a job but not really caring about it
(gretel) great analogy
(Kathleen DesMaisons) and doing just the gist means you get flat rather than sparkly

If you would like to join, come find us here


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** Radiant Conversations **


We have a new portal for the Conversations program. Come check it out here.

Last week we were talking about the addiction amoeba. And how we call our different addiction things *pods*...this brought us to a discussion of the concept of *poking pods*...this was a VERY funny chat. To let go of shame and just have this image of poking pods...so...you are lying there quietly, minding your own business, eh!! Get up! get up, I have t go shopping. I need some diet coke, how about some new gear...

As part of our discussions about this, Jenny made a little clay model of Morphie being a *pod poker*...I have his picture near my computer. He makes me laugh. Nice way to push my recovery edge. If you would like to join us, you can do that below.

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

If you are not a member, come and join us if you want to be a part of the latest and greatest or just have some plain ol' fun!


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** Our Online Groups **


On our Radiant Fitness group we talk about how doing the food can support our fitness program and vice versa. Some favorite topics are what to eat when doing intensive exercise when all that's out there commercially are sugar filled products. We also talk about what to eat before and after morning workouts, and what to do for those folks whose training program requires a twice a day workout. We have runners walkers, bikers, dancers, aerobicizers, yogis, and many more types of exercise enthusiasts on the list. One of the neat things on the list is people who are recovering from exercise addiction who are learning how to work exercise back in their life in a healthy way. If any of this fits you, well, come on over and join in.

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 Small Roadmap for Your Process **
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.



A number of people have asked me if there is an expected path for going through the steps. Is it developmental or random? Over the years, I have come to see that it is very developmental and very predictable. If you do the steps, things will change. And they will change in a way that you can expect. So nothing scary, nothing complicated. Here are the stages:

Chaos
Regularity and Structure
Stability
Detox
Practice
Success

Chaos

Chaos is the starting place for most of you. You may be way out there, or you may be high functioning chaos artists. But the tone is always the same. You feel hopeless, out of control, desperate, inadequate, and impatient. You can’t remember instructions, you want to get started and people don’t understand what is going on for you.

You feel the “problem” is the sugar. Or the problem is your weight. Or the problem is the stress in your life. And the feelings are so bad, you have to do something RIGHT NOW!!!! You are a true drama pup and feel like you can’t start, can’t stop, and you are crazy.

You eat irregular meals, lots of sugars and carbohydrates, you may binge, drink little water and either exercise rarely or exercise compulsively.

You have tried a thousand diets. You have lost weight and gained it back – a lot. You are tired and terrified. You hold your breath at even the idea something might work. You want to do it all, and you keep putting it off.

You are in the right place. The program can help you.

Regularity and Structure

You start the program. You work on breakfast. Breakfast becomes habitual. You like the feelings it brings. You write your journal. Sometimes you forget, but mostly you remember. You don’t yet use the journal as a detective, but you are gathering the information and resisting the idea less. You manage to eat three meals a day. You have protein at each meal. You have a potato every night. You take the three vitamins every day. You are still having sweets, but eat them with your meals. You eat whatever fruits you like but notice them and write them down. You have started increasing your water and find you rather like it. You are thinking about the idea of exercising.

Stability

You have started to feel the routine of regular meals. You have breakfast every day and find that if you miss it, you notice right away. You like how you are feeling. You are sleeping better. You are resisting the idea of the program less. Things start working. You notice how much caffeine and/or aspartame you use. You begin to reduce them slowly without being impulsive or reactive along the way. You are still writing diligently in your journal. You are now getting interested in what your journal says. What can it teach you? What is the connection between food and feelings anyway? You start eating brown things rather than white refined flour products. Whole grains, brown rice and oatmeal creep in and you find you actually like them.

You still have fruit, but find it is becoming more and more of a normal part of your diet rather than a desperate alternative to the sweets you think you should be eating. While you haven’t really focused on the sugars, you find that the bag of M&M’s you used to have instead of lunch doesn’t have the same charm when eaten after dinner. You are less frantic about searching for your stash in the evening. Mr. Spud is a friend by now.

And you are starting to think that the idea of going off sugar may not be so scary after all.

Detox

You pick a date and know that you are ready to just go for it. The day arrives and you don’t have sugar, you don’t have alcohol. You feel excited. You feel that maybe this time you can do it. You still have breakfast; you guard yourself a little more tightly. You are using your food journal as a valuable aid in your process. It alerts you to danger or slipping. But your focus is on the SUGAR. Finally, the bogey man is going to go. Day four comes; you are cranky but intrigued. It’s a day and you are ready. And then, and then day five. You wake up and realize you just passed through the sugar barrier. You are on your way.

You hold this place now for a while. Part of you is itching to go with losing weight. You actually may have started losing. Or you may have gained some. This makes you a little nervous, but you trust the process. Something is happening here. You aren’t quite sure what or how it is working so powerfully, but you are hooked.

Your food is steady. Your energy is up. Your sleep is working. You are pleased and excited. And if you are not, you know what to do. Back to the journal. Back to the forum. Let’s figure it out. It’s not overwhelming; it’s just functional. You are in charge and you know what to do.

You have been sugar free for a few weeks. Yes, yes, that is weeks, not days. And now you are ready to start your diet plan. But you are willing to listen. Wait for six months on steady we say. You no longer fret. You know it makes sense. Get skill, get stable.

You are no longer frantic and are starting to enjoy this. You have some goals. You have a sense that you can start the things to get you ready for weight loss.

Practice

You are reducing the amount of fruit you have. Browns are steady. You start increasing the greens. Veggies become your friend – and if not your friend, at least you have learned how to cook them. You eat them regularly. You have increased your water to the ounces that equal 1/2 your body weight. The potato is a regular part of your routine. Steady, you are steady. And you have started exploring your other options from that steady place.

You go into the support modules regularly and work on the “extras” like defining your style, reflecting on feelings, getting your support network refined, exercising, and looking at what will help you hold the diet.

A funny thing is happening. You kinda like this process. You are less impatient. You like how things are unfolding. You are ready now for the weight loss.

Success

After all this time, you are ready. Not frantic, but ready. At the base, you understand what you are doing. This is not hit or miss or desperate. It is informed and intentional. You understand the biochemistry of it all. You don’t throw away the spud because it is too glycemic. You aren’t counting calories. You have a good relationship to your scale. You are doing some exercise every day. You are on your way!


Thanks for reading! If you know someone who could benefit from this, feel free to forward it to them.

Not a subscriber yet? Like what you have read? Sign up to get future issues delivered straight to you:

http://www.radiantrecovery.com

Until next time!
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.



©2012 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