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December 9, 2013


Hi {!firstname_fix}

Kathleen Christmas Truck This is my truck in the snow. I love my truck as I think you know. I also love snow. This morning I went over to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. It snowed while I was eating. Then it was ICY. People in New Mexico are really not skilled with icy roads. There were 8 car crashes on the highway between CB and my house - about 4 miles. I came home and did regular life. I got pictures of the 7 dogs waiting to be adopted, LOL. You can see them here.

Make sure to sign up for *Holy Night* - it is our special midwinter reflection.

Here is a a early heads up about Ranch for May. We will be returning to Albuquerque and the Rio Grande Inn. The room rates will be significantly less expensive. There will be a free shuttle from the airport. Everything will be simple and easy again. I am currently renegotiating with the hotel so I do not have all the details yet. We will be in a room with carpeting.

But if you want to sign up now for the actual seminar to get the early registration rate, we can let you do that directly from the newsletter. We will send you all the information as soon as we get all the details squared away. The dates are Friday May 2 - Sunday, May 4. Click here if you want to ensure an early bird slot.


This class will begin Wednesday, December 11, 2013. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page:

Step 2

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.


This class will begin Saturday, December 14, 2013. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page:

Holy Night (1 week) - is a free reflection to help you shift gears into the real meaning of Christmas and ceremonies of light in mid winter. There will be no charge for this.


This class will begin Wednesday, December 18, 2013. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page:

Using Radiant Resources (1 week) - 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.


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 **


Your journal gives you a picture of 'before.' As you continue the program, you will enjoy being able to look back at your journal and see how far you have come.

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**Testimonial of the Week **


Claire, I'm just catching up on posts, but I love what the others have said. I started the program first and used the questions the children asked me as opportunities for education. When I was steady on step 7 for a while, we started the children on breakfast.

We started to change our language to reflect the program. Sugar was no longer a "treat", but trips to the library and spending time with friends was our new "treat". I gave them decision-making power within the parameters of the program, "We have to eat a protein and a brown, which one would you like today?" Helping the children realize how they feel after they eat whites and sugar was helpful for us as well.

I hope this is helpful. This group has been a great resource for me.

Amy


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**Radiant Life **


I am in my hotel room and enjoying catching up here. I have a funny story to tell that will keep me laughing for a long while.

Yesterday, before we left the office, two of my coworkers came and sat by my desk. One of them never carries a purse so the other coworker asked her what was in it. She pulled out a wallet, her keys and one other thing. Then the other person emptied her purse to show us what she carried. The one with next to nothing in her purse turned to me and asked if I carried a lot in my purse.

I grinned and opened my bag and starting pulling stuff out. Ziploc bag of roasted sweet potatoes, small plastic container of sweet potatoes, pouch of brown rice, tiny container of peanut butter, ziploc of almonds, walnuts and brazil nuts mixed together, bag of raw vegetables. Then my light box, my wallet and a pile of other stuff. The icing on the cake was a pair of underwear. (Aging bladder and all!) We laughed and laughed. There was a mound of food. They said later they wished they had taken a picture.

They have retold the story twice already to the other people we have met up with and there is so much laughter at every telling. I didn't tell them I have lots of other food in my suitcase yet.

And now they know I am serious about what I eat and I don't have to explain a thing. This morning when I joined them for breakfast they asked me if I had brought breakfast with me and when I said yes, they said they weren't surprised. I didn't explain and they didn't ask.

When I think about how serious I have been most of my life, and how in the past I would have wanted them to understand why I had all this food along, I am grateful that I could have a laugh with them and leave it as is.

Cheryl W.


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**Radiant Ambassadors **


Selena head shot

Kath shared this with us on the ambassadors list about her experiences:
"I was floored after a recent talk that I gave (about nutrition "Eating well on a budget"), to have someone come up afterwards and compliment me on my excellent public speaking. I found myself wanting to look behind me to see who they were addressing, because I just gave a talk!

I stood up and talked about the things I know, I warmly and confidently responded to questions afterwards...it had not occurred to me *that* was public speaking LOL. I thought of public speaking as giving a speech (the thought of which scares me witless).

I am sure that familiarity with the material, a lived experience which just happens to be being shared verbally, is the key for me!"
How exciting is that!

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 **


Hello, my name is Alina, I'm from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I've read YLD in 2007, and since that I know that sugar is THE issue for me... I stopped eating gluten, but getting rid of sugar is so hard!!! I did the program but not very well. Now I wish could do it better. Sorry about my English, I know that is not very good, since I'm a spanish speaker.

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** Radiant Recovery® Store **


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

We have put together a series of special packages for you for your holiday gift giving. Pick the pac you most want, send a pac to your friends, send one to your sister. Let us help you pass on the healing you have. We have priced them at our Prime Rate or less as a special holiday promotion. Come check them out here.

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 **


This recipe is one of my all time favorites from the Radiant Recipe Cookbook. I think it very festive and perfect for cold winter days. Just the thought of this one warms me up! Enjoy!

Spiced Butternut Soup

  • 1 T. Olive oil
  • 3/4 c. onion, cut into 1/2 inch dice
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 T. grated fresh ginger root
  • 3 c. vegetable or chicken stock
  • 4 c. (about 1 medium) butternut squash, cubed
  • 1 T. lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp. ground white pepper
  • Dash of cayenne or to taste
  • Sour cream or yogurt for garnish
Heat olive oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger and saute briefly until vegetables turn translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add squash and broth. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer 30 minutes or until squash is tender. Puree soup in batches in a blender, being careful to avoid spilling and burns. Return soup to pan. Stir in lime juice and remaining spices (coriander through cayenne) and heat until hot. Garnish with sour cream or yogurt if desired. Makes 4 servings. Prep time: 15 minutes. Cook time: 45 minutes. Beginner Skill.

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 **


Being a member of 'Your Last Diet' means you have access to exclusive live online chats with Kathleen every Wednesday! It’s a wonderful experience where Kathleen brings you all the latest information. Topics are interesting, varied and definitely cutting edge. If you can’t make it to the live chat, being a member means you get to read the transcript plus all the previous ones too!

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.

In the past we have talked about about what pictures we have on our walls and it touched a really nice place. I am thinking this will be fun for us to be talking about in chat again...pictures as joy dots. I hope you will all come on Monday to talk about this. I sure am excited about it.

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

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 **


The Depression list is a heart place for many members of the community. Listen to what Janie said back when she first came to the community:

I joined this list when I first read SARP. I didn't even have a computer back then and when I read in SARP that there was an on-line community, I told my husband we had to get a computer so I could connect!

My depression started in my early 20's. What I did about it back then was self-medicate with alcohol, drugs, caffeine and sugar not realizing of course that this was making me worse. Then my depression really hit hard after I started having children. When my twins were born my depression was totally debilitating. We had to hire a nanny because I was too depressed to take care of my own children. It was then that I started seeking professional help. I went to every kind of doctor and practitioner out there. I was even hospitalized twice for suicide. I tried all sorts of meds and nothing worked for me.

It wasn't until I read PNP that I finally found the answer. I'll never forget that day when I first found that book. I read it all in one day and started the program the next day. Kathleen's work has totally changed my life and I will be forever grateful to her and to this community. Being in service here in this community and especially on the depression list is my joy and bringing hope to those who suffer from depression is my mission.


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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**Another Look at Commitment **
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.



Every week, I get many letters from people who feel inadequate, overwhelmed, fat, out of control and unable to do the program. Or I get letters from people who feel buffeted by the stress in their lives. People have died, work is demanding, no time, no space, no capacity to “do” anything but get by.

And each time I say, “These feelings are caused by being out of balance. The stress does not create the feelings, your biochemistry does.” When you are balanced, you respond to stress differently, it becomes functional rather than overwhelming. You stand in the center of the swirl with a sense of calm and clarity about priorities and demands. And when you are not balanced, that idea seems totally off the wall.

When you are in the middle of what I call sugar feelings, you will be reactive and feel done to. You will feel like a victim. You will feel like you can do nothing right. And of course it seems like these feelings are REAL because it is what you feel. And when you feel that way, you need something to help you hold them, so you get ice cream and soda. And you feel better for a little while. Life is manageable for a few minutes and you are seduced into thinking that this is comfort. But what you think is comforting you is the cause of what you are feeling. It is a deadly, seductive dance.

When you are in that place, the idea of the “program” seems totally overwhelming. No, you cannot give up sugar. No, you cannot manage to plan anything. I just don’t get it! You feel it is just too big and too unattainable. It is too much so you need to just give up and feel that nothing will work.

So, here is the bottom line. This program can not only save your life, it can transform it. It can make you clear and steady. It can give you a platform for losing weight. But it cannot work its magic unless you do it. And you do not have to do it all at once. You do not have to be perfect or rigorous or disciplined. You can come, you can whine, you can stumble. But if you show up, you ask for help and you listen, and then you follow instructions, things will change.

Sugar-sensitive people are notorious for not listening. We think we know it better. We think that we are unique, a special case and the plain ole boring 'do the steps slowly and in order' does not really fit our situation. That way of thinking has to go. If you want what we have, do what we do. We do the steps. We have breakfast every morning, on time. We journal. We eat meals on time. We have enough protein for our body. We take the vitamins and eat the potato. We eat whole grains and we do not have sugar. We are funny, focused and purposeful.

And we are NOT different from you. We were there in that dark, horrible place. Every single one of us, including me, has been there. And it is a place we do not want to go back to. The way out was not magic. It was showing up and “doing”. Doing breakfast, doing journal. Doing potato. One choice at a time. One day at a time.

As I said last week, “Nodding will not heal you.” Agreement will not make change. Commitment makes change. You do not have to live that way any more. Come on over and let’s do this together.


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!
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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.
Steph provides the Your Last Diet column.


©2013 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