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March 4, 2014


Hi {!firstname_fix}

While some of you are still having snow, we had a Robin and now hyacinths and cherry blossoms. It will move east for you soon enough. I have been meeting with the people at the Rio Grande Inn getting the details for Ranch settled. Several people have asked me about the content of ranch this year. I build the content based on what has been happening in the community. So much of the last couple of months has been working with how weight loss and body image weave together. Last year, I introduced the idea that the people who did *restriction* and *looked* good on the outside were in fact caught with the same complexity of feelings about body, self and image. So this year we have been working at putting the continuum together.

At Ranch I want to give you a sense of the full continuum from Fat Terror to successful weight loss so you can not only see the big picture but understand how the steps and the process can carry you from the beginning to the other side of the continuum.

And of course we will continue to provide a full introduction for new people. Friday is structured to teach you the steps, to teach you what is embedded in the steps and how to successfully get started, get connected and succeed. I think it is the package that is so powerful. Being with people, having great food, being away from home all come together into a unique experience. It is why we love Ranch so much.

Next week I will give you a full update on the status of George's® Restore. The new iteration will have whey protein isolate from cows here in New Mexico. I thought I would share this video because it moved me so much This is how I feel about *our* cows.


This class will begin Wednesday, March 5, 2014. 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.


This class will begin Wednesday, March 12, 2014. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page:

YLD Fitness for Weight Loss (2 weeks) - is a class for members of the Radiant Recovery YLD program who wish to refine and integrate their fitness plan into their overall weight loss plan.



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 **


Rather than responding to problems or roadblocks with tears, you will start anticipating and solving, problems.

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**Testimonial of the Week **


This is how it worked where the Appleton video took place. I am going to send a copy of Little Sugar Addicts and the video to my school board. Also, as a teacher, I do the best I can in my own classroom. The other teachers in my school pretty much know what I do and how I feel about sugar etc...but if they are in denial as to their own problems with sweets, they don't really want to hear it. I do this one person at a time. My teaching partner is very supportive of this and does the same thing I do.

This year, I am going to go one step further...not just promoting ONLY healthy snacks, I am going to try to insist that EVERYONE bring a snack every day with protein in it. I can do whatever I can in the classroom, but if the district is still giving the kids less than quality food, then we have a lot more to do. I will try with my parents too, but that is also difficult since most don't even speak English...but I'll do the best I can.

The kids are one of the best methods of getting to them...and I tell them how I feel about the stuff and what they are and aren't allowed to eat in my classroom. Since kindergartners still like/love their teacher, it seems to be helpful!!! I have had parents tell me I have brainwashed their children (in a good way). It's very cool watching a 5 year old tell their parent that a lollipop isn't a healthy snack.

So...I guess where I'm going with this....you can do whatever you can, one teacher at a time...one parent at a time, one child at a time. You have already planted seeds.

Elaine


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**Radiant Life **


This week marks my 4th anniversary on this wonderful journey. All week I have been thinking about the many changes in my life since I began to "do the food."

One of the biggest changes for me is that I am satisfied with just three meals and my spud. I no longer keep going back out to the kitchen to look for "something" to eat after dinner.

I no longer get up in the middle of the night and go out to the kitchen to eat. Usually if I wake up I don't even go out for a drink of water. I have begun to keep a bottle of water beside my bed.

I never eat between meals except on a rare occasion. That will happen if I for some reason I do not eat enough food at my meal. Then I will have a program friendly snack because I don't like feeling hungry.

Last night I slept through for six and a half hours. This is happening more and more often. Before I began the steps I would wake up every forty- five minutes to make a trip to the bathroom. Many times I would then go out to the kitchen and have a snack.

I have worked on the same job for over thirty years. For the last few years before starting the steps I hated my job. Now I wake up every morning excited to go to work. I love my job again and that makes me very happy.

From the time I was twenty I took medicine for high blood pressure. For the last two plus years I have had normal blood pressure and I no longer take medication to control the pressure.

I suffered for years with migraine headaches. Now I never even get a regular headache.

I used to have swollen feet and ankles that just about brought me to tears. Sometimes my feet swell up a little. Usually they are fine now. I even have space between my toes.

No longer do I suffer from backaches or IBS. Both of which I suffered with for many years.

I am not cranky and my moods are very steady. All along I thought I was cranky because I was getting older.

My choices in clothing colors has changed quite a bit over the last two years. Before starting on this journey I wore black all the time. I would have a black blouse with some color in it, but for the most part black was my color choice. Now I choose bright colors and pastels.

I had some highlights put in my hair and doing that made me feel like a million dollars. For the most part I take care to dress and look my best. Of course I still have some days where I don't care so much how I look (smile). That is an indicator that I need more rest or more protein.

I have energy and enjoy life. I love to get up in the morning and watch the sunrise. I find joy in the smallest of things. I socialize more than I did in many years. Life is good and as I work the steps, it keeps getting better. I laugh frequently and rarely cry. The total opposite of how I was before I began this journey.

I can pass up dessert and not feel deprived. I can walk past a bakery and never even glance in the window. That is what I call freedom!

When I was told all of these things were possible I didn't really believe it. I didn't really believe eating breakfast would make such a huge difference in my life. Every night I say a prayer of thanks that Kathleen has done this work and given us all a chance at radiance.

Hugs,

Ann


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**Radiant Ambassadors **


Selena head shot

It’s always fun to hear about people discussing Radiant Recovery with their friends/acquaintances.

On the ambassadors list I asked who had mentioned RR recently and this was Heidi’s reply:
“Only all weekend, LOL! But I think I was pretty much preaching to the choir at Ranch!! ;)

“In all seriousness, I did have a good chat with the guy who sat next to me on the plane. He was very curious as to why I'd brought my own food. I explained and he said, "Wow, that's a healthy way to eat!" Of course I agreed!”
I think the best thing with this kind of interaction is that this guy might have gone home and mentioned it to his girlfriend who might have then googled it and passed it on to all her friends.

Such is the power of word-of-mouth , you never quite know who’s going to hear about it next!

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 **


I'm Steph and I live near to London, UK. I came to Radiant Recovery from a life of serial dieting, calorie counting, you name it, I did it, lost weight and regained. Phew, I'm so glad those days are gone!

I also didn't enjoy cooking and pretty much lived off ready meals and eating out. Now, I cook lunch and dinner from scratch. I still enjoy eating out, but I quite like to know what goes in my food and am getting pretty awesome in the kitchen and I really do enjoy cooking and creating food now.

I followed the steps and healed my sugar-sensitive brain and body first, then I was able to go into weight loss. I have settled at a weight my body is happy with and have stayed the same for a few months now.

What the program did for me was to provide me with key codes to unlock what my body was trying to tell me. It's been quite a journey! I still have to pinch myself sometimes.

Steph x


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** Radiant Recovery® Store **


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

A couple of weeks ago I had reported that I asked David to order a new product. I want to let you know how much I LOVE it! I had hoped it would help my dry eyes. And man, it is fabulous. So we are putting it in the newsletter again.

ProDHA Eye Bottle Here is a testimony to the impact of your input. Last week one of our regular customers told us about a Nordic Naturals product she had tried. It is called ProDHA Eye. She said her ophthalmologist had recommended it for *dry eye* and it was having a huge impact for her. Kathleen read that email and asked me if I had sent in our Nordic order yet. I said, *No, I was doing it that afternoon.* Here is her response:

As I have gotten older, the issue of dry eye has become more of a problem. Living in New Mexico, which is DRY, DRY, makes it way worse. You know I LOVE Nordic products, let's give it a shot. I know it is a bit pricey, but when I think about how much I am spending on eye drops, this sounds way better.

Here is what Nordic Naturals says about it:

  • Added Zeaxanthin and FloraGLO Lutein for ultimate eye protection*

  • 93+% true triglyceride form for optimal absorption of essential omega-3s*

  • Promotes healthy eye moisture and tear production*

ProDHA Eye® combines concentrated omega-3 fish oil with key nutrients that have been shown to protect the eyes and support healthy vision.* The omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is more concentrated in eye tissue than in any other part of the body, and is vital to the structure and function of healthy eyes. By supporting healthy inflammatory levels, omega-3s can also help alleviate many common symptoms of eye discomfort such as dryness, pain, and redness.* FloraGLO® Lutein with zeaxanthin has been added to further support the structures of the eye and provide protection against harmful ultraviolet blue light.* ProDHA Eye combines these key eye nutrients in one convenient formula.



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 **


ROASTED VEGETABLES

  • 2 medium green zucchini, cut into chunks
  • 2 medium yellow squash, cut into chunks
  • 1 medium eggplant, cut into chunks
  • 1 lb. small button mushrooms
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
  • 1 orange bell pepper, cut into chunks
  • 1 large onion, cut into 8 wedges and each layer separated
  • 4 garlic cloves, cut in half
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 3 T. olive oil
  • 2 T. apple cider vinegar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place all the vegetables in a roasting pan. Sprinkle with the basil and spices. Mix oil and vinegar together and pour oven the vegetables. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

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 **


I loved this post from Regina this week. This is someone who is using the tools provided by Kathleen and letting the steps work their magic. (smile)

Steph x

My first time through the steps (I laugh that I actually claimed to be on step 6), I was focused on weight loss from the very beginning. I ended up restricting, losing 20 lbs., only to lose control over the holidays and gain it back. It was very humbling to say the least. Through this experience, I am getting a better understanding of having a beginners mind, open heart and faith in the program.

I have been steady on step one for over 2 months now. Participating and getting support from the step one list has been incredibly helpful. Taking Kathleen's classes has given me a deeper understanding of the program. I am working on slow and steady. I so want to heal. I catch myself having weight loss thoughts, but have been able to step out by reminding myself of the need to heal.

Regina


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.

I look forward to Mondays because we have conversations chat...it is a little spark in the week. I think we are going to talk about those cows. (smile)

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 **


Have you been sitting on the couch a lot this winter, suffering from being inside too much, and thinking about a wee bit of movement? We would love to have you join us in exploring new ways of moving on the Movement List. Even if you can only walk to the end of the driveway, you are welcome. We have a new team to support you and we are planning LOTS of fun.

The Movement list is for people who want to start moving again and to baby step into a regular exercise program. If you can remember how much fun it was to move when you were a child and you've lost that, the Movement list is the perfect place for you. And, if you don't remember, we'll help you rediscover it. There are some wonderful people on the list who will share their stories and help you explore different options to form a movement plan that works for you.. We are enthusiastic about our own exercise, but we also understand first hand how hard it was to start and to baby step into regular movement. It's a great list; come join us.


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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**Entitlement and Blame **
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.



Many people ask me how they *know* that they are on step 7. Is it a date, hit detox, and then wham, there you are? Is it having a perfect program, every step clean and organized and sorted? How can someone on Step 7 muck around or be sloppy with the food journal? Do they have to revert? If they wobble, do they *lose* their status?

Now, what I am going to say here may surprise you. But step 7 is really about a state of being rather than a destination. Step 7 is affectionately called the *getting a life* step, but really, that hardly defines it. It is about how you meet the world and it is radically different from how the world was before you started the program. Let me walk you through the transformation.

I know from lots and lots of experience that the hallmarks of untreated sugar sensitivity are what I call entitlement and blame. We feel done unto. My husband, my boss, my mother, my children, my life, my stress, my health *made me*. You feel victimized by circumstance. It made you be this way. If he hadn't....I wouldn't be this way. You do not take responsibility for what happens around you because you do not feel empowered. You feel helpless in the face of things happening. And you blame the outside world for things not working.

At the same time, because you feel victimized you feel you are entitled to things. Well, I deserve to be...because..they owe me. Often this is the company owes me because I am poor and work hard and they make lots of money. I hear this as I deserve to not have to pay for the program because I am poor and am entitled to it for free.

These feelings are biochemically induced. Now, that sounds pretty outrageous doesn't it? However, these are the very feelings that change with the program. Working with your journals helps you to see connections, and something called consequence. If I eat this, this happens. No one does it to me. There is a connection between what I do and what happens. You start making little connections..and over time they grow. As you get more steady, you can make more powerful connections.

Yes, my husband is abusive, but I stay here. Things like that. You start seeing yourselves as players rather than victims. And even more striking, when people critique you, you have this remarkable detachment. You take what is real, own it and are even grateful for the feedback rather than being devastated by it. For example, early in the program, if I offer a suggestion, not even a critique, but a simple reflection that perhaps eating a potato the size of a football might not be the best option, the person who started the program 3 days ago is either crushed or outraged that I do not understand their special situation and they go off in a huff or unsubscribe from the program for a year. If I say that to a person in balance, they say *Oh my, whatever was I thinking about. Thank you.*

I listen for this change. Sometimes it comes early. But most often it is the change that tells me most about Step 7 consciousness. One of my leadership people makes a mistake. We have a code for mistakes called the FANTASTIC! code. They say, *Oh fantastic, let me go clean that one up.* We laugh and it is no bigger than an error to be corrected. Or someone wobbles, and I say, *Hey, how about a sabbatical while you steady up there?* and they say...*Yah, yah, let me go catch my breath and tighten up my plan. My timing is off, I am eating out too much.* And they do. Now let me tell you, working and playing with people in this energy is beyond comparison.

You all feel it drifting through. Those of you on the more senior lists drink from the well. Those of you just starting know this is what you want. This is part of radiance, this humor, this joy, this resilience. It is way more than no longer yelling at your kids. It is getting a life. No more blame, lots of taking responsibility. No more entitlement, just humble willingness to work, show up and participate. Pretty nice from where I sit.



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

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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