Hi {!firstname_fix}

Classes are now being suspended for two weeks while I travel. I am going to an island off the coast of Maine to write. I will be driving cross country with Josie, Pepper and baby Ronan. I have the AAA Traveling with Your Dogs Book, maps and tour guides. I have my cooker and my camp stove, George's Shake and my mixer and a book that lists all the natural food stores along the way. I will have my laptop, so I will be in touch and reporting as I go! Classes will resume the week of June 20 from Vinalhaven:

Using Community Resources is for those of you just starting out. Learn about how the community works and all the resources we have here for your benefit.

Doing The Steps: An Overview is for when you are starting step one and want to see how the rest fits together. This class is particularly useful for those of you coming in from other programs. Sometimes, it is easy to assume that you have it all down pat. This class helps you make connections and see why one step at a time, in order and slowly makes so much sense.

Brain Chemistry: Serotonin is a great introduction to the heart of the program. Why do we eat that potato anyway? Why do we have such a hard time saying no? Come learn what makes the sugar sensitive person tick.

We have posted a schedule of the classes for the rest of the month. So you can go ahead and sign up for what you want to join.

A number of you have asked me about how the classes work. Check the class list page for more information on this.

Please feel free to pass this week's newsletter on to your friends and family. Don't forget to let me know what you like and would like to see me cover.

A copy of this newsletter may also be found posted on the web at http://www. radiantrecovery.com/weeklynewsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, use the link at the bottom of the page. Do not email me, do not get mad at me, just click on the link and you will be forever removed.

And be sure to visit our Radiant RecoveryŽ website and Community Forum regularly.

Warmly,
Kathleen

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June 6, 2005
** Quote From Kathleen **

You are telling your body it is important. You are noticing what you are eating and what you are feeling.

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** Testimonial for the Week**


I haven't posted in a while. Just wanted people to know I was doing well. A couple of wobbles, but basically, really good. I have been journalling (almost religiously) since I returned from Cuba. I missed a couple of entries, but other than that, doing very well. It is slowly becoming part of my active day.

I discovered this program more than 2 years ago and the other day I was reflecting on the changes I have made in my life. My breakfast has been steady for the better part of two years, with slight problems from time to time. I have been taking the 3 vitamins for more than a year now. I have been exercising 3 to 7 times per week for the better part of 2 years (this one is huge for me becausse I classified myself as the world's biggest couch potato...I still can't believe I am doing this). I have changed from whites to browns and other than the odd wobble, I have eliminated sugar from my food plan.

Much of the short-temperedness I have experienced a good part of my life, has disappeared and for the most part I do feel radiant. I have also lost 75 lbs, slowly over the past 2 years. My life has changed so completely. I just feel so young and alive most of the time. I'm 51 and feel younger and more energetic now than I did 20 years ago. My arthritis rarely bothers me anymore. I do still have some problems with acid reflux, so am unable to do the potato. I seem to be managing ok without it. The journal has been the most difficult for me to stay steady with. I have now made it a priority in my life. Ordering Katleen's journal has simplified the process for me. I really love it.

When I started looking back, I was amazed at how far I had actually come. It all started when I came across a picture of myself just before I found this program. I just saw so much pain in that picture, although I was smiling. I remembered so acutely, how I was feeling back then. Night and day!!! Thanks for the help and support I have received and for those of you who think, it's impossible, know that I used to be plagued wtih those same feelings. Life can be and is beautiful. Take care and thanks for listening.

Carmel

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**Recipe of the Week**


This recipe is from the Radiant Recovery Cookbook. You can even use this recipe for your step 4 bedtime spud (smile).

ROSEMARY COTTAGE FRIES

Scrub potatoes; do not peel. Steam or microwave potatoes until barely tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove and cool slightly. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, carefully cut potatoes into thick 1 inch rounds. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium high heat. Add potatoes in single layer and cook until golden on one side. Turn potatoes. Sprinkle with rosemary, salt and pepper. Continue to cook until second side is golden. Taste; correct seasoning and serve hot. Makes 4 servings.

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


We are continuing the weight loss class and are about half way through. My, has time flown by. What an amazing group. A lot of you have decided to wait until the September class start up. It is good to be using the time to settle in.

Chats have been a blast. I just love that you are showing up and being so connected. Your energy and wisdom is a source of joy for me. I LOVE chats. And Patti is back from her travels and will be back for Monday night chats.

For those of you who are not yet YLD members, Click here if you are ready to change your life or just plain ole have fun.
 


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**David's Corner **



Some of you have been writing wondering where your cookbook or journal is. I thought it would be helpful to update you. I generally plan ordering from our suppliers to include generous time for shipping. I sent in a reprint order to the cookbook publisher people and they said, 'We dumped the files because it is more than a year since you ordered.' So we had to start at square one. They move at their own pace.

Thw first print run of the journal was sold out. Random House told us it would be no problem to get more since they would be doing a 'print on demand service'. I figured we would have everything for ranch and would get all your orders in the mail right at the same time. Three large boxes arrived. When I opened them, the publisher had decided to make their own version of the journal - no spiral binding, last year's date and a very ugly rendition of the cover. This happened in the middle of ranch.

We refused the journals. Kathleen has told the publisher that this is not what they contractually agreed to. They are dallying around. I am sorting out how to handle it with all of you. I hope you will be patient. As you might guess, we are not at all happy about this turn of events. Kathleen has promised to stay on the phone all day MOnday if necessary to get an answer.

If you wan to backorder either the journal or the cookbook, you can do so and we will ship it as soon as we receive them.

We do have LOTS of shake and miracle wild rice for you. We have soy milk makers and lots of oils. I am really sorry about the other stuff.

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

Thanks
David

And of course, we have something for everybody in our store


 
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**Our Online Groups**


Come join us on the ArkLaTex list! It's a great place to connect with other members of the Radiant Recovery community that live in Arkansas, Louisiana, or Texas. But you don't have to live there to join. Everyone is welcome! We share stories, pictures from our vacations, little slices of radiance from our lives. Most of all, we have fun! Connecting on the ArkLaTex list is a wonderful way to get to know others. It's comforting to know we're not alone. Join us and experience our Southern hospitality! Pam --:

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** Featured Topic**
A Look At Meditation and Prayer
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.


Because so many of you are starting to meditate, I am resending this article this week.

Those of you who have heard me speak at book signings or at Ranch know that I often include meditation and prayer as two of the best beta-endorphin raisers in the world. They are a key part of Step 7 and creating a life that is rich, full and loving. We have people in our community who come from many backgrounds with many ideas of prayer and meditation. And many folks who have been raised in more traditional communities think of meditation as either some esoteric thing that has nothing to do with them, or some new age thing that feels strange.

Let me say a little about the context I am using when I refer to these. For me, neither is denominational or scary and both can do many things. I think the most important thing is to know why one prays or meditates. It is the 'why' that gives the quality of the prayer or meditation and makes it of one order or another.

You may pray or meditate to open yourself up to the Divine Force, you may pray or meditate to reject ordinary awareness, you may pray or meditate to enter the depths of your being, you may pray or meditate to learn how to make sense of things and integrate all you are learning. You may pray or meditate for others.

You may pray or meditate to enter into peace and calm and silence - this is what most folks do, and often with little success. But you can pray or meditate to receive an energy that heals you, to see places in your heart that are asking to be healed, and to learn to see how you are progressing. You may pray or meditate for very practical reasons: when you hit a rough time, when you are looking for an answer, or when you want some help in what choice to make.

I think all of us have our own mode of prayer or meditation. But if we want the prayer or meditation to be dynamic, we need to have an aspiration for progress as we sit in prayer or meditation. If we come to either with an open heart and ask that we be helped in our progress, profound change will emerge. Come to prayer or meditation with that sense of desire to grow, rather than wanting to escape.

And here is another idea, one that may sound strange. Ask for your body to be healed, this healing of our bodies is key. We need to see our bodies as having value, and we need to want to perfect them rather than ditch or run from them, or ignore them, or drug them with alcohol, sugar, caffeine or white stuff. If we see our bodies as instruments to help in our process, then we see our doing the food, doing the process of the 7 steps as part of that commitment. We do this, not to climb out of the hole of our addictions, but to discover this connection to what Star Wars called 'the Force' - our healing power, a power that will nourish and sustain us.

Putting prayer and meditation into a healing body is a mighty tool for transformation - way beyond crawling through the day wishing just to stop hurting. Prayer and meditation create an inner silence of wonder, a beatitude and a way of being that is not possible in regular life. Both shape my day in a big way. It is the core of my step 7.

ŠKathleen DesMaisons 2005.

Here are the folks who are helping put the newsletter together:

Gretel, the liaison for the recovery list and the webmaster puts it all together
Naomi gathers the recipes
JoAnna, the liaison for Rolling Hills gathers the testimonials
Terri, the liaison for Ambassadors sends over the ambassadors quote
Marie, the liaison for diabetes gathers the info on the online lists
David, who runs the Radiant RecoveryŽ Store talks about what new products we have.