Chopping fresh veggies in the kitchen
Welcome to Radiant Recovery®
October 21, 2018,
Hi {!firstname_fix},
I had dinner with a friend tonight. I have known her since she was 10. She is 50 now. We talked of 100 different things in 2 hours while we were eating New Mexican food at Monroe's. Nice to think that so many of you know where that it and what it is like. It is quite incredible to have a friendship that stretches back in time like that.
She was asking me about how doing the food can create changes in things that come up as we age. What a joy it is to have a repertoire to draw from. This is what we do, isn't it? This wonderful sharing of what we have learned for all these years.
I love this time of year. I love having you new people come in with your questions and excitement and joy. I love feeling the excitement of old-timers going back to joy dots and remembering. I always love the Josie and the Unicorn issue. Every person who met Josie felt she was *chosen* as a special friend. When she died, everyone came and secretly told me that Josie had chosen her. What a gift.
I will see you over on step one.
Remember if you have ideas or input for us on what you would like to have available, share them on the Community Forum. We do listen and are very interested in your ideas. Or write me at kathleen@radiantrecovery.com
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 Not starting anything new yet, but thinking.

WORKING WITH KATHLEEN
I feel very strongly about offering you a number of ways to work with me directly. I have set up a whole range of options for you to do that - going from private coaching to being involved in small groups. This link will show you all the choices.
Coaching Apprentice is open to people on steps 1-3 who are starting their program.  Coaching Skilled is for people who are on step 7 and want to look at other issues more in-depth. You have to apply to me directly to join this group.
Signature Coaching is for those who want to work individually with me in an intensive 90-day process. Signature is the top of the line. All who have done it talk about their lives being changed. This is not for the dabbler.
Another option is setting up a one hour assessment and then making a decision based on that conversation. And you can always call 505-345-3737 and ask me about how each one works.
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"When you pay attention to your body, you are sending it a message that it is valuable. If your body feels valuable, it will talk to you more."
Testimonial of the Week

I was just thinking about this the other day! I realized how many phrases I now have in my toolkit compared to when I started.

Pusher: "No really, you Must Have Some."

The Threat of GastroIntestinal Incident:

"Um, not today, tummy upset."

Then you give them the really big eyes that makes them imagine the digestive worst.

The Scary Athlete in Training:

"No really, I need to make weight for the Regionals in Womens Masters JiuJitsu."

And give them the fierce-competitor look like they're In Your Way.

The Southern Dagger:

"Oh, my, you are really making it hard on me, bless your heart"?

For those of you not in the know of the American South - you can say harsh things about, or to, another person as long as you also add, "bless their heart." The victim doesn't know whether to be pleased to be blessed, or embarrassed at what they've just been called on. You leave while they puzzle it out.

The Too Much Information:

"Really? If I have this now, will you be with me this evening when I have massive cravings triggered by the beta-endorphin priming? Will you talk me down? Or will you bring over junk food and be my binge buddy? No? well then get outta my face."

Nuff said.

The Fake Doctor:

"No really, doctor's orders."

No doctor in particular (Dr. Kathleen doesn't order us around) so that's why this is fake.

The Medical Downer:

"No thanks, I don't need any more risk factors for diabetes."

This is related to the fake doctor. Usually brings the jovial mood of sharing treats to a crashing halt. Plus it says you're making the choice and I rarely have people continue after that.

The Rude Right Back:

"Do I look like I need more candy?"

This one works best if you're still fat. If I were thin I'd go for the hyper, off-the-wall-with-sugar vibe.

The Self-Deprecating Humor:

"I've already had my lifetime servings, thanks anyway."

This also works if you're fat. It embarrasses them by calling attention to the obvious but also puts you in the "used to be a good old boy" category.

The Unsolicited Therapy Intrusion:

"Oh, I'm sorry, what feelings are being touched in you by my not having any?"

Be sincere with your expression of helping concern. Caution, they might really open up right on the show floor but it might be a teaching moment.

I could go on but it's so much fun to make your own!

Connie
David still smiling
This is David DesMaisons, your Radiant Recovery® Concierge
Come visit our STORE. Call 505-345-3737 if you have questions.
David, the store manager, is always happy to help. 

If you are planning for Thanksgiving, it is a perfect time to have a cookbook on hand. There are some fabulous recipes for the holidays. This is the year to *plan* for a new way to celebrate. What I have found is that using these recipes, no one misses the sweet potatoes and marshmallow dish.

My dad and his wife are coming out for Christmas. Madison will be here. Mom has a great stove. You may think this bachelor is not a cook. Think again!!

Radiant Recovery Cookbook
Buy Now
Pad Thai
Apple Crisp YUM!

  • • 1/3 c oil
  • 1 1/2 lb sliced chicken
  • 1 T garlic
  • 1/2 lb shrimp
  • Block of extra firm tofu, cubed
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 1/2 c cilantro
  • 1/2 c roasted nuts (I skip them)
  • 5 T fish sauce (I never have it so I use tamari)
  • 5 T lime juice
  • Linguine style brown rice noodles, cooked
  • 1/2 lb snow peas
  • 1/2 c sliced scallions

Stir fry chicken in oil 1-2 minutes. Add garlic, shrimp and tofu. Push aside food, pour eggs in middle and scramble. Add noodles, gradually fold in. Now add snow peas and scallions. Mix tamari and lime juice and pour over. Mix and serve. Garnish with cilantro and chili peppers.

Come over to our recipe blog for more ideas
​​​​​​​
Visit the Recipe Page
Radiant Living
Radiant Living is geared to looking at Step 7 life. I am in the process of the revision of Potatoes not Prozac and am adding a fair amount of information on *radiant living* which is really Step 7. This is where we are looking at a Step 7 life with all its quirks. This means feelings, healing old trauma and remodeling our bodies. This is the time when our food is steps, our steps are solid and we want a life of recovery to guide us.
Find Radiant Living here
Your Last Diet!
Your Last Diet Book Cover


I just want to lose weight. Is this the right place for me?
It is the best place in the world for you. You won't get this information anywhere else, I guarantee. Make sure to come to chat. I am going to expand what we are doing in chat and will outline it in the article section below.

I am just starting the steps. Does it make sense to join now?

Yes, it does.  We have found that the people who come to chats do the best with the steps. The connection in chat is awesome. You get a chance to talk with the old timers, you can ask questions and I am right there to guide you, It really is an incredible opportunity.

If you are not a member yet, come and join us. If you are a current member and want to join us in the new chat room, come to the landing page.  We will send you the pass words after you join.

If you would like to join us in YLD, come find us here.  ​​​​​​​
Wonderful Program Pizza!

Josie and the Unicorn

Kathleen DesMaisons, PhD 
I post this article every year because it always makes me smile. Josie was my heart dog. And Josie's day as a unicorn was a very, very special moment.

This week is a special story. A number of us decided that we wanted to *convert* Halloween from a sugar orgy to a fun, fun party. We decided to have a costume party for the dogs and then take them trick or treating.

One of my friends adores my older Golden Retriever named Josie. She asked me if she could make Josie's costume. I was thrilled. She lives in Boulder so I was given measuring instructions. Neck to tail, girth, space between eyes, space around neck, wrist size, distance across chest. I got regular updates and pictures of the process.

The unicorn would have a bonnet with a horn and little ears. The hooves would be little bi-colored booties, the bonnet would have a fabulous mane to match a removable tail. The material was specially chosen. And then the artistry began. It was so much fun to hear how it was progressing.

In the middle of the process, I heard that our local boutique dog store was sponsoring a costume contest. I just knew Josie would win. She would be the princess of Albuquerque because I knew she would have such a stunning costume.

The costume arrived, carefully packed with tissue and a toilet paper roll around the horn. On Saturday, we were set to get dressed. Josie actually liked it. We had to do a little personalization with safety pins. But we got the hooves in place, got the coats attached, the tail velcroed, and the cap in place. Then she lept on the bed and rolled. The costume survived.

Off we went to the contest. There was mighty competition. I felt smug since *those* costumes were bought and of course Josie was decked in a handmade glory. We were number 24. When I took her down the runway, she pranced and when everyone clapped, she almost took a bow.

But she did not win. Peter pan and Tinkerbell won. But I want you to see how Josie felt about that. Here she is, with her costume slightly askew. This is radiance. There is nothing more than this smile, this joy in BEING. May we all be taught by smiles like this.

Here is the Annie Lane column that brought so many of you here.

Dear Annie: I read with interest the letter from "Weird, Stupid or Selfish?" – whose husband eats all the decorative candy she puts out. His inability to resist sugar resonated with me, as I have sugar sensitivity and have engaged in exactly the same behaviors. I simply could not resist sugar.

After years of struggling and dieting and sitting in work meetings obsessing about the doughnuts instead of the topic at hand, I discovered the book "Potatoes Not Prozac," by Kathleen DesMaisons. Her theory is that people who are sugar sensitive have brains that respond differently to sugar, alcohol and refined carbs and that what they eat and when they eat it have a huge effect on them. She shows how to rebalance blood sugar levels, serotonin and beta-endorphins through small lifestyle changes and offers the latest research, free online support and seven steps to change your life. It is not about willpower; it’s about biochemistry, which her program can slowly improve, just one tiny step at a time, with amazing results.

I have been sugar-free for six years now, lost 25 pounds and never gained any of it back. I can go to dinner with family and don’t even think twice when someone orders dessert. I don’t have cravings, and sugar is no longer on my radar. I am more focused and more tolerant, and the daily mood swings are gone. The woman who wrote to you could suggest to her husband that he check out http:// radiantrecovery.com to see whether he does have sugar sensitivity. At the very least, she would be better informed about this condition. – Happy Without Sugar

Dear Happy Without Sugar: I hadn’t considered that health issues might explain

her husband’s behavior. In fact, I hadn’t even heard of sugar sensitivity.

Thanks for opening my eyes to the condition! I’d like to encourage all readers to talk to their doctors if they find themselves compulsively eating sugary snacks.

—Email questions to dearannie@creators.com

ANNIE LANE
 
©2018 Kathleen DesMaisons. All rights reserved. You are free to use or transmit this article to your blog 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 for additional resources on sugar sensitivity and healing addiction. 

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