Radiant Recovery® Newsletter #781

bright red leaves on a grey wooden fence

Welcome to Radiant Recovery®

Nov 4, 2018,

Hi {!firstname_fix},

This has been a long week of many emotions. I have been reminded how doing the food holds and comforts me in times of deep emotion. I have made it a point to make baked salmon, broccoli, and roasted potatoes. Comfort food. This morning I was sitting in my car at the Coop reading the paper and there was a picture of the Rabbi of the Synagogue in Pittsburgh with the Pastor of the Methodist Church. They wept together. I wept with them right there in the parking lot. We are sensitive. This is why we sought solace in sugar. And when we do the steps, we commit to living a different way. There is a down side to it - it means being willing to feel. And sometimes, having to feel hard stuff that is shrouded in darkness.

I walk where the red leaves grow, where the gold of cottonwoods sparkles in the light. I light candles at dinner when I have that meal. I sit in meditation, I light candles then. I have candles that are left over from last year's holiday luminarias. I get them at Walgreen's for very cheap and hoard them in the cupboard in the living room. And now, when it is moving towards the darkest nights, I have many candles lit.

I talked with all the mentors today. We meet all together on the first Sunday morning of the month. We spent a week figuring out how to find a time that worked from Perth, Australia to Aberdeen, Scotland and all the USA in between. We talked about our love for this community and what it means to be in service as people continue to learn to *do the food* and change their lives. We are going to recruit some new mentors. if you would like to be of service in helping others, write me and let's talk about what it means.

I am going to do some new classes. Check for that below. The model that we are using in the screen addiction class seems to be working really well, so I think I will continue with it.

If you have not yet read the page I added on alcoholism and drug addiction, go over and see what you think. Let me know your thoughts. I will continue to build this over time.

I am also going to set up two task force groups to look at accessibility and diversity in the community. If you have any interest in being part of that discussion, let me know.

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.

Support for Your Program

COMMUNITY FORUM

Share with others, ask questions, explore everything and anything about your program without a charge. A great place for newcomers.

Learn the steps, get fit safely, learn creative program cooking, learn about depression, learn with parents, share in local areas. There is no charge for groups.

Sign Up for Groups

CLASSES

Look for a new class on the new science of weight loss. How do you choose which plan to do? Calories, points, counting, no counting, digital, coaching, freestyle? What about Keto, WFPB, Weight Watchers, or whatever? Does it matter? Why is YLD so useful? What if you are sooo ready to get on with it, what next? Give me a week to finish putting this together and you can join next week.

WORKING WITH KATHLEEN

I feel very strongly about offering you a way 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. We have some new people starting so it is a great time to join Apprentice coaching. This is also a great place for those of you who want to come back to the program after trying some other things.

Coaching Skilled is for people who are on step 7 and want to look at other issues more in-depth.

Signature Coaching is for those who want to work individually with Kathleen in a 90-day process. Signature is the top of the line. All who have done it talk about their lives being changed.

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.

"Do the food and your life will change. Everything will change beyond your wildest imagination."

Testimonial of the Week

Someone tried to break into my car last night. I discovered it this morning when the lock on my driver's side door didn't work. Because of the way I park in my driveway, I also could not get into the passenger side (because I was right up next to an old, very substantial juniper hedge).

*Sigh.* A couple of years ago this would have been cause for a major freakout. Oh, no!!! Lots of DRAMA, poor MEEE, swirling and spinning around, lots of motion but not much traction -- you get the picture! I admit I'm not happy about it, and I'm a little spooked that someone was fooling around on/with my property, but I dealt with all the details this morning just fine. No drama. No freaking out. Just well, okay, step one, step two... I called work to say I would be late, called the auto club, they got a locksmith to let me into my car, called the police and filed a report, called my insurance company, called my landlord, called the dealership. No big deal I was very good-humored with everyone I talked to and it came back to me big time; everyone was SO nice and good-humored back!

I had an estimate for the repair from the locksmith when I went to the dealership and was able to be very DBA about working with them to match the estimate from the locksmith. Took about $80 off the dealer's original price. Wow, I've NEVER done anything like that before!!! THAT was pretty exciting. In times past I would have just taken the car to the dealer and paid whatever they said it cost. But I was nice, they were nice, they can match the estimate from the locksmith, and I think the whole thing can be fixed without much bother at all.

I fully credit my steadiness on this program with being able to handle this situation without a lot of hassle. I absolutely love radiance!

Val

David still here

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.

Well, obviously this is a newsletter on journaling, so if you want to get one, just order it here.

Your Body Speaks

Kathleen's Mac and Cheese

Chicken and Apples

This recipe is so simple that your six year old can make it. And it is YUMMY! And, even better it tastes great reheated. You can even have it for breakfast. Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food! This recipe is from The Radiant Recovery Cookbook.

4 servings

8 ounces uncooked brown rice pasta
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 1/2 cups milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cook pasta according to directions. Drain well and place in a 1 quart ovenproof mixing bowl.
Add cheese to pasta. Combine well.
Pour milk over pasta mixture.
Bake 35-45 minutes, or until cheese sauce is bubbling and top of mixture is golden brown.

Come over to our recipe blog for more ideas

Visit the Recipe Page

Radiant Living is for you to look at Step 7 issues. 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.

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.

arty journal and a pencil

Step Two As your Joy

Kathleen DesMaisons, PhD

I got this picture from Bambi. It so made me smile. Here is what she said when she sent it.

The journals might not be in exact order...... since I was arranging them on the floor my kitties got in the act and were skiing across them. They date back to 2009 and I can’t go a day without listing what I’ll eat for the next day.....keeps life simple and me on track. I’d say I’m 95% sugar free. I slip up on occasion but bounce right back. Like you say, “our cells have memory”. Although I’d love to be 15# thinner, I’ve maintained my weight since 2009. For me not eating sugar and flour keep me sane.

“ I don’t do this for VANITY I do it for my SANITY!” I love that quote.

Kathleen, I have so much love and gratitude for you for starting me on this life saving journey. You were the first. It’s wonderful to now see segments of our society trending in this direction!

PS....looks like my 2018 journals didn’t get in the photo, they were in my kitchen because I refer back to my current ones.

Love,

Bambi

I know I wrote about Step 2 not too long ago, but I want to go back to it. I LOVE step 2. And I truly want you to know that step 2 is an ongoing process. You do not learn it all at once. It grows with you as you do the other steps.

Let me show you how step 2 works into the steps...

Here are the layers of Step Two. I am going to include which step usually goes along with each layer.

Layer 1 is recording time and food. This is the start of step 2.

Layer 2 is getting accurate amounts. This happens after you have been recording for a couple of months.

Layer 3 is recording physical feelings. This kinda drops in a bit as you are doing it. Sometimes right away and sometimes not for a while. Then you start learning about Step 3 in here. You might notice that you are hungry at 4 PM or tired at 9.

Layer 4 is recording emotional feelings. This one creeps in a little bit at a time.

Layer 5 is learning to review.

Layer 6 is seeing patterns.

Layer 7 is discovering nuance.

Layer 8 is joyful dialogue.

The *seeing patterns* doesn't really happen for quite a while And nuance and dialogue generally come on step 7.

Step 2 weaves through your entire program. It is developmental and grows over time.

We will plan another journaling class soon.

Kathleen

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.

You are getting the weekly newsletter from Radiant Recovery^® in response to your signup. A copy of this newsletter will also be found posted on the web.