Venus rising on a deep blue night with the words Radiant Recovery superimposed on it
Rabbit
July 19, 2020, 
 
Hi {!firstname_fix},  
    This is the rabbit that comes to my yard every morning at 8 AM. The church bells chime through Amazing Grace and the cottontail shows up. This morning it is cool. This last week it has been hot already at 8 AM. My office window faces East and gets full sun by that hour so it makes it difficult to sit at the desk. This morning, I have been watching the birds fight over who gets to perch on the feeder and who gets the sit on the hummingbird feeder.   Mr. Bunny shows up. The rose bush has 2 new roses on it in thanks for extra water. It rained last night so the earth still has a scent of rain.
    I write the "Hum" article this morning. I need to follow my own suggestions. I will make a plan for the day, for my meals. I want to create simplicity. I have been cleaning one roommate a time. Clearing stuff out. Taking care of things that have been left in the chaos of the last 5 months. This weekend, I finished my bedroom. No dust and even under the bed is cleared of dust bunnies. I vacuumed clownie and moved him to a different spot so his clown suit wouldn't fade. I scrubbed the candle holders so they would shine rather than be covered in wax and dust. Hmm, maybe I am just cleaning up one tiny space because I cannot control the world, or Portland. I don't know, but I felt better.
    I will get the information about the new Weight Loss Readiness class up today. It is all written, I just have to do the html for the signups and such. I was reading old newsletters and saw the recipe for strawberry soup. I love strawberry soup. I think the pink color makes me happy and feel content. If I looked in a book about the meaning of pink, I would probably find it is "restful". That made me smile.
    Yes, Rosie is darling and no, I will not put another picture of her in the newsletter for a while, LOL. This morning, I picked her up out of the x-pen and she just put her little head on my neck and sighed. She smelled like puppy breath, she licked my face and bit my nose with those little razor sharp teeth.  If I touch her, Brody gets up and comes over for the same. He is not jealous, but wants to be included. Touch one, touch all. I like it.
   
Support for Your Program
Journals
COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
                                                                                   

People are talking, bring your questions and ideas!.It is nice place to get started if you are new to the community and are wondering what to do.  Introduce yourself and ask for help. Join it now.

 

GROUPS
The groups list is up on the web site. Just sign up for the group you would like to join. Read about the group before you ask to join. If you are starting or returning, join the Step One list. Don't join Step One and Step Two and Step Three all at the same time.
 
CLASSES
When a new class is ready, I will post it on the website under the "LEARN" link. The newest class, called Weight Loss Readiness will be announced next week. See the Your last Diet section for a description.
 
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK
If you prefer talking on Facebook, come over to one of our three groups there. Radiant Recovery®, Radiant Recovery® International or Radiant Recovery® Germany  
 
WORKING WITH KATHLEEN 
Coaching is a special offering for people who are serious about enhancing their programs and would like to have ongoing coaching. Support is provided in a small group with people who are looking at similar concerns.  Kathleen is part of each coaching group.This is not a class but is a process to support your progress. We have added a special chat for people in coaching. It meets twice a week to accommodate those who are in Greenwich Mean Time and those who are in USA time.  If you are just starting, own the Step lists to learn the basics.
    Coaching includes several options now: Return to Radiance Coaching for those who have done the steps in the past and then drifted and would like to get back on track. This is a good place to plug in if you have gotten wobbly and would like to restart your program.
 
Getting Started Coaching is for people who are new to the program but highly motivated. This group is for those who believe in the concepts, want to do the steps in a structured way and are ready to move forward. Entry into this group requires a specific application process. This is a new option.
 
Skilled Coaching is for people who are steady on the steps and ready to work on Step 7 life skills.  
 
The fee for these three coaching options is $20 @ week, billed in 2 week intervals. The coaching is done in an email group and assumes active participation by the members. The process includes peer support with guidance and direction by Kathleen.
 
    If you wish to join coaching send an email and say what you are interested in and why.
 
I am interested in coaching
 
    I also provide individual intensive coaching called Signature Coaching.  I can help you step out of the craziness of sugar addiction, return to steadiness and clarity after slipping away, slow down and focus on your recovery, or deepen a steady rhythm of recovery. This particular option is especially helpful if you did the steps a while ago and then kinda meandered away. Or if you are facing some intense times and would. like skillful support.  But I can tell you that it is a good time to do coaching. 
    This is a 3 month process that includes doing an in-depth assessment of where you are in the process, designing an individual plan for you and then talking with me once a week via phone or Zoom to work on your progress. You will learn to do an efficient journal and to identify your strengths and challenges.
     This is the way to step out of feeling overwhelmed with where to start and what to do. Because it is so individualized, we can work on what is right for you at this point in your journey.  People tell me that coaching helps them feel safe and focused. We work with your style, your rhythm. This is a unique opportunity to release your fear and let go of shame.The guidance can shorten and ease your process so that in 3 months you will do what you might take a year to do on your own. Signature coaching is also an excellent way to tackle any special needs you may have. like wanting to get sober, or dealing with insulin resistance, or integrating doing the food with special medical concerns.
    And in fact, we have developed some creative personalized plans especially suited to where people are in the program and what will work best to support them. Call 505-345-3737 if you would like to chat. 
 
Sign up for Signature Coaching
"Your molecules yearn for balance, care, and healing. Instead of cravings for sugar, there will come a longing for wholeness."
Testimonial of the Week

 

   I found the forum and have done some of the classes too. I've found everything really helpful.

 

I've been keeping a journal for a few months now and I'm finding it fascinating to track how my body responds to food and also to things like being outdoors, deadlines and pressure, getting sunshine or natural light, etc.

 

I eat breakfast within an hour of getting up pretty much every day, occasionally it will slip into the second hour but that's happening less often.

 

I'm now eating 3 meals a day, some days also a snack or two depending on how long it is between meals. I'm eating loads of veggies, a serve of protein with every meal, I no longer eat 'white things'.

 

I feel absolutely amazing. I have never felt like this in my life. I never thought it was possible for me to be calm, positive and optimistic as my default setting, but that's now how I am most of the time.

 

Cheers, Donna

 
 
Strawberry Soup
strawberries
  • • 1 lb. (about 4 cups) sliced strawberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 c. apple juice
  • 1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp. ground cardamom
  • Yogurt or sour cream for garnish
  • Sprinkle of cinnamon for garnish

Combine first 8 ingredients in a blender (strawberries through cardamom). Process until smooth; you may need to work in batches. Chill at least 3 hours. Garnish with a dollop of yogurt or sour cream and dust with ground cinnamon. Serve cold. Makes 3 servings.

 

Notes: If you use frozen strawberries, be sure to purchase unsweetened brands. You may wish to slightly thaw berries to make processing easier. This soup can be served as a refreshing appetizer or as a light dessert. The addition of black pepper may seem odd to you, but it is an old culinary trick which greatly enhances the fruitiness of the strawberries. Do give it a try!

 

For more great program-friendly recipes, check out our cookbook in the store and visit our online Radiant Recipes site.
Radiant Recovery Store
David Smiling
David, my oldest son, runs our store. He makes sure your orders go out quickly and works with you to find the best things suited to where you are in your process. 

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

 

Come visit our STORE. Call 505-345-3737.
George's Restore

If you are starting the program, this is a GREAT resource. It makes incredible shake. And it means that getting your protein for breakfast is really, really easy.

 

Order the BEST Protein Powder
Your Last Diet: More Than What You Think
Your Last Diet Book Cover

We recently had a fascinating discussion about the things that are important to consider in getting started on your weight loss journey. It is morphing into a new and exciting class.

 

Come to Chat. It is nice, it is comforting and we like it.

 

If you would like to join us in YLD, come find us here.  
Ant rolling a ball uphill
 
The Hum
 
Kathleen DesMaisons, PhD
 

 

    This morning I was faced with images of unmarked men in camouflage uniforms beating medics treating protestors on the streets of Portland. My brain simply cannot make sense of this. Last week in chat we were talking about generalized anxiety that seems to be floating under everyday life. I think it is the sound of "not making sense...what can I do?" We spent some time brainstorming the ways we are coping. It helped. And the folks in chat, said, "Kathleen, write this up and share it in the newsletter." This is the very first "user generated" article for the newsletter. Remember that the key is to DO them not just agree and. nod.

 

    Round one: 

  • take naps
  • add snacks
  • laugh
  • notice joy dots
  • watch restful TV shows that require no thought
Then the people in chat got excited and kept going
    Round Two:
  • do little projects
  • Fold laundry
  • Make coffee
  • reduce noise (all kinds)
  • don't fight with people
  • read
  • watch birds
  • watch the Cornell bird web cam
  • learn something new
  • connect to people
  • color
  • do board games
  • do a jigsaw puzzle
  • gather eggs
  • chop vegetables
  • try a new recipe
  • talk with people who make you laugh
  • get groceries delivered
  • crochet, knit, embroider
  • eat a little early
  • listen to music you love
  • go for a ride
  • look up at the sky
  • get a star find app for your phone and use it
  • get a puppy
    
©2020 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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