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December 1, 2014 Hi {!firstname_fix} Well, this is that special quiet weekend after Thanksgiving. I love savoring snapshots of the time. My granddaughter come over from Phoenix, and my middle son was driving from Boston to his new residence in San Francisco, and planned a *pit stop* for Thanksgiving here. We shared Sushi on Wednesday, and then collaborated on making the Thursday meal together. We took out my grandmother’s sterling silver flatware given to her for her wedding. That would have been Madison’s great, great grandmother. Ted asked, *Are these knife handles made out of ivory?* They are. We made chickens since I really don’t like turkey. They were unbelievably delicious. I had wondered about the extravagance since they were not only organic, but free range and local. I got two for the 4 of us, but golly, we only needed one they were so plump. Then David mashed the potatoes with their skins. He has always been the potato guy. I made the squash and Madison and Ted made the green beans. They actually *Frenched* them with a little thingie made just for that. Everything went on the table at just the right time. The food was delicious, the company even better. Then we made sugar-free strawberry ice cream with strawberries, cream and ice. It was just fine! And we watched the football game. Ted shared about how the Seahawks do mindfulness and meditation. I thought of the old days when I would be resenting that the boys were off watching football while I was doing dishes. Everything was cleared and washed and put away sort of seamlessly. Friday, we went to Java Joes (yes, of the Breaking Bad fame), had omelets and lattes, then took dogs out walking by the river, had leftovers for lunch and the three of them went to the movies. I stayed home and puttered in the quiet. They went off for dinner with friends and then when they came back, Ted offered his thoughts on our new website design. He has just finished setting up his own website for his new business, so it was a fun collaboration. I got to speak with Madison about plans for college, to hear from David about his plans for next year as he shared them with his brother. But mostly I just drank from the well of a cherished family built on much tenderness and commitment. It was a blessed time and a great way to start this next season that I cherish so much. These classes will begin Wednesday, December 3, 2014. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page:
This class will begin Wednesday, December 10, 2014. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page:
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 **********************************************************************
**Quote From Kathleen ** You may be surprised to discover that food has a bigger emotional charge for you than you realized. **********************************************************************
**Testimonial of the Week ** My sweet, wonderful, clueless dad said something to me a few weeks ago about me needing to use my bowflex and treadmill more. LOL. I said that for the first 10 years of my adult life I abused my body with drugs, alcohol, tobacco, too much work and not enough sleep. The next ten years of my life I abused my body with drugs, alcohol, childbirth (thankfully not all at the same time) and eating disorders. For the past three years I have been healing. It's gonna take me a little while longer to make up for the previous 20 years. I liked the look on his face when I coughed all that out. A bit surprised, he was. I love that honesty and being able to stick up for myself comes with radiance. Vicki L. **********************************************************************
**Radiant Ambassadors ** Amazon. I think we can safely say that it's probably the largest book seller in the world. So what do I always check when I want to buy a book? The book reviews on Amazon of course! And I have a feeling that I'm not the only one! Ok, so did you know that there is something called 'Listmania' on Amazon? No? You do now! Listmania means that you can set up a list of your favourite books and every time people go into Amazon or search for something similar, your List will come up encouraging more people to check out the books you think are wonderful! I set up a Listmania a while ago now. Every time I go in to have a look at Potatoes not Prozac's rankings in the UK, I always see my List make an appearance along the side-bar. I wonder how many people have noticed it and thought, hmmm, perhaps I'll check it out? Feel free to join me and set up your own Listmania too! Selena selenas@blueyonder.co.uk **********************************************************************
**Notes from the Forum ** Can someone tell me how long it was before they knew the potato was working and how they knew the potato was working ? I'm kind of going on blind faith here and wondering others experience ? Hi there: What step are you working on at the moment? I remember that I had my first potato in, it didn't work at all well, and I just thought, well that was a tasty snack. 
People kept reminding me about breakfast though, and it did get through to me. So I did a review and I had a few things askew with step one and three. I think I needed some experience time with those steps. Trying new things, talking with my friends here about different approaches.So onwards to my step four part two and I found I could get up alert in the mornings, and felt rested. I think it improved the quality of my sleep.Also things that I had been willpowering over lost the visual appeal, I wasn't 'called' by things. This was so very freeing. Have to say, I think my serotonin leg is the strongest, and I love the journal step for kind of monitoring my potato requirement 10 years on. In the beginning there was quite a lot of the blind faith aspect to it and trusting what my radiant supporters said.  Love to hear your step news and thoughts. **********************************************************************
** Radiant Recovery® Store ** David manages the Radiant Recovery® Store. He is also Kathleen's oldest son. 
I was talking with David about which of our store products he loves. He said Pycnogenol® 'because it is so light I can tuck it in anywhere.' This made me laugh. I thought it would be fun to share the other side of how we decide to carry a product. I think Pycnogenol® is an incredible thing. Let me walk you through some of what has been written about it. If you would like get some of the citations for these observations, just let me know. - KathleenAllergy So Pycnogenol® makes your body less reactive to allergens. Arthritis Instead of nasty side effects, you can get a positive effect with an herbal intervention. Diabetes There is lots written about Pycnogenol® and diabetes. It is pretty powerful stuff. Air Travel This actually is the reason I first got interested in Pycnogenol®. The biggest risk in air flight is not having an accident, it is having a blood clot from sitting for a long time with pressure on the back of your knees. Pycnogenol® seems to prevent this. I recommend that anyone flying for more than 2 hours just add Pycnogenol® to your travel kit. Pregnancy Melasma is the brown mask that comes with pregnancy. It is hormonally induced. I am wondering if pycnogenol will affect the brown spots of aging. Weight Loss Pycnogenol® stimulates fat burning and inhibits fat storing. Surgery I originally got it for the store because the other thing it does is strengthen capillary walls. If you take higher doses of fish oil (or even aspirin), it thins your blood. And if you have brittle capillaries, it can make you more vulnerable to bruising. I found that pycnogenol seems to really help this. Then I learned about the travel and blood clots thing and said, 'ok, let's get this stuff in the store.' Then one day, I started poking around in Medline. This is a mighty powerful little option we have. See what you think.> Please send questions and suggestions. I love hearing from you and truly want to help you do your program better. **********************************************************************
**Radiant Kitchen ** This time of year is really hectic and sometimes you just don't have enough time to make very elaborate meals. I think this recipe helps, and since it is an all time comfort food, it really satisfies! Kathleen's Macaroni and Cheese4 servings
For more great program-friendly recipes, check out our cookbook in the store and visit our online Radiant Recipes site. **********************************************************************
**Radiant YLD ** I came across this from Kathleen: 'Ignore that old idea of weight as a function of calories, exercise and will power. That won't work for you. You have already tried it and you know you need something more. You are a diet expert. It is time convert those skills into a plan that heals.' We have been chatting about how we already have the numbers to break the code. Doing the steps means that we have the ability to put those numbers in the right order and unlock the code! Wow! Remember the tradition of the YLD stockings is in full swing. Make sure to sign up if you want to participate. Everyone who does it always says it is so much fun. And remember the comfort of Your Last Diet during the holidays. Stay connected to people who totally get it. If you would like to join, come find us here - $99 annually **********************************************************************
**Radiant Living ** We have a new portal for the Radiant Living program. Come check it out here. The conversations chats are so refreshing...it is like a study group that keeps having more and more fun.In AA, they speak of something called *Emotional Sobriety.* I think perhaps Conversations is like that...where we grow our maturity and awareness of life. I truly love it. If you would like to join us, you can do that directly below. Join Radiant Living Now: click here - $99 annually 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! **********************************************************************
**Our Online Groups ** The Radiantdepression group is all about support for the person who is depressed and trying to work the 7-step program of recovery from sugar addiction. Many of us have struggled with severe depression for years without any hope of finding an end to it. But through doing the food we have found that hope returning and have found light where before there was only darkness. Some of us are taking anti-depressants while doing the food, so we talk about how the two are compatible and we also share about getting through the tough spots together, with support from each other. If you are feeling depressed please come join us. There is hope. **********************************************************************
**A Grandmother's Heart ** Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.
OK, I am going to write to you from my grandmother heart. This is a big deal for me. I have been writing about my years as a young mother for the past few weeks - my daughter asked me for the details and I have been having fun doing this task. I have learned some things I did not know then. My kids did not care about a perfect house or a perfect mom. What they cared about was time and being present. That is what they remember. They did not care about my career, about my being in school and what I was learning, they didn't care about their grades or excelling. They cared about time and being present.....
Here is what made the difference, I think. I intuitively knew that *I* had to have some quiet time to be sane. They watched Sesame Street every day at 5PM and did not talk to me. I regrouped and caught my breath. I had time alone at regular intervals. I did things that filled me up. And deep inside, I would reach down in my heart and meet them where they were...and I was clear about boundaries. This is what I instinctively knew at 30. Now, from this perspective, I know something more. If you have an eight year old, this is the ONLY winter, the only season you will EVER have with an eight year old. You know all that other stuff you think is so important? It isn't. If there are too many after-school activities, stop them. If there are too many demands, start learning, *no,thank you.* If you don't know how, ask us. If you are a grandparent, ask how you can support your children at this time of year. Provide space, fun and humor. Go get those kids and be goofy. If you live far away, get on the phone and be goofy on the phone. Email them. Skype with them. Or Do Google Hangouts. Give them cameras for Christmas and ask them to email you pictures of their lives. Send them pictures of your dog, your cat, your friends at the senior center or the local gym. Teach them to knit - even the boys. It raises serotonin. Make a cookbook for them. Guess you can tell what I have been thinking about this week. I am making a book about my life. I am writing, writing and then will find photos and put them with the writing...this is a wonderful and powerful thing to do. Mostly, I am committed to this being a holy and reflective time. Thanks for reading! If you know someone who could benefit from this, feel free to forward it to them. Not a subscriber yet? Like what you have read? Sign up to get future issues delivered straight to you: http://www.radiantrecovery.com Until next time!
Here are the folks who are helping put the newsletter together:
Gretel, our webmaster, puts it all together. David runs the Radiant Recovery® Store. mosaic contributes to the Notes from the Forum column. ©2014 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 |
