Hi {!firstname_fix}

Ok, I think we are all settling into winter. It is a nice time. I must admit, I saw birds flying north yesterday and was kinda startled by it. I love winter. Although winter in NM is not winter in Vermont. I heard that even the snowplow could not get into do my daughter's drive yesterday. Ugh!

It is nice to see all the new people. You are always our joy!

These classes will be starting this week:

Step 5: Browning Your Family is where you can learn all about browns and how to use them. We have a lot of fun in the class and it is packed with info on what to make and how to make it.

Doing the Steps: An Overview is the second in the introduction to the community sequence. If you want to get the big picture and see how all the steps fit together, this is where we do it.

Back to Basics 2 is the continuation class for 7 step folks wanting to get back on track.

Step 4: More Intriguing Than You Think. We had planned to start this last week but only a few people signed up for it so I have held it a week. If you are ready for it, come on over!

A number of you have asked me how the classes work. Check the class list page for more information on this. The classes are done online with one lesson each day. You do not have to be at your computer at any set time.

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.

Be sure to visit our Radiant Recovery® website and Community Forum regularly.

Warmly,
Kathleen

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January 9, 2006
** Quote From Laura **


Kathleen,

I wanted to let you know that after just two and a half months on this program I saw a number on my bathroom scale that I haven't seen since my first kid was born almost six years ago. I didn't start the program to lose that stubborn weight, I just started it to get healthy. I know you hear these stories a lot, but I felt like I wanted to say thank you. It is a miracle to me.

Warmly,
Laura

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** Testimonial for the Week**


I am just new on step 7, and still have caffeine in my diet, but the healing that has happened since the beginning of September is nothing short of amazing. I came to the program with depression and insomnia and I'm very happy to report that I am now sleeping regularly and waking refreshed. I am now calm as opposed to extremely irritable and very cranky. My cravings for sugar vanished long ago. I have the desire and energy to do things - not just the daily stuff but bigger challenges as well. I am beginning an 'Interior Finishing' course in February and I'm really excited about it! I feel good overall physically and emotionally but I know it is early days yet and my body has still more healing to do...

In the beginning I debated going back on anti-depressants, but I chose not to and I'm so glad I didn't. So all my healing has come from doing the program. Sept, Oct, Nov I still was not sleeping well then boom in December the healing just seemed to kick in full force.

I have been walking an hour/day 5 days/week for a while now and am slowly incorporating meditation and yoga into my life. And I will give up caffeine at some point as well.

I'm so grateful to you and this program. I know you've probably heard it a few thousand times before but this program has been a lifesaver for me. It answered so many questions that I have been longing to know. Thank you Kathleen from the bottom of my heart.

Bye for now, Lise

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**Recipe of the Week**


Here is my very own and my favorite split pea soup recipe. You can make it vegetarian style or you can add the meat bones or turkey necks for a meaty soup.

SPLIT PEA AND BARLEY SOUP

  • 10 cups water
  • 1 c. split peas
  • 1 c. barley
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 4 carrots, chopped
  • 1 sweet potato, cubed
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2-4 cloves garlic (I like to use 4 cloves as I am a big garlic lover),minced
  • 4 zucchini, chopped
  • 2 T. salt (or to your taste)
  • Optional: add some meat bones or turkey necks
Put all ingredients in a large pot. Place over medium-high heat until it starts to simmer. Lower heat to very low and simmer for at least two hours, stirring occasionally. The longer you cook it, the better it is. Just be careful not to let the grains and beans burn on the bottom of the pot!

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


II thought you might enjoy hearing some comments from YLD members. A lot is bubbling in YLD. It's funny that something we have been doing for a while can just come alive. Last's week chat was great. We had LOTS of new people and it was rolling. If you join this week, we can still get you into the Foundation Class. We are still learning orientation stuff. Listen to what Jim had to say.

I love chat. It's one of the things that really hooked me and has helped me to get steady with my program. When I first joined YLD, the Wednesday chats featured some deep topics, such as how the brain works (microtubules), discounting and reframing, and alpha endorphin. The discounting and reframing chat was a big deal for me; my whole body was tingling during that one :) Dig up the chat transcripts from mid- September through October to see what I'm talking about. My point is that I love chat, and those deep topics really speak to me.

Jim

If you are a YLD member, you can access the transcripts by going to:

http://www.radiantrecovery.com/YLD/YLDchattranscripts.html



Come and join us. Click here if you are ready to change your life or just plain ole have fun. It is not too late to get into the classes if you come right now.
 


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**David's Corner **



Are you getting enough water? There was a really fun exchange on the forum about our famous mugs. I use one. I have the girls on the volleyball team I coach use them. Kathleen uses one (although the dogs want to grab it and run).

I just have to say that I love the giant water mug from the store! I usually don't drink enough water. Today I brought the mug in my car, since I drive around all day for work and it was great. I actually drank at least 8 glasses of water today! I think that this will really help my healing.

It was my trademark last summer -- everyone laughed at me, but I wouldn't have been without it! I never really thought of using it in the winter... Hmmmm...!!

I'm doing exactly the same. At school, my students watch me drink it since I tell them I must drink it before 3:00. It's like a contest now.


Time to come get yours....

If you haven't been to the store for a while, how about just coming over and browsing. You will be thrilled to see all the changes!

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

 
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**Our Online Groups**


Well our little IBD/IBS online list just wouldn't die. We have a new liaison, Colette, and a team of senior people providing guidance and support. We are ready for you if you want to learn how to put your healing together in a unique way. We are focusing on solutions rather than problems.

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** **
Getting Started
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.


We have had a LOT of new people in the last month. I thought it might be helpful to review the best ways to get started.

Number One: Read the books Potatoes Not Prozac and The Sugar Addict’s Total Recovery  Program.
Potatoes Not Prozac will give you the theory and SARP will give you concrete suggestions. They are a pair and it actually helps a lot if you have both. While you are waiting, go through the website discussion of the seven steps. If you are not a reader, order the CDs and listen to them in the car. If you have limited funds, get the books from the library. And we have some copies of the books on tape for a very reasonable price.

Sign up for the online class called Using the Resources in the Community. This will give you an overview of what is here to support you. We do that every other week. On the opposite week I do an Overview of the Steps class that provides the big picture of how the steps fit together.

Then join the Community Forum, a moderated message board where folks love to share their experience, strength and hope with each other. It is a great place for newcomers. It’s available 24/7 and provides a wealth of information gained and willingly shared by people just like you. Introduce yourself, or just listen for a while. Instructions on using the forum are found in a link right at the top of the page, Kathleen reads the forum daily and is an active participant.

Join an online group. We have a group for everyone and everything, including your pets. Go through the list and see if anything strikes your fancy. These are email lists. You join and then all the correspondence from the groups comes to you so everyone benefits from the questions and answers. Each group is led by a volunteer who has been doing the program for many years. They are safe, funny and informative.

Start having breakfast right away. Order some George’s Shake. Order a food journal. Or get a Getting Started Pac and get everything you need in one box.

 

Most of all, ask questions. We are here to help. As you  have more of a sense of what you want, sign up for the online classes. They are a great support at every step of the way.

And if you feel totally overwhelmed by choices, jus come over to the forum and we will guide you step by step.

 



©Kathleen 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, liaison for big ones gathers the recipes
JoAnna, the liaison for affiliates gathers the testimonials
Marie, the liaison for diabetes gathers the info on the online lists
David, who runs the Radiant Recovery® Store talks about what new products we have.

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.htm.

©2005 by 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 and use this attribution: "By Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D. of Radiant Recovery®. Please visit Kathleen's website at http://www.radiantrecovery.com for additional resources on sugar sensitivity and healing addiction." Please notify me at kathleen@radiantrecovery.com to let me know where the material will appear.

Banner Photograph by Geraint Smith