Hi {!firstname_fix}

Well, I think we have all settled in now after ranch. For those of you who decided you missed a really fun time, think about coming to Irish Ranch. The fares from the East Coast are often less than coming to Albuquerque. We do have just a few slots left so think about it soon.

We will be starting these new classes this week:

Using Radiant Resources is our guided tour for new people. I will take you all around the web site to see all the things we have to offer.

Step Five: The Art of Browning Your Family is a great way to learn about all sorts of options for complex carbohydrates. We will also discuss how to introduce new things in a successful way.

Brain Chemistry 101 is a class if you are interested in how the whole neurotransmitter process works. This is an in-depth class with some heavy-duty thinking involved. Better if you are on at least step 3 to take it.

Sugar And Sex: Learn the connection between sex and sugar. Understand how the biochemistry of both can affect you. This will be the last time this class will be open to the general community in this format. After this offering, this class will become part of the 7th Step series on taking your program deeper. In that venue we will explore the issues of intimacy and sexuality.

I have posted a new class schedule on line. 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. The classes are done online with one lesson each day. You do not have to be at your computer at any set time.

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.

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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May 22, 2006
** Quote From Kathleen **


Its clues may not be in words, but your body talks in a consistent and predictable way. You just have to learn its language.

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** Testimonial for the Week**


You're in a terrible place right now and I don't want to add to your unhappiness, but I know I've made decisions in the past that I just wouldn't have made now I'm steady.

I know I lost opportunities, closed doors and went down roads that I needn't have if I was clearer.

Before Kathleen's program, everything was too hard, or too sad, or too exhausting, or too upsetting, or too offensive, or too difficult, or too hopeless to solve.

Now, everthing seems more clear, more calm and even the crises aren't crises anymore.

My life IS difficult, but so much more manageable than the old days of addiction.

If you decide to leave or stay, you're going to need strength and perspective and a steady mind to work things out.

I'm with Kathleen. Get yourself steady for six months and things will seem clearer and all the "what ifs" won't have as much power over you.

In the meantime, doing the program concentrates your energies on YOU instead of the frustration of being with HIM. instead of focusing on the problems, focus on healing yourself. Become really strong and who knows what you'll decide from a postion of steadiness and calm.

Eliza :-)

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**Recipe of the Week**


Here's a recipe for all you crock pot lovers (smile).

CHINESE STYLE PEPPER STEAK

  • 1 1/2 lb. pepper steak, sliced
  • 2 T. olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1/2 tsp. salt (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1/4 c. soy sauce (check the label!)
  • 1 c. fresh bean sprouts
  • 1 c. canned tomatoes, cut up
  • 2 green peppers, seeded and cut into strips 1/2 c. fresh mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 T. cornstarch
  • 2 T. cold water
  • 4 green onions, sliced
Either in a skillet or in the slow cooker if you have one you can saute in, brown the steak in the oil. If you used a skillet, transfer the steak into the crock pot. Combine garlic, salt, pepper and soy sauce and pour over the steak. Cook on low for 6 - 8 hours. Turn the control to high. Add bean sprouts, tomatoes, green peppers and mushrooms. Dissolve cornstarch in water, stir into the pot. Cover and cook on high 15-20 minutes or until thickened. Sprinkle with green onions and serve over brown rice.

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


We have been talking about what we first called the *boring* time of when things are settled and not filled with addictive drama anymore. This week you all spontaneously started talking about *the Calm*. I think this is what is happening in YLD too.

The Foundation class is working on the seven steps. No flapping, just skill buidling. The Weight Loss class is doing their lessons, having fun, being funny and thoughtful and learning lots about key issues for weight loss. And the Weight Loss in Action class is, no surprise, LOL, losing weight. But it is so uneventful, so thoughtful and reflective. These are the same people who well know those feelings of HELP! HELP! I am still fat. Now, they are saying...oh by the way, I am losing weight.

If you are not a YLD member, 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 **



You can ask the store to put George's Jr. on subscription and just send it automatically. It doesn't help with the cost (smile) but it does take the need to remember to order away (yep you can tell I'm SS for sure).

And, for those who are wondering, George’s Jr. and Restore really is the best tasting whey protein I've tried.

Karen

I liked this note from Karen. You know, the Jr. and Restore products are pretty amazing. I am not exactly sure what Kathleen did exactly, but that *proprietary formula* thing sure tastes great. I am giving this to my volleyball team. Better than gatorade!

Speaking of subscriptions...some of you know that I am getting really creative. If you want it, I will send it. We have some folks who have me include flavorings with each shake order. Sometimes they pick, sometimes we do a *shuffle*, LOL. And with all the traveling, I am often including a box of the fish oil singles. Hey, I will include a potato key chain every month if you like. But seriously, you can make up a package of something like a George’s Original, a Restore, some flavorings and some wild rice and I will send it at the interval you request.

We are actually designing a little data base to help with this. You all know that my baseball statistics in 6th grade trained me for this, but da boss is thinking it might be good to have it in the computer as well, LOL.

One last thing....many of you know that our mugs are backordered. We had ordered them way before ranch, they sent them while we were at ranch. But they decided to send something entirely different. They just made it up. And it was not what we wanted. So we are negotiating while they find a supplier. I am really sorry for this. And it has raised some questions about what to do with backorders.

In the past, I have gone ahead and charged you for the entire order with the shipping charge remaining as it was posted. This meant I paid the extra shipping. Most of you indicated that you preferred this option. I think this works well when I know the items are on their way and the delay is minimal. In these situations with the *unknown* delivery date, I don’t think it is a good idea. Let me keep you posted on what we will be doing with the mugs and mug orders. Thanks for your patience with this.

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**


RadiantBigOnes is a list for those of us who have 100 or more pounds to lose. The list is unique in that we don't just focus on food challenges -- although getting 42 grams of protein at a meal can certainly be a challenge! -- but we also share information and support for issues that non-BigOnes may not even realize are an issue in day-to-day life. I love the dialog on this list because everyone is so supportive and we learn so much from each other. We have people on the list who are in various stages of the 7 Steps, so if you're a BigOne, you'll fit right in!

Eva

Or come to the group page to see all our groups. http://www.radiantrecovery.com/list_serves.htm


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**The Calm**
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.


We have been talking a lot on the step six list on the time after detox. Often it feels “flat” because the spiky life that comes with addiction is quiet. Drama and chaos have faded. Regular life seems a little less exciting than expected.

Sometimes people are startled by this. They define it as “boring”.

Recently, someone name it THE CALM.

That is a wonderful image.

Seeking The CALM.

I think a lot of radiance is about fostering the CALM and then being filled with a sense of hope and optimism.

It definitely grows on you.



©Kathleen DesMaisons 2006.

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 step 4 gathers the recipes
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.

©2006 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