Well, we put snowflakes in the newsletter and what happened in Albuquerque - SNOW!!! Everything is that soft, still quiet white. It feels like such a gift. And so connected to this morning. Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate it. Santa ate the cheese and Nairns I left for him along with a bottle of Pellegrino. I am sure he was thrilled to have something other than cocoa. Last night was the night of light in Albuquerque. Everything was still, still and the luminarias flickered till very, very late. As many of you know this is my favorite night of the entire year. I put all the dogs in the car and just drove around. Often with lights off so we can just see the little bags. Everyone slows down and drives with lights off. How appropos. Now we will have this quiet winding down before the new year. I love this week. I hope you are all well and happy. We will be starting these classes Wednesday this week. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page: Step 3: Three Meals is one of our core classes. This is a skill-based class. If you want to learn the baby steps of a successful step 3, come join us. This class is ALWAYS fun. And if things got a little wonky in the last few weeks, this is a great way to get steady again. Brain Chemistry: Beta Endorphin is one of our most popular classes. It will teach you the core of the science behind the program. This is the outline for a critical part of sugar sensitivity, why you act the way you do and what you can do to change it. I love this class and so do all the people who have taken it. Somehow BE rocks! What Else is Embedded in the Steps is a great class to learn about what the steps really do. The program is way more than just the food. This class takes you to the heart of the process. YLDweightlossreadiness is the getting started class for YLD members. Come learn how Phase One of your program sets the foundation for your entire weight loss plan. We will be starting these classes the week of 1/3. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page: Step 1: The Art of Breakfast is our foundation class to get you started. Learn all four parts of step 1 in a structured way. Learn how to progress through them with enjoyment. Let us support getting your program off to a fabulous start. Doing the Program on a Budget is a special free class for those of you with limited funding who are trying to make do. Come hear some fun ideas to maintain your humor and find tasty and inexpensive solutions. Using the Resources of the Community is for those of you who are brand new and would like to find your way around town. Come sit on the top of our double decker bus for a guided tour. And even if you are not brand new, this is a really fun class to reconnect with all the treats of the community. Back to Basics 1 is the class for those who have been on Step 7 and got lost. If you are wobbling around, have relapsed or need a tune up, come connect. We are kind, funny and have a great get back on track process. Learning About Depression is the perfect antidote to mid winter, dark skies, freezing rain, and feeling crappy. Come discover why you feel this way and what you can do about it. 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 **********************************************************************
December 25, 2006 ** Quote From Kathleen **
You are in the process of becoming more aware, more attentive, and more committed as you go. It is cumulative. *********************************************************************
** Testimonial for the Week**
I am including quotes from the men in our community so you can hear their voices. Our men’s list is growing. Do come join us. Hi. I'm glad to see everyone. Looking forward to your thoughts and ideas, as we 'do the food'. I am Step 7 for a year and a half. The changes are remarkable, in many respects. I am 65+... still working full time as a trust officer/wealth management person (no, I do not qualify as such a client...). Have five children, five grandchildren... I am the oldest of six kids. Jeanne is my most wonderful wife. I am really enjoying what I do and what I've become.
Peace and Joy Jim ********************************************************************
**Recipe of the Week**
I grabbed this recipe out of the Radiant Recipe Cookbook because it is something so yummy and festive and perfect for cold winter days. Just the thought of this one warms me up! Enjoy! Spiced Butternut Soup
********************************************************************
**Your Last Diet: More Than What You Think**
We will be sharing the theory of YLD. What is it that makes so much sense? Why is it so important? Why does it work so well? Why do we have so much fun? What is happening that makes this plan so successful? I am talking with the YLD team now, and will be talking with the main list next week. If you are having rumblings about wanting to join YLD, this is a great time to do it. And no, you do not have to be on step 7 to join. And no, you do not have to be fat to join. This is about wanting support, and the power of hanging with this level of commitment. 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. ********************************************************* ***********
**David's Corner **
 I hope you all have a nice Christmas day. I had a great time visiting my Dad and Jen and Ted. Made everything feel good. Look for our new year's specials next week. Please send questions and suggestions. I love hearing from you and truly want to help you do your program better. ********************************************************* ***********
**Our Online Groups**
Radiant Recovery is the place for you if you have been wondering if maybe it is time to look at your alcohol use. Even if it is *just* two beers a night, we can help you sort it out. This is a great group, we always welcome newcomers. Won't you come join us? ********************************************************************
**** Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.
I wrote this letter in 2004. It sure is true today. I thought it would be fun to send you a Christmas letter this year. We will get "back to business" next week. I know that many of you are aware that I have a litter of little Golden retriever rescue puppies. Ten bright, little holy terrors are raising the roof in Albuquerque. What an experience it has been! Yesterday morning at 8 AM, the big dogs were outside barking and barking. One new rescue was breaking down the door to come inside. "Hmmm," I thought. Must be a balloon outside." I opened the door and went outside in my slippers. Bright blue sky, with a yellow striped huge hot air balloon floating just above my white reindeer on the roof. It took my breath away. New Mexico is an amazing place this time of year. Somehow the commercialism is tempered by the traditions. Green boughs wrapped around old posts. White snow on adobe walls. That blue, blue. And we get ready for the night of holy lights. On Christmas eve the whole city turns off the colored lights and lights luminaries - paper sacks filled with sand and holding a single candle. Hundreds of thousands of them. The whole city is quiet and flickering from dusk until very early Christmas morning. This time each year, I feel very connected to the Radiant Recovery® Community. I often think that each person in recovery is like those tiny paper sacks filled with light. Nothing fancy, nothing sexy, no glamour. Just this exquisite soft, luminous light in the darkness. I think of us as little luminaries. We eat breakfast, we have potatoes, we write notes in our journals. We chose to stand away from Christmas cookies, from eggnog, and we chose a way of being in the world that says "I want something more." One tiny light can be seen for miles. But a hundred lights, a thousand lights, a million lights flicker in a big way. Your commitment, your openness and willingness to heal are a light to me. You fill me with your hearts and teach me that community is the gift that holds and heals us. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you. You lead me through the darkness. I hope you have a blessed and happy light filled time. With much love, Kathleen |
©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 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