Well my puppies are now wee dogs who leap, bound and find trouble. This morning they were intent on dismantling the new flowers I had just planted. They they really, really wanted to go into the big den Pepper dug. Then they got tired and just flopped down and were asleep in one minute. My new kitchen is almost done. The counters will be put in this week. I will finally have a sink back, the new dishwasher will be hooked up and we will rock! I am very, very excited. Feels like a perfect timing for fall and new cooking. These classes will begin the week of August 6, 2007. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page: Back to Basics 2 is the continuation of the regroup and get back on track class that starts this week. Learning about Depression is a key class for the Potatotes Not Prozac crowd. Learn in-depth information on the kinds of depression, why drugs will or will not work, how they work and how Doing the Food can help. Radiant Store Tour is a free guided tour of the store. David will be leading this class so if you want to get to know the guy that makes it all work, come sign up. This is his first teaching experience, so you can show your support for the work he does to keep you happy. Step 2 Journal: An Introduction will teach you the basics of journaling. The class will give you step by step instructions in how to record your food and feelings in a way that gets you excited. These classes will begin the week of August 13, 2007. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page: Brain Chemistry: Serotonin is the other of our most popular classes. It helps you make sense of why the potato works, why you have a problem in the winter and how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can play into this. If you munch in your mind, if you are depressed or edgy or feel sad, this is the class for you. 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. Step 4: More Than You Think is the potato class. Come learn everything you ever wanted to know about the timing, size, frequency of your potato. Learn about the best vitamins and talk all you want about them. This is a nice way to strengthen and refine your step 4. Step 6: Going off Sugar is a class for those of you getting ready to detox. It is about what you need to do to make it a painless and fun process. Resource Center Tour is another one of our free walking tours through the website. This one takes you through the resource center. Explore all the nooks and crannies and discover things you did not know were there. The class schedule is on line. Click here to see what is planned. Please do not sign up for classes that are not yet scheduled. 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 and you do not have to be at your computer at any set time. It does not matter whether you are in the US, Europe, the Far East or Australia, you simply respond on your own time. And although I advertise that the classes are one or two weeks, sometimes we are a little flexible and they may run longer. 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 **********************************************************************
August 6, 2007 ** Quote From Kathleen **
You may have feelings of failure or hopelessness attached to the way you eat. Even the idea of a food journal may make you panic. *********************************************************************
** Testimonial for the Week**
Milly, Step 7 I did come from the step 6 list and I was really comfortable there, I knew everyone and it was so so supportive. And cos we talked about detox, we all had something to discuss endlessly and we all knew something about it.I LOVED that list. And I am still a member cos I have not had the heart to unsub! I do check in on occasion too! I liken the transition from the step 6 list to this list as really leaving little school and coming to big school. That's just how it was for me, you don't know anyone, it's a little different and although you know it is your time to be there, you wanna run back to what is familiar and safe. But after a while, you settle in and you love big school :) Milly ********************************************************************
Every summer, the boys and I go to a pick your own farm. Sometimes we come back with stuff that I have to invent recipes for, like sour cherries. This is from my cookbook and I hope you like it as much as our family did. CHERRY BUCKLEBatter:
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**Your Last Diet: More Than What You Think**
YLDonline is a membership program run directly by Kathleen DesMaisons herself. Here is a wonderful testimonial from Vicki. I know you like to hear success stories. I was close to your size when I found this program almost 6 years ago. I am 5'8" and weighed 242 at the time. I had been on and off of diets from the time I was 5! I could lose weight, and did many times, but could not maintain the loss. What attracted me to this program was that it spoke about healing the reason for my inability to control my eating. That was the only part of my life that I felt was out of control and could not understand why! So, I decided to trust that Kathleen knew what she was talking about and just do the steps while focusing on the healing and not on my weight. I was at my heaviest and had really given up until I found this. I found that as I healed that my eating slowly improved and once my body trusted me to feed her regularly with enough food, she was willing to slowly release a little weight. My weight loss was very slow but it was also pretty steady at about 2 pounds a month. Over time, I got down to a size 12/14, which is just fine for me. I do not pay any attention to the number on the scale any longer. I have been exercising regularly with a personal trainer for a year and a half and I am fit and firm. This really pleases me. 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. ********************************************************* ***********
**Radiant Recovery Store **
David manages the Radiant Recovery Store. He is also Kathleen’s oldest son.
Here is a wonderful post from Jeannie about the cookbooks. The Radiant Recipes cookbook was written by Kathleen and Pat Chupak, a personal chef. It has pages and pages of information on how to put together a good program meal, on browns, on dealing with holidays or helping kids eat program food. (It is worth it for those pages alone, in my opinion.) It has some great holiday recipes that have become favorites. It also has some really good basic recipes like quiche, chicken pot pie, roast garlic mashed potatoes, crab cakes, many veggie recipes, on and on. The marinades are wonderful for summer grilling. I use the recipe for Kathleen's Baking Mix all the time. None of the recipes has any sugar, whites or wheat in them. Naomi's cookbook, Nutritious and Delicious, has beautiful photos and her recipes for delicious, hearty, home-cooked food. Naomi is a genius at taking an old favorite recipe, like sticky chicken wings, green bean casserole, bagels, cheesecake or kugel, and making a radiant version of it that tastes great. I love her pot roast. There are recipes for ice cream and cupcakes that would work for a kid's birthday party. All the recipes are kosher, whites- and sweeteners-free and kid-tested. Naomi does the recipes part of the Radiant Recover newsletter and also has her own newsletter, where she takes things like a very sweet cake and comes up with a version without sweeteners. Unbelievable. Sheila's cookbook, From Sheila's Kitchen, has wonderful recipes that were tested by members of the community. They are for anyone, but they have the added benefit of raising potassium and lowering sodium in foods, which promotes weight loss. The emphasis is on freshness and flavor without added salt, sugar, or whites. Sheila's included lots of veggies recipes, including delicious roast veggies, a cool pumpkin yogurt smoothie, mini-quiche cups, sloppy joes, tacos, a nice marinara with meat, BBQ chicken, yummy salads, a nice light ricotta cheesecake, and a sweet potato pie testers raved about. I LOVE her barbecue spice and sauce. I also love that she put a little about her own journey in there and how she rediscovered cooking and fresh food, which is very inspiring. It is a perfect cookbook for summer, with all the fresh foods in it. I love all three cookbooks and wouldn't be without them. Jeannie Please send questions and suggestions. I love hearing from you and truly want to help you do your program better. ********************************************************* ***********
**Our Online Groups**
Hi, I’m Jeannie, the liaison for the Radiant Step 6 list. Perhaps you are steady on the first five steps and contemplating your sugar detox. Or you may already be on step six but struggling. You may be wondering why you are bored or restless, since sugar detox was supposed to solve everything--wasn’t it? Or maybe you’d like to share your excitement about reaching this milestone in your program. If so, come join us on the Step 6 list! We offer support and encouragement in achieving a successful sugar detox and in holding tight until everything settles down afterward. We are learning more all the time about this fascinating step and how profoundly it transforms our bodies and brains. ********************************************************************
**I'd Never Have Believed**
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D. I post this sequence from time to time because I love it. If you think the program is about just going off of sugar, think again. (smile) I'd never have believed you if you'd told me... Posted By: Marina Well, I type this from the comfort of my sickbed, since I have a Happy New Year virus and am feeling lousy today. Nothing much has changed since Step 7 in how I cope with being ill. I am still an abysmal patient who thinks she is dying of the bubonic plague rather than the common cold. But this is my first cold in 18 months, which is miraculous for someone who always averaged 4 colds a year. I will also grudgingly admit that this one is a lot milder than those I am used to. I was just reviewing my journal, and to cheer myself up, I thought it would be fun to reflect on some of the post-program changes that I simply would not have believed until I experienced them. Some stuff I expected. VAGUELY feeling better. (How could I feel worse)? Maybe bingeing less (Again, how could I binge more?) Feeling a fraction less crazy (as before, do you see a pattern emerging here?) LOL. But I didn't expect a great deal beyond that. So fast-forward a couple of years, or one year if we're talking Step 7. Here in no particular order, is my list of big and small surprises. I would never have believed you if you'd told me: That my taste buds would be the main part of me to undergo dramatic and wholesale rehabilitation. When I started SARP I was not keen on 85% of foods, and keen on about 15%. Generally those that came laden with fat and sugar. This ratio has now flipped over, and it happened so gradually but it still takes me by surprise how many flavours I can taste now. That I would feel satisfied at the end of each day, not hungry and dopey and spacey and hurting like dieters are so used to feeling. That I would go 17 months without a sugar binge. The longest before that was 4 days. I counted. The binges stopped when I finally quit playing coy flirting games with Step 3 and well... shamelessly threw myself at it. That after an initial gain on Step 3, my weight would stabilize for the first time ever. That I would lose 2 dress sizes over a year without really trying. But note to newbies: this happened INCREDIBLY slowly. I don't weigh myself any more, but I'm guessing about a pound a month. I know it's different for everyone, and I wasn't really overweight, but fluctuated crazily and very unhealthily. That my beloved tea could ever feel good without the caffeine, and taste sweet without the sugar! That I would pass my degree, when for 3/4 of it, I had been on course to fail. That I, who am Not A Responsible Person, could act as an executor for a close family member, tying up all their legal, financial and business affairs pretty much single-handedly. That in the process I would research investments and learn about money and find it fun and empowering, as well as useful for a time in the future when I'm earning enough to invest on my own behalf. That I would complete a one-month teacher-training course consisting of 18 hour days that I honestly thought would kill me! That I would have energy all day long, not for a brief window between 11.30am and 3pm if I'm lucky. That I could ever, ever, EVER be A Morning Person. That I would buy my first bikini, and start wearing skirts for the first time since I was a little kid. That I could buy chocolates for someone else, and my mind would actually go blank trying to figure out what brands or flavours might be the best. One kind of connoisseurship I am astonished and glad to have gotten rusty in! That paying for said chocolates, I would feel completely detached, like I was buying yarn for a knitter friend, deluxe nut roast for a vegan buddy, or something else that Other People Do. That I didn't have to buy the chocolates at the last possible minute before handing them over, to stop myself from eating them instead. That I would become more emotionally honest, and be grown up enough to deal with the consequences. That I would really, really want to travel. I just didn't feel that same curiosity before I began to heal. That I would find a career, even two parallel or successive careers, that I am seriously interested in pursuing. That I would form several great new friendships this year, which have delighted, nourished and inspired me. Previously I averaged one every couple of years. I am so excited about the new people in my life and what they've brought to it. So, would anyone like to join me on this thread? I would love to hear about the things YOU would never have believed either. ******************************************************************** Posted By: Delse Hi Marina: What a great post. I have been detoxed since March, 2005. Here are some of the changes I never expected: (also in no particular order) That weight would stop being the most important reason to do this program -- healing became much more important. I spent 30 years worrying about weight, and that wasn't the issue at all. That I could quit alcohol, coffee and diet coke, and not only still have a social life, but have a much better social life. That I could get through the day without deep fatigue at 3pm. Now I flow through my days. That I could quit biting my nails. (a 40 year plus habit that simply stopped one day this summer) That I could be kind, rather than cranky on a regular basis. That I could calmly and rationally run my business, and not let others get me too emotional. That I could meditate. I never could slow down enough to do it, now I can't live without it. ******************************************************************** Posted By: Chloe I would never believe I would stick with a job. I always quit when things got hard. Or I didn't like something or.....you get the picture. Along those lines I moved a lot. Didn't like neighbors or area or whatever I moved. Now I stop and try to work things out and plan before I move. That I would reconnect with family that I had removed myself from. I now have healthy boundaries. But am able to be with some of the ones I never thought I could. That I could give up sugar. That I would stop binging. That I would stop wanting sugar. That I could actually heal. I find it almost a miracle that I don't obsess anymore. That I can concentrate on tasks. That I can read and comprehend what I have read. School was so hard, now I understand why. That I would learn to keep my mouth shut. (I am still working on that one. But as I do the food and steps it gets better). That I actually think before acting. Impulse control is in my life!!! That my ugly friend irritability is gone. It only surfaces now when program is off. It used to be a big awful part of my day. Thank you Marina it was good and fun to reflect on these things. ******************************************************************** Posted By: annnyc42 Great post Marina, I also have had many things happen to me in the past four years, that I never would have believed. I now have normal blood pressure, and no longer take medication to keep it in control. I no longer get killer migraine headaches. I no longer get backaches. I have just patched up a relationship with my aunt, after not speaking to her in about thirty five years. I also reached out to another friend who I didn't speak with in several years. After healing I can let go of the anger. I am happy, centered and focused. Life is good and it keeps getting better. ******************************************************************** Posted By: mosaic Great post Marina! I loved reading. Morning person ?? Out of everything, that is what impressed me most! I loved your whole report but if you can get me to be a morning person I shall put the flags out. Yet.... in 7 months.... I have gone from dragging myself in a sort of coma, out of bed, unable to speak for an hour at least, to actually waking just before the alarm. Still have to drag self out, but progress. I would never have believed it that I could go for months without obsessing over my weight and getting weighed three times a day, clothes on/off/lean forwards/get on very slowly/jump off/etc. I would never, ever believe that I would give up caffeine or wine. Still vaguely miss it but feel heaps better mentally without. Only a couple of things that I don't quite believe yet, but I will soon, and I'm reminded of - the Red Queen, isn't it?? - "I always believe six impossible things before breakfast " LOL we CAN believe our impossible things *after* breakfast, there's a thought. ******************************************************************** Posted By: Lis Hmmm, what an intriguing thread. Let's see... When I read Potatoes Not Prozac almost 5 years ago now, I would have never believed That I could not only go a whole day without crying, but weeks, months and years. That not only would I stop loathing myself, but that self-loathing would go away all by itself, without any effort on my part. That not only would this program change the way I eat, but that it would do things for my inner self that therapy, books, programs, seminars, groups, affirmations and even medications weren't doing. things like my depression evaporating, becoming emotionally stable, not feeling victimized, feeling empowered and strong, being able to face things even when scared. That I would ever LIKE vegetables! That I would learn to cook That I would continue to cook, even through mistakes, because the alternative (eating out) was becoming less and less appealing. That I would learn about ingredients, fill my cupboard with spices, and enjoy the process. That some important relationships would heal, largely because of my own healing. That my sleep would become regulated. That I could easily and painlessly wean myself off of caffeine. That I would go from being almost incapable of getting through an 8-hour workday because of emotional pain, exhaustion, blood sugar fluctuations, and inability to concentrate or focus - to being able to go back to school while still working full-time. That I would complete my undergraduate education as an adult while still working full-time, hellishly hard as it was, and do really well at it. That my spiritual life would start to heal, with no overt efforts on my part, and that my spirit would start to open up and search. Well, that's all I can think of for now. The incredible thing is that, even just ONE of these extra changes, in addition to not having terrible, overwhelming compulsions to eat more Cheetos and Snickers, would have been an unbelievable blessing in my life. That I've instead experienced all of these changes, and there are many more to come - I can feel it - is almost unfathomable. This year I resolve to re-connect with the forum. As Kathleen has changed my life, I want to be able to hold out my hand and offer a little light and hope to someone else. What a blessing this community is in my life ******************************************************************** Posted By: Rebecca Marina, Great post! I'll pitch in! I'd never have believed that I would stop drinking red wine. And I'd never in a million years have believed that I would end up more relaxed and open to people in a social situation as a result! I'd never believe how much I can eat and maintain my weight! (WW had me convinced I got to eat v. little) I'd never believe that I'd feel as happy in a relationship as I do now, and that I would consistently FEEL my emotions. That I could get to the point of listening to my body where I could just ask what was wrong, and start hearing answers. Thank you to Kathleen for all of your amazing research and hard work. It's paying off dividends for so many! ******************************************************************** Posted By: Janice in Md Hi Marina and everyone, Great thread. Here's what I would not have believed doing the food would do for me. Self-loathing, gone. Hurt, disappointment, regrets, guilt held on to from forever, all gone. Just melted away with radiance. Dark, intrusive thoughts that I couldn't control also gone. Endless brooding and chatter in my head, gone. I have peace. And the best one, I am happy. I understand what happy feels like. I had thought the main reason for my misery was the circumstances of my life. I thought the circumstances would have to change for me to experience happiness. And here I sit, same husband, kids, house, debts. Same life. Yet it is a totally different life. And I am happy. Still blows me away to think about. ******************************************************************** Posted By: Elaine that I would stop reading diet articles, attending "diet clubs," and stop dieting altogether. that I would stop using artificial sweeteners. that I would find carrots, sweet potatoes, herbal teas, and--yes--even broccoli (!) etc. sweet-tasting. that I would stray from my ideal eating-plan and return to it before pressing the binge button. that I would maintain an unfluctuating weight for years. that I would be able to see such a clear connection between what I eat and how I feel. ?that miracles do happen. ******************************************************************** Posted By: Jackie In Response To: Re: I'd never have believed you if you'd told me... (healthie) I am not far into the program but I can say that I no longer am suffering from migraines. In fact, I called the doctor to ask if I could be taken off my headache medicine since I have discovered that they are caused by too much sugar and artificial sweetener. Life is good without the headaches. ******************************************************************** Posted By: beth I never would have believed: I could go YEARS without eating M & m's:) I could stick with anything more than just a few weeks My weight would be the same for over a year ( I'd like to loose but...) I would start my own business and make it work I could grin (inwardly) when my kids melt down Knowing what is behind it I could not cave in to other's expectations and criticisms of my food choices, even on special occasions I could see my faults for what they are and not want to die because I was/am imperfect I could actually CHANGE I would rather plan than "wing it" I would take piano lessons just because I wanted to That sugar...sugar could cause such havoc That I could LOVE, FORGIVE, EMPATHIZE with and MISS my deceased alcoholic father I could STILL wobble sometimes with all the great effects of staying steady! I would check in online nearly everyday for years, give up sugar, caffeine and bread..... and not think I'd joined a cult! I could be free of sinus infections for years at a time and on and on ******************************************************************** Posted By: Kath That I could leave depression and it's medications behind. Migraines and those meds, And medication for ADHD, and so could all 4 of our children, and still have them achieving well, in fact better, in school. That I could understand why so much of my irrational unreasonable behaviours and feelings happened, and feel kindly, compassion and gentleness. That I could respond rather than react. That I could laugh so much and be genuinely glad. That knowing the theory and understanding it and applying *most* of it I could sabotage myself and take so long to get to where I am now, where I knew I wanted to be all along. And still be kind to myself! 5 1/2 years after first being loaned Potatoes not Prozac, I am a much happier lady! ******************************************************************** Posted By: Jeannie Orcas That I would listen to people instead of thinking about what I would say next, or wondering what they were thinking of me. That sugar and whites would have no charge at all for me. That I wouldn't use my circumstances as a reason/excuse to limit my life. That I would be fearless and bold . Risk-averse, timid me. Bold. That I wouldn't live from one wild enthusiasm to another. That I could patiently build a skill. That I would have so much hope. That I could feel so connected to people I haven't met in person. That my food obsessions, depression, and anxiety would heal. ©Kathleen DesMaisons 2007. 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. ©2007 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 Patti Holden, Step 7 |
