I am traveling down to a conference in North Carolina this week. It will be exciting and a big change from my normally quiet life in New Mexico. I fly into Savannah. My brother said to rent a car and explore Savannah because it is a wonderful city. I have my new GPS navigator so I won't get lost. I will drive around a bit and then go on over to Hilton Head for the conference. I have to do a little research on what to wear since this is a first for me. Everything at home is pretty much ready for going off to Maine to write. Things are sorted and packed. The dogs are confused with the boxes being packed and why I am sleeping on a mattress on the floor. They think it is for them. Having 3 golden retrievers take over the mattress means there is not much room left. You should see me telling them, *no, this is NOT a bed for you!* Although if it weren't for the dogs, it would feel a little monk-like in my bedroom. These classes will begin Wednesday, December 5, 2007. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page: 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! 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. You don't have to grope your way through. Learn what to do with other new people and have fun! 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. This class will begin Wednesday, December 12, 2007. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page: Using the Resources of the Communityis 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. 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 **********************************************************************
December 3, 2007 ** Quote From Kathleen **
Resting when you are tired may seem like an outrageous idea, but learning to take care of your body is the focus of your path to recovery. *********************************************************************
** Testimonial for the Week**
Hi All, An amazing thing happened yesterday that I just have to share. I observed that our mornings seemed to be emotionally-charged lately, although our food was steady, the mornings were just becoming hectic and unhappy. After breakfast yesterday I talked about this with my children (10, 9 and 7). Instead of coming down on them with a list of disappointments and consequences, I shared my observations and asked them to do the same. Then, I asked them to come up with some solutions. They had some great ideas which we implemented today. Our morning was much smoother and we talked about this at breakfast again. I thanked them for their solutions and willingness to work at this, and we all felt great. I realize that I was able to work with the children in this way because my food is steady. I am much more clear-thinking than I used to be. I am able to remove my emotions from tough situations and talk lovingly with my children to come up with solutions. As a result, the children follow my lead and keep their emotions in check, as well. When they need to cry, I wrap my arms around them and help them work through it without becoming upset myself. When I am at peace, it brings my children peace. Doing the food has brought us to a much more joyful and happy place. Well, one of the problems was the morning scramble for what to wear, (I'm sure you parents know what I mean, lol!), so my 7yo daughter suggested that we choose 5 days' worth of clothes and have the outfits ready to go. No looking for ties, belts, shoes or socks this morning! Another problem was bickering about morning chores. My 9yo son worked with my other son and daughter to divide the chores up so that there would be no questions about who was going to do what. We talked about the noise in the morning...the volume can get high if the kids are talking from upstairs to downstairs. My 10yo son recommended that we can focus better on what we need to get done in the morning if we keep the volume at a normal level by waiting to talk until you're with the person you're talking to! We didn't have any problems with getting our proteins and browns on time, or getting out of the house on time, so I did thank them for these skills as we worked on the solutions. Finally, the kids came up with a morning routine that they posted on the wall so that they don't miss anything. It goes like this: Wake up Eat a protein and brown Make bed Do chores Get dressed & brush teeth Smile, you're ready for the day! It seems like simple stuff, but allowing the kids to come up with the solutions was really empowering to them and made for a much more peaceful morning today. Being steady on the food gave me the sense of well-being and clear-thinking to guide the kids through their own solution-making process. Doing the food continues to heal and strengthen us! Amy ********************************************************************
I love posting these delicious latke recipes from Gail, they truly are delicious. Even if you don't celebrate Chanukah, these would make great browns for your meals! Traditional Latkes
Sweet Potato LatkesThese are Gail's notes, "This recipe I have played with some. They don't usually come out as crispy."
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**Your Last Diet: More Than What You Think**
YLDonline is a membership program run directly by Kathleen DesMaisons herself. If you read last week's chat, you would have learned about the 2007 secret santa stocking exchange going on in YLD. We set up a database and you can sign up to receive your very own FILLED stocking from a secret YLD Santa. When you sign up for a stocking, you also sign up to make one and send it. I had sooooo much fun this weekend going on a quest for my person. Yes, yes, I know you think YLD is just about weight loss, LOL, but it is not. It is about healing and fun and community and being totally spontaneous and goofy. The Santa plan came up serendipitously. 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.
Remember, too, that I can set up a subscription schedule for any item in the store you would like. I love, love tracking this for you. Please send questions and suggestions. I love hearing from you and truly want to help you do your program better. ********************************************************* ***********
**Our Online Groups**
A "BigOne" is a person who has 100 or more pounds to lose. The Radiantbigones list is unique in that we don't just focus on food challenges but we also share information and support for issues that non-BigOnes may not even realize are an issue in day-to-day life. The interaction on this list is great because everyone is so supportive of everyone else 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! ********************************************************************
Feature Article**
It is Not the Rules That Count Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D. Yesterday I went Christmas shopping. I went to the store that sells Dungeons and Dragons to talk with them about an introductory game to give my grandson who is 13. I expected it to be sort of gothic and scary. It wasn't at all. The guy behind the counter told me that he had started playing as a teen. He was raised in a Southern Baptist household that was very conservative. His mother had burned his books as being from Satan. Of course he still played. Then many years later, his younger brother who is 16 years younger got to be a teen and wanted to learn. His mom called him for a consult. They all played together and had a wonderful time. We decided on an introductory game for Andrew. And then he said maybe I should get the rule book as well. I noticed that there was a rule book bundled with a Dungeons and Dragons for Dummies. I thought, AHA, I could get that and then I could play with him. I thought it was a board game. The guy explained that it is really about story telling. So, off I went with my treasures in the turquoise plastic bag. Not black, and no scary symbols. When I got home, I sent an IM to Jim. Jim is the liaison for the men's list and is a grand master or something in the D&D system. I don't really know specifically but I know he goes to conventions and wins prizes. I asked him if this was an ok thing to be doing or if I would get in trouble with my daughter. He said, no, no it is wonderful. It is all about stories and characters. I said, *Oh, like imaginative play for guys?* He said, yah. I told him that I looked at the rule book and it was a little intimidating. I wasn't sure that I could learn it. But then I thought it was sort of like the program. When we start, it feels incomprehensible with all the nuances and details. But we just start with one thing and learn that. And then learn the next. The Jim said, *just remember, Kathleen , it is not the rules that are important, it is the story.* Well that just about knocked my socks off. I think that is true for the program too. In the last few weeks, we have been talking in leadership about what doing a fine program means. We had an issue when some folks were in Albuquerque at Ranch time. We went out to lunch at an Indian restaurant. I ate white rice. I didn't even think about it. I was thinking about the company. But it sort of created quite a stir. In fact, it meant that one of our leadership people resigned because of my lack of integrity. I had been thinking about this since then. Was there less integrity to act as if, was white rice really naughty since it never triggers me, I don't particularly like it, yada yada. Some folks said I needed to act *clean* around newbies. But that wasn't a newbie. The reality is I have been doing the program since 1988, coming up on 20 years. And I do eat sushi and white rice at Indian restaurants. There might even be other naughty things I do, LOL.... We have been talking, and talking about this on our leadership team list. And people have been sorting out what step 7 means, what quality program means...But I couldn't find my point of view yet. But when Jim said that...it is not the rules, it is the story....everything clicked. The story...the recovery story. What is the quality of my life? How are my relationships? What is happening with my creativity? Is my program a joy, a support, nourishing and delightful? Does the habituation support me? Do I want skill, grace and excellence? When I was at the lunch eating some white rice, I was paying such attention to the PEOPLE, how they had grown, who they were, who they were connected to, how their programs were flourishing. Stuff like that. Now, I know that this idea is a little different from what some of you have felt the PROGRAM is. But I want you to consider that THE program is not a monolithic mandate. It is a guidance for YOU to determine what works for you. It is an invitation, an invitation to discover your story, your story with food. Maybe for you white rice is bad, bad, bad. Maybe not. For me it is not. For me, Italian bread, even whole grain bread is a killer. So I don't eat it. It is danger, danger. But white rice is not at all. I know we will keep talking about this. I also know that the ability to tolerate ambiguity is one of the things that grows as we do. If the *rules* are not the issue, but the story is, it makes it way harder. Because then you have to listen to your own story and stand with it. What a wonderful challenge on the eave of my trip to the sea. It is not the rules, it is the story. ©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 |
