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I am more settled now. The dogs and I have a routine. I went up to explore Portland this week. What a lovely city that is. I was amazed at how charming it is. I walked around down by the waterfront, over cobblestones and the dregs of dirty snow. But it was a warm, sunny day and everyone was cheery. It is a warm and vital little city. My beach is covered with driftwood. Gifts of the sea. In the morning, the sun comes up right behind my computer. Sometimes it strikes brilliant light in. Sometimes the grey only gets lighter. But the changing sea touches the deepest part of who I am. Tonight was clear. I could see thousands of stars. Water means no houses and no lights except one lighthouse off in the distance. That was an amazing view as well. I am glad I came. My writing is going well. I feel the creative energy flowing with the peace and the softness. Even today when it was foggy, rainy, cold and dark, I just felt alive with the words. This is a different kind of recovery story. I feel as if I am living it and then the words simply be it. I am having fun with the classes too. I think perhaps because life has gotten so simple that I can be present with a different kind of priority. These classes will begin the week of January 16, 2008. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page: 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. Step 3: Three Meals is one of our core classes. This is a skilled based class. If you want to learn the baby steps of a successful step 3, come join us. This class is ALWAYS fun. 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. These classes will begin the week of January 23, 2008. 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 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. 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 **********************************************************************
Janyuary 14, 2007 ** Quote From Kathleen **
Your journal gives your body a voice. And I guarantee your body loves that. Make sure to listen. *********************************************************************
** Testimonial for the Week**
I understand feelings about committment to OA but the fear of slipping back to old eating patterns. I, too, was part of OA for 10 years. The longest I was ever sugar free was 1 1/2 years. During the start to finish of OA I gained 40 lbs. I was already very heavy when I started. Yes, I lost weight in OA, but I never kept it off, and I was usually white knuckling it. This is the biggest and greatest gift of this program. When you are doing the steps here, you are not white knuckling. I truly understand what changing the biochemistry of my body has felt like. After 6 months of detoxing from sugar and diet coke, I felt what they here describe as "radiance". This was something I never experienced in OA. I remember sitting on my couch and just thinking to myself "I just feel so damn good- it's unbelieveable." All this while 135 overweight according to charts! I remember going to my Dr. for my annual, and she told me my numbers were never better and me telling her that I feel so good I have to pinch myself! I would take Kathleen's advice and use this food plan along with OA. I think you will having a winning combination. Brenda ********************************************************************
One of my all time favourites came from the Delia books. Just chop up any root veggies you fancy - parsnip, carrot, potato, onion, courgette, celery, etc. into two bite size - roll in olive oil and some chopped up rosemary and roast in a hot oven for about 30 mins. I sometimes add whole garlic segments, no need to skin them as you can just snip off the top and 'pop' them out of their jackets when they are cooked and soft. I've tried the other veggies as well but my favourite remains a carrot/parnsip/potato/garlic combination. I hadn't realized you can eat sugar snap peas raw with a dip before - they are a new standby for travelling when I am desperate for a green. Jacqueline. ********************************************************************
**Radiant Ambassadors**
By popular demand, we are starting a new column this week called Radiant Ambassadors. A number of you have asked me what can you do to publicize the new book. I thought it would be fun to share the things that are being talked about on the Ambassador list. If you decide you would like to be a part of spreading the word, come join us. Here is the letter that Joy sent to the Brooklyn Public Library. Check your library and make sure they have the new edition. Find out the name of the person who does the purchasing and write to her/him directly. I was recently in one of the BPL branches looking for copies of Dr. Kathleen DesMaisons’ books on Sugar Sensitivity and was surprised to find that there are none in circulation anywhere in the Brooklyn Public Library system. Her books include "Potatoes not Prozac," the second edition of which was recently released on January 1st, "The Sugar Addict's Total Recovery Program," and "Your Last Diet! The Sugar Addict's Weight Loss Plan" as well as "Little Sugar Addicts," a book for parents and children who struggle with Sugar Sensitivity. I own the books but frequently loan them out, and so I was looking for them for reference in the library when I found that they were not available. When I discovered these books several years ago, the information shared within their pages literally saved my life, and because I have had such an amazing experience with utilizing this valuable information, I feel it is a shame that they are not currently available in the BPL system for those who need them. One other thing I feel is important to mention is that I have found Ms. DesMaisons to be a unique kind of author... not simply interested in the sales of her books but in getting the information she has to offer to those who need it. I know this because in addition to the publication of her books, she has created a thriving, no-cost web community of people who want to heal their bodies from Sugar Sensitivity. As new people come into the community, there are often people who cannot afford to purchase the books. Ms. DesMaisons sends them to the library. :-) I hope they will be able to find what they're looking for at BPL in the near future. Please forward this request on to the appropriate department and consider putting these books into circulation at BPL. I have no doubt that doing so will educate more people about their bodies and enrich their lives. Many thanks for your time and consideration and all the work you do to help keep BPL running smoothly. - Joy Smith, BPL Patron ********************************************************************
**Your Last Diet: More Than What You Think**
YLDonline is a membership program run directly by Kathleen DesMaisons herself. I got some feedback that our YLD promo materials do not give the real picture of what the program offers. You were right on that. So I am working, working on that. We are talking and talking. How do we capture spirit? Last week's article was part of that reflection. I am not done yet. But stay tuned. We KNOW that chat is a highlight. And we have started to follow up on the chats with conversations on the YLD list. Man, is that exciting. Here is Emily sharing: I love chat. I try to go to the regular Wed. night chat as well as Eurochat and sometimes I pop into the newbie chat too. There is something almost magical about chat. It means that each week I commit, check in, connect. And I receive energy, information, ideas, support, and caring. Even if I just sit quietly and read, there is a different energy being present and doing it live as opposed to just reading the transcripts (although they are wonderful for when I can’t make it). I feel like chat gives us an extra leg up in doing the program. Emily 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. We keep getting rave reviews for George's® Restore...I love this one from Kirsten in England.
And if you haven't read the new breakfast page for Shake ideas, go check it out... Please send questions and suggestions. I love hearing from you and truly want to help you do your program better. ********************************************************* ***********
**Our Online Groups**
Hey guys, my name is Jim, and I'm the liaison for the Radiant Men group. I'd like to invite you to join the list. It's a great place to learn about the steps, and we focus on issues that are unique to doing the program as males. We also like to have some fun. Stop on by! ********************************************************************
**Feature Article**
Step One for Men Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D. We have been working on a quick and easy manual for guys. Jim and I have been laughing at the fact that the guys come in and simply want to know what to do. It is very functional. They want the plan and they want to do it. Those of you who have been around for a long time know this is not how most of the women approach doing the program. Usually we spend a lot of time in support and talking about getting ready, and then talking about taking the first steps and then planning how to do the first steps and then introducing them a l ittle at a time. Several people have told me they would actually like to just get on with it (smile). So I thought it would be fun to give you the step one directions we wrote for the guys list. Here it is. Tell me what you think? Kathleen STEP ONE: BREAKFAST Here are the four parts of it....
Other people like the convenience of making a power shake in the morning. If you want more information on this idea, go to our breakfast page at http://www.radiantrecovery.com/newbreakfast.htm Join the breakfast list. They can help you sort out what to eat and how much you will need. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/radiantbreakfast/join Post, talk, engage. And write here on the men's list every day. I want you to do this for one week and report on each day here. What are you having for your breakfast? How hard it is to do it? How you feel? Having breakfast should make you feel better within a few days. ©Kathleen DesMaisons 2008. Here are the folks who are helping put the newsletter together: Gretel, our 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. ©2008 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 |
