Hi {!firstname_fix}

The week has been a funny one, vacillating between being really chilly and being short-sleeve weather. Feels as if the air is waiting and can't quite make the shift. But I have been hearing birds in the morning, and now seeing birds sitting out on the railing of the porch in the back. I don't know what they are. I wish that Allison were here to name them.

It has been an interesting week. I spent time completely revising the budget class. I have offered it several times and never quite felt that it was the way I wanted it to be. Sometimes that happens. It is through the experience of trying it out that we learn what works best. It is always exciting to have a breakthrough.

Plans for ranch are all settled now. We still have some slots left, so come join us. A number of people are bringing families and doing a nice vacation. New Mexico is beautiful this time of year. And, as always, I will be presenting some new material. We always love that ranch kicks off our program year.

(Note from the editor): I just want to say that ranch has been the highlight of my year for the past 9 years, has been truly transformative in providing the opportunity to meet face to face with others who totally get what sugar sensitivity is about and are serious about recovery. And the experience of hearing and interacting with Kathleen in person is just awesome.

Our community is a volunteer, non-profit community, and there are many who work tirelessly all year to help support the forum and lists. I know there are some whose funds are limited and are not able to finance ranch. It's why I have been an enthusiastic supporter of the scholarship fund we have set up to help out. If any of you can join in this effort again this year, there is a link in our store, and your contribution will be greatly appreciated.- Gretel



I am cutting way back on the class schedule for a few weeks while I am getting ready and then driving back to New Mexico for Ranch and my trip home. It will be a shift to go back to mountains instead of sea and brown instead of green. While I am driving, I thought it would be better not to try to commit to classes and then not have the energy to do them.

However, I will be starting the budget class (now callled Getting Started with Limited Funds) this week because I have all the material and I am excited about it.

This class will begin Wednesday, April 16, 2008.Please click on the name of the class to take you to the registration page.

Getting Started with Limited Funds is a new curriculum to help you sort out how to do the program when your money is tight. Even if you have done this class before, come participate again. The whole structure and content is new. Love to have you join us in this free class.

I am moving the other classes we had scheduled forward a few weeks and will post a new schedule shortly.


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

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April 14, 2008
** Quote From Kathleen **


Being steady means being firm, unfaltering, unflappable and unwavering. Being steady means driving in cruise control.

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** Testimonial for the Week**


I had a thought this morning in the shower that really got my attention. I am so used to thinking that my life is just about surviving from day to day. Well this morning I realized I wanted to do more than just survive. I thought why not try and enjoy my life, to look beyond just surviving. Anyhow, it really woke me up and gave me a big smile.. hope this helps somebody else in cyberspace!

John

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**Radiant Ambassadors**




I have never ordered the cards before. I just had an idea myself. I have been selling off a lot of my old self help books on ebay and I was thinking I could add in a card in the parcel.

Maybe also leaving it as a book mark in library books, or ones I leave in the charity shop.

I love the thought that maybe even one person may get something from it.

In general conversation I have not had much success in talking about RR. I did give my old PNP and SARP to someone I know who I mentioned the programme to. I find it hard to know if someone would be interested to hear about this. I do people watch sometimes, particularly at school pick up time when we our stuck in a traffic queue. Occasionaly there is someone whose behaviour comes across as unbalanced ss. For the most part, though, I find it hard to know if people share my ss traits.

I think being further along in the programme makes a big difference. I can imagine people may 'notice' and ask questions for themselves. I know I will be more than willing to explain RR to them. (smile).

Teresa

Come join us if you are excited about spreading the news.

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**Radiant Kitchen**


These are the two recipes Diane used to make some of our feast at the Step 7 seminar we did in Maine. Simple and yummy beyond words. The lobster stew is amazing.

Cole Slaw
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1.5 teaspoons celery salt, or to taste
  • 6 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 cup grated carrots
  • 1 medium granny smith apple, grated with skin


Mix mayo, vinegar and celery salt together then add to cabbage, carrots and apple. Mix well and refrigerate several hours to let flavor develop. Stir again before serving.
JoEllen helped make the lobster stew and clam chowder.

Lobster Stew

  • 1 lb cooked lobster meat, roughly chopped.
  • 1.5 sticks of butter
  • 2 qts 1/2 and 1/2 OR 3 14oz cans evaporated milk and 1.5 cans of water (2-1)
  • salt and pepper to taste


Saute the lobster in butter until it turns orangy pink. Add milk, salt and pepper and gently heat through on low (never simmer or boil). Let cool and then refrigerate overnight, reheating gently to serve.


Radiant Recovery
Cookbook

Naomi's Nutritious and
Delicious Cookbook
Sheila's
Kitchen Recipes


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

YLDonline is a membership program run directly by Kathleen DesMaisons herself.


We have been doing some intriguing conversation over the last week. I spent some time talking with Linda. Linda has been with the program for a long time. She has had the knowing and felt great with her life and her recovery. Last fall she got hit with a diagnosis of diabetes and it mobilized her in a big way. Since then, she has not only stabilized her blood sugars to normal, but she has lost 60 pounds. I spent a long time talking with her. She is doing YLD to the letter. It has taught me a lot. The issue for weight loss for us is not the knowing, it is the doing. And what I see is that we have a solution that works, can be done and gets fantastic results. Linda and Gretel went shopping for a new coat. They went to the famous LLBean. They were in the ladies department, not the Plus Department. Linda got a new red coat. It fits her and looks fabulous.

I realized that we could do an ad and say RESULTS TYPICAL. How kewl is that!

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.
 


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**Radiant Recovery Store **

David manages the Radiant Recovery Store. He is also Kathleen's oldest son.



Olivia wrote this and I thought you would love to read it.

Can I just say how wonderful the store is?! I just placed another order last week for Restore, All-One vitamins, fish oil caps, and oatcakes. I am so excited for it to come in the mail. I love getting packages. The package always gets sent out super fast.

Slowly, over the years that I've been drifting in an out of this program, I have tried almost everything in the store and nearly everything I've tried has been fantastic. (A few things didn't work out for me: The soy milk maker turned out not to be for me. I don't like to invest time making my own of anything; just something I found out about myself. I know lots of other people love it. The subscription didn't work for me. I like having variety too much for an order to be coming once a month. I know David, who runs the store, is terrific at handling subscriptions.)

My favorites right now:



I've tried to contain myself from ordering everything at once, so that every now and then I can try something new. It's exciting for me that way.

Every once in a while I've combed all the messages on the forum and I still want my Radiant Recovery fix, so I'll go over and just peruse the store. It's like window shopping. I can think of what new thing I'll try next time.

For anyone who is afraid they can't afford this program, please don't be scared that you have to buy things at the store for it to work. I've gone long stretches on regular food from the grocery store, the free forum and lists, and a cheap notebook for a food journal. The entire program is totally do-able that way.

If you want to try something without investing a lot, I recommend the YBS journal. It's inexpensive. It lasts a couple months. It has made such a difference in my journaling. I love the little check boxes, the message from Kathleen on each page, the layout of the page. I get the one with the black cover. It's totally inconspicuous.

Ok, stepping off my soapbox now. Just had to share my enthusiasm. :)



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**


Have you been sitting on the couch a lot this winter, suffering from being inside too much, and thinking about a wee bit of movement? We would love to have you join us in exploring new ways of moving on the Movement List.

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


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**Detox from Alcohol**
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.


Be tender with yourself when you look at this. If you have a problem with alcohol, you probably have had all sorts of people who have been far from tender with you. No doubt you have been criticized, shamed, fought with, talked to, cajoled, bargained with or argued with. In fact, if someone around you criticizes your drinking, it is one of the most reliable indicators that you have a problem with alcohol. People who do not have a problem with alcohol do not evoke pain, frustration or concern about drinking in the people around them.


Take a quiet look at your alcohol use. You don't have to admit you have a problem, you don't have to surrender anything. Your own commitment and experience will guide you in this process. Honesty about your relationship to alcohol is hard because the very nature of the disease of alcoholism is denial. Do this review in the privacy of your own home or office and give yourself absolute discretion over whether you share your findings with anyone at this time. If privacy supports your honesty, embrace it. If sharing serves you better, find a trusted friend to help you ask these questions. The very best alternative is a friend in recovery.


What is very surprising is that people who do not have a problem with drinking don't feel bad about it. They don't feel guilty. We talk a lot about the "denial" of alcoholism. I believe denial is the response that emerges when the person is made to feel defensive about their behaviors. When there is no reason to be defensive, people are remarkably on target about what is going on for them. Take away the shame or the judgment and you can assess your problems pretty clearly.

"Oh, come on," you say. "Everyone does that!" Everyone doesn't do this.

People who don't have a problem with alcohol are not inclined to want more when they feel bad. Having a problem with alcohol or alcoholism is defined as "continued use of alcohol despite adverse consequences." When a non-problem drinker has an adverse consequence from drinking, she stops. She will make the connection between feeling bad and alcohol. A problem drinker doesn't see this connection.

Not making the connection is not about being stubborn or stupid or even about willful "denial." Not making the connection between drinking and feeling bad is about chemical changes in the brain that alter the parts of the brain that form judgment by making a connection between cause and effect. The parts of the brain that are responsible for saying, "Hey, this made me feel bad, I don't think I want more," don't work properly.

Not making the connection creates a vicious cycle. In the problem drinker's mind, the alcohol actually makes her feel better, so she drinks more. Her opinion is confirmed when the alcohol triggers a beta endorphin release of euphoric feelings. This reaction is why everyone drinks - the effect is nice. The sugar-sensitive person feels especially good because alcohol causes a even greater beta endorphin response in her brain. She feels far better than other people do when they drink. But the next morning, she is hung over, a feeling that comes from withdrawal. All the beta endorphin receptors that were stimulated, or primed, by yesterday's alcohol use are screaming for more.

That morning-after feeling of wanting to do anything to feel better is so easily taken care of by having a drink. So she does. Relief comes. Blessed, sweet relief. And with her "adverse consequences" switch turned off, the problem drinker's natural response is to feel that having a quick one is a reasonable and logical way to take care of bad feelings.

 

Do You Have a Problem?


So CAGE stands for:

C - CRITICIZED
A - ANNOYED
G - GUILTY
E - EYE-OPENER

Now, let's go back to each question individually.


Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
 Not a hard one. People usually know the answer to this right away. Yes or no. No cheating, or fudging. If cutting down is even a passing thought, answer this one "Yes."


Have people ever annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Okay, be honest now. Ever? Think about those times when you have held your tongue, or wanted to smack someone for making a comment about your drinking. Think of the fights you have had with your spouse about it. Answer honestly.


Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
This question is pretty straight forward.


Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning (an "eye-opener") to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

A score of ONE is a warning sign.


Remember the meaning of CAGE. Let yourself think about this for a while. One of two things will happen. You might begin working very hard to say, "Naw, I don't really feel guilty about my drinking." This is an example of denial creeping in and wrapping its deadly little body around your neck. Just pay attention. Consider whether you are getting farther away from relationship to your body and your own inner wisdom.


The other thing that might happen is you may be jostled into realizing that you do have a problem with alcohol. If you decide that you would like to stop drinking, there are a number of factors to take into consideration before you do. First, you will need to estimate how severe a withdrawal you will have based on the frequency and volume of your drinking. You will need to honestly and accurately figure out how much alcohol you consume in a week. You can do this by recording your alcohol consumption right in your food journal. Do this for a week and then take an honest look at the frequency and amount of your drinking. Calculate the number of drinks you have in a day or a week. A drink is 4 oz. of wine, one beer or 1 oz. of hard liquor. So if you have three 6 oz. glasses of wine (18 oz.), this would be the equivalent of 4.5 drinks.


Designing a Plan

After you know where you now stand, you can start to plan your detox process. Just as in your detox from sugars, you will want to determine your style for making change. You can either taper down and then stop or you can stop all at once. Most people find it much easier to go for sobriety all at once. You don't have to be making decisions about how much, when, where, with whom all of the time. You can focus on one decision only - the decision not to drink.


It will be important for you to have some sort of support as you make the change. Do not stop drinking without telling anyone what you are doing. Work with us on the recovery list. And find someone locally who has been through alcohol detox. Talk to that person. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can be a wonderful support because everyone in AA has been through this process. The only requirement for going to AA is a desire to stop drinking. You don't have to be an alcoholic. You don't have to sign up, you don't have to agree with the program, you don't have to do it any particular way. You don't even have to talk in the meeting. You can sit quietly in the back and slip out quickly any time you want.


AA can give you a lifeline to others who know about recovery. They can provide you with a road map and concrete suggestions about how to handle what you are feeling. If you go to a meeting and don't like it, don't assume that you won't like a different meeting. Some meetings are boring, some are abusive and most are profoundly supportive and life-giving.


If you are not comfortable in meetings, find at least one person to support you in your alcohol detox. Do not expect your spouse or partner, your daughter or your son to be your primary support. They are too closely involved. Find at least one person who has been there. Talk about what you are doing. Tell your story. Get books about recovery. Go to a treatment professional.


If you plan to stop drinking all at once, you must have medical supervision for your detox if any of the following are true for you:


1. If you have a history of blood pressure that is higher than 140/90.
2. If you have used more than a six pack of beer daily, more than six 4 oz. glasses of wine or more than eight ounces (half a pint) of liquor per day for over a year.
3. If you have had prior withdrawal symptoms, such as depression or agitation.
4. If you have ever had seizures for any reason, and in particular if you have had alcohol DT's.
5. If you are using any other (either illegal or prescription) drugs in combination with the alcohol. This particularly includes benzodiazipines such as Valium, Librium or Xanex.


Withdrawal from significant or long standing alcohol use can be a serious process. Keep yourself safe as you make this change. You are taking a very important and brave step. Withdrawal symptoms can include depression, insomnia, sweating, tremulousness, agitation, irritability, and brain "fog."

Withdrawal usually starts 4-6 hours after the time you usually have your alcohol. If you drink every day at 6:00 PM, you will begin to experience discomfort that evening. If you have been a heavy drinker, your doctor may prescribe short term medication which will minimize the possibility of having seizures during detox.

Making the food changes in preparation for going off of alcohol will greatly enhance the likelihood that you can achieve and maintain long term sobriety.

When you actually start your detox, increase your vitamins and increase your fruit intake the first week you stop drinking. If you feel edgy during the day, have an additional 1/2 teaspoon of the B-complex liquid. (Don't have it in the evening, though, it will keep you up.) We encourage our clients to have 2-3 bananas a day for that first week. You can add one to your power shake and then use them as a snack later in the day. Make sure you have a baked potato before you go to bed. It will help your serotonin function and will support the normalization of your sleep patterns.


The clients in my clinic cannot believe what a difference it makes to have done the food plan first. They have fewer withdrawal symptoms, very little craving and feel better than they have in years. This food plan can support the power of your commitment.






©Kathleen DesMaisons 2008.

Here are the folks who are helping put the newsletter together:

Gretel, our webmaster, puts it all together
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