Hi {!firstname_fix}

So, I completed my time in Maine. What a miracle that was. I thought I was going to write a book. That is well on its way, but Grace had other ideas, LOL. I got to have my entire brain and life turned around. Now I am back with my mountain and the quiet of the birds with time to piece together all that happened.

I went to breakfast at Flying Star early in the morning with Ronan as part of his training. Well, LOL, really I went because I love having special breakfast on the patio and being able to take a dog. But it was morning NM light and the trees are still that early green. I just sat, enjoyed the omelet and thought about what I *get to* do in the next few weeks.

I am waiting to take care of encumberance, clear my stuff, take care of my weight, replant my yard, maybe create a dog sanctuary, heh heh...Maine pushed me about simplicity. I thought the story was about the sea, but it was really about me. So here I am with the lessons written down. Now, for the practice.


These classes will begin Wednesday, May 21, 2008. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page:

Creating Restful Sleep (2 weeks) is a special class we designed for those of you who have trouble sleeping. Come learn some fun science to help you make sense of what it happening and how to heal it.

New Science (2 weeks) is a class to learn about new science affecting sugar sensitivity, sugar addiction and other issues affecting us. I was over looking at what is being published and got really excited. I thought you would love to hear some of the lab stuff that is happening. I figure if it excites me, it is going to excite you


This classes will begin Wednesday, May 28, 2008. I have moved the Diabetes and Obesity Myth classs forward a week so you can finish the science class. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page:

Using Radiant Resources 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.


These classes will begin Wednesday, June 4, 2008. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page:

Diabetes (2 weeks) is the class we do every so often for those of you who have diabetes as part of your story. If you want to learn how daibetes and sugar sensitivity go hand in hand, this is the class for you. This class will teach you about the numbers and the solution. We will have our community experts as teaching assistants so this is a wonderful opportunity to learn skills ideally suited for your recovery.

Obesity Myth (2 weeks) is the famous class that blasted our myths about being fat from the water. If your doctor, husband, girlfriend is on your case, come join us. If you are shamed about being fat, come. If you feel that being fat is wrecking your health, come. get the real scoop and then move forward knowing what to do. This class is ALWAYS fun.


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

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May 19, 2008
** Quote From Kathleen **


Work to know what you eat and why you eat what you do.

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** Testimonial for the Week**


Looks like we're going to get some sunshine and warmth later this week and already I've been getting little hits of sunlight. I love how much light we have now, even on a gray day, and everything is looking so green.

Up until yesterday I've been operating at a very basic level. I think I was worn out physically and mentally from Ranch even though emotionally and spiritually I'm all filled up. I'm processing so much. I've also been fighting a nasty cold. This morning was the first morning that my head hasn't ached and I've been reflecting on how that emotional fullness makes everything easier. Taking it easy all last week meant that I woke to a messy house and not much food left in the kitchen. In the past I'd have done very little and been so cranky. This morning I read the newsletter and Janice's question, what if it doesn't have to be hard, was bouncing around in my brain. Today just wasn't hard.

I walked the girls to school and enjoyed the fresh air and time with them and my neighbor. When I got home I put on my headphones and listened to the Safe Place CD while I did the dishes. I'm trying to move to a place where I do meditation each day. Prior to Ranch this was one of my "hard" things and instead I'm creating space and time for that. My first baby step is to just listen to the CD each day - even while doing something else. I love how I can feel the calm in my heart when I listen to the CD. All morning I alternated cleaning and resting.

After lunch, I ran to the store to get a few things and got dinner going - beef stew in the crock pot and bread in the bread machine. Then, I spent the afternoon resting until school was out as Mondays are now a run around day with Alex in track and field and Laura in dance. I don't like the running around, but it was nice to know that I was coming home to a yummy dinner and the house in better shape. After dinner, my head was hurting so I've been resting.

I've been pondering what this emotion is that has been running underneath everything else all day. I have lots of days like this, but this one just felt different. It is more than contentment. Then, I looked at the blessing ring I chose randomly at a baby shower over the weekend. It says "joy" and that is where I am. Joy for the light and the coming sunshine, joy for my home, joy for finding things easy, joy for my appliances, joy for good food, joy for my girls' activities, joy for my lovely new soft green sheers that make my bedroom so peaceful and inviting, joy for the ability to rest when needed - joy.

I wish you much joy in the coming week,
Emily

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**Radiant Ambassadors**


Ambassadors is working on a redesign of the official Radiant Recovery hand out card. If you would like to come join us and give your input, we would love to have you.

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

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**Radiant Kitchen**


Blueberry Breakfast Custard

The dry milk increases nutrition in this dish without adding fats. A good get-well idea for a person who is on the mend.

Ingredients:
  • 3 cups milk (I used oat milk)
  • 3/4 cup nonfat dry milk or George's® Restore
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (I used same amount of real vanilla)
  • dash of ground nutmeg


Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees fahrenheit.
  2. Preheat oven to 350° fahrenheit.
  3. In a saucepan, combine milk and dry milk. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly to dissolve dry milk.
  4. In a small bowl, beat eggs lightly. Add vanilla and a dash of freshly ground nutmeg and then stir into heated milk very slowly (don't want to cook the eggs).
  5. Put 5 frozen (or fresh) blueberries in the bottom of buttered custard cups.
  6. Pour into cups, sprinkle with a little more nutmeg and place in a shallow pan of hot water.
  7. Bake for 40 minutes.


4 to 6 servings


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.


Whenever I read the title of this section, I smile. It is way more than you think.

An awful lot of people are losing weight these days. It becomes so functional. I will get a 3-page report on how they are doing and then in the last paragraph, oh by the way, I have lost 40 pounds. It is an afterthought. All those years and years of fretting just slip away...they just do the plan, and lose the weight.

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.





All rightie, the oatcakes are a hit! We have plenty of rough cut in stock. They are great to carry with you when you are running around or visiting. And they are packed in individual packets of 5 cakes inside the box.
And.....drum roll....We have Naomi’s book. We are so excited. Go check out her website.

And see this great review at aish.com




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**


I thought you all might like to know how applying to the Step 6 list works. When you apply, you get an automated letter asking you to email the liaison (me) and let me know how your first five steps are going. So, anyone thinking about step 6 should also be thinking steadysteadysteady on one through five--and then looking for that letter :) Um, also making sure your Yahoo email address is current LOL.

If, when you write me, you say don't have a journal or step three or something in place, I'll probably send you to that step list to get that sorted out. Detox is sooooo much easier with a steady foundation in place. Why make it hard when it can be easy?

If I don't hear from you, I will write and ask, but I give you a week or so to notice the request and respond on your own. If I'm not sure I recognize your name, I may also ask where you've been connected in the community. Sometimes brand-new people are enthusiastic and reeeeally want to be on step six, but spending a little time on the other lists makes a big difference in how settled they are.

The step six list is absolutely wonderful--not because of me, but because the step six magic is amazing. As a group, we can help problem-solve the actual detox, if that's what people need. We also talk about grieving our sugary drug and life without it. We talk about how to figure out which coverts and fruits are okay and which send us over the edge. And we offer support through the flat, jangly, or just-plain-weird period after detox. After a few months to a year of staying steady, a lovely calm settles over people. Magic! I never get tired of witnessing it.

So, if you are ready to begin this process, please join us.

Jeannie

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


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**Focus on the Food**
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.


Kath sent this note to one of our lists this week:
This is a warning to all you people who currently have the kitchen available to make your own breakfast in a timely fashion. If you get your children making their own breakfasts, you might have to be even more diligent about watching your breakfast is within an hour because the kitchen can become busy with kids becoming self sufficient!

I have 4 teens. They all do the food. They are all independant breakfast getters, making and eating their own when they wake, getting themselves packed, lunch planned and made, all in the backsack, and off to school whether they are starting early with concert band or choir, taking an excursion, or a normal day.

And when I come in from work, at about 5pm I am likely to be sat down, while they make something for me to eat, before I am allowed to make dinner!

What a wonderful life

 Kath
This post really stopped me cold. I remember these kids from a while ago. They were all on ADD meds and the household was more like what we tend to think of as a house full of teenagers. We have a picture of what adolescence has to be. But what if that image is not about adolescence, but about the food.

Think about it. Mood swings, outbursts of anger, power struggles, bickering, slamming doors, pouting, self esteem in the gutter, grandiosity overflowing, whining, crying, feeling ugly, fat, out of control, testing limits, being belligerent, having a smart mouth, not wanting to do school work, only wanting to do school work. We think self absorption and angst. And yet listen to what Kath is reporting.

Now that did not happen in a week or a month....but that energy gives me shivers. That energy is the dream of every one of us who has children. You may think it is a dream that is beyond you. Kath is a regular person. She started the program with the same stuff going on that you have in your life. And she just did the food. And she did the food with her family. They didn’t buy in in the beginning, they didn’t agree or like it. So Kath worked on herself...and took small steps.

When I started off with this food stuff, I thought it was about healing sugar addiction. I had no understanding of the depth of what we were learning. Our community has taught me that the healing that the food brings is way beyond healing sugar addiction. It literally rewires brains and changes relationships. And as those happen, it streams all around and everywhere. I don’t talk about that part much. Who would ever believe me?

I am going to put together the stories. I know that many of you are connected on the lists, the forum and in the classes and you hear these changes. But many of you are not. And you may not know, or you may forget or may not believe the power of what we are doing.

Focus on the food. Your life will change!



©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