 Hi {!firstname_fix} The air is changing. People are talking about different things - crock pots, warm meals, soups, stews. I think it must be fall. I love this time of year. I love the stillness in the mornings. Like a deep sigh. Harvest and then rest. It can be a time of our doing the same. Gathering in our work over the past months, and just collecting ourselves in readiness for winter. A nice time to enjoy being outside, being with people you care about and just having a good time. These classes will begin Wednesday, September 24, 2008. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page: Using Radiant Resources (1 week) 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. Brain Chemistry: Beta Endorphin (2 weeks) 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! The Addiction Amoeba (2 weeks) is a way to take a look at some of the other issues that come up after you are detoxed. This a fun and joyful way to take the shame off and see how all these things are connected. This is an advanced class for step 6 and 7 people. These classes will begin Wednesday, October 1, 2008. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page: Weight Loss Readiness (2 weeks) is the getting started class for YLD members. We are really excited to do this new format. Come learn how Phase One of your program sets the foundation for your entire weight loss plan. Money: Time for a New Frontier (2 weeks) is a special class for people on step 7. Come and learn how to look at the hidden area that can be scary. This is a loving and rigorous exploration about ideas and patterns with money. If you are on disability or low income (your household income is less that $1000 a month), you may take classes for free if you get certified. I have put the guidelines for certification on the class schedule page. 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 **********************************************************************
September 22, 2008 ** Quote From Kathleen **
Doing the food will balance you, and you will know exactly what to do to heal yourself. *********************************************************************
** Testimonial for the Week**
I read Potatoes Not Prozac over 5 years ago. I quit drinking (4 to 6 times per week every single week) cold turkey over 10 years ago. For 5 years I tried to do the program MY WAY. I'd try to do all the steps all at once. I failed each and every time. Here's why: This program is MUCH more than mechanically doing the steps. This is about committing to a step by step process, and taking control of your RECOVERY. You see, while I was quitting sugar, I was not recovering from the behaviour that was causing me to always go back to it. About 5 weeks ago, I went onto the men's board and informed them I had quit sugar again, and it was because I knew better than Kathleen, which is pretty well what a lot of others have said as well (perhaps even including yourself). Well...let me tell ya...that's the same thing as going to a coach as a rookie college football player that just became a part of a championship team, and walking up to the coach and telling him you know better than he does (even though he has 20 years experience...pioneered football...and has a championship team). Kathleen has a PHD...has pioneered this field...and has a 92% success rate in her alcohol rehab centers because when people go to her, they don't quit drinking alcohol in her facility until step 6. Take it from someone that took 5 years. It was 5 years of misery. Buy the 2007 Ranch cd's and discover the SPIRIT of the program, which is MUCH MORE than simply going through the mechanical aspects of the steps. I now am experiencing true recovery, and I have to say it's GREAT. OK...off my soap box. That was 5 years of pent-up emotions. (smile) By the way, I believe one of the main reasons it's hard to succeed by simply quitting is you're not healing the bio chemical processes that gets your chemicals in balance...which in turn helps you control the impulsiveness...which helps you do the steps. JUST DO THE FOOD. (smile) Michael ********************************************************************
**Radiant Ambassadors** When Jaki joined the Radiant Ambassadors list she had an idea. 'Why don’t you add the symptoms of sugar sensitivity to the Radiant Recovery business cards?' she asked. Well, why not indeed! We had fun trying to decide what symptoms to include. There are just so many to choose from! The cards have now been produced and are available free from the store. So if you are thinking of putting an order in soon why not add a few RR cards to your order - you never know when they will come in handy. I’ve given some out on a train, placed some on notice boards and they are really useful when you want to give a flavor of what Radiant Recovery is all about. If you’re excited about spreading the word, come join us on the Ambassadors list - we’d love to have you! ********************************************************************
**Radiant Kitchen**
Iced cream! So I figured out a way to make some very yummy sugar free iced cream recently. I bought a Cuisinart iced cream maker this summer--it's a newer type that doesn't require salt or hand cranking or anything. Basically you just freeze the inner bowl overnight, add your ingredients and turn it on for about 20 minutes. I've made two types now, coconut blueberry and coconut peach. The recipe is pretty simple, take a cup or two of fruit, cook it down, add vanilla flavoring or a vanilla bean, puree it in the blender and put in the fridge to chill. When ready to make the iced cream, add two cans of coconut milk and the fruit :). It lasts a very long time since it's so rich. My hubby who's not on the program enjoys it. The iced cream does get hard after being in the freezer for awhile, so I sometimes leave it out while having dinner so it's softer when I want to eat it. Really, it's best freshly made, but edible after, too. I may try some fall flavors now that the weather is changing, like cinnamon apple :). Heather
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**Your Last Diet: More Than What You Think**
YLDonline is a membership program run directly by Kathleen DesMaisons herself. I have been talking about cumulative increments and habituation in the weight loss in action class. Here is a wonderful comment from Joy that caught the heart of it. Oh, yes, this resonates with me so strongly. What strikes me about my responses to these lessons, and to my plan in particular, is that I'm not in a hurry. When I said I was passionate about weight loss, I really meant it. I am indeed passionate about weight loss. I want it and I'm ready and willing to do what it takes to accomplish my goals, but I don't feel rushed or desperate for it. Something in me knows now that it will take time and baby steps and trusts that I will take those steps as I am ready for them. This class has provided the outline... I can see it clearly and I know what to do. You nailed it for me with the word "cumulative" --- this is exactly it. What my program has done for me is slow things way down and create an atmosphere that will allow for sustainable change stretched out over a long period of time. 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.
I am happy to report that we have our new ambassador cards in. Kathleen revised the back with new text to share what the program is. They are ideal for those times when you want to leave something with someone. Add them to any order and we will send them for free. 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 Karen the liaison for the RadiantStep3 group. Like the name says, this group is all about our very favorite Step 3. This was a tough step for me when I started the programme and it was definitely the hardest! I either forgot to eat meals, ate the most inappropriate sugar-laden stuff or just grazed my way through the day. It took me ages to master this step, but now I happily eat three meals a day. It's easy and very natural and I never dreamed I would ever say that in my lifetime! The Step 3 list is a great place to stop by for those who are finding this a challenging step, or who are starting out or who would just like some extra support. We talk a lot about things like: What is a meal, exactly? How do I get my body to cooperate with eating "just" three meals a day? What are some tips to help me with consistent timing? And all sorts of other aspects of this step. We try to make it fun, because... well why not make it fun?? Since being the liaison for this list, I've been thrilled to see so many people come through and "graduate" to the next steps! It's a great place of support... come and join us! (And it matters not if you are new to the step, totally re-doing the step or just shoring up your Step 3 after being further along in the program.) ********************************************************************
**Halloween Ideas**
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D. I had an outrageous idea. Why not actually plan for Halloween this year. We have compiled some really fun information in our archives. I thought I would pull it togther for you. Print this out, talk with your kids or friends and think about what fun things you can do. DEALING WITH CANDYWe sort of do a buy back - first, we only trick or treat in our small neighborhood and in the downtown (business) trick or treat. The candy from the downtown trick or treat we walk right over to the police station or fire station and donate to them - they like to have it to hand out to kids during their calls and such. The other candy we allow them to have 1 or 2 pieces on Halloween and keep 1 piece for each day of the following week (for most people this would probably be too much - but has been ok with my kids if they eat it with their meal). The rest gets left in the container they trick or treated in and at night the Halloween Witch comes and takes their candy (donates it to the "clubhouse"/real estate office at the front of our subdivision where they set it out for people who come in to look at houses) and leaves them an irresistible (but not real expensive) toy - like an action figure or something. They love the toy so much that they don't fuss about the candy. Another great idea I heard and want to try once my kids get older is to not even trick or treat - but have instead a pumpkin carving party in the afternoon (or a fall harvest party). Marnie ***************************** Last year was the first year I tried any "buy back" program...it worked! My kids were 4 and 5, now they are 5 and 6. They weren't expecting me to do it last year. Ahead of time, I had purchased each of them a gift. On Halloween night, after they trick or treated and after everyone had trick or treated at our house, I pulled out the toys to show them. Their eyes lit up! I told them they could have the toy if they traded in their candy (they got to keep two pieces). They eagerly made the trade! :-) The candy went in the trash (after my DH rummaged through it! LOL). Not sure what I'll offer them this year, but now they are expecting it, and I think it will be another easy trade for them. HTH, Jennifer M. ******************************* I went to Sam's Club last night looking for individual popcorn servings to hand out at Halloween. They were sold out. Instead, my DH and I found these really cool looking Halloween bags of pretzels! They come in a big plastic jar; each jar has 60 bags of pretzels. The bags are orange and black, and the pretzels are shaped like bats and ..... hmmmm....something else, I can't remember! Anyway, I just thought I'd pass along the tip. I was practically dancing out of the store. Not only is it not sugar; it looks "normal" and "festive" and NOT weird! :-) Cheers, Jennifer M. ***************************** For Halloween this year we gave out whistles from Oriental Trading Company. We get about 250 kids. I'm happy to report that it went over very well. We got positive feedback and you could hear the happy sounds of whistles down the streets after children left our house. We even had a few children come back asking for another whistle, saying they dropped theirs. I do recall in past years of serving sugar how some children would greedily grab a handful, but I don't ever recall a child coming back for another piece of candy because our treats were that worthy! Michele ********************************* I gave out non-sugar treats as well - balloons, fancy pencils, Halloween rings, cute hair ties, stickers, plastic bats, rats & spiders, etc... I was surprised that almost nobody even commented. They did say thanks and some of them looked excited. They had fun picking through to see what they wanted. I'll definitely do it again next year - I didn't eat a single Halloween "treat" and was not even tempted by my kids' stuff. This is the first Halloween ever without sugar, for me. I feel so much better than I normally would. I'd normally have eaten probably over a dozen Halloween treats tonight, not to mention eating them in the days before and after Halloween!! Carol Ann ******************************** Well, our first Halloween party is over and it was a blast. I was almost sad at first that we would not be going out trick or treating, but now I am not. The kids had so much fun and sugar was not missed one bit. I made a lot of good food, BBQ chicken, sweet potato muffins, "severed finger" cookies, deviled eggs, no sugar pumpkin pie with cream, chips, salsa veggies, etc... We had some games to play, but the kids mostly did their own thing. My favorite part was setting up a station in the garage with scary music and I took one kid in at a time blindfolded and introduced them to my friend "Corpus McCool" who was, dearly departed and unfortunately falling to pieces. Then I placed their hands in several bowls of foods which were "body parts". My favorite part being the over cooked cauliflower head for his brain, lol! the kids loved it. Even a few of the adults! Anyway, a Halloween without sugar! I gave out those popcorn bags people had talked about to trick or treaters, what fun. And even though the clock says 9pm my body knows it's 10 and i"m off to bed. Hope you all had a great holiday! Heather GAMESWe went to a friend's house for Halloween and had a great time. We sang, ate, and visited. Kendra was Zorro, and Darcie was a Fire Fairy...costumes were home -made by Kendra, and were very well done. The other kids also dressed up, and they had great fun playing.The girls noticed that crackers and cheese were being handed out...and they thought that was great. Colette Find Halloween games on the web...just Google Halloween games. Here are some ideas to get you started: from Cindy First off, we had a prize bucket, with little goodie bags filled with little toys (notepads, pencils, spider rings, tattoos, stickers, rubber snakes, puzzles, etc. from party supply store)
FOODSFind Halloween food recipes on the web...just Google Halloween recipes. Here are some ideas to get you started: Blood Soup: Roast 5 medium beets in tin foil in 400 degree oven for 1 ½ hours. When cool, peel and chop. Sauté 2 chopped onions in olive oil until translucent, then add 3 sliced fennel bulbs and 1/4 cup vegetable/chicken broth and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 3 more cups broth and the beets and simmer 20 minutes more. Then puree in blender and serve with a dollop of sour cream. Fantastic color!! Pumpkin Sauce for Pasta: Sauté 2 chopped onions and 2 chopped orange peppers in olive oil until soft. Add 1 1/2 cup canned pumpkin and 1 cup chicken/vegetable broth. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Thicken with cream, or for a reduced-fat version, thicken with arrowroot and nonfat powdered milk (I did the latter and it was great). Serve over WW or brown rice pasta. Pumpkin Chili: Follow your favorite recipe for chili, but add one or two cups of canned pumpkin. Orange Dip: Cook 1 cup orange lentils in chicken/vegetable broth until done. Puree with 16 oz cream cheese, several cloves minced garlic, salt and pepper, and curry powder to taste. Chips for Dipping: We took WW lavash bread from the Middle Eastern market (could use WW tortillas too) and cut into Halloween shapes with cookie cutters. Then we brushed with butter (red and yellow food coloring added) and put on a lightly oil sprayed cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 5 minutes, or until crisp. This takes a long time, but gives you a good use for those cookie cutters that you might not be using as much anymore!! My 7yo made about 50 of them before she got bored with it and then I made a few more. Pumpkin Bagel Faces: We also served halved mini WW bagels that we topped beforehand with cream cheese with red and yellow food coloring mixed in to make orange. Put on a platter along with pepperoni halves, sliced black and green olives, shredded carrots, raisins, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced mozzarella cut into triangles. The kids made pumpkin faces on the bagels. Very cute. Spider-wiches: Spread peanut butter on rounds of bread (we used pumpernickel for the color, but it wasn't whole grain unfortunately) or on round crackers. Stick pretzel sticks or chow mein noodles out to make legs, then top with another round. Top with two dots of peanut butter and either tiny red pepper bits or raisins for eyes. Bloodshot Eyes: Hard-boil some eggs (undercooked slightly is easier to manage). Cut them in half lengthwise and put the yolks in a bowl. Smash up the yolks with a fork and add some mayo, mustard and a little milk to get a spreadable consistency. Curry can be added here too. Then spoon into the egg white halves. Top with half a green olive with pimento showing. Finally, take a pointy knife, touch the knife into red food coloring (just a tiny dot goes a long way) and make small slits into the egg white, raying out from the yolk part. Looks very cool, always a hit at our Halloween party! Finally, we also put out nuts, olives, carrots, pumpkin seeds (bought from Middle Eastern store, I highly recommend these if you have a store near you...not as salty as the mass produced kind, and not as hard to make as from the pumpkin) ©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 Geraint Smith |
