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** Quote From Kathleen ** Your body will start to cooperate. It will give you information earlier, more efficiently, and more joyfully. You and your body will become partners in your recovery. **********************************************************************
** Testimonial of the Week ** A year ago, or even 6-8 months ago, this would not have been possible for me. I am DOING IT! I'm going to brag. I am planning the charity ball and it's going well! We have 110 out of 120 tickets already sold! We have 16 gifts /gift certificates donated from local business for the raffle. We have dance lessons and a special performance scheduled (donated). We just got word that our local cable TV station is going to interview and film to produce a special show about it. I've handled the decorations and incidentals, designed the flier and tickets. I've had to make loads of phone calls and deal with people and promote it. I've let the rejection go and carried on. We are working on food donations and it's going well. I've remained calm and organized. I've enjoyed it! I feel confident! People are impressed and looking forward to the event. A couple of serious issues came up (one was a donor tried to "hijack" the event by redesigning our flier, promote it under their business name and make it appear it was THEIR event) but I dealt with it diplomatically. (I wrote a scathing email, DID NOT send it, stepped back and thought it through.. IMPULSE CONTROL!!) I KNOW if not for RR I would have been disorganized, moody, scared, scattered.... No, that's not true... if not for RR there's no way doing this would have even been an option. If you remember me when I first arrived at RR a couple of years ago, I was too panicked and anxious to even go to the corner grocery store! The event is in 10 days... I'll keep you posted! I can't believe this is me!! I knew I was talented ...it's just that now I believe in myself and I'm not afraid to shine! mimssa **********************************************************************
** Radiant Ambassadors ** Just a quick update - the Are You A Sugar Junkie video that Kathleen put on YouTube has now been watched nearly 800 times! This is amazing! Just think how many people this could point in the direction of Radiant Recovery :) If you haven't seen it yet, here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CFIlFkJQNQ Selena Come join us if you are excited about spreading the news. **********************************************************************
** Radiant Kitchen ** Simone's Potato Salad Steam or boil potatoes, and cut them up while they're still hot - and straight away pour some vegetable stock over them (not too much, just treat it like a dressing). Then add finely chopped onions, a bit of vegetable oil, some vinegar and some pepper. Leave to stand until it's cooled down - tastes best after a few hours of refrigeration! This is a great alternative to the heavier way of doing potato salad. For more great program-friendly recipes, check out these great cookbooks in the store.
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** Your Last Diet - More Than What You Think ** People keep asking me if they should wait to join YLD. *Should I wait till I am ready to start losing weight, Kathleen?* And I say, *No, no, come now.* It is ironic that the weight-loss place is the most vibrant center for healing you can imagine. It is so much more than what we weigh. It is about asking questions, looking at healing, shifting addiction, making space for healing to come. If you want to be a part of this conversation, do come join us. If you are not a YLD member, come and join us. Click here if you are ready to change your life or just have some plain ol' fun! **********************************************************************
** Radiant Recovery® Store ** David manages the Radiant Recovery® Store. He is also Kathleen's oldest son. We carry Cetyl M products for people, dogs and horses. It is really fabulous. Here is Karen talking about it for her horse, Apache. I'm a huge believer in the Cetyl M stuff now. Apache (my horse) has been on the equine version since the vet told me he was lame on 3 legs and the reason he was so bad tempered was most likely arthritic pain. He was so awful to live with at that point I was considering what to do next. The vet said that, in his opinion, the pain was not so bad we should put the horse down, so I was left with a bad tempered horse that could not be ridden and that I hardly handled. Kathleen got me to try the Cetyl M - and - drum roll - Apache's character has returned to normal. (Grin - he'll always be full of himself and his opinions, but at least he is funny with it now and open to negotiation when our opinions differ) and the vet has suggested he looks sound enough to work (i.e. not lame). So, I'm waiting for the ground to dry out enough here in England for me to start lunging him to see if he stays sound. If he does, I will progress to riding him and see what happens from there. It's also been a good lesson in recovery for me. He was awful to live with when he hurt, now he is just fine again. Karen 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! **********************************************************************
** No More Drinking ** 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.
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 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.
A score of ONE is a warning sign.
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. 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.
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