July 27, 2009


Hi {!firstname_fix}

I have had so many inquires about how Mr. Will is doing, I thought I would take just a moment to comment. We have found out that he has severe anemia and a number of other symptoms that suggested he might have a tick disease. Thankfully, he doesn't, so we are just going down the diagnostic tree. I am wondering if he is anemic just because he was so infested with ticks. But no matter what, he is walking around now and smiling. Gaining strength. I will be adding new pictures as he improves. Come look.Your donations are helping give him the care to help him get better. Thank you so much!!

I woke up one morning and felt the air was different. We have shifted to looking towards fall rather than summer. It is amazing to me to feel that level of change. But I know it is real. Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the *gathering* time.

This week I will be heading out to New England to spend time with my family. And yes, that will include some time in Maine on Vinalhaven. I will have to eat some lobster of course.

These classes will begin Wednesday, July 29, 2009. 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 (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.

Radiant Step 3 (2 weeks) is one of our core classes. This is a skill-based class. If you want to learn the baby steps of a successful step 3, come join us. This class is ALWAYS fun.

These classes will begin Wednesday, August 5, 2009. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page:

Radiant Store Tour (1 week) is a free guided tour of the store. David will be leading this class so if you want to get to know the guy that makes it all work, come sign up so you can show your support for the work he does to keep you happy.

Radiant Step 2 - Introduction (1 week) 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.

Radiant Step 5 (1 week) is one of our favorites. Learn the art of whole grains. Get lots of information that you won't find anywhere else. I picked the brains of one of the world's leading *brown* experts for this class.

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 new class schedule is now up online. 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. 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.

Be sure to visit our Radiant Recovery website and Community Forum regularly.

Warmly,
Kathleen

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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.

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** 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


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** 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.


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** 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.



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 **


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!


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** Radiant Recovery® Store **

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



For People

For Horses

For Dogs


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.


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** 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!

Or come to the group page to find the one that will best support your program: http://www.radiantrecovery.com/list_serves.htm


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** 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.


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.


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.


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." In fact, go to the sidebar which lists the withdrawal symptoms for nicotine. You may experience may of these same things since alcohol and nicotine do share some neurochemical pathways.

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.





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

Gretel, our webmaster, puts it all together.
David runs the Radiant Recovery® Store.
Selena provides the weekly Ambassadors column.
The banner photograph is by Patti Holden.


©2009 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, use this attribution: "By Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D. of Radiant Recovery®", and notify kathleen@radiantrecovery.com of the location. Please visit the Radiant Recovery® website at http://www.radiantrecovery.com for additional resources on sugar sensitivity and healing addiction.

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.