December 7, 2009

Hi {!firstname_fix}

Well, we have just finished the first seminar geared specifically for people in recovery from alcoholism. It was fabulous. I will be writing more about it after I have a chance to catch my breath and assimilate the powerful stuff that was shared.

And speaking of seminars and such..I did want to remind you about our early bird registration for Radiant Ranch. If you register now, you will get the reduced rate. And registering early will let you sign up for the special airfare watchers like airfarewatchdog.com that can let you know when the fares drop. This year's ranch will be particularly fun because I will be presenting the new work I am doing for the next book.

These classes will begin Wednesday, December 9, 2009. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page:

Brain Chemistry: Dopamine (2 weeks) is the newest addition to the brain chemistry series. Learn about the mighty cousin to serotonin and beta endorphin. Learn how he sparkles and seduces and what to do to have him as an ally rather than a dragon

Looking at New Ways of Dressing (2 weeks) is open to members of YLD and will explore our relationship to clothes. After you start changing your sense of your self, how do you want to dress. What works, what doesn’t work. What about all the clothes in the closet that do not fit. Do you want them? Even if they fit now, are they what you want to wear? How can you have a sense of style? Come have fun and play with us in a journey of discovery.

Radiant Remembering (2 weeks) is a new and very special class for people who have worked their way to step 6/7 and then have forgotten the steps and reverted to old ways, perhaps even falling off the cliff. This is a tender and caring process to help you remember how to get back on track. If you have not yet detoxed, this is not your class. But if you have and then forgotten, please come join us.

This class will begin Wednesday, December 16, 2009. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page:

Holy Night Radiant Reflections (1 week) is our annual reflection on the meaning of light in the darkness. This is a free class, my gift to the community. We would love to have you join us.

The class schedule is online. Click here to see what is planned.

Please wait to sign up for classes until a week or two before, and 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 **


You may be surprised to discover that food has a bigger emotional charge for you than you realized.

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** Testimonial of the Week **


I loved the Euro Lunch. It was just so much fun to meet up with friends I've met before and sit chatting - and to meet new people too - little Amadeus, who I'm not sure gets the programme just yet, and Jill, who certainly did! I'm really looking forward to seeing you all again, hopefully in the not too distant future.

For those who didn't make it, Mel and I met up in London and flew to Sweden. I have to say Mel is a wonderful travel buddy. But then I've found all RR step 7 folk to be great travel buddies so that wasn't a surprise. At Heathrow we stopped by the Jo Malone counter - this is a posh smellies place that does stuff with a wonderful natural fragrance - my favourite I think was called "vintage gardina," but we squirted scents and tried out the lotions so that to be honest we smelt rather like flower shops and couldn't tell what was what really LOL. We both had a second breakfast at Heathrow having been up early and then caught the flight.

Arriving in Gothenburg we realised we hadn't made proper arrangements to meet up, but as Mel and I walked out of the airport we were met by Kerstin, Yvonne and Lisa. It was lovely to walk through and see smiling RR buddies waiting! What a welcome! Kerstin's daughter came along and Yvonne brought her young son and we walked to the hotel for lunch where we found Jill waiting for us. Funny how RR folk just know - Jill was listening out for English voices and as we walked in I said, "There she is." LOL

Lisa had made a great job of organising the lunch by calling ahead. We had a starter off the buffet (that marinated cheese was soooo good), then a main course specially made for us with skin-on baby potatoes. Then there was a dessert for those not on step 7 and Johanna found me a sachet of decaf coffee for afterwards. (Great spotting on her part as I was warned decaf coffee was unlikely to be served).

And we just sat and chatted about our lives. Being with RR friends is just like a wonderful family get-together (but without the family arguments) and all too soon it was time for Mel and me to make a mad dash for the airport as we realised we were running late for check in.

Getting back to Heathrow I spotted an ad for the Heathrow Express which said it was only 15 minutes into central London. Chatting with Mel I thought that might be quicker for me than the tube so I tried it out. Well, what a wonderful service! 15 minutes into Paddington, 6 stops on the tube to Victoria station where I caught the train home. Oh, and this might make you smile. As I was eating my dinner on the train (I had it in my bag) a woman asked me if I had just finished work, and said it was a good plan to have a meal with me. I agreed about the plan but said I'd not been to work but to Sweden for lunch with friends. She laughed and said what a mad thing to do.

Yes, for sure - but one of the best days out I've had for ages.

Karen

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** Radiant Ambassadors **


It seems that bloggers are mentioning Potatoes Not Prozac on a regular basis nowadays :). The ambassadors list came across the following blog which not only recommends Potatoes Not Prozac but also mentions Kathleen's name too!

http://linganblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/potatoes-not-prozac.html

Are you a blogger? Are you excited about spreading the news? Well come on over to the ambassadors list where we're discovering fun ways to do just that!

Selena

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

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** Radiant Kitchen **


Cabbage, Apple & Cheddar Slaw

Recipe yields about 8 to 10 servings

Dressing Ingredients:
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons light sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt, preferably sea or kosher, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Salad Ingredients:
  • 1 medium cabbage, cored and thinly sliced (about 8 cups)
  • 3 apples (any variety), cored and cut into matchsticks
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and coarsely grated (about 2-1/2 cups)
  • 2 celery stalks, cut into matchsticks
  • 1 cup grated Extra Sharp Cheddar
  • 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
Recipe

In a blender, combine vinegar, sesame oil, mustard, soy sauce and cinnamon; blend until smooth.
While blender is running, slowly add olive oil.
Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine all salad ingredients.
Add enough dressing to coat salad well and toss together until well combined.
Cover and refrigerate until serving time.
Serve and enjoy!

(adapted to be program friendly, original recipe from the Cabot Cheese newsletter)

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 **


Oh my, is that stocking exchange rocking. Why is this so much fun!! And I have to admit some of the conversations going on over there are pretty mind boggling. Yah for YLD!

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.


Here is a great addition to the store. One of our members was looking at alternative uses for the Cetyl M product we carry. She discovered that the company has come out with a topical cream and asked if we would carry it. I was on it and ordered some that day. Let me know what you think!



All-natural CM Response® Topical Cream is a revolutionary new joint health product for humans that provides fast relief from joint pain and discomfort, tendonitis, muscle cramps and soreness from injury. This amazing topical cream contains two of the most effective joint-health ingredients on the market—a patented vegetable source of Cetyl Myristoleate and Glucosamine-HCL—combined with soothing Aloe Vera for easy application and comfort.

CM Response® Topical Cream contains only natural ingredients and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, an analgesic and a joint lubricant. CM Response® Topical Cream is very effective in relieving neck and back pain and pain from arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and fibromyalgia.


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 **


The Radiant Euro list is the place for sugar sensitive Europeans, for sugar sensitive people living in Europe, and for sugar sensitive Europhiles.

We talk about doing the food in our different cultures, and about all aspects of our programmes, whilst sharing local knowledge on where to get the foods we need.

We are right now looking forward to our first Euros lunch in Gothenburg on the 25th of this month, with get togethers elsewhere to come in the new year. You'd be very welcome to join us.

Meanwhile, if you are interested in any or all things European come on over to this fun list.

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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**The Calm **
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.



"Am I right in identifying it this way: the hit--as horrible as it is--is the meltdown and the immediate afterglow in which I can actually get my work done; as the hit wears off I'm left flat--that would be withdrawal; my anxiety levels begin to build and that increases the chaos in my life--the hunt is on for the next big storm....

Oh, lord, it's good to know what's going on but I'm horrified that my actions are the actions of an addict my entire life...because I was labeled "drama queen" right from the getgo and teased mercilessly for it, which only fed it...."

Katrina

I know that many of you can relate to the idea of being a drama queen (or king). The quote above came from a class member of the beta-endorphin group. I think that perfectly describes the pattern.

You create a big thing - using whatever stuff is at hand. It could be leaving bills 'til they are overdue, not paying taxes, forgetting a key appointment, having a fight with husbands, wives or partners or children, blowing up at work, having a temper tantrum, whatever......you get a rush. You get a rush from the STORM. It is such a great image.

The rush is a flood of beta-endorphin, and a subsequent dash of dopamine. You feel clear, mobilized, able to cope and in charge. This is drug-induced euphoria. The skilled and effective drama queen. And then the flat rolls in. And you have no tolerance for it. Something, you need something. Sweets, fights, sex, drama.

They are all activated beta-endorphin and then pushing through to trigger dopamine. This is euphoria and then rush. And then withdrawal, the flat. The problem comes over time. You build tolerance, so you need a bigger drama. Life starts to unravel and the drama becomes unmanageable. You pull it together; the pulling together is done in a flurry, another rush, more drama. Now the drama of getting fixed, organized, settled. So the pattern is veiled. Now the drama comes with the fixing. And the sugar use builds.

When you step into the program, and work the steps, the steps themselves are designed to minimize drama. You want to teach yourself to cope with thoughtful planning rather than reaction and mobilization. You are creating behavioral change. Learning to "wait" for meals on step three teaches you to learn to wait...and tolerate discomfort.

Step six rolls in. Now you have biochemical flat since the charge from sugar is out. This is the hardest part of the program. You are learning to do life without spike. You are learning to tolerate some flatness rather than creating drama, drama....

Then something funny happens. Flat starts taking on color. Flat becomes The Calm. And something in you starts to like it. And something in you starts to really like it. Eighteen months in and drama no longer holds the charge. You find yourself wanting to deescalate rather than amp up. Now the drama seems like an unnecessary wasting of energy far more suited to fun things.

Another change slips in. Rather than drama queen, your funny, creative, innovative self starts growing. You are flexible and resourceful. You deal well with crisis, you no longer cope but are proactive in problem solving. Who is this person anyway? There is nothing in the world so wonderful as a healed drama queen.


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.