December 14, 2009

Hi {!firstname_fix}

Well, I am back after a week at the NICABM conference in Hilton Head. Here is a picture of the beach, although my time was spent pretty much INSIDE learning stuff and meeting people. I gave my day-long presentation on Monday on sugar sensitivity. It was well received. The group was smaller, so we ended up doing more personal stuff about their own lives rather than just the *clients*.

Then I had a few days to learn stuff. I learned a lot about EFT - you can google that one to get a sense of it. And then I learned some chi gong, about vitamin D3, about alchemical healing from a chi gong master, about what the military is doing to heal soldiers coming home from Iraq, about harnessing the media to enhance your message, about clinical applications of spirituality. That one was broadcast from Brazil because the spiritual healer fell sick before the conference. I learned about ethical dilemmas no one ever talks about. I learned a LOT about thyroid, and about making choices. I learned about brain plasticity and about sexuality and healing. I learned about spirituality and addiction, and how the addiction amoeba plays out in many ways.

This of course was on top of all the extraordinary people I was meeting. Some new people and some colleagues that I have known for many years. It was a joy to see how we have grown and matured. I even met some people who were doing some of the same spiritual work we were doing in 1972....now that is a LONG time, LOL...almost 40 years. Feels like things are circling back around.

I think I learned how extraordinary our work is and why the community is so special. I know it will take many weeks, months to make sense of all of this. I have many books, many notes, cards and little reminders of things to pay attention to. You all were there with me. It was a gift for all of us.

Don't forget to join me on Twitter and at the Radiant Recovery® Facebook page!

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. If you have never done this class, it is not to be missed. If you have done it, you know how it sets the tone for the next two weeks.

There will be no classes beginning the week of Wednesday, December 23, 2009.

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 **


This is a process. You do not have a 'sobriety date' to mark that sugars are gone forever. You simply move more and more into a healthy relationship with your body.

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** Testimonial of the Week **


Just keep eating breakfast!


More comments below...

I am only on step 1, but I have been trying to take a multi, decrease the refined sugars, and get the right amount of protein every day.
Step 1 only includes getting the right amount of protein and a complex carb within an hour of waking. If you put energy into the other things you slow yourself down and set yourself up for donuts! True fact.
Any one out there have any ideas on how to stop a binge?
Do the steps in order as written.
I felt endless. And I am frightened by it.
Oh, that is just addiction being scary. Tell it, "oh poo on you" and eat breakfast.
Maybe I am just hoping for too much, too soon.
Welcome to the club, many of us have done that. You can hope whatever you like - just do breakfast!
Connie

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** Radiant Ambassadors **


I went to the Radiant Brits lunch in London last week. We met at Whole Foods, had a good old look around while we were there and then went upstairs for lunch. It's such an incredible place to shop!

I think there were about 14 of us in the end and we all sat at a big long table chatting away like there was no tomorrow. It was great to see so many familiar faces coupled with some new people too :)

I took my Radiant Recovery cards with me (grin). I affixed one to the main noticeboard on the way to the bathrooms and put one inside each freebie foodie magazine on our table. You never quite know who will pick them up, do you?! Especially in a place like Whole Foods.

Did you know that you can get free Radiant Recovery business cards from the store with an order? I find that they're really handy to carry around with me. I have also been known to put them inside library books or even books that I sell on Ebay!

Selena



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

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** Radiant Kitchen **


Wild Rice and Sweet Potato Stuffing


Ingredients:

  • 1 cup uncooked wild rice
  • 2 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1" cubes. Do not peel
  • 1 cup chopped apple
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup onions, diced
  • 1/4 cup celery, diced
  • 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp. poultry seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 2 TBS olive oil
  • 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
Directions:

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine wild rice, salt and water. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until grains open. Drain and set aside.
  2. In another saucepan, combine sweet potatoes with enough lightly salted water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 15 minutes until potatoes are tender but not mushy. Drain, set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat 2 TBS. Olive oil over medium high heat. Add garlic, onion and celery and saute until vegetables are fragrant. That will be about 2 minutes.
  4. Add apples, poultry seasoning, and pepper. Continue to saute another 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  5. Combine wild rice, sweet potatoes and apple mixture. Add chopped parsley and combine well. Add almonds and toss.
  6. Use stuffing to fill poultry. Or you can put the stuffing into a lightly greased casserole dish and bake at 350 for 25 minutes until golden and heated through.


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 **


The Stocking Exchange is still in full gear. It is not too late to join. Come over for a special treat of the year!

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.


If you would like me to send a gift package to someone, just let me know. I can add a card in the package. Just give me the text of what you want. Put it in the notes of your order.

Now we have one other new addition to the store. Kathleen went shopping in a stationery store and found tiny moleskine notebooks. She is carrying them in her wallet and uses them for tiny journal notes when she is out running around. Before I could catch her, she ordered a whole bunch for the store. So....they will make GREAT stocking presents.

You can buy them in sets of 2 in either Light Blue, Hot Pink or Dark Blue. .

      


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 **


Come join us on radiant recovery, the room where people who are in recovery from alcoholism or substance abuse are hanging out. We have lots of people with long-term sobriety and some brand new people who are just sorting out whether they have a problem. We will be doing some really fun stuff in the next two weeks and I would love to have you join us.

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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** Sometimes It's the Little Things **
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.



We ask people what has changed since they started the program. I think you will love this list as much as I do.

  • I don't have to go into the handicap stall in the public restrooms.
  • I can fit into almost any booth at restaurants.
  • I am no longer defensive about my eating habits.
  • I enjoy smells differently.
  • I have more energy.
  • I am able to love.
  • I feel God closer than ever.
  • I have lots of new friends.
  • I eat food for fuel.
  • I celebrate the real meaning of the holiday.
  • Just yesterday, I noticed that I have collar-bones.
  • I smile.
  • I wear two sizes smaller in shorts.
  • I love my husband unconditionally now.
  • I really LIKE looking at flowers.
  • I enjoy my granddaughter more every day.
  • The sunsets are more magnificent than ever.
  • I am able to listen in church with a calm understanding.
  • I appreciate the air.
  • I have been able to forgive.
  • I don't have swelling in my ankles and legs anymore.
  • My dogs don't aggravate me anymore.
  • I don't smother when I lie down.
  • My triple chin is now a double.
  • I marvel at the whole Creation.
  • I can think clearly.
  • I am not embarrassed to swim in front of anyone.
  • I no longer need a seat belt extender.
  • I only weigh when I feel a loss.
  • I thirst for knowledge and actually seek it.
  • I have let go of some of my perfectionism.
  • I no longer HAVE to have sugar after each meal.
  • I read EVERY food label.
  • I no longer beat myself up for a mistake, but go and learn about it.
  • I WANT to grow old.
  • I care more deeply for other people.
  • I get a pedicure now and then (used to be a big hangup).
  • Negative control is not as strong as it used to be.
  • I crave those cool evenings relaxing in my porch swing.
  • I can fit in most wheelchairs.
  • I don't have to have the largest hospital gown anymore.
  • The birds chirping have become quite beautiful.
  • I love eating "YLD Healthy Foods".
  • I have become ONE with my local health food store.
  • I am proud to answer "those questions" about my food plan.
  • I love knowing that this programs works.
  • I love helping my family understand about fuel for their bodies.
  • I can hardly wait until the Christmas Season.
  • I look at professionals with admiration, instead of a threat (huge hangup).
  • I care about my fingernails.
  • I am much more organized in my housekeeping.
  • I park farther from the store.
  • I hum a lot.
  • I WANT to exercise.
  • I have learned it is ok to set goals.
  • I no longer consider myself on a diet, but I am on a LIFE PLAN.
  • The sun seems brighter.
  • I can ASK for help without the guilt.
  • I can see my feet when I stand or lie down.
  • I no longer expect myself to fail with my weight loss.
  • I can tie my shoes without cutting off my oxygen supply.
  • I can also tie my shoes in the middle of my shoe instead of to the side.
  • I can say "no".
  • I crave green things and feel good about it!
  • I like cottage cheese.
  • Fresh air makes me feel alive.
  • I can cut my own toenails.
  • I can wear a smaller bra size.... smaller panties too.
  • I have so much more energy.
  • I have less PMS.
  • I don't worry about what people think about me.
  • I don't feel helpless anymore. Even if things are not going my way or I have a slip, I know that I can help myself.
  • Cinnamon is delicious without sugar.
  • Corn is sweet.
  • I wake up in the morning now (no more "10 snooze" mornings!).
  • I look forward to my warm oatmeal every morning.
  • I don't hide "forbidden food" all over the house anymore.
  • I don't sneak the wrappers out of the house so my husband doesn't see the evidence of last night's binge anymore.
  • I wear shorts because I like my legs even though they haven't made it to their full recovery yet.
  • I can fall asleep when I go to bed.
  • I can play with my children after dinner since I no longer feel comatose from eating huge white meals.
  • I feel *whole*, steady and real.
  • I feel.
  • I'm just plain happy and I can't put my finger on it.
  • Things that would have freaked me out before don't anymore.
  • Three months ago my protein was in my ice cream, wasn't it?
  • I've figured out that this is about life changes, not just about food.
  • I realize my life has more out of whack in it than just food".
  • After fighting exercise and the journal so long, they have become incredibly important to me. Feel frantic if I've left my journal home.
  • The journal is my home.
  • I am a size smaller but have only lost a few pounds.
  • The "girls" (my chest) are a size smaller.
  • I love shopping at the health food store. Shoppers are so much nicer there than at sugar stores.
  • I've gotten used to packing two meals a day.
  • I am very slowly gaining confidence in handling the feelings that the bingeing covered. Feelings really won't kill me, they do pass and generally teach me something. Sometimes the journal helps me catch feelings before I binge them temporarily away.
  • I have finally taken responsibility for my own life after feeling abandoned by others.
  • I no longer feel suicidal about turning 50 this Nov. Sometimes I feel that my life is just starting.
  • I have reduced my anti-depressants by 25% in agreement with my doctor.
  • I don't feel dirty, worthless and physically ill from bingeing nearly as much.
  • My office no longer does doughnut runs every afternoon. The communal chocolate drawer is gone. I don't miss either.
  • My food slips are more often portion explosions than sugar/white binges.
  • I think my fist is shrinking. (HA!)
  • I have returned to my art hobby and am having a blast.
  • I'm not afraid of going to a family reunion this September much heavier than the last reunion.
  • I don't go shopping now unless I really NEED something. I think I used to go shopping to feel better (raise by BE's).
  • My PMS symptoms have almost vanished.
  • I actually enjoy wearing pants with a zipper.
  • My migraines are gone - along with much of my fibromyalgia pain.
  • I don't feel like I'm hanging on to life with my fingertips any more - I have a much firmer grasp - and it's good!!!
  • I've gone through really tough times and had the clarity of mind to make wise and thoughtful decisions.
  • I don't apologize for making my food needs known - I've gotten REALLY good in restaurants (remember how Meg Ryan ordered in the movie "When Harry met Sally"?)
  • I have reduced the amount of alcohol easily and don't crave it like I used to.



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.