May31, 2010

Hi {!firstname_fix}

I have been working on my next book. I came to a part where I wanted to reference how many posts I have read since we started, so I took the afternoon to count. So, I have read 1,483,441 posts since we started. Man, that is a lot of reading, LOL. It does give me a sense of why I do understand sugar sensitivity really, really well. Makes me smile.

These classes will begin Wednesday, June 2, 2010. 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 and show your support for the work he does to keep you happy.

Radiant Step 7 (2 weeks) is the class where we learn the art of getting a life after sugar. This class is for people who have been off of sugar for six months and have been working on Step 6 during that time.

Getting Started With Limited Funds (2 weeks) is a special free class for those of you with limited funding who are trying to make do. Come hear some fun ideas to maintain your humor and find tasty and inexpensive solutions.

These classes will begin Wednesday, June 9, 2010. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page:

Radiant Step 1 (2 weeks) is our foundation class to get you started. Learn all four parts of step 1 in a structured way. Learn how to progress through them with enjoyment. Let us support getting your program off to a fabulous start.

Magical Introversion (2 weeks) is a class which has grown out of your teachings. Last year you sat with me and talked about what life is like for you. I have taken that material, added the brain component, and put together the implications for sugar sensitives.

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 **


Your journal is your friend. It will teach you all about your wonderful body.

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** Testimonial of the Week **


My life is unrecognisable from how it was before I found this programme. Heaven it is not, but I can cope with the hard stuff, and I can see what happens when my food is off. I am so keen on feeling great, that my food is seldom off these days! Doing the food totally works for me now that I am doing it. - - Mel

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** Radiant Ambassadors **


I’m still attending my public speaking class and am still loving it. I find it very empowering to be able to stand up in front of an audience, just be myself and not want to run and hide! Mind you, there’s no pressure to say anything, just to be there and to allow ourselves to take our place in the world.

I was musing about what might make it even easier the other day. I know there are lots of wonderful ambassadors on the list and thousands of others out there who are actually doing the food (nearly 600 on Facebook now!) Despite that, I sometimes feel like a bit of a lone voice trying to change the world in my lunchtime LOL!

So I asked Kathleen how many people had bought a copy of Potatoes not Prozac - and can you guess the reply? 420,000!! That is an astounding figure.

Ok, so I had this really strong image of all of those people who have bought the book standing beside all those who receive the newsletter and also everyone else who is just toying with the idea that RR might be for them. I just imagined that they were all standing beside me in the class/presentation situation, cheering me on :)

That must be well over half a million people's worth of lived experience - it just boggles my mind!

I think I'm going to play with that thought during my next speaking class!

Selena

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

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** How I Found Radiant Recovery **


My name is Pranita and I am just getting started here and with this program. I ran across PNP in the bookstore yesterday evening completely on accident as I was browsing the health and diet section. I had always joked with my friends that I was "addicted" to sugar. I could never stay away from the stuff and coupling that with an anxiety disorder just made any amount of personal resistance futile at best. Getting through the first half of that book really opened my eyes. For the longest time I just blamed myself for my bad food choices. Recently I've been blaming the anxiety disorder because I noticed sugar craving and panic attacks always happened in tandem for me. Never occurred to me that the food itself could be the problem!

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** Radiant Kitchen **


I have been travelling home from ranch, quietly LOL And now I am Radiantly home.

I make a potato and egg layer dish on a regular basis, and it is always a hit. I cook for a varying number of people, so the amounts vary, and this is one dish that amounts work more by what looks right than by measuring.

I start by slicing onions and browning them in a little butter and sometimes finely chopped bacon if we have some.

I allow at least one fist size spud per person I intend to serve, and since this dish is wonderful reheated too, I tend to make about double. I slice the spuds as thinly and evenly as I can...about 1/8" thick. If using a knife, I cut the spud in half then place the cut side down to make slicing easier and the spud doesn't roll away from me. (I have a slicing tool which helps do the slicing even more quickly, or you might use a food processor slicing attachment.)

As I cut the spuds I place the slices flat in a baking dish that is 1 1/2" deep or more, overlapping the slices like fish scales. I have fun placing the pieces around the edge of the dish and spiraling them in, making patterns It doesn't matter how artistic this is...the point is to make little spaces for the egg to go between.

After every spud, I stop and sprinkle some of the browned onion and then put another layer of slices.

I allow the number of eggs that are needed for the people. This is a very eggy dish, so it is nothing for me to use 2 dozen eggs in a big dish. That would make enough for 8 serves in my household. I beat the eggs so they are pourable and add finely ground black or white pepper and other spices that we like. Sometimes paprika, sometimes nutmeg, maybe parsley. Sometimes I mix in a *little* cream (max 1 cup to 2 dozen eggs, this is not a quiche), or ricotta with the egg...it depends what we have, who is home, what needs using up.

I pour the egg mixture over the potato and onion, and might cover it all with a thin layer of shredded cheese. I bake in the oven until a knife inserted in the centre comes out clean.

This is a great dish to put together early in the day, put in the oven to cook slowly, and forget about until, oh yes, dinner is ready as soon as you are (grin).

Rhubarb is something I always associated with really sweet. My grandma and Mum always cooked it with apple and cloves, coloured it with cochineal (red) and added *lots* of sugar. It was often also served with tapioca, which I have not eaten for years as it seems it would be a white.

I might try cooking some rhubarb unsweetened with apple and clove and see what that is like. Just thinking about it makes me want to try the flavour again without the masking of sugar.

Kath

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 **


Last week at chat we were talking about step two. What an incredible discussion that was. There is something about these discussions that make the program come alive. You do NOT have to want or need to lose weight to join YLD. If you want to be a part of the conversation, 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.

We have not really talked about pycnogenol, the mighty, for a while. We actually have a private label now that I am excited about. I asked Kathleen if she might do an update on pycnogenol and here is what she sent back:

Well, David, there has been a lot of new research since I last looked. Let's review what I found.

  • Of course we know that pycnogenol is fabulous for protecting against something called DVT if you sit on an airplane or at a computer for a long time.
  • It also is excellent for people with hypertension.
  • It protects kidney function.
  • It is being studied a lot for its positive effect on diabetes.
  • It protects from liver damage caused by high blood sugars.
  • It reduces cardio risk factors.
  • It lowers blood glucose and increases the ability to lose weight.
  • It significantly helps symptoms of ADD.
  • It really helps as we get older - enhancing memory function and cognitive performance and (smile) protects against wrinkles.
  • It reduces pain associated with menstrual stuff, and reduces menopause symptoms.
  • It reduces allergies and reduces the need for inhalers in asthmatic children.
  • It helps knee osteoarthritis
  • It inhibits viral replication.
  • It inhibits the bacteria associated with ulcers.
  • It also has a pretty significant effect on IBD.
The more I read, the more floored I am about the all-encompassing impact of this stuff. It is made from French Maritime pine bark. I am going to go take some. I fit a number of those categories!

 I love it that these comments keep coming up around the community. And of course I love the cookbook!

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 **


Radiant BigOnes is one of our specialized groups, and is for folks carrying an extra 100 lbs or more. Here we get to focus on doing the food while sharing information and support for successfully meeting challenges such as getting in enough protein; as well as how to live more comfortably in our larger bodies in a society typically built for smaller people. There is absolutely no judgment here, and I just love how helpful, caring and supportive the members are to each other while sharing candidly and skillfully about things that others may not even realize are an issue for us in everyday life, while also having fun! We have members who are each working on various stages of all 7 Steps so wherever you are in the program, if you are a BigOne you will fit right in - and we would love for you to 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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**One More Ranch Conversation **
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.



I think Bekah captured the other side of ranch - the hidden side of sharing, the essence of recovery.

I am finally posting here, after a week of 1) reflecting on things and 2) being zonked out. I thought I would be recovered by now, but I've been so tired I thought I was pregnant! (test was negative) Maybe my cells are still rearranging from being with so many positively radiant people. Even though I've been zombie-like half the time, I have felt more radiance than ever this past week. I'm like a funny, wonked-out sandwich--tired on the outside, radiant within. Warning: This post is a novel, which makes up for my lack of posting so far.

The trip home was wuh-huh-hey better than the trip there. I DID find a porter (skycap person) and flashed the twenty and handed it to him while asking if he could please help us unload our bags. So he unloaded the car, and checked us in from 200? feet away, which was awesome because then my mom could check in before returning the rental car. He even watched the car while we went in and mom got me and baby and stuff settled before she took the car back. Mom was worried about the car (we're from Chicago and those airports are towing-car-happy) but I was like, "He won't let anything happen to it." He was our bud, so chatty and happy and I think the twenty made his day.

We got through security OK, but they wouldn't let us take a cart through so we used the stroller instead. We got put in the "fast lane" because of the stroller though, and bypassed a line with maybe 75 people in it. Gave the baby and me Rescue Remedy, and she slept 1 hour on the first flight and 2.5? on the second. Pretty sweet. We got food in Phoenix for the long flight to Columbus, but mom forgot about no dairy so it had cheese, which I ate around. I had some back-up food so it worked out OK.

I was so glad to be home! And so glad the trip back was so much better. It was pretty profound, how asking the porter for help changed the whole tone of the trip. It was like feeling support right at the beginning made everything feel better, like having breakfast supports us for the whole day. I see what I would do differently next time in terms of packing, but live and learn right? We made it back in one piece.

I still think Southwest's policy where people with babies don't preboard is silly though--getting on the plane with baby strapped to front, backpack on back and holding car seat high enough not to bang into people was still tricky. The attendant was not available to help at the time and we board after group A so people are seated and then people are waiting behind while you get car seat in etc. But I'm going to let them know--I usually love Southwest but this makes traveling with kids very stressful, if you aren't able to log in 24 hours ahead to try to get in A group.

Enough travel talk...I wanted to say some thank you's! These are in stream-of-consciousness order.

Thank you to Patti H. for taking me to the coop and grocery soon after my arrival! With all we brought, diapers, wipes, baby food didn't make the cut. So thanks for letting me get that out of the way quickly. And thank you, sweet friend, for the "porter money," even though it made me cry. :) I knew I would sometime, and this time it was because I felt so supported.

Thanks to whoever was helping unload the back of the van when we got there who I didn't see. Thanks for the tip about the 3rd floor and being able to be so close to the hospitality suite.

Thanks to my dining-out groups Friday and Saturday nights, for including me and showing me the ropes of eating out. Thanks to Leah, Wendy and Melissa, who were in both groups and were patient with eating with a 9-month-baby who squawks. (Leah, yeah! We did it, made it to the crepe place and we didn't eat alone!)

Thanks to Patti and the other musicians, including Kathleen's neighbors, who let me play a guitar and feel a part of things when I felt sad there were no games (moms don't get to play games with adults much, at least this one). :)

Thanks to my Uno-playing friends and the fun we had when our hankering for game night was finally fulfilled. :) I felt like this was a turning point, where I could finally be myself a little more and get over being so nervous. And thanks to my buddy, Elaine, who probably played Uno because it was the only thing her buddy asked her to do :) despite being a little rusty. Who was the supreme champion? I don't seem to recall... :)

Thanks to the Radiant Concierge, who really meant it when he said he didn't mind going to get whatever we needed.

Thanks to Cinzia (and others) for your help with my altitude sickness and giving me some rice cakes and almond butter after I arrived. :) Thanks to Kari for your realness and great questions.

Thanks to RARA, who laughed and didn't make me feel stupid when I heated up my breakfast and sat down with everyone not realizing there was a meeting.

Thanks to Carol and Karen for your bravery, I saw you confidently navigating with scooter and Izzy (respectively), and it made me feel more brave. And I loved watching/hearing you play Saturday night, Karen.

Thanks to Kath and Diane and any others who made the food packs--I loved the food and it was such a big blessing to have. And Kath, thanks for your encouragement about being a mom.

Thanks to Angela, Stacey, Emily, Heidi and other radiant moms with young kids who helped me see the vision for radiant moms and radiant kids. And thanks to Stacey for sharing her journey with allergies and the help/support it gives me still. And Angela, for being so happy to meet me and for such an encouraging talk at Saturday lunch. Sandra too--you were so sweet right when I needed it in the hospitality room that first day, just sitting with me and seeing how I was. I'll probably get my own room and be baby-less next year, so I'd love to join the hospitality-suite-gourmet-rice-cooker-crowd more. :) And Di, thanks to you for being so excited to see little ole' me, and for your encouragement throughout the weekend. And Dawn, Jeannie, Terri...the radiance just shone out and your encouragement meant so much.

Thanks to my wonderful small group on Sunday, who were so vulnerable and honest. It really brought everything together for me. I love small groups! And thanks to my awesome small group on Friday, which I just remembered helped me while I was crying at the table because I missed my two older kids. And felt overwhelmed. Thanks for your understanding and sweetness, y'all.

Thanks to Kathleen for her wonderful, in-depth, real teaching where most of the time I couldn't believe I was actually hearing about the steps from a real person, much less the real person who wrote the book and did the research.

Thanks to everyone I met and didn't meet, for a great Ranch. I looked at the list and couldn't believe the people I missed meeting, because I was too nervous or shy or busy running back to nurse baby or cleaning dog poop off my shoes or whatever. :) I hope to meet you next year, if I can use my Getting to Radiant Ranch skills and get there again. Go GRR! (that's the new way to get pumped about old Restore jars and saving up for porters)

Thanks to Kathleen and everyone for taking the time to help "problem solve" for the return trip. Even though it made me cry. And thanks to Terri for rubbing my back while I cried.

Thanks to Vin (for coordinating), and Linda and John for helping me load up our room for checkout while my mom went to get the rental car. And for your dear, sweet understanding, Linda! And getting my baby down the elevator safely when I took an earlier one. :) And for both helping figure out how to load that little Toyota Matrix, which has a surprising amount of room. :)

Thanks to anyone I'm forgetting. Especially those who verified that yes, sometimes the first Ranch is a bundle of new things to process, some overwhelm and low BE feelings and some hard things too. It made me not feel crazy for feeling anxious or shy.

Sorry I had to do this all in one post, but it was building up for over a week and the volcano of words has just spewed forth. There's no stopping it. :) I am overwhelmed by all the people I have to be thankful for! And all the ways they worked to make this Ranch come alive for me and others. I better send this before there is some kind of glitch and I have Yahoo regret. I'll post my pictures soon, if I can figure it out...

Bekah


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.


©2010 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/