June 7, 2010

Hi {!firstname_fix}

Yesterday Mr. Peacock was in my driveway with his full wingspan spread. He was shimmering in the light. I looked to find the object of his devotion. It was....a road runner!! I thought, *oh poor bird, such misguided devotion.* Such is life in the North Valley.Last week Harold cut the dead trees that abut my new neighbor's property. New neighbor doesn't like the peacocks because they scream their love at 4 in the morning. I told him the peacocks were here before he was, with a smile. He will join the ranks of the peacock haters on the street. We are pretty evenly split. The haters call animal control to come and trap the birds, the lovers go out and say, *don't you have anything better to do...* and last time, I asked what gave them the right to trap them. They said, *the noise*...and I said, *read the ordinance, it does not cover birds...* It adds spice to life in the neighborhood.

We are continuing with the emotional healing classes which are life-changing for all of us who are doing them. The introversion class is like that - one of those sleepers that you may not realize will change everything. If you are an introvert, it is a must. If you are an extrovert, and interact with innies, it will really, really help you.

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.

This class will begin Wednesday, June 16, 2010. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page:

Wheat/Gluten Free (2 weeks) is a special class to explore how to go wheat free while doing the program of Radiant Recovery.

Thyroid (2 weeks) is new look at thyroid questions. This class will teach you the questions to ask, what thyroid testing shows and some of the dilemmas in interpreting results. Learn how to ask better questions from your doctor and how to make informed decisions in planning for treatment.

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

**********************************************************************

** Quote From Kathleen **


Remember that sugar-sensitive people tend to be people of extremes. You may feel either totally awash in feelings or totally disconnected.

**********************************************************************

** Testimonial of the Week **


I’ve found the same thing. I think that’s why 90/90 worked so well for me. Because I had this commitment to post about my day, I was forced to keep my focus on my recovery every single day. Without that, I tend to sit back and coast a little, and pretty soon it gets wobbly.

Jenny

**********************************************************************

** Radiant Ambassadors **


It’s always fun to hear about people discussing Radiant Recovery with their friends/acquaintances.

On the ambassadors list I asked who had mentioned RR recently and this was Heidi’s reply:

“Only all weekend, LOL! But I think I was pretty much preaching to the choir at Ranch!! ;)

“In all seriousness, I did have a good chat with the guy who sat next to me on the plane. He was very curious as to why I'd brought my own food. I explained and he said, "wow, that's a healthy way to eat!" Of course I agreed!”

I think the best thing with this kind of interaction is that this guy might have gone home and mentioned it to his girlfriend who might have then googled it and passed it on to all her friends.

Such is the power of word-of-mouth , you never quite know who’s going to hear about it next!

Selena

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

**********************************************************************

** How I Found Radiant Recovery **


I found RR in a search for something to help my daughter. At 6 years old, she was having regular meltdowns, tantrums, and rages that would last 45 minutes to an hour. There was no reaching her. I consulted with my pediatrician, had recommendations for specialists. I was crying regularly. I felt a failure as a parent. My pediatrician suggested I keep a journal of her sleep and food and behavior to see if there were any connections. It became quickly apparent that her worst rages were directly related to big sugar hits in the previous 24 hours.

So, I started doing searches on kids and sugar and found Little Sugar Addicts. I checked the book out of my local library and as I read, I realized that not only did this fit my daughter, it fit me too. I got on line, joined the parents list, and we started on breakfast. Within a month, our house had transformed. I think she only had 2 or 3 rages after that and they were milder and less frequent. And I started to become the mom I wanted to be. That was just the beginning.

Emily

**********************************************************************

** Radiant Kitchen **


This is Elaine's variation of Colette's yam cakes.

I bake a bunch of large yams all at once, slip them out of the skins, and freeze in 3 Cup containers. (I use sweet potatoes a lot, LOL -- not just for yam cakes!)

When I'm ready to make yam cakes I thaw a 3-cup container of sweet potato, add a bit of water and warm slightly in the microwave, then mash them. I use a hand held potato masher, but you could use a food processor or whatever suits you.

I add 3 cups of quick-cooking rolled oats, 1 cup of Restore protein powder and 1 cup of PB. I also add some more water, about 1/3-1/2 of a cup (I used a total of 1/2 cup of water), to get a sticky, goopy, but partly pourable consistency. Press into a lightly greased 9 X 13 pan and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Cool and cut into 32 squares. Store in fridge or freezer. My math showed that 5 squares had about a one cup serving of brown and about 19 grams of protein.

Elaine in CO

For more great program-friendly recipes, check out these great cookbooks in the store.


**********************************************************************

** Your Last Diet - More Than What You Think **


I thought you would like to read this post from Mosaic. It sort of says it all.

Well I do have scale information but I haven't got on them for 2 weeks. I am better not having a regular weigh, just when I feel like it randomly is best. I also like thinking in half stones, etc. because it doesn't tie me up in numbers,

But my jeans and I are on a different walk, I walk and they scootle 'round my waist. I can also take them off without unbuttoning them or undoing the zip, which you didn't need to know really, but I take it as clothing feedback.

First amazing thing is I have never consistently done anything like this longer than 3 days perhaps.

The second amazing thing is that my 10:10 has turned into a 15:15. I suppose I had to be open to the idea, but it's down to Jim (thanks) for introducing something I could handle. And Jenny for the 90/90, along with all the other 90ers.

I have quite a list of good things: alert, sleeping well, clear writing in journal, walk is tidy and proud not scribbled, bit more energy. Major attitude transplant with actually wanting to do a daily walk, which for me as a sofa-reading snooze-lover is just amazing.

My leg muscles, quads, feel a bit more toned (me and toned are words that have never been said together) which is good for my kneecaps, which I *think* may not be pinching so much up stairs. I am really liking Verla's knee news and full of admiration for all your work Verla.

I'm aiming to keep it up 'til the 90 when some of this may have stuck. I like to peek into YLD now and again and see all the other 90ers as I like all this intention energy.

mosaic

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.

Ditto! I loved just lounging round the pool and playing your little electronic thingy--solitaire. And I'll always feel that connection we created from those Norcal lunches!

Yes, I got my water bottle.
Thank you for helping me out.
I love that water bottle. :)

-John

I don't know if you all connected with our wonderful new stainless steel water bottles. They have the Radiant Recovery logo on one side, and 10:10 = radiance on the other.

 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.

**********************************************************************

** Our Online Groups **


The Radiantdiabetes group is where we talk about the different aspects of managing diabetes while following the guidelines of the RR program. As you might imagine, it is a little more difficult to keep our BS levels in a good range than it is for people who don't have diabetes. We do this with humor and lots of sharing. If you have diabetes, pre-diabetes, or someone you love has them and you would like to get more information, as well as support and encouragement, please come 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


**********************************************************************

**Addiction or Passion **
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.



At ranch we talked about the addiction amoeba. We reviewed what happens when we take out the chemicals that have soothed us. Take out the alcohol, we turn to sugar. Take out the sugar and we turn to ….what? Debt, work, sex, risk?

As we looked at this, we wondered…how do we know the difference between addiction and passion? I shared the official definition of addiction as “continued use despite adverse consequence.” This means we keep doing it even it is creating bad things in our lives.

Sounds simple doesn’t it?

Here is the dilemma. Addiction, by its very nature, evokes beta–endorphin, the brain chemical that cuts pain and makes us feel better. And, most significantly, makes us forget. Addiction means forgetting…forgetting regular life, forgetting connection with the people we love, forgetting what fills us and nourishes us. We think the addiction is giving us comfort and solace. It feels like a good thing, something that adds to our life.

So how do we know? Is it addiction or is it passion? You may be wondering, “Whatever is she talking about?” Let’s try looking at a few things that might be considered addiction:
  • Going to the casino and thinking it is just for the thrill of the “strategy” but not noticing you don’t have money for your bills.

  • Working late 8 days in a row and thinking “they need me.”

  • Spending money you don’t have because you feel better when you shop.

  • Getting another tattoo because “he is such a great artist.”

  • Buying another piece of art for your “collection” and having no space to put it.

  • Getting another watch because you need one to wear with the clothes you just got to feel better.

  • Having more…….

I honestly think this question is the essence of step seven. This clearing process takes rigorous honesty and a willingness to ask for help in sorting it out. I think this topic is real for all of us on step 7 and I thought it would be helpful to share my own process. I think most of you know that I do Golden Retriever Rescue. Sometimes I complain about it - too much work, not enough support, why do I keep doing it? Am I just putting my codependency energy into action? Wanting to take care of things and then being resentful that no one else steps up to the plate?

Last week, during the middle of ranch, two of my rescue puppies got sick with parvo, a very serious viral disease that can kill puppies. They needed to be hospitalized right as everyone was arriving for Ranch. It was a difficult time and made me wonder about the place of rescue in my life.

After ranch was over, I realized that I needed to look at this question with an open heart. Was it addiction or was it passion? As I did this, I realized how hard this question is and why we try to avoid it so much. Did I need to "just say no?" Did I need to walk away and get out of the rescue business? What was really going on? Was I willing to ask these questions with an open heart?

I started the process. First of all, I recognized that I do have a filter of addiction and that can color how I look at my life questions. So, task number one was to get the facts, and not just the negative ones. My review needed to include not just the negative or the dramatic. It needed to be balanced and thoughtful and not reactive.

It was an astounding process. In fact, the process of asking the questions was transformative. Here is what I learned:
  • I love Golden Retrievers. I have long thought I have a Golden Retriever heart.

  • I don’t like it that people throw away or abandon dogs. Actually, I don’t like it about abandoning in general. This is part of my own story and what informs most of my life.

  • I have spent 8 years building an organization that is highly regarded, skilled, effective, well run and financially sound. We have a fabulous group of people all over the state who help. There is simply a gap here in the city. We do a great job of placing dogs, even dogs with very special needs.

  • Placing dogs in loving homes gives me great joy.

  • Having respect and appreciation from the community gives me satisfaction.

  • We need a better system of volunteer support.

  • What we have been doing needs an upgrade.

  • Rescue dogs are grateful dogs.

  • Adoptive homes are grateful homes.

The list continues. The process of the review gave me a profound insight. I am in the gratitude business. This suits me. Gratitude is one of my core values. Do I class this as addiction? Nope. Do I need some help? Absolutely! Is this adversely affecting my life, or enhancing it?

After all was said and done, the answer to my question was a no brainer. Rescue is a source of joy, pride, passion and appreciation. If I have moments of it being hard, I simply need to ask for help. Or, perhaps, I need to ask for help differently. I realize that what I am not doing really does not work. If I continue doing it as I am, this is not healthy. So, this shifts into functional. If you want to keep it in your life, find a different way.

Now, here is the astounding thing. The PROCESS of the review took me to the essence of recovery – rigorous honesty, careful reflection, thoughtful dialogue, creative problem solving…all the things I cherish most.

The question of is it addiction or is it passion was revealed in the asking.
  • Am I willing to look?

  • Am I willing to give it up if necessary?

  • Will I ask for the openness of people I trust?

  • Will I listen to what they say?

  • Am I willing to embrace the power of skill and the outcome of passion?

  • Am I willing to acknowledge that I can create things of great value and respect and can honor that I am not just dabbling?

  • Am I willing to accept that I can invest time, money and energy into something over a long period and that it is a healthy thing to do that?

  • Am I willing to embrace the right to claim a return on that investment?

Since the answer to all of these was a resounding “YES!” the rescue qualifies as passion.

And I know that there are and have been things in my life that did not pass this test. I got to the end, and said, “Well, gotta go, baby” and…there are some I am still working on.


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/