July 26, 2010

Hi {!firstname_fix}

I am just back from New York where I went to visit my 82-year-old Irish Auntie. My daughter came down from Vermont, and her cousin came out from the city. My daughter wrote a poem that sort of sums up this visit:

Pear nectar and Caprese omelets
Vespa, egg creams
Old photographs of mothers reading to daughters
and little girls in Radio Flyers
birth certificates, deeds, wills, ship rosters
27 Dresses
romantic letters from an Italian lover
the French count and his castle
shopping, stories, lattés, newspaper clippings
calculating ages and ordering events
saloon keepers and grocers and King’s Scholars
Barnard, Hofstra, teaching, studying, traveling, working long hours to put children through college,
generations of women scholars
writing letters, sharing memoirs
telling long-forgotten stories
pasting together history
passing along history
passing along Prada

It was a time of gathering family stories, making sense of history. My grandmother went to college in 1906. What an incredible thing that was. It was very moving to me. I have been mulling it all over since I have come home. It is so amazing to see how we are shaped.

These classes will begin Wednesday, July 28, 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.

First Steps in Losing Weight (2 weeks) is a new and updated class for people who are interested in weight loss. This class will help you get focused, understand our process and outline the things you can be doing while you are in *readiness.*

This class will begin Wednesday, August 4, 2010. Please click on the name of the class you wish to join and it will take you to the registration page:

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.

Using the Resources of the Community (4 weeks) is a free orientation 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.

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 **


Exercise is a crucial part of healing your sugar-sensitive body. Make time for it.

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** Testimonial of the Week **


I realized something that has occurred for me with my RR program. I have really discovered that in slowing down and working the steps as written, I have effectively sped up my recovery. I spent so many years spinning and spinning and getting nowhere.

Slow and steady wins the race! :-)

Jan

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** Radiant Ambassadors **


Curiously, I had a dream about Radiant Recovery recently. It seems that I had written to the BBC News at 10 program and had told them all about Radiant Recovery. They wanted to interview me the following week LOL! Shame it wasn't real though - I'll work on it :)

Do you have any dreams about Radiant Recovery? Where do you see the program in, say, 5 years time? Kathleen on Oprah? Pamphlets in Doctors surgeries? Everyone talking about sugar sensitivity?

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the ambassadors list or why not email me!

Selena
selenas@blueyonder.co.uk

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

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** How I Found Radiant Recovery **


I found RR in winter of 2004; I was just released from an outpatient program at a mental facility because I had a nervous breakdown. My mom was dying from lung cancer and I couldn’t take it anymore. While I was in the program, the Dr. gave me a news article about the food/mood connection. I went to the library to research the topic and found Potatoes Not Prozac. I kept renewing the book for months and finally bought my own copy. While I was doing Step 1 my mother died from lung cancer, father had a heart attack and died and one of my twin brothers committed suicide all within a month in May/June of 2004.

If I didn't find this program and wasn’t doing breakfast I surely would have lost my mind! My HP sure put me on the right road at the right time. While going through this was extremely overwhelming and heart breaking, the food kept me going as well as did my two very small children at the time. The only thing I knew was I didn’t want to end up like what was said to be “in the genes.” I wanted it to stop with me, I wanted my children to be shown a better way of living. It hasn’t been easy but from each event is another lesson that I have learned and I am now able to be present and give that gift to my children. As for attending my 1st ranch, there is also a lesson in there for me, which I’m sure will be revealed in the coming months.

So, it is with much appreciation and gratitude that I have found this program. I am very thankful to Kathleen for persevering in her research. Even though I got tired of hearing “do the food,” I did as I was told and kept doing the food. Although it is not perfect, my life is soooooo much better because I was able to be open to the simple concept of “doing the food.”

Thanks for listening.

With Best Regards,
Wendy

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** Radiant Kitchen **


Ok, these are the Brits Lunch Brownies. The original recipe is from Simply Sugar and Gluten Free. The woman who writes that web site is in culinary school and alters recipes to be SF. She does use agave, but Emily from Step Three recommended I sub apple juice concentrate. I didn't read it right and subbed apple juice, but we all thought it was yummy anyway. Great with a cup of tea or coffee after a yummy Whole Foods Mexican meal. :) Let me know if you make them!

Chocolate Walnut Flourless Brownies


This is her original recipe. My alts are in parens.

Makes 24 brownies. (I cut them small and got 36.)

  • 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate (Amy used Ghiradelli. I used cocoa powder and found a recommended substitute of 1 T. butter + 3 T. cocoa powder per ounce of unsweetened chocolate, so for this recipe that's 4 T. butter and 3/4 C. cocoa.)
  • 1/2 c. unsalted butter
  • 3 T. instant decaffeinated coffee
  • 1/4 t. kosher salt
  • 2 c. black beans, drained and rinsed well (I used 1 tin)
  • 1 frozen banana, thawed (this is key because the banana gets very liquidy)
  • 1 T. vanilla extract (I used a bit more. I always like things vanilla-y.)
  • 4 extra large eggs (I used 5 large)
  • 1/3 c. light agave nectar (I subbed apple juice. Turns out I should have used apple juice concentrate, but just the apple juice was sweet enough for everyone at lunch.)
  • 2 c. walnuts, chopped and divided (I used pecans.)
  1. Preheat oven to 325/180 degrees. Line the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch pan with parchment paper (I didn‚t do this, but should have!). Spray pan and paper with oil.

  2. Put the chocolate and butter in a large, microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes and then stir to melt completely. Stir in instant coffee and salt. Mix well. Set aside.

  3. Make sure that your black beans have been well-rinsed and drained. Fit a food processor with a steel blade, add beans, banana, vanilla extract and one egg. Process until completely smooth, about 2 ˆ 3 minutes, scraping down bowl as needed. Add chocolate mixture and process again until smooth.

  4. In a separate bowl, place remaining 3 eggs and beat with electric mixer until light and fluffy, 1 -2 minutes. (I did this a little longer since I had so many eggs. I wanted it to be fluffy.) Add agave and mix for another 1 -2 minutes, until light. Put bean mixture into bowl with eggs and mix on medium until thoroughly incorporated. Mix in 1 c. of chopped walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan. Top with remaining walnuts.

  5. Bake for 25 - 35 minutes until a toothpick clears the center. Let brownies cool before cutting them. Store in refrigerator.
I was thinking that I'd try them for the kids again and maybe throw in another banana. DS was unimpressed with this batch. The kids were really excited about it at first. He took a bite and said, "these are..........not so good." I think I can make them better for the kids, though they may be too sweet for me at that point. I'll keep trying!

Heidi

For more great program-friendly recipes, check out our cookbook in the store.


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** Radiant Conversations **


So I tried to kill it but it just wouldn't die, LOL. Too much history, too much quality information, too much connection. The YLD list is continuing as radiantconversations, chat is continuing as a follow-up to the article we put in the newsletter, and I am working on compiling all the collective weight-loss skills and history we have.

Basically, the irony of this all is that our leading edge is in the weight loss arena, the very thing we were all trying to get away from. Our little blip gave birth to the weight loss list which is open to all, and it renewed and regenerated YLD. A nice combination.

And remember if the article touches you, come join us at chat.

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 are introducing an exciting new product this week. Diane found some sugar-free beef jerky at Walgreen's when she was here for ranch. We learned that it was being made right nearby, so we contacted the producer and will be carrying it in the store. We will carry the two options that are sugar free. One is salt free and the other has added salt. These are GREAT options to keep in your bag, your car or in your kid's backpack. Or if you have family or friends who are deployed overseas in the desert, these are a great gift. And we are happy to be supporting a small, local business that has a great product.

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 **


Terri has gotten so excited about journaling and the number of people who are back to learn the senior skills and art of it, that we are opening up a new list called radiant step two skilled. So, if you have taken the step two skilled class or you have lots of journaling experience and want to deepen the use of your journal, 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


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**Are You Living in a Hard Situation? **
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.



Does a person you love . . .

  • Threaten to hurt you, your children, or someone else in your family?
  • Say it is your fault when he or she hits you, then say it will not happen again (but it does)?
  • Put you down in public or keep you from seeing family and friends?
  • Throw you down, push, hit, choke, kick or slap you?
  • Force you to have sex when you don't want to?
Just ONE "YES" answer may mean that you are in an abusive relationship.

Many folks in our community struggle with being in abusive situations. Many others struggle with having a short fuse or violent temper. Usually we look at this topic in the context of the psychology of abuse. I think it is helpful to add the context of sugar sensitivity/alcoholism into the story. This week I want to talk about the side of being the victim of abuse. Next week I will talk about being the abuser.

If you are sugar sensitive, chances are you have low beta-endorphin and low serotonin. Low serotonin means having a hard time saying no, a hard time setting boundaries. It leads to letting people take advantage of you, walk all over you or hurt you without your complaining.

Low beta-endorphin means you have a low tolerance for pain, both emotional and physical. You may feel inadequate, less than, not worth it, not loved, not valued because of your biochemistry. You feel like a victim. It seems to suit who you are. This can be true even if the outside reality seems as if you should be fine. So you can be attractive, have money, live in a beautiful home, have what appears to be a loving family and still feel unacceptable on the inside.

When you feel this way, you will be drawn to a person or situation that makes you feel accepted. On a molecular level, you will seek out a situation that gives you even a little sense of someone wanting you or someone taking care of you. Rationally, you feel drawn to the person who makes you feel okay. But let’s look at how tricky this can be.

When you get hurt, your body releases beta-endorphin. The beta-endorphin is a painkiller. Your body has it to protect you in the times of danger. If a tiger bites your leg and you need to run, beta-endorphin will override the pain and let you get away. It is a very practical neurochemical.

When you eat sugar, or drink alcohol, you get a rise in beta-endorphin as well. And for those of you who have low beta-endorphin, you learn very early on that you can find huge comfort in sweet and fat foods. You stop hurting when you have them. Your beta-endorphin levels rise and you feel confident, attractive, valued and accepted.

When you get hurt emotionally, the same thing happens. Someone yells at you, someone puts you down, and you go for the sugar. But, more is happening. Over time, you become attached to the comfort. And you become numb. You do not make the connection that the abuse, the situation causing the pain, is also having a chemical effect.

If you get hit, or verbally abused, your beta-endorphin level goes up. Your rational brain tells you this is not okay, but your neurochemical brain actually relies on the feeling of being able to manage. The part of you that says, 'I can just sit this out, I am strong,' comes from the rise in beta-endorphin. The beta-endorphin creates a biochemical hook for you. You feel better; you believe things will be ok. Until the beta-endorphin bath wears off. Then you feel hopeless, inadequate and unable to move. You get caught in this because you think these changing feelings are a function of just needing to get it together. You don’t understand why sometimes you feel so resolute and able to cope, and other times you are paralyzed. You cannot count on sustained feelings. And you think that you are the problem. Most likely your abuser tells you that as well. You often hear 'if YOU would just…..' And the sad thing is you actually think that is the truth. It fits with how you feel on the inside.

You go back, or you stay. You make do because you feel you are not worth more or because you feel you have no skills, no way to support yourself. You are ashamed that you cannot resolve this. You hide it and act as if things are all right. People tell you that you should get out, you should leave, but you don’t. What is that about?

A couple of things are going on here…

The first is that on some level you are 'hooked' on the dance of beta-endorphin. The fights, the abuse, while on the surface seem horrible, on another level are creating the biochemistry that allows you to function. If you go away and don’t have the 'hit' (literally and figuratively), you go into withdrawal. The old feelings of helplessness and inadequacy return. So you go back. You cannot see the dynamic. Your friends think you are nuts. You think they do not understand.

The biochemistry of sugar sensitivity sets you up to feel like a victim and to feel trapped. What and when you are eating feeds these feelings of hopelessness.

What is the way out?

You heal the biochemistry. Doing the food, doing the steps changes everything. You get clear. Your sense of self creeps up on you. From the inside out. You start feeling ok and whole and capable. You start seeing the reality of the situation. Your beta-endorphin levels go up. Your serotonin levels rise. You are able to say no to sugar and white things. And something strange starts to happen. You start saying no to abuse. You say, 'This won’t work for me.' You set boundaries. You are even and calm and clear.

After step 6, your beta-endorphin levels start to rise. You don’t need the 'hit'. Read that again. You don’t NEED it. You are not hooked on the hit any more. And you can take the steps to not be a victim. Your clarity and sense of self will be totally different. You will be able to ask for help and follow through with what you need to do.

Now, if you haven’t done the food yet, this idea is going to seem totally outrageous to you. How in the world can breakfast have an impact on your abusive boyfriend or boss or parent? You are going to think I am totally off the wall. But I am not. This is a BIOCHEMICAL issue. Doing the food alters the biochemistry that makes you feel you deserve being put down or hurt. It alters the dance.

I know that this is such a startling concept; we will need to be talking about it more. Let's keep talking. Come to chat and learn about options.




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/