May 2, 2011

Hi {!firstname_fix}

I have been finishing up my presentations for Ranch. It is very exciting to me to take some really complex and interesting material about the neurochemistry of play and distill it down into a powerpoint/keynote set of slides. I love the creativity of simple and graphics to help people make sense of these ideas. Yep, play is healing.

Thank you all for your feedback on classes. I also have been working on ways to have them move more smoothly. This part is very exciting. Your input is always appreciated.

This class will begin Wednesday, May 4, 2011. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page:

Step 4 (2 weeks) is the potato class. Come learn everything you ever wanted to know about the timing, size, frequency of your potato. Learn about the best vitamins and talk all you want about them. This is a nice way to strengthen and refine your step 4.

There will be no classes beginning the week of Wednesday, May 11, 2011.

This class will begin Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page:

Brain Chemistry: Dopamine (2 weeks) 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. If you have taken the other two classes but not this one, come join us..you will love seeing how it fills the package out.

Weight Loss: First Steps (2 weeks) is a class for those of you who want to lose weight and are looking for guidance in getting started with that process. This class shows you how the seven steps get you ready for doing weight loss.

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 **


We had a wonderful Easter this year. I told my large family, steeped in tradition where everyone brings the same items every year to a large Easter dinner, not to give the children sweets in their Easter baskets.

I have been receiving the same candies piled high (overflowing) in a large basket every year for over 30 years now and my children have been receiving them as well. Each year, for the past several years, I gently suggest for everyone to cut back on how much they give and no one does. This year I told them straight out no sweets and gave them suggestions of small items the kids would enjoy like crayons, bubbles, plastic eggs with coins, small bags of nuts, books, etc.

I was truly amazed when I saw baskets overflowing with items that were not candy or food at all. I am so glad I was radiant enough to stand up to traditions that have dated back through several generations. Plus, instead of the kids bugging me when they got home to eat this or that candy, all 3 played happily all evening with their new Easter trinkets, coloring books, balls, balloons, etc. No one mentioned candy or the lack of it. There were no fights, no crying, and no whining. Everyone went to bed happily and easily.

Emily

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** Radiant Ambassadors **


Several people contacted me last week about an article in the New York Times entitled 'Is Sugar Toxic?'

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17Sugar-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine

Interestingly I was also sent a link to the video that was mentioned in the article 'Sugar: The Bitter Truth', although I haven't watched all of it yet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I find it fascinating that well over a million people have watched the youtube video - that's a mighty long list of people. It's good to see scientific research being done and the issue being talked about, especially in the popular media.

I know that one day 'sugar sensitivity' will be talked about just as much.

Meanwhile we'll keep doing the food and talking about the solution!

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 **


Hi, I'm Dede from Atlanta, Georgia. I'm a recovering alcoholic and addict with 20 years of sobriety. I've always known I was a sugar addict and bragged on having dessert after breakfast, lunch and dinner. I can remember back to being 3 or 4, and even then I was using sugar addictively.

Now I'm 50 and have developed a pouch around my mid section and the doctor says I'm pre diabetic. But, the most telling sign is that my obsession and use of sugar is looking more and more alcoholic daily. I hide what I eat, I can't stop once I start, I decide to quit sugar completely in the morning, only to binge by the night. I have no willpower. It's gotten really sick. I don't have anyone to talk to about this because I'm small and pretty fit other than my tummy, so people don't even want to hear it from me. If you're not an addict, complaining about sugar abuse sounds ridiculous. Well wishers say, "Just stop." "Just don't eat ice cream". WHATEVER!! If it were only that simple.

I have a good friend who eats really healthy and works in a holistic medical practice and she forwarded me an email on the book, and as soon as I read it, I knew it was speaking to me. Just like when I went to my first AA meeting 20 years ago. I felt like 'those people' were saying what was in my head. I didn't necessarily want to hear it but, I knew it rang true.

I'm ready to learn more. Ready to do Step 1. I can't commit past that but, just for this one day, I'll try it.

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** Radiant Recovery® Store **


David manages the Radiant Recovery® Store. He is also Kathleen's oldest son.

I know a number of you are getting ready to travel to ranch. Don't forget to get some pycnogenol for your flight. It prevents leg clots and is really, really great insurance.


And the sprouts are flying off my shelf. Kathleen was sharing with some friends about how fabulous that sweet potato and bean one is in her shake. She is doing it every morning. I asked her for the recipe:

  • 1.5 cups of vanilla almond milk (unsweetened)
  • 1 scoop of Restore
  • 2 tsp of all-one vitamin powder
  • and one package of Spouts
She has this at 5 am and then has regular breakfast at 8 am. It is working really well. She calls it pre-breakfast. The dogs like the blender, although none of them are as skilled as Josie was. She was the queen of licking.

Please send questions and suggestions. I love hearing from you and truly want to help you do your program better.

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** Happenings on Facebook **


Radiant Recovery® International | Promote Your Page Too


We want to move up to 1000 fans before the end of May. Grab your friends on Facebook and tell them what we are doing. Come be a fan!

Come find us on Facebook at

http://www.Facebook.com/RadiantRecovery and join the fun!.



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** Radiant Kitchen **


Lemon Cabbage Slaw

Wash and cut up red cabbage, and put it in a bowl. Squeeze a whole bunch of lemon juice, plenty to coat all the cabbage (maybe a lemon's worth for every 2 cups of cabbage. Then cut up fresh ginger and fresh garlic in tiny chunks – maybe a tsp of each for each cup of cabbage. Throw that in the bowl. Then add more salt than you think you should (but to taste). For me that’s probably about 1/2 tsp per cup or two of cabbage. Then mix, mix, mix until everything is thoroughly wet and flavors mixed. It probably gets more flavorful with time, but we slurped it up almost immediately. I don’t think it needs oil, but feel free to try oil if you want to, and let me know how it is.

This recipe was contributed by Wynne from the Radiant Recovery Community Forum.

I just had to let you know that this slaw is delish. I made my own version as I am not keen on ginger. I added the lemon juice, a little salt and pepper, celery seed and parsley along with the garlic. I also chopped up a bit of green pepper and tossed it in. Really, really yummy. Crispy, crunchy and so refreshing. Thanks for sharing. – Sheba

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


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** Radiant Conversations **


We had a fascinating discussion at our eurochat last week that I'd like to share with you. Click here to read it.

If you are not a YLD member, come and join us. Click here if you want to be a part of the latest and greatest or just have some plain ol' fun!

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** Our Online Groups **


The radiantrecovery list was set up as a support for people who are in recovery from alcohol and/or drugs and would like to add the Radiant Recovery nutritional piece to their healing. Our approach to recovery encourages the use of 12 step programs and Radiant Recovery. The folks on the list are warm, compassionate, caring and straightforward. We would love to have you 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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**How Things Fit Together **
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.



We have been having some nice dialogue about how things fit together.

And since I am posting a chat in the conversations section, I won't do a whole article here. I suspect that many of you are not realizing the power of what we are doing in chat.

It just keeps getting better. Having an interactive dialogue makes the program come alive for me. My writing is shaped by your input. My thinking develops in service to your questions and ideas. I wonder if any other author has ever had this much fun with people who read the writings. It is really kind of amazing to be honest.

I am grateful for your being there.

Print that chat and read it carefully. You will love it.

kathleen


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.
Tina tells us what's happening on Facebook.


©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/