May 28, 2012


Hi {!firstname_fix}

Well, ok, this edition of the newsletter is chock full of lots of great new information for you...

Ranch was so successful, I have made it a point to book for next year. Here are the dates. Make sure to mark them in your calendar. And watch for the early bird sign-up offer. US Ranch 2013 dates, May 17-18-19. Will be held in Albuquerque, NM at the Pueblo Indian Cultural Center.

I am now an official certified provider for training through the NM Alcohol and Drug services. This means that people attending ranch can get Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). Our first group will be receiving their certificates shortly. CEUs will be available for Euro Ranch.

I will also be offering CEU credits for select 2-week classes. The option will be shown at Shopping Cart when you sign up for the class. If you choose this option, you will be required to actively participate and then complete an evaluation at the end of class. If you have any questions, let me know.

Don't forget that we have a new group for men. It is a small group and we are looking forward to doing some fun *coaching*...do come join us.

I have put the thyroid class into the roster because so many of you have asked about this information.


These classes will begin Wednesday, May 30, 2012. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page:

Step 2

Step 2: Introduction (2 weeks) - will teach you the basics of journaling. The class will give you step-by-step instructions in how to record your food and feelings in a way that gets you excited.


Radiant Thyroid (2 weeks) - CEUs - A 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.


These classes will begin Wednesday, June 6, 2012. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page:

Magical Introversion (2 weeks) - CEUs - 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.


Using Radiant Resources (2 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.

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 **


The more you are able to just observe and note your food and feelings, the easier it will be for you to make changes in them.

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** Testimonial of the Week **


Today I wanted to clean out the fridge a bit and asked one of my teenage son's friends if he would like the final piece of leftover pie. He eagerly accepted and said yes to ice cream also. I dished out the pie and ice cream and then tidied up the kitchen. I had just finished a very tasty RR lunch of my favorite chicken dish, wild rice/brown rice medley, and apple slices with peanut butter.

A couple of hours later I realized with a shock that I DIDN'T EVEN THINK about how I was missing dessert. I didn't take a sliver for myself or lick the spoon or anything. No cravings, no struggles, it just never crossed my mind. I was just happy he was enjoying it so much and now I could put the dish into the dishwasher and have more room in the fridge.

WOW! I can't tell you how stunned I am!

Melissa


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** Radiant Ambassadors **




Ok, hands up who knows a thing or two about sugar being addictive?

Thought so!

This article was spotted by an eagle-eyed Brit in one of our national newspapers:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/healthyeating/9275056/Why-cupcakes-are-the-new-cocaine.html

While it does talk about the Princeton study and promote a new book, it doesn't mention anything about how to heal sugar sensitivity.

Does anyone else want to join me in adding a comment about a solution that works?

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 **




My name is Heather and I'm from New York. A friend of mine whose life has changed because of this program told me about Radiant Recovery a few years ago. I would like to learn more about how what I eat affects how I think and feel.


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** Radiant Recovery® Store **


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

I have had some newly pregnant women ask me about which fish oil to get so I thought it would be good to say a little about the different oils we carry.

proepa ProEPA - Nordic Naturals ProEPA, one of the industry's highest concentrations of EPA from fish,is enhanced with natural lemon oil in both the soft gel capsule and oil for great lemon taste. ProEPA is molecularly distilled for purity and concentration, and has added rosemary extract for superior freshness. This high concentrate formula provides excellent nutritional support for the body to manufacture vital series 3 prostaglandins, and is 'repeat' and 'odor free.
prodha ProDHA - DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid, and is an essential building block of brain and nerve tissue. DHA can not be synthesized by the body, and therefore must be obtained by a diet high in deep-sea cold water fish.

DHA, which constitutes approximately 40% of the brain, supports brain development during the last trimester of pregnancy when the unborn child's demand for neurological growth increases greatly. If added to the mother's diet, it can help prevent the depletion of the mother's store of DHA, and support the developing baby's essential fatty acid needs. Currently, the proposed Adequate Intake of DHA for pregnant and lactating women is 300 mg. per day. (ISSFAL)
children's dha Children's DHA -Nordic Naturals Children's DHA is a small, chewable cod liver oil supplement flavored with strawberry essence. Children's DHA is a delicious way for children to supplement their diet with the essential brain nutrient, DHA. Molecularly distilled for purity, Children's DHA contains only naturally existing.

For children three years and older.
proefajr ProEFA Junior - Everyone needs Omega fatty acids, especially young, developing minds! Nordic Naturals ProEFA Junior provides a full spectrum of Omega fatty acids necessary for brain and eye development and maintenance, as well as mood, focus, learning ability, and overall well-being. Taste-tested by kids and teens, these lemon-flavored chewable capsules are perfect for ages five through teens. This one is great for kids who have a hard time paying attention.

pycnogenol And if you are taking fish oil, Kathleen recommends also taking Pycnogenol to strengthen capillaries and protect you from bruising.


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


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** Radiant Kitchen **


Kathleen’s Tofu Recipe


Sort of squash it with a paper towel to get the extra water out.

Cut in 1/4 inch slices.

Heat up a skillet with some olive oil and put the slices in. (actually I use my pancake griddle)

Sprinkle some torula yeast (Twin Labs) on each slice.

Pour some tamari over each slice so the whole thing sizzles.

Turn 'em over and cook some more.

Serve hot then or save for lunch and serve cold.

This is one of Kathleen’s personal recipes.

For more great program-friendly recipes, check out our cookbook in the store and visit our online Radiant Recipes site.



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** Radiant YLD **


We are in the process of completely revamping the Your Last Diet! program. [the weight loss component of Radiant Recovery®] We had a new person join and ask, *well, so what do I get for my membership?* and I realized that we have grown and evolved so much over the last two years, that all the benefits are spread out in different places. We did a chat on the topic last week that was pretty mind boggling. I am compiling it and will post it next week. I think you will be thrilled. Chats continue to be the high point of the week.

If you would like to join, come find us here


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** Radiant Conversations **


We have a new portal for the Conversations program. Come check it out here.

Conversations is kinda like our Town Hall. Basically we do 2 chats. [One for US time and one for Euro time. The folks down under come into the US one] and talk about the topics of the day. It is a place for exploring the newest concepts in the community, or the hot topics, or even just special play. If you want to know more email me at kathleen@radiantrecovery.com and I can give you specifics.

If you would like to join us, you can do that below.

Join YLD Weight Loss Now: click here - $99

Join Conversations 2011 Now: click here - $99

Join Both YLD and Conversations Now: click here - $149

Current YLD members wish to Upgrade to Both, click here - $49

Current YLD members who wish to Transfer to Conversations 2011 Only can do so for a $14.99 admin fee: click here

If you are not a member, come and join us 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 **


Have you been sitting on the couch a lot this winter, suffering from being inside too much, and thinking about a wee bit of movement? We would love to have you join us in exploring new ways of moving on the Movement List. Even if you can only walk to the end of the driveway, you are welcome. We have a new team to support you and we are planning LOTS of fun.

The Movement list is for people who want to start moving again and to baby step into a regular exercise program. If you can remember how much fun it was to move when you were a child and you've lost that, the Movement list is the perfect place for you. And, if you don't remember, we'll help you rediscover it. There are some wonderful people on the list who will share their stories and help you explore different options to form a movement plan that works for you.. We are enthusiastic about our own exercise, but we also understand first hand how hard it was to start and to baby step into regular movement. It's a great list; 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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**An Insider’s Look at Radiant Ranch **
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.



You know, generally before Ranch it is hard for me to describe for you exactly what it will be like. It is hard to describe an organic process. However, this year, I gathered very close notes because I thought it is time to describe it differently.

To start off with, “Ranch” is really way more than just the content of the official seminar. It is making the decision to come, finding the money either by asking or earning...either way making a commitment... and then figuring out all the logistics. For many of our first time participants, it is the first time they have traveled on their own, so making plane connections, planning arrivals, making hotel reservations are all new. And that is to say nothing of dealing with the questions like, “Well, who are these people? Have you ever met them? How do you know it is for real? Who will be there?” Or having your plane be late and not knowing if you will get dinner. Or committing to a roommate and wondering what that will be like. Or committing to a single room and having time alone for the first time in 12 years.

Then arriving and having things work. Discovering that you have a buddy whose purpose is to help you feel comfortable. Then the warmth and the joy of other radiant folks start to surround you. You learn there are plans for dinner outside on the patio of a local hotel that serves brown rice and is not at all disturbed that you want double chicken or more broccoli. You laugh and feel as if you have known these people all your life.

Great breakfast in the hotel, an omelet and browns that your roommate brought and shares. People making plans for the morning and you are invited along – perhaps you are part of the “Breaking Bad” tour [a TV show shot on location in Albuquerque], and you end up with incredible decaf on a table outside on the sidewalk just under that famous mural. You find Albuquerque charming, blue skies, warmth, lovely people. Old town is enchanting. You go in the bead store, you see hot air balloons in the sky.

More of the old timers have arrived. You go up to the hospitality room at noontime for the gathering of people who want to learn to do travel cooking in rice cookers. Terri and Vinny present a whole selection of gourmet foods. Staggering. Doing the food, anywhere, anytime for real. It feels as if you have been in NM for a week already and we hadn’t even started.

The room for the seminar is breathtaking. It faces the mountains in the East. The whole end wall to the South has little places for pottery from the pueblos. The tables are set with black table clothes and sage green napkins. The warmth of the people is wonderful, wonderful. The connection. Being able to chat with people who understand. Your people...and the food is hot and waiting...food with no worry about what you can eat. It is all good. The electricity goes out. No one is alarmed. The staff takes dinner down for Carol who cannot climb the stairs; other people go down to be with her. The staff brings a hundred little tea lights that create a glow while the sun is going down. We figure, "Well, we will eat and then sort the rest." Eventually, the lights come back on. The food is wonderful, comforting. We are laughing and laughing..."hugging old friends that I dearly love….meeting new friends I know I will grow to love...”

After dinner, Kathleen starts her presentation for the evening. She is giving us an overview of the weekend, of sugar sensitivity and what it means for us. We do an exercise that allows us to begin to know one another. It is wonderful, soft, caring and makes the people come alive. She begins the talking about healing, healing from inside out. We can begin to feel it. Afterwards we walk back to the hotel. At peace, settled, excited.

In the morning, some go over across the street to a local AA meeting called Dawn Patrol. Nice that 12 or so are there, infusing the meeting with “girl” energy. And then everyone convenes in the Pottery room for breakfast. Scrambled eggs, bacon, blue corn pancakes, gluten free, skin-on potatoes, Starbucks coffee. Settled. It just feels settled.

We learn about the biochemistry of Sugar Sensitivity. Some of us have heard this before but we never tire of it. This year, Kathleen is making it interactive, we are laughing. New people are getting it, old people remembering. We break, walk around, laugh, reconvene and then we are doing improv. Each table has a task to convey blood sugar, serotonin or beta endorphin. Each table makes a play. People are intent, laughing. Even, maybe especially, the introverts. Then we do the plays and each is remarkably on target. We guess the contents, we laugh and laugh.

We have lunch together. New Mexican food that is indescribably yummy. We are comfortable and relaxed. We have enough time to walk, to go nap, to do whatever we like for a bit. We reconvene and Kathleen starts to speak of emotional healing and the role of the amygdala and the ACC, another part of the brain that is key for all of us. She talks about why we process feelings the way we do. How trauma affects us, how we move from anger into joy. It is riveting, we are grateful that she is recording it. For some of us, we are so engrossed, we didn’t even take notes. Kathleen has this uncanny ability to take these incredibly complex ideas and make them come alive. The material itself is mind boggling...we thought it was just the food, and then Kathleen adds this new stuff. Hope goes deeper.

We stop for another break. This one is an hour. A nap, a walk, time alone on the porch, watching light on the mountains. We come back to talk about emotional maturity. Feelings are ok; a feeling is not a doing. Kathleen shows us how the healing works, how doing the food changes things.

We break and go out for dinner. Different people to different places. Everyone is looked after. More laughing. No one is left out, no one eating alone in sadness in her room. After, we come back for play night. Some people are drawing, beading, playing scattergories or bananagrams. The room is quiet, comforting, fun. It is 9 and time to break for the evening. Nothing feels heavy or scary. But lots to think about.

The sun comes up again over the mountains. Dawn Patrol, breakfast and then another exercise. We are talking more about emotional maturity and problem solving. We learn about asking for help, listening. On first blush, this just seems like a little exercise, some process thingie that Kathleen dreamed up. And yet, we start having these feelings...”What is it that I really want? What does this mean to ask for help, to have people listen, clarify, reflect? What a concept!” Our brains cannot really make sense of this...but it seems like something is shifting...something strange is happening. It all is flowing. We talk of going home, of transition and holding this energy. Then we do lunch. Some downstairs in the café, some other places. We all come back at 2 PM for the Indian sacred dances. The music, the rhythm of the drums. We are sitting in an energy that is deep and old.

They stop, we move into the museum, which is more of a quiet place of listening to a story of the native people here in the pueblos. Our guide is the man who designed the exhibit that speaks of how federal policy affected native people. He speaks of finding reconciliation, or rewriting old stories of pain and fracturing into weaving new meaning. We see pottery, weavings, and it is as if the old ones are there teaching us.

We say goodbyes for the evening...winding down. Many people are staying around. We do dinners, we sit, we laugh and talk. Monday we do touristy things. Albuquerque is small and friendly. People are at ease. It feels good. The whole thing feels good.

This is Ranch and even these many words cannot even touch what happened, some miracle of healing.


Thanks for reading! If you know someone who could benefit from this, feel free to forward it to them.

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Until next time!
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.



©2012 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