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June 11, 2012 Hi {!firstname_fix} 
I have a good friend and colleague who lives up the street a couple of houses. She recently got a new puppy. A few evenings ago, I walked down to see the pup. I knocked at the door, her husband said she was in back and showed me through the house. In all the years we have talked I actually had never been in the back yard. Her house was built in the same period as mine, maybe early 60's. The houses are sturdy and unassuming. From the street, they look modest and settled. her backyard about knocked my socks off. She told me that 3 years ago she decided that she had been *thinking* for nine years about doing something back there but every year she sort of got tired and dabbled more than made progress.Then she hired a couple who does sustainable landscaping. They did a plan together and starting plantings that she adds to every day. From weeds and concrete rubble, this is what they made. Right here, in the North Valley, just up the road. I sat out there while the moon came up. I felt this sense of peacefulness of where I live. I have never felt this way in my life. I called the couple. They are going to come and do a plan for me. First, the dog yard in the front, then the area for the rescues, and the area with grass, and then my rubble area in the way back. I don't care if we do it in tiny increments. Once I know we can create something like this, I can be patient. It is like what we do in the program. One day of 30, then of 90 and then of 2 years. And then a miracle. You can read the article below to know about the miracle. This class will begin Wednesday, June 13, 2012. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page:
This class will begin Wednesday, June 20, 2012. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page:
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 **********************************************************************
** Quote From Kathleen ** Beta-endorphin is immensely powerful. It can drive you inexorably toward deeper addiction - or raise your spirits to a level of health that you may never have known before. **********************************************************************
** Testimonial of the Week ** I can remember being ruled by sugar even as a kid. We didn't have sugar cereal at our house, but I looked forward to spending the night with certain friends because they had sugared cereal. Captain Crunch was my favorite. I would eat it until the box was gone and the top of my mouth was torn up. One friend was actually kind of mean to me and her mom was an awful crab (probably an ss family), but I loved staying there because they always had Captain Crunch. Once or twice a week I would make my own concoction that my mom and I called brown sugar candy. Butter melted on the stove, add brown sugar, sometime raw oats and freeze. I would eat a whole pan of it in a couple days. I was never overweight as a kid, don't know why not, lol. But I was a loner. Now and then I would have one or two good friends, but I always felt on the outside or on the fringe. I was smart, but I was a C student. Looking back, I wasn't always "present" in class. I would also fight with teachers instead of keeping my mouth shut. No energy, few friends, low self-esteem. As a teen, I smoked, I partied, I did drugs. I was also a very responsible employee, but my finances were a mess, my love life was always a mess and because of low self-esteem, I let people walk on me. I was a magnet for friends and boyfriends that had huge issues. I took care of all of them and they treated me badly. I quit smoking to have kids and ate more sugar and junk. Gained massive amounts of weight with both pregnancies. Was in a rotten marriage, spent too much money and hated life. My family has big issues around weight and I was the only one in the family for generations that was over-weight. It wasn't long before I was bulimic. For several years I was either gaining weight at an alarming rate or I was actively bulimic. I tried to be a good mom, but had no energy and most of the time no patience. I was out of the horrible marriage, but not really "present" for my kids. Of course they are ss too. I would lose my cool with them and then feel bad and spoil them. I would put my foot down on something important and then give in when they begged. I was mean and strict about stupid things and ignored big things everyday. Mush brain, moody and no energy. I would completely lose my temper over something stupid and stomp around, slamming doors and throwing Mornings before school were terrible and on the way to school, I would drop by the donut shop and that is what the three of us would eat for breakfast. The year my kids' dad and I divorced, I fed my kids donuts every morning before school. OMG you know, now, it is more embarrassing for me to write that about the donuts than to tell you about the bulimia and drugs. The way I was with my kids still makes me cringe. I was in a 2nd wonderful marriage to a great man, and still a mess. Would come from work and go to bed. Grumpy, no patience, hated summers because my step-daughters were there (and they are great kids). Some days I didn't want my husband to talk to me, much less touch me. I wanted to be alone in my universe with a gallon of ice cream and no one to bother me. Still a great employee and even a good boss, but a sick, whiney wife and grumpy, no energy mom. I was starting to instinctively know that sugar was at the core of my problem and did a search for sugar addiction on the web. SARP and Kathleen came up. I ordered the book and a few weeks later it arrived. The night I received the book, I remember posting on the forum while eating a bowl of cake mix. LOL. I really haven't looked back since. I trusted what I read on the lists, I whined and posted a lot and I healed at an amazing rate. My kids and I have this great relationship. They don't even attempt to beg these days. LOL. We spend a huge amount of time laughing and playing together. We have big issues now and then still, (hey, I have an ss teen in the house LOL), but I am present, I handle the situations calmly and wisely My marriage is better than ever. I actually wait on him now and then instead of the other way around. More intimacy, more laughter, less stress. We still owe money, but I don't spend it like I used to. And when we are broke, or screw up and bounce a check, I don't go off the deep end like I used to. We deal with and it doesn't take over our life. I have weight to lose, but it doesn't affect how I feel about me or how I relate to my family. I know that it will take a while for my body to trust me again. Hey, look what I have put her through her entire life. Sugar, drugs, bulimia. My house is clean, meals are on time, homework is done, plants are watered, pets are healthy and happy. Kids like mom and bring their friends home with them. I am still a good, full-time employee, but now I am also writing and actively involved with learning all there is to learn about being an author and writing as a career. I look forward to the time that I work at home and am there when my kids get home from school. Who was that person in that other life? I don't know, but I guess I learned a lot from her. Thank goodness *I* live a radiant life. (grin) Vicki L. **********************************************************************
** Radiant Ambassadors **  Did you know that the Radiant Recovery group on Facebook seems to be growing on a daily basis - we now have 786 members! And did you also know that we are sharing joydots there? No? Well, come on over and join in the fun! Selena selenas@blueyonder.co.uk Come join us if you are excited about spreading the news. **********************************************************************
** How I Found Radiant Recovery ** I am (Mr.) Loren M. from a suburb of San Francisco. I am in the program to control blood sugar, lose weight, and control mood swings (anxiety and mild depression). The doctors say that I have pre-diabetes. I heard about the program while driving through the Los Angeles area last week (Tuesday, 4/24/12, 1 PM) and listening to an interview with Kathleen DesMaisons on radio station KPFK. The link to the show is still there at http://kpfk.org/programs/118-innervisiontuesdays.html. I hope people will consider downloading the show while it is still in the archive and listening to it again as a podcast. I look forward to being in this class. Joy to all, (Mr.) Loren M. **********************************************************************
** Radiant Recovery¬ Store ** David manages the Radiant Recovery® Store. He is also Kathleen's oldest son. 
We have had so many people ask about a dairy free/soy free protein powder, we decided to try this one out. Kathleen likes the flavor. Let's see if it will work for you.A high quality, plant-based protein plus live probiotics and enzymes, fat-soluble vitamins and nutrient Code Factors» such as Beta-glucans, SOD, glutathione and CoQ10 for overall health and vitality, RAW Protein provides the following benefits:
Please send questions and suggestions. I love hearing from you and truly want to help you do your program better. **********************************************************************
** Radiant Kitchen **
Now, I know if I can make this and love it, you will too. I never thought I would like something *strange* like wild rice, but oh is it great. And I am hearing all sorts of wonderful things about its cholestrol-lowering properties. For more great program-friendly recipes, check out our cookbook in the store and visit our online Radiant Recipes site. **********************************************************************
** Radiant YLD ** Your Last Diet is the place we talk about weight loss. It is the *safe zone* for people who come in distraught and think that losing weight will solve all things. Ironically, it has turned into a place of creative conversation. The healing level is very high. Last week we talked about different types of detox. How the neurochemistry of what you are going off of affects the way you detox. A beta-endorphin drug like alcohol or sugar will have a different detox from a dopamine drug like caffeine or Diet Coke. It sure was interesting. If you think you have to have mastered the 7 steps to join YLD, you don't. You can be on step 0 and enjoy what we are doing. We love having new people. If you would like to join, come find us here **********************************************************************
** Radiant Conversations ** We have a new portal for the Conversations program. Come check it out here. Usually Conversations chat comes from the article in the prior newsletter. This week we digressed from that to talk about the changes that come with doing the program. This chat was so remarkable, I have decided to post it as the article. Conversations chats are the cutting edge of the community. Come join us if you want to be a part of that. 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! **********************************************************************
** Our Online Groups ** Radiant Creative Cooking is rocking. We have a whole group of vegetarians who are over there talking about how to make the program come alive as a vegetarian. If you are now a vegetarian or are thinking about moving in that direction, this is a great place to come listen and share. **********************************************************************
**Changes That Happen ** Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.
This is an except from Conversations
Chat. It was serendipitous and spontaneous. But I think this is the best
of spending real time together.
This is what 'doing the food' gives us, and I think we rarely step back
and see the power of it. These changes creep up in nano shifts so we are less
likely to notice. But in talking like this, the energy streamed out. I hope you
enjoy it. And do come join us in the chats. radiantkd: I thought we could explore the changes
that happen with the program like
blame and entitlement shift to taking responsibility and humility despair
shifts to hope anger
shifts to humor isolation
to connection arguing
to sharing denial
to disclosure do
you guys have any? Green: grim to grin...not that I'm there yet!
but closer Blue: stuckness to creativity Fuchia: drama to peace Violet: reactive to solution oriented Blue:
problems to solutions Buttercup:
fuzzy to focused radiantkd: living under the radar to being a
presence in the world Lime: shame -&; freedom? possibilities?
wholeness? Blue:
feeling inadequate shifts to confidence Mocha:
Know it all to curiosity and asking for help radiantkd:
a feeling of inner greyness shifts feeling like the sun is shining in my heart Fuchia:
perfectionism to realistic goals workaholism
to balance Violet:
I plan more Green:
fear to freedom Buttercup:
fear to Fun Emerald:
anxiety to trust that Grace is working radiantkd:
crying and freaking out when presented with difficult challenges to a calm
assessing of the problem and a mature way of coping stress
over appearance shifts to peace on constant love mean
voice in head shift to cheering ones Violet:
chaos to organized radiantkd:
obsession to organized Blue:
I like that mean voice one--to cheering radiantkd:
lethargy to energy Green:
childish to maturity: ) radiantkd:
apathy to engagement confusion
to clarity Buttercup:
focused to next sugar to focused on life radiantkd: just hanging on to stability Foam
green: self-centered to caring about others radiantkd: not knowing ones own mind to surety scatterdness
to groundedness obsession
to organization and calm Buttercup: huge picture to nanos radiantkd: and nanos to huge picture : ) flowing
rigidity
to fluidity Blue:
thinking things are too hard to nanos radiantkd:
stuck to movement couch
to coach loneliness
to solitude Fuchia:
that's a good introvert one : ) radiantkd:
staggering, yes? Violet:
yes! Blue:
feeling of not belonging to centeredness Emerald:
outside to one among friends Mocha: Living in past and future to living in
the present radiantkd: lost and found Hyacinthe: isolating to asking for help radiantkd:
my brain says, *how can this be?* but
my heart knows it is true Emerald:
spiritually bereft to spiritually connected not sure how to put that into words
Sterling: my heart says 'why not' Hyacinthe:
Why me?, to Why not me! Green: I can't to I can Buttercup:
It just reinforces brain chemistry to me since what else could possibly affect
everything to this extent radiantkd: why do I get stuff? How can I serve? changing
from self centered to thinking of others being
in denial to being willing wounded
to healed Hyacinthe: self centered to centered self Fuchia:
but not wanting to "fix" others Green:
closed to open Sterling:
from feeling fear to being open to possibilities radiantkd:
from feeling like a freak to feeling like a star Sterling:
from feeling less than to feeling a real sense of okness Mocha:
Not enough to abundance radiantkd:
have to to get to Buttercup:
rigid to creative radiantkd:
grumbling to enFuchiaying arguing
to sharing Hyacinthe:
polar to middle Emerald:
thoughtless to thoughtful Blue:
depressed to happy radiantkd:
anxiety to trust radiantkd:
would anyone believe us? Green:
NO! Sterling:
not at first Violet:
nope radiantkd:
they would believe the energy Buttercup:
no Green:
they would have to experience it Terri
w: Those who see the transformation radiantkd:
this list staggers me it
cannot be by chance since
these changes are so pervasive and we all see them in ourselves anyone
who has been around for a year, knows these things yes?
Fuchia: Yes Buttercup:
yes Blue:
yes for sure Green:
yes Hyacinthe:
Yes Fuchia:
yes Foam
green: yes Violet:
yes Mocha:
Absolutely, they are real for me radiantkd:
it is the food Fuchia:
it is a combination -- leadership, the food, the program, the community, the
shared experience Lime:
well, I was wondering if I just did the food, how far along I would be versus
consistently interacting here radiantkd:
and Lime, yes, the interaction is priceless those
of you who do that, get something very unique Hyacinthe:
I think I could not have stayed with the program without the community. I have
tried Fuchia:
SARP convinced me to do the food, the rest I had to live into radiantkd:
right, Fuchia radiantkd:
sometimes I get discouraged and
then I read the forum or the lists, and I hear your voices and it blows me away
Green:
I love your books radiantkd but I would not have made it this far with just the
books. I had to have the community radiantkd:
feeling how you are deepening Mocha:
Me too. I tried twice on my own radiantkd:
and listening as your stories heal others Sterling:
it's like with AA, I would not have stayed sober just reading the Big Book Fuchia:
I do not know where I would be without this program. Sterling:
community, connection is all important Green:
I'm always amazed that I learn so much from reading the lists. I think it is
the interaction Fuchia:
just think of how many combined years of experience is just on this chat
tonight! radiantkd:
lets count radiantkd:
right so I am going to say 130 radiantkd:
you don't *lose your time* in RR Violet:
wow radiantkd: It is all learning radiantkd:
in AA, they say alcoholism progresses I
think recovery progresses Sterling:
yes radiantkd:
even if you falter Mocha:
Yes Green:
yes Violet:
yes Blue:
i think that's true too Purple:
oh definitely, recovery keeps going when we are not paying attention (smile) Hyacinthe:
It's nice to know that nothing is ever lost or for nothing radiantkd:
nothing is ever lost radiantkd:
LOL it imprints Purple:
something in my cells, having smelled the promise of healing, wanted to keep
going even when my head decided I didn't care radiantkd:
well I think our cells KNOW even if *we* get a little stupid like,
whoa, wait, I want THAT!!! turn
around, go back Fuchia:
Absolutely -- I've messed up my food or my timing several times, and I always
get pulled back Purple:
LOL I will never forget having trouble Fuchiaurnalling, Purpleleen, you told me
to stop, then and I couldn't LOL Foam
green: Yes, once you show up here - watch out! : ) radiantkd:
this is another miracle Blue:
chat is like that for me..I always want to show up Mocha:
Me too, Blue Thanks for reading! If you know someone who could benefit from this, feel free to forward it to them. Not a subscriber yet? Like what you have read? Sign up to get future issues delivered straight to you: http://www.radiantrecovery.com 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 |
