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September 16, 2013 Hi {!firstname_fix} 
The rains finally came and blessed they are. Our river which was down to a small meandering band is now looking like the grand Rio Grande! The trees and wildlife are singing. Everything is sprouting. And we grieve that the same storms that are bringing us life have been raining devastation up in Colorado. For now, I cope with muddy paws and grit in the carpets.Some of you may have noticed a change in the looks of Yahoo! (called Neo). Some may have found it an enhancement, some an aggravation. We are simply working on trying to adapt while Yahoo makes these changes. Let us know if it is interfering with your ability to get into your groups and we can help you with some workarounds while Yahoo catches up to itself. I have also been making some changes in the way I handle the classes. I know that some of you have been upset with me for inconsistent or late timing. And I sincerely apologize for that. More important, I have been putting some administrative systems into place that seem to be helping. Some of it has been that I have been committing to do too much and then getting stuck and then feeling bad and then avoiding, LOL. I think that would be called what we, as addicts, do. Mostly I was stuck in shame and not doing well with dealing with it. I started editing some material from a class I did in 2011 and reread a post where someone just blasted me for typos. It wasn't either a kind or thoughtful post, but it did put the issue on the table, and it made me far more attentive about that character flaw (smile)...and I am so much better. I figured I might do the same for posting class lessons. No more hiding behind the idea that I struggle with clerical stuff, just buck up and take care of it. And...I do think it is important for all of us not to lose sight of the fact that there is content, and typos or timing aside, providing updated and thoughtful content is a good thing. I think we all learn together. These classes will begin Wednesday, September 18, 2013. Please click on the name of the class and it will take you to the registration page:
These classes will begin Wednesday,September 25, 2013. 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 ** Your molecules will yearn for balance, care, and healing. Instead of cravings for sugar, there will come a longing for wholeness. **********************************************************************
**Testimonial of the Week ** My A1C is now in the NORMAL range!!!!! Hi All, Still feeling terrible with my cold. I have managed to get to work today. It is a short day, so will be able to go home and sleep. Nothing planned for tomorrow except sleep, sleep, and more sleep. I am so excited that my A1C is now in the normal range. Pretty much it is all the steps working together to stabilize the blood sugar. Eating only 3 meals and a snack a day helps. Eating only complex carbs helps. Detoxing from sugar helps. It is so nice to see the rewards in my blood test. Missy **********************************************************************
**Radiant Life ** Wow, what incredible feedback :-) I love your thought about getting creative. Hmm, here are some of the things we've tried. We've cut out from magazines and drawn pictures of breakfasts that sound good to us. We've looked at lists in Little Sugar Addicts of possible breakfasts (page 63, 72, and I also used page 89 for breakfast ideas), and Anna rated from 1 to 5 how they sounded, and we tried the 4's and 5's. Also, you could look in the files section of this list [parents]. There is a list of breakfast with protein suggestions. Anna and I read through that and rated them too (that method worked well for us, lol). Also in the photos section, I am putting in breakfast pictures that can be looked at with kids for possible ideas. I see I only have four pictures, I'll go add some more now. Anyone want to help add to it? Let us know if you find some breakfasts that sound good to your kids! Angela **********************************************************************
**Radiant Ambassadors **  I love hearing about all the ambassdoring going on! Mandie shared a wonderful post with us recently which I found very inspiring: "Hi All Wanted to carve out the time to check in about the dinner party my friend organised a while back for me to share RR with friends of hers. I thought initially it was just going to be a couple of friends. Turns out to be six of them in total. What was interesting to me was how nervous I felt when I finally had centre stage! I share about my RR journey a lot, but I realised upon reflection that conversations always evolve naturally, so I never feel put on the spot. As it was, they were all very engaged and interested to hear about my journey and asked LOTS of questions. So we talked about the steps, what has changed in my life as a result, the shared experiences of so many of us who have done the steps and how to get started with breakfast. What I would have done differently is to frame the conversation from the very beginning about the sugar-sensitive body and how that has impacted me over my life. I think because I was a little shy and nervous, I didn't know where to actually "start" talking, so I started at the point when I relapsed into bulimia after the fitness challenge in 2010, as that was the catalyst that brought me to RR. But as I was sharing, I realised by one person's comment that it was easy to mistake me for some kind of health nut. They all felt so much better I think when I backtracked and shared that I had a long history of sugar addiction, drinking and drugs. So in hindsight, I would paint more of the pre-RR Mandie as I think people will be able to more readily connect with that part of the story. I offered to talk to any of them individually if they'd like. We had a lovely evening. It was pot luck - very popular in Australia, where everyone brings a dish. My friend themed it Indian. It was abundant with fish curry, eggplant curry, lentil curry, cashew and pumpkin dish, brown rice. My friend also roasted potatoes in the fire outside to mark the occasion of the RR dinner party! I am very grateful to have such a supportive friend. When I thanked her as such, she returned the thanks saying it was so nice to have something to suggest to her friends who she sees struggling with things we know are related to the imbalances of sugar sensitivity. I'll be sure to keep you posted if any more dinner party invites spring up like this! Or perhaps I could host one myself next time and put the invite out on Facebook for anyone interested to hear more? Hmmm, now there's an idea! (smile) Mandie x" Wonderful, isn't it?! Well done Mandie! Selena selenas@blueyonder.co.uk Come join us if you are excited about spreading the news. **********************************************************************
**How I Found Radiant Recovery ** Hi there, my name is Sally. I discovered Potatoes Not Prozac by chance really. I was reading about sugar addiction and came across Kathleen's book and website. I was not sure that I suffered with sugar addiction at first even though I have a 'sweet tooth' and like cake, (:-)) but I still noticed a difference with eating protein at every meal, although measuring the right amount of protein has been tricky for me. Whilst I eat healthy regular meals and have always enjoyed breakfast, I am aiming to go through the whole programme. I have ordered the journal and hope that this will further illustrate to me where I have been going wrong. I am very much looking forward to learning more and hearing more from you guys out there. Best of luck, Sally **********************************************************************
** Radiant Recovery® Store ** David manages the Radiant Recovery® Store. He is also Kathleen's oldest son. 
Many of you LOVE the fish oil but have been frustrated by having to carry a bottle with you. Seems like you all mirror a national concern, so Nordic Naturals has added a new product to their line - fish oil in individual packets. Come check it out. I love this company.Here are the things the oils help with Heart health Brain function Cancer Depression Environmental toxins Joints Pregnancy Immune function Diabetes and way more. Go read the research. It will stop you in your tracks and help you know why we carry these products. Please send questions and suggestions. I love hearing from you and truly want to help you do your program better. **********************************************************************
**Radiant Kitchen ** 
My French SIL made these for lunch. Fresh green beans steamed and then chilled. She just had them in the fridge. On the plate, add some tomatoes, some sliced onions and douse everything with a fresh-made vinaigrette. Here is how to do the vinaigrette:
For more great program-friendly recipes, check out our cookbook in the store and visit our online Radiant Recipes site. **********************************************************************
**Radiant YLD ** I must have read Kathleen's Weight Loss Thoughts for Fall from last week's newsletter a hundred times this week. Each time, getting something from it. My absolute favourite part was: "We want you fit. This is a really shocking idea. We don't want you to E-X-E-R-C-I-S-E to lose weight, we want you to be able to exercise and move in order to meet and get to know the body you have hated all this time. We want to give your body a voice, a sense of remembering or learning and a sense of competence as being part of the healing. A fit body with powerful and skilled muscle makes losing weight 1000 times easier. And it makes weight loss joyful" This has completely been my story. Weight loss on this program is effortless, fun and joyful. Having your body work with you and support you is just amazing. Steph x 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. Last week we were talking in Conversations chat about the integration of old timers and new people in the discussion. We realized that since conversations is not about *doing the food*, we had a lot of latitude. In some ways it is like a 12-step meeting where new people can hear the vision of what is to come and old timers can remember how hard it was when we were unbalanced. It is a nice mix. I like the discussions. 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 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 ** Have you been sitting on the couch a lot, 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. **********************************************************************
**A Little More on Body Image ** Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.
Last week in chat we were talking about the article about how our weight program is a little different. One participant commented that she felt the material really wasn't relevant to her since she didn't have a weight problem. I have listened to a number of her posts on several lists and I knew that she didn't have a weight problem because she was very in control of her eating and actually restricted her food. She was struggling with the task of *eating more*. This was a wonderful introduction for the next idea...that the idea of *body image* affects sugar-sensitive people in a huge way. Most of us are very, very conflicted about how we look. Because of our biochemistry, we start off feeling *less than* and very often, what we do is turn to our bodies to define the reason...often it is we are less than because we are *fat*...or we will be more *less than* should we be fat. For some (usually those with high serotonin and the capacity to say *no*), the terror of gaining weight becomes the defining norm of behavior. Saying no becomes a source of comfort and solace. Saying no becomes a source of control in the face of feelings that are hard or painful. So the low beta endorphin drives all of us...but those who end up with high serotonin can practice saying no as a way of coping with feelings of inadequacy. The intriguing thing is that restricting raises beta endorphin. The pain of starvation (i.e., restriction) releases BE and that is where the comfort comes. Stop the restriction, and go into withdrawal. Now, that is a difficult place to be. In order to save your life, you have to *stop* what has given you comfort. So...it is the SAME story, even though it looks as if the fats and the thins are doing very different stories. One big difference is that the fats get all sorts of cultural disgust and condemnation, while the thins get approval and power. They are lauded as healthy, beautiful, strong and disciplined...while inside are starving, disconnected and feeling the exact kinds of pain the fats do. Ironically the cultural solution for the fats is to diet and exercise. The real message is to restrict and purge calories via exercise. Be like your sisters. Control yourself, be disciplined and then we will love you. Nothing about connection with your body, abundance, nourishment, or joy. The take away here is that we are living the same story. A story which has been defined by our culture and by other people who wish to tell us how we should look, what we should do and who we should be. And if we don't we will be rejected, labeled repulsive and ignored. Or lauded for killing our bodies and our relationship to joy. Either way, we are told to walk from our power and our bodies. What we are doing here is offering another way. Abundance, joy, fitness, joy, connection... I prefer this way. 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. Steph provides the Your Last Diet column. ©2013 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 |
