Hi {!firstname_fix}

You will find lots of new things and exciting changes in this edition of the newsletter. I sent out a special notice about the new classes so most of you have heard about that. You had lots of questions and I have lots of answers. (smile) Click here for the new class question and answer page. I will be starting 6 classes this week. If you wish to join any of them, come sign up now. If you have already signed up, you will be getting an invitational email to join the group shortly. Please send that right back. I cannot put you on the class list without your permission.

I hope you like the new format of the newsletter. Gretel has agreed to serve as the new editor and we have a number of our leadership team working with her. You will see their names on their columns. I am thrilled.

Please feel free to pass this week's newsletter on to your friends and family. Don't forget to let me know what you like and would like to see.

A copy of this newsletter may also be found posted on the web at http://www. radiantrecovery.com/weeklynewsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, use the link at the bottom of the page. Do not email me, do not get mad at me, just click on the link and you will be forever removed.

And be sure to visit our Radiant RecoveryŽ website and Community Forum regularly.

Warmly,
Kathleen

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November 15, 2004
** Quote From Kathleen **

The fun thing will be to see how your feelings emerge as you do the program.

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** Testimonial for the Week**
JoAnna (Radiantvegetarians), Columnist

Doretta found how her food can support her through a harrowing experience:

I was involved in a multiple vehicle accident on the Cimarron turnpike about 40 miles outside of Tulsa. A truck pulling a trailer ahead of me sheared off the lug nuts on two wheels. The wheels came into my lane and I hit one of them dead on. Two cars behind me hit the same wheel.

Miraculously, no injuries to anyone!!!!! So four vehicles and two Oklahoma Hiway Patrol officers spent the next two hours on the side of the road in the Oklahoma darkness ( a beautiful starry night with 5 healthy people) while three flatbed tow trucks came to get us and an industrial tow truck came to get the trailer.

I called Bob and told him I planned to have the vehicle towed to a Saturn dealer in Tulsa and take a taxi to my first day of work in the morning. But I was pretty shaken up. We just got the vehicle in May. He immediately left his job and started out for Tulsa so I could use his truck to go to work in the morning.

On my way into Tulsa with the tow truck driver, the tow truck ran out of gas. He called a coworker who brought us enough fuel to get to the service station.

The new alarm clock I bought for the apartment didn't work correctly and went off too early. So I went to my new job with 4 hours of sleep.

I was thinking the whole time how horrible the experience could have been if I wasn't in this program. I was so calm and clear thinking, even thought I was tired and cold. And I knew there would be solutions to the problems.

The morning after, I got up and ate my radiant breakfast and even though I was exhausted and worn out, I knew I had the skills to cope with whatever the day brought. That's something I've NEVER had before this and it's changed my whole life.

I'm so grateful to all of you and to Kathleen for this!



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**Recipe of the Week**
Naomi (RadiantYisroel), Columnist

Well, Thanksgiving is almost upon us, so I thought I would share two really great cranberry dishes. The first one can be found in Little Sugar Addicts, as well as the Radiant Recovery Cookbook. The second one is adapted from a recipe I heard on Arthur Schwartz's radio show.

Cranberry Chutney

10 servings

  1. Cut up the oranges and put them in a saucepan. Add the rind of one orange. Add apple juice and simmer for 15 minutes.
  2. Add cranberries and walnuts
  3. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes until mixture thickens.
  4. Add cinnamon and nutmeg.
Cranberry Salsa Whir all ingredients in the food processor until it resembles the texture of salsa.

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**Your Last Diet: More Than What You Think**
Val (YLD Weightloss), Columnist

Looks like people are having a whole bunch of fun over on the Monday night newbie chats! Patti and her helpers do a great job of "herding" all the new folks, LOL, and answering the questions that you all have when you're new to the program. Attending Monday night chat is a great way to get a custom answer to YOUR burning questions about your program!

Vicki G is the liaison for the main YLD list which she says is the forum of the online YLD program. It is where you will get reminders about chats that will be taking place as well as a wonderful place to ask questions about all the steps. We have had some wonderful discussions about breakfasts, movement, planning for company as well as trips, getting steady on step 7 and holidays, to mention a few.

It is also a place where we will have follow up discussions about what Kathleen has introduced to us in chats. We have a very warm, friendly membership who are very supportive of each other. When someone joins YLD, they are encouraged to also sign up for the YLD email list and many people continue to post there, so we have a wonderful mix of folks new to the 7 steps as well as people who have been on step 7 for several years and every step in between.

And by the way, if you have not downloaded your YLD User's manual, click here for it. And we are asking Kathleen to do some special weight loss classes for YLD members. Looks like she is planning some concrete and practical *how to* information for us.

Come on over and join the fun!

http://www.radiantrecovery.com/YLD_signup.htm

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**Radiant Ambassadors**
Terri (Radiantambassadors), Columnist

Am*bas*sa*dor: a) an authorized representative or messenger, b) an unofficial representative. Every time one of us tells someone about our experience with Radiant Recovery we serve as an ambassador. Many of us find it quite easy to be an ambassador for Radiant Recovery. Actually, we're so excited about the changes that doing the food has brought about, we want to share information with anyone who will listen. (smile)

Some of us would like to share, but we don't quite know the best way to do so. One of the great things about this community is that we get to learn from each other how to best help others. It's from our own stories that we are able to make connections with people who are looking for solutions that Radiant Recovery offers. Whether we are authorized messengers, or unofficial representatives we can share our stories and share the hope of healing.

The other day my friend and I went to the sporting goods store to get new walking shoes (I'm still kind of amazed that I've worn out a pair of shoes just walking for exercise, never woulda happened before I found this program). The lady at the check out was suffering from severe allergies. I could sure empathize! I told her that I used to suffer as badly as she does. Then I told her how I changed the way I eat and added omega 3 EFA's to my diet. She was really interested so I reached into my purse and pulled out one of the Radiant Recovery business cards and gave it to her. It sure felt good to be able to share that with her. I was really happy I had Radiant Recovery business cards in my purse.

Terri

If you love the program, consider joining the ambassador group. We are having a blast!

If you haven't gotten any cards to pass out yet, order them now. They are free! It is a great way to spread the word.

Come find us among the Online Groups

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**David's Corner **



Well, as you know, Kathleen was off at that booksellers trade show. She and a number of the folks helping out went walking to visit all the vendors. You have seen the really neat cookbooks they found and you know that the dog book woman was next to their booth.

Well, they also got into the office supply section and found some incredible little journal books. Kathleen is using one of the tiny ones to keep track of all her passwords for everything on the net. She also took one for her handbag. But the neatest thing is this little Italian metal pencil box. It has a special pencil with interchangeable leads (you can order some in color too) and a little tear shaped erasure. Kathleen has asked the people who make the new little note books if they would consider making some to fit inside the little metal boxes. So if you guys get as excited as she is, (smile) they will make a whole new radiant product line. I think it is great that we are adding an office supply store to the store. I just have to keep kathleen out of the fulfillment area.

And an update on George's Junior. After out major fiasco with the original manufacturer, we are in production. The labels were redone - you can go look at the components of it here - and sent to Wisconsin. The new jars were ordered and the shake is being mixed as we speak. They have PROMISED to have it on a truck shortly. Kathleen told them if they didn't she would be driving out to get it herself. She has been on the phone every single day on your behalf. She did let me taste it. It is awesome. I know you will love it once you have it in your hot little hands. Soon, soon!!

And, I know she wrote about it up above, but those classes sound fabulous. She has been sequestered in her office for hours and hours making things work for you. I hope you will join her in some of them. Man, they sound exciting.

One last thing. I think most of you know we run a family business. I am the eldest son and I run the store. Jaini asked why I refer to my boss as *kathleen* and not *mom*...(smile)...I call her mom when we are hanging out doing family stuff, but at work, I am professional and I call my boss Kathleen. We love working together. It is the best of all possible worlds. I get to work flex time so I have fun coaching a girl's volleyball team. That means time off for practice and working on Saturday and Sunday at the Store.

Please send questions and suggestions for items you might like to see in our store. YOU are building our store. Tell me what you want and we will sort it out.

Thanks
David

And of course, we have something for everybody in our store


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**Our Online Groups**
Marie (Radiantdiabetes), Columnist

Joy Lynn is our liaison for this group, here is what she has to say about it:

RadiantRecipes is an awesome list where we share program friendly recipes, ask lots of questions and commiserate about recipes that maybe we need a little help with. The Radiant Recovery community is made up of so many creative people that there is usually someone who "has been there and done that". The Radiantrecipes list is just right for new people as well as the more seasoned members of our community.

Come on over and join us to share your favorite recipe, a cooking tip or to ask a recipe-related question. We always love new members!

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**One of Our Community Leaders **
Kitty (Technical Help Forum), Columnist

 Gretel is one of our 'oldtimers.' Her story is very powerful and moves me every time I hear it.

I began recovery from alcoholism 13 years ago but found myself 5 years ago having sugar hangovers that rivaled any I'd ever had from alcohol and suffering mild depression. A friend suggested I read Kathleen's book, Potatoes Not Prozac. I immediately identified with being sugar sensitive and began following her program. It added a whole new dimension to my recovery so that I have truly come to experience the radiance she promises is our birthright. I am so very grateful for the online community she provides for us and I wanted to be able to pay forward what I have been so blessed to receive that has been life altering for me.

So I have remained active in the community, sharing my experience, strength and hope with others who have known the pain, isolation, confusion and hopelessness of addiction. My heart lies naturally with those on the recovery list who want to give up alcohol/drugs in connection with this program. I feel addressing the underlying sugar sensitivity is a big first step in helping to balance a whacked out biochemistry, thereby reducing cravings and preventing relapse. But the story is the same for all addictions. One of the things that struck me so much when I first read Potatoes Not Prozac was that Kathleen had discovered a link I sensed intuitively but had no name for that had to be underlying various forms of addiction that ran through my family - alcoholism, compulsive over-eating, sex and gambling.

The other day I asked my sister if she and my niece would be coming for Thanksgiving. She said, 'Of course, we wouldn't miss it, it is such a wonderful tradition to come to your house.' This from one who 14 years ago had not spoken to me for over a year because of hurtful things I had done and said while in my active addiction.

Then on Thanksgiving eve 13 years ago I relapsed and ended up in detox and rehab on Thanksgiving Day because I couldn't even function to get a turkey ready to put in the oven. I was taken by good friends from my home and family (including 3 small children) that day because after just one night of drinking again I had become suicidal. I went to detox then 28-day rehab right through Christmas that year, the most painful time of my life.

Thankfully, I have not had to drink again, and this Thanksgiving I will celebrate 13 years clean and sober. In large part that has been due the last 5 years to Radiant Recovery, my 'other family.' So, thank you all for 'being here.' I couldn't do it without you.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

ŠKathleen DesMaisons 2004.