Hi {!firstname_fix}

We have two new classes starting up Wednesday..

The Step 3: Three Meals class is for people getting ready to do step three or wanting to tighten it up.

The Brain Chemistry 101 class is for those of you who would really like to get an overview of how it works. This is sort of the prelimin to the beta endorphin and serotonin classes that you love so much.

A number of you have asked me about how the classes work. I conduct them via email through Yahoogroups, so it does not matter where you live or what time zone you are in or whether you can get to the computer at a specific time. After you register for payment, you will receive an autoresponder email from me with instructions on how to get to the class. Please be sure to click on the link in the email that will take you to Yahoo to sign up

If you come right now, sign up, then immediately return the autoresponder email to join the Yahoo group through which the class will be conducted, we can fit you in... Just click on the links above.

Also, I would like to thank all of you for your continuing input on the classes. It is VERY helpful to me and I think it means we are creating a real resource that suits your needs.

We have posted a schedule of the classes for the next month.

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 me cover.

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 Recovery® website and Community Forum regularly.

Warmly,
Kathleen

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March 14, 2005

** Quote From Kathleen **

As you learn to handle new situations, as you learn to recover from a slip, you will become smarter and savvier each time.

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** Testimonial for the Week**

I had my annual physical and check up this week. My nurse practioner called me to tell me my cholesterol has gone down from 255-177. Now that's more like it!!! She said she's never seen a drop like that without medicines. I'm so happy right now!

Heather

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**Recipe of the Week**

The holiday of Purim is coming up and these triangular shaped cookies are very traditional. I have changed the tradition by making them program friendly (smile). Even if you don't celebrate Purim, these cookies are very yummy (smile).

HAMENTASHEN

4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
4 eggs
1 baby jar bananas (large size - stage 3)
1 cup health food store margarine, i.e., not hydrogenated (I use Earth Balance) (you can also use butter if Kosher is not a issue for you)
1 T. orange juice
2 tsps. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
Pinch of salt
Apple butter for filling (check ingredients to make sure just apples and no sugar)

Soften margarine.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease cookie sheets or use parchment paper (I used parchment)

Place all ingredients in a large mixer bowl and beat together. Roll into a ball and refrigerate until firm, covering completely in plastic wrap. Divide into four parts.

On a well-floured board, roll out each portion to about 1/8 inch thick. Using a round cookie cutter, cut out circles (I used 2 inch cutter). Place 1/2 tsp of apple butter on each circle.

To shape into a triangle, lift up the right and left sides and have them meet in the center above the filling. Bring the top flap down to the center to meet the two sides. Pinch edges together. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Makes about 6 1/2 dozen cookies

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**Your Last Diet: More Than What You Think**

I am pleased about how the weight loss part of our community is working. The new weight loss class is going well. Because it is a structured format, we ARE getting very clear on the issues that get in the way of weight loss. I love how it is unfolding.

For those of you who are not yet YLD members, Click here if you are ready to change your life or just plain ole have fun.

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**Radiant Ambassadors**

Our newest 10,000 ambassador cardsare here. Thank you all so much for sharing the vision and hope. If you ever have times when you are telling someone about the program and wished you had something to give them, check out the special cards we have for you. 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. And if you want to share with others the exciting things you are doing, come join the ambassador group.

Come find us among the Online Groups

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**David's Corner **

I have been thrilled to see how much you are loving the CDs. Kathleen is making arrangements to tape at ranch again. Based on your feedback, she will be adding special mikes for questions. A funny thing happened for me. Because I was at ranch last year, I had not actually listened to the CDs again. I got a new player in my car. WHOA! They just blew me away. If you have not listened to What Else is Embedded in the Steps, you may not have the full picture of your program. Stopped me cold.

Also I wanted to apologize for the delay in the delivery of the journals. We are working out a system to let you know if an item is back ordered so you won’t be wondering.

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

Thanks
David

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

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**Our Online Groups**

I just wanted to let you know we have set up a new group called radiantautism. This is a working task force to do some planning around the best way to make dietary changes with children with asperger’s or autism. We are going to be doing problem solving with the specific intent to set up a resource page. Come join us if the topic interests you.

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** Featured Topic**
Fats and Cancer
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.

I am republishing this article in an updated form because a number of folks in the community are dealing with cancer.

Background

I recently began reviewing the scientific literature for the relationship between fats and breast cancer. I had heard about the high fat/breast cancer connection, but thought there might be more to the story. I was so startled by what I found, that I decided to do a little more in depth review. The more I read, the more amazed I was that this information has not be released to the public in any kind of major way.

“These results indicated that a high-fat diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can suppress human breast cancer cell growth and metastasis. (emphasis mine) This is a quote from DP Rose at the division of Nutrition and Endocrinology at the American Health Foundation in Valhalla, NY. Strong words, but they sure seem to be warranted by the evidence in the literature.

The fat/cancer connection

Thirty years ago, a strong correlation was made between high fat diets and the initiation of breast cancer (Rao). Mice fed corn oil had tumors that grew 3-4 times larger than those in the mice fed fat free diets. This was found to be true even on diets of 20% fat levels – not something that we could consider “high fat” at this point (Ip). Tumor weight increased proportionately to the amount of corn oil fed up to a 4% level. In the mid-eighties, researchers started to differentiate the kinds of fats people were eating and began to see that it was not the overall amount of fat per se so much as the type of fatty acids being eaten. The finding about corn oil inducing mammary tumors were repeated and fish oil was found to have an inhibitory effect (Braden).

The differentiation of the importance of the type of fat on breast cancer growth was studied more and more. Breast cancer researchers started to see that Omega-6 fatty acids (those found in corn oil and saturated fats) were strongly associated with the incidence, size and rate growth of tumors. Tumor growth was significantly inhibited in animals given Omega-3 fatty acids such as fish oil (Kort) They also found that low levels of Omega-3 fatty acids (those found in fish and flax oils) were predictive of the incidence and severity of metastasis. (Bougoroux) Further studies showed that N-3’s delay or reduce tumor development, and show a statistically significant decrease in metastasis (Cave, Fay). They also found that increased N-3’s prolonged survival (Gogos), enhanced the effectiveness of chemotherapy (Das), and reduced the negative impact of radiation treatment (Gramaglia).

Other studies were done showing the effect of flaxseed and flax oil on melanoma. These studies showed a reduction of epithelial cell proliferation by 40-50% (Serraino), a reduction of tumor volume by 50% (Thompson), a reduction of metastasis by 50-64% (Yan), and a positive antiestrogenic effect equivalent to half of that of Tamoxifan with no side effects (Ocheson). Researchers found a differential effect of flaxmeal and flax oil with the meal being more beneficial as a protectant in the promotional phase of cancer and the oil being more effective in the reduction of already established tumors (Thompson).

Based on these findings, I have some specific suggestions for what to eat.

Stop using products high in Omega-6 fatty acids. The biggest culprit is corn oil. Stay away from products with corn oil. Do not use margarine. It is hydrogenated oil and will exacerbate the negative effect of Omega-6 fatty acids.

If you will be using protein shakes as a nutritional intervention, stay away from commercially prepared options. Most of these preparations use corn oil as the lipid and include high amounts of refined sugar. Use George’s Junior. The protein is an ideal form for folks whose immune system is compromised. In fact, studies have shown that whey has specific immune enhancing properties. Add flax oil to the shake. Add oatmeal to the shake. And for the very best, the top of the line shake, add some All One vitamin powder.

Reduce saturated fats as much as possible. Be realistic on this one. Use olive oil rather than butter. Do NOT do a strict low fat diet because that can also reduce the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids. Work towards moderate fats with a high proportion of Omega-3 fats and neutral monounsaturated fats like olive oil, almonds and avocados. Barry Sears has an excellent discussion of fats in his book The Zone. He doesn’t particularly like flax oil, but his overall discussion is excellent. The Omega Plan is another excellent resource and is far easier to read.

Make a significant increase in Omega-3 fats – found in fish and flax meal and oil. If you want to learn more about planning dosage, read the article on omega 3s that is in the resource center. Some people, particularly those who are sugar sensitive and may have lower levels of functioning lipase activity, do not seem to tolerate the fish oil well. The addition of digestive enzymes including lipase prior to taking the capsules seems to eliminate the fish-taste regurgitation.

The addition of flax oil (or a combination oil such as Udo’s mixture) to the regime may enhance the effect of the increased omega-3 fatty acids. They appear to have slightly differing effects and may be synergistic.

Because flax oil has anti-estrogenic properties, it is useful in treating symptoms such as hot flashes. It also appears to have a chemoprotective effect for post-menopausal women. However, by the same token, it is not advised for use with pregnant or lactation women because at higher doses may affect fetal reproductive development.

And finally, some people who are taking fish and flax oils find that the blood thinning effects of these cause them to be more vulnerable to bruising. Pycnogenol helps prevent this by strengthening the capillaries.

If you would like to read the supporting articles, just click here for the full paper in the resource center. Also someone asked my why I recommend the products I carry. Am I simply self promoting? Actually, it is the other way around. I get the stuff in the store that supports the concepts. I am trying to make it really easy for you to do the same healing things I find so helpful.

©Kathleen DesMaisons 2004.

Here are the folks who are helping put the newsletter together:

Gretel, the liaison for the recovery list and the webmaster puts it all together
JoAnna, the liaison for vegetarians gathers the testimonials
Naomi, the liaison for Yisroel gathers the recipes
Terri, the liaison for Ambassadors sends over the ambassadors quote
Marie, the liaison for diabetes gathers the info on the online lists
David, who runs the Radiant Recovery® Store talks about what new products we have.