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February 12, 2017

Hi {!firstname_fix}, 

I have come down to Sarasota, Florida to visit my brother and SIL. My son, Ted has been in the area doing some consulting so he came over to make it a family party last night. Nothing like family getting together to hear old stories of weddings and romances. Florida is far more  humid than New Mexico, so I have plumped up a bit and my skin is soft and silky. It always intrigues me.

Their house is quiet and clean. No dog hairs floating around, no desiccated former plush animals underfoot and no dog nose smears on the windows. I am getting texts about Oliver and Brody from their baby sitters and it makes me laugh at the differences in home life.

Life slows down on vacation. And jet lag turns time a bit topsy turvy. Things slow down. Last night I did a newsletter for you that somehow disappeared at 10 PM so this is the morning edition. I am sorry it is late.
Upcoming Classes
This class is ongoing. You may join at any time.

Coaching for Weight Loss

This is a new offering for people who are serious about losing weight and would like to have ongoing coaching. We do an individual assessment to sort out exactly where you are in the process. You will be guided in making your own individual plan. You can learn about journaling and adjusting your food for weight loss - what to do when. You can look at things to do to start while you are actually working the steps. This is not Boot Camp. You will be given tools and shown how to use them.

The fee is $20 per week and is billed in 2 week intervals. It is an unusual opportunity to work directly with Kathleen to be liberated from your past diet history. The signup is under the *special* tab on the classes page.


This class will begin February 15, 2017

Using the Resources of the Community Please Signup and it will take you to the registration page:

This FREE class will teach you all the ins and outs of the resources in the community. You will learn to navigate the community forum, learn how to use the resource center, check out Radiant Ranch, and learn your way around the website. You will be on your way with an invaluable resource in your pocket!
Signup
 
This is a process. You do not have a 'sobriety date' to mark that sugars are gone forever. You simply move more and more into a healthy relationship with your body.
 

Testimonial of the Week
Hi All,
An amazing thing happened yesterday that I just have to share. I observed that our mornings seemed to be emotionally-charged lately. Although our food was steady, the mornings were just becoming hectic and unhappy. 

After breakfast yesterday I talked about this with my children (10, 9 and 7). Instead of coming down on them with a list of disappointments and consequences, I shared my observations and asked them to do the same.

Then, I asked them to come up with some solutions. They had some great ideas which we implemented today. Our morning was much smoother and we talked about this at breakfast again. I thanked them for their solutions and willingness to work at this, and we all felt great.

I realize that I was able to work with the children in this way because my food is steady. I am much more clear-thinking than I used to be. I am able to remove my emotions from tough situations and talk lovingly with my children to come up with solutions.
As a result, the children follow my lead and keep their emotions in check as well. When they need to cry, I wrap my arms around them and help them work through it without becoming upset myself. 

When I am at peace, it brings my children peace. Doing the food has brought us to a much more joyful and happy place.

Well, one of the problems was the morning scramble for what to wear, (I'm sure you parents know what I mean, lol!), so my 7yo daughter suggested that we choose 5 days' worth of clothes and have the outfits ready to go. No looking for ties, belts, shoes or socks this morning! 

Another problem was bickering about morning chores. My 9yo son worked with my other son and daughter to divide the chores up so that there would be no questions about who was going to do what. 

We talked about the noise in the morning...the volume can get high if the kids are talking from upstairs to downstairs. My 10yo son recommended that we can focus better on what we need to get done in the morning if we keep the volume at a normal level by waiting to talk until you're with the person you're talking to!

We didn't have any problems with getting our proteins and browns on time, or getting out of the house on time, so I did thank them for these skills as we worked on the solutions. 
Finally, the kids came up with a morning routine that they posted on the wall so that they don't miss anything. It goes like this:

Wake up
Eat a protein and brown 
Make bed
Do chores
Get dressed & brush teeth
Smile, you're ready for the day!

It seems like simple stuff, but allowing the kids to come up with the solutions was really empowering to them and made for a much more peaceful morning today. Being steady on the food gave me the sense of well-being and clear-thinking to guide the kids through their own solution-making process. Doing the food continues to heal and strengthen us!

Amy 
 
Radiant Recovery Store
 

Hello, my name is David. I figured we have so many new people, I better reintroduce myself here. Many of you have talked with me when you have called the Radiant Recovery Store at 505-345-3737. I am thrilled to be working with my Mom to make the store work for you. This is the best of family business in more ways than one.

We just received many boxes of journals. Those of you who have been waiting for the blue covers will be happy to know they are here and will be out the door to you shortly. Thank you for your patience


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

We have been talking about vegetables and how to make them not be so boring, so I am going to give you some ideas each week. This week is sesame broccoli. This recipe is for one head of broccoli, you can adjust it if you are making more.

Put 1/2 cup of raw sesame seeds in the bottom of your skillet with about 2 TBS of coconut oil. Stir them on medium heat until they are browned. Add the broken up broccoli to the pan and stir. Add 1/2 cup of water to the skillet, cover and wait for 5 min.

Take the cover off, and add 1 TBS of toasted sesame oil and 1 TBS of olive oil and stir everything.

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

Our approach to weight loss is based on Kathleen DesMaisons' groundbreaking book, Your Last Diet! This is weight loss for real people. Your last Diet! Is the only weight loss program especially for sugar sensitive people. It addresses YOUR unique body and brain.

The first part of Your Last Diet! works on healing the addiction to sugar by balancing your blood sugar, and raising your serotonin and beta endorphin (brain chemicals associated with addiction.)

This extraordinary text describes a process that means you will NEVER diet again. The program heals the reasons why you are overweight. It walks you through a four-phase process to lose weight permanently and totally stop the pattern of yo-yo dieting.

And the weekly chats are really fun and make the process come alive. 


If you would like to join us in YLD, come find us here 
 
Radiant Living

Radiant Living is about the big picture and the practical ideas for daily implementations of the changes you are seeking. The dialogue will meet you where you are and offer ideas that you may not have heard before. Let go of old thinking that growing up has to be hard or painful. This is about joy, discovery, fun and creativity. And, of course, LOTS of laughter.

There is no step requirement to participate, only honesty, willingness and openness. We ask that you come when your food is steady and holding you.

We provide 2 weekly chats and a special email list to talk about the concepts we are working with. 


If you would like to join us in Radiant Living, come find us here.
 
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It is Not the Rules That Count

Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.


I went shopping for some gifts for my grandsons a while ago. I went to the store that sells Dungeons and Dragons to talk with them about an introductory game to give my grandson. I expected it to be sort of gothic and scary. It wasn't at all. The guy behind the counter told me that he had started playing as a teen. He was raised in a Southern Baptist household that was very conservative. His mother had burned his books as being from Satan. Of course he still played. Then many years later, his younger brother who is 16 years younger got to be a teen and wanted to learn. His mom called him for a consult. They all played together and had a wonderful time.

We decided on an introductory game for Andrew. And then he said maybe I should get the rule book as well. I noticed that there was a rule book bundled with a Dungeons and Dragons for Dummies. I thought, AHA, I could get that and then I could play with him. I thought it was a board game. The guy explained that it is really about story telling. So, off I went with my treasures in the turquoise plastic bag. Not black, and no scary symbols.

When I got home, I sent an IM to Jim. Jim used to be the liaison for the men’s list and is a grand master or something in the D&D system. I don't really know specifically but I know he goes to conventions and wins prizes. I asked him if this was an ok thing to be doing or if I would get in trouble with my daughter. He said, no, no it is wonderful. It is all about stories and characters. I said, *Oh, like imaginative play for guys?* He said, yah.

I told him that I looked at the rule book and it was a little intimidating. I wasn't sure that I could learn it. But then I thought it was sort of like the program. When we start, it feels incomprehensible with all the nuances and details. But we just start with one thing and learn that. And then learn the next.

The Jim said, *just remember, Kathleen, it is not the rules that are important, it is the story.*

Well that just about knocked my socks off.

I think that is true for the program too.

In the last few weeks, we have been talking about what doing a fine program means. 

We have been talking on our leadership team list to explore what quality program means. 

As Jim said...it is not the rules, it is the story.

The story...the recovery story. What is the quality of my life? How are my relationships? What is happening with my creativity? Is my program a joy, a support, nourishing and delightful? Does the habituation support me? Do I want skill, grace and excellence? When I was at the lunch eating some white rice, I was paying such attention to the PEOPLE, how they had grown, who they were, who they were connected to, how their programs were flourishing. Stuff like that.

Now, I know that this idea is a little different from what some of you have felt the PROGRAM is. But I want you to consider that THE program is not a monolithic mandate. It is a guidance for YOU to determine what works for you. And to understand what is behind the recommendations.

I know we will keep talking about this. I also know that the ability to tolerate ambiguity is one of the things that grows as we do. If the *rules* are not the issue, but the story is, it makes it way harder. Because then you have to listen to your own story and stand with it.

What a wonderful challenge.

It is not the rules, it is the story. 

 
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©2017 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://radiantrecovery.com/learn/newsletter/