Hi {!firstname_fix}

Classes are on hold while I am driving cross country with the dogs. I will be able to check in from the hotel along the way, but I can't be present to you the way you deserve. So we will sit tight for a bit.

I will start the classes up again the week of June 20 from Vinalhaven, ME.

Using Community Resources is for those of you just starting out. Learn about how the community works and all the resources we have here for your benefit.

Doing The Steps: An Overview is for when you are starting step one and want to see how the rest fits together. This class is particularly useful for those of you coming in from other programs. Sometimes, it is easy to assume that you have it all down pat. This class helps you make connections and see why one step at a time, in order and slowly makes so much sense.

Brain Chemistry: Serotonin is a great introduction to the heart of the program. Why do we eat that potato anyway? Why do we have such a hard time saying no? Come learn what makes the sugar sensitive person tick.

We have posted a schedule of the classes for the rest of the month. So you can go ahead and sign up for what you want to join.

A number of you have asked me about how the classes work. Check the class list page for more information on this.

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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June 13, 2005
** Quote From Kathleen **

You may be surprised to discover that food has a bigger emotional charge for you than you realized.

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** Testimonial for the Week**


Last night my daughter went to get out a fold-up dinner tray from the top of the basement stairwell. As she grabbed it, it went sliding down the stairs, thump, thump, thump and crashed to the bottom. My typical response would be to chew her out for not being careful. Oh, and she looked at my face, waiting for me to scream (so sad). But not this time...I just starting laughing and she started laughing and I told her "you killed it, it's dead now!" and we giggled for several minutes. Tears are coming to my eyes thinking that life could someday be always like this (and that I might never again see that look of "waiting for Mommy to blow up" in my daughter's face)!

Cindy

P.S. That went right into my journal of course, because I'm on step 2!!

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**Recipe of the Week**


CHEESE BLINTZES

Filling: Mix eggs and milk together. Add flour and salt and mix well until there are no lumps. Fry in a non-stick pan that was sprayed with the non-stick spray until it is golden brown on one side. Set aside.

Mix together all filling ingredients. With each blintz, put about 2 T. of filling in the middle of the golden brown side. To roll up, fold up the bottom over the filling, then fold in the left and right sides and continue to roll up from the bottom to the top. These can be eaten cold or fried in a little butter and served warm.

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


Well, our wonderful class just gets better and better. You all are doing just terrific. I am deeply moved by your sharing and I think we are all learning a LOT through the dialogue. I am also finding that the chats are deepening. What a wonderful interplay of the process.

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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**David's Corner **



Elaine posted this recipe for coconut almond milk last winter. She is our resident to try new things in your soy milk maker. It is GREAT!

Also, we can get soy milk makers with 220V for those of you overseas. I recently shipped one to Israel. If you can't buy almond milk, you can make it!


Here is Elaine's recipe.

I soak 120 grams (I have a scale that weighs it that way) which is a little under a cup and a half of almonds. I usually soak them overnight but about 4-5 hours would do it. Then, I put the water in the soy milk maker, up to the top line. I strain the nuts, put them in the basket with about 2 tablespoons of unsweetened coconut. Put the machine together and turn it on. When it is done, I stir the foam back into the milk. I don't throw anything away!! I freeze the mashed almonds and coconut in an ice cube tray and use those in my shake too.

My shake:


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**


Hi, I'm Cece, the coach for the Radiant Southeast list inviting you to join us for an adventure, a visit or just to check in and chat about life on the Radiant road. Our list encompasses a lot of territory (Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama and the Carolinas), so we have groups sprouting up to meet and play together all over. So far, we have a group in Atlanta, where I live, a group in Orlando and one sprouting up in North Carolina. If you are interested in getting to know some Radiant folks near you (and you live in the Southeast US) please come and join us. We're having great fun and getting ready for even more.

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** Featured Topic**
Going for Detox
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.


Picking a Time

Now you are ready to go for it. You have done your homework and know the drill. When you detox from sugar, you will go through something similar to a drug detox, but it will be less extreme. Because your sugar-sensitive body reacts to sugar as if it were a drug, you may have withdrawal symptoms. Your brain will be begging you to eat some sugar. You may get the shakes, feel nauseous and edgy, or have diarrhea or headaches for a few days. That’s normal—and it’s why you need to plan your sugar detox for a time when you will not be under severe stress. But remember, if you have been doing the steps in the recovery program for a while, these symptoms will be far less severe than if you simply were to go 'cold turkey' on day one.

The actual sugar detox process usually takes five days, with the fourth day being the hardest. You will want to really plan the timing of your detox. Schedule it so that on the fourth day you have time to yourself. Give yourself space so you can be cranky or have the physical withdrawal symptoms without their affecting your big meeting at work or your daughter’s wedding day.

Be strategic about this and you’ll be successful. Chances are, you’ll wake up on the fifth morning of your detox feeling great!

Knowing Your Style

Getting ready for your detox should include a review of your style of making change. Let’s take a look at a few helpful questions. When you have to do something, do you like to get all your ducks in a row, then work through each task one at a time? Or do you like to jump in and start doing it all at once? Now ask yourself the same question about your sugar detox. Are you going to ease into it or are you going to just do it? Are you going to cut down slowly or cut out all sugar at once?

Do this step in whatever style you like to do other things in your life. Over the years, most of my clients have used a combination of approaches. They cut down on 'white things' and sugars first, then to pick a time to go 'cold turkey' and eliminate whatever sugars are left in their diets. This seems to work best for most people, but, again, do what’s right for you. If the detox 'style' fits your natural rhythm, it is more likely to work smoothly and successfully.

No Sugars!

Pick your day. This is the start of no sugars. Read labels, be vigilant. Choose the degree of attentiveness you will have in your own detox.

When you are doing a detox, however, being strict with yourself seems to work better at the beginning. While the actual biochemical detox will take five days or so, the emotional detachment may take a few months. I find that it is easier to decide not to have any sugars than to constantly slip around trying to figure out 'how much' is right. But if you feel that being totally strict will not work for you, listen to your own guidance and create your own way. The most important instruction here is to feel comfortable with what you can do. This is your healing plan for your body.

There’s one thing you do want to be aware of, though. Denial is a powerful operating factor in addiction. Sometimes, in the name of being 'kind' to oneself, sugar-sensitive people will be slow or sloppy about actually getting off sugars. So pay close attention to your process. Ask yourself your motivation in designing your plan. Are you going slowly because it’s healthy or because you don’t want to let go of your best friend? Be honest. The results you will get are well worth the work you will do on this one.

The Big Day!

Pick your no sugar day carefully. Choose it for a time when you will have five days without a major event. You have cleaned your cupboards. You have warned your family. Be especially vigilant about your food during this time, take your vitamins, and absolutely make sure to have Mr. Spud nightly. Keep busy. If you are cranky or edgy, go for a walk. Go to the gym. Swim, lift weights, and sit in the hot tub. Go to a museum; take your kids to the zoo. Don’t go to a movie, you will want popcorn and a candy bar. The entire movie environment is designed to get you to eat. Stay away from dangerous places for the time being.

Stay busy so you don’t get bored and want to eat as a way to cope. Get connected to your support network. Write in your journal. Sing, dance, laugh, make love…even if you are crabby. These things help raise your beta-endorphin levels.

Here are a few other ideas from folks in the Community Forum:
  • I take a bubble bath, maybe even by candlelight.
  • I just sit outside when I am not up to really “doing” anything. I might take a book or something, but mostly I just soak in the out-of-doors, the light, the breeze, the sights.
  • I like to listen to a comforting CD.
  • I feel a lot better just by bringing fresh flowers into my home.
  • I curl up and watch the old Jimmy Stewart movie "It's A Wonderful Life."
  • My cure for crabbiness is to put lavender essential oil on my pillow and down comforter, and take an afternoon nap.
Most important, don’t spook yourself. Doing a sugar detox does not have to be a big thing. It is only that way if you do it off the bat without a safety net. But you are ready, you are informed and you have been practicing. Think of this as simply one more step on your path. I know you can do it!

©Kathleen DesMaisons 2005.

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
Naomi gathers the recipes
JoAnna, the liaison for Rolling Hills gathers the testimonials
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.