Hi {!firstname_fix}

You are subscribed to Simple Solutions the monthly newsletter from Radiant Recovery®. To unsubscribe, find instructions at the end of this email. A copy of this newsletter may also be found posted on the web at http://www. radiantrecovery.com/weeklynewsletter.

These classes will begin this week. You can see an updated schedule by clicking here. Go look because I have added some new ones like anxiety, diabetes and the gut one. (smile)

IBD/IBS/bad gut class is continuing and having fun with learning some chemistry.

Brain Chemistry: Beta Endorphin (Week 1) is one of our all time favorite classes. If you want to know the heart of healing, this is the class to take.

Doing the Steps: An Overview is the perfect opportunity for all you new people to see the big picture.

Step Two: Journal, An Introduction is for those of you who are miserable about it, resistant, or just need help in getting started. I always love this class.

A number of you have asked me how the classes work. Check the class list page for more information on this. The classes are done online with one lesson each day. You do not have to be at your computer at any set time.

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.

Be sure to visit our Radiant Recovery® website and Community Forum regularly.

Warmly,
Kathleen

**********************************************************************

October 10, 2005
** Quote From Kathleen **

When your food is steady, your life is steady, when your food is wobbly, your life is wobbly.

*********************************************************************

** Testimonial for the Week**


As a sugar sensitive person in recovery I have always had a list of things to which I just wasn't entitled in this lifetime: the ability to direct my life with any kind of passion, the ability to think clearly, the ability to follow a line of reasoning to its conclusion, the ability to stand up for myself.... etc.

These were all things I'd just decided were for other people. Meet someone who's dynamic and self-directed? One of THOSE people. There's someone who can stand in a courtroom and argue arcane legal complexities for hours at a time? One of THOSE people. Overhear a fight with two people, say, at a restaurant, where one is responding with great passion at the accusations of the other? Ah, they're THOSE kind of people, the ones who don't cower from what they feel. As opposed to me. Who shrunk into the carpet at the first sign of impending conflict.

But this weekend I was having a spirited debate with my husband. Spirited debate in this instance being 48 hours of both of us feeling pissy and mad at each other about long-simmering stuff that we'd quite frankly just not had the time to talk about. While we started out squabbling and then giving each other the silent treatment on and off, it wound up being quite great last night.

A long talk that was direct, honest, clear and to my great delight (now that it's Monday morning and I've had a chance to sleep on it) I remembered back to where I was able to be clear, concise and direct about how I felt.

No drama. No blasts of dynamite coming from deep within. No exaggeration. Well, no, wait, there was trace amounts of all that. But by and large they weren't there. I was able to hear him and he (as he's generally always been able to do, since he's one of those people) was able to listen to me.

Just communication that was honest. Hey, maybe I'm one of THOSE PEOPLE, after all. Ones that can actually talk about what they feel? Wow. I keep thinking I'm going to get used to these new things, but every time they happen I'm still surprised.

Now I've just to take it easy tomorrow. Two days is my crash date. At least I know it's coming.

Love,
sky

********************************************************************

**Recipe of the Week**


People have asked me for this recipe so I thought I would share it with you all. It is a bit time consuming, but makes about 6 1/2 dozen rugelach (little dough cookies) so you can always have some in the freezer. I think it is a great treat for the kids, my boys just love them and we have tried all of the different fillings.

RUGELACH

Preheat oven to 350. Mix 1 lb flour with margarine. Set aside. In a separate bowl, dissovle yeast in apple juice. Add remaining flour and remaining ingredients and mix. Combine the yeast mixture with the margarine mixture and knead until smooth. Divide into 6 parts. Cover dough and set to rise for 20 minutes. Roll out each dough into a large circle about 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 16 wedges. Add filling and roll up from the wide end towards the narrow end. Brush with beaten egg. Place onto a nonstick cookie sheet or a lined regular sheet. Leave space between each piece for them to rise. Bake for 18 minutes.

Filling options:

  1. 1 cup all fruit spread, 1/2 cup ground walnuts (2 T. cinnamon optional). Mix well and spread onto each triangle before rolling up. You can also substitute coconut instead of walnuts.
  2. 1 cup apple butter, 1/2 cup carob powder, 1/4 cup coconut. Mix well and spread onto each triangle.
  3. 1/2 cup almond butter, 1/4 cup chopped almonds, 1 cup apple butter. Mix well and spread onto each triangle before rolling up.
NOTE: Place whichever spread you choose thinly over the dough.

Optional: You can roll each section out into a rectangle, spread the filling over the entire rectangle and roll up from the bottom (the longest side) into a log shape. Then you can slice the log up, placing each piece on the cookie sheet and baking as above.

********************************************************************

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


It is funny to have super beginners, people who are settled and starting the weight loss part, and graduates working in different rooms. The energy is so amazing. I just love hearing the transformation from desperation and fear to humor and skill. And the weight comes off and stays off. Not sexy, not dramatic, but mighty powerful. I never, ever thought I would have so much joy and fun with you. Thank you!!

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.
 


********************************************************* ***********

**David's Corner **



Now that it is getting darker, you might want to get some of the CD's. You can even transfer them into your ipod and listen while working at the gym. here are our best sellers.

  • What Else is Embedded in the Steps
  • The Warrior Spirit: How Your Attitude Shapes Your Program
  • Successfully Parenting a Sugar Sensitive Child


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


 
********************************************************* ***********

**Our Online Groups**


Hi, I'm Martha. I want to encourage you to join the RadiantStep3 group. Like the name says, this group is all about our very favorite Step 3: Eating three protein meals a day at regular intervals. This was a tough step for me when I started the program nearly 6 years ago -- I was a major all-day grazer! But now, three meals a day is a snap to me, very natural... I never dreamed I would ever say that in my lifetime! (smile).

The group talks a lot about things like: What is a meal, exactly? How do I get my body to cooperate with eating "just" three meals a day? What are some tips to help me with consistent timing? And all sorts of other aspects of this Step. We try to make it fun, because... why not make it fun?? It's a great place of support... come and join us! (And it matters not if you are new to the step, totally re-doing the step or just shoring up your Step 3 after being further along in the program.)



********************************************************************

** Featured Topic**
Artificial Sweeteners
Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.

I do not encourage you using artificial sweeteners as an alternative to sugars for a number of reasons. The taste of sweet, whether from table sugar, corn syrup or aspartame evokes a beta-endorphin response in your body. This reaction will create cravings. Essentially, artificial sweeteners, while not evoking the same insulin response, will prime your brain to want more "sweet." This sets you up to go back to the sugars.

Many sugar-free products use aspartame (Nutrasweet®) as a sweetener. Aspartame is made from phenylalanine, which is an amino acid. Having a lot of phenylalanine can be a problem for a number of reasons. It is a precursor to dopamine (the same way that tryptophan is a precursor for serotonin). Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that creates a feeling of brightness and excitement in your brain. You like the dopamine effects in your brain. They are considered potent reinforcers. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter affected by cocaine.

I have observed that a very large number of sugar addicts are dependent upon sugar-free products. My hypothesis is that the phenylalanine evokes dopamine and creates an "upper"-like effect. I suspect that sugar-sensitive people get a bigger reaction to this than do people who are not. This drug effect can be addictive, sometimes as addictive as sugar. Caffeine in diet sodas heightens the effect even more.

Sucralose is made by chlorinating sugar and changing the molecular structure. The makers claim that you just get the sweet taste without absorbing it. However, there seems to be wide disagreement about its safety. The fact is you get the sweet taste which primes cravings and makes you want more. Try doing a google search on sucralose and see what you think about its safety.

Stevia is an herb which is promoted as a " safe" alternative to sugar. Of all the alternatives, it is probably the least problematic. But remember, if you have "sweet', you will have cravings. I think that even stevia is seductive, giving you the illusion of a "free ride." We are working with addiction to sweet. Not playing games.

Do not to switch to sugar-free products as a way to ease into a sugar-free life. If you are already strongly attached to them, work on holding your "dose" steady while you detox from regular sugars. You can then work on a "sugar-free" detox down the line. I do not recommend going off of sugar-free products all at once. Plan a taper, one quarter the amount each week.

©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 affiliates gathers the testimonials
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.