It's All About August!
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I ended up making 3 quarts of green juice! Yum!0
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Not the best, but better than waking up at 1 or two.
12 hour work day but it's my FRIDAY!
today's menu
coffee with original nutpods (coffee was a super find at Costco...Organic whole bean (they have a grinder there and I ground it coarse for my French press...Oaxaca Limited Edition...so smooth...not one bit bitter...if you buy whole beans...this stuff is amazing!)
oatmeal with blueberries and Eden's Soy
Chikn soup with rice ramen and corn, green beans, peas and edamame
1 quart green juice
Do make your delicious sweet peeps!
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quick check-in
food went off track, reeling it back in
was a sloth for a day, and then back into walking in the park yesterday and today
Happy Friday, magic!0 -
Happy Monday!
Brooks had his triathlon Saturday. He is so amazing for a 64 y/o guy. Sunday was a quiet day with a walk on the Riverwalk and lunch at a Caribbean place. I had the chickpea bowl with rice and vegetables. Interesting seasonings for the Caribbean flavors. Brooks bought me a ginger bear that was sweetened with High Fructose corn syrup. GAG!!!!!! Glad I read the label first.
I have tried other gluten free pastas. I like the texture Banza has. Ingredients are chickpeas, pea starch, tapioca and Xanthan gum.
The two dogs I was watching went home yesterday. The house seems so quiet with only my two. We are suppose to get rain this week with flash flooding warnings!!! We have had quite a drought this summer. On base no watering of yards allowed and can only water flowers in pots once every 2 weeks because the aquifer is low. A drought surcharge is assessed on all accounts for water used or assumed to be used for landscape irrigation. The surcharge is to remain in effect for a minimum of one complete billing month and will remain in effect if Stage 4 is still in effect at the beginning of the next billing month. I take my showers every other day after swimming at the gym. Plus use bottled water for cooking and drinking so I better not get a surcharge.
I am so glad we planted native pollinator plants. They are not as pretty as flowers but they are green & growing without much water. I had a weed bloom, a type of morning glory vine that I didn't pull because I was just glad something was growing!
Air fryer came this week!
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Glad you're sleeping a bit better, Nanc. Hopefully you can get lots of sauna time on your "weekend" and that will help as well.
I have a carribean recipe to try out soon, Bisky. Using pink beans which I bought on a whim then wondered what to do with them. I hope you don't get any flooding but it sounds like the rain will be very welcome.
Marilyn, how you feeling?
Carla, it happens! I went a little crazy on ezekiel bread over the weekend.
PT tonight was great. We have been working on the shoulder the past two sessions, which we're still doing, but adding in some work on my back now and I have quite a few exercises to do every day now. Making great progress and doing a lot that I couldn't do just a few weeks ago!
B - 1/2 cup oats with a little water, some cherries, a couple walnut halves, diced apple
L - big ol' salad with chickpeas added, a splash of bragg's and some dijon mustard
D - mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, sauteed greens and onions
These will be my meals through at least Wednesday and maybe Thursday if I have enough. I'll add a smoothie on workout days. I am not intermittent fasting every day but at least 4 days a week. I may try a 24 hour fast one of these days soon. It has been a long while since I've done that.
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Slept pretty great...about 6 hours. Finished all the food I brought with me to work by 3:45...and got off work at 7....so I did not eat after 3:45. That seems way too early to do on a regular basis. Need to plan better.
today...sauna'd early. LOVE LOVE LOVE
coffee with nutpod
oatmeal, grapenuts, frozen blueberries, cinnamon, flaxmeal, Eden's Soy milk
soup...most likely the same as the last two days...but with tomatoes and lots of spinach, rice noodles.
refried bean tostadas
fruit...not sure what yet.
1 quart green juice
Enjoy your day, peeps...do make it delicious.
Cleaning day...lots to catch up on since my sleep was soooooooooooo bad for sooooooooo long.
Later, dollies!
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I have tried other gluten-free free pastas. I like the texture Banza has. Ingredients are chickpeas, pea starch, tapioca and Xanthan gum. -bisky
Bisky...just to clarify...I thought the taste of the Banza was great...and the additives did not bother me except for the FOAM they create...I just cannot get past that...it reminds me of what the ocean leaves behind after the waves recede. And for me, I would always have to cook the pasta separately because of the foam.
But the taste is very good.
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Hi all! Another good day on track with food. Workout tonight was excellent. My range of motion is increasing week by week and I'm in less pain overall. I don't think I realized how many aches and pains I was having until I started working out and feeling better. I'd just adjusted to it I guess. Still have to do my PT exercises before bedtime.
Really stressed at work and trying to practice mindfulness and BREATHE!
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GM Team PLANTS!
Up too early...but I did sleep some...so that is good. I just am learning to live with it and not stress about it.
You are killing it at the gym @Mihani ...good for you. All of you are doing great...keep it up and do make it delicious.
I get two weeks' vacation after my anniversary date September 23. Last year I used it during my recovery from knee replacement...because I will not get paid during my three-month rehab.
This year, however, I am going to use it for time off...I am going to take Mondays Off in October and January. (Hoping to have right knee replaced February 2023) That is 6, 5-day weekends with two Fridays going in late to make it 40 hours each month.
Lulu will love it. I will love it. October is a great month for pool time for me...and walking Lulu early.
So right now, I am busy getting the house in order so that I am NOT SPENDING VACATION TIME CLEANING AND DECLUTTERING.
Today's Menu, the same as yesterday...my soup turned out great.
Sautéed carrots, onions, celery...then added can of diced tomatoes...added water and a chikn bullion ... added yellow squash...cannelloni beans...rice ramen and put it all over fresh spinach. Plenty of left overs for 3 to 4 days.
coffee with nutpods
oatmeal with the regular add ins
soup
green juice
bean tostada
grapes
Have a super duper day, everyone!
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Magic - the foam is a pain. I always start out with a wooden spoon and a small bowl to skim the foam off while boiling. I have had some disasters with it. I hope your time off is wonderful.
Mihani - I feel like your exercise program is giving you positive energy!
Met with a nutritionist to discuss Celiac's disease, poor absorption and anemia. Since I don't eat meat he suggested cooking veggies in iron skillet, getting an "iron" fish to add to boiling water plus always looking for "enriched foods" to help with vitamin and iron absorption. I have to admit having a medical reason to avoid all wheat products does make be look at bread, cookies and cakes in a different way.
The air fryer came yesterday. We tried a sweet potato made into fries, corn tortilla and cauliflower. Next on the list is apple rings, beets and Brussel sprouts. I need tips and recipes. Brooks really like the sweet potato fries and tortillas.
Finished the minestrone soup and a little bit of curried chickpeas left.
Off to swim today! Then reorganize craft room.
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Barilla Chickpea pasta contains just chickpeas. I'm amazed at how good it is. Enjoying the texture and not missing the whole wheat pasta at all! Best food upgrade of 2022.
I love your plan for October and January, Nanc!
I know I said I'd post my baked tofu variations but I realized that I haven't written any of them down and I'm not sure of what I did.
But the basic idea for the Indian one would be:
follow the chinese tofu directions and for spices use 2 tsp homemade or purchased curry powder mix, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 to 1 tsp dried fenugreek leaves,1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, salt and red chili flakes to taste. Modify as you please.
I'm going to put some index cards in the kitchen so I can scribble my notes as I go. I forget more recipes than I remember, that's for sure. Anyway, the key to any variation is to coat the tofu in everything but the starch and mix carefully, then sprinkled starch over and stir to coat tofu, then bake or air fry.
The last few days have been less emotional and the walking has helped me. It is so hard to go for a walk when I'm feeling this way but such a tremendous payoff. I'm putting together a playlist for my treadmill workouts. Reading works okay, but music is better for getting me moving and I want to start pushing a little more.
I finally had my doctor's appointment after getting my labs done. Overall things are improved. My A1c is 5.9 which I'm pleased about for now. I expect it will be even lower next time. homocysteine is elevated, and a few others slightly high. My cholesterol actually went up a little but given the weight loss, My doc said that is to be expected. Next labs and check in are just before we head off to Mexico in November.
Today's plan:
coffee
walk in park (nice to go early)
oatmeal fuhrman style
red lentil cauli curry
carrots & hummus
half of a 'caramel' apple
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oh and doctor says walking isn't good enough for maintaining bone density. she wants me to start thinking about strength training. boo.
The fitness center has a 6 week program for weight loss is small group training sessions and a nutrition plan. I doubt the nutrition plan will be super useful for me unless they have a plant based option, but I could sure use the training part. thinking about it. We are going out for a birthday dinner at the restaurant that is part of the club and while we're there I'm going to check out the facilities and ask about the program.1 -
Mihani, the recipe I have calls for the tomatoes to be totally green, but I like your idea so I'm letting them get a little red before I use them. I'm going to do a few variations - the AP flour per the recipe, whole wheat flour (I have pastry and bread, I'll have to figure out which is better) and oat flour. I decided to nix off the chickpea flour because that gives a flavor to sometimes that I don't like. I'm going to pan fry half of each and air fry to other halves. Should be a fun day - probably tomorrow.
How did you hair appointment go?
Magic, It's great that you have neighbor doing the same thing, I imagine it helps both of you stay accountable. The sauna sounds like it's working wonders for you. Is it in your home or at a gym? I hope your upcoming vacation time is everything you want it to be.
Carla, I think we all get off track here and there - it's great that you responded to it quickly with positive actions. I always feel better after I've gone for an invigorating walk. The fitness center sounds interesting.
Bisky, a 64 year-old triathlete is definitely amazing! I hope you don't get any flooding, there has been a lot of it in the news lately. Sounds like you're giving your new air fryer a real workout.
Marilyn, hope you've been well.
I'm in a Biggest Loser Challenge here on MFP (it carried over from Sparkpeople where I used to be). BLC50 starts next Wednesday, and I plan to use those 12 weeks to really get my exercise routine and meal plans into shape and finally get back into the 130s.
Oh, and an update and conclusion: As for the leg cramps, I drank last night and the night before, and early this morning I felt a cramp start as I was laying in bed. I went 4 days with no drinking, and four nights with no leg cramps, so I'm going to conclude that drinking gives leg cramps, at least for me. If I want to get serious about the weight loss I have to avoid the alcohol anyway, and the cramps alone are enough of a reason to give it up.
Looking forward to sharing a super September with all of you!
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Nanc, love the plan for your vacation days. Your soup sounds really tasty. I love making "clean out the crisper drawer" soup.
Bisky, I'm definitely more energetic day by day. I'm still kind of amazed that I've stuck with this for over 60 days now. Sounds like you are having fun with the air fryer! That's a great idea to see a nutritionist. How are you feeling?
I'm enjoying the chickpea pasta too, Carla. I think Nanc had mentioned that it's more filling so you aren't going back for more and more, which is definitely something I have struggled with when it comes to pasta. Glad you are starting to feel better.
I actually love strength training. I have done it in the past and enjoyed it but had trouble getting back into it. It makes you feel sort of badass. LOL
Spring, good luck with your challenge! Isn't that weird that drinking causes leg cramps. That said, I haven't been drinking for quite a while and had some leg cramps last night for the first time in a while. I wondered if it was from all the exercising between PT on Monday and strength class on Tuesday. I drank a lot more water today because I realized I slacked a bit yesterday. I really don't lose weight when I indulge regularly so that's enough to keep me off the beer and wine for now. I'm sure come the holidays I'll have some wine here and there.
Can't wait to hear how your tomatoes turn out. I just haven't found the right method yet so I'm looking forward to the results of your experiment.
Meals same as the past few days today. I have enough left for one more day. I have an eyedoctor appointment tomorrow so I will run to the grocery after that and restock my greens. My salad prepper is going to be off this week too so I need salad goodies. No workout tonight but I will do the PT exercises and I need to jump on the treadmill for a few minutes because I'm not quite to 5,000 steps.
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today's menu
coffee with nutpod
oatmeal, flaxmeal, blueberries, Westsoy* Dr. Praeger Veggie Burger with LTO and ketchup ...no bread
soup
green juice
fruit
HORRIBLE sleep last night...2.5 hours. NOT happy today. Going to do my two shops...Trader Joe's and Sprouts...then back and hopefully a nap...don't like going to sauna on these kinda days when I have had so little sleep. So unless I get a good nap in, no sauna today.
Eliminating the grapenuts...think it is bothering my stomach...feels bloated.
QUESTION: My doc ordered the COLORGUARD...anyone else use it. I will use it next Tuesday...so I can get it to the UPS same day.
Looking for tips if there are any. I read the book and watched the youtube. NOT too terribly difficult.
THANKS IN ADVANCE.
*My vitmix died many months ago. I have been trying to buy the one from costco that has a little cup and smooth cup attachments...but the darn thing that is supposed to be recognized by the vitamix never works. I called Vitamix...they trouble shot me...to no avail. So I took it back. No vitamix currently to make my homemade almond milk, which I love. Not sure what I will do...go with Costco on a cheaper model or buy from vitamix directly, reconditioned.0 -
Update on how I am doing.
It has now 4 weeks and a few days since I was in the emergency at the hospital with horrible pain - turns out I had 16 kidney stones and one was large enough to block any from coming out - so needed emergency surgery where they went in with a camera and lazer to blast the large one to many small pieces and at the same time they blasted the other 15 stones so that they looked more like 'sand' so that they would just flush out when I drink a lot of water. My GFR (this shows the function of the kidneys) should be at 60 but 4 years ago it went down to 45, then in June of this year it went down to 35 and then the attack of kidney stones brought it down to 25 and after they were lazered it went down to 22. Not good but they doctor told me he thought it went down that low because the kidney was trying to get rid of the stone but it was blocked.
At any rate on the 19th of this month I had my regular 3 month blood test and the kidney specialist who I will be seeing on the 31st of this month also sent a request for even more blood work. I got the results, looked at them and cried and was thankful that I was seeing my doctor this past Tuesday.
Good news the GFR that went down to 22 - well the blood work showed it came back up to 44 so that is good - but the blood work that the kidney doctor requested (a lot more different things they were looking at) had 8 things highlighted that we off. One was that my iron was down a little.
Am also dealing with a horrible hemroid so my doc gave me a different med to help with the swelling - a bit stronger med and then I have an fungal infection at the end of the tailbone which is just not clearing up so he has requested a stronger med for it - hopefully should get it tomorrow.
My anxiety is running high - waking up in the middle of the night with chest pains all caused by anxiety - feels like a heart attack but it isn't - so needing to work on that also.
Am going to feel better after I see the kidney specialist as I have a lot of questions for him and I will also see a dietition / nutritionst who only deals with people who have kidney failure. So it will be interesting to see what they say. My doctor had asked what I was eating as my diabetes has improved (A1C was 6.5 and as of the blood work on the 19 (and being in a new once a week med for diabetes my A1C is now down to 5.6 so that is a big improvement -I would like to see it get to 4.8 which would make it in the normal range. At any rate my doc asked what changes I had made re my diet in the last 5 weeks and I said 'No sugar, no salt, flour has been eliminated to only occasionally working on eliminating it completely as it is addictive, no oil, no animal products and am eating only vegetables, fresh fruit and grains consisting of potatoes, rice or pasta.' He smiled and said 'This is what they are going to tell you to do when you see the kidney specialist so you are ahead of the game.' I do miss occasionally having chicken and or fish and the occasional egg but really am feeling so much better not having any of it. And the once a week shot for the diabetes is working well and it also works on weight loss - they have discovered that it helps making a person feel fuller a lot sooner, and I am noticing that I am now doing the 'It is time to eat and though I am not really hungry I will have my planned meal for that time' For the first 6 dozes it was 25 mg and the next 6 doses are to be at 50 mg so it will be interesting to see how that works.
Here is what my meals look like today
Breakfast (9 am) oatmeal with frozen blueberries - ended up eating 3/4 of what I planned as I was full
Lunch (12:30 ) 2 slices whole wheat toast with peanut butter and a banana and a granny smith apple
Dinner (6 pm) recipe is called American Vegetable Stew from The McDougall Program 12 days to dynamic health. It is the best - this time I am putting in the vegetables they suggest along with some sugar snap peas, mixed string beans (frozen), celery, zucchini, broccoli and a leek.
NOTE: If any one is interested in the stew I mentioned for Dinner let me know and I could post it on the recipe thread - we have served it over rice and had it for a meal when friends came to dinner (they are meat eaters) and they could not believe how tasty it was
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Hi Nanc, hope you got a good nap today. Sorry about your vitamix.
Marilyn, sounds like you are doing so much right to better your health, and I hope things continue to improve as you work through the different doctors and treatments.
Crazy day today. Not unusual. Had an appointment with the eye doctor late afternoon so I cut out of the office a bit early. Excited about my new glasses which should be ready in about 10 days.
Had my oats with cherries, cinnamon, a few walnut halves and a diced apple around 10:00 because breakfast time totally slipped by, then I was so busy I never got around to lunch so I am now heating up some frozen spring rolls for dinner. They aren't bad... like 50 calories and zero fat each. Probably a fair amount of sodium but while I don't add salt to anything I cook or eat I don't strictly avoid it either.
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Mihani, I've read that dehydration can cause them too, so it may just be that lower amount of water that caused it. Also, certain mineral deficiencies can cause them, mostly calcium, potassium and magnesium. I didn't get around to cooking the tomatoes today, but tomorrow for sure.
Hope your eye doctor's appt. went well today.
Magic, sorry to hear about your bad sleep night, I hope things get back to where they were for you a few days ago. I wake up every 1.5 to 2 hours at night due to hot flashes, but am usually able to fall back to sleep pretty quickly once they pass. I've kind of gotten used to it over the past couple of years. My sister has a Ninja blender which seemed to work really well when I saw her use it, and I think it's a bit less expensive than the vitamix (although I would hate to have to replace my vitamix with something different
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Marilyn, I'm so sorry to hear you're going through so much pain and anxiety, I know how scary test results can really raise one's stress level. It sounds like you're really focused on the positive, the GFR up and A1C down, which is great, and you're getting additional, stronger meds that will hopefully help alleviate some of the pain. Your meal plan for today sounds delicious.0 -
Wow @Marilynsretired ... you sure have been going through a lot. YOU are so strong. I am not sure I would have been able to handle it all the way you have. Major congratulations...keep up the good work. I love what the doc said to you:
'This is what they are going to tell you to do when you see the kidney specialist so you are ahead of the game.'
YOU should be very proud of yourself! Keep up that spirit of determination...keep posting your billboards...I do look forward to them.
I get the missing of certain foods...for me it was EGGS...Just plain ol scrambled eggs with toast. I did try the HAPPY EGGS OR WHATEVER THEY ARE CALLED...more than just free range...I think they get to watch Netflix or ANIMAL PLANET...that's why they are happy.
But I just did not feel good about it. The eggs were good...but then I listen to Dr. Esselstyn and the rest of the top plant-based docs and why I shouldn't be eating eggs and I don't feel so deprived anymore. I tried the JUST EGG...they are just ok...nothing like the real thing. So, might as well just get used to it and focus on WHAT I CAN HAVE.
Have a great night and be so proud that you are taking matters into your hands with the help of some very smart docs.
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Mornin' all... officially over 10 pounds down as of this morning and just had to pop on to share!!!
Spring, I'm so bad about taking supplements but lately I've been consistent about B12 because I'm starting to notice neuro effects if I forget them for too long (like weeks). I've been vegan over 10 years so I could be low there. I haven't had labs done in quite a while and should get that scheduled. Also take vegan collagen, D and EPA+DHA.
Nanc, weren't you trying tofu scramble for a while? I love that, although I rarely make it. Now that I'm thinking about it I have some tofu in the fridge and should make it this weekend. My favorite version: https://minimalistbaker.com/southwest-tofu-scramble/ I don't use the oil.
Going out with the work family after work. I'll find something on plan to eat and skip the cocktails.
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@Mihani major congratulations on ten pounds gone
That is huge!
You must be swimming in your clothes!
Keep up the great work!
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My menu today.
Coffee with Nutpod
Mashed Potatoes with Power Greens
Green Juice
Salad: chopped romaine, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, black beans, corn, corn chile salsa
Apple sauce
Make today delicious 😋
I don’t think I brought enough food today …I’m gonna be so hungry… I’m gonna do my best to just try not to think about it … I think if I had more to do, it would help…I think about food all the time …this is a sad story😢😢😢0 -
Nanc, I agree, totally better to be busy at work to make the time fly and have a good sense of accomplishment. Every so often I get an urge for eggs too. (Every so often I give in to that urge.)
@Marilynsretired congrats on all of the improved results! An A1c of 5.6? WOW!!! that is awesome. I deal with anxiety too. I have hydroxyzine, an antihistamine that works for anxiety. (actually better for anxiety than allergies). I don't like taking extra meds, but I like having it on hand.
Mihani, way to rock the weight loss! Do you have clothing for your new size?
Another walk in the park this morning. We went for a brisk 30 minute walk with a bit of jogging in the mix on the non-rooted more open pathways.
Oh and a HUGE load off my mind...bisky is flying out to stay at my place and take care of Ruby, Radar, and Kittens while we're in Mexico this winter. It's going to be really hard to leave them. I can't even think about it or I get emotional. We are always with them, like all day every day. For some reason this didn't seem like a problem when I booked our trip but it has been weighing on me ever since. Anyway, this is huge! I know they will be well taken care of.
We're going out for dinner tonight at a steak house. hah. Anyway, no matter, they have a portabella on bun type option that looks good. It will be a higher calorie meal, especially since I'll probably order a drink too
I am having a smoothie for breakfast to help offset it.
Will know more about the gym / pool center after tonight.
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Thanks, Nanc and Carla! I've actually been shopping in my closet and I have SO much that fits now that didn't before. My wardrobe has expanded quite a bit without spending a dime. Woohoo! Now, the next size down (which should be around goal weight) is going to be a problem because I have nothing.
Nanc, I hope you made it through the day okay and didn't get home too hungry.
Carla, yay for Bisky! I know you will miss the "kids" but knowing they are in safe hands with her will make it easier. Hope you have fun tonight.
Went out after work. Had a vegan taco (it was good) and a few tortilla chips with salsa. Skipped the margaritas (yay me!) and just had water.
Didn't have any preps left so I had a Dr. McDougall soup and some steamed peas for lunch. Usual oats for breakfast.
I need to get up early and get laundry going, then run to the store before classes so I can get salads and etc. ready for the week. Office Sunday.
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GM sweet peas!
I'm always in a rush...sorry bout that...and I'm not answering all the questions...but I just have to pop in and say...WOW, that is so fantastic that @bisky is going to puppy sit @Carla_wfpb 's dogs. How sweet is that? Did you guys know each other before this place? I just think that is super.
Today's Menucoffee with NPoats with blueberries and soy milk
veggie soup, no pasta
burrito bowl: same as yesterday
fresh strawberriesHave yourself one very delicious day, everyone!
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