Wake Up and Read the Labels!

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Change Your Body, Change Your Lifestyle with Dr. Trey Sands Jun 28, 2022

Show notes

You may think going under the knife to improve your appearance and changing the way you eat are two mutually exclusive paths toward improving your health and confidence. But the foods you’re putting into your body can impact the results you see, and even your ability to participate in elective surgeries.

Dr. Trey Sands is a plastic surgeon specializing in body contouring procedures and what he calls, “The Mommy Makeover.” While Trey can use his expertise to create a fantastic result for clients, it’s up to clients to ensure that result is achievable and sustainable. And when it comes to plastic surgery, changing the way you eat is the only way clients can hold up their end of the surgical deal.

In this episode, Dr. Trey Sands talks with Jen about who plastic surgery is a fantastic option for, the key link between overall health and long-term results, why lifestyle changes work better than crash diets, and why clean eating eases an otherwise painful recovery.

Key Takeaways

[00:39] - An introduction to Dr. Trey Sands.
[03:17] - Why patients choose plastic surgery.
[05:52] - How patient health impacts plastic surgery outcomes.
[07:47] - How Dr. Sands handles patients with poor health.
[10:00] - What the most popular plastic surgery is at Dr. Sands’ practice.
[13:45] - How Dr. Sands advises patients to eat during pre-op and post-op.
[15:43] - Why you may be a great candidate for plastic surgery without realizing it and why clean eating speeds up recovery.
[19:38] - Dr. Trey Sands’ Wake Up moment.

Quotes

[13:27] - “It is so important – because of that small room for error – that we make sure that patients are on board, we create the least amount of inflammation, the least amount of swelling and get rid of that, because swelling, inflammation will ultimately lead to more scarring and problems with that overall result.” ~ @drtreysands

[14:09] - “I don’t want you to go on a binge diet and lose a lot of weight, I want you to have a lifestyle, I want you to have a steady state lifestyle that allows your body to know where it wants to fall, where it is going to be all the time. And then we perform the procedure, that can assure us that you’re going to have a long-term result that you’re going to be able to maintain.” ~ @drtreysands

[21:28] - “The fulfillment really that you just cannot replicate is when you see somebody that has a concern or an issue that’s holding them back in life, and you have a tool or a skill or a craft that is able to help them. And then you see that transition in their life for the positive.” ~ @drtreysands

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Combining Fasting and Keto for a Healthy Body and a Healthy Mind with Alexia Bjarkan Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

Some equate fasting with a disguised eating disorder; a restriction tool forcing our bodies to ignore natural hunger pangs. Fat Burning Coach Alexia Bjarkan reminds us that our ancestors fasted at the dawn of time. Letting our digestive systems rest, when done properly, can cause transformative health improvements like increased energy, mental clarity, and of course, weight loss.

After years of self-medicating with sugar and processed foods, Alexia was drowning in depression and insomnia. A false bipolar disorder diagnosis eventually led her to harsh and mind-numbing medication. Fortunately, Alexia stumbled upon keto coffee in what she considers a divine intervention. Just one sip of coffee tipped Alexia off to the power of eating keto and, eventually, combining keto with fasting.

Today, Alexia talks with Jen about the people who benefit best from fasting, why combining keto with fasting produces revelatory health results, how to incorporate keto into a normal life, and why fasting, keto, and reading the labels doesn’t mean deprivation.

Key Takeaways

[00:39] - A brief introduction to Alexia.
[01:51] - How Alexia discovered fat burning and why she became a fat-burning coach.
[06:57] - What the signs of inflammation look like and why getting rid of inflammation can transform your life.
[09:35] - Why Alexia preaches keto and fasting.
[10:52] - Who needs to fast.
[11:44] - How to start fasting.
[18:50] - How much weight you can lose by fasting and eating keto.
[20:00] - What the difference is between “dirty” keto and “clean” keto.
[22:22] - What Alexia believes is the key to successful keto and fasting.
[23:26] - How to drink alcohol while maintaining keto.
[25:23] - How to incorporate keto into a normal, fulfilling life.
[26:53] - Alexia’s Wake Up moment.

Quotes

[15:59] - “Anyone could lose weight just by white-knuckling it and starving themselves, but that is not what this method is about. It’s about losing weight and keeping it off while you enjoy your food, while you feel satiated, while you’re being energetic.” ~ Alexia Bjarkan

[23:03] - “For the most part, I know that the best results come from eating healthy, whole, real food. That’s what it’s about. That’s why I don’t really like [saying] ‘keto diet’ because it sounds like a diet fad where, at the end of the day, it’s just healthy, natural eating the way we’re meant to be eating.” ~ Alexia Bjarkan

[28:21] - “Just remember, we were meant to be fasting. So regardless of whether you will switch your way of eating to keto or you just keep eating what you’re eating now, fasting is a great tool that you can combine with any way of eating.” ~ Alexia Bjarkan

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Eating Clean and Honoring Your Body with Carly Patterson Caldwell Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

You’d think as an Olympic Athlete, Carly Caldwell would have met with top-tier nutritionists and clean eating specialists. Unfortunately, those resources were never provided to her as a professional gymnast, and Carly never learned how to “read the labels” until discovering Jen. In fact, before Jen, when Carly wanted to lose weight, she thought cutting out dessert, chips, sugars, and carbs would do the job.

Now, months into the Clean Eating Academy program, Carly eats her favorite foods every day, hardly looks at the calorie count, and has lost 15 pounds. She fits into her closet filled with previously unworn clothes, and her newfound energy levels have allowed her to resume the hobbies she once felt too tired and sluggish to even attempt.

In this episode, Carly talks with Jen about navigating food after the Olympics, what foods Carly swaps for household brands, why eating clean doesn’t have to break your bank account, and the ways in which clean eating has transformed Carly as an athlete, motivational speaker, and mother.

Key Takeaways

[01:39] - Jen’s intro to this episode and Carly.
[02:24] - What Carly ate as a young athlete versus what she eats today.
[03:42] - What nutritional resources Carly had access to as an Olympic gymnast.
[07:09] - How Carly navigated nutrition after her Olympic career.
[09:10] - When Carly discovered Wake Up and Read the Labels
[15:39] - What Carly shops for at the grocery store.
[19:27] - What Carly wishes she had known sooner.
[20:12] - One reason you should read the labels.
[20:41] - Carly’s Wake Up moment.

Quotes

[12:52] - “My brain feels like it’s working better, more clarity, more energy, like I said I’m feeling the most confident about myself, in my skin, than I have in a long time” ~ Carly Patterson Caldwell

[15:06] - “You get these better ingredients for yourself, you’re gonna feel better. And to me that’s priceless.” ~ Carly Patterson Caldwell

[17:50] - “For the first time I don’t look at the sugar, I don’t look at the calories, I don’t look at the fat. I just eat those brands of the things that I love and I don’t even have to worry about that stuff.” ~ Carly Patterson Caldwell

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The Real Secret to Staying Sugar Proof with Dr. Michael Goran Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

Did you know that there are more than 260 names for sweeteners? The next time you’re searching for a sugar-free snack in the grocery aisle or your kitchen pantry, just remember that a “low sugar” or “no sugar added” label isn’t the whole story. You have to look closer.

Luckily, Dr. Michael Goran is an expert at reading the (sugar) labels. Trained as a biochemist, Dr. Goran transformed into a pediatric nutrition research powerhouse on a mission to help families reduce their sugar intake. His ah-hah moment? Years ago, Dr. Goran began a study tracking the onset and development of chronic diseases. Throughout his research, one data point remained consistent: diet. Particularly, sugar intake.

Taking a hard look at kids’ diets, sugar is time and time again the primary problem. Unfortunately, going sugar-free isn’t easy. With hundreds of deceptive codenames, the food industry has snuck sugars into almost everything.

Today, Dr. Goran talks with Jen about avoiding sugar-stuffed kids’ brands, why weight gain isn’t the only telltale sign of a sugar high, how to manage your kids’ blood sugar when it spikes, sugar and sweetener myths damaging health-conscious consumers, and how to truly shop sugar-free at your local grocery store.

Key Takeaways

[00:39] - A brief introduction to Dr. Michael Goran.
[01:24] - How Dr. Goran became interested in sugar content.
[07:17] - The biggest culprit for chronic disease.
[08:29] - Why Dr. Goran’s book focuses primarily on children.
[09:29] - How a pregnant mother’s food intake impacts her developing child.
[11:27] - How to know if you’re consuming too much sugar.
[13:41] - The foods kids consume with the highest sugar count.
[15:02] - What dextrose really is.
[18:48] - How to spot misleading labels.
[19:43] - Is monk fruit a clean sweetener alternative?
[22:30] - What Dr. Goran’s guilty pleasures are.
[24:52] - The sweeteners Dr. Goran uses.
[25:39] - Why coconut sugar is a great (albeit expensive) sweetener alternative.
[26:43] - Why there are so many different names for sweeteners.
[30:24] - Dr. Goran’s Wake Up moment.

Quotes

[16:58] - “You or I probably know when our glucoses are high and when they’re low – your kids might not. But as a parent, if your kids are bouncing off the walls, they’ve probably just had something that’s very high in glucose, syrupy sugar.” ~ @michaelgoran

[18:37] - “The order in which you eat food, making sure there’s fiber on top of it, and activity, too, can all make a difference on better flattening of those blood sugar levels.” ~ @michaelgoran

[22:12] - “Studies show that you can end up eating more calories and more sugar throughout the rest of the day if you’re habitually consuming sweetener.” ~ @michaelgoran

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Just Press Play: How to Start Moving and Keep Moving with Andrea Leigh Rogers May 31, 2022

Show notes

Eating clean is so important for living a healthy lifestyle. Moving your body is also essential for keeping your body and mind feeling great. Not to mention, the more you can motivate yourself to exercise, the more motivated you’ll feel to eat well and have, what Andrea Leigh Rogers calls, a “fridgervention”.

A true intuitive eater, Andrea is also the queen of movement. She’s a former professional dancer, pilates instructor, founder of Xtend Barre, and creator of the phrase, “movement snacks.” Her philosophy on nutrition and bite-sized exercise helps men and women learn to incorporate movement into their lives without feeling intimidated and overwhelmed by a grueling hour-long workout.

Today, Andrea talks with Jen about helping everyday people flip the exercise switch and actually stick to a workout plan, her philosophy on exercise schedules and nutrition, learning to indulge guilt-free, and the relationship between a stellar workout, a healthy mind, and a clean fridge.

Key Takeaways

[00:39] - A quick intro to Andrea.
[01:26] - What a day of eating looks like for Andrea.
[04:07] - Andrea’s nutrition philosophy.
[05:38] - How Andrea approaches her weekly workouts.
[06:53] - Why Andrea loves starting her day with movement.
[08:36] - What a “movement snack” is.
[12:19] - Andrea’s advice for those looking to workout more.
[15:46] - Why you can’t “out-exercise” a bad diet.
[17:34] - What keeps Andrea motivated.
[21:31] - Where to find Andrea and her Openfit workouts.
[22:41] - Andrea’s “wakeup moment”.

Quotes

[07:14] - “I believe that movement is your foundation in everything. So if you move your body, you’re going to be so much more inclined to have a healthy breakfast and to eat well the rest of the day, to make good decisions.” ~ Andrea Leigh Rogers

[14:42] - “I think at the end of the day you have to move your body to feel good and you have to move your body to actually give it the heart conditioning and health that you need. Just like you have to eat clean in order to actually fuel your body in the way it needs. So it is a non-negotiable.” ~ Andrea Leigh Rogers

[16:23] - “There are so many benefits of exercising but the main role of exercise should not be weight loss, that should not be your main motivation. You should not workout because you want to lose weight. You should workout because you want to feel good.” ~ Andrea Leigh Rogers

[20:09] - “Whether it is my workout or swimming or walking, I always just encourage people to move their body and do what they like, what feels good for them. Don’t sign up for a class that you think is gonna give you the best body, do something you actually enjoy. Because if you like doing it, you’re going to be more motivated to do it on those days when you have zero motivation to do it.” ~ Andrea Leigh Rogers

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Small Steps to Clean Eating Success with Megan Schmidt May 24, 2022

Show notes

Reading about Jen’s Jumpstart program is one thing. But hearing a first-hand account of someone who experienced massive results through small change is entirely different. Megan Schmidt is a full-time nurse who spends most of her days putting the needs of others before her own. She wakes up early, works long hours, and, up until a month ago, placed her own health on the backburner. Eating breakfast at Starbucks and grabbing processed foods to quell her daily acid reflux, Megan was feeling the effects of poor eating habits without realizing the root cause.

Tired of feeling sick and tired, Megan decided to give The Wake Up! Jumpstart program a try. Burned by fad diets and processed meal kits, Megan lowered her expectations and followed Jen’s advice to start small. In the first week, all she changed was her breakfast. By week two, Megan was feeling better and hooked on clean eating.

Today, Megan talks with Jen about her experience just one month into the Jumpstart program, how she inched her way to clean eating success, Megan’s advice for fellow working women struggling to prioritize healthy eating, and why reading the labels impacted not just her life, but the lives of her loved ones.

Key Takeaways

[00:39] - A brief introduction to Megan.
[01:50] - How long Megan has been in Jumpstart and why she started.
[02:58] - Why Megan initially put off clean eating.
[03:37] - How Megan’s health problems compounded.
[05:17] - How Megan found Wake Up And Read The Labels.
[06:37] - Why you have to invest in your health to achieve long-term results.
[09:22] - What Megan expected out of Jumpstart.
[11:47] - Megan’s experience with Jumpstart and the first foods she swapped.
[17:27] - Megan’s first clean grocery haul.
[18:19] - How Megan felt during her first week of clean eating.
[19:39] - Why Megan’s first week was a financial win and why food detox makes us so thirsty.
[22:16] - How Megan felt after detoxing and the ways her body changed.
[25:11] - How Megan’s life has changed after four weeks of clean eating.
[30:19] - Megan’s Wake Up moment.

Quotes

[07:42] - “If you’re going to commit to something wholeheartedly with every ounce of your being, you have to pay for it, you have to get that part of you that says, ‘I’m investing in me because I want to feel good.’” ~ Megan Schmidt

[18:06] - “You really have made it easy. My grocery haul was pretty much, whole foods and my Culina yogurt and my granola. But it felt good because I felt empowered when I went to the grocery store.” ~ Megan Schmidt

[20:09] - “I am saving so much more money by eating this way, it’s paying for itself. It really is. Just by changing Starbucks.” ~ Megan Schmidt

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Nourishment Directly From Nature with Jenny Eu May 17, 2022

Show notes

Over the years, the demand for plant-based milk has skyrocketed. While almond and oat milk may be trending, non-dairy doesn’t automatically mean healthier. Especially when it comes to milk.

Jenny Eu’s clean milk epiphany started out like any other morning: making fresh soy milk. One day, on a whim, Jenny threw a few nuts into her milk maker. The result was a creamy and delicious plant-based beverage. As she sipped, Jenny realized that no clean plant-based milk existed in the marketplace — every option was filled with unnecessary oils, gums, and additives. So she set out to produce her own. And Three Trees was born.

Three Trees, a nod to Jenny’s grandmother who believed, like Jenny, that the best nutrition comes directly from nature, began as a way to fill the void of clean plant-based milk. Today, Three Trees has more than just almond milk and is continuing to revolutionize the way we start our mornings.

Jenny talks with Jen about developing clean non-dairy milk, why most plant-based brands rely on artificial ingredients, and her advice for fellow female entrepreneurs.

Key Takeaways

[00:40] - A quick introduction to Jenny.
[02:01] - What inspired Jenny to start Three Trees, and where the name comes from.
[03:53] - When Jenny had her clean milk epiphany.
[06:17] - Why additives like gum are commonly used to make dairy-free milk.
[09:59] - Why clean plant-based milk separates in coffee and how to fix it.
[12:44] - Which clean milk froths easily.
[13:10] - How Jenny chooses the nuts and seeds used in Three Trees products.
[17:23] - Where to find Three Trees.
[19:01] - Why Jenny doesn’t use salt in her plant-based milk.
[20:31] - Jenny’s advice for female business owners.
[25:04] - Jenny’s wake-up moment.

Quotes

[02:58] - “The idea of getting whole ingredients directly from nature is sort of what the brand is all about. I really believe that we can get a lot of good nourishment directly from nature.” ~ Jenny Eu

[04:55] - “I saw that there was a real need in the marketplace, a void, for something that’s better. More clean ingredients, no additives, nothing that would give you gastrointestinal issues. And that simply contained more nuts, or more almonds, more coconut, and was naturally more nourishing.” ~ Jenny Eu

[16:23] - “We like to say, ‘nothing you wouldn’t find in your kitchen pantry.’ If you don’t think you’re stocking acacia gum or guar gum in your kitchen, you probably shouldn’t be in your plant-based milk either.” ~ Jenny Eu

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Use the code WAKEUP15 and save 15% on all Three Trees online orders: https://www.threetrees.com.

Nourishing Your Skin and Your Stomach with Sara D’Amelio May 10, 2022

Show notes

Do you know what’s in your skincare? While it’s easy to analyze the foods we’re putting into our bodies, many of us disregard the products we’re placing on our body. From foundation to lotion, cleansers and even chapstick, 20-year holistic aesthetician and owner of Skincando Sara D’Amelia is here to help us wake up and read our skincare labels.

Growing up, Sara always had sensitive skin. She attributed her constant reactions to using only the cheap products she could afford and waited for the day when expensive luxury brands would heal her skin. But when Sara landed a job at a premium skincare company and finally had access to those coveted pricey bottles, her skin got worse. Frustrated and confused, Sara did her own research on skincare and what she found left her feeling scammed and betrayed by the beauty brands pushing chemical-filled products.

Today, Sara talks with Jen about creating a clean skincare company, the secret to glowing skin, what skincare and nutrition have in common, and why price point, shiny packaging, and quality don’t always go hand-in-hand.

Key Takeaways

[01:22] - An introduction to Sara and Skincando.
[02:04] - What Sara considers the “best” consumer skincare, and why looks can be deceiving.
[02:50] - How much an average woman spends on skincare per month, and why skincare issues are cyclical.
[05:15] - How to know if your skincare is clean.
[07:37] - When Sara had a turning point with skincare.
[14:00] - Where food and skincare overlap.
[15:22] - The ingredients Sara uses to create her clean skincare products.
[19:48] - Why Sara uses essential oils in her products.
[21:15] - How long it takes to see a difference in your skin after switching to clean products.
[23:39] - All about Jen and Sara’s recent collaboration.
[25:06] - Why CBD is beneficial in your skincare.
[28:04] - Sara’s final thoughts.

Quotes

[02:30] - “Psychologically we’re programmed that the more expensive the product is, the better it is for you. When in reality, it’s the packaging and marketing. So if the packaging is gorgeous, it’s considered a luxury status product.” ~ Sara D'Amelio

[04:53] - “It’s easy to buy a product for like $50 that you think is going to cure your skin, when in fact, it’s constantly adding to the irritation, inflammation, based on what those ingredients are in that skincare.” ~ Sara D'Amelio

[06:09] - “That’s why I started Skincando: Simple, healthy ingredients based in nutrition. So you’re feeding your skin just like you’re feeding your stomach. You’re thinking of your skin like the organ that it is.” ~ Sara D'Amelio

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Use the code WAKEUP and get $5 off Jen & Sara’s clean beauty starter kit: https://skincando.com/shop/lux-beauty-products/travel-kit/.

Snacking Responsibly for Sustainable Energy with Adam Kukoff May 03, 2022

Show notes

When Adam Kukoff sells products at the local farmers market, customers flip his packaging all around, searching for the tiny nutrition labels they’ve been conditioned to read. NUTSÓLA products list their ingredients, but not in the deceptive way major food brands do, cramming their artificial fillers into a size 2 font. Adam has nothing to hide.

Fortunately, Adam grew up in a healthy household, so labels and ingredients have always been a no-brainer. In fact, NUTSÓLA was born from his father’s innovation, always snacking on a mixture of fruit, nuts, seeds, and spices.

Since launching NUTSÓLA, Adam’s brand has evolved from a superfood granola mix to a ready-to-eat snack food perfect for busy parents on the go who still want to feed their kids (and themselves) guilt-free. Unlike most granola brands, NUTSÓLA sweetens their products with fiber-filled dates rather than added sugars.

Today, Adam talks with Jen about the other ingredients NUTSÓLA embraces and avoids to create the perfect clean snack, deciphering the labels on your favorite “healthy” snacks, and the single most important ingredient to look for before adding a brand to your pantry.

Key Takeaways

[00:40] - A brief introduction to Adam.
[01:07] - All about NUTSÓLA.
[03:43] - What Adam’s best-selling product is and the ingredients he uses to make NUTSÓLA clean and delicious.
[05:27] - Why dates trump artificial sugars.
[06:30] - Why fiber matters.
[08:08] - The controversy behind oats.
[10:58] - Why NUTSÓLA avoids wheat flour.
[11:29] - How Adam learned to eat clean.
[14:08] - How Adam expanded NUTSÓLA.
[17:29] - Where to find NUTSÓLA and a sneak peek at their newest product.
[18:56] - How NUTSÓLA products have impacted consumers’ lives.
[20:09] - Adam’s wake-up moment.

Quotes

[02:07] - “No one has to be a nutritionist; they just have to read the ingredient labels. And if they can recognize the ingredients, especially looking at the sugar component, they’re going to be healthy.” ~ Adam Kukoff

[07:28] - “Consumers just have to think of it as more sustainable energy. I don’t drink caffeine anymore but caffeine can give you that instant energy, but you crash. It’s not sustainable. When you’re eating a date or something with fiber, a fruit, you don’t feel like you crash.” ~ Adam Kukoff

[09:44] - “We’ve always wanted to help consumers from day one. That was the entire reason why I got into this business, because I really want to help people eat cleaner, just feel better.” ~ Adam Kukoff

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For 10% off purchase, use this code: https://nutsola.com/discount/WAKEUP10.

Beyond Skin Deep: Why Clean Food Is the Secret Ingredient to a Beautiful Life with Mally Roncal Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

It takes work to be as happy as Mally Roncal, makeup stylist to the stars and gratitude aficionado. But Mally is as intentional with her thoughts as she is with the food filling her pantry. At least since finding Jen and realizing a clean swap for ketchup made her kids just as happy as the preservative-filled go-to.

While she’s naturally high-energy, since swapping to clean foods, Mally’s seen her already peppy attitude skyrocket and watched with awe as her husband’s chronic pain dissipated. As a makeup artist, Mally’s life revolves around skin. She’s experienced firsthand the power food has on complexion, beauty, and even facial expression.

Today, Mally shares her tips for a happy and grateful life, a pantry swap that changed her kids’ taste buds, how she grocery shops for clean foods in the major chains, a few A-List makeup tips, and why clean swaps clear more than just complexion.

Key Takeaways

[00:39] - A brief introduction to Mally.
[01:39] - How Mally and Jen met.
[02:59] - What Mally realized when she first took a hard look at her pantry.
[04:58] - What gratitude means to Mally.
[09:39] - How Mally breaks out of a mundane routine.
[10:46] - Where Mally shops for groceries.
[12:24] - How skin and food are interconnected.
[14:05] - Why clean eating improves more than just complexion.
[16:07] - How Mally makes time to cook.
[19:47] - How to manage food guilt when you don’t eat clean.
[22:05] - Mally’s makeup tips.
[27:04] - When Mally had her wake-up moment.

Quotes

[03:18] - “I just thought that since those were the foods that the kids liked to eat, that was the only option. And I didn’t realize until I met Jen that there were other options — there were clean swaps that were just as tasty.” ~ Mally Roncal

[05:42] - “Every day is an opportunity to be good to yourself, to be good to others, and really create the life that you want to lead. It’s been such an eye-opening experience really getting involved in what I’m eating, how I’m eating it, and how it has actually changed the way I feel.” ~ Mally Roncal

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