Taking a Road Trip with Your Kids this Fall? Here Are 5 Safety Tips to Consider!

September 22, 2020 by 2 Comments

family travel

Filling the car with toys, games, and snacks to survive a road trip with your kids is not nearly enough for a fun family adventure. On the other hand, you should not listen to those who say that you should plan road trips with kids only after growing up significantly.

Just as John and Samantha (whom I thank for the opportunity to share some tested-and-true safety tips for parents today) know, taking your children on a family vacation can be sometimes challenging, but not impossible, nor exhausting. Road trips mean spending a lot of time in the car and a fantastic bonding, educational, and personal experience for each family member.

They are memorable as long as you can manage the most critical issues, also leaving room for some improvisation and even messiness. So let’s see today some safety tips all parents should consider before planning a road trip with the kids this fall!

1.  Tune-Up Your Car

If driving is a part of your life, you know you cannot even consider a road trip without checking and tuning up your car. According to the NHTSA, even the most well-maintained vehicle could break down or encounter some troubles. For this reason, besides taking your vehicle to the mechanic a few days before the trip, you should also pack an emergency roadside kit containing:

  •         a spare phone cell with charger,
  •         first aid kit,
  •         flashlight,
  •         jumper cables,
  •         flares,
  •         essential car repair tools to fix a minor issue,
  •         extra emergency blankets & towels,
  •         and a change of clothes for everyone in the car.

You may think that all of this represents unnecessary baggage that weighs a lot and slows you down. After all, we live in the smartphone and Internet era, where tow services are a call/click away. Trust me when I say this, not being able to fix a flat tire at dusk, in the middle of nowhere, with no cell service whatsoever, and with two cranky kids in the back is an experience no parent (or child) should go through.

2. Talk to Your Lawyer before You Go on Your Trip

If you wonder what road trips and lawyers have in common, I will tell you this: car accidents, even minor ones, can throw your entire trip and fun down the drain. Relying on your car for getting around means more exposure to accident risk for the vehicle and its passengers, and knowing an attorney you can depend on saves a lot of hassle. Therefore, before you go on an adventure with the kids, share with your lawyer your trip details. Even if you dent your car in a parking lot, the issues of insurance, liability, fault, and damages are things that will ruin your trip.

A lawyer can advise you on the specific car accident laws in the cities/communities you drive through during your road trip. If you intend to go to another state, a car accident attorney is even more useful. Make sure your insurance policies are up to date. Discuss with your attorney about liability, possible claims, injuries, and the steps you need to take the second after any car accident.

3. Manage Heatstroke and Car Sickness

Taking a road trip in early fall means enjoying dedicated quality time with the family without exposing anyone to the health dangers posed by the pandemic. However, it doesn’t mean you will ever be out of the woods when you travel with kids. In summer, heatstroke is a more common issue than one thinks.

For this reason, you should know by heart all heatstroke prevention methods, especially when you travel with young kids. Early fall is a more appropriate season for long road trips, from this perspective, although you still need to take the correct measures.

Nevertheless, when it comes to planning a road trip with a child who has a case of carsickness, things can get very challenging very fast. Here is what works most of the times:

  •         Pack the mommy bag with medicine that keeps motion sickness at bay;
  •         Take some medical-grade disposable bags with you, just in case;
  •         If a child is old enough to take the front seat, let her stay next to the driver, focusing on the horizon;
  •         Feed the vulnerable child with light foods (stay away from fast food joints, spicy dishes, and all greasy and acidic ones) rich in ginger or peppermint. They do have anti-nausea properties.

4. Break up the Trip

Take a break every two hours to switch drivers, allow everyone to stretch their legs, and have some time to enjoy the scenery and breathe in some fresh air. One tip to make things work in your favor is to drink lots of water. It will keep everyone alert, prevent heatstroke, and make you take frequent bathroom breaks. It is suitable for the driver, the kids, and the shotgun rider as well. The safest way to go about this is to stop at gas stations, motels, restaurants on the way, etc. It will not guarantee you 100% sanitary bathrooms, but it is still safer than other options you might encounter on the road.

5. Mind the Snacks

You will have to stock the backseat with games and toys – while removing choking hazards, poisonous fluids, and other risks. You know that already. Childproofing the car is the first step parents who drive do, so I will not insist on this issue.

What I will insist on, however, is avoiding packing the back seat with unhealthy snacks to give kids an occupation in between two rounds of I Spy. Here is how it works, at least in my family:

  •         Pack a medium-sized insulated zip lock bag with snacks and a refillable water bottle for each child in the back. Ensure the kids understand that once the snacks are over, they won’t get more until the end of the day. Treats or lunch can happen to them along the way, but those are just bonuses. It is an excellent lesson in self-control.
  •         Pack healthy snacks for the kids that you know will not cause digestive issues along the way. Having a bathroom break every couple of hours is one thing. Dealing with vomiting, diarrhea, tummy aches, headaches, and the other nasty stuff is not something you want on a road trip.
  •         Lead by example: you cannot expect children to follow the road trip rules if you do not follow them yourself just because you are the parent. So use your bag of snacks during the day wisely, as well.

Bottom Line

As a parent, you probably learned by now that you could not control everything. However, as long as you are willing to make mistakes, learn from them, get messy, and improvise on the fly, your road trip should be a huge success. On the other hand, a minimal set of safety rules to follow will take the edge off such an experience, especially if it is your first adventure of this kind with the children.

Filed Under: traveling Tagged With: ,

Ways to beat boredom

September 22, 2020 by Leave a Comment

The following is a Guest Post. All opinions are those of the author, and do not represent my own. It was 100% written by the author, I made no alterations. 

Ways to beat the boredom of traveling

The problem with traveling is that it’s a good idea. Still, you often find yourself at 10 a.m., sitting on a Y-front on a box-spring crib mattress, wondering what you can do about it distract yourself from the hangover that is about to break out. . Generally preferable is something that doesn’t involve the combination of hangover oppressive heat in a combo that will send you straight to the bar for a slice of carrion pie. So here we are to discuss some major ways to deal with the boredom that travels bring. Some important tips are discussed below.

With its few lifeless brochures floating around, the wine and sand stained tourist office doesn’t inspire much of a sense of adventure. There are also no “to-do lists” on the web. 

First of all, remember that you cannot expect any place or thing to bring you unlimited joy on a plate. Historic monuments are cool and all, but they barely make you laugh for a minute, right? 

Ways to beat the boredom of traveling

Play dice.

You decide six different ideas; They have to be a little quirky, they don’t have to relate to a particular place, and you have to think about them immediately. Whether it’s crabbing on a rocky beach or finding the strangest food sold at the local market, you need to write down the ideas, roll a die, and pick the dice to choose from.

Throw a coin

If you don’t know where to spend the day, take heart, and let things occur to you as you explore the city. Pick up a coin, decide which side = left and which side = right, toss 5 or 6 times, then save the results. https://www.bingosweets.com/new-bingo-sites/

(Probably the closest greasy cafe, but still, at least you got out.)

Do something nice.

If you can talk to the residents of the town or city where you are staying, find out about local soup kitchens, schools where English lessons are needed, orphanages, or farms where more hands are needed. Welcome. It may seem crazy to offer to work during the holidays, but you will meet new people, always remember the experience for the good feeling it brings, and maybe learn something new. All free!

More information: Why hostels are better than hotels!

The phrasebook game

This is primarily an evening game, as you will probably need wine to be confident, and daytime drinking cannot be socially tolerated on the web without a backlash. If you have one friend around you (or a friend from the time you met last night) and are bored with the same nights of drinking watered-down beers at beachfront bars, one option is to bring your beaten, forgotten. Phrasebook. Flip a random page, choose the most controversial or potentially embarrassing phrase, and pass it on to your friend, who should use that phrase within the next 5 minutes, with a human. And with a serious and dead face.

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Unusual Uses of Kratom

September 22, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Kratom is a versatile herbal supplement. You can use kratom for various purposes. Kratom grows in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. All these places have different regions where kratom grows. The people there use kratom for many purposes

If you would like to try out kratom, you can find it here https://www.authentickratom.com/. Different strains have different uses. Some are usual while some are unusual and not so common. Today, we will learn about the usual and unusual uses of kratom. So, let’s get started!

Unusual Uses of Kratom

Kratom is a drug that can be used for a lot of purposes. You can use the leaves, and powder of kratom to make a lot of things. To get the most out of your kratom powder, you should use it in every way possible.

Using kratom for pain relief and stress relief is common. But, using it for other purposes is relatively new. So, what are these purposes and how can you get the most out of kratom? Let’s find out!

Kratom Incense

You can make kratom incense using kratom powder. Incense is used for relaxing and so is kratom. So, why not combine the two things?

Many people make incense from kratom. You can find many vendors that sell kratom incense. You can also find incense kits to make kratom powder.

Why Make Kratom Incense?

Kratom incense gives a relaxing aroma. Using makko, you burn the kratom incense and it releases smoke. The smoke is what gives the effects of relaxation and calms your mind and body.

Many laborers in Southeast Asia use kratom as incense. It gives them energy, relieves body pain, and relaxes their mind.

The reason why you should make kratom incense is that it is one of the best materials for relaxation. Many kratom strains are best for relaxing purposes. The best strains for this purpose are the red and green vein kratom strains. If you use one of these strains to make your kratom incense, you will get the best experience from it.

How to Make Kratom Incense?

Making kratom incense is easy. Follow the steps mentioned below to make kratom incense from kratom powder:

  • Mix kratom powder, other herbs powder in a bowl. Add the makko powder in the bowl.
  • Add water in the mixture until it reaches a dough-like consistency.
  • Roll the dough on bamboo sticks to ¾ of the length. Wrap wax paper on the sticks.
  • Set the sticks aside for 12 hours. Turn the sticks so that every side of it gets dry.
  • When the sticks dry, light them up and use them.

Kratom Tincture

You can make kratom tincture at home using kratom powder. Kratom tincture is a new form of kratom. Many vendors sell kratom tincture. But what’s better than making it yourself?

If you have some extra kratom powder, making a tincture from it is its best use. Making kratom tincture is not hard; it is easy and fun. You can make kratom tincture in only a few hours.

Why Make Kratom Tincture?

The purpose of kratom tincture is to enhance the effects of kratom. When you mix kratom powder in ethanol, the mixture becomes potent. You get more intense effects than any other form of kratom.

As kratom tincture is highly effective, you don’t need a high dosage of it. Even low doses of kratom tincture give you intense effects. It also works faster than other kratom forms. Moreover, the effects of kratom tincture last for 8 hours.

Even kratom extracts don’t give you such intense effects. So, if you want to experience the intense effects of kratom, you can make kratom tincture.

If you use kratom leaves and grind them at home, it will be more potent. But it is fine if you make a tincture with kratom powder too.

How to Make Kratom Tincture?

To make kratom tincture at home, follow the steps mentioned below:

  • Add 4 ounces of kratom powder and 1 liter of ethyl alcohol in a glass jar. Mix the two things thoroughly so that kratom powder is mixed with ethyl alcohol.
  • Add citric acid to the mixture. Use a pH strip to check the pH of the mixture. The pH of the mixture should be 4. Stop adding citric acid once the mixture’s pH has reached 4.
  • Seal the jar and put it in a dark and cold place. The temperature of the place should be very low to get the best quality kratom tincture.
  • After a week, take out the mixture. Strain it to get rid of the powder.
  • Put the liquid into a tincture bottle and your kratom tincture is ready to use.

How to Use Kratom Tincture?

You can use kratom tincture in various ways. It depends upon your preference. But the following ways are the most common ones to use kratom tincture:

  • Swallowing
  • Adding to Food and Drinks

Swallowing

There are two ways of swallowing kratom directly. The first one is simple; swallow the desired dosage of kratom tincture.

The other one is called sublingual dosing. In this method, you put the desired dosage under your tongue for 30-60 seconds. After that, you swallow the rest. This method is more efficient than swallowing without keeping under your tongue.

Adding to Food and Drinks

You can add a few drops of kratom tincture to food and drinks. Most commonly, people add kratom tincture in coffee and tea. You can also make brownies using kratom tincture. Check out some other kratom recipes here.

Common uses of kratom include:

Kratom is a great pain reliever.

  • It reduces the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.
  • You can use kratom for opioid withdrawal.
  • It improves your sleep quality. You can use kratom for insomnia.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to get the most out of your kratom powder, what are you planning to do with it? Do you think kratom tincture is good for you or will you make kratom incense?

If you have extra kratom, you should use it in any way possible.

Filed Under: health, lifestyle items Tagged With: ,

5 Practical Tips For Aspiring Parenting Bloggers

September 22, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Your parenting in sights, anecdotes and cautionary tales are well worth sharing with the world. Your insights are often moving, consistently witty and a joy to hear whenever you regale your friends at get-togethers. You’re great at capturing the little nuances that make the life of a parent and tell stories that resonate strongly with other Moms and Dads who are in the same boat.

As such, it’s only natural that you might be thinking about trying your hand as a parenting blogger. Someone who can provide parents all over the world with witty insights and a relaxing respite. Your posts can be something that parents can enjoy with their morning coffee and even help to make their parenting journeys a little easier. But while there are lots of sites out there that can help you get started as a blogger, there are fewer that can prepare you for the realities of blogging as a parent, for parents.  

Rather than provide a step-by-step guide (because nothing great was ever assembled by numbers). Here are 5 practical tips to help you find success as a parenting blogger…

Blog every day 

You’re one of many trying to make their presence known in the blogosphere. And in order to make your mark, you need a solid library of content behind you. That means taking the time to blog every day and improve your chances of getting noticed in online search results.  

Keep your audience and their needs in mind

As important as it is to keep blogging often, you also can’t sacrifice quality for quantity. Whatever you do, don’t copy and paste other people’s material for the sake of populating your website, as this can incur harsh penalties from search engines. Instead, try and focus your attention on your audience.

What to they want to read? What pain points, frustrations and anxieties can you address in your writing that can make your work more valuable to them? Not only can this make your work of consistently high quality, it can also ensure that parents keep coming back to you for daily insights, scroll through your blog and jump from page to page. All the behaviors that search engines love to see. 

How do you know what your readers want to find out more about? Just ask them! Which brings us to… 

Become part of the community

You’ll find it much harder to build an audience in a vacuum. Become a part of a blogging community. Reach out to other relevant bloggers. Support and promote other blogs. This will all help readers to build a string relationship with you and your blog. 

Use free (or affordable) tools that will make your life easier

Blogging can become a time-consuming process. Fortunately, there are all kinds of tools to make your life easier. Need a hand choosing relevant keywords? Try Neil Patel’s Uber Suggest tool. Need to copy a stat from an infographic that you want to use in a post? Use a tool like Prizmo to copy text from image. Want to make your posts more search engine-friendly? Try using a free WordPress plugin like Yoast.  

Find an affiliate program that your readers can get behind

Finally, joining an affiliate program is a great way to monetize your blog while also providing greater value for your readers. But rather than choosing a program that gives you more money, find one that gives your readers access to products that they actually want. 

After all, an affiliate program can only work for you if readers click on your affiliate link!

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Helpful Tips To Avoid Motion Sickness When Traveling

September 18, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Motion sickness is a feeling of nausea triggered by movement, which occurs during traveling via vehicle, boat, train, and even plane. Common symptoms include nausea, dizziness, headache, vomiting, sweating, and a general feeling of irritability. It is caused by a mismatch between what we see or feel and what our bodily senses perceive. It can also occur when the inner ear, the part responsible for balance and equilibrium, has an infection.

It is estimated that one-third of people are vulnerable to motion sickness. While it is not life-threatening, it can make your traveling experience unpleasant. Fortunately, there is something that can be done to avoid it or lessen its impact. Here are the top tips to prevent motion sickness and guarantee a healthy travel experience.

Watch Your Diet Before and During Travelling

Avoid eating heavy meals before and during traveling as they may trigger the sickness and make you uncomfortable. Instead, eat light and plain food or snacks. Light snacks such as dry crackers are known to ease stomach upset. Also, avoid foods with a strong odor. Greasy, fatty, acidic, and spicy food should also be avoided. Additionally, avoid taking too much alcohol before or during your traveling as it may worsen your discomfort. Drink water instead.

While you should avoid heavy meals, avoid traveling on an empty stomach, which may worsen the discomfort.

Find the Right Position

Position yourself where there is the least motion or discomfort. If on a vehicle, always get a front seat and opt for the window side. It allows you to enjoy the scenery and stay calm. On a ship, select the lower cabins near the center of the ship. This region experiences less movement and therefore prevents the trigger of motion sickness. The middle area of a plane is the calmest; go for this position. Choose the window seats on a train as they experience fewer bumps and also enable you to see the horizon. Positioning yourself right helps you avoid the turbulence that may trigger motion sickness.

Use Motion Sickness Wristbands

These wristbands are designed to guarantee healthy travel by helping relieve motion sickness symptoms, especially nausea and vomiting. The bands are worn to apply pressure on a point on the inner forearm known as the Nei Kuan spot. Although more studies are required, it seems acupressure may be an effective way to manage nausea and vomiting. You can wear these wristbands on your next trip to evade the discomfort of motion sickness.

Look to the Distance

When traveling, looking out to the distance helps the senses achieve congruence, preventing motion sickness. Check out the horizon or fix your gaze at a particular distant object. If you are prone to motion sickness, avoid acts such as reading while traveling as it increases the mismatch between your inner ear and your sight. It may eventually trigger motion sickness. Instead, try looking out the window to help the body gain calmness.

Take Ginger

Ginger is very useful in easing stomach upset. It is often recommended as an anti-nausea medication. Its components, gingerols and shogaols, help alleviate vomiting and nausea. These components work in the stomach, intestines, and in the nervous system to control nausea. Taking ginger can, therefore, help you avoid motion sickness. Try chewing the ginger root or taking ginger-flavored tablets before or during traveling. 

Chew Gum

Another effective way to curb motion sickness is to use chewing gum. The movement of jaws during gum chewing is known to work well with the inner ear, helping in attaining congruence in your sensory system. Additionally, most chewing gums contain flavors such as peppermint and ginger. These additives help prevent and relieve motion sickness symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

Use Motion Sickness Medicine

There are several over the counter drugs, available from pharmacies, that you can take to counter motion sickness. Drugs such as Bonine, Antivert, and Dramamine work well in preventing motion sickness. If you always experience extreme sickness, consult a medical expert for recommendations on the right prescription drugs for you. This is important since some medications have serious side effects. Most of these medications should be taken one or two hours before traveling. 

Traveling should be fun and exciting. However, motion sickness can make your trip miserable, ridding you of the comfort you should be enjoying. The above tips will go a long way to ensure you have a comfortable and healthy trip.

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WIN! Eight Fungisaurs Identified By Clever Kids Around The World @Fungisaurs

September 15, 2020 by 25 Comments

What do you get when you genetically cross a Velociraptor dinosaur with a Chicken of the Woods mushroom? Why even ask? Because kids everywhere have discovered Fungisaurs ($10).  These imaginative collectible toys expect to be the next-big-thing with kids ages 4 and up.

dinosaur toys

The whole family will soon dive into the topics of travel, science and biodiversity once they interact with Fungisaurs.  The irresistible combination of imaginative toys, games and animation will have youngsters naming a Mica Cap versus a Scaly Hedgehog.  And just like mushrooms, Fungisaurs’ spores disperse in the air, so the creatures quickly spread (in a good way) to all corners of the globe.

Like many collectibles, not knowing exactly which character is in the mystery box starts the fun.  Fungisaurs toys have an added bonus –free entry into an AR mobile game. Collect them, swap them and get ready to create imaginative play time.  All ages will be enchanted with the eight dino/mushroom mash ups.

Here are our thoughts on the Fungisaurs- our unboxing video.

One of you can win a 3 pack and app code. Ends end of the month, good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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School Essentials Set from Starling Skincare #BackToSchool #Vegan #AllergenFree

September 11, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Check out the Starling Skincare Back to School Essentials Set for all your “back to the classroom- virtual or not” needs. Finally – toxin-free, plant-based, and organic formulations that were created for those with allergies and sensitivities in mind. Or for those just trying to be sensitive to the needs of the planet and go Vegan. Starling Skincare has eliminated all common allergens, including nuts, gluten, soy, synthetic fragrance, and preservatives. For children, tweens and teens suffering from allergies, Starling Skincare offers peace of mind to parents when choosing the right skincare items for their child.

The set includes 2 of the best selling kid’s deodorants, Force Field and Birthday Cake, plus hydrating lip balm and a bottle of super safe orange punch hand sanitizer. Whether your children are heading off to school or learning virtually, start the school year off right…safe and smelling fresh.

All-Natural Kid’s Deodorant is perfect for late summer fun, back-to-school sports and more, allergen-free and chemical-free children’s deodorants from Starling Skincare keep children smelling fresh all day! Gentle enough for tweens and teens, each deodorant is made without aluminum or synthetic fragrances, so it is safe to use and non-irritating for kids. Three varieties are available, including Force Field, Birthday Cake and Birthday Cake Sensitive.

Starling Skincare’s all-natural, moisturizing hand sanitizers clean + moisturize in one easy step with effective plant-based ingredients. Starling Skincare’s hand sanitizers meet CDC recommendations and are effective against most common germs. The quick-drying formula is hypoallergenic and allergen-free, with no rinsing required — use anytime, anywhere. Safe for both adults & children. Gluten Free. Cruelty Free. Toxin Free.

You can’t start the school year without a moisturizing lip balm. It’s long lasting and healing, so that your child’s lips will stay healthy and non irritated throughout the day. Vegan and Allergen-Free, key ingredients include Blueberry Seed Oil and Mango Butter.

Visit the website to see more, or to get the basic Back To School Set for your kids. ($28)

Here are our thoughts on the products as we first opened and tried them!

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For National Trails Day, Two books will inspire families to enjoy the great outdoors

September 11, 2020 by Leave a Comment

family camping

Families on Foot: Urban Hikes to Backyard Treks and National Park Adventures (Falcon Guides, ISBN# 1493026715, Sports & Outdoors, March  2017)

“Jennifer Pharr Davis and Brew Davis have a rare combination: tons of experience with trails and with kids. For families looking to get outdoors, that means tons of useful advice.” —Dennis Lewon, Backpacker Editor-in-Chief

Published in partnership with the American Hiking Society, Families on Foot offers practical advice and engaging activities to make hiking even more fun for families. You’ll find clever ideas and inspiration that apply to kids of all ages–from tackling diaper blowouts in the backcountry to using smartphone apps and GPS to engage teenagers with nature. Information for children with special needs and seniors is also included.

Author Jennifer Pharr Davis, the former record holder of the fastest thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, together with her husband Brew Davis, marries old-fashioned know-how onsafety, preparation, and trail conservation with modern day activities and technology, inspirational and interactive games, and down-and-dirty fun on the trail. Information includes smart tactics for families with kids of a variety ages .


Walks of a Lifetime: Extraordinary Hikes from Around the World (Falcon Guides, ISBN# 1493026410, Sports & Outdoors, May 1, 2017)

“All of us have talked about walking the world’s great trails; in this book, the Mannings show us how to ‘walk the talk.'”
—Gregory Miller, President, American Hiking Society

The bestselling book, Wild, made us all want to start hiking, and most people are familiar with one of the most famous walks, Spain’s Camino de Santiago.

To walk is to discover, from those first halting steps as a child to walking the world’s greatest long-distance trails. Experience breathtaking coastlines, mountain ranges, historic landscapes, wilderness areas, religious pilgrimages, great cities, and iconic rivers. Walk to learn more about our beautiful and curious world, to be healthy and happy, to add adventure and authenticity to life, and to learn something about yourself in the process. Walking is simple, but it can also be profound.

Veteran outdoor enthusiasts Robert and Martha Manning invite readers to experience the joy of walking in Walks of a Lifetime. They offer firsthand descriptions of 30 of the world’s great long-distance trails and multi-day walks, including personal anecdotes, natural and cultural history, practical tips, and full-color photographs and maps. Walks range from inn-to-inn routes to backpacking treks and are found across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Trail descriptions are accompanied by a series of short, engaging essays on the many dimensions of walking. Let’s get inspired to hit the trail!

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