Holiday Gift Idea #3: Obol

December 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

What do you get for that person on your holiday list who you think already has EVERYTHING?  An Obol!  What is that you may ask?  Well, for starters it has revolutionized breakfast cereal.

 

I for one cannot stand soggy cereal.  Honestly…it makes me gag.  Who’s with me on this???  I believe that I’m not alone in this.  EVERYONE hates soggy cereal.  My disgust is to the point that I refuse to finish the entire serving, because it’s not worth the sogginess.  With the Obol you don’t have to waste your cereal!  It has this unique design that keeps your cereal and milk separate.  The Obol is even perfect for the kiddos:

  

Banjo inherited my aversion to soggy cereal!

There are also lots of other great uses for the Obol:

Get your own Obol HERE.  Available in colors:  White, Lime, Tangerine, Cranberry, Berry Blue, and Watermelon (pink).

Watch this cute commercial about Obol!

 

This posting was sponsored by Obol, but all opinions are strictly my own.

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{Giveaway} Chobani ***ENDED***

July 4, 2011 By 81 Comments

I LOVE yogurt.  For breakfast.  For a snack.  I could literally eat it multiple times a day!  I first learned about yogurt of the Greek variety in a Weight Watchers meeting several months back.  (Some of you may remember that I lost 40 lbs. and hit lifetime membership recently through the Weight Watchers program.)  Everyone was talking about Chobani and how great it tasted.  How their Greek yogurt was so much easier for you to stick to the points plan.  So when I was on a shopping trip here and saw Chobani I knew that I had to give it a try.  And from that moment… I was hooked!  Since then I’ve acquired even more Chobani straight from the source.   Thanks Chobani for sending me the awesome variety pack!  It had so many great flavors and I’m still in heaven eating away.  Here are just a few of my favorites:

Yummy, right?

Chobani also has plain yogurt that is perfect for consumption, but also can be use as a healthy alternative to sour cream!

Who wants to win some Chobani???  Get entering, because one lucky winner is going to receive a free 12 pack sample case!!!

*** This giveaway is open to US entries only***

And…

***Open for entries for 2 whole weeks!***

There are 7 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 7 chances then leave 7 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Go to Chobani, have a look around, and then tell us your favorite flavor of yogurt. (ex: “Dandy Smith = Peach!)

(3): Tell people how much you love Dandy Giveaway by blogging this exact statement:  “Are you looking for the best giveaway ever?  Then you really don’t want to miss out on all that is Dandy Giveaway!”    (ex: “Dandy Smith= blogged”)

(4): Like Chobani on Facebook or if you already do. (ex: “Dandy Smith= like”)

(5): Follow Chobani on Twitter and then tweet about this giveaway. (ex: “Dandy Smith= twitter and tweet”)

(6): Tell people about this giveaway and then tell us how you told. (ex: “Dandy Smith= I called.  I texted.  I emailed.”)

(7): Place the Dandy Giveaway button (in the bottom right hand sidebar) on your own blog.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= blog button”)

***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won! This giveaway will be open for entries for 2 whole weeks!  So from July 4th-July 17th at 5:30pm CST.  Be sure and check back on Monday, July 18th to see if you won, so you can claim your prize! ***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won!

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{Giveaway} Jody’s Gourmet Popcorn ***ENDED***

April 4, 2011 By 119 Comments

Some of you might remember that in the fall I finally decided that it was time to kick that extra baby weight to the curb!  For me I decided that portion control was the way to go in changing my diet.  It’s just so easy for me to overeat.  That picture of me in the About section was taken about 2 weeks or so after making my life changing decision.  I’m now happy to say that 6 months later my goal has been reached.  I have dropped 40 lbs!  It took quite a bit of time and dedication, but I now feel so much better and can walk up a flight of stairs without getting winded.  :)    One of my staple snack foods quickly became popcorn.  It’s a filling food and also much more healthier than a lot of other treats.  And it’s yummy!  Where can you find a really large selection of popcorn goodness?  Jody’s Gourmet Popcorn literally has so many flavors to choose from.  Including Sugar Free Caramel:

That’s right.  Sugar FREE!

There’s also YUMMY sounding and mouth watering flavors like:

Chunky Choco Toffee Drizzle

 

Cheesy Ranch

 

And…

 Easter Candy Corn

All of which is totally fine in moderation, right?  ;)

 

Jody’s Gourmet Popcorn also has one of my major weaknesses:  Fabulous Fudge.  Seriously love it!

Check out these favorites:

At Jody’s Gourmet Popcorn you will even find great gifts!

 

Are you ready for this way yummy giveaway?  Well, Jody’s Gourmet Popcorn is giving away a FANTASTIC prize of yumminess!  The winner of this giveaway is going to receive the Blue Jody’s Gable Box with Chocolate Drizzle, a jar of Recipe 53 Caramel, and these 3 regular size bags:  Kettle Corn, Funfetti Candy Corn, and Nuts!   A $30 value!

 

*** This giveaway is open to US entries only ***

There are 6 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 6 chances then leave 6 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2):  Go to Jody’s Gourmet Popcorn, have a look around, and then tell us your favorite treat! (ex: “Dandy Smith = Mmmmmm Chocolate Drizzle!!!)

(3): Place not our button, but this link somewhere on your own blog:  Dandy Giveaway & More  (ex: “Dandy Smith= linked”)

(4): Like Jody’s Popcorn on Facebook or if you already do.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= like”)       

(5):  Get Dandy in your inbox!  Sign up for our newsletter in the right hand sidebar or if you already have.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= newsletter”)

(6):  Tell people about this yummy giveaway and then tell us how you told.  (ex: “Dandy Smith= I emailed, I called, I texted”)

This giveaway will be open for entries the entire week and end on Sunday, April 10th at 5 pm CST. Be sure and check back on Monday, April 11th to see if you won, so you can claim your prize!  ***Remember*** Winners are not notified through email, so you have to check back to find out if you won!

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{Holiday Giveaway} Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce ***ENDED***

November 15, 2010 By 51 Comments

St. Louis is a barbecue kinda city. Here people barbecue all year round.  Even when it snows, because it’s just such a yummy dinner.  Holiday barbecuing is the bestest!  I think that it must just be a Midwest thing. And I’m definitely a BBQ kinda girl!  Seriously love the stuff! Guess that’s a good thing we spent so many years living in SouthTexas.  But one thing that I missed with a passion during our first years in Texas was Country Bob’s. It’s seriously the most yummy sauce and quite well known in St. Louis because it’s bottled just 40 or so miles away! Growing up my Boompa would make these fabulous burgers on the grill slathered in Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce.  We all called them Boompa Burgers, but really the secret was in the Country Bob’s!  To this day a burger with Country Bob’s on it is magical!  :)

I’ll always remember the day in San Antonio when my husband recognized this bottle at the local supermarket.


It helped to make those Texas summers that much more livable!

If you haven’t seen it in your local supermarket then be sure and ask for it by name!  Waiting for that day?  Then you can always order some of this fabulous sauce from Country Bob’s online shop!  Their line of products includes Spicy and Regular All Purpose Sauce, Barbecue Sauce, and Seasoning Salt.

The Country Bob’s website is also very informative with great recipes that make my mouth water.

  

 

There’s even an entire Country Bob’s Cookbook available for purchase! 

Now that’s a great gift idea for the holidays!  Or how about a fabulous gift pack that’s perfect for holiday gift giving?

The NEW gift pack is perfect for any BBQ lover complete with: 1 bottle Country Bob’s Original All Purpose Sauce; 1 bottle Country Bob’s Seasoning Salt; 1 bottle Country Bob’s BBQ Sauce; 1 bottle NEW Apple Chipotle All Purpose Sauce, and 1 bottle NEW Honey Habanero All Purpose Sauce!  And it’s what is being given away this week!  Yep one lucky winner is going to receive the gift pack from Country Bob’s!

*** This giveaway is open to US entries only ***

There are 5 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 5 chances then leave 5 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Subscribe to Dandy Giveaway by email (in the right sidebar) – or if you already do (ex: “Dandy Smith = subscriber”)

(3): Blog or send out a tweet about this giveaway (and tell us which). (ex: “Dandy Smith = blogged and tweeted!”)

(4): Like Country Bob’s on Facebook or if you already do. (ex: “Dandy Smith= like Country Bob’s”)

(5): Go to the recipes at Country Bob’s and tell us something that you would like to try out in the kitchen! (ex: “Dandy Smith = The Slow Cooker Stew sounds so yummy for the upcoming cold winter dinners!”)

This giveaway will be open for entries the entire week and end on Sunday, November 21st at 5 pm CST. Be sure and check back on Monday, November 22nd to see if you won, so you can claim your prize!

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{recipe} In case you’re supposed to bring a treat tonight. And in case you procrastinated.

October 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Here’s a quick little number that you can totally pull out of your pantry {especially if you’ve already bought your Halloween candy} and your friends will marvel about your superstar treats. Whenever we go to a gathering, I am generally asked to bring a dessert — I guess that’s all I’m good for, huh?  I never get asked to bring a main dish — I like treats, ok?  Don’t judge me.  And because of my own craziness, I try to avoid repeats — so last week I found myself with 2 hours till departure time and still no treat.  I dug around my cupboards and came up with Butterfinger Fudge. 

You will need:

One pound of chocolate chips {equal to about 3 cups}

One 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk

4 tbsp of real butter {1/2 a stick}

One bag of fun size Butterfinger {or any other candy bar you like/have on hand}

To make Butterfinger Fudge:

{1}melt butter, chocolate chips and stir in condensed milk

{2} crush candy bars — I used about 15; you can do more or less

{3} remove from heat, stir in candy

{4} pour into 8 x8 glass dish.  Quick tip: criss cross two pieces of parchment paper, leaving ends to overlap sides of dish.  This makes it easy to pop the entire square of fudge out and cut into perfect little squares.

{5} chill.  One hour is probably a minimum, 2-3 is better.

Enjoy!  For some reason people think fudge is tricky — it’s not.  Razzle dazzle your friends and family.

{I took this picture with my phone — sorry.  But in real life, it looks gooooood.}

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{recipe} The 5-10 Fajitas

October 27, 2010 By 2 Comments

I like to have dinner for my family on the table at dinner time.  So I make dinner for them every night -  a whole meal, with a main course, with a salad and vegetables on the side and even dessert.  NOT (somewhere my husband is laughing).  Truth be told, I’m the queen of “it’s 5:30 so what can I wrassle out of the fridge that could pass off as dinner?”  Sometimes it’s eggs.  Sometimes it’s pancakes.  But I do have a few meals in my pocket that I can usually come up with from whatever I have at home, or would require only one or two items a the store.  A family favorite is fajitas.  And even better — these are the  laziest quickest fajitas you’ll find around.   You’ll see why I call them the “5-10 Fajitas”:

You will need:

  •  Tortillas
  • Green peppers, red peppers, yellow peppers — pick one or any combination, whatever you’ve got on hand
  • Onions — purple or yellow, whatever you’ve got
  • mushrooms — if your family likes ‘em, if you have ‘em
  • A bag of pre-cooked and seasoned fajita meat – I buy this at Kroger in the area by the hot dogs and lunch meat

Your first 5 minutes:

  • turn on your BBQ
  • prep by tearing 2 large rectangles of tin foil and lay flat on your counter, spray with cooking spray
  • slice up your veggies lengthwise
  • toss all your veggies into one tin foil and close it up, envelope-style
  • bust open that bag of pre-cooked fajita meat and put it  in your other tin foil, fold it up envelope-style

And then your 10 minutes:

  • place both tin foil envelopes onto your BBQ
  • call a friend, push your kids on the swing, look for ladybugs outside — however you want to kill the next 4 and 1/2 minutes
  • if you want, turn the envelopes over once or twice in that time
  • remove from BBQ – somewhere between 7 and 10 minutes is generally all it takes to heat the veggies and meat through (remember you are using pre-cooked meat, so it’s not a safety issue; you are simply re-heating now) 
  • get out your tortillas, sour cream, salsa, cheese — whatever you like, whatever you’ve got!
  • fill up your tortillas
  • feed your family a delicious, healthy and homemade dinner!

Hope you like ‘em — what can you come up with in 15 minutes or less? Seriously, leave a comment and tell me — I’m always on the hunt for great quick dinners.

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{Giveaway} SodaStream ***ENDED***

October 25, 2010 By

Somedays {um, hello Monday} I wish I could just hook myself up to an I.V. and make it so the caffeine never stops.  Little kids can do that to ya, huh?  On our way out in the mornings, I sometimes {ok, often} find myself in the Sonic Drive-Thru with no recollection of how I got there — even my two year old recognizes it.   So what if I could just whip myself up a soda at home?  Hmmmm — well there’s a clever idea!

Enter SodaStream — you can make your own soda or seltzer at home!  With SodaStream, you can turn your boring old tap water into sparkling water in just 30 seconds.  No clean up, no bottles to lug around, and less trash — it’s a win-win.  SodaStream offers a wide variety of soda makers; functional, and they look cute too!  And SodaStream has new and delicious natural flavors including apple mango, pink grapefruit, orange pineapple and the classic lemon lime.

And there’s tons more flavors – over 30 flavors with just the touch of a button, as easy as making coffee.  You can browse all the flavors here, and restocking your supply is easy with 24-hour a day ordering on the SodaStream website or by calling Customer Service.  You can use any type of water from home and the soda maker uses no electricity or batteries – simply compressed gas from the carbonator.  It’s so easy!  With the holidays coming up, we’ll be having tons of friends and family gatherings; it would be so fun to be able to mix up our own soda and seltzer at home.  Not a soda drinker?  What a fun and unique gift idea — we all have friends and family that would love a soda maker from SodaStream! 

Not sure what you need?  SodaStream will walk you through their products to choose the one best for you.  You can see all the SodaStream products here.

This week, one lucky duck is going to win a Fountain Jet Soda Lover’s Start-Up Kit {a $109.95 value}!

*** This giveaway is open to US entries only ***

There are 5 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 5 chances then leave 5 separate comments**

(1): Leave your name, email address, or whatever you feel most comfortable leaving in a comment. (ex: “Dandy Smith”)

(2): Follow Dandy Giveaway & More on Google Friend Connect or if you already do. (ex: “Dandy Smith = follow”)

(3): Add Dandy Giveaway’s button to your blog (code is on the right sidebar) (ex: “Dandy Smith= blog button”)

(4): Subscribe to Dandy Giveaway by email (in the right sidebar).  (ex: “Dandy Smith= Subscriber”)

(5): Go to SodaStream and have a look around, and then tell us why you need a SodaStream.  (ex: “Dandy Smith = I gotta make that Orange Pineapple Soda!”) 

This giveaway will be open for entries the entire week and end on Sunday, October 31st at 8 pm CST. Be sure and check back on Monday, November 1st to see if you won, so you can claim your prize!

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{recipe} Please Welcome Dear Piper and her DEEEEELICIOUS Cupcakes

September 30, 2010 By 40 Comments

German Chocolate Spice cupcakes with Pumpkin butter frosting!   Trust me…. Yummy!

We are so excited to host Kristen from Dear Piper today!  Her blog is adorable; seriously, head over there next!  Here’s Kristen:

Hey I’m Kristen from Dear Piper, and I’m so honored to have been asked to be a Guest here!
I am in love with the Fall season! The crisp air, The turning leaves, the FOOD, and Halloween is only weeks away! Now this is My favorite time of year! 
We may be losing some sunshine ( in New York :( ) but we’re gaining some awesome fruits….. PUMPKINS!
 This is one of my favorite desserts for the fall season, and I hope you’ll enjoy them just as much as my family and I do!  



Spiced German Chocolate Cupcakes with Pumpkin Butter Frosting!

 sorry the lighting in our tiny kitchen is awful! 


Here’s the scoop! 
You’re going to need:
1 box of Duncan Hines German chocolate cake mix ( sad I know, but we spice it up :/)
1 8oz pkg Cream Cheese
1 stick of butter substitute
1/2 C pumpkin puree ( Libby or any other pure pumpkin product)
2-3 C Powdered Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla extract
1 Teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg for cake mix
1 teaspoon ginger
1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon

Now let’s start Baking! 
Follow the directions carefully and thoroughly on the Cake mix Box but add your Nutmeg and a pinch of ginger.. The directions say to beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Once your 2 minutes are up, continue mixing on low for another 2-3 minutes. Just until it’s light and fluffy, like a liquid marshmallow :)
 Pour mix into your cups and pop them into the oven for the time allotted on the box. 


The Frosting:
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and even on a medium speed. ( Should take no more than 5 minutes… it gets stuck, so just take a knife and scrap until its all in your bowl again. 
add vanilla, spices, pumpkin puree & beat for another 2 minutes or until its mixed evenly. 
Add your sugar by 1/2 cups at a time. After blending, taste test! You want it just sweet enough for your own taste. Me, I don’t usually use more than 1 and a half cups unless I get bugged by my husband. He is a Super-holic! 

Once all your sugar (that you desire) is blended in well , pop your frosting in the Fridge for no less than 15 minutes. This helps thicken your frosting and it’s easier to work with. IT should come out a nice spreadable butter consistency!

Once your cupcakes are cool and your frosting is thick start spreading it on thick! It’s so light and fluffy and the two flavors, Chocolate and Pumpkin, complement each other amazing well!

Since October is literally around the corner, I made mine a little festive to get everyone in the halloween spirit!

Well that’s it! I hope some of you try out the pumpkin frosting, it’s to die for!!! And head over to dear piper for more halloween tricks and treats! :)

And if you’re not convinced yet of how talented Kristen is, check out her latest Halloween goody bag (for your goodies!):
And for a free October desktop wallpaper — click on over here.  Kristen designed this herself!
Thank you Kristen!
So head over to Dear Piper and show her some love!
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{recipe} Donut Muffins from Our Family Treat

September 20, 2010 By 12 Comments

We are so excited to host a guest post from Brooks and Lindsay – rockstars in the kitchen!

Hi! Our names our Brooks and Lindsay. We blog over at Our Family Treat. It is a “food and fun blog” done by the two of us. Brooks is a sales manager full time, a part time student, and a full time dad. Brooks has family down south and spent two years in Italy, so he has a large culinary background. I (Lindsay) am a full time mom to three adorable kids. I also run an etsy shop, The Ciao Bella  Boutique, on the side, which keeps me busy! I started cooking when I was 8, and has become one of my favorite things to do. Not only is it healthier to eat at home but it brings great memories!

Our Family Treat is inspired by what sometimes is the only time we have together…. kitchen time.  Our recipes are mostly easy, always delicious, and provide us with plenty of memories that will last a lifetime. We have had so much fun sharing our ideas, that we have even started doing cooking classes at a local grocery store, and have even been on a local television show numerous times cooking.  We have so many recipes it is hard to pick a favorite. This Donut Muffin recipe has got to be our newest favorite. The cinnamon and sugar coating makes this muffin complete. We dare you to eat just one!

{Donut Muffins}

Makes 12 muffins
Ingredients:

1/3 cup oil
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 3/4 cups flour

1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon

Mix together oil, sugar, egg and milk. Then add dry ingredients. Mix well. Grease muffin tin, and bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes. While the muffins are baking mix together sugar and cinnamon in one bowl, and melt butter in another. When muffins are done cooking, remove from tin. Coat each muffin in butter and then in cinnamon/sugar mixture.  Enjoy! 

 

 

 Thank you so much to Our Family Treat for being our guest today — I know I’ll be trying a recipe of theirs or two (or three or ten).

I am a gal who loves any and all cobblers. All of them.   I am dying to make this Dutch Oven Peach & Mandarin Orange Cobbler.

Ummm, I think I could eat the entire bowl of this Gooey Popcorn.  By myself.  No, I’m positive that I could.

So be sure and stop by Our Family Treat to browse all of their deeeelicious recipes (and even a giveaway or two!)

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Country Bob’s ***ENDED***

March 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Ok so I’m not sure what part of the country you live in, but here in St. Louis it has been simply glorious outside! It’s just that time of the year… The flowers are blooming, the breeze is cool, but not too cold, and the sun is shining! Spring is here! Which means it’s also time to fire up the grill:
And have some yummy barbecue!
Recently one of the owners of Country Bob’s contacted me about doing a giveaway for them on Dandy Giveaway. I was excited to hear from them, because I actually know all about their great all purpose sauce! Country Bob’s all began in Centralia, IL…a town southeast of St. Louis. It was a family favorite in my home growing up and still is! We used it on burgers, chicken, and steak. It adds just the right amount of sweetness to the meal! When I left home I seriously went through Country Bob’s withdrawls. Yep it’s just that good! One day, after living in San Antonio for a few years, I was ecstatic to find Country Bob’s in the grocery isle!
Little did I know that I could have just ordered it online! Now that I’m back in St. Louis I’ve found that Country Bob’s is available where ever I shop. Which is a very good thing! I’m also glad that the owner sent me some bottles too! :) Country Bob’s also has their very own brand of:
Seasoning Salt

Barbecue Sauce

Even an all purpose sauce that’s Spicy!
At Country Bob’s you can find cookbooks and gift packs:
Or apparel for the Country Bob’s fan!
So many options with Country Bob’s!
Two very lucky winners are going to get to try out some Country Bob’s for themselves: 2 bottles to be exact! That’s right 2 winners will be receiving 2 bottles each of Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce! For the rest of you… ask for it at your store if it’s not already there! :)
***This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only***
There are 6 chances to win. Be sure and leave separate comments for each entry on this posting to enter. **If you qualify for all 6 chances then leave 6 separate comments**
Entry #1: Leave your name or email address in a comment.
Comment example, Dandy Smith
Entry #2: Become a follower of the Dandy Giveaway blog in the sidebar or if you are already a follower.
Comment example, Dandy Smith= blog follower
Entry #3: Know someone who loves to barbecue? Tell them about this giveaway and then tell us how you told!
Comment example, Dandy Smith=emailed, texted, and blogged about the giveaway
Entry #4: Become a fan of Country Bob’s on Facebook or if you are already a fan there.
Comment example, Dandy Smith=fan Country Bob’s on Facebook
Entry #5: Go take a look at some of the recipes on the Country Bob’s website and then tell us what sounds really yummy.
Comment example, Dandy Smith= Country Kabobs!
Entry #6: Follow Country Bob’s on Twitter or if you already follow there.
Comment example, Dandy Smith= Country Bob’s on Twitter
This giveaway will end tonight at 11:30pm EST. Be sure and check back tomorrow to see if you won!
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