Be healthy with the latest information and tips on diet, nutrition, and natural medicine!

8 Healthy Alternatives to Morning Coffee

For many people morning coffee is a godsend.  It boosts us for everyday business, lifts us when we’re sluggish, and jumpstarts our day. Some of us drink cup after cup after years of relying on it. Not only are we consuming all that cream and sugar, but we’ve also become both dependent on and desensitized to caffeine. This is a vicious cycle! And it’s one that I hope to help you break. Caffeine is habit-forming, which means that we train ourselves to want it more than we need it. In excess, it can also increase stress and blood pressure, cause headaches and restlessness, and even lead to sleep issues. Many of these alternatives still contain caffeine, since we need to stay busy working or taking care of the kids and we still need that boost. However, these 8 healthy alternatives to morning coffee come with other benefits. Some may even help you kick caffeine altogether.   1.   Matcha Tea             I’m going to start with a few types of tea as the easiest replacements for morning coffee since you can brew a cup of tea about as easily and still get your caffeine fix. Matcha green tea differs from other green teas since you use the whole leaf to make it, meaning you get even more antioxidants. Like other green teas, matcha can help you lower your blood pressure and lose weight too. Buy matcha powder or whole leaves to brew it. Just remember that the caffeine content is higher than normal green tea, so it shouldn’t take much to get your day started.   2.   Yerba Mate             Yerba Mate comes from a type of South American holly which is then harvested and dried into this herbal tea. It contains natural caffeine, so you don’t have to give up your energy boost if you don’t want to. But unlike coffee, yerba mate is packed with antioxidants, as well as minerals like thiamine, phosphorus, riboflavin, and Vitamin C.   3.   Chai Tea             Chai tea is a spicy black tea with a strong herbal taste. It contains less caffeine than coffee but also contains other properties that help you stay alert. Like many teas, it also contains antioxidants. Common ingredients in chai tea include peppercorns, cardamom seeds, ginger, and cinnamon.   4.   Turmeric Milk             Getting beyond teas, turmeric milk (also called “golden milk”) packs an anti-inflammatory punch that makes it a great substitute for morning coffee. This is due to a natural chemical in turmeric called curcumin. Add black pepper to your drink to increase absorption. For an added boost of flavorful benefits, also consider using ginger, cinnamon, and honey. Just remember that the drink is only as good as the quality of your turmeric. Buy organic powder that prominently displays a full dose of curcumin.   5.   Morning Smoothie         [...]

2022-12-09T13:04:58-08:00By |

How To Stay Safe in Your Wheelchair This Winter

It can be difficult to live an active lifestyle in your wheelchair during normal weather conditions, but winter can come around to throw you some more curveballs. Mother Nature conjures up ice, snow, sleet, and slush that can make your life more difficult and dangerous. But there are ways for you to stay safe in your wheelchair this winter. Make Sure To Power Up If you utilize an electric wheelchair, it is a good idea to ensure your battery is fully charged before venturing out. However, cold weather can be detrimental to the battery capacity, so you may also want to pack an extra one just in case. That way, you won’t end up stranded without any power and find yourself going through unnecessary struggles to get home. Dress for the Weather Even if you are taking public transportation in your wheelchair, you should not count on those systems to keep you warm. Instead, you should dress for the winter weather and even bring extra items to keep you warm and healthy in case something goes wrong. You never know if your means of transportation will experience a delay, and you will find yourself stuck in the cold. Keep Your Chair Rust Free Another important tip for staying safe in your wheelchair this winter includes wiping down the surfaces of your chair. You’ll encounter a lot of water and salt during the winter, which can cause rust on your chair or problems with the electronic components. If you want to keep your chair in good condition, maintain it and wipe it down when you have the opportunity. Look Into Your Tire Options You’ve likely seen snow tires that help vehicles get through the snow and ice much easier, and you can make the same changes to your wheelchair. One way you can do this is by adding knobby tires to your chair, or you can even create your version of snow tires by adding wire ties to your wheel and tire. These will help you gain traction in the snow and make winter traveling easier. Although the cold conditions will tempt you to stay inside during such harsh weather, there is a strong chance that you will eventually have to make the journey in the snow. With these tips, you can do it in a way that will make the trip far less stressful and much safer.

2022-12-08T17:56:51-08:00By |

How To Help People With COPD Have a Healthy Holiday

The holiday season is a stressful time for many, especially those with chronic illnesses. They feel they have to constantly juggle between joining in with regular festivities and caring for their health. If you have someone in your life with a chronic illness, such as COPD, there are some ways you can help them have a happy, healthy holiday. Keep reading to learn how you can help people with COPD enjoy the holidays with you. Put Their Health First We’ve been struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic for several years now, and many people would rather forget it happened. Though, for those with chronic illnesses that affect the lungs, such as COPD, such airborne diseases are still a constant threat. By putting their health first, you can help them feel more comfortable coming to your holiday gathering. Ask all guests to wear masks so the person with COPD can feel safe attending your party. Another constant health risk, other than COVID, is smoking. If you or someone else at the party smokes, and you want to invite someone with COPD, create a designated smoking area outside, so the person with COPD doesn’t have to worry about smoke exposure. Serve Safe Food Food and drink are essential in holiday celebrations. Unfortunately, not all food and drink are safe for people with COPD. Alcohol, salt, and heavy foods such as mac and cheese and cake aren’t safe choices for people with COPD. While you don’t have to ban these drinks and foods from your party, make sure to offer a diverse menu so they can choose what’s safest for them. Offer non-alcoholic cocktails and alcoholic versions, provide small plates and big plates for those struggling with portion sizes, and keep an array of healthy and less healthy food on the table to choose from. Consider Them in the Gift Exchange Giving and receiving gifts is one of the best parts of the winter holidays. If your gathering will feature a gift exchange of some sort, make sure to consider the person with COPD. There are certain thoughtful gifts that someone with COPD may cherish more than someone without a chronic illness, although you shouldn’t disclose their health status without their permission. Make sure everyone has the necessary information to pick out the right present for their recipient unless you’re doing a game such as White Elephant. Everyone should get to celebrate the holidays healthily and happily, and people with COPD are no exception. You can help people with COPD have a healthy holiday by listening to them and following the advice we’ve listed above. Your loved one should feel comfortable telling you whatever they need regarding their health to help them enjoy this holiday season.

2022-11-15T11:40:24-08:00By |

Why Horses Make Effective Therapeutic Animals

Therapeutic animals come in numerous forms and offer multiple types of aid. Some animals provide service support while others help soothe unruly anxieties. Although cats and dogs mainly fill the job title for therapeutic support, horses are among the most effective and healing animals. Here are three reasons why equine species offer effective therapeutic benefits. Emotional Mirrors Horses are hyper-vigilant and sensitive. They observe others and pick up on people’s emotions. Like empaths, horses mirror collected feelings, displaying one’s uneasiness, confidence, and other sensed moods. Most of the time, people bottle up their emotions or find it hard to fully express themselves. Since horses mirror others, they create a visual and tactile representation of one’s emotions. They help people become aware, connect to, and express their own feelings. Spending time with a horse is like looking back at an emotional reflection of oneself. Equine Gait Therapy One of the most poignant healing qualities of a horse is its gait. Throughout the history of equine therapy and hippotherapy, many people have used a horse’s gait to benefit their minds and body. Equine gait training uses the movement of a horse’s walk to strengthen, rehabilitate, and improve people’s bodies, skills, and mental fortitude. Hippotherapy combines multiple treatments, from occupational to physical, into one therapeutic technique. Equine therapy now ranks as one of the most effective forms of alternative therapy. Non-Judgmental Accompaniment Horses operate more with their heart than with their head. They reflect people’s emotions rather than build their own judgmental responses. Therefore, horses provide non-judgmental accompaniment, making them great therapeutic partners. They don’t care about how you look, your age, or your life history. All they desire to do is keep you company and create safe, reflective spaces. When saddling up, you can enjoy peaceful support and feel heard and important as the horse senses your emotions rather than reacts to them. Horses offer numerous effective therapeutic properties, from emotional mirroring to non-judgmental accompaniment. They make people feel seen and provide solutions to enhance one’s life. Finding different ways to heal with horses, like going on equine-guided retreats, helps you connect with these therapeutic species and receive their beneficial influences.

2022-10-12T11:40:43-07:00By |

What’s So Special About Halibut? 4 Things To Know

If you’re looking to embrace a more healthful lifestyle, incorporating more seafood into your diet is a great place to start. From king salmon to canned sardines, fish and other forms of seafood provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that help your body function at its best. Halibut is rich in nutrients while providing a mild, versatile flavor. But what’s so special about halibut, really? Why choose this fish over others for a regular seafood dinner? Read on for a few things to know about this delicious flatfish. How Does It Taste? Halibut flesh has a mild, slightly sweet taste without that “fishy” flavor. It’s not too flavor-forward on its own, so it pairs well with all kinds of marinades, sauces, and sides. Halibut is a great fish for kids, picky eaters, or folks who don’t think they enjoy seafood. Where Is It Found? Varieties of halibut exist in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Atlantic halibut are concentrated largely around Greenland and Iceland, as well as the Gulf of Maine and all the way down to Virginia. Meanwhile, the Pacific halibut’s habitat stretches from Hokkaido, Japan, to Alaska. Fishers catch most Alaskan halibut in the wild and flash freeze them on the boat. It’s some of the healthiest, tastiest halibut available. What Are the Health Benefits? Halibut is extremely high in protein, which your body needs for long-term energy. It’s also rich in selenium, which has antioxidant properties that promote cellular health. Don’t forget about the omega-3s, either! One thing that makes Alaskan halibut especially beneficial for your health is its concentration of fatty acids, which boost brain health and delay the onset of age-related cognitive concerns. Is Wild the Same As Farmed? In order to discourage the overfishing of wild halibut, commercial fisheries operate halibut farms in Iceland, Norway, Canada, and the UK. Halibut is widely accessible to many people, thanks in part to farms. Many people assume wild-caught halibut to be healthier and tastier than its farmed counterpart. While that assumption does have some basis in truth, the difference isn’t immediately noticeable to the consumer; both still have that mild taste and white flesh. Tip: The main difference to be aware of is the chance of bacteria or parasites in the meat—farmed halibut live in smaller habitats and are more likely to encounter these issues. Now that you know what’s so special about halibut, take the things you know with you to the grocery store or fish market. Let these facts inspire you to add more healthy seafood to your diet!

2022-10-12T12:00:42-07:00By |

4 Basic Cooking Methods You Need To Know

Everyone needs to know how to cook. There are basic cooking methods that will help you create simple meals and fancy cooking methods that will turn your dishes into works of art. If you never had a chance to really master the basics, that’s okay. Everyone learns different life skills at different times. Keep reading to learn the four basic cooking methods. Basic Dry Cooking: Baking and Roasting An oven is ideal for the dry cooking methods: baking and roasting. Baking uses dry, indirect heat set at a low temperature to cook goods made of wet dough, such as breads and pastries. You can also bake other items such as vegetables and meat. Roasting uses dry, indirect heat set at various temperatures ranging from 200 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s generally used to cook meats and vegetables as well as some fruits. Cooks usually set the oven to a lower temperature in order to roast something for a long time, or they might set the oven to a higher temperature and roast something quickly. Meats usually do best with low-temperature, long roasting, and vegetables and fruits do better with high-temperature, quick roasting. Basic Moist Cooking: Boiling and Steaming You can perform most moist cooking methods on a stovetop, but you can also use certain countertop appliances or even the oven. Moist cooking often requires more precision than dry cooking, but its methods—boiling and steaming—are easy to learn. Boiling involves bringing water to a high temperature. This is best achieved on some type of even cooktop, such as a stove-top burner. Once bubbles and steam have formed, the water is boiling, and you can fully submerge your food in order to cook it. This cooking method is best for pasta, eggs, and vegetables, as it’s designed to soften food. Steaming involves cooking your food in the steam created by boiled water. There are several ways you can steam food, such as in a steam or conventional oven. You can also use a microwave or a pot and a steam basket. Like boiling, steaming also softens your food, and it works best on vegetables, fish, and shellfish. You can also steam certain desserts that don’t require the firmness of baking, such as panna cotta, and certain cultural dishes such as tamales as well. As with all skills, learning how to cook takes time. The more you practice these basic cooking methods, the better you’ll get at them and the more confident you’ll be. These cooking methods are easy to learn and master, and they’re the gateways to learning more complex cooking techniques. Once you’ve mastered these cooking methods, you’ll be able to try new ones and continue to grow as a cook.

2022-08-31T08:48:50-07:00By |

Healthy Habits to Consider Adopting at Home

While some people try their best to live a healthy life, others are not so keen on commitment and upkeep. However, there are more ways than actively exercising to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Small changes in how you eat and the activities you partake in have benefits that gradually stack up. These are some healthy habits to consider adopting at home. Avoid Late Night Snacks For the late-night eaters out there, whether or not you’re indulging in junk food is inconsequential to the effects it has on your body. When your body is operating on its natural circadian rhythm, the functions related to digestion slow down once it’s time to sleep. Eating late into the night and sleeping promptly after has a good chance of creating digestion issues such as heartburn or acid reflux. Saving the cravings for the morning is the best way to avoid issues when you wake up. Visit the Sauna The sauna is more than a place people go to for relaxing on their vacations. If you are active in your weekly exercises, it’s a good idea to hit the sauna for about 20 minutes once you finish your routine. This method has been shown to improve your heart functions with other added health benefits. However, it’s important to avoid additional strenuous activities after your visit and rehydrate before heading out. Use Natural Sweeteners No one said you are not allowed to have a sweet tooth when aiming for a healthier life. The key is consuming it in moderation and using natural ingredients that do not conflict with the body. While there are several reasons that natural sweeteners are better than artificial ones, finding ways to incorporate fruit and other sweet foods is often a better choice. Getting started on changing your daily habits is a journey that anyone is capable of beginning. The best time to start is now while you slowly adjust your routine over time. Hopefully, by implementing a few healthy habits to consider adopting at home, you will find yourself in a better health state soon.

2022-10-12T14:06:23-07:00By |

Simple Purchases To Improve Your Well-Being

Health and wellness are difficult to achieve, and an infinite number of obstacles make them even more challenging to find. Thankfully, you can purchase some items that simplify the process and help make health and wellness much more attainable with much fewer headaches. Read on to see which simple purchases you can make to improve your well-being. A Weighted Blanket A weighted blanket may not seem like the most life-changing purchase you could make, but it will surely transform your life. These blankets feel lovely to be under, and they are transformative. If you have trouble sleeping, one of these blankets can help. Reviews claim that it fixes problematic sleeping schedules, restless legs, anxiety, insomnia, etc., and it’s also a comfortable blanket to have. Even if you don’t think you struggle to sleep, consider one of these blankets, and you’ll wake up the next day feeling mentally and physically refreshed. A Hot Tub This purchase may not seem the simplest, but once a professional installs everything and you learn to maintain your hot tub, you won’t look back. Of course, there are various pros and cons for small and large hot tubs, but you won’t be thinking about it too much when you’re relaxing in the tub. The hot water does wonders for your body, as it lessens the load on your muscles and is a natural anti-inflammatory, giving your body the recovery it needs. The hot water can also relieve stress and ease headache pains, so you can fully relax and let the water jets do their job. Meal-Prep Kits One of the day-to-day things everyone must do that can bog people down is cooking. It’s essential to living, but there are so many choices and complicated processes involved that make it overwhelming. Thankfully, there are meal-prep kits and guides you can find to simplify things. Instead of needing to decide what you want to cook and eat every day, you can make that decision on the weekend, cook everything in advance, and eat worry-free for the week. Various meal prep containers and kits can help make the process smoother, as well as a variety of guides online to keep the meals balanced and nutritious. These simple purchases don’t seem like a lot, but they will significantly improve your well-being. However, with that said, these items aren’t the only things you need to feel better and healthier. You have to also put time and effort into working on yourself, whether that’s physically or mentally, as that is the best path forward for significantly improving your well-being.

2022-10-12T12:29:56-07:00By |

Tips for Improving Your Nighttime Routine

A good night’s sleep mentally and physically rejuvenates you. It brings a long day to a close and sets you up with a successful start to your next morning. At night, as you slip into the dream realm, your body focuses all its energy on healing and patching you up for the next day. The better rest you get, the healthier you’ll feel. A nighttime routine helps you get into the proper mindset and state for sleep. It encourages you to slow down and prepare for the rest you and your body needs. Here are some tips for improving your nighttime routine to ensure quality sleep. Prep Your Sleeping Space Where you sleep factors into how well you rest. A room full of distractions and discomfort makes going to bed challenging, keeping your mind active and restless. Transforming your bedroom into a sleep haven eliminates any factors negatively influencing your rest. Before bedtime or during the day, prep your sleeping space to create an ambient place to relax and lull you to sleep. There are numerous ways to prep your bedroom, from adding calming scents to dimming the lights and turning off electronics. Set a Wind Down Time Even as an adult, a set bedtime provides numerous benefits. It ensures you get enough hours of sleep, optimizing your energy, health, and mental wellness. Along with a specific bedtime, setting a wind-down time prior to hopping into bed ensures you get a successful night’s rest. Many people spend hours lying in bed, eyes and mind fully awake. A wind-down time soothes your mind and allows you to get into a sleepy and calm state. It ensures that once you close your eyes, you drift away. Set a time to start slowing down an hour before your allocated shut-eye time. Engage in Relaxing Activities During wind-down time, engaging in relaxing activities calms you down and prepares you for rest. Meditation, drinking sleepy-time tea, coloring, and listening to ASMR entices your mind and body to slow down. It also makes you feel safe and comfortable, making it easier to sleep with no mental anxieties keeping you awake. Many people find different activities soothing and calming. Finding something that works for you ensures you reach the ultimate sleepy state for a good night’s rest. Create a To-Do List for Tomorrow Even long after you close your eyes, sometimes it’s hard for your mind to cooperate. One of the biggest culprits is anxiety. From uncertainties of tomorrow to replaying and redoing scenarios in your head, anxious thoughts find countless ways to keep you awake. Creating a to-do list for the following day reduces anxieties and makes you feel prepared to take on tomorrow. With anxieties soothed, you can slumber easier. Improving your nighttime routine sets you up with the perfect mindset to rest. It ensures you slip into your dreams as soon as your head hits the pillow. With a good night’s rest, you’ll be ready to take on the [...]

2022-10-12T12:21:08-07:00By |

5 Secrets for a Good Night’s Sleep You Must Know

To start your day the best way possible, you should have a nice rest while sleeping at night. There are different reasons why people seem to not get good sleep, but there are also options to help with this. These five secrets for a good night’s sleep you must know will provide some relief that will ideally help you achieve a good sleeping practice. Sleeping well at night is a way for your body to repair and recover. If you don’t get enough rest, you could enter into a vicious cycle that won’t let you achieve a healthy lifestyle. Clear Your Mind Laying down at night when everything is quiet and peaceful could potentially lead to your brain overworking and overthinking situations. Work is one of the primary sources of worry that keeps your mind busy. Meditating before bed is an effective way to clear your mind and prepare your body for bed. You can find different video guides online that will simply let you achieve this. Exercise Daily Your body has a certain amount of energy during the day, depending on how healthy your eating habits are and your daily activities. Exercising every day will let you sleep better since you’ll be physically tired. This is ideal for the body to repair but will let it balance and regulate your internal systems. Exercising at least 30 minutes a day will help you achieve a healthier lifestyle and sleeping habits. Get a Comfortable Bed All body types are different, and some require more support than others in specific areas. Therefore, you should try different mattresses to learn which one works best for you. Figuring out what your ideal bed frame is will also help. There are many benefits of metal bed frames that you should consider when choosing yours. Both elements will work together to provide a better experience. Disconnect Early Since technology and smartphones surround you at all times, you should disconnect and turn your phone down at least one hour before bed. This is essential because it will also allow your brain to slow down since the blue light will not affect your sleeping pattern. Train your mind to avoid the need to check your email or social media before going to bed and enjoy the benefits. Stretch and Raise Your Legs This is a secret for a good night’s sleep that you must know. Stretching before bed will allow your body to release tension and stiffness during the night. By simply stretching for 15 minutes, you can create a better sleeping pattern. Also, raising your legs above heart level while laying down will make it easier for your heart to pump blood, relaxing your body.

2022-10-12T12:21:55-07:00By |

Self-Care Treats You Deserve This Spring

After a tough winter, spring is finally upon us. The sun is starting to shine, there are buds on trees and temperatures are soon to rise. Our moods often rise with the temperature and the increase in sunshine, and many of us feel more alert and energetic, happier, and joyful as we move further away from those dark, grey winter days. This more positive outlook can make you feel as though you don’t need self-care. It can seem as though acts of self-love and compassion are more important in winter when sometimes we need to be kinder to ourselves simply to get through the day. But actually, self-care is always crucial to our mental health and wellbeing and feeling happier certainly doesn’t mean that you can’t treat yourself. If anything, you deserve and will enjoy it even more. Here’s a look at a few of the things you should treat yourself to this spring.   A Spa Day A spa day, for many of us, is the ultimate self-care treat. Whether you love a girly pamper day with your friends, you have knots to be pounded out of your muscles, or you just appreciate the peace and quiet and sense of luxury that a trip to the spa brings, there’s no denying that there are benefits to treating yourself to this indulgence. If for any reason a trip to the spa isn’t possible, or it’s something that you already do, but would like to be able to recreate at home, then upgrading your home relaxation time is a must. Invest in everything that you need to feel as chilled out as possible, and to delight all of your senses. This could include an indulgent bubble bath, soft towels, gentle music, and soothing face masks. To fully relax and feel luxurious in your home bathroom you might also want to invest in some Diptyque Candles to help you to set the mood and get the aroma right. Click here to have a look at some Diptyque products and other items for pampering from SSENSE. This retailer stocks a wide range of products that could help to transform a bubble bath into a spa-style treat, so be sure to take a look.   Time for Your Passions Time might not seem like a treat, but if you’ve got a busy lifestyle and are always on the go, freeing some time to enjoy doing the things that you really love is the best treat of them all. Spend time on hobbies, with friends, trying new things, eating the food that you love, and generally doing things that bring you joy. Especially when you are busy.   Time Alone Peace is different for all of us. You might find peace in the spa, or at least in a bubble bath with the door locked. You might find it on a long jog. Some people find peace as they enjoy creative hobbies or cooking alone. Whatever it is, that peaceful [...]

2022-03-16T16:16:21-07:00By |

Doing Your Best to Feel Your Best

As we grow older and joints and muscles grow achier, mustering the motivation for a healthy lifestyle gets harder. However, when we can no longer take our good health for granted is precisely the time that healthy habits are most important. Of course, it's possible to feel better, live better, and do more as you age. However, better aging doesn't come without effort. If you want to make the most of each day and live a fuller life, you need to make wellness a priority. How? Courtesy of AlrightNow, here are seven ways you can live a healthier, richer life so you grow better with age.   Stay Physically Active A body in motion stays in motion. It's true for physics, and it's true for aging. As tempting as it may be to settle into your La-Z-Boy for a retirement of leisure, a sedentary lifestyle does the aging body no favors. Inactivity is linked to mobility loss and disability in adults aged 60 and up. Exercise that improves heart health, builds strength, and enhances balance and flexibility is important for our aging bodies. One mistake people make is focusing too much on aerobic activity like walking and jogging and not enough on strength training. However, it's building muscle that will keep your body strong and capable at every age. Consider building out a home gym in your home to ensure you have all the necessary equipment. With the right space you can have room for a cardio machine as well as a weight bench and other necessary equipment. If you opt to make this a flex-room, you could even add some value to your home. Talk about a win-win!   Maintain a Positive Attitude Positive thinking does for the mind what resistance training does for the body. Optimistic people have less stress, better coping skills, and lower rates of depression compared to glass-half-empty types. While you might think optimism and pessimism are personality traits, the way you think is primarily a matter of habit. You can train yourself to stop negative thinking in its tracks and practice gratitude and positive self-talk. If bad energy has pervaded your household, start by opening the windows, taking out the trash, and declutter for an emotional fresh start.   Watch Your Weight You don't need a supermodel-slim figure in your Golden Years. In fact, a few extra pounds may have a protective effect on the 80-plus crowd. However, it's still important to maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI) as you age. Obesity-related health conditions like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes are leading causes of death among adults in early old age. While weight loss is important if you're outside of a healthy weight range, it shouldn't be done at the sake of nutrition. Adjusting your eating habits to include more protein, fiber, and fresh produce is both more effective and safer than crash dieting.   Mind Your Diet You can't outrun a bad diet — especially [...]

2021-12-24T15:42:03-08:00By |

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