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Curious about Rasa’s new Thai Poultice Massage? Boutique Manager Wendy Houseworth recently visited Gab for a session and writes about her calming and cheerful experience below. Thai Poultice Massage is on special this month at Rasa, and we’d love you to visit for your own experience.

Schedule an appointment here!

I recently had the pleasure of receiving the Rasa Spa Thai Poultice session from a coworker, Gab Hoff, and immediately felt compelled to share the first hand experience of this quieting (yet cheering) session: For starters, this was the perfect session for a damp, foggy, upstate NY spring morning.   For those of you who may not know, a poultice is an easy way to apply medicinal/therapeutic herbs to an area of the body.  By placing these herbs directly on the skin you take advantage of both the skin’s natural ability to absorb the helpful properties of the herbs’ and the herbs’ natural ability to draw from the skin.     This detoxifying blend of herbs (lemongrass, turmeric, ginger, orange and bergamot) is all about awakening your senses and calming your spirit; the aroma that instantly greets you as you enter the massage room is a mood altering experience, all on it’s own.  The herbs used to create the poultice are intentionally selected and as you deeply inhale you can feel tension drift away…

*Lemongrass has many different positive therapeutic effects, but the primary use in this session is as a calming sedative; it gives one a sense of calm while restoring and revitalizing the mind and body.

*lemongrass should not be used during pregnancy

*Turmeric is believed to balance the three Ayurvedic doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha) and is typically used to cleanse and purify the blood and lymph tissues

*Ginger’s warming quality improves and stimulates circulation and relaxes the muscles surround blood vessels, and facilitates the flow of blood through the body.

*Orange Peel is used to treat water retention, colds, flu and nervous conditions.    Some of it’s healing properties included: anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, sedative and tonic.

*Bergamot has cooling and refreshing properties and acts primarily as a tonic for the nervous system as it is invigorating without being over stimulating.  The scent feels uplifting and balancing and can be helpful for anxiety, stress, tension, tension headaches and depression.

Rasa Spa Thai Poultice Massage features two scented herbal poultices that are heated with steam and then applied to the body at pressure points to relax the muscles and ease tension.  This aromatic service begins with your therapist strategically applying warm poultices to help knead away any muscle tension in your legs, arms and back. In addition to increasing lymphatic drainage, improving blood circulation and conditioning the skin, the steamed poultices help to open up the body’s pores to deliver the deep medicinal heat, which aides in soothing muscle tension and joint stiffness.The gentle sweeping motion that the therapist uses to perform the session is rhythmic and soothing, yet invigorating due to the warmth of the poultice and as circulation/blood flow is increased. In this full body session the therapist includes gentle pressure and stretching, focusing on compression techniques and acupuncture points.As your muscles are stretched and relaxed you can feel them soften and become more warm and pliable.  My therapist informed me that an important aspect of the Rasa Spa Thai Poultice massage is that it is energetically based.  Gab said, “Once the body is relaxed and open, energy will begin to flow freely where it was once stagnant or blocked.  We constrict our energy flow by holding tension in our bodies.  Physical and/or emotional stress is the cause of this tension and through use of the Thai poultice it assists in moving energy along through the Sen lines (Sen lines are similar to the Chinese system of meridian lines used in acupuncture).  During your Thai Poultice massage, as the energy moves along these Sen lines, you may experience warmth, tingling, or electric sensations.  This is the life energy moving.  We believe that once the energy begins to move, life is ultimately improved.  We feel that the body, mind, and emotions all work together and directly affect one another.“

As my session wrapped up I was acutely aware of a softening within myself, of a sense of calm, of peace.  I felt openness where stress and tension had existed prior to the session and a renewed awareness of the energy of life running its course through my body, and of each small glorious moment of this feeling as I continued through my day. As is encouraged by the Rasa Spa staff, I had allowed some time after my appointment to enjoy the private women’s sauna/showers and the co-ed tranquility room before heading back out into the suddenly lush and green spring morning.

I took my time and upon check out was greeted at the Guest Services area by a small bag, including the poultices that were used during my session along with a note indicating recommendations for how the poultice could be used at home.

“You’ll have about 24 hours to use the herbal poultices again, so it’s recommended you either soak with them in a hot bath later that night or use them the next morning in a steamy shower, breathing in their calming scent to help you relax before going to bed or jetting off to work the next day.  You also have the option of freezing the poultices for later use!” – Gab

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Rasa’s Meditation Challenge
By Gabriel Hoff

It’s not too late to be a part of Rasa’s daily meditation challenge! Currently, we have a group at the half-way point of a 28-day challenge. Every day, participants come in to Rasa and meditate for half an hour as part of their morning ritual. There’s no time like the present to join us as we embark on the second half of this journey.

I’ve been honored to lead the majority of our sessions in Rasa’s new community space. It’s been wonderful to meditate in a group, starting the day with the sun pouring in the windows (or the snow blowing around outside). In a way, it is one of the simplest yet most profound things a group of people can do together. The experience seems to become deeper each day.

Having a daily intention, such as Peace, Trust, or Honesty, is a helpful reminder of my higher purpose—the way I want to conduct myself in the world. It is a helpful reminder to ask myself what it means to really live. Here are some of my favorite daily intentions thus far:

Discipline: I recognize the value of time and of effort. I have the power to resist all forms of inertia.

Courage: My courage comes from my clarity of purpose, and the sure knowledge that I am exactly the right person in exactly the right place at exactly the right time, to get the job done.

Enthusiasm: I clearly see the fulfillment of my deepest desires, and my heart opens and flies forward.

Honesty: I let down my ego defenses. My fears are behind me; I am no longer afraid to be vulnerable. I am close enough to myself to be true to myself … to be real.

Peace: My heart is peaceful, my purpose is peace, my true home is the world of uninterrupted quietness. I invite peace into my world, my life, and my being.

Our participants are feeling a difference as well. Some have said that they feel calmer at work and throughout their day. Even with chaos going on around them, they feel calm, present, and more able to process things effectively. They also just enjoy the experience of starting the day with some dedicated quiet time they might not have had otherwise.

Come join us Monday through Saturday from 8 to 8:30 a.m. in Rasa’s community space and on Sundays from 10:30 to 11:30 in Rasa’s tranquility room. The suggested donation is $5 to drop in for a session or $20 for a full week. Sunday’s session, which is led by Surinder Sidhu, will continue meeting every week after our 28-day challenge is over.

Every day is a new beginning, and everyone is welcome! As a general rule, the best time to start meditating is always now.

 Gabriel Hoff is also a Licensed Massage Therapist at Rasa. He is available on Wednesdays and Friday through Sunday.

 

 

 

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Rasa Spa is proud to welcome Dr. Ammitai Worob to the Rasa blog to discuss supplements and whole health!

5 Myths about Dietary Supplements by Ammitai Worob

Myth #1“If I take supplements, this will make up for a poor diet and/or lack of exercise.”

This is a myth I see lived out every week in my practice. Supplements are just that, a supplement to a healthy diet and lifestyle. Good food and daily activities are foundational pillars of health, and unless they are the bedrock upon which we build, we will never truly reap the benefits of supplements or achieve optimal health.

Myth #2 – “I eat healthy and can get all the necessary nutrients from my diet.”

This might be true for a small fraction of less than 1% of us, but for most of us, the food we consume lacks the essential nutrients required by our over-stressed bodies in this technological age. Research has shown an average decline of between 5-40% of minerals, vitamins, and amino acids in our fresh foods. Let’s also remember the USA sets the RDI at the level required not to have a disease process present itself from deficiency. For example the RDI for Vitamin D is 400iu, which may prevent Rickets, but is hardly getting us sun-starved Ithacans optimal serum levels.

Myth #3“All multivitamins are created equal, so I might as well go with the cheapest option.”

While the most expensive supplements are not always the best, you can pretty much count on the cheapest being the worst. When looking for quality supplements it’s best to consult an expert in the field, such as an RD or MD who practices Functional Medicine, or a Chiropractor like myself who puts an emphasis on nutrition, just to name a few.

Myth #4  - “It doesn’t matter when I take my supplements, they’re all getting absorbed.”

Here are 2 myths in 1 statement. Certain supplements like probiotics are best taken on an empty stomach. Our bodies can only absorb so much water soluble vitamins like the B’s at one time. We’ll excrete the rest, so megadosing all in one part of the day won’t be the best bang for our buck. Whereas you can take all of your omega’s in one shot. You’ll also want to know which supplements compete (calcium and magnesium) or complement (iron and vitamin C) absorbtion.

Myth #5“It’s not safe to take medications and supplements together.”

While many interactions exist between pharmaceuticals and supplements, most medications can be safely combined. It’s vital to refer to a trusted source that will provide you with the most up-to-date and relevant interactions and contraindications. We have a tremendous free resource to do this on our website: www.seachangeithaca.com. This is a great starting point before or while consulting a health expert so you don’t fall prey to the myriad of myths regarding dietary supplements.

Dr. Ammitai Worob presented his Nutrition 101 workshop to a sold out crowd on March 18th and will continue his monthly workshop series at the Community Room in Rasa Spa on April 22nd. To find out more visit www.seachangeithaca.com

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Today we welcome spring with down-to-earth advice from Rasa’s own Karen Cutler, LMT and resident nutritionist. Her advice:  Help you heart and your community, and kick-start spring with a healthy dose of fruits and vegetables.  Get your five a day by filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables! Thanks Karen!

Happy First day of Spring!

Yesterday was the spring equinox. Hard to believe in some ways with all of the recent snow, but I promise I saw some tenacious little sprouts poking up through the snow patches. Spring is seen as a time to renew, to begin to birth the things that we have germinated over the winter, and to shed those things that no longer serve us.

Often that includes the longing to shed those few pounds we put on at the holiday that kept us warm on those dark, cold nights of winter. As a nutritionist and someone studying to be a registered dietitian, I often get asked for springtime inspiration to “kick start diets”. Most commonly I am asked about my thoughts on fasting. I understand that in some cultures and religions fasting is an important part of rituals and ceremony. Some may choose spring as a time to fast. In the times before supermarkets and takeout, early spring would be a time that people ran low on the last of their winter stores of food. Therefore, fasting became more of a necessity than a choice. Others choose fasting because of the way that they say it makes them feel mentally or physically. If you are choosing fasting for religious, spiritual, or emotional reasons you may find the process very satisfying. However, if you are fasting with the hopes that it will kick start your diet and help you lose weight, you are likely to be very disappointed. Although at first you may experience a large drop in weight, this is usually water weight first, and then a loss of muscle mass second. Your body begins to react the same as if it were in a state of famine. This continues as you return to eating again and in turn may cause you to yo-yo and gain more weight than you lose. This is similarly what happens in the hunger-obesity paradox (which I will discus more in future articles).  So, if you’re looking for a more stable way to kick-start a new and improved healthier self, and you want to lose a few pounds while at it, I would suggest you follow the tried-and-true recommendations to eat your fruits and vegetables.

The health benefits of fruits and vegetables are endless and I would run out of space to type before I ran out of reasons as to why you should consume them. Packed full of vital vitamins and minerals, they are an essential part of your day. According to research, the average American is only consuming a fraction of the recommended 5 servings a day. A 2005 survey by the CDC found that on average only 32% of American’s consumed the recommended 2 or more servings of fruit a day and only 27% consumed 3 or more servings of vegetables.  My Plate (which has replaced the old food model “my pyramid”) recommends that we meet our goal of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day by filling our plates halfway with fruits and vegetables. This is very different picture than many American’s are used to. If you’re like me, you remember the days of 1/3 meat, 1/3 veggie, 1/3 grain. Time has proven that this is not our ideal eating model.

Eating more fruits and vegetables not only falls in line with the My Plate recommendations, but it also falls in with the recommendations of the American Heart Association’s “Heart Healthy Diet”. With heart disease holding the spot as number one cause of death in Americans, eating heart-healthy is worth a try. Part of reason that eating fruits and vegetables is so healthy for you is that it if you eat them whole, you get a good dose of fiber. Fiber helps you feel fuller longer and can help to lower your cholesterol as well.

If you are not use to eating a large amount of fruits and vegetables you may want to start small and ease your way into eating larger portions. As I said before, they are packed full of fiber and some people may find that switching to large portions of fiber can cause GI discomfort  (read: It can give you gas). Over time, improving your fiber consumption can increase you GI heath, especially that of your intestines and your colon.

If you’re looking for some great spring time fruits and vegetables to start with, I would highly recommend something in season. One of my favorites are dandelion greens. They are a little bit bitter and are an acquired taste but worth a try. Many herbalists recommend using bitters to start a meal because they “awaken” the stomach and get the “juices” flowing. Dandelions have the added benefit of acting as a tonifier for the liver. If you just can’t handle the taste I would recommend micro green or spinach. Most farms and CSAs in our area already have their first batch of these greens ready in their hoop houses.

If you want to truly inspire yourself to get your 5 a day or fill you plate half full of fruits and veggies, joining a CSA is a great idea. Most CSA’s (Community Sustainable Agriculture) will provide you with a bounty of delicious (often organic) fruits and vegetables grown in season and right in our backyards. Helps support your community AND your heart!

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Thinking of spring cleaning without harsh products? We are too! Here is the approved list of well-loved, time-tested and easily-found ingredients that will safely and effectively clean your abode. Save your pennies while reducing your household’s chemical load. Remember, it’s safer to not reuse your old cleaner containers. They will hold chemical residue. Best to start fresh with mason jars or clean spray bottles! The internets are filled with methods for using these ingredients. Spend a few minutes surfing the web, experiement with what works at home, or call up your grandmother. She’s been cleaning house since before you were born.

Our favorite clean ingredients:

Lemons – super fruit for health, also a powerful cleaning agent!

Lemons have antibacterial and antiseptic qualities which make them a powerful ally in your cleaning arsenal. Be sure to include lemon juice to help you naturally clean your nastiest nooks and crannies.

Vinegar

Acedic acid, baby! It’s powerful enough to inactivate the flu virus. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. But don’t use your expensive finishing vinegars for cleaning, reach for the white distilled stuff.

Baking soda

Baking soda deodorizes and neutralizes acid. Use it in place of harsh abrasive cleaners or as a carpet freshener – sprinkle, wait 20 minutes, vaccuum. It  cleans, brightens and polishes aluminium, chrome, jewellery, plastic, porcelain, silver, stainless steel and tin. Add it to your next load of laundry to soften the fabric and remove most stains.

Essential Oils

Theives oil! Every household should consider adding Theives oil to their cleaning arsenal. It’s antimicrobial properties make it a powerful ally for helping to reduce germs in your living space. It was once used to ward of the plague – today we can use it for it’s health-promoting powers, antimicrobial powers and to fight zombies.

Thieves oil is a blend of different amounts of Clove Oil, Lemon Oil, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Oil and Rosemary Oil. One drop added to one ounce of water is the general proportion for cleaning house. Imagine using a cleaning product that actually promotes health! At Rasa we make our own Theives oil so pop in, grab a bottle and clean well.

Quick reference here.

 

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It’s that time of year again, when locavore lovers cast votes for their favorite local food and beverage producers. Today we caught up with Edible Finger Lakes editor Michael Welch and asked him what makes winning this award so meaningful.

“We love running the Local Hero awards every year. It gives our readers a chance to tell us what stories they think are worth reporting by letting us know their favorites in six categories of businesses that impact our local foodshed. Last year was particularly heart-warming when the winner of the Favorite Farm/Farmer category told us that they were about to throw in the towel but when the award was announced in the Spring 2012 issue, they got so much new business from very enthusiastic customers it helped them pay down a sizeable loan and survive a tough season. Edible Finger Lakes readers made that happen and saved a very important farm in our region.”

Fewer things have more direct and indirect benefits associated with them than supporting your local food shed. Protecting our ecological, cultural and social landscapes through the traditions of healthy food raising has never been more important than it is right now.  Have you cast your vote yet?

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This week, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re turning our thoughts towards the sweet things in life. We’re making a long list of all the peachy people who deserve a little Valentine’s Day love, and the Rasa circle always includes friends and guests of the Spa.

To honor and recognize all the love we feel for our community, we’re welcoming chocolatier and owner of Life’s So Sweet Chocolates, Darlynne Overbaugh, to fill Rasa with chocolate love and sweet treats. Enjoy, it’s good for you- and Darlynne tells us why.

If nibbling on locally-made chocolate treats really gets you in the mood, try our Chocolate Decadence Facial, with a special February savings.

We asked Darlynne to remind us of the health benefits that come from adding a little chocolate into our wellness plan, and she assured us that the restorative qualities of good chocolate convince us it’s ok to nibble on a few squares a day. Says Overbaugh,

Chocolate for health and wellness is a winning combination because dark chocolate contains flavinols and antioxidants that help the body (which is true and based on scientific studies). I also encourage people not to overlook the emotional connection chocolate has for us as well. Even if dark chocolate isn’t your favorite, a quality piece of milk chocolate (38% or higher cacao content) can be a mood enhancer for the simple pleasure it brings you. And anytime you can combine chocolate with other health or mood boosting ingredients like almonds (our dark Almond Bars), lavender (our Lavender Truffle) or local honey (our HoneyPot truffle made with honey from Interlaken) – that’s a double bonus because you’re reaping the benefits of the chocolate and the various properties of the other ingredients.

Enjoying chocolate daily can:
Help control diabetes.
Reduce levels of stress hormones.
Lower blood pressure and help protect your heart.
Work to improve your mood and libido by releasing phenylethulamine (a neurotransmitter with a stimulant effect) and serotonin.

To experience a deeper healing relationship with Cacao, we invite you to experience the Chocolate Decadence Facial this Valentine’s Day. This is a truly unique facial that takes aromatherapy and skin care to a sweet new level. This facial features Hungarian cocoa blended with a revitalizing masque. Hot towels and a hydrating cleanser soften your skin, and a gentle exfoliant smoothes away surface roughness. The scent is rich, comforting, and completely natural. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the exotic aromas while enjoying a gentle massage to the neck shoulder and arms. Our February facial is lovely experience that will leave your skin smooth, firm, and incredibly hydrated.

Indulge in Life’s So Sweet or a decadent chocolate facial when you visit Rasa this weekend with your loved ones. It’s another little way of reminding you we care about your health.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

About Life’s So Sweet Chocolates:
Life’s So Sweet Chocolates makes hand-crafted chocolates and classic confections at both their Ithaca and Trumansburg location. The downtown Ithaca store features a fully restored and functioning 1949 soda fountain, a candy bar filled with thousands of imitation gum balls, 10-foot tall candy sticks and more. The downtown Ithaca store has a selection of gluten-free, vegan and nut-free candies as well as fresh waffle cones, bulk Jelly Belly jelly beans, Purity Ice Cream, Candy Buttons, Wax Bottles, Black Jack Gum and more.

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Surviving Winter in the Finger Lakes

The temperature has been hovering at 20 and below for the past week, and the sun often stays hidden behind the grey skies so common in our region’s winters. It’s cold. The days are short. It’s harder to leave the house, yes, but there is still reason to find joy in the frigid air. This morning on station WHCU, Rachel Hogencamp, part owner of Rasa, spoke about getting through winter in the healthiest of ways. Here are her short tips:

Listen to the podcast here

Acceptance. Winter is here, and is often with us for months and months. If we accept it and recognize the challenges- and opportunities- that accompany it we can take steps to keep our mood upbeat.

Self Care. Layer on your favorite garments. Break out your hat, scarf and gloves and cozy up with them-all the time. If  we are tempted to keep our heat down to conserve energy or redue our heating costs, remember that a warm room or a few hours of sustained, indoor warmth can help you better survive frigid outdoor temperatures.

Avoid hibernating (for too long). Our instinct to hibernate during these cold months is smart. Remember to keep a balance between staying in and spending time out. When the sun is shining try your hardest to get out into it. Just a few minutes in the fresh air and sun, even when we’re in our layers, can brighten our mood and help energize us.

Get Moving. Join a gym, take a brisk walk, go skiing or snowshoeing, play racket ball, take dance lessons or join a yoga class. Keep moving.

Stay Optimistic. Remember that we are in the path of lengthening days. Each day the sun is with us for just a little bit longer.

Treat Yourself. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself. Treat yourself well. Buy a book, take a class, look for ways to build healthy enjoyment in your life.

How Rasa can help. For just a few dollars a day pass at Rasa can give you access to a welcoming, warm space away from home. Coming in to enjoy the sauna, meditation alcove and tranquility room with a friend or loved one can make us feel good and remind us that we are still connected.

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Sunshine in a Glass
of juice!

We already know that increasing our intake of fruits and vegetables helps reduce diabetes, lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart disease, offers protection against certain types of cancers and helps with many other wonderful and amazing things. Now, we have empirical data of something we may have only guessed at- eating fruits and vegetables can help our emotional health as well. We’re smiling already!

Cucumber, Kiwi, Green Apple & Orange, Carrot, Ginger

This week, a study published in the British Journal of Health Psychology found that eating 7-8 servings of fruits and vegetables a day improved the mood of young people. Hooray! While the study excluded fruits and vegetables consumed by means of fresh juice, whipping up 8 ounces of carrot-orange-ginger or kale-apple-celery juice just might help you and your young ones keep the blues at bay.

Juicing can be an easy way to add essential nutrients to your daily calories. We aren’t suggesting you replace eating whole, fresh, locally-grown organic fruits and vegetables with just their juices (as this removes important fiber) but we invite you to try juicing to bring your fruit and vegetable consumption to a new level.

Need some inspiration?

Delicious winter juice recipes:
Recipes from the Zesty Cook
Juice and smoothie recipes from Everyday Health

Rasa Tips:

Go Organic: Use organic fruits and vegetables. What’s the point of increasing your exposure to harmful pesticides?

Drink Local: Ithaca winters limit choices but carrots, greens, herbs and other greenhouse or cold-storage crops are available, and don’t forget about those berries you froze last July!

Think Balance: If you’re concerned about blood sugar, monitor your glycemic index by pairing low-GI with high-GI ingredients.

Stay Fresh: Juice loses vital nutrients and can begin to oxidize quickly. Drink that juice right after making!

Add in the Goods: Adding a spoonful of Chia Seeds, Green Foods powder, Flax Seed powder or protein powder increases nutrients and adds variety.

Drink More Kale: Don’t fear the leafy greens- just balance them with apple, citrus, or pineapple.

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Honoring the ‘extremists of love’ this Martin Luther King Day

As Ithaca begins a weekend of events in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rasa pauses to reflect on a great man and revisits one of his writings, a Letter from Birmingham Jail.

Dr. King’s powerful open letter was a multi-page response addressed specifically to criticisms from white clergymen of the South. It was 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama and Dr. King and many others had just been arrested for non-violent protest of racial segregation. He wrote the letter long hand from his jail cell. We invite you to take a moment out of your day to read the words of Dr. King.

Today, 50 years after its writing, we return to the strength of Dr. King’s reply. We feel the power of his civil disobedience, and we honor his call to channel discontent through creative acts of nonviolent direct action. We remember that active citizenship is not built on complacency but on questioning the status quo and fighting for a greater, moral good. We honor that lasting social and political change more often comes from long struggle. We remember that our passions are worthy, and that our individual wellness exists in relation to our greater community and beyond. We regard the interrelated nature of self, family, community, state, nation, world. We remember with profound gratitude Dr. King’s visionary legacy of faith, strength, perseverance, moral integrity, self-sacrifice, diligence, and love.

Thank you Dr. King.

Photo by Charles Moore, of King being arrested in 1958.

“The question is not whether we will be extremist, but …will we be extremists for hate or extremists for love?”

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