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Embracing Winter Wellness: Nurturing Your Immune System Naturally

Winter invites us to slow down, savor cozy moments, and prioritize our well-being. Amidst the chill and festive celebrations, it’s crucial to pay special attention to our immune system, ensuring it remains robust to ward off seasonal challenges. In this guide, we’ll explore a holistic approach to winter wellness, incorporating self-care, relaxation, and the importance of quality sleep—wrapped in the comforting embrace of your favorite pajamas.

1. Harness the Power of Hydration: As the temperature drops, it’s easy to overlook hydration. Yet, staying well-hydrated is a simple yet effective way to bolster your immune system. Opt for soothing herbal teas, warm lemon water, or nourishing broths to keep yourself hydrated and cozy during the winter months.

2. Immunity-Boosting Nutrition: Fuel your body with nutrient-rich foods that support immune health. Incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet. Explore the vibrant array of winter produce, such as citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, and dark leafy greens. These not only provide essential vitamins and antioxidants but also add a burst of flavor to your seasonal meals.

3. Embrace the Winter Outdoors: While it’s tempting to stay bundled up indoors, getting some fresh air is invigorating for both the body and mind. Engage in winter-friendly outdoor activities like brisk walks, snowshoeing, or even a friendly snowball fight. The crisp air and natural light contribute to overall well-being and can enhance your mood.

4. Cozy Self-Care Rituals: Create a winter self-care routine to nourish your body and soul. Indulge in a warm bath with aromatic bath salts, pamper your skin with hydrating lotions, and savor the comfort of plush blankets. These rituals not only enhance relaxation but also contribute to stress reduction, a key component in maintaining a strong immune system.

5. Quality Sleep in Pajama Comfort: Adequate and restful sleep is a cornerstone of winter wellness. Prioritize a consistent sleep schedule and create a calming bedtime routine. Slip into your favorite pajamas, crafted for comfort and warmth, signaling to your body that it’s time to unwind. Quality sleep supports immune function, making it a crucial element of your winter well-being strategy.

6. Mindful Meditation: Integrate mindfulness practices into your daily routine to manage stress and promote mental clarity. Whether through meditation, deep breathing exercises, or gentle yoga, these practices contribute to a sense of calm and balance, positively influencing your immune system.

7. Connect Virtually: Stay socially connected, even if it means virtual gatherings. Social interactions contribute to emotional well-being, and maintaining these connections during the winter months can help alleviate feelings of isolation. Schedule online game nights, virtual movie marathons, or simply catch up with loved ones over a glass of wine or cup of hot cocoa.

8. Seasonal Aromatherapy: Explore the aromatic wonders of essential oils to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Scents like cinnamon, eucalyptus, and lavender not only add a delightful fragrance to your space but also boast potential immune-boosting properties. Consider diffusing these oils or incorporating them into your self-care routines.

Winter wellness is a harmonious blend of nurturing your body, mind, and spirit. By adopting these holistic practices, you can create a foundation for a resilient immune system and embrace the season with vitality and joy. So, snuggle up in your coziest pajamas, savor the winter moments, and let the warmth of well-being envelop you throughout the season.

Dealing with the February Blahs

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It’s the month of love, but for many of us, February can also bring on the “blahs.” The weather is still cold, the holiday cheer has worn off, and it feels like spring is still a long way away. If you’re feeling a bit down or just not quite yourself this month, here are seven ways.

Get some fresh air and sunshine. Even if it’s cold outside, try to spend at least a few minutes each day getting some fresh air and sunlight. This can help boost your mood and energy levels and can help to combat the winter blues.

Exercise regularly. Exercise has been shown to improve mood and reduce stress, so make an effort to get moving regularly. It doesn’t have to be anything too strenuous – even a brisk walk around the block can make a difference.

Connect with loved ones. Spending time with friends and family can help to lift your mood and provide a sense of support and connection. Make an effort to reach out to people you care about and schedule some quality time together.

Treat yourself. It’s important to take care of yourself and do things that bring you joy. Whether it’s indulging in your favorite comfort food, buying yourself a small gift, buying a new pair of pajamas, or just taking a long soak in the tub, make an effort to do something nice for yourself.

Get organized. Sometimes the “blahs” can be a result of feeling overwhelmed or cluttered. Take some time to declutter and organize your space, and you may find that it helps to improve your mood and clarity of mind.

Try something new. Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be a great way to shake off the “blahs” and inject some excitement into your life. Consider taking a new class, trying a new hobby, or just doing something out of the ordinary.

Wear your pajamas all day. This might seem like a small thing, but sometimes the simplest pleasures can make a big difference. If you’re feeling down, take a day off from getting dressed and just relax in your pajamas. Not only is it comfortable, but it can also be a fun way to break up the monotony of the day. Plus, wearing pajamas all day has been shown to have some surprising health benefits, including improved sleep and reduced stress. So go ahead and embrace your inner sloth – it might just be the pick-me-up you need.

We hope these suggestions help to lift your spirits and get you through the February blahs. Remember, it’s okay to have off days, and it’s important to take care of yourself. Don’t be afraid to seek help if you’re feeling really down – there are resources available to support you.

Remember to Relax – 7 tried and true ways to clear your mind

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As things begin to return to what we know as normal life, the hustle and bustle of our everyday routines have worked their way back into our schedules. Coming off almost 2 years of ‘not as busy as usual’ may seem a little different right now but it won’t be long until busy-busy is just old hat again.

As your life returns to its pre-pandemic ways, you will need to remember that you still need “you” time to relax. You don’t want to forget this important part of maintaining a healthy mind, body, and soul. Here are 7 simple ideas that don’t cost anything that you can incorporate into everyday life to make sure you get in that critical relaxation time you need.

Nap. Sleep is an essential part of rebooting your entire system. A short nap in your favorite pajamas can do wonders for your state of mind and is second-to-none when it comes to the ultimate relaxation technique.

Use aromatherapy. Lavender, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Ylang-Ylang, and lemongrass are all very popular aromatherapy scents used to enhance your relaxation techniques. These scents activate certain sensory triggers that put you at ease and make your mind relax.

Take a bath. There is nothing better than a good soak in the tub to wash away the day’s commotion. Add relaxing essential oils to your bath water and turn on some soft music to really enhance your soak. Even 30 minutes of you-time in the soothing water can make all the difference in the world.

Read a book. Want to get away from it all for a little while? Put your nose in a good book and put your mind somewhere else.

Meditate. You may already incorporate meditation into your daily routine, and if so you know how well it works. If meditation is new to you, we recommend doing some research online and picking the technique that best fits your needs. It’s an incredible way to relax and it amazing way to calm your mind.

Spend time with a pet. Studies show that spending time with a pet is one of the most relaxing things you can do. It’s also a win-win because you are getting quality relaxation time and your pet is getting some extra love from their favorite human!

Have a hot beverage. Even 15 minutes alone with a cup of warm herbal tea is better than nothing at all. If you want to try something a little different, add some raw honey to hot water with a slice of lemon and drink it just like that. This concoction is relaxing, has amazing immunity benefits, and taste delicious

You may have your own way of relaxing but we encourage you to mix it up a bit and try different things. When you look forward to something, you’re more likely to actually do it.

Embrace the holiday spirit with a family pajama day

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The spirit of Christmas is much more than presents and shopping. This is the time of year where we celebrate love and we spend time with the people that mean the most to us.

There’s nothing more important than family and setting aside special time to be with one another is one of the best ways to build your family bond. One way you can all be together is by having a family pajama day at home doing all the things that you love. We’ve got some ideas for things that you and your family can add to your favorite holiday activities to get into the spirit and celebrate Christmas together.

Eat breakfast all day. What goes better with pajamas than breakfast? Make the whole day about eating breakfast foods because there’s nothing wrong with having omelets for lunch or French toast for dinner. Let the whole family participate in the cooking so you’re all spending quality time together prepping and eating your delicious creations.

Pick out new pajamas for the holidays. Hop online and browse new pajamas that you all want to wear for opening presents on Christmas morning. Individual choices based on taste are great but think matching family pajamas too! They are always a big hit, and your family will have outfits for a perfect photo.

Have a fashion show. If you have lots of sets of pajamas why not swap them out over the course of the day. Each time you change, do a little runway show modeling your new look. Accessorize with festive socks, robes, and blankets too!

Decorate holiday cookies. You can bake the cookies ahead of time, and then set up a decorating station with a variety of colored icings, sprinkles, toppings, and more. Consider baking and decorating more than your family will eat so you can give them to neighbors and friends as tasty gifts.

Build a fort. A lazy pajama day almost always involves hiding out in your own homemade fort. You can use a tent, sheets, blankets, or anything else that you have around the house to build a cool little shelter. Decorate it with twinkle lights to really give it a holiday feel.

Teach the benefits of sleep. Kids should know how important sleep is to their development and sneaking in a little lesson during your pajama day is a great way to reiterate it as well as explain why they need to stay on their sleep schedule even during the holiday break.

Watch holiday movies. With so many titles to choose from you can absolutely make a full day of watching movies. Pop some corn, heat up some cocoa, and let the fun begin.

Don’t forget to include your pets. They make pajamas for your pets! Don’t let Fido be left out of the family fun.

We hope your holiday family pajama day will be full of memories! Feel free to share your pictures on our Facebook page and tell us all about what you did on your special day!

Why We Need Quiet Time

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Our lives and our world are full of noise and distractions. Sometimes so much so that we lose focus on what we need to get done. We also forget to take the time for some peace and quiet which is an important part of our overall well-being.

Many people view taking time for solitude and serenity as a luxury they simply cannot afford because let’s face it; if we aren’t doing anything then we’re getting nothing done. This mindset stops us from taking the time we need to grow, renew, and revive.

Look at it from a different perspective, when you take in the silence you allow yourself to engage in time for self-reflection and awareness. Everyone needs quiet time, but what does it entail and how will you benefit? We have some thoughts on that.

Renewal requires rest

It’s simply impossible to just go, go, go without resting. Everything requires repair and maintenance including the human body. The easy part is relaxing the body; it’s relaxing the mind that’s the hard part. Meditation is a great way to check-out for a bit, mute the noise in your head, and gain the peace you need.

Rediscover what’s important

When caught up in the whirlwind that is our daily routine, we forget or even ignore what really matters. When you have too many responsibilities or waste time on unnecessary tasks, you lose sight of the important things. You need quiet time to rediscover what you’ve neglected and to revisit priorities.

Make order from chaos.

When you’re knee-deep in a commotion of activity there is no time for prioritizing tasks. You’re too busy crossing things off the list. The best time to examine the reasons behind what you do in life is best found during quiet moments to yourself.

Quiet time reinforces your meaning

The human mind needs time to put things into perspective. This can’t be done when you are doing 20 things at once or always chasing deadlines. You need peaceful silence to do that. Only then are you able to rejuvenate and reboot.

Quiet time is a stress eliminator

You might not be able to completely escape stress, but you can certainly practice ways to mitigate it. One quick and simple way to reduce stress is to regularly carve out 15-30 minutes of your day to sit quietly alone, meditate, read a book or listen to music, go for a peaceful walk, or put on your pajamas and take a quick nap. If you have even more time (such as a long lunch break) use it. But it’s not all about how long you’re quiet; it’s about making time for it in your life no matter the length of time. It’s the easiest way to nourish your mind and body so you can return to your routine with more energy and focus.

Heal and stay healthy with quiet time

Medical professionals use dark, quiet rooms for patient recovery from surgery and illness for good reason. Any form of healing, both medical and physical require complete rest and relaxation so that your body and mind to recuperate. Similarly, when you learn to wind down improve your chances of staving off future health problems and disease. A body under less stress has a higher immunity level.

Quite time may seem like an unreasonable goal but believe us, it’s totally attainable. Plan it, do it, and make no excuses for taking the time you need.

Rainy April days just got a little better

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We’ve all heard the saying April showers bring May flowers, but while we wait patiently for those spring blooms to brighten the landscape we still have to deal with some dreary rainy days in April.

So what should one do while standing by for better weather to enjoy the great outdoors? Well, we could give typical ideas like baking chocolate chip cookies or having a movie marathon, but we’d like to give you some inspiration instead. Are there things you have been putting off, or have always wanted to do but never found the time? Take advantage of the inclement April weather to tackle those things that aren’t in your normal routine. We’ve got some great ideas that we have on our to-do/wanna-do list that might help push you in the right direction.

Organize family photo albums. Most of us still have boxes of pictures stashed away from times past. Before the days of mobile devices, Instagram, and digital picture frames, we used cameras and film to capture life events. Even with all the amazing technological advances, there truly is nothing better and being able to flip through a real photo album full of precious memories. Here’s your chance to get everything together, organize your pictures, and put together a family keepsake that you can pass down to future generations.

Make old connections. How many times have you thought “I should reach out to this person”, or “I haven’t spoken to this person in ages?” A rainy day is the perfect time to make those connections. Whether you reach out through social media, a phone call, email, or sit down and write an old-fashioned letter, it’s great to catch up with the people you don’t speak to regularly or should speak to more often. You never know whose day you’ll make with a simple “hello.

Learn something new. If you’ve always wanted to learn a second language or become better at something technology-wise, rainy days cooped up in the house are the perfect opportunity to do just that. You can find anything online. From courses to how-to videos, it’s out there. Want to learn how to make candles or play an instrument? There is a world of information at your fingertips. You just have to look for it.

Stay in bed all day. This may not seem like a productive suggestion but, a solid day of rest can make a world of difference in your attitude, stress level, emotions, and overall well-being. Of course you don’t have to sleep all day. You can read, watch TV, or just lay there and listen to raindrops hit the roof all while in your favorite comfy pajamas. These are our Rainy Day favorites.

If you love a loud thunderstorm there’s no better place to hear the rumbles than snuggled up in bed.

Rearrange your furniture. Maybe you’ve been thinking for quite some time that the couch would look better on the other side of the room or that the dresser just doesn’t look good in the space that it’s in. Now’s your chance to experiment. What’s the worst that could happen? You put it back the way it was.

Organize family recipes. If you’ve got recipes that have been handed down through the generations, organizing them in a well-thought-out way will assure that your favorite meals will be prepared for years to come. Whether you use a recipe box, recipe book, or even some form of digital method, you’ll rest easier knowing that grandma’s famous apple pie recipe won’t be lost.

Make bagels. You bake cookies, cakes, and pies all the time but have you ever made your own bagels? Maybe you’ve thought about it but changed your mind when you found out how much time was involved. We found an answer! This delicious 3 ingredient bagel recipe is a great way to start what could possibly be your new favorite baking routine.

Here at The Pajama Company, we love a rainy day as a day with lots of possibilities! Do you love rainy days? Share your rainy day favorite things on our facebook page.

Finding Your Way To Better Sleep

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A good night’s sleep is critical to your overall health. When you get the right amount of sleep at night it makes you more productive the next day, lowers stress levels, and improves your overall frame of mind. Your sleep quality can even affect your weight and the health of your skin.

Most people who have trouble either falling asleep or staying asleep know the basics of what to do and what not to do, such as drinking herbal tea, taking a warm bath, and avoiding technology right before bed. But, there are some other methods you can also try if the old stand-by isn’t working for you. If you are one of the millions of people that have trouble getting enough zzzz’s at night, give some of these lesser know techniques a shot.

Pick the Right Pajamas: Proper sleepwear is critical to a good night’s sleep and a great pair of pajamas makes all the difference. If you aren’t comfortable, you’ll toss and turn all night disturbing your regular cycle. The way your pajamas fit is very important. If pajamas are too loose you might start to feel tangled up as you move around. If too tight, your PJ’s may feel binding and can cut off circulation. Another thing to consider is the fabric your sleepwear is constructed of. You don’t want to be too hot or cold and you want the fabric to feel good on your skin. Everyone has different tastes, but it just so happens that they make pajamas out of every type of material imaginable!

Drink Tart Cherry Juice: Tart cherries (Known as Montmorency cherries) are naturally rich in melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates sleep. Drinking tart cherry juice before bed gives you just the right amount of melatonin to help you fall asleep and stay asleep while supplying your body with a ton of nutrients and antioxidants. Tart cherry juice is also thought to help reduce arthritis and gout symptoms, combat muscle soreness, and improve brain health. The juice can be purchased as a concentrate that you mix with water or ready to drink.

Take a Magnesium Supplement: Magnesium is one of the most common minerals on earth and is found in many of the foods we eat. Our bodies depend on it to function properly. Bone health, brain, heart, and muscle function are just some of the 600 cellular reactions throughout your body that magnesium intake controls. The supplements provide benefits such as fighting inflammation, relieving constipation, and lowering blood pressure, but did you know magnesium may help treat sleep problems? Magnesium regulates neurotransmitters that send signals to the nervous system and brain helping you to relax. It also regulates the melatonin your body naturally produces, which controls your sleep-wake cycle.

Lavender Aromatherapy: Lavender is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and India and has been used to improve sleep for centuries. Our brains find the scent of Lavender soothing, which in turn slows brain wave activity allowing you to relax. The scent can be used in many different ways such as diffusers in your bedroom, lotions or pure essential oils directly applied to the skin, and you can even find laundry treatments that are lavender scented. It’s a must-have fragrance to help you get great shut-eye.

Relaxation App: Many times the inability to get a good night’s sleep comes from our brains working overtime. You know how it is. You go to bed and suddenly you start thinking about the day’s events, your upcoming schedule, or the stresses that come with everyday life. It can keep you up for hours! A great way to combat this is to download a relaxation app. Soothing ocean sounds, the soft patter of raindrops, or even the whirring of a fan transform your environment into a happy place where you can clear your mind and decompress.

Meditation: Did you know that 1-in-6 adults meditate before bed? Taking a few minutes to clear your mind before you go to bed can do wonders for your sleep cycle. When using a variety of mind and body techniques to promote relaxation, you release tension and ready your brain for sleep. Look for some videos and articles online to give you insight into different types of mediation practices and to find the right technique for you.

Do you have a proven method of getting to sleep and staying asleep that has worked wonders for you? Our community would love to hear them. Comment below or head on over to our Facebook page and share them with us!

Delight Your Sweet Tooth: 8 Holiday Cookie Recipes You Should Bake Right Now!

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One of the best parts of the holiday season is all the wonderful sweet treats that we get to indulge in! It’s that time of the year where we fire up the ovens and start baking all kinds of delicious cookies. Holiday cookie making is a tradition that many of us do every year. They make for thoughtful gifts, beautiful platters for your holiday get-togethers, and of course tasty snacks for everyone in the household to devour. Plus, who doesn’t love to have their home filled with the smell of cookies baking?

There’s nothing like putting on your favorite pajamas, brewing up a hot cup of cocoa or tea, and satisfying your sweet tooth. Whether you lean more towards the traditional varieties of cookies or like to experiment with new recipes, we’ve put together some musts you’ve got to put on your holiday baking list!

Eggnog Cookies from Spend with Pennies

A favorite holiday beverage in a chewy cookie is exactly what we crave. There’s eggnog in both the cookie and the icing! The great part about this cookie is the ability to finish them off by sprinkling a variety of different toppings over the creamy icing. You can find the recipe here at Spend with Pennies.

Raspberry Linzer Cookies from My Recipes

What’s not to love about crispy almond cookies filled with sweet raspberry preserves? Dust with a little powdered sugar for the “snowy” vibe and you have a traditional holiday cookie that everyone will love. This recipe from My Recipes is just like grammas.

Peppermint Pattie-Stuffed Chocolate Cookies from Delish.com

This is a super easy 6 ingredient cookie that blends 2 of our favorite flavors chocolate and mint. This chewy cookie with a surprise inside is a perfect addition to your holiday cookie platter. Here’s the recipe from the folks over at Delish.com.

Pecan Crescent Butter Cookies from The Spruce Eats

No holiday is complete without these crescent moon, melt in your mouth pecan cookies. They are a very versatile treat that pair well with coffee, tea, or just by themselves. We love them as that little “something sweet” after a wonderful meal. Try this recipe with options for substitutions from The Spruce Eats.

Melted Snowman Cookies from myimperfectkitchen.com

A fun cookie to make that the kids will just love. You start with a basic sugar cookie that you can make from scratch, a mix, or refrigerated dough and decorate from there. It’s a cute alternative to the standard cut-out sugar cookie. My Imperfect Kitchen has a great recipe with step-by-step pictures to guide you through the process.

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies from thefirstyearblog.com

If the thought of chocolate and cherries has your mouth-watering you’re not alone. These are a Pinterest favorite and the recipe from thefirstyearblog.com has amazing pictures that will have you writing ‘cherries’ on your grocery list immediately.

Gluten-Free Pistachio Truffle Cookies from Epicurious

This sweet and salty cookie is a great way to get your sugar fix without straying from your gluten-free diet. They take a little more effort than some other recipes but the end result is a cookie you’ll want to make well beyond the holiday season. Epicurious has a detailed recipe that walks you through the process.

Gingerbread Men (or women, or whatever) from Taste of Home

No holiday season is complete without the traditional gingerbread cookie. Traditionally, the most popular shape is happy little guys complete with buttons and a big smile. Nowadays, any shape you desire will complete your holiday cookie display. We found one of the best recipes over at Taste of Home.

If you have a favorite recipe we’d love to have you share it with us. Post it here or on our Facebook page.

Happy Baking!

A Matching Family Pajama Day? Yes Please.

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Many people find that they suffer from some sort of post-holiday blues after the excitement and fun of the season ends. The decorations have been put away for another year, its cold outside, and the days are still way too short. You know you need to snap out of it, but how?

Solution: A matching family pajama day!

We’re sure you’ve heard of this hot trend where the whole family (even pets) wears matching family pajamas, and if you have jumped on the bandwagon already you know what all the hoo-ha is all about. It’s just plain fun and can really bring a family together. Even better you are cozy and comfy while creating lasting family memories.

We’ve got some great ideas for making the most of your family pajama day so take note and make some plans to try this yourself!

Karaoke Party

One of the hottest gifts this holiday season was the Karaoke machine. If you have a newly acquired singing device you have hours of fun right in your own home. Even if you don’t have one – no worries. There are several apps that like Smule or SingSnap that provide access to thousands of songs and can be downloaded for little or no cost. Then, gather together and sing your hearts out. You’ll have a great time and who knows – you may even find you have the next great singing star right under your own roof!

Set up Camp

Just because it’s cold outside, doesn’t mean you can’t go camping. You just have to improvise. First, clear a space in your home and either pitch a tent or create a makeshift tent with blankets. Then bring on the camping fun. If you haven’t already, put on your matching family pajamas and roast hotdogs (and marshmallows for S’mores) in the fireplace or over the stove, tell scary ghost stories, and play campfire games like charades. An awesome added touch is adding ‘stars’ to your campground. Hang some twinkle lights from the ceiling or drape them over the tent and let your imagination take over!

Photo Op

Matching family pajama day is the perfect time to get some great group photos that are totally Instagram worthy! You can pose in so many different ways and really let the goofiness come out. The fun can be two-fold as you might just take the picture for your holiday card this year!

Game Day

With technology taking over our lives, we often forget about days-gone-by and family game time. Why not resurrect the past and bring out those old board games or create makeshift games of your own like Pictionary. You’ll bond with the brood and taking time away from your phones and computers can be an invigorating experience.

Get Crafty

You can spend the whole day in your matching family pajamas having a craft day. If you need inspiration, there are lots of holidays coming up that you can make decorations for like Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. Another great theme to lift you out of the winter doldrums is spring! Make crafty flowers, butterflies, baby animals, and more. A quick Pinterest search will yield tons of ideas!

Now that we’ve got your wheels spinning, you’ll probably have some other great ideas of your own. The most important thing is that you are all together as a family and enjoying one another’s company.

We’d love to see how you all look in your family pajamas. Feel free to post your pictures here or on our Facebook page. We can’t wait to see you!

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