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PLANTSTRONG Podcast

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Apr 28, 2022 • 1h 23min

Ep. 141: Chef Stephanie Michalak White - School is in Session with this Rockstar Plant-Based Chef

One of our favorite quotes on the PLANTSTRONG team is, “It’s the Food, It’s the Food. It’s the Food!”  Well, today, it really is all about the food with guest, Chef Stephanie Michalak White - Lead Chef Instructor of Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Plant-Based Degree Program.  From an early age, Stephanie was inspired and motivated to make a difference in the food industry. She's worked in a variety of establishments, including small businesses, pop-ups, catering, and farm-to-table restaurants. Not only is she passionate about cooking plantstrong food, but she’s also equally passionate about sustainability, ending food insecurities, and optimizing self-care - which are things we at PLANTSTRONG care deeply about. Today, she shares with us some of her favorite grains, green leafies, veggies, must-have tools, and appliances for any kitchen, and she even shares a special recipe for her sweet potato brownies! It’s a fun foodie chat with one of the most sought-after chefs and culinary instructors in the plant-based space. Episode Timestamps 04:15 Welcome to Stephanie and the origins of her unique maiden name 06:05 How her love of plants started with her grandparents 09:45 When and why Stephanie was motivated to become vegan 19:08 Chef Stephanie’s area of focus on food insecurities in higher education 24:50 How she landed at Escoffier and the genesis of their plant-based culinary program? 26:55 How are the online courses being received and the many benefits of online education 29:08 Diversity of demographics at Escoffier and the plant-based program 30:11 Who was Auguste Escoffier? Father of Modern Cooking - History of the School of Culinary Arts 32:22 Why do people become chefs? 36:20 Chef Stephanie’s recommendations on basic cooking utensils for every kitchen 39:40 Stephanie gives Rip eggplant-inspired ideas (his least-favorite veg!) 42:41 Favorite squashes, rice, grains, and leafy greens 51:50 How would Chef Stephanie cook for firefighters? 54:00 Stephanie’s Sweet-Potato brownie recipe 56:10 Mango love and how best to cut and peel those tough fruits 59:45 Making Stephanie choose between chicken, cheese, or eggs! 1:01:57 How to keep plant-based food economical 1:05:00 Reducing excessive amounts of sodium in cooking 1:10:10 Favorite sweeteners and sugars for baking and cooking   Episode Resources Watch the Episode on YouTube PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Email for Chef Stephanie: smichalak@staff.escoffier.edu Chef Stephanie's Sweet Potato Brownie Recipe PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 - A lifetime and transformative vacation awaits PLANTSTRONG Coaching - Our PLANTSTRONG Coaching Program is designed to help you to apply the principles of whole food, plant-based nutrition: removing all animal products, oil, refined sugar, and excess sodium from your eating plan. In addition, we will provide dozens of tools to elevate and accelerate your success while surrounding you with one fiercely supportive and nurturing community.  PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official plantstrong foods including pizza crusts, granolas, cereals, popcorn, soups, chilis and broths! Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members Theme Music for Episode Promo Music: Your Love by Atch License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)
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Apr 21, 2022 • 1h 44min

Ep. 140: John Robbins - Ditching Gold for the Truth

John Robbins is an absolute trailblazer whose story and mission really go beyond the kale. Imagine being born into incredible wealth - private schools, country clubs, a 14,000 square foot home with multiple three-car garages, and family yachts at your fingertips. Now, imagine walking away from that extravagant life on purpose and with a purpose. John Robbins followed the call of his conscience and walked away from the family business, the Baskin Robbins Ice Cream empire, and moved to a remote island seeking greater purpose and meaning in life. He knew he wanted to be in service to mother earth and the planet. His first book, the 1987 Diet for a New America was truly groundbreaking and decades ahead of its time. It was and is one of the quintessential books that tie together the impact of foods on your health, your happiness, and the planet. John has gone on to write nine books and, today, he shares stories about a few of those, including, The New Good Life- Living Better Than Ever in an Age of Less. His life stories run the gamut of emotions from heartbreaking and joyful, to educational and inspirational. John Robbins has chosen compassion over consumption at every turn and, after today’s episode, you’ll be more than inspired to do the same. Episode Highlights 7:50 John had polio as a child - how he adapted and 'muscled up' for vitality and strength 12:05 John’s Baskin Robbins origin story - how he followed the call of his conscience 15:45 John questions the link between the poor health of his family and the ice cream empire 20:00 How a chance book recommendation from his father's cardiologist changed everything for John’s father’s health and their broken relationship 33:50 Why he headed to a remote island with his wife to start fresh 44:30 How Diet for a New America Launched the modern health food movement 49:59 What happened when “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” wanted to interview John 1:00:00 John’s Book - The New Good Life backstory and how John lost his own money in an investment nightmare 1:08:15 Genesis of the Food Revolution Summit with Ocean and John Robbins - The Largest Gathering of Food Conscious People on the Planet 1:36:10 Why and how John remains hopeful in these tumultuous times Episode Resources Watch the Episode on YouTube PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page Join the FREE Food Revolution Summit - Starting Saturday, April 23rd, 2022 Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official plantstrong foods including pizza crusts, granolas, cereals, popcorn, soups, chilis and broths! Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, retreats, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs
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Apr 14, 2022 • 1h 24min

Ep. 139: Chris Wark - Beat Cancer in the Kitchen

We welcome author, cancer survivor, and healthy-eating coach, Chris Wark, back for his second appearance on the PLANTSTRONG Podcast.  In 2003 at the age of 26, Chris was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. After surgery, he opted OUT of chemotherapy for treatment and, instead, turned to nutrition to promote his healing. Instead of pumping chemo drugs into his body, he pumped in as many anti-cancer foods as he could and turned his body into a nutritional powerhouse. It’s been almost 20 years, Chris and his family are doing great, and he's written three books about his journey and life's work. Today, Chris discusses the science, background, and some of those life-saving recipes from his latest book, Beat Cancer Kitchen, co-written with his wife, Micah. This gorgeous book features whole-food, plant-based recipes that appeal to the whole family, whether you are healing from cancer, are actively trying to prevent it, or just simply seeking a healthy lifestyle for you and your loved ones. You’ll learn: The dangers and carcinogenic effects of meat and animal products The lack of evidence and results for experimental diets, like the carnivore, paleo, and keto diets Why weight loss is conflated with health Any foods in the plant-based space to avoid? Highlights of some of his cancer-fighting recipes As you'll hear, Chris’s life work is to: Inspire you to believe you can get well Provide the evidence and science to support it Give you the confidence to take action on sustainable change.  You have so much personal power over your health and it starts in the kitchen. Episode Resources Watch the Episode on YouTube PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page Chris Beat Cancer Website and Resources Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official plantstrong foods including our new multigrain flakes, cereal that is going to knock your socks off. You know I love Rip’s Big Bowl for breakfast, but this new cereal is so crunchy and so satisfying, it just might steal the show! Go check it out - we’re offering two packs for a limited time Our PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat from October 10th-15th, has just been approved and accredited for 21.25 Continuing Medical Education hours for Physicians and Physician Assistants, AND 21.25 Nursing Contact Hours for nurses! Jointly provided by PLANTSTRONG and the Mountain Area Health Education Center - we are thrilled to offer these CMEs and CEUs as part of our October registration fees. If you are a healthcare provider, please join us in Sedona this fall and learn how you can level up with your nutrition both personally and professionally. Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, retreats, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs
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Apr 7, 2022 • 1h 4min

Ep. 138: Dr. Heather Shenkman - Treating Cardiac Disease from the Heart

Dr. Heather Shenkman has known she wanted to be a doctor since she was a young girl and today, she’s one of the top Interventional Cardiologists in the country. You see, while Heather does perform complex angioplasties and other surgeries to open up clogged coronary arteries, she prefers to help her patients reduce their risk of heart disease through not only medication, but also a healthy lifestyle, including a whole-foods, plant-based diet and regular exercise. Heather herself has been plantstrong since 2005 and her book, “The Vegan Heart Doctor’s Guide to Reversing Heart Disease, Losing Weight, and Reclaiming Your Life” outlines her simple path to reclaiming and living a full and active lifestyle. Not only do we discuss facts about blood pressure, heart disease, and statins, but we also discuss specific lifestyle changes to help you become PLANTSTRONG with your whole heart. Episode Resources Watch the Episode on YouTube PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page Dr. Heather Shenkman Website Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Perhaps our most powerful tool - the PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner is packed with hundreds of our favorite whole foods plant-based recipes and your membership allows you to curate a personal collection of menus so your family favorites are always at your fingertips. The integrated grocery list makes shopping a snap and our meal planning experts are on hand seven days a week to answer questions to chat about food. Save $10 off the annual membership with the code PLANTSTRONG PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official plantstrong foods including pizza crusts, granolas, cereals, popcorn, soups, chilis and broths! Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs
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Mar 31, 2022 • 1h 6min

Ep. 137: Nisha Melvani - Practical, Approachable, and Affordable Plant-Based Meals

If you’re new to plant-based cooking and feel overwhelmed because you think it’s complicated, expensive, or maybe even boring, think again. Registered dietitian, nutritionist, and author, Nisha Melvani makes a whole foods plant-based lifestyle simple, sustainable, and delicious in her debut book, Practically Vegan - More than 100 Easy, Delicious Vegan Dinners on a Budget. Hundreds of thousands have already flocked to her "Cooking for Peanuts" blog and Instagram because of her relaxed, flavor-focused approach. She also uses easy-to-find ingredients that can be used in the kitchen for multiple meals, making her style budget-friendly for busy families. Nisha has one of the most colorful and interesting backstories, with a rich diversity of culture, language, career, and education – all of which have influenced her life’s latest chapter as a cookbook author. She and Rip discuss: Growing up in a non-traditional household that included boarding schools, multiple moves, and a diversity of language and culture How she initially developed her love of food, flavor, and cooking The origin of her "Cooking for Peanuts" blog and Instagram Her favorite spices and herbs Cooking for three teenage girls Her favorite ways to prepare tofu and tempeh dishes Her go-to grains and legume dishes - (Hint: Lentils are the bomb!) Practically Vegan is just that - a practical, approachable, and affordable guide for plantstrong meals. Episode Resources Watch the Episode on YouTube PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page Nisha Melvani - Cooking for Peanuts PLANTSTRONG Coaching - Our PLANTSTRONG Coaching Program is designed to help you to apply the principles of whole food, plant-based nutrition: removing all animal products, oil, refined sugar, and excess sodium from your eating plan. In addition, we will provide dozens of tools to elevate and accelerate your success while surrounding you with one fiercely supportive and nurturing community. Now through April 5th, 2022, our annual program is $60 off PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Perhaps our most powerful tool - the PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner is packed with hundreds of our favorite whole foods plant-based recipes and your membership allows you to curate a personal collection of menus so your family favorites are always at your fingertips. The integrated grocery list makes shopping a snap and our meal planning experts are on hand seven days a week to answer questions to chat about food. Save $10 off the annual membership with the code PLANTSTRONG PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official plantstrong foods including pizza crusts, granolas, cereals, popcorn, soups, chilis, and broths! Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods, and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members Visit PLANTSTRONG.com for all of our resources including books, coaching, podcast, foods, retreats, and more Shop for your Favorite Plantstrong Foods Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community Theme Music for Episode Promo Music: Your Love by Atch License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)
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Mar 24, 2022 • 1h 1min

Ep. 136: Glen Merzer - Food is Climate

Rip welcomes playwright, screenwriter, and author, Glen Merzer to the PLANTSTRONG Podcast. Glen has written or co-authored a dozen books alongside plant-based broc-stars like Chef AJ, Howard Lyman, and Forks over Knives chef, Del Srouffe. Glen discusses his latest book, Food is Climate, zeroing in on the real leading cause of climate change: animal agriculture and consumption. He doesn't hold back because, quite frankly, we are now in a time of urgency. As Merzer writes, "The only thing that's at stake here is, our civilization. It truly is." My friends, it is one thing to stop eating animals for your health. Indeed, it’s the BEST thing you can do. But, in this case, what’s good for your body is also good for Mother Earth. Let’s save life as we know it for future generations. Glen Merzer tells us why and how. Episode Resources Watch the Episode on YouTube PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Perhaps our most powerful tool - the PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner is packed with hundreds of our favorite whole foods plant-based recipes and your membership allows you to curate a personal collection of menus so your family favorites are always at your fingertips. The integrated grocery list makes shopping a snap and our meal planning experts are on hand seven days a week to answer questions to chat about food. Save $10 off the annual membership with the code PLANTSTRONG PLANTSTRONG Foods - shop our official plantstrong foods including pizza crusts, granolas, cereals, popcorn, soups, chilis, and broths! Glen Merzer Website Buy Food is Climate Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods, and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members Visit PLANTSTRONG.com for all of our resources including books, coaching, podcast, foods, retreats, and more Shop for your Favorite Plantstrong Foods Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community Theme Music for Episode Promo Music: Your Love by Atch License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)
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Mar 17, 2022 • 1h 2min

Ep. 135: Chef Bai - Cook. Vibe. Heal.

Today, we go on a powerful healing journey. Bailey Ruskus was diagnosed with endometriosis at age 11, leaving her in tremendous amounts of chronic pain, while constantly being dosed up on multiple medications. Throughout her young adulthood, she exhausted all standard treatments and turned back to the only thing she really knew – FOOD. You see, Bailey, who goes by Chef Bai - is also a classically trained chef from San Francisco’s Le Cordon Bleu. She spent years in the grind working 65-70 hours a week until her body just simply collapsed. Nothing about her lifestyle was sustainable, that is until she went back to her food choices and began to study the true healing power of plants. She literally had to “unlearn” what she had learned in culinary school. Today, at the young age of 30, she is PLANTSTRONG, off all meds, feeling vibrant, and is the author of the best-selling book, Cook. Heal. Go Vegan! We go behind the scenes on this chef’s life – including her favorite spices, flavors, and meals from her cookbook, as well as tips on how you, too, can start to heal your body. Cook. Heal. Go Vegan! is your guide to plant-based cooking for better health and a better world. Episode Resources Watch the Episode on YouTube PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - Perhaps our most powerful tool - the PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner is packed with hundreds of our favorite whole foods plant-based recipes and your membership allows you to curate a personal collection of menus so your family favorites are always at your fingertips. The integrated grocery list makes shopping a snap and our meal planning experts are on hand seven days a week to answer questions to chat about food. Save $10 off the annual membership with the code PLANTSTRONG Chef Bai Website Buy Cook. Heal. Go Vegan by Chef Bai Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, foods, and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members
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Mar 10, 2022 • 1h 10min

Ep. 134: Dr. Anthony Lim - From Paleo to Plants: Why this Doctor Made the Switch

Dr. Anthony Lim is no stranger to helping to inspire change. As Medical Director of the Dr. McDougall Health and Medical Center and former staff physician of True North, Dr. Lim helps his patients prevent and treat their chronic illnesses -such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune conditions, and heart disease - all with a whole foods, plant-based approach.  Dr. Lim shares his own personal journey to plants (having gone down the paleo and keto route) and how he now works with his own patients to “meet them where they are on their own journeys.” Every person has a story, he says, and, once you understand where they are coming from, it helps inform how best to help them succeed.  PLANTSTRONG and Episode Resources: Watch the Episode on YouTube Register for our PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 Shop for your Favorite Plantstrong Foods Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community Dr. McDougall Health and Medical Center Theme Music for Episode Promo Music - Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)
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Mar 3, 2022 • 49min

Ep. 133: PLANTSTRONG Snackables - Fire Up that Air Fryer

Welcome to PLANTSTRONG Snackables, a bite-sized podcast where host, Rip Esselstyn dishes on all things plants! Today's guest is Carrie Barrett, PLANTSTRONG Podcast Producer, longtime PLANSTRONG advocate, and a fellow triathlete. Carrie brings PLANTSTRONG stories and guest transformations to life each week on the podcast using her background in radio, production, and writing to make each episode motivating, inspiring, and actionable. Today, Rip and Carrie encourage you to have a little fun with your air fryer! If you have an air fryer and are a little scared to use it, this episode is for you. Carrie's goal? Inspire Rip to get his out of the box and use it at home! Today, they make four simple, delicious, and economic meals that pack a nutritious punch without making a huge mess in the kitchen. Plus, as you'll hear, they clearly have a blast experimenting with new recipes, serving up taste tests, and talking about their own athletic journeys along the way. And...coming soon...we will be giving you the chance to represent TEAM PLANTSTRONG at future events! That's right, you'll soon be able to show off your PLANTSTRONG prowess at upcoming finish lines around the world. Recipe 1: Sliced polenta served over a bed of greens and the PLANTSTRONG Thai Carrot Chickpea Stew. You can serve it over a marinara sauce as well for an Italian flair. Air Fryer: 370 degrees for 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your polenta slices and preferred crispiness! Recipe 2: Mini-chalupa on a corn tortilla, served with refried black beans, greens, and PLANTSTRONG Firehouse Chili. Air Fryer: 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, depending on how many toppings and your preferred level of crispiness. You can also have fun and make mini-pizzas with your favorite toppings. Recipe 3: Simple potato skins served with nutritional yeast. Air Fryer: 350 degrees for 7-8 minutes. These cook up fast and shrink, so you could go less time, if preferred. Recipe 4: Hummus and apple crisp on tortilla. Air Fryer: 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Episode Resources Watch the Episode on YouTube PLANTSTRONG Podcast Episode Page Now Available! PLANTSTRONG Broths and Soups Delivered Directly to You! PLANTSTRONGFOODS.com Visit plantstrong.com for all PLANTSTRONG Resources, including books, recipes, and the PLANTSTRONG Coaching Programs Join the Free PLANTSTRONG Community with over 26,000 members
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Feb 24, 2022 • 1h 6min

Ep. 132: Carleigh Bodrug - The "PlantYou" Sensation

If you have extra banana peels at home, don’t throw them away! If you have extra pickle juice in the jar, don’t dump it down the sink! The same is true for broccoli stalks, chickpea juice, and potato peels. Hold on to them…Why? In this fun episode, Rip gets scrappy with food blogger, Instagram and TikTok star, and now – new author of the book, PlantYou – Carleigh Bodrug! In her creative video content, she shows her millions of followers how to turn those scraps into simple, delicious, and nutritious foods that people will absolutely adore. Carleigh is a plantstrong ball of light raised in Ontario, Canada on a small family farm. Like so many others, she was raised on the standard western meat and potatoes diet. All of that changed, however, when her Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer. I remember in 2015, the World Health Organization announced that red and processed meat were now classed as Group 2 and Group 1 carcinogens, and what I remember most about when that news broke was my dad was actually angry because it was like he had had this super invasive surgery and chemotherapy and then gone back to eating the very thing that at least was not helping the situation, right? This feisty young woman (who really couldn’t cook, by the way) took it upon herself to start experimenting with plants! Her goal? Make this lifestyle approachable, easy to follow, and so, so fun. You can't force it down people's throat, you kind of have to just lead by example so I try to talk as positively as possible about how many benefits that I've personally experienced from going plant-based rather than kind of shaming or dampering on people's food, because food is emotional and nostalgic, as you know. Her new book, PlantYou includes, not just photos of the gorgeous finished products, but also photos of every ingredient you need, making it so easy to follow. You know what else I love? It features over 140 recipes that are not only plantstrong, but also OIL-FREE! Instead of a glug of oil in the pan, why don't you try vegetable broth or water and I can guarantee the finished product of that dish is going to take almost identical if not identical, and you have now reduced the fat and caloric content dramatically. Rip and Carleigh also dish on: The support she receives from her family and fiance I was super lucky in that I was supported on that journey because I think a lot of people are going it alone, and the social aspect, I always say to people, the social aspect is the hardest I think, and in a way, because I wasn't doing it completely by myself, that was a little easier to swallow. Like you didn't have to explain as much if your parents were going the same route. Why she maximizes every ounce of food she can when preparing meals and snacks So this scrappy cooking concept was all born by this desire to kind of like reduce food waste within our own homes and also reduce the amount of money wasted and I think something like 40 to 50% of edible food in North America goes to waste, so it's a huge issue. And I think a lot of people are going aimlessly to the grocery store each week with really good intentions and buying a lot of fresh produce that ends up in the garbage. Tips and tricks with leftover aquafaba, ginger, date seeds, potato skins, pickle juice and more! Tools for your plant-based kitchen Favorite recipes in her new book Leading by example with positive energy I try to talk as positively as possible about how many benefits that I've personally experienced from going plant-based rather than kind of shaming or dampering on people's food, because food is emotional and nostalgic, as you know. Trust me, you’ll be hearing a lot more from Carleigh in the coming months because the future is bright for this young broc-star. Carleigh Bodrug Resources: Buy PlantYou: 140+ Ridiculously Easy, Amazingly Delicious Plant-Based Oil-Free Recipes PlantYou Website Instagram TikTok   PLANTSTRONG Resources: Watch the Episode on YouTube Register for our PLANTSTRONG Sedona Retreat - October 10th-15th, 2022 Shop for your Favorite Plantstrong Foods Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community Theme Music for Episode Promo Music - Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

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