Could there be better news in our cash-strapped economy than to learn that one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself is absolutely free, feels great, and as an added bonus, gives you one of the best mental lifts in the world?

If it’s been years since you’ve appreciated (and enjoyed!) the healing rays of the sun, it’s time you got reacquainted.

More and more published research shows that the sun is one of our best friends in fighting chronic disease, warding off colds and viruses, and even boosting brainpower.

Have you noticed more than ever before, you hear of adults and children being vitamin D deficient? This is because we slap on the sunscreen before we leave the house, scared that if we don’t we will get skin cancer but we need the sun screen on in the middle of the day or after 10am to about 2.30pm when the sun rays are very strong.

With the help of the sun, we synthesize vitamin D in our skin, which is then used by every organ system in the body. In fact, adequate levels of vitamin D can even extend our lifespan. It has been shown that vitamin D lengthens our cells’ lifespan-determining telomeres. Shorter telomeres are a marker of aging and the onset of degenerative disease.

If you are one of the tens of millions of people who are deficient in vitamin D — and at a higher risk of disease and mortality — then make it a point to get some sensible exposure to the sun..

Why you need to catch some healthy rays

Have you ever noticed how you feel happier when you have a chance to sit or walk in the warm sun? Doesn’t just going outside on a sunny day calm your nerves and lift your spirits?

In contrast, consider what happens and how you feel during the cold and dreary winter months. Many of us experience darker moods. We are more likely to become sick with colds and flu. We often gain weight and crave carbohydrates.

Then, come spring and summer, these symptoms magically disappear without treatment.

Well, there is a reason for this.

Your body needs sunlight just like it needs nutrients. In many ways, your physiology is as closely linked to the sun as that of plants. Plants use sunlight to photosynthesize chlorophyll. By a comparable process your body uses sunlight to photosynthesize vitamin D.

Decades of scientific research prove the importance of vitamin D. In addition to the noticeable lift it gives your mood, it also helps lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar; improves your immunity; regulates your weight; increases muscle strength; normalizes sleep cycles; and boosts brain function. It has also been shown to prevent many chronic diseases, including the three biggest killers of our generation — heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

On the other side of the coin, a deficiency of vitamin D is clearly associated with increased risk of a long list of health conditions, including everything from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and autism to bone and muscle pain, behavioral disorders, depression, gluten intolerance, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, infertility, and tooth decay… just to name a few.

And here’s why this should matter to you

It is estimated that more than 90% of the population is deficient in this vital nutrient for at least part of the year. That means there is a good chance that YOU are deficient, putting your health at risk, including potentially doubling your risk of cancer.

There are several risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. The most obvious is your lifestyle and the amount of sunlight you are exposed to. If you work indoors, spend most of your time indoors, and get very little sunlight on your skin, you are almost certainly deficient.

Three to five days per week, you should aim for at least 15 to 20 minutes in the sunlight (with as much of your skin exposed as possible).

D – a molecule that is vitally essential to almost every aspect of your biochemistry and physiology.

Likewise, if you usually wear sunscreen when you are exposed to the sun, you are likely to be deficient. A sunscreen with an SPF of 8 reduces vitamin D production by 95%!

Other risk factors for vitamin D deficiency include your age (as you age, you need more sun to produce vitamin D), your skin type (darker skin types need more sun to produce vitamin D), and even your weight (vitamin D becomes trapped in body fat and cannot exert its effects).

In any case, the only way to really know if you are deficient is to have your blood tested for levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, also called 25(OH)D.

Most people should supplement with vitamin D in the late autumn, winter, and early spring.

You should also consider supplementing year round if you have darkly pigmented skin, are over 65, or are overweight, or if you just can’t bring yourself to go into the sun without sunscreen.

We are not saying not to use sunscreen but leave it off for 15-20 minutes early morning or late afternoon.

We live in a country that usually has plenty of sun and it is a shame we are afraid to enjoy it.

Information in this article is from ‘Natural Health Dossier’ Published by Fourth Avenue Health Group

If you would like more information: Vitamin D Prescription: The Healing Power of the Sun & How It Can SaveYour Life – by Dr. Eric Madrid

Here’s to your good health!
Fay Rayner

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Stop blaming your will power!

While some level of will power is needed in all areas of our lives, when it comes to losing weight the real secret to permanent weight loss is in your blood chemistry.

How your blood type affects your weight

Genuine weight loss and lasting good health comes from the way your body reacts to the food you consume. Foods contain powerful proteins called lectins. These food lectins become important to you when they interact with your blood antigens. How your body interacts with these lectins determines whether those foods cause inflammation, digestive problems, bloating, water retention or weight gain.

Lectin interaction is different from food intolerance

This is more than simple “food intolerance.” At first, you experience a lectin interaction as only a mild digestive problem, or a dull, listless feeling after eating foods not right for you. Over time, the result is a steadily deteriorating state of health, loss of energy and weight gain.

Replace weight gaining foods with foods suitable for your blood type

The good news is that simply by replacing the key weight gaining foods with ones suitable for your blood type you can begin to experience the benefits of a leaner, cleaner, more energetic body.

You will be amazed at how easily you can lose up to 2 kg each week while eating well and enjoying your lifestyle.

The whole story of permanent weight loss

You can accelerate your results by combining the Eat Right For Your Type Plan with a gentle detox, some everyday supplements and sensible exercise, making you feel and look even better. Call Fay, a practising naturopath, at Serenity Lodge Day Spa on (02) 4970 4333 for detox and nutrition advice.

Tips for looking great while the weight is coming off

If you want to accelerate your results even further, check out our Lose Centimetres Fast body contouring treatment that will have you losing over 15 centimetres in your first treatment. Make sure that you come back to this blog post for the special deal for our online members only!

The best thing about eating right for your type

The really great thing is that you will be reducing your size, feeling good and not putting it on again if you continue to eat right for your type. Call Fay at Serenity Lodge Day Spa (02) 4970 4333 for advice about your optimum nutrition.

Special Offer for Our Loyal Online Members: Melt FAT, Smooth CELLULITE, Lose CENTIMETRES & Reduce BREAST SIZE
Only Until March 31st 2012

• 2 Ionithermie treatments for $320
• normally $220 each
• saving you $120.00

Call (02) 4970 4333 now to book your first appointment

Here’s to your good health!
Fay Rayner

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Get Fit In 7 Minutes a Day, 3 Times a Week!

If we’re going to get fit there’s one thing we have to face sooner or later – an exercise programme! Now I know that some people just love to exercise, but if you’re anything like I am you come up with all kinds of reasons for not exercising regularly – I used to tell myself that I was too busy or that I would start tomorrow, or next Monday, or next month, or after my birthday…

I’m one of those people who doesn’t enjoy sweating and I hate that feeling of gasping for air! What’s more I HATE running on a treadmill or sitting on an exercise bike and I am constantly thinking about what else I could be doing with this time.

The 7 Minute Fitness Workout

The great news for me and possibly for you is that I have found a get fit system that makes me feel like I am looking after my body but it only takes 7 minutes, three times per week! It helps to build muscle quickly and muscle mass helps us to burn more fat

When I first heard about it I thought it would be rubbish, but after watching the video my friend sent me it made a lot of sense. So, having gained a little bit of excess weight over the holiday, I thought I’d give it a try and am amazed not only at the results, but also at how easily I can fit these exercises into my weekly routine.

Your own online fitness trainer

One of the best things about this programme is that you can have your own online trainer, do your 7 minutes of exercise at the time that suit you, and at the level that is customized to your needs – all in the comfort of your own home!

I encourage you to check it out here right now – get in the best shape of your life in 7 minutes a day, three times a week and remember my three top tips for looking fit and fabulous in the new year:

1. How to beat those sugar cravings
2. Lose centimeters fast
3. Get fit in 7 minutes a day, three times a week

Remember to let us know how you’re going with each of the three tips by posting a message in the comments box below this article. And if you need specific and personalized help we’re only a phone call away – (02) 4970 4333

Here’s to your good health,
Fay Rayner

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Fit and Fabulous Tip #2 – How To Lose Centimetres Fast!

Before I reveal our secret formula for staying motivated while the changes in your eating habits kick in, I’m wondering how you’re going with last week’s tips for beating those sugar cravings?

Remember to share your handy hints for success in the comments section after this post…

I used to go through that discouraging feeling of being really focused on reducing or eliminating those fattening foods, and feeling like my body was taking forever to start losing centimetres – until I experienced a spa treatment on a cruise around New Zealand last year, when I lost several centimetres and kept it off!

Since then I have seen dozens of women stay motivated to stick to their healthy eating plans by losing a few centimetres fast with our Ionithermie treatment from Serenity Lodge Day Spa.

This short video reveals how you too can lose centimetres fast…

New Year, New You!

We’ve put together a special 3 part offer to help you lose a few centimetres fast in the New Year and you can check it out here.

Next week I’ll share with you my brand new, scientifically proven, exercise program in Fit and Fabulous Tip #3 – Get Fit In 7 Minutes a Day, 3 Times a Week!

Until then, Here’s To Your Good Health,
Fay Rayner

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All of us at Serenity Lodge Day Spa wish you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year for 2012!

Fit and Fabulous Tip #1 – Beating Those Sugar Cravings – see this article.

Fit and Fabulous Tip #2 – Lose Centimetres Fast
Fit and Fabulous Tip #3 – Get Fit In 7 Minutes a Day, 3 Times a Week

Gained a couple of kilos over the holiday?

If you’re anything like I am you’ll be struggling after all that beautiful food you have consumed in the last month to break the sugar craving and to lose the excess weight you have gained.  It is so easy to go to the fridge or cupboard and grab some left-over Christmas cake, shortbread or chocolate.

How to beat the sugar craving

To help break your cravings you need to be prepared. If you have to search for or make something when a craving hits, you won’t bother, but will grab the first thing you come across – maybe that great chocolate! And then feel guilty or frustrated with yourself for giving in to the craving. If you’re really keen to get the new year off to a great start then our ‘Fresh Start Health and Day Spa Package’ may be just what you want.

What if you had been prepared and had something low in fat and sugar handy when that sugar craving hit? Think about different options you enjoy and that you can have on hand, such as:

• rice cakes  
• nuts in small portions
• low fat cheese ,
• lemon flavoured water
• health cookies
• popcorn (without butter)
• sugarless gum or sugarless lollies.

All of those are more helpful to your weight and health than a chocolate bar – and the secret is to have them ready and easy to access.

Make your healthy snacks easy to access at all times

The most helpful thing you can do for yourself is to place these snacks in convenient places where you are going to be. Think ahead about your day – if you’re going to be in the car, put them where you can reach them in the car.

If you will be at work, place your healthy snacks in your desk.

At home if you have a favourite chair where you sit to watch TV or read, then that’s where they need to go.
Do you understand what I mean?  Make it easier to find healthy food rather than the high fat and high sugar foods.

For the first couple of days your new routine may be a challenge, but persevere and you will find it worth the effort. I also recommend that you avoid bread and pasta dishes if you want to lose the extra weight.

Personalised support for your unique health needs

For personalised support call Fay on (02) 4970 4333 to discover how we customise our ‘Fresh Start Health and Day Spa’ treatment to meet your individual health needs.

Next week look out for Fit and Fabulous Tip #2 – Lose Centimetres Fast.

Then the week after, look out for Fit and Fabulous Tip #3 – Get Fit In 7 Minutes a Day, 3 Times a Week, where we’ll reveal the scientific discovery of exercise that really works!

If you can’t wait that long just call Fay now on (02) 4970 4333
and we’ll help you make a healthy start to the New Year!

To Your Good Health,
Fay Rayner

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What you may not know about freshly made fruit juice…

You hear it all the time, and everybody seems to be in 100% agreement. It’s like a default position that you should be drinking more fresh-squeezed fruit juices.

But wait a minute… let’s take a step back and look at juice. Is it really as healthy and natural as people say?

The juice producers love to tell you how “healthy” their juice is. How it’s like a multivitamin, and you should have some every morning. The cartons scream at you that it’s “100 percent natural” and has “no added sugar” or “no preservatives.”

And what’s not to believe? Seems simple… you pick the fruit, squeeze the fruit, and put the juice in a container, with pulp or without. Delicious and freshly squeezed… right?

Not really.

Fruit juice is not natural at all!

And it’s not even so much that they ruin the juice in the processing. But by grinding it up, you’ve changed the fruit’s very nature and character. It’s much more high-glyacemic, which raises your insulin levels and can lead to obesity and diabetes.

Normally, the fruit and our digestive systems – and our metabolisms – are made for each other. To make juice, on the other hand, you have to break the pulp of the fruit open and expose the monosaccharides (natural sugars). Normally they’re enclosed in “packets” of pulp that are made for your digestive system. They survive the ripening of the fruit and your peeling them, and they don’t begin to be released until you start chewing them.

Even then, most of them are not released until it hits your small intestine. It’s like a slow-release capsule made by nature!

You’re better off just to eat the fruit!

But we’ve decided we are going to take that fruit and mechanically expose all of the sugar at once. So that as soon as it hits your mouth, you get a rush of sugar straight into the bloodstream.

It is NOT natural. In fact, juicing in general is not such a great thing. If you do juice, you should drink it immediately. But for most of us, you’re better off just to eat the fruit.

What about vegetable juice?

This is also true for vegetable juice. Carrot juice is a great example. Carrots have a low glycaemic load, but carrot juice is high on the glycaemic index. Why? Because carrots have so much fibre, and the monosaccharides are so well-contained in them that it takes a long time for your body to get to the sugar.

Make carrot juice and suddenly that carrot, which tasted mainly like a root and not that much different from a potato, tastes very sweet. Because you’ve broken all that sugar out of the fibre…

Fortunately, you can still get fresh, locally grown organic fruits and vegetables almost wherever you live – and avoid juice..

And orange juice?

If you want to drink orange juice, you should squeeze fresh oranges and keep as much of the pulp in the juice as possible and drink it right away. That way, you get benefit of the fibre, plus the vitamins, minerals and co-factors nature intended.

To Your Good Health,
Fay Rayner

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Ever feel this time of the year you are starting to wear down?

And you’re not into the really busy season yet! Instead of pushing yourself and pretending you’re alright when really you are so tired you could not care a less, how about making some changes this year?

Take some time out now, before the real rush begins

Give yourself time out now so when the chaos of the holiday season really hits you will be able to enjoy it fully because you have given your body and mind time to rejuvenate and re-energise. It doesn’t take much to do this – it’s just a matter of you saying to your family “I am taking some ME time, so do not disturb me!”

Whether you go for a relaxing walk, sit and read a good book or treat yourself to a massage, you want to make the time to refresh before the “silly season” for the sake of your health.

Serenity Lodge Day Spa can help you

We would love to see you here at Serenity Lodge Day Spa so we can help you re-energise. We have great specials at the moment from only $99, or you can choose a treatment that suits you the best, including our new Fresh Start Health Package.

Here’s what your Fresh Start Health package includes:

• Health Analysis – complete top to toe health and lifestyle check up which will allow me to identify specific health challenges you may be having and how our variety of natural treatments may assist you to address those challenges.

• Individualized treatments, delivered during the day – because everyone’s health needs are different our treatment will be different for each person and is planned just for you.

For example, if you are suffering from headaches or tingling in your hands we will check the muscles in your back and neck to see if they putting pressure on a nerve that is causing your pain, and give you remedial massage therapy.

Or if you are suffering from bloating, forgetfulness or tireness I may make you some homeopathic or herbal medicine and I most likely would recommend some specific foods to avoid.

Or, if you are experiencing arthritic pain our Dead Sea Salt wrap is amazing to reduce the pain.

OR, if you would like to lose a few centimetres, then our ionithermie treatment will do the trick – guaranteed!

• Morning tea and lunch – your menu will depend on your particular dietary needs.
• Follow up calls included – for the first month I ask you to ring for 5 minutes every two weeks to let me know how you are going so your diet, medication or exercise program can be adjusted depending on how you are going.These two fortnightly follow up consultations are included in your package. Additional follow-up calls will have a small charge depending how long the consultation is.
• Take home your personalized plan – when you leave you will not be forgotten. If you need a special eating plan or medicine this will be made up for you to take with you.

All the best in whatever way you decide to refuel yourself so you can really enjoy the exciting and busy months ahead.
Fay Rayner

P.S.

I have been doing naturopathic work for well over 20 years, practising in Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Nutrition, Advanced Massage, Iridology and Energy Healing.

Call Fay now on (02) 4970 4333 to book your Fresh Start Natural Health Package

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If you’ve ever known anyone with Alzheimer’s disease, you know how heart-breaking it can be. Not only does it destroy a person’s mental abilities and dignity but the person you know and love no longer exists.

Dr Mary Newport tells the story of her husband Steve: “I was watching my husband of 36 years fade away.

For most of Steve’s life, he was known for his quick wit and sharp mind. He could do complicated math in his head and was very active

At first, it was little things, like misplacing his keys and forgetting appointments. But then the lapses became more serious. Soon it was clear that Steve had dementia.”

Mary wrote in her journal: “It has been a nightmare to watch his decline. He couldn’t remember how to use a spoon or how to get water out of the refrigerator. At a family reunion, he no longer recognized close relatives. He even forgot that he had fathered his oldest daughter.”

When Steve took the Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSR), he scored 14 out of 30, which indicates severe dementia. And when he took a test where he was asked to draw a clock from memory, this is what he drew:

Mary asked if a certain phone call came and he said “No.” Two days later, he remembered the call and what the caller said.

In Mary’s words, it was “Strange to have no short-term memory and yet the information was filed somewhere in his brain. I knew he was locked up in there somewhere.”

Ketasyn – a new experimental drug for Alzheimer’s

Then Mary came across research on an experimental drug called Ketasyn. She learned that in a study of Alzheimer’s patients, this drug brought about improvement in half the people who took it.

Mary did research on the internet and came across a patent application for the drug. The application included a description of how the drug works and a list of the drug’s ingredients. Much to Mary’s surprise, the main ingredient of the drug was medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), derived from coconuts.

Coconut oil and Alzheimer’s

Mary decided she had nothing to lose. She went to the health food store and bought some coconut oil. The next morning, she mixed it in Steve’s oatmeal and fed it to him. A few days later she drove him to an appointment where he was scheduled to retake the MMSR exam.

Mary pulled aside the research coordinator and asked how Steve did. The coordinator looked at Mary and said “Didn’t he tell you? He scored an 18!”

The last time Steve had taken the test, he’d scored 14 out of 30. Yet here he was scoring an 18. That’s an improvement of 28%.

Within a few days, Steve told Mary that he felt the “light switch came back on” and the “fog lifted.” Could this dramatic improvement be due to the coconut oil?

Two weeks after Steve began taking coconut oil, Mary asked him to draw another clock. This is what he drew:

And about three weeks after that (on Day 37), she asked him to draw a clock again. He drew this:

Dr. Mary Newport recently said that not only is Steve’s gait totally back to normal, but he now jogs daily! His tremor is completely gone. And he has also gone back to being an avid reader. He recently relayed the details of two articles he read in Scientific American.

His memory is also dramatically improved. He recognizes his relatives again and has conversations with them.

According to Mary, Steve missed getting his morning oil on two occasions: once because he had a fasting blood test and the other time because he was traveling. In both instances, he became dazed and confused, with full-blown tremors. And in both instances, he got back to normal after taking the coconut oil.

Can coconut oil work for you or a loved one?

Coconut oil might not have the same dramatic results on everyone but isn’t worth a try?

If you want more details ring Fay at Serenity Lodge Day Spa on (02) 49704333

To Your Serene Good Health,
Fay Rayner

With thanks to:
Maria Dolgova, Associate Publisher, NHD Health “Watch coconut oil work for you or a loved one.”

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Isn’t it delicious to feel the warmth of Spring?

If you’re anything like I am during winter you feel that Spring will never come but here it is!

The only problem with this beautiful weather is that when we start to swap our jumpers for our pretty light clothes we discover that our jumpers have been hiding the results of all those extra temptations we have eaten through winter.

At the time it didn’t seem as if we had eaten that much but here we are, facing the fact that our lighter, pretty clothes no longer fit. They have shrunk during winter!

How to spruce up for spring, fast…

I have a solution for you that is an easy, pain-free and scientifically proven way to melt your cellulite away, leaving you feeling confident and looking amazing. It’s the easiest way to kick-start your new, slimmer spring shape.

What’s more, because I am a qualified naturopath and want to help you make it even easier to keep your new body in the shape you want, I will also give you a FREE consultation to help you with an eating plan if you would like.

Lets face it – we all want to put our best face forward so I’ve also added our mini-facial to really top the package off! In your mini-facial we will thoroughly cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturise not only your face but also exfoliate and massage your hands as a bonus with each treatment! How can you resist the chance for your skin to glow, revealing the beauty you are?

I look forward to seeing you soon becuase it is not much use leaving it for a couple of weeks as those bulges don’t just disappear and you want to enjoy this beautiful weather without feeling self conscious and without needing to spend alot of money on bigger clothes.

To Your Serene Good Health,
ay Rayner

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Epidemic of blocked arteries

I don’t know about you but I am hearing more and more people who are having heart attacks or having surgery because of artery blockages.

I have been doing a lot of research on the subject and found some very interesting research by a very well known doctor, Dr Garry Gordon from the Gordon Research Institute.

Japanese heart health secrets

Research showed how heart disease is very low in Japan because the Japanese eat a food called Nattokinase. The problem is that Westerners find the fermented soy product completely revolting.

Dr Gordon’s & Dr Ransberger’s solution for Westerners

Dr Gordon went to work to find natural products that did the same job, and along with Dr Ransberger, he created a formula that he calls Rutozym, a plant-based systemic enzyme formula that contains nattokinase.

Rutozym also contains:

1. bromelain (from pineapple) and papain (from papaya,) known to effectively rebalance the body’s inflammatory response
2. rutin to strengthen capillaries and other connective tissues
3. white willow, which is often called “natural aspirin.”

An aspirin a day

Doctors often recommend an aspirin a day to help prevent heart disease and stroke, and the daily use of Rutozym does the job as aspirin without the gastrointestinal side effects.

Aspirin comes with a lot of side effects such as kidney problems, bleeding ulcers and intestinal problems. Aspirin is good for the heart, but bad for everything else. Fortunately that is where Rutozym comes in as it is made from a combination of several different enzymes found naturally in plants and animals.

Dr Ransberger’s discovery strengthens blood vessels

Dr Ransberger added two enzymes to nattokinase and as a result, the formula of Rutozym not only improved blood flow, it strengthened the integrity of blood vessels.

Dr Gordon went the next step, he discovered in fermented tofu in Japan an amazing substance that chews away hidden blood clots. In lab tests researchers could actually watch under a microscope as this amazing substance searched the blood and broke down dangerous clots that your doctor may not even be able to find.

Dr Gordon has said, “It is more potent than the clot-busting intravenous drugs we use in hospitals, yet paradoxically, it is completely safe.”

It is documented that today we’re born with 1,000 times more lead on our bones than anyone had just 400 years ago. Our body traps as much of these heavy metals as it can with calcium and then deposits them in our arterial walls, and that hardens our arteries.

Dr Gordon found a million-year-old volcanic rock called Zeolite which literally pulls the heavy metals out of the calcium in your arteries and transports them safely out of your body. That kind of treatment is called “chelation”.

Dr Gordons three-step system is so effective because:

1. Rutozym is a safe, all natural clot-buster
2. Wobenzym is a safe, all natural, and ultra-effective anti-inflammatory with no risks of side effects
3. Zeolite reverses the effects of accumulated poisons from our toxic modern environment

By using all three, you can turn your blood into a disease-cleaning army when you know that having clean blood is the only way to cure heart disease.

Taken from Natural Health Dossier

To Your Serene Good Health,
Fay Rayner

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