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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by chelle
Posted by maiden
I bake the sweet potatoes. Steaming potatoes sounds difficult. Cutting up a raw sweet potato is not the easiest thing and I imagine steaming would take forever.
Steaming potatoes takes half the time than baking them.
Just peel, cube them (really not hard) and steam for about 10-15 min.
I find steaming potatoes is a lot quicker and easier  But that's me!
Me too... Its faster for me to steam them. Although cutting them is a bit f a PITA!
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Posted 4/16/10 1:41 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Angel321
...
Member since 4/08 15553 total posts
Name:
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by dm24angel
Posted by chelle
Posted by maiden
I bake the sweet potatoes. Steaming potatoes sounds difficult. Cutting up a raw sweet potato is not the easiest thing and I imagine steaming would take forever.
Steaming potatoes takes half the time than baking them.
Just peel, cube them (really not hard) and steam for about 10-15 min.
I find steaming potatoes is a lot quicker and easier But that's me!
Me too... Its faster for me to steam them. Although cutting them is a bit f a PITA!
i hate to toot wegman's horn again - but in their produce section, they have pre-cubed sweet potatoes raw - so i just drop them in the steamer and done :)
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| Posted 4/16/10 1:45 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by pnbplus1
Green Veggie question:
Has anyone made their own sweet peas and/or string beans? Any tips? Have you used fresh or frozen for these 2?
I'm worried about these 2 veggies bc they have skin that I'm guessing won't all puree nicely.
TIA!
One more thing - I put my veggie cubes in a ziplock and freeze them but I notice some freezer burn. How can I prevent this?
I have used frozen organic peas. I steam them and then put them in an old school colander (it's tin with small holes, no slats) and mash them to the heavens with a wooden pestle.
as they strain threw the holes, the lil shells stay behind and it becomes the perfect consistency.
I do everything this way...no blender...nothing. just a colander and elbow grease 
I roast my sweet potatoes as well. I just throw them in the oven while I am doing other things and after about an hour they are nice and soft. they are Luce's hands down favorite so far.
today is carrots. I steamed them yesterday. if they need to be watered down we use breast milk, not water. I can't wait to see how he likes them.
to date, he's had
avocado
sweet potato
butternut squash
green pea
pears
bananas
carrots (today start)
next is
green beans
peaches
blueberries
not sure what else after that. he LOVES his food.
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| Posted 4/16/10 2:37 PM |
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CaMacho
Sisters :)
Member since 7/06 15112 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
I can't believe I started this thread and DD is 8 months old I haven't made one ounce of my own baby food. 
You guys are awesome for doing it!
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| Posted 4/16/10 2:51 PM |
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ibl530
LIF Toddler
Member since 10/08 425 total posts
Name:
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
how do you make your own proteins. I will be introducing chicken first, probably then red meat and then turkey.
any suggestions????
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| Posted 4/16/10 3:14 PM |
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Kristin616
Member since 8/06 3595 total posts
Name:
Kris
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by ibl530
how do you make your own proteins. I will be introducing chicken first, probably then red meat and then turkey.
any suggestions????
I have an all natural baby food cookbook. I will fm you what they say a bout meats. I have yet to get to that point.
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| Posted 4/16/10 3:51 PM |
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Kristin616
Member since 8/06 3595 total posts
Name:
Kris
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by chelle
Posted by pnbplus1
Green Veggie question:
Has anyone made their own sweet peas and/or string beans? Any tips? Have you used fresh or frozen for these 2?
I'm worried about these 2 veggies bc they have skin that I'm guessing won't all puree nicely.
You should puree the peas and beans in a blender...it purees the skins up better
I agree. I would be too afraid w/ the skins. I always check after I puree her food to make sure there are no seeds, and I found a seed from yellow squash in the container the other day.
To answer your question I am up to peas and I bought the organic Trader Joe's. This is the first of her foods that I've used something frozen.
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| Posted 4/16/10 3:56 PM |
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BnBdreamin
Gonna be a BIG Bro in April!
Member since 10/06 5913 total posts
Name:
Denise
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by davenjess
hey gals - question....
can i freeze stuff in JARS??? my amazing friends have been saving their baby food jars for me - so when i bring stuff to the sitter - i just fill a jar and i'm good to go... is that okay to put in the freezer? I haven't yet - but i'd love to!
I've read that you can... just do not fill them all the way, for expansion. And thaw them before warming on a stovetop or microwave to avoid cracking the glass.
In all honesty, I have not done it because I did not want to risk any cracking glass. I once popped a couple frozen cubes of apple sauce in a jar to heat in a pan of water. I went to stir it midway and I guess a still frozen cube hit the side of the hot glass and it cracked. The crack was so hairline under the food level that if I did not hear the "crack", I would have fed DS right from the jar.  I thought this would more likely occur if I froze in the jars, so I just never did it. 
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| Posted 4/16/10 8:18 PM |
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BnBdreamin
Gonna be a BIG Bro in April!
Member since 10/06 5913 total posts
Name:
Denise
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
I've been meaning to post this tip...
For those of you outgrowing your ice cube trays... Nolan is 9 1/2 months and eats about 8 cubes/tablespoons/two stage 2 jars a meal so I was going through cubes like crazy and I only had three trays (now 2 because I twisted one too hard!) so my bigger batches were taking a while to "process" in the freezing stage!
They do sell special baby food making silcone molds but I bought silicone cupcake pans instead. Normal size and mini size. That way, when I'm done pureeing, I have muffin pans to start baking him muffins! Plus the "cubes" pop right out with no waiting!
The minis are about 2 tablespoons and the regular size is about 8. I still do the minis because I'll pop a mini apple into a portion of carrots to thaw.
I am able to get the minis through the opening of a stage 2 jar (with a little palm help! If I did not fill them to the top, they'd fit better) and the regular size fit perfectly in the take and toss by first years containers (although I would not recommend them for travel, the lids do not stay on good).
So now, my freezer is getting full of hockey pucks instead of cubes! 
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| Posted 4/16/10 8:30 PM |
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
So far Santino has had:
Sw potatoes
Carrots
BN Squash
Green Beans
Peas
Zucinni
avocado
apples
pears
bananas
prunes
He seems to really like his fruits, especially bananas and veges are a crapshoot! Some nights they go down easily sometimes they don't.
HEre are my quesitons...do you mix a fruit and vege at night? What fruit and veges go good together?
Also, if your child loves one particular food, how often will you give it to them. FOr instance, since Santino loves bananas is it okay to give him a banana around 4 days a week in the morning alone or mixed with another fruit) or is that too much? I really do try to vary his foods though!
I also just wanted to share that I bought and like this for freezing and transfering:
Message edited 4/16/2010 10:23:21 PM.
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| Posted 4/16/10 10:18 PM |
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by BnBdreamin
I've been meaning to post this tip...
For those of you outgrowing your ice cube trays... Nolan is 9 1/2 months and eats about 8 cubes/tablespoons/two stage 2 jars a meal so I was going through cubes like crazy and I only had three trays (now 2 because I twisted one too hard!) so my bigger batches were taking a while to "process" in the freezing stage!
They do sell special baby food making silcone molds but I bought silicone cupcake pans instead. Normal size and mini size. That way, when I'm done pureeing, I have muffin pans to start baking him muffins! Plus the "cubes" pop right out with no waiting!
The minis are about 2 tablespoons and the regular size is about 8. I still do the minis because I'll pop a mini apple into a portion of carrots to thaw.
I am able to get the minis through the opening of a stage 2 jar (with a little palm help! If I did not fill them to the top, they'd fit better) and the regular size fit perfectly in the take and toss by first years containers (although I would not recommend them for travel, the lids do not stay on good).
So now, my freezer is getting full of hockey pucks instead of cubes!
Thanks for the tips! What are some good baby food jars to buy and feed to my baby just so I have some jars for my homemade stuff? I don't want him to get used to the taste of the jarred, so what taste similar?
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| Posted 4/16/10 10:25 PM |
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LulaBell
:)
Member since 1/06 3508 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
My docs suggested fruits first, then veggies. So now we are doing fruits for breakfast and dinner with oatmeal and veggies for lunch.
So far DD has had, and LOVED,
bananas
apples
peaches (her fav)
pears
mangoes
plums
avocadoes
and I began carrots for veggies (she didn't love, but she ate everything with a funny look on her face, like "mommy, why isn't this sweet?") I've varied the fruit combos alone and there hasn't been anything she has refused. She is an excellent eater so far.
I have blueberries for her, but are blueberries alone too overwhelming? I'm thinking of mixing them with apples or pears. I want to make some apricots also. Tomorrow I'm buying butternut squash and sweet potatoes - can't wait to see her reaction. :)
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| Posted 4/16/10 10:36 PM |
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Shelleybean11
Mommy of 2!
Member since 12/08 11013 total posts
Name:
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
I have blueberries for her, but are blueberries alone too overwhelming? I'm thinking of mixing them with apples or pears. I want to make some apricots also. Tomorrow I'm buying butternut squash and sweet potatoes - can't wait to see her reaction. :)
I haven't done blueberries yet but I read that they are great mixed with bananas and pears.
I just did papaya this week and DS is totally in love with it!
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| Posted 4/16/10 10:49 PM |
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MrsAT
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/07 881 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by BnBdreamin
I've been meaning to post this tip...
For those of you outgrowing your ice cube trays... Nolan is 9 1/2 months and eats about 8 cubes/tablespoons/two stage 2 jars a meal so I was going through cubes like crazy and I only had three trays (now 2 because I twisted one too hard!) so my bigger batches were taking a while to "process" in the freezing stage!
They do sell special baby food making silcone molds but I bought silicone cupcake pans instead. Normal size and mini size. That way, when I'm done pureeing, I have muffin pans to start baking him muffins! Plus the "cubes" pop right out with no waiting!
The minis are about 2 tablespoons and the regular size is about 8. I still do the minis because I'll pop a mini apple into a portion of carrots to thaw.
I am able to get the minis through the opening of a stage 2 jar (with a little palm help! If I did not fill them to the top, they'd fit better) and the regular size fit perfectly in the take and toss by first years containers (although I would not recommend them for travel, the lids do not stay on good).
So now, my freezer is getting full of hockey pucks instead of cubes!
Just found this thread...I've been making DDs food. I'm proud to say she's never had anything from a jar, and it will remain that way! This is such a helpful tip. I have been thinking about a more efficient way to freeze larger portions. (I've been using those mini-freezer containers, but they take up so much room!)
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| Posted 4/17/10 8:46 AM |
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MrsAT
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/07 881 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by MrsMadness
My docs suggested fruits first, then veggies. So now we are doing fruits for breakfast and dinner with oatmeal and veggies for lunch.
So far DD has had, and LOVED,
bananas
apples
peaches (her fav)
pears
mangoes
plums
avocadoes
and I began carrots for veggies (she didn't love, but she ate everything with a funny look on her face, like "mommy, why isn't this sweet?") I've varied the fruit combos alone and there hasn't been anything she has refused. She is an excellent eater so far.
I have blueberries for her, but are blueberries alone too overwhelming? I'm thinking of mixing them with apples or pears. I want to make some apricots also. Tomorrow I'm buying butternut squash and sweet potatoes - can't wait to see her reaction. :)
DD loves blueberries, peaches and pears combo. I just steam them all together and puree
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| Posted 4/17/10 8:48 AM |
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Kristin616
Member since 8/06 3595 total posts
Name:
Kris
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Do you girls take the skin off the peaches & pears??
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| Posted 4/17/10 10:07 AM |
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BnBdreamin
Gonna be a BIG Bro in April!
Member since 10/06 5913 total posts
Name:
Denise
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by MrsNicolaxoxo
Thanks for the tips! What are some good baby food jars to buy and feed to my baby just so I have some jars for my homemade stuff? I don't want him to get used to the taste of the jarred, so what taste similar?
DS does not eat jarred food. I got some empty jars from relatives. I believe some were Beechnut and some were Earth's Best. I just referenced "stage 2 jars" for the portion size.
I did buy two Earth's Best stage 3 jars so I can have for thawing larger portions but I've yet to feed DS what's inside. Not that I think it's toxic or something... it just feels weird.
I'm actually thinking of having a Tupperware party because I want to get the snack cups (for other reasons too). They look perfect for baby food and then snacks.
Message edited 4/17/2010 10:03:03 PM.
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| Posted 4/17/10 11:09 AM |
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chelle
It's a Good Life
Member since 8/06 15404 total posts
Name:
Isn't it obvious?
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by Kristin616
Do you girls take the skin off the peaches & pears??
Yes...
but in the cookbook that I got from Williams and Sonoma it says to cook the pears with the skins on as it helps contain the nutrients.
I tried Plum Organics baby food for the first time today...the pear mango combo (because I HATE peeling mangos) and it is DELICIOUS!!!
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| Posted 4/17/10 6:21 PM |
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Shelleybean11
Mommy of 2!
Member since 12/08 11013 total posts
Name:
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by Kristin616
Do you girls take the skin off the peaches & pears??
At first I used to take off the skin for pears. Then I read that pear skin is easily digestible for infants and since I used organic why not!
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| Posted 4/17/10 6:30 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by Kristin616
Do you girls take the skin off the peaches & pears??
yes, I peel the pears, and peaches I steam first, then the skin practically falls off.
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| Posted 4/17/10 7:18 PM |
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nov06
LIF Adult
Member since 9/06 1252 total posts
Name:
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
My pears seem to brown so quickly - does anyone else have this problem? By the time I puree them and put them in the cubes to freeze them they are turning brown already? Any tips?
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| Posted 4/17/10 8:41 PM |
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beautyq115
New Year!
Member since 5/05 13729 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
I am going to start making food next week. What do I need to start?? Anyone have one of those Beaba things?
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| Posted 4/17/10 8:56 PM |
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Shelleybean11
Mommy of 2!
Member since 12/08 11013 total posts
Name:
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by beautyq115
I am going to start making food next week. What do I need to start?? Anyone have one of those Beaba things?
Originally I was going to get the Beaba and then I realized that the amount of time they are eating pureed food isn't that long, and I know my way around a kitchen very well, so steaming and baking fruits and veggies isn't difficult. In the end it just didn't make sense for me to purchase.
Instead I have this:
This works for me because I make single (or small) portions, I don't freeze anything and make it fresh every day. It's also really small and I hate clutter on my kitchen counters! If you want to make big portions then I would just get a big food processor.
You will need a steamer basket too.
Good luck!
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| Posted 4/17/10 9:43 PM |
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wcs3504
my boys
Member since 2/06 2506 total posts
Name:
Wanda (formerly cw0904 on LIW)
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by MrsAT
ust found this thread...I've been making DDs food. I'm proud to say she's never had anything from a jar, and it will remain that way! This is such a helpful tip. I have been thinking about a more efficient way to freeze larger portions. (I've been using those mini-freezer containers, but they take up so much room!)
I put the food in ice cube trays (cover them with saran wrap) pop them out and put in a big ziploc bag. I lay them flat on one of the shelves and stack them from date order. My issue is freezer burn. I don't know how to get rid of it.
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| Posted 4/18/10 7:24 AM |
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wcs3504
my boys
Member since 2/06 2506 total posts
Name:
Wanda (formerly cw0904 on LIW)
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Re: *The Official Making Your Own Baby Food Thread :)
Posted by Shelleybean11
Posted by beautyq115
I am going to start making food next week. What do I need to start?? Anyone have one of those Beaba things?
Originally I was going to get the Beaba and then I realized that the amount of time they are eating pureed food isn't that long, and I know my way around a kitchen very well, so steaming and baking fruits and veggies isn't difficult. In the end it just didn't make sense for me to purchase.
Instead I have this:
IMAGE
This works for me because I make single (or small) portions, I don't freeze anything and make it fresh every day. It's also really small and I hate clutter on my kitchen counters! If you want to make big portions then I would just get a big food processor.
You will need a steamer basket too.
Good luck!
I just use the blender to puree the food and I use my rice cooker that has a steam rack on top for steaming. I never tried the rice cooker for steaming until I began doing DS's food. From now on I will cook our own veggies this way. They come out delish!
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| Posted 4/18/10 7:29 AM |
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