LONDON (Reuters) - Britain holds an election on Dec. 12, a political gamble by Prime Minister Boris Johnson who sees it as his best chance to break the deadlock in parliament over Brexit.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks while holding a sausage roll on the platform of Milton Keynes train station, after a visit at Red Bull Racing in Milton Keynes, Britain December 4, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/Pool - RC2IOD9QNZNE

The parties are on the campaign trail, travelling the length and breadth of the United Kingdom to drum up support.

Following are some colourful snapshots from the election trail:

The campaign routine of long journeys, early starts and late finishes isnt entirely compatible with a healthy lifestyle.

So far, Boris Johnson has been pictured eating a cream and jam covered scone in Redruth, a stick of rock candy in Blackpool and a sausage roll in Milton Keynes train station.

Hes visited a potato chip factory in Northern Ireland, a bakers in Somerset, at least two butchers and a brownies stall at a Christmas market in Salisbury.

All this has been washed down with tasters of Black Country beer, Cornish cider and Scottish whisky - and countless cups of tea.

Johnson has also revealed a weakness for flapjack, the rolled oats mixed with butter, sugar and syrup. Asked on TV on Thursday if he was a flapjack man Johnson replied: Im not meant to be ... Im trying to wean myself off them.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn provoked a very British row during a television interview after suggesting he often had Queen Elizabeths annual address to the nation on in his home at Christmas.

Its on the morning usually, we have it on some of the time, Corbyn, a republican, told ITV. His interviewer pointed out that the speech isnt broadcast until 1500 GMT.

Well said Corbyn. Our Christmas ... (there) is a lot to do, I enjoy the presence of my friends and family around on Christmas obviously like everybody else does, and I also visit a homeless shelter.

Labour education spokeswoman Angela Rayner valiantly defended her leader: He might watch it on catch up, some of us do, some of us have dinner at different times.

Britons love talking about the weather.

So, as the country gets ready to vote in its first December election for nearly 100 years, attention is turning to the forecast - and it doesnt look good.

The Met Office is predicting lower-than-normal temperatures, rain and, in some parts of the country, a risk of snow. Any drier interludes are likely to be short-lived in any one place, the forecaster said on its website.

However, the body representing the local councils who run the polling stations says organisers have taken precautions against a cold snap: With fleets of gritting trucks, state-of-the-art technology, more than a million tonnes of salt stockpiled and plans in place to try and ensure key routes to polling stations are accessible, councils have prepared for any freezing or snowy weather on polling day.

Reporting by William James and Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Janet Lawrence

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On the campaign trail: The election diet - sausage rolls, brownies and flapjack - Reuters UK

captionJillian Michaels.sourceDanny Moloshok / Reuters

Question: I recently gave birth to my first child and Im finding it harder than expected to get back into shape. How can a new mom like me bounce back from their postpartum body?

Jillian Michaels: One of the all-time most frequent questions I get is How do I lose the baby weight?

First of all, give yourself a break. You just built a human and it sounds like you are in your fourth trimester the crucial three-to-six-month period after birth when many of the physical, psychological, emotional, and social effects of pregnancy continue.

Unfortunately, we live in a society that has an underlying expectation of women to look just like they did pre-baby ASAP. We literally go from talking about how beautiful the baby bump is and how pregnant mommies glow to saying wrap things up, tuck away the evidence, and apologize for the mess, as was so well put by Kate Baer.

And this is absurd. Of course, you will eventually want to bounce back key work being eventually.

Focusing on weight loss immediately after giving birth is not advantageous. You will be in the process of healing from delivery, exhausted, and possibly breastfeeding. Adding weight loss to your plate is a recipe for heightened stress, a decrease in breast milk production, and an even higher risk of postpartum depression in other words, totally counterproductive. Yes, we have all seen the Hollywood actresses and rock stars that drop crazy amounts of weight seemingly overnight but God only knows what kind of a toll its taking on them in other areas.

So, my first piece of advice is to give yourself a year off to slowly return to your postpartum weight and level of fitness.

Our primary goals in this fourth trimester time period should be as follows:

Side note: I use words like healing because it is true, in so many ways. Healing encapsulates the physical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual changes youre faced with right now.

The word isnt meant to scare you. Its meant to validate anything you may be dealing with postpartum whether its experiencing postpartum depression, recovering from cesarean sections or episiotomies, having feelings of resentment, or noticing a decrease in libido and assure you that its all normal and all will be OK. But there is simply no need to put extra pressure on yourself to bounce back quickly, and trying to do so could compromise all of the above.

Now, that weve gotten that out of the way, the how-to of bouncing back is actually pretty straightforward. Baby weight is the same as any weight you want to lose, from a physiological perspective. That means stored fat, no matter how or why you gained it, can only be burned off one way: eating better and moving more.

So, exactly how much less should you be eating and how often and intensely should you be moving post-delivery?

You must create a calorie deficit to lose weight roughly 3,500 calories to lose a pound, or 500 calories every day in a week, according to the Mayo Clinic.

But you shouldnt go for fast and dramatic weight loss at this time in your life. Even if you arent breastfeeding, you will still need enough calories and nutrients to fend off fatigue, mitigate postpartum depression, and aid in recovery from pregnancy and delivery. So if you arent breastfeeding, 1,600 calories a day with unlimited green vegetables is as low as I would recommend you take your diet for at least three months postpartum. Then, if cleared by your doctor, you can go to 1,400 after that, provided you have more than 10 to 15 pounds to lose.

If you are breastfeeding, things get a bit more complicated. Are you looking to shed excess pounds that were gained, or simply maintain your weight? When I say excess, I mean over 10 to 15 lbs. Remember that your body needed to add roughly 9 pounds of fat for breastfeeding purposes. So if you have gained 20 or more pounds of excess fat, then, yes, you are going to want to lose it safely, and in a reasonable time frame that doesnt compromise your health, your sanity, or your babys milk supply.

If you are breastfeeding, you will want to eat no less than 1,800 calories and you will want to lose no more than two pounds a week. In helping many women get back in shape after having a baby, I have found pretty unilaterally that when new mothers drop more than two pounds a week, the milk supply can be compromised.

If you are only 10 to 15 pounds or so away from your pre-baby weight, this should come off naturally as you continue to breastfeed and exercise over the next three months, without reducing your calorie intake much at all. You could eat anywhere from 2,000 to 2,300 calories a day, going toward the higher end on days you exercise.

Now, in order to determine what you should be doing for exercise, how many times a week, and for how long per session, we need to first establish what your delivery was like.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says its OK to slowly resume exercising as soon as you feel up to it. As a general rule though, its strongly recommended that no matter the manner of your babys birth, six weeks off any strenuous training is a must. The body needs time to heal.

If you were fit during pregnancy and had a complication-free vaginal delivery, most doctors will allow or even recommend light cardio activity (think biking, incline walking, or swimming), stretching, resistance training with light weights, or modified body-weight exercises during the first six weeks. Again: This is only for those who had a complication-free delivery and had a decent level of fitness prior to and during pregnancy.

Now, once those six weeks have passed, you should start to acclimate a bit, and anyone can begin to steadily push the up button on your regimen with light resistance training and moderate cardio.

If you had a diastasis recti, or had an episiotomy, C-section, or another procedure, you must speak with your doctor about what is safe for you to do after giving birth.

Once you have hit the three-month postpartum mark, you are generally in the clear to exercise in any way you choose, provided you have had no healing complications and have been diligent about your steady return to fitness.

Keep in mind that many women are not feeling 100% until around six months post-delivery. So during this time period, as you think about returning to more aggressive types of fitness, keep your intensity level at about 70% of what it was pre-pregnancy. That may mean cutting back on your running speed or the amount of weight youre lifting.

On a final note, be gentle, kind, and patient with yourself. Follow the above guidelines if cleared by your doctor and take a year to slowly acclimate to lifes changes while returning your body to its pre-baby state.

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Ask Jillian Michaels: I recently gave birth to my first child how do I lose the baby weight and get back in shape? - Business Insider

This article, written byLangis Michaud, Universit de Montral, originally appeared on The Conversation and has been republished here with permission:

Monique is 77 years old. I met her when she came to the eye clinic at the University of Montral, where I am a professor. A retired teacher, Monique has enjoyed an active and full life with her students and family and considers herself lucky to be in good health.

She is concerned, however, about a recent visual loss that prevents her from reading and enjoying her painting workshops. It also prevents her from driving safely, which is important if she wants to maintain her independence.

A complete examination of Moniques vision and eye health quickly revealed the cause of her problems: she has developed cataracts and her retina shows early signs of macular degeneration.

Cataracts are a normal phenomenon, resulting from the aging process of the eye and affecting everyone, without exception. They occur when the lens of the eye gradually loses its transparency, like a window that gets dirty with the seasons.

The light that enters the eye passes through opaque areas and generates blurred vision, without the possibility of improving it with glasses, lenses or magnifiers. Only surgery can restore the clarity of the eye.

The aging of the crystalline lens

The crystalline lens is particular and its metabolism is very fragile. When disturbed, the lens accumulates deposits and loses its transparency. This lens also absorbs a large part of the suns ultraviolet rays to protect the retina at the back of the eye.

The amount of UV absorbed accumulates over the years, contributing to the premature aging of the lens. That is why it is recommended to protect yourself with sun lenses from an early age.

Other factors that disrupt its functioning include the use of certain medications such as oral cortisone, the presence of diseases such as diabetes or a shock to the head, which can contribute to the arrival and progression of cataracts. Very rarely, cataracts are transmitted during pregnancy, especially following infections such as rubella, toxoplasmosis and herpes.

Finally, very strong links have been established between smoking and cataracts. Food, on the other hand, does not seem to have an impact. Quitting smoking and protecting your eyes with good sunglasses are therefore considered effective ways to delay the onset and progression of cataracts.

Implants to the rescue

Cataract treatment is quite simple. The ophthalmologist will perform surgery to exchange the natural lens of the eye with a new lens, called an implant. This surgery is very safe and can be performed at any time during cataract development, although surgery will usually only be offered if there is a significant impact on the patients vision and quality of life.

Implants are permanent and remain clear for life, without the need for replacement. They can be used to correct distance vision, including astigmatism, which would be accomplished through the use of a specially designed toric implant. Also, nearsightedness can be fixed via bifocal or multifocal implants, thus avoiding the need for glasses later on, in most cases.

However, the patient may be subject to seeing halos and may be more sensitive to light. It is also necessary to ensure that the retina is in good health, otherwise the final result will not be very good.

This is particularly the case for Monique, who also has the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This is a phenomenon affecting one per cent of people exceeding 40 years of age, but whose prevalence reaches 30 per cent at 80 years of age.

The at-risk population is composed of Caucasians (those of European origin) and women more than men. Systemic diseases everything that affects blood vessels such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity are important risk factors, as are oxidative causes such as smoking, high saturated fat nutrition and UV exposure.

Prevent macular degeneration

Essentially, the best retinal cells, which allow good vision (macular area), degrade over time if not well nourished by the vascular network and accumulate deposits that prevent their normal functioning.

These deposits become visible as small yellow spots at the fundus the part of the eyeball opposite the pupil. These deposits, known as drusen, can become confluent. The degradation of cells is accompanied by a change in their colouring (pigment reworking), a phenomenon that is also visible when the retina is examined. This is called dry macular degeneration. Vision is more or less affected depending on the number of affected cells.

Over time, the systems response can lead to the formation of new blood vessels to supply dying cells. These are fragile and have no real place to stay. They can easily burst. Their membrane formation, like roots invading a pipe, and their flow (bleeding) contribute to a very severe reduction in vision. This is when we speak of wet degeneration. This more severe form affects 10 per cent of AMD cases, but anyone with the dry form can progress at this stage.

Nutritional supplements

AMD treatments are limited and aim to limit the progression of the disease. They cannot cure it. Quitting smoking, good nutrition, regular exercise and following the doctors recommendations in the control of vascular diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, can delay the progression of the dry form of AMD.

Wearing sunglasses also helps, even on cloudy days. Taking omega 3 at the right dosage and fish oil extracts may help although more recent results have called this strategy into question.

In more advanced stages of the dry form, taking oral nutritional supplements including vitamins and antioxidants are recommended, except in some patients with a particular genetic profile.

The wet form has recently been effectively treated by injecting drugs directly into the eye, to prevent the formation of new blood vessels. These injections must be repeated periodically and restore vision when the procedure is performed at the appropriate time.

Moniques case is a mixed one. On the one hand, it is possible to greatly improve her short-term vision with cataract surgery, for which she will be referred to ophthalmology. Implants protect against UV rays, another factor in preventing the progression of macular degeneration. This will allow her to drive safely and resume her activities. She will also monitor her diet, which she admits is deficient, and take omega supplements. Her AMD is at a stage that is too early for vitamins or antioxidants.

Monique does not smoke and is not taking medication for vascular problems. If she does one day, she will follow her doctors recommendations and begin a light exercise program. Walking may be enough. Finally, she will be followed every six months in an optometry office, will perform simple home screening tests and will come in for a consultation as soon as a change is noted.

Monique is reassured! She will be able to remain active and independent to enjoy the good times of life.

Langis Michaud, Professeur Titulaire. cole d'optomtrie. Expertise en sant oculaire et usage des lentilles cornennes spcialises, Universit de Montral

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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BEYOND LOCAL: Age-related eye problems and how to treat them - TimminsToday

As the year comes to an end and the holiday indulgences just keep on coming (d*mn you, office cookie parties!), you may already be considering a weight-loss plan to try out for the New Year. One that's been around for years and likely isn't going anywhere? Cutting carbs. And then there's keto, the ber-popular, high-fat extension of that. But if you're considering slashing those delicious carbohydrates at all, you might be wondering: What exactly makes keto different from low-carb diets in general? And really, who would win in a low-carb vs. keto face-off?

Let's start with some background. The ketogenic diet was created in the 1920s to treat children with seizure disorders for whom medication was no longer working. Research had shown that being in the state of ketosismeaning the body is using fat for fuel instead of its natural and preferred source, glucosereduced the frequency of seizures. The fat-burning benefit obviously gave this diet its now mass appeal.

Low-carb diets, on the other hand, have also been around for decades, but in various forms. Remember the Atkins and South Beach diets, which gained popularity in the early 2000s? Both prime examples of diet based on minimizing carb intake, especially simple and refined carbs (white bread, pasta, cake...you know, the good stuff).

Even though people often confuse keto with the more generic term "low-carb," according to Brigitte Zeitlin, a registered dietitian and owner of BZ Nutrition in New York City, they're actually quite different.

First and foremost, keto is a much more restrictive diet, says Zeitlin. While keto is indeed a low-carb diet, not all low-carb diets are keto.

The keto diet has a pretty strict structure, where the person is to consume 70 percent of their daily calories from fat, 20 percent from protein, and 10 percent from carbohydrates. Ten percent of anything, especially carbs, is really not a lot. And some people even take it further, to a 70-percent fat, 25-percent protein, 5-percent carbs breakdown.

Going low-carb, on the other hand, is a bit up to interpretation: What you consider low-carb might mean cutting out every kind of grain or sugar, while to others, it may include eating a piece of fruit or a serving of quinoa. It's all very relative.

With a general low-carb diet, you're probably (and hopefully) not eating nearly as much fat as you would if you were trying to force your body into ketosis. Instead, you're loading up on more lean proteins and veggies to stay full and energized.

Great Q. While the answer isn't totally black and white, Zeitlin says that for most healthy people, if you're trying to lose weight, a low-carb diet would be the better fit because it doesn't aim to put your body into an unnatural state (ahem, ketosis). Instead, by cutting back on foods that are high in sugar and starches, you're able to drop weight and still maintain a healthy form of energy for your brain and body to run on.

Typically, a low-carb diet focuses on protein and non-starchy vegetables, and limits grains, fruits, breads, sweets, and starchy veggies..."

Typically, a low-carb diet focuses on protein and non-starchy vegetables, and limits grains, fruits, breads, sweets, and starchy veggies like legumes, potatoes and peas, Zeitlin explains. Protein and veggies are extremely helpful in aidingand maintaining weight lossshe continues. Plus, a general low-carb diet can be more sustainable in the long run, since it requires way less macro counting (read: obsessing over hitting that 70/20/10 ratio).

To each their own! But if you're interested in trying out the keto diet, just keep in mind that it generally comes with more side effects than a normal low-carb eating plan.

Short-term effects of the keto diet can include keto breath, keto flu, (flu-like symptoms brought on by the body adapting to this very low-carb diet), or fatigue.

Long-term effects can include constipation, diarrhea, lack of energy, iron deficiency, vomiting, and kidney stones. Not to mention, eating such a high-fat diet like keto can also contribute to high triglyceride levels, which increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as high cholesterol. Lastly, going keto can also contribute to a weakened immune system (since carbs help boost immunity) and chronic inflammation, says Zeitlin.

It's also worth noting that keto's strict carb limits often means drastically cutting your vegetable intake, since many veggies have at least some amount of carbs. That could mean you miss out on important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help your body function at its best. You'll also likely consume less fiber, which has been shown to prevent heart disease, diabetes, and promote and sustain weight loss.

When evaluating restrictive diets, you want to really look at the food groups they are removing and research the downsides of eliminating those vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, says Zeitlin. Any diet that is restricting your plant-based food intake should give you pause to do more research.

All that said, if you try the keto diet and it works for you, do you, Zeitlin says. But if you are someone who is debating which fad diet to try for weight loss, I recommend trying a lower-carb diet that's not as restrictive.

Curious about who the keto diet works for? Apparently, these celebs, to name a few...

Definitely! To successfully maintain weight loss from either (or any) diet, Zeitlin advises focusing on doubling your veggies, eating lean proteins (fish, eggs, chicken, turkey, shellfish, lentils, tofu), healthy fats (nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil), fresh fruit, and whole grains. That is what is going to help the weight come off and stay off, she says.

At the end of the day, you want to create a diet for yourself that feels comfortable for you to commit to for the long-term, so you don't gain and lose, gain and losecalled weight cyclingand feel like you are constantly dieting. The first can invite health problems (like insulin resistance); the latter is, well, not fun (or all that healthy, mentally speaking).

Remember, your ultimate goal beyond the weight loss is to become healthier. So don't fall into a diet trap that sabotages the real purpose for your journey. You're better than that, my friend.

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Low-Carb Vs. Keto Diet - What's The Difference And Which Is Better? - Women's Health

Focusing on only or most foods from plant sources, a plant-based diet has enormous benefits for both human health as well as the environment. Among the numerous arguments about an ideal diet, most health and wellness experts agree that diets that emphasize fresh and whole ingredients are great for overall health. And a plant-based diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seeds, nuts, and legumes, excluding refined foods, animal products, and processed foods does just that.

Heres a list of the important health benefits of consuming a plant-based diet:

1. Promotes Weight Loss- Obesity being one of the leading cause of several alarming health conditions, making dietary changes like consuming a plant-based diet can facilitate weight loss. The high fiber content alongside the exclusion of processed foods makes it an ideal weight-loss diet. A recent study has reported that plant-based diets help reduce body fat by improving gut microbiota, increasing insulin sensitivity, and reducing caloric density.

2. Improves Heart Health- Plant-based diets are heart-healthy which reducesthe risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. A 2019 study has reported that middle-aged individuals who consumed this diet had a reduced risk of heart diseases and all-cause mortality.

3. Prevents Diabetes- With the ever-increasing prevalence of diabetes throughout the world, lifestyle modifications like plant-based diets are some effective tools to prevent and manage the condition. A 2017 study has emphasized that consuming a plant-based diet improves insulin resistance by promoting healthy body weight, increasing fiber, phytonutrients, and food-microbiome interactions.

4. Prevents Chronic Kidney Disease- Low-protein diets like plant-based diets have been widely sought-after for the prevention and management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to prevent dialysis therapy. A new study has reported that physicians and nephrologists should recommend the diet to their patients to prevent and manage CKD.

5. Reduces Cancer Risk- Cancer is the leading cause of deaths worldwide and dietary factors account for about 30% of all cancer. Several studies have reported that consuming a plant-based diet reduces the risk of some kinds of cancer. A 2012 study has reported that people who consumed plant-baseddiets had a reduced risk of all cancers, especially gastrointestinal cancers compared to those who consumed meat.

5 reasons why you must consider a plant-based diet Photo: Veganliftz, Pixabay

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5 Reasons Why A Plant-Based Diet Is Great For Your Health - International Business Times

Jenna Jameson revealed that shes gained back almost a quarter of the post-baby weight she lost on the ketogenic diet.

Confession. Ive gained 20 pounds. Ugh, the former adult film star, 45, captioned an Instagram photo that showed her sitting on a bar stoll and wearing a Jewnicorn Chanukah sweater. I decided to take a break from #keto and live my best carby life. The weight came back fast and furious.

I know a lot of people are quitting keto because its hard to maintain and after a year and a half I concur. Not sure if Im going to go back full force or just calorie count, Jameson, who lost 85 pounds on the low-carb diet, concluded as she asked her followers for their thoughts.

When one fan suggested that she try a plant-based vegan diet, the Hawaii-based star replied, Id rather eat a ground glass diet along with a smiley-face emoji.

After she responded to another follower and said she now weighed 140 lbs, a fan wrote, You look amazing. Why worry about the number? Youre beautiful. Youre an amazing Mom. An incredible wife. Smart business woman. Youve got it all and its wonderful.

As long as youre happy and feeling healthy, thats all that matters! another added.

Jameson embarked on her weight-loss plan after welcoming daughter Batel with fianc Lior Bitton in April 2017 and posted dramatic before and after photos as she shared the diet tricks and tips that helped her to slim down on the keto diet. By November 2018, she had lost 80 pounds and weighed in at 107 pounds.

After briefly stopping intermittent fasting, she revealed in July that she was back on the bandwagon, pairing the method, where you consume all of your daily calories in an eight-hour period, with the high-protein, low-carb keto diet. Ive noticed a flatter tummy and together skin, not to mention better concentration, she told her Instagram followers after resuming her routine.

In September, Jameson, who has 10-year-old twin sons Jesse and Journey with her ex MMA fighter Tito Ortiz, revealed that she was four years sober after a long struggle with addiction.

4 years. We do recover. We do overcome. We do rebuild. But we never forget, the New York Times bestselling author wrote on Instagram. We still have scars. They fade. The sun begins to shine and close out the shadows. Trust returns.

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Jenna Jameson Reveals Shes Gained 20 Lbs After Quitting Keto Diet - Us Weekly

Does your holiday dessert consumption put you on your personal trainers naughty list? Dont banish those visions of sugar plumsjust make a smart choice about where you satiate the craving. Several local bakeries and restaurants offer sumptuous dessert selections that adhere to dietary restrictions. Here are three of our favorites.

Joey Weiss gluten-free journey began when her husband was diagnosed with celiac disease 18 years ago. In that time, shes perfected her gluten-free baking techniques, resulting in delicious favorites like pumpkin pie ($39), which is also free of dairy and low in carbs, and her vegan pecan pie ($64). Normally pecan pie has a gooey filling, but our version is filled with ground pecan mix with organic golden flaxseed meal, says Weiss.

This eatery is known for its high-quality, certified-organic, plant-based foodand the desserts are no exception. The lemon-vanilla cheesecake ($100) is made from almonds, cashews, coconut, cinnamon, maple syrup, lime, lemon, and vanilla, and comes topped with fruit upon request. The pumpkin pie ($100) is a delectable mix of walnuts, dates, pumpkin pie spice, cashews, coconut, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.

As a revered vegetarian go-to, Darbster has gained a reputation for reinterpreting classic dishes with a plant-based mindset. The restaurants desserts are legendary, and its gluten-free key lime pie ($95) is one of the best in the county. Its packed with protein and made using ingredients such as tofu cream cheese, unprocessed cane sugar, fresh key limes, oats, and organic walnuts.

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Three Holiday Desserts That Won't Wreck Your Diet - Palm Beach