HAMDEN >> Big changes may be coming to Whitney Avenue.

The state Department of Transportation will hold a Road Diet public information session this month on a proposal to reconfigure Route 10, also known as Whitney Avenue, from four lanes to three lanes in Mount Carmel.

A road diet is a technique for designing roadway corridors with a reduced number or effective width of vehicular travel lanes to accommodate more types of users safely. This treatment cannot be used for all locations, but when applied appropriately is an effective tool for accommodating all users, according to a Complete Streets report executive summary posted on the state website.

Theres a state proposal to adjust Route 10 with the intended goal of improving safety and travel by creating a focused middle turning lane for going into businesses and onto side roads, Mayor Curt Balzano Leng said.

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The change is proposed for the section of Whitney Avenue from School Street, which is located one block from Memorial Town Hall and the Whitney/Dixwell Avenue intersection, down to Mount Carmel Avenue at Quinnipiac College.

It was determined that the section of Route 10 between School Street and the Route 40 Interchange has the potential to be converted from a four-lane roadway to a three-lane roadway consisting of two through lanes, one in each direction, and a center two-way left turn lane, according to a statement released this week by Lengs office. The reduction of lanes allows the roadway cross section to be reallocated for the dedicated center left-turn lane.

The proposal comes as the Department of Transportation plans to pave that section of the road this summer.

Patrick Zapatka, a transportation planner at the state Department of Transportation, said Road Diets work best when there are certain conditions present on the road.

There are a few things to consider when we do a road diet, Zapatka said. If we are going to go through with something like that, we would check out what is the average daily traffic, so we would get traffic volumes on Route 10. The amount of cars that are on that roadway could be used as a determining factor whether it would make a good candidate for a road diet to happen there.

In addition to traffic volume, other things are examined, including the frequency of accidents on the road, he said.

Another thing we look at is crash data are there a lot of crashes there, property damage, are there fatalities or serious injuries, Zapatka said. The city may propose it, and if it fits those type of criteria, I think it would be a fantastic candidate for a road diet.

There are many possibilities when considering the implementation of road diets, Zapatka said. Road diets are really good because it gives us the opportunity to implement bicycle lanes, wider shoulders and the possibility of pedestrian amenities such as sidewalks or crosswalks, he said.

Police Chief Thomas Wydra said he believes the change would make the road safer, and with the planned paving, now is the time to investigate it.

Its certainly an idea worth exploring, and this is the moment to consider it when the road is being resurfaced and the options are available to us in terms of the line painting that will be applied, Wydra said. Thats the moment when you consider any other option that can be taken advantage of that reduces accidents and makes the road safer.

Its a big change, but it is something residents should look into before forming an opinion, Wydra said. The DOT has provided us with an optional plan that is different from what we have been used to in that section for a long time, and I think its something that we should seriously consider, he said. It would likely cause delays at certain times, but what I think it would do for sure is make the roadway safer. I think safety prevails over convenience.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. April 19 in the council chambers at Memorial Town Hall.

The police chief and I discussed this and we organized a public input and discussion session to learn more about the idea, Leng said.

Mount Carmel resident Erika Nealon drives the section of the road every day. She said shes skeptical of the plans.

At rush hour theres so much traffic, and I think this will make it worse, she said. She hasnt noticed any problems with cars turning left, she said, especially because there are left turn lanes at most of the traffic lights on the road.

I dont understand why they want to do this, she said. Leave it the way it is.

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'Big changes' may come to Whitney Avenue in Hamden - New Haven Register

New Yorkers cant cook. Its a pervasive stereotype, turning up everywhere from Sex and the City (Carrie Bradshaw used her oven for shoe storage) to Friends (Joey essentially subsisted on pizza delivery and the contents of Monicas fridge).

A more accurate statement would probably be that New Yorkers are too lazy to cook. Thanks to Seamless, Postmates, Caviar and other delivery services, you can have just about any meal you want delivered to your home in half the time it takes to get in the line at Trader Joes. Of course, youre also paying a pretty penny for the convenience, when you consider the delivery fees, tax and tip.

Whether youre looking to save a little cash or just gain some real adult skills, cooking is the way to go. Were not suggesting giving up dollar slices or your local Thai spot for goodjust test the waters by cooking one or two meals per week. Heres how to get started with the help of a few NYC cooking classes.

Master the basics

First and foremost, you have to be safe in the kitchen. Knives (especially dull knives) cause more accidents than any other kitchen tool, so learning to handle them properly is an absolute must. Take an introductory class on Knife Skills at the National Gourmet Institute to learn the difference between slicing, dicing, mincing and other cuts, and how to do them all safely.

Start planning your meals

OK, its not exactly a sexy theme, but the Meal Planning 101 class at the Brooklyn Kitchen will save your behind (and your budget) more times than you can count. Find out how to cook once and eat several times (hi, leftovers!) to make the most of your time and money. Its a godsend for the stressed-out Gothamite.

Move on to simple (but useful!) techniques

Now that you know enough not to hurt yourself in the kitchen, youre ready to actually start cooking. Prioritize classes that cover staple dishesfoods youll want to cook over and over for simple dinners at home. Youll find out all about choosing, seasoning and preparing different cuts of beef, chicken and pork in Meat 101 at the Brooklyn Kitchen, and get the lowdown on seafood in How to Cook Fish at Home Cooking New York. Since you should probably get some greens into your steady diet of pizza and bagels, consider a class on How to Cook Vegetables (Properly), too. Or, knock several skills out in one go with a comprehensive class at the Institute of Culinary Education, like All About Technique: Roast, Saute and Steam.

Experiment with baking

No, were not talking about the boxed cake mix you threw together for your roommates birthday. Baking from scratch requires patience, attention to detail and a little bit of science. In Le Pain Quotidiens Bread Baking Basics class, youll practice making two simple doughs that can be turned into sweet rolls, baguettes, flatbreads and more. If youre more of a pastry person, youll want to opt for The Baking Basics class at Home Cooking New York. The fact that you get to taste the super flaky pie crust and silky pastry cream you whip up is just an added bonus.

Branch out to your favoritecuisines

So far, so good, right? Roasting a chicken or blanching some green beans seems like something you could totally handle. But making a restaurant-quality dinner? Now thats another story. If you really want to break up with your delivery guy, youve got to learn to cook some of your favorite types of food. If youre addicted to that fabulously fast Dominos service, try a class on Homemade Pizza at the Brooklyn Kitchen; if youre more of a pad-thai-and-chill kind of person, go for Tasty Thai at Taste Buds Kitchen. Believe it or not, making your own spicy tuna rolls is surprisingly easy, toojust try a Sushi Making class at CocuSocial to find out.

An added bonus? You can finally tell your mom that, truthfully, you are eating home-cooked meals.

Annalise Mantz is the Digital Commerce and Community Editor at Time Out New York. She thinks bagels should be their own food group and never met a dog she didnt like. Follow her on Twitter at @asmantz.

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How to quit your dependence on Seamless with NYC cooking classes - Time Out New York (blog)

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ - The borough received a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant of $462,000 for Various Sidewalk Improvements in New Providence.

New Providence began participating the SRTSabout 10 years ago. To learn more about the program check out this story.

This was one of $4.079 million dollars in SRTS 2016 grants awarded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) in partnership with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) to municipalities in eight counties. Plainfield, which received a $304,000 grant was the only other municipality in Union County to receive a grant.

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Safety is a key component of New Jerseys transportation network, including pedestrian and bicycling accommodations, NJDOT Commissioner Richard T. Hammer said. These grants will help our local communities improve sidewalks and crosswalks so children may safely walk or bike to school.

The SRTS program is a federally funded reimbursement program that was established in 2005 to increase pedestrian safety awareness among motorists and schoolchildren. It is being administered by the NJDOT in partnership with the NJTPA, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) and the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO). DVRPC and SJTPO grants totaling $2.1 million were announced in February.

Other projects to receive grants in the NJTPA region include, by county:

Bergen County Ridgewood Safe Routes to School in Ridgewood Village for $400,000 Bike and Pedestrian Safety Infrastructure Upgrades in Rutherford for $368,000

Hunterdon County Safe Routes to School Harrison Street and Second Street in Frenchtown for $472,000

Middlesex County Infrastructure and Intersection Improvements and ADA Compliance in Highland Park for $216,000

Morris County Shunpike Road Sidewalk Falmouth Road to Pine Street in Chatham for $374,000 Pedestrian/Bike Safety Improvements in Netcong for $243,000

Ocean County Clayton Avenue Sidewalk Construction in Bay Head for $190,000

Somerset County Veterans Memorial Drive East in Somerville for $670,000

Warren County Safe Routes to School Improvements in Lopatcong for $380,000

The Safe Routes to School program was created to encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bike to school. These grants will provide local governments within the DVRPC region the ability to make pedestrian safety improvements near K-8 schools.

The goal is to make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and to implement projects that will improve safety, and reduce traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.

Infrastructure improvement projects to be funded through the program include the construction of sidewalks, bikeway lanes, and multi-use paths; and the installation of new crosswalks, school-zone markings, and speed-limit signs.

Each individual municipality is responsible for implementing their respective SRTS projects.

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New Providence Awarded $462000 Safe Routes to School Grant - TAPinto.net

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Chrystal Johnson April 12, 2017 Earth911.com Initial thoughts are that their waste appears to be safe to use as soil for growing crops. The control group was fed bran, which is the typical diet of a mealworm. At the end of the study, the worms that ate Styrofoam were found to be as healthy as the ...

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Chrystal Johnson April 12, 2017 - Earth911.com

With a new album, clothing line and acting career in the works, popstar Rita Ora has had one heck of a year.

In a cover story for SHAPE magazines April issue, the 26-year-old dishes on how shes managed it all, and diet, exercise and mindset all played a crucial role.

This past year, Ive really been on my game by eating right and going to the gym, Ora told SHAPE. As a result, Im focused now, and I get a lot more done.

Ora revealed shes changed her attitude toward exercise, and has started viewing movement as fun rather than a means to punish her body. To get her sweat on, she prefers one to two hours of daily circuit training, with squats, weightlifting and cardio all in the mix.

GWYNETH PALTROW DOESN'T CARE IF YOU THINK HER HEALTH ADVICE IS WEIRD

Whereas she used to work out till she made herself sick, Ora told SHAPE she now exercises to get stronger and healthier, not thin.

I didnt start working out to get skinnier I started working out to feel better, Ora told the magazine. And I think its important for women to know that.

As for diet, Ora said she steers clear of bread and sugar, instead opting for lean protein, fish and veggies. That approach signals a clear break from Oras previous perspective on eating.

I used to be like, Im not eating! she revealed to SHAPE. Eating isnt the problem, though. Its about what your body needs, and everyones body is different.

7 WEIGHT LOSS ROADBLOCKS IN YOUR OFFICE

Ora also divulged her top role models: her parents, plus-size model Ashley Graham, and Jennifer Lopez. They provide her with the inspiration she needs to be her best self, she said.

When I need to motivate myself to work out, I look at pictures of women like Jennifer Lopez and Kate Beckinsale, she told SHAPE. They look incredible! If they can look like that, I have no excuse.

Still, Ora takes the time to indulge. Her vices? Wine and cheese.

I indulge once a week, she said. But I dont go crazy.

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She told SHAPE she loves her curves and thighs, and is proud of the way she looks.

"I'm a size 28 in jeans," she told the magazine. "And thats an average, normal size. Im proud that Im normal.

Oras body positivity is ultimately a reflection of her upcoming album, due out this summer.

[The album] is done in a moving-forward way, she told SHAPE. Its a positive, uplifting album.

Well cheers to that.

Link:
Rita Ora reveals her no-excuses diet and exercise secrets | Fox News - Fox News

Wine is, by nature, an indulgent drink. And while some of those sweet indulgenceseach sip awash with tannins that tickle the tongue, and bursting with complex, fruity flavorscan never be stripped away, one company is out to prove you can have your Prosecco and drink it, too, without the guilty indulgence of too many calories.

Gancia Leggero is a new diet Prosecco. It packs the same alcohol-content punch as its sister sparkling winesat 11.5 percentbut goes down with less sugar and fewer calories. The company claims their bottles contains 75 percent less sugar that other Prosecco, according the Evening Standard, and has just 65 calories per 3.4-ounce glass.

Of course, it's worth noting that Prosecco is already a skinny drink. Most contain just a teaspoon of sugar (or about about one gram) and 80 calories per glass, making Prosecco one of the best alcoholic beverages for your beltline already. Gancia Leggero simply upsor, in this case, lowersthe ante.

Gancia recently launched its new diet beverage in at least 18 pubs near London, with plans to expand its availability throughout the U.K., and pub owners seem pleased to offer the drink to customers craving a guilt-free sipping experience.

"Prosecco is already considered one of the lighter drinks, and now with a 'skinny' version, this is no doubt going to tap into a growing consumer trend for low-calorie and low-sugar products," says Suzanne Baker, commercial director of the Stonegate Pub Company, adding the alcoholic beverage is the "closest you'll get to clean drinking."

Now, you can buy a glass of the Gancia Leggero in: Cannick Tapps, City; Green Dragon, Croydon; Britannia, Monument; Argyle London, Farringon; Temperance, Fulham; George, Woodford; The Green, Shepherds Bush; Vineyard, Islington; William Blake, Old Street; Earl Of Camden, Camden; Alice; Aldgate; Bonds, Mayfair; Crutched Friar; Fenchurch; Minories, Tower Hill; Famous Cock Tavern, Islington; Nags Head, Islington; Pembroke Castle, Primrose Hill; and Trader, Whitecross.

But fair warning: This drink won't be cheap. According to the Evening Standard, Prosecco prices are expected to rise across the U.K. following Brexit. With the time you'd save on the treadmill, however, you might not care.

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Would You Drink Diet Prosecco? - Food & Wine (blog)

Professional athletes dont get to the top by accident. It takes superhuman levels of time, dedication, and focusand that includes paying attention to what they put in their bellies. In this series, GQ takes a look at what men whose bodies pay their bills eat on a daily basis to perform at their best. Today we're looking at the daily diet of Tom Ford model Conrad Bromfield.

Four years ago Conrad Bromfield started his modeling career with a Tom Ford campaign. Since then, the 25-year-old male model has been working pretty much nonstop, which is tougher than it sounds. While constant travel isn't exactly conducive to a healthy routine, in Bromfield's line of work you have to be ready to jump on a plane at a moment's notice, and your abs have to be ready, too.

Somehow that's not a problem for hima Brooklyn native whose energy reserves overflow to a ridiculous degree. (Seriously, don't ever give him coffee.) He has the buoyant enthusiasm you'd expect from a man who makes his living off of his superior physique and bone structure. Skepticism aside, though, Conrad Bromfield comes across as the real thing: a working model who takes the subway, prefers his mother's cooking to anything else, and makes all of New York City his gym. We could all learn a thing or two.

GQ: Do all male models eat the same thing? Do you abide by the steamed vegetables and grilled chicken diet?

Conrad Bromfield: No, I'm not the clich or the typical model. My thing is I eat once a day. I eat something small in the morning like an apple or a banana just to give me energy to run around to castings and do a bunch of things. When I'm finished in the evening, I eat a big meal. After that I don't eat anything.

How many castings do you go to in a day?

When I first started it was a lot, but nowadays it's one or two a day. I always take the subway or walk. And I never take the escalator. I always run up the stairs. Take the hardest way... because that's sometimes my only exercise for the day. When you're too busy you just gotta make everything around you your gym.

Do you cook for yourself at home?

I live with my mother. She's always around trying to cook something for me. We're a Caribbean family, so she makes the curried chicken and the oxtail and sometimes I have to tell her Ma, you can't put all that on the plate. But it works.

What is your favorite thing that she makes?

It would have to be Aki and salt fish. Which is a Jamaican dish. Aki is... as a country we don't know if it's a fruit or if it's a vegetable. But it grows on a tree, and it's amazing when steamed and put with salt fish.

Do you indulge in a cheat day?

Yesterday was my cheat day. I woke up pretty late. I flew in from L.A. at five in the morning. Then I went to a couple of castings, didn't get to eat anything. From there I got back home. I slept until about 6 P.M., then I got up and I ate rice, aki, and salt fish (thank you, Mama), and coconut cake all at once. Coconut cake is the greatest. It's pound cake covered with a glazed coconut frosting.

Do you eat the backstage food at fashion shows?

Yeah that's the best stuff. Because during fashion week a lot of the models have been running around so we need that re-up in a sense. In the morning, definitely, you'll always find male models eating. Trust me we eat. If there's 50 looks you're going to find 49 male models eating backstage.

What do you stay away from?

Pork. I realize when I eat pork or red meat I gain a lot more weight. So with pork I know it's harder to digest for me. The pizza's amazing in Italy, so I have to indulge. But greasy foods can sometimes fatten my head. And coffee... If you ever see me drinking coffee, run. Other than that I eat anything.

What's the one thing you can't resist?

Shake 'n Bake chicken. If you want to know my kryptonite, I'm gonna give it to you. It's Shake n Bake chicken. That's something... I'm sitting in front of my television, Looney Tunes are on, Bugs (my hero), mom comes out with the plate. Shake n' Bake chicken and corn on the cob actually. Yeeeeees.

Say you're prepping for an underwear or bathing suit shoot?

I still keep the same diet definitely. If anything, it's the workout that I'll ramp up. Do more reps on certain things. Running six miles on the treadmill, then sit ups. The best thing for me is calisthenics, which is using your body's weight. Instead of looking for a gym when I'm traveling. I use the floor, I use my backpack or my luggage, for weights... or I just have my stretch bands. I can use them for my biceps or my back. They're the best. Because when you use weights your body relies on outside sources, so you can easily lose that tone. But using your own body's weight it's coming form the inside. So it stays longer, it works better. And to get nice obliques and that V-line, when you're standing up just do a little twist. A side plank, kinda.

"If you want to know my kryptonite, I'm gonna give it to you. It's Shake n Bake chicken."

Do your non-model friends ask for advice on staying lean and fit?

YES, everyone does. I tell them sip some [apple cider] vinegar. That is the elixir. It cleans you, it kills bacteria, if you have break outs it fixes those.

So your friends say, I wanna lose weight, I wanna get abs, and you tell them drink vinegar and twist a little bit?

Uh-huh. Vinegar with grapefruit in the morning if you want to lose weight.

Models go to a lot of parties, do you drink when you're out?

I try not to. But if I'm around it, I'll probably have a champagne. But that's a thing I learned early to stay away from: alcohol, smoking, and drugs. If you wanna have the fountain of youth look, vinegar is not the only thing you need.

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS ONE

Link:
The Real-Life Diet of Conrad Bromfield, the Male Model Who Eats One Meal a Day - GQ Magazine

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Keeping up with diet and nutrition is a difficult challenge for anyone, let alone college students who love beer and pizza. Diets are great but much like other addictions such as painkillers and meth, its easy to backslide into cheeseburgers. Staying strong will benefit you in the long run, but how can you do that on campus? Here are some helpful diet tips for a variety of picky eaters.

Weight Losers Photo courtesy of pixabay.com

So you want to lose weight. If youre looking to lose a healthy amount of weight, a little (a lot) hard work and persistence will go a long way.

The cafeteria has a salad bar that will be pretty decent once you spice it up with some veggies and a little dressing. Aside from that, theres usually at least one healthy item at the Kitchen like sauted spinach or kale. The hardest part here will just be avoiding eye contact with the pizza bar.

Chopd & Wrapd is the healthiest option outside of the cafeteria with salads and wraps galore. Be careful though as theyll pour the dressing until you say stop. Dont let your salad or wrap turn into soup. Stay away from adding too much fun stuff like bacon bits and croutons as well.

UNF nutrition instructor, Andrea Altice, gave some helpful advice for a variety of diets.

Get [foods] with whole grains whether its whole grain cereal or whole wheat bread, said Altice. Things with fiber, like fresh fruit and vegetables, keep you full and that will help with people trying to lose a few pounds.

Altering your diet to include whole grains and fruit is easy. When ordering a wrap or a sandwich, make sure to ask for wheat simple as that. And why not put some fruit on the side? Almost every eatery on campus has apples or bananas for sale.

Maintaining a lean diet is important, but the weight wont go away on its own. Exercise and diet go hand-in-hand and working out at least four to six times a week will produce happy results. After you lose the extra weight, you may want to take the next step: putting on muscle.

Muscle Builders Photo courtesy of pixabay.com

Curls get girls and tris get guys, its true, but gains are impossible without a proper diet to go along with your workout. Luckily most locations on campus have at least one option for the nerds who want some muscle.

Protein (brotein) is going to be your best friend through this process. Some good sources of protein include peanut butter, milk and meat. The type of meat is important though. Try to get in the habit of screaming and running when you see fried chicken or any other kind of meat. It has protein, yes, but you are far better off with lean meats such as grilled chicken or fish.

Chopd & Wrapd has the leanest and greenest options on campus. Build your own salad, build your own wraps, choose your protein (always pick grilled chicken), and youll be putting things inside you that make your body happy and healthy.

For those who really want to bulk, however, the cafeteria is the way to go. Find the grill in the back left and take as much grilled chicken as you likeafter all, its a buffet. The kitchen to the right of that usually has veggies like spinach or kale, and of course the salad bar works here too (though it isnt as good as Chopd & Wrapd).

Altice says that one of the most important parts of staying strong is a large carb intake.

People are usually saying that carbs are bad because they are trying to lose weight, when in fact you need at least 50 percent of your calories coming from carbohydrates; thats the bulk of getting your energy, said Altice. You should not be cutting out carbohydrates to lose weight.

The main focus here is to eat a lot, but eat healthy. Working out every day will increase your appetite exponentially and what better place to satiate that hunger than a buffet filled with protein (brotein).

Vegans Photo courtesy of pixabay.com

This will be by far the hardest diet to maintain with an on-campus diet. You might run into some locations that dont cater to vegans at all. The cafe does have plenty of options for those of you with meal plans.

All the way in the back right corner is the vegan bar. This tiny bar has only three stations, but they are full of food catered specifically to vegans. Choices like tofu stew, vegetable paella, kale and other tasty, animal-free treats.

The most important thing for vegans is to make sure you are getting enough of three main nutrients: protein, iron and B12. Protein can be found in tofu, beans, tofu, nuts and peanut butterand tofu. So basically if you dont like tofu, you will have a hard time being a vegan.

For B12, Altice recommends a supplement for vegans because it comes from animals. These can be bought for cheap from Publix or Walgreens.

Iron comes from red meats, chicken and fish. Altice recommends using an iron skillet to cook dried beans and peas which will absorb the iron from the cooking ware.

Cheat Day Photo courtesy of flickr.com

Everybody needs a cheat day too. Sorry, but diet or no diet, you cant just quit pizza cold turkey. Take a Sunday or Saturday every week to have some pizza at the cafeteria or Papa Johns. If you want to stay healthy while also cheating a bit, get a quesadilla from Chick-N-Grill. They taste like Christmas morning and you can fill em up with veggies.

Altice knows the importance of cheat days too.

I know you have cravings for pizza and Chick-fil-A and thats okay. If youre having it once in awhile thats fine. Pizza is okay but its about what you put on it. Dont put any high fat products on there. Put hamburger instead of pepperoni or use turkey pepperoni, said Altice.

Take it from someone who used to eat whole pizzas every chance he got, switching to a healthier diet makes you feel better inside and out. Whether you want to gain muscle, lose fat, or go vegan, you will become a better version of yourself. Whats not to like about more energy throughout the day? At the very least, youll be able to complain about having to stick to a strict eating regimen. And youll have that cheat day to look forward to as well.

For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact editor@unfspinnaker.com.

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