Cafe Delites

for good food lovers

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About Me

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Welcome! My name is Karina and this is my internet kitchen hang-out. A self-confessed balanced foodie sharing some waistline friendly recipes that are full of flavour. Life is too short for bland and boring. It’s about finding balance and falling in love with food all over again!

Through the recipe archives you’ll find a variety of easy to make, healthy food with simple ingredients. What does that mean exactly? It means Weight Watchers friendly, sometimes low fat, sometimes low carb and sometimes cheat foods. Recipes that feel like an indulgence without the regret.

Cafe Delites Profile

Photographed By Rena Harvey (http://www.renaharvey.com)

After years of feeling lost in a crazy world full of diets, I’ve finally arrived at a comfortable place of loving food without any resentment or deprivation. This is where you’ll find a good ‘meal in a salad’ one day and a delicious deep dish cookie the next; never compromising flavour.

Grilled Chilli Lime Chicken Fajita Salad | https://cafedelites.com

Gone are the days of starvation diets, weighing broccoli, boiling chicken and counting single peas on a plate. From pasta and brownies, to healthy meals and donuts, if I can find a delicious way to include them in without the guilt, you bet you’ll find them here. You can bake your cake (or cookie) and eat it too!

Nutella Stuffed Deep Dish Skillet Cookie | https://cafedelites.com

What started out as a food diary on Instagram in early 2014 bloomed and developed a love affair both in the kitchen and behind the lens. Fast forward two years later and Cafe Delites has fast become a successful blog and my second home. Here is a list of where Cafe Delites recipes have been featured worldwide.

Cafe Delites Profile

Photographed by Rena Harvey (http://www.renaharvey.com)

This is my new path. After surviving cancer, (Stage 4B Hodgkins Lymphoma) and a lot of life’s difficult battles, including childhood molestation and abuse; I am here, I am alive, and although my life is far from perfect, I am eternally grateful to have been given a ‘second chance.’ Click here to read more about my cancer journey (yes, I wrote a book too!)

Welcome to my Blog!

Karina X

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karina! Thank you for sharing your passion with us! no matter what i cook following your guidance- it’s always a hit with family and friends! is there a book we can look forward to? i would get one for me and as a present for everyone i know 🙂

    Have a wonderful week!

    Grateful follower from Canada,
    Iryna

  2. Karina,

    I look forward to your recipes daily and have tried so many of them. All have been excellent. I like the hacks you provide as well, as I always like to tamper LOL. Thanks to you!

  3. I love your blog but I am missing your weekly menus. Where’d they go? Your recipes are the best!

  4. Hi,Just came across your website the recipes look delicious will definitely try.I read your bio about your childhood how terrible it must have been for you,and now cancer you are a survivor God has the perfect plan for your life draw close to Him and serve Him well.i will always keep you in my Prayers.Blessing Mr.D🙏🏻

  5. WOW!!! So happy to have found you…must have meant to be, I NEVER subscribe to blogs. Your recipes look fabulous and I bet they taste even better! I’m doing the Chimichurri tonight…..always wanted to try it….your story about your Dad inspired me. Bless you, stay well……….

  6. Hey Girl !!!
    Love your site LOVE YOUR FOOD ! It is all I cook anymore ! I have been wanting to start a personal chef biz and thanks to your beautiful food and presentation I am so inspired and feel like now is the time to MAKE IT HAPPEN !
    Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us ! Cant wait to see what you’re cooking up next!

  7. Hi Karina! I am so happy to come across your site; it looks like you have done all the work for us and now we just get to pick and choose what recipe we want. So thank you for that. Since finding “you”, I have made atleast 5 of your recipes. They are excellent, they are easy to prepare and my husband loves them too. Thanks again and I look forward to your next email.

  8. Sorry Racheal Ray, You just got bumped from my wish list. I am trying your crispy pork carnitas and after seeing your photo and reading your brief bio you are the new not so secret crush of this middle aged hillbilly cook from KY. Karina I am married but my wife won’t live for ever, are you single ;-}? Just kidding my wife is going to outlive me. Congratulations on your successful battle against cancer and keep doing what you love, you are an inspiration to us all.

  9. Karina,I admire thru your struggles you choose to speak life. I am so happy I came upon your site because I struggle with cooking. I love your site and can’t wait to enjoy your recipes. Thank you for helping me speak my husband’s love language, acts of service!

  10. Hi Karina I have really enjoyed your recipes. We have tried many of them. I always looked forward to my inbox to see what recipes you have left for me. They are so good. I have gotten to the point of using your recipes when I have people over for dinner, without trying them out first, I trust you that much!!!!! Please keep those recipes coming!

  11. I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED READING YOUR COMMENTS AND TRYING YOUR RECIPIES. I LOVE TO COOK, BUT USUALLY ONLY FOR MYSELF. SO I WANT TO VENTURE OUT AND TRY SOME THINGS FOR MY FRIENDS WHEN WE GET TOGETHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS AND RECIPIES. ONE OTHER THING, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF WHEN YOU MAKE SOMETHING THAT YOU CONSIDER GREAT, SUGGEST A WINE TO GO WITH IT. JUST A THOUGHT….THANK YOU AGAIN.

  13. I don’t usually take the time to read the ‘about the author’ section. I am SO glad that I did! I haven’t read the other sections about your health or book yet, but I certainly will! Thank you for sharing. Have a blessed day

  15. i am a 3 month into a retired RN who loves to cook and bake, I wish you the best and know that cancer cure is something to be so so great for a person! And their families!! My thoughts for you.

  16. ELENA YOU JUST MADE MY WHOLE ENTIRE MNONTH! Thank you so much for your beautiful message. What a sweet thing to write/say! I’m so so happy you’re enjoying my creations. Sometimes I feel like I’m possibly way too out there haha! Thank YOU! Big hugs to you!

  17. Karina, I LOOVE your recipes! I have been following them for a few months now. Although I have over 1,000+ recipes from different recipe books in my library, your blog is the place that I find myself going to…repeatedly!! I love how your recipes consist of easy to find ingredients that I have laying around the house and don’t break my wallet if I don’t! I have recently embarked on a $4.00 a night dinner journey (I spend around $8.00 for two days and make enough for leftovers), to my surprise and PLEASURE your blog has been my saving grace to finding affordable and filling meals for me and my food loving husband!

    Thanks so much for posting your recipes and coming up with new spins!!! I absolutely love your stuff!

  18. Katrina, I LOOVE your recipes! I have been following them for a few months now. Although I have over 1,000+ recipes from different recipe books in my library, your blog is the place that I find myself going to…repeatedly!! I love how your recipes consist of easy to find ingredients that I have laying around the house and don’t break my wallet if I don’t! I have recently embarked on a $4.00 a night dinner journey (I spend around $8.00 for two days and make enough for leftovers), to my surprise and PLEASURE your blog has been my saving grace to finding affordable and filling meals for me and my food loving husband!

    Thanks so much for posting your recipes and coming up with new spins!!! I absolutely love your stuff!

  19. Haha aw Carol thank you so much! Really really don’t need that, you’re right! But now you got me thinking about Tettrazini! Mmmm YUM! I will add that to my list!

  20. Aw Grace thank you so much for your email! You’re so sweet to say those things. I wish we met too!

  22. Hi Karina…I just found your site and it is very impressive. the photography is excellent beautiful. The recipes look delicious!! I can’t wait to try some. Thanks!

  23. Cafe delight just made cooking easy for week nights. Thank you for sharing your passion..
    Amazing!

  24. Hi Karina,
    I wish I’ve met you when I was on Melbourne last for a cake convention. Your story is so touching that I’m about to cry. Really I’m so so touched by your life journey. First thing first, I saw your Fudgy Brownie in Pinterest and baked it twice now. My hubby devour it everytime and I have to stop him or else he can finish it on one sitting. You are so beautiful in your story and in your cooking and baking. If you happen to come down here in NZ email me please and we can talk about life and maybe cook and bake you know things like that. God bless you Karina. 😊

  25. Hello Karina,
    I’ve tried a couple of your recipes and they turned out great. So I will definitely try more. Thanks so much!
    Your one-pot recipes are fab!
    I’d be interested in seeing something I haven’t even tried yet, like ‘easy’ Chicken Tettrazini. Obviously heard it but can’t spell it. Ha. I’m 60 years young and my younger hubby is Italian.
    It’s all good. Just want to say that your site is in my bookmarks, and I’m receiving recipes straight to my inbox.
    I just looked at your bio/photo for the first time today ~you are so young and pretty!
    As for cancer ~drop it like it’s hot. You don’t need that in your life!
    Thank you again, Karina!

  27. I love all your recipes … your husband / partner is so lucky not only are you a stunning looking women but you can cook as well … Lol 🙂

  28. Your recipes are all SO AMAZING! I would like to ask a small favour though. If you are able, could you please add the weight of all ingredients? (Grams preferred). I have bought myself an interactive smart scale and am in the process of entering my favourite recipes into it. It cannot understand how much a tablespoon of fish sauce should weigh, or a pinch of salt, or even 400ml tin of coconut milk (can you guess which of your recipes I was just making?)

    I have been painstakenly weighing each gram of spice, as I measure them out teaspoon by tablespoon by cup. But if you have the time/means, it would be great for so many if that info was built into the recipe.

    PS, once its done, the measuring of spice mixes and marinades are SO MUCH FASTER than measuring by teaspoon. And nowhere near the amount of cleanup either!

    thanks so much !

  29. Concerned about the nutritional facts for the One pan honey lemon chicken asparagus. Calories 2983?!! Calories from fat 801? Is this accurate?

  30. This website looks so delicious that I can eat every page of it.

  31. Made the Tuscan garlic shrimp for my sons birthday. It was great! Loved that I only needed ingredients I could buy at the supermarket!

  32. hi karina im in australia i found your site through pinterest i luv what i seen of your recipes you are a real insperation may GOD BLESS you always.susanne

  33. God bless you girl!!, You are an inspiration and I truly admire your zeal to live life to the fullest as lot of people just quit after so many challenges in life. You deserve every happiness and success in life. Coming to your diet and food part, I too agree that the fad diets and eat this and not that kind of articles do not really work in real life. A true balance diet and happy soul will survive under all the circumstances of life.

  34. EH coming at you from Brighton Ontario Canada cool blog thanks

  35. You do a great job. I love being in the kitchen and really enjoy trying new recipes. I do not choose ti subscribe to many blogs but I don’t want to miss yours. In fact this is the first time I have ever commented on a recipe or blog. You have my heart.

  36. I am always impressed by food blogs and people who are passionate about food and cooking such as yourself. By the way are you a fellow Christian like myself? How’s Melbourne, Australia for you these days? Praise God you survived Stage 3 Cancer!!! =)

    Sincerely,
    Julie Lannin

  37. so happy I have found your site! so many good recipes and reads! Thank you !

  38. Stumbled on you through randomly clicking pages on Pinterest, and may I say.. YAY! Another Melbournite! Loving what I’ve seen so far, can’t wait to dig deeper and see what else I can discover!

  39. I came across your site through FB and I’M IN LOVE!!! with your recipes. Thank you for sharing your delicious foods with us. They are easy and delicious. We tried the honey garlic chicken and it was a family hit. My four year old watched the video with me and together we put the meal together. He loved it and asked for seconds. Even my husband called from work and asked that I save him some for his late night snack…that never happens…Lol! I cannot wait to try many more recipes.

  40. Hi Karina, I Have not long joined your website, But I am so glad I Did, I have just read your story, And what a lovely young woman you are, Such a good cook and baker you are such a inspiration to us all, It is such a lovely thing you do sharing your story and all these beautiful recipes, I am going to try and make a lot of you recipes,
    I Myself have Terminal Cancer So I Know what you have been through Its not easy, And I Had The Same Sort of past as you have, And I Suppose sharing your story and your recipes and blog keeps you very busy and takes your mind of all the bad things you have been through, It has made you a Beautiful Caring and selfless young woman, You keep up the good work your doing a wonderful job, Lots Of Love Merobi x

  41. Why oh why did my brownies turn out dry 😕They don’t look [or] taste anything like yours 😕

  42. Where can I get the recipe for Hot Fudge pudding Cake? I can’t find it.Please help.

  43. After languishing at WW because I just cannot seem to make myself give up sweets, which makes me feel guilty, which means more guilty eating, somehow today, the day I said do this right now! I found your blog. When I read stories like yours, I wonder what is wrong with me! I am in awe, as I am of my sister who is also an abuse survivor.

    So I subscribed because suddenly I feel like I can do this!

  44. This looks like a great recipe, am trying it for sure and have signed up for more. Really like that you have included the nutritional information

  45. If I have missed previous comments on recipe book I apologise. Will you be producing same?

  46. Made the creamy garlic shrimp & omg so delicious! I did a side order of rice & they blended so well together.
    Tonight is the bruchetta chicken so excited by your recipies.
    Thank you

  47. Not sure if you know but your Creamy Chicken Piccata photo is being used by Tonini’s Italian Market Facebook group for their restaurant.

  48. Subscribed (which I never subscribe to blogs) because I feel like you explained my journey with food while explaining yours! Excited to have some cookies along with amazing salads and other healthy recipes. Love the mentality of focusing on what I CAN eat instead of what I can’t 🙂 eating healthy is much more simple and natural that way! Thank you for sharing!

  49. My precious Granny always told me that we will live in this world until we’ve done our job. We most likely have no clue what our job is but if it seems we’re doing the same thing over and over we haven’t done what we’re supposed to do. Clearly one of your jobs is to teach others how to feed the body, mind and soul. Granny would also tell you that God isn’t done with you yet so enjoy your life!!

  50. Hi Andrea! I use American measurements, so yes google should be able to convert them for you! Good luck!

  51. Hi im going to try and make your hot chocolate fudge cake it looks amazing! But its in cups and not oz i was wondering if this is in American sizes? As in the uk the is completely different sizing over here..if so then i can just google the difference thank you xxx

  52. Some really interesting recipes here…..Looks like my new year diet might be a bit brighter than first thought. Right now im heading to Bangkok to feed myself up for 3 weeks. After that…..DIET TIME…..I shall return to cafedelites
    Cheers and have an amazing xmas.

  53. Hi Pat! There are no extra steps to print recipes. I’m not sure why you’re having issues printing! Sorry I can’t be of more help 🙂

  54. I tried to print the lemon chicken piccata recipe but just got a blank page. Is there something I need to set up in my subscription first?

  55. God bless You girl:)! I am cancer survivor too…two year now free so I feel you:) All the best to you.Keep smiling:)

  56. Jessica! Thank you so much for your comment! You’ve left me speechless! Thank you so much…. Enjoy your weekend! Xx

  57. Wow!! You’re such a beautiful soul. I love your survival story – you’re more of an inspiration than you could know. Reading it and seeing how far you’ve come reminds me to be a survivor everyday,

  59. Hi Karina!

    I’m a long time admirer of your recipes and pictures, but for some reason only just actually took the time to really check out (read: stalk) your page. I just wanted to say how amazing you are! I am also a Hodgkins survivor (in 2005 and again in 2014) and novice food blogger, so you are a huge source of inspiration to me. It’s always nice, in a weird way, to find other survivors; it’s always comforting to know someone else just gets what you’ve been through. Thank you so much for sharing your cancer and food journey with us!

  62. Thank you Carolyn! I hope you like what you’re making! Thank you so much for your kind message 🙂

  63. I am going to make two of your receipts. They look so inviting. Looks like you have several. I am glad to hear you are a cancer survivor and how strong you are to survivor every thing else. At any rate thank you for your help and great receipts.

  64. You can cook and your beautiful! Why do you get both! :). I have been watching your blog grow and grow this last year…you have a natural talent and your photography is fabulous!. Best of luck to you, can’t wait to see where you go from here!

  65. Wow! What a story Karina! Looks like you finally found your passions: Zumba + Food Blogging!!! I found your blog today via Foodgawker and you are such an inspiration to me!!! All your recipes look absolutely mouthwatering and I will be coming back for more! Thanks for sharing your story with us, and I am headed over to Amazon to check out your book.
    All the best to you, friend!!!

  66. Thank you so much for your recipes, menus, tips, everything. I’m so glad I found your blog. You are amazing!

  67. List you’re so very welcome! Thank you for your message! Ah you’ve put a big smile on my face! I hope you enjoy your dinner…whatever you chose!

  68. Thank you for this wonderful blog. I have been trying to find healthier recipes and new dishes to try. These all look amazing. I can wait. I’m gonna find something on here to make for dinner tonight. You are amazing.

  69. Thank you for your kind message Linda. I’m speechless and don’t know what to say! It means a lot to me to have people like yourself appreciate what I do and what I’ve been through. So thank you so much with all my heart 🙂

  70. Hi, Karina, I found your blog this morning and I am awed. Awed by you, awed by your food and awed by your photography. Your journey should inspire all who read what you have gone through and come out the other side smiling, always sharing and growing. I am also a former New Yorker. I have found that most weight control recipes really stretch to be flavorful and all too often include items that are way too hot for my palette. Your food is infused with flavor in a very natural way. I can’t wait to eat my way through your blog. You are beautiful inside and out and my wish for you is all the very best life has to offer. Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us.

  71. I just wanted to thank you for all of your amazing recipes…your page is a delight.
    best wishes

  72. Wow what a beautiful comment to wake up to. Thank you so much! I do hope he surprised you with the roll ups for dinner! Thank you for your wonderful comments. You’ve truly made my day. Enjoy your weekend! And welcome to my crazy blog 🙂 Xx

  73. My husband likes to cook, but we can’t ever think of what to make. So recently I have been sifting through google images for pictures of things that look good and healthy for dinner then I send him the picture and he grabs the ingredients and cooks it up. I came across your picture of the spinach and ricotta roll ups and sent him the snapshot hoping he will make it tonight. Haha. But your blog was so pretty and engaging I couldn’t help but browse through it.
    The recipes are wonderful, and the photos fantastic. I watched the zumba video. You made me tear up. What a beautiful inspiration you are. Thank you.

  74. Thank you so much again for your beautiful comment Raumali! You’ve made my day! I’m so happy you love my blog. Thank you!

  75. Hey Karina, I am soo happy to come across your blog. You are the kind of blogger I love. Such beautiful UI and a tasty and healthy dish nearly everyday, When I stumbled upon your blog, it was like Love at first sight. I read it all in just one sitting. And who won’t , even reading through your blog makes them sound delicious. It’s only been three days and I haven’t had a chance to try the recipes, but I have created a wishlist 😀 :P.

    You work hard girl. God bless you.

  76. Wow! My wife and I just made your Nutella Stuffed Deep Dish Skillet Cookie, we didn’t have a skillet here in Brasil but we used a glass pie plate. This is the best recipe ever, and we are now combing your site for more delicious recipes. Have you ever tried to do any Brasilian dishes? Thanks from Rio Brasil

  77. Wow Judy….if any comment has brought me to tears…it’s never been close to how I felt reading yours. Thank you so so much for taking the time to write such a beautiful heart felt message. Thank you so so much. Lots of love to you Judy…and many hugs coming your way! Xxxxxxxx

  78. Hi Karina…..I just clicked on Café Delites today and OMG…..your photography is awesome and every recipe looks amazing. I can’t wait to try cooking some of them. But more than your cooking and photography your story of perseverance in over coming illness, abuse and obstacles in life that hinder happiness is truly touching. I felt the power of God in your words and am in awe of all you have done. May your truly be blessed every day of the remainder of your life with only good things as you open up and share who you are with everyone you come in contact with. God Bless you and your family always. Thank you for your recipes!

  79. Oh Lorraine I’m so sorry to hear about his diagnosis. Please give him my regards! Lots of love to you both and god bless you Xx

  80. Karina, so happy I came across your chicken salad recipe on Pinterest. My husband was just diagnosed with pancreatitis and fat is now the mortal enemy. This healthy recipe looks wonderful. I’ll just give him less avacado and it will be perfect. Served with rice and he’ll get necessary carbs. I have to look hard to find tasty, low fat recipes where weight loss is not the goal. Love your incentive story of beating the odds. Good bless.

  82. Hi Anri! Wow thank you so much for your feedback. An app would be amazing! Definitely something to consider in future. I’m so happy you’re enjoying my recipes. Thank you so much for commenting! My smile right now is huge! Enjoy your week… Xx

  83. Really?! That’s very cool! And you’re very welcome! I’d love to hear how you go and if you try anything! Xx

  84. I’m currently a freshman in college so I don’t have the means to cook ever since I don’t have a kitchen, but finding your site made me SO EXCITED to have a house and a kitchen come fall! I can’t wait to try out some of these recipes and impress my roommates! Thank you!!

  85. This is one of the best website! Love it! Thank you for putting the PP in for Weight Watchers, makes it so easy. Have you considered making an app for your phone? That would be amazing and so easy to find.

  87. Karina! I’m making one (maybe more) of your recipes for the Food Bloggers Central blog hop! I LOVE your site! Beautiful photos and great recipes! It’s going to be hard to decide which one to make for the blog hop! ~Ethel

  88. Honestly I have no idea! I guess i have to cook since I have a circus here (aka my family), and then I shoot whatever we eat. It is time consuming and a lot of work, but I love it so much so it’s not really work for me.
    Thank you so much for your kindness and beautiful comment! My smile can’t get any bigger! Xx

  89. Aw Kathryn thank you so much! What a beautiful thing to say! You’ve just planted a huge smile on my face, so than you very very much. Xxxx

  90. Hi Karina! I just wanted to say, I’ve only just found your blog and oh boy, I’ve fallen head over heels in love with it! I love your recipes and i can’t wait to try your Churro cake and Churron blondies! (I love Churros, if you can tell ha!). I love the little photography tips you’ve given along the way, helps beginners like me a lot! So thank you for the wonderful recipes and keep doing what you’re doing!! 🙂 xx

  91. Hi Karina! Because I’m always stressed about life and time, can you please tell me how do you make time to make this delicious recipes and amazing photo? I’m in love!

  92. Hey Sophie! Aw your messages are so sweet! I have 3 kids and it gets a little hectic around here. I’m so happy you’ve tried my recipes! That seriously makes my day! I will try and write up a photography post soon on a separate page and include all the yips I’ve learnt so far! But for now, my biggest tip is natural light with a camera or a phone 🙂

  93. P.S do you have any food photography tips for beginners? Love Sophie (phew that took a while! Xxl

  94. I’m 17 and do most of the cooking, but would love a Mum like you to cook me these amazing things!

  97. Hi Karina!! I’ve tried loads if your recipes and have so many “to-do”! All of them have been delicious and everyone loved them

  98. Hi Karina!! I’ve tried loads if your recipes and have so many “to-do”! All of them have been delicious

  101. Hey Cindy! Depending what part of the world you’re from.. In Australia I get them from the health food stores like Go-Vita. I hope that helps? X

  105. I follow you at Instagram, because I like your recipes but I love the pictures!!!
    A big hug from Colombia!!

  106. Hi Karina,

    I was wondering if you could tell me where you buy your black beans, as I can’t see to find them anywhere.

  108. Thanks for the reply. Some of the things you are using in the recipes are hard to get i Denmark, so i will try my best. 🙂

  109. It really depends what recipe you’re wanting to replace them with. The recipes are created with the chickpeas to add the certain texture, etc. You can definitely try and replace them with flour, however please keep in mind I can’t guarantee the result 🙂

  110. Hi Karina.
    I was wondering, if i can replace chickpeas with flour in your recipes?

  112. Adopt me 🙂 oh gosh how I wish I could do all you do without devouring the whole treats for myself only! Inspiration you are

  116. Just found you all the way down here in Sydney, Australia via a friend. Loving the recipes so far and especially since i have just joined ww.

  117. I love hearing this! Thank you so much for reaching out! It’s my pleasure sharing my recipes with you guys. The best part is you guys enjoying them! So thank YOU so much for your message! Good luck with your WW Journey! Xx

  118. Love your recipes, they all look awesome, and especially love that you put weight watchers points in them. Just started the w.w journey, so your recipes are wonderful, not to mention your photos. Thanks for putting in the time and effort for all of us to try and enjoy!! Thank you

  120. This is perfect! I’ve been wanting to start eating healthy for a while but I just crave bad food too much! You are just the person I’ve been looking for, with all of your recipes I can’t wait to get cooking! Thank you so much 🙂

  122. It’s Lynn Manning @fit2fat2fitwife on IG! I updated the recipe on my site to link back to your post and would LOVE to have you guest blog as I commented on my site. Email me if you get a chance. xo Lynn Lynn@fit2fat2fit.com

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