Chicken Noodle Soup. It’s good for the family, good for the soul, good for the “sickies,” and brings comfort and warmth and togetherness and love.
No matter the scenario, when made correctly, it brings nourishment.
My scenario? Last week, Barilla® sent me a few boxes of their Whole Grain Pasta to try. I knew I’d make spaghetti with the spaghetti noodles, but decided to try something different with the shells (conchiglie). I wanted to make a Slow Cooker Roasted Chicken Soup with Pasta. The soup seemed like a good choice, especially at this wintery, cold time of year (we had our first snow day the day I made it), and with kids and family members getting sick.
I filled my slow cooker to the BRIM with delicious ingredients, including Barilla® pasta!
This recipe might be a different way of making the soup, but using a pre-roasted chicken from the market was the bomb! So easy, so flavorful, with results that were fantastic and loved by all. I was able to feed my family several meals with just one box of pasta!
I quizzed them about how they liked the pasta and we compared it to the egg noodles I usually use (Barilla® Whole Grain is much healthier!). Then I shared information about the nutritional value of Barilla pasta with my family. We were all impressed!
– Cooking with Barilla® Whole Grain Pasta is a way to get whole grains into your diet because it’s made with 51% whole wheat (with 3x the fiber of regular pasta). There is also a TASTE GUARANTEE with Barilla®. If you don’t love their whole grain pasta, you get a box of your favorite Barilla® pasta for free! How cool is that?
Before I share the recipe today, I’d love for you to look at the TryBarillaWholeGrain.com page and the “Dinner Kit” for recipes link. Check out the tools that make it easy to put healthy and extraordinary meals on your table!
Recipe: Slow Cooker Roasted Chicken Soup with Pasta {ReluctantEntertainer.com}
Ingredients
- 2 quarts chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 1/2 cup carrots, cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 1 1/2 cup celery, cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 1 1/2 cup onions, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 fresh bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 4 teaspoons salt ( to taste)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 (store-bought)roasted chicken
- 12 oz. frozen Green Peas
- 1 13 oz. box Barilla® Whole Grain Pasta, uncooked In medium pan
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and sautee garlic, onions, celery, and carrots for 5 minutes. In slow-cooker bowl combine carrots, celery, onion, garlic mixture and bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper.
- Place the whole roasted chicken on top of the vegetables. Cover with 1 quart of chicken stock and spices. Cover slow cooker with lid and cook on high 4-5 hours.
- Transfer chicken to cutting board. Discard bay leaves. Add 1 quart of chicken stock. Add pasta to simmering broth, cook for half the required time; let the pasta rest for 30 minutes to absorb the flavors and finish cooking.
- While the pasta cooks, remove and discard skin, fat and bones from chicken; chop up the meat.
- Return the chicken to soup; put the frozen peas in hot water for 1-2 minutes; add the peas.
- Stir, make sure heated through, salt and season to taste. SERVE!
Preparation time: 10 minute(s)
Cooking time: 4 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 6
How to win $100?
SWEEPSTAKES Question: What do you love about Barilla® Whole Grain?
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
b) Tweet about this promotion @BarillaUS with the following unique term in your message #BarillaWG and link to your tweet in a comment on this post.
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to your post in a comment on this post.
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 2/21/12-3/31/12.
Be sure to visit the Barilla® Whole Grain round-up page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this “icon” portrays a great message. 
I really like your blog, Sandy and this recipe seems like the perfect antidote to our grey wintery days. I’ll definitely be making this soup this weekend. I just have one question. I don’t think I’ve ever seen fresh bay leaves in my supermarket. How many dry bay leaves can I substitute in this recipe?
By the way, I am a huge fan of Barilla pasta. I switched to the Catelli brand because they were the only whole wheat pasta I saw but now I’ll know to look out for my favourite brand with a new healthy twist! I love whole wheat pasta because of the taste but also because a small amount fills you up, which makes it super easy to eat healthy portions.
Thanks for a great recipe (again)!
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Love using the slow cooker- thanks for adding a new recipe to my collection
Happy Day
teresa´s last [type] ..Tracey’s Maiden Voyage-
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I’ve tried several whole grain pasta brands and Barilla is definitely my favorite so far. Still trying to get used to whole wheat pasta…
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We’ve been trying to switch over to Whole Wheat pasta in most of our recipes. It’s amazing how a little goes a long way to filling you up.
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I love the great taste of Barilla Whole Grain, plus the fact that my kids like it!
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tweet–https://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/174194993873960960
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I love that it’s tasty and healthy
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https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/174202969254932480
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Definitely like the Barilla whole wheat pasta better than others. It doesn’t have that tough texture that is so hard for me to get past!
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I love that is gives recipes a heartier fuller flavor! Sandy your soup looks amazing!
Sheila @Eat2gather´s last [type] ..Hearty Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
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i love that it tastes great and is good for you at the same time
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https://twitter.com/#!/aes529/status/174220952509493250
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Love the thought of doing the pasta in the slow cooker. This would have to be a weekend recipe for me though. I like that the pasta will stay firm b/c it is whole grain….mushy pasta is no good.
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What a tasty looking batch of chicken noodle soup, Sandy! I love your recipe and would love to try it for myself. Thanks for sharing! You have a great blog and I’m glad to have found you.
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I love that my children have always loved Barilla’s whole wheat pasta. We have friends whose children balk at ‘brown pasta’ but mine love it.
Nikki´s last [type] ..Gamecock Sports Clinic for Cub Scouts
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I love that it’s so good for you.
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I have used Barilla pasta for a long time. It has been my preference for most of my almost 13 years of marriage – an Italian friend told me to buy only that one. If they just made egg noodles I would buy nothing else! And it is a great price with regular sales!
So Barilla Whole Grain combines healthy and my favorite pasta – how could you ever go wrong?
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i like the different dishes you can make with barilla
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tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/MeandBells/status/174281122891563008
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I like it’s whole grain and also taste great. Kids love it as well.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
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https://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/174282550712352768
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I love pasta, and Barilla is the only pasta I use in my recipes, I really need to try the wheat grain version.
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i love the wonderful taste and it fills you up
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I only use Barilla and love it
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I absolutely love Barilla Pasta, and usually only buy the whole grain:) And thank you for the link to the recipes! I tend to run into a wall when making pasta recipes for my family, and was inspired by some of the combinations on the site!
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I love that it doesn’t taste that much different than regular pasta!
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Tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/kaori_ikeda01/status/174390666439299072
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i like the nutty flavor
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I love that it’s healthier and get a little more whole grain into my diet. The kids love it too! Bonus!
Lisa@The Cutting Edge of Ordinary´s last [type] ..Easy Cheesy Dilly Loaf
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I love that Barilla is healthy and it tastes good!
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I love all the awesome fiber!
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Hi Sandy! Thanks for a fun giveaway! I’m trying to like whole grain pastas more and I LOVE the idea of a slow cooker soup. As for using a rotisserie chicken…brilliant!
Ann´s last [type] ..Cous Cous, Chicken and Orange Salad
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Barilla Whole Grain is my favorite and my pantry is full of it. My fam has been eating whole grain pasta for years, my kids don’t know the difference. I love how it has so much protein and fiber.
What a great soup for the slow cooker! I hope you are feeling better!
Aggie´s last [type] ..Healthy Habit: Empty The Fruit Bowl
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I love that my kids are always eager to eat it up!
Elise´s last [type] ..O Elise, Where Art Thou?
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I love that it tastes almost exactly like the regular egg noodles!
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i love that it is more nutritious than plain white pasta
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tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/raggammuffin/status/175603472891256832
kjasus´s last [type] ..the lorax / fandango giveaway!
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I love Barilla pasta because it is healthy and taste really good!
monk5 at charter dot net
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I love that it has more fiber and that you can’t taste the difference
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We LOVE pasta in our house. Since we eat 1-2x weekly with pasta as a side or part of our main course, I keep my choices limited: high fiber, high protein, low cholesterol, and still the great taste. I’ve even been known to buy two versions and mix so we have a little of everything covered
Barilla is tops on my grocery list.
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i love not feeling guilty about eating pasta
thepryfamily@gmail.com
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I love your recipe….I’m drooping over your pictures. I love Barilla Whole Grain Pasta for their extra nutty flavor and nutrition over regular pasta.
Amy Tong´s last [type] ..Lemon Scented Thumbprint Cookies
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I love that it’s high in fiber and tastes great
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https://twitter.com/#!/susan1215/status/177575003980697600
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I love how much healthier it is, but the taste and texture are good things too.
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I tweeted this
https://twitter.com/#!/The_Sunshyn/status/177579044827709443
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i like that it still tastes good
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I like that I don’t get “the look” from my son when I serve this
won2xx at gmail dot com
Wendy T´s last [type] ..You Were. You Are: An Ode To My Daughter in Heaven On Her Birthday
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http://twitter.com/#!/won2x/status/177886429668577280
Wendy T´s last [type] ..You Were. You Are: An Ode To My Daughter in Heaven On Her Birthday
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I love the nutty flavor, which is exactly what my husband dislikes so I end up using Barilla whole grain for vegetarian lunches for me.
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
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Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/didyouyarnthat/status/178081027502256128
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I love the fact that it delivers three times the fiber of regular pasta and still tastes delicious!
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I love how healthy it is. It’s a great way to add whole grains to our diet. I love your recipe also.
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https://twitter.com/#!/praisetruth/status/178240394612576256
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I have to admit that I prefer white pasta, but we’ve made the switch and I love that Barilla is a really great source of fiber for our family’s diet….especially for my sons who eat a lot of the wrong foods when left to their own devices.
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I love that it is easy find in most stores and it is tasty.
Michelle´s last [type] ..Nashville Hot Chicken Review: Pepperfire Spiced Chicken
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i love the health benefits- and it tastes good too!
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https://twitter.com/#!/mermont84/status/179519345637081088
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I love the taste
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https://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/179578429698613248
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That looks yummy!
Aside from the obvious health reasons, I love Barilla Whole Grain because it adds a bit more flavor and texture than regular pasta. I love a food that’s both healthier and tastier!
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I like it’s whole grain and also taste great plus is all natural
purple_lover_04 at msn dot com
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https://twitter.com/#!/purplelover04/status/180898174192455680
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I love Barilla’s Whole Grain Pasta because it provides more fiber, it is nutritious and delicious. I have been buying the Barilla’s regular pasta for many years and switched to this whole grain once I tried and love it’s texture.
ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com
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I tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/#!/ctong2/status/180935097015476224
ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com
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I like that its healthy for my and my kids can’t tell the difference! thanks
ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com
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https://twitter.com/#!/shuggysmommy/status/181072486543269888
ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com
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Pasta that is good for you AND tastes good! Ya can’t go wrong!
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Yum! I actually prefer whole grain pasta over the regular white kind because I like my pasta firm. I often buy Barilla when I have a coupon for it.
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I love that Barilla Whole Grain has way more fiber than regular pasta!
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tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/jfong1130/status/181960308582125568
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I love the healthiness of the extra fiber. Pasta is sometimes shown as a fattening food, but the whole wheat adds some great benefits to pasta. Most of the time my family doesn’t even notice!
Judy
Judy @ A Meek Perspective´s last [type] ..Around the Farm – Berries, Lambs, Kitten & Sheep
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That looks so yummy! We love the flavor, and the fact it is healthier for you. sweepmorey at gmail dot com
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tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/mommysdizzy/status/183625868009148417
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I love that it’s healthy and still tastes great!
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tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/KerryBishop/status/183735947232428032
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Barilla Whole Grain pasta has made my kids want to eat healthier, and for this I love it!
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I tweeted the post https://twitter.com/#!/lindabr1001/status/183924162522398720
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I love that Barilla Whole Grain is all natural and is a great source of fiber. Thanks for the chance to win!
gina.m.maddox (AT) gmail (DOT) com
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tweet-https://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/183967519470661633
gina.m.maddox (AT) gmail (DOT) com
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We already use this pasta-love the flavor thanks
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I love the taste.
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I love that its a very well known name brand offering whole grains to the masses. I am a huge proponent of eating whole foods, especially whole grains and have noticed that lots of people have a negative opinion of “health foods.” With the Barilla name comes a guarantee that its going to taste great and hopefully that will get more people to try it and see that eating healthy tastes great!
angie lilly´s last [type] ..frosty black berry by FotoMacro
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I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/#!/MsTofuFairy/status/184651125625061376
angie lilly´s last [type] ..frosty black berry by FotoMacro
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I like that I don’t have to feel guilty about eating pasta
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I love that it’s 51% whole wheat and my family can’t tell the difference when eating it!
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https://twitter.com/#!/cmouse01/status/185182570928013313
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I use Barilla but haven’t tried the whole grain yet. Guess it’s time to get on that train.
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THE TASTE- IT’S BEGUN TO GET THE BEST OF ME =)
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2ND ENTRY TWEET https://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/185505644885975042
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I like it’s healthier but still tasty!
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I love they have a taste guarantee
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tweet! https://twitter.com/#!/LAMusing/status/185582297779671040
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I love that Barilla has found a way to make my favorite pasta healthier and still taste good. I use pasta almost every day.
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Tweet – https://twitter.com/#!/willitara/status/185762560119816193
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I like that it tastes good.
Thanks for the contest.
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Blogged:
http://slehan.blogspot.com/2012/03/win-100-amazon-gc-from-barilla-blogher.html
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I like that it contains three times more fiber than regular pasta.
runningmatey at hotmail dot com
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https://twitter.com/#!/LuckyDuckyToo/status/185850362941554689
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Barilla is the best whole grain pasta that I’ve had. So many other brands taste like cardboard (too grainy) or they claim to be whole grain, but don’t have the nutritional stats to back up their claims. Barilla is the happy medium!
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my tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/mrs_puddle/status/185900467593818112
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