Tasting is Believing: Werther’s No Sugar Added

Great caramel taste, without the calories: Did you know Werther’s Original caramel candy also comes in a delicious variety of No Sugar Added flavours?

Hand-crafted in Germany, Werther’s Original No Sugar Added candy comes in original, coffee and chocolate. It’s rich and creamy with no aftertaste, and is made with real butter and fresh cream — just like Werther’s Original caramel.

“Tasting is believing,” so try all the great Werther’s Original No Sugar Added flavours today! Whether you have a sugar restricted diet, a sugar-reduced lifestyle, or sensitivity to sugar, Werther’s Original No Sugar Added candy is the perfect indulgence.

Tell us which Werther’s Original No Sugar Added flavour you love the best! Tag us at #Werther’sOriginalNoSugarAdded #londondrugs!

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: Hot Gifts for Kids of Every Age

2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

Christmas is coming! Time to start making your list and checking it twice. Christmas is such a magical time for children, so it’s important to choose the right toys and gifts for them. Don’t worry, London Drugs has got you covered with the hottest gift for kids as well as a few other toys you might not have considered.

For Kids Aged 0-3

Holiday Gift Guide for Kids - Mega Bloks2018 Holiday Gift Guide Mega Bloks ABC Train

Your little one will be ahead of the class with the Mega Bloks 123 Counting Bus Set and 123 Learning Train, which feature big printed numbers on the blocks so kids can learn to count while building a friendly train or bus.

The Mega Bloks ABC Train offers a similar, engaging opportunity to learn the alphabet during play time.

2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids - Mega Bloks Fast Tracks2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids - Mega Bloks Fire Rescue

For children who just want some fun, the Mega Bloks First Racers Fast Tracks Racing Rig and Block Builders Fire Truck Rescue encourage hands-on play and tons of excitement!

2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids - Playskool My Little Pony

Some things never go out of style, like My Little Pony and friendship. The My Little Pony Celebration Castle offers both in an adorable purple playset. What’s more fun than a dance party with Pinkie Pie and StarSong in a spinning castle turret?

For Kids Aged 3-5

2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids - LOL Doll2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids - LOL Glam Glitter Surprise

L.O.L. Surprise dolls are the gift that keeps on giving, since each one of them offers seven layers of surprises, including which doll you get. These highly collectible toys even make use of the sphere they’re packaged in, which become a doll display or purse carrying case. Go big with the L.O.L. Glam Glitter Surprise dolls!

2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids - Paw Patrol Fire Truck

Your child can join Paw Patrol favourites Marshall, Skye, and Zuma in amazing adventures with the Paw Patrol Fire Truck Set. With a ladder, siren, mini hose and water cannon (that actually launches three included projectiles!), the Paw Patrol is off to the rescue.

For Kids Aged 5-8

2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids - Fingerling Blaze2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids - Fingerlings Untamed Dinos

Fingerlings, the adorable animatronic toys that cling to your fingers, were so popular last year that people were selling counterfeit versions to meet the demand. This year you’ll want to get the Fingerlings from the Untamed Dinos set: Blaze, Fury, Razor, Stealth, Scratch, Ripsaw, Tracker, and IronJaw. Or grab the Untamed Jailbreak set with an exclusive T-Rex! The Glitter Panda Fingerlings are popular this year too.

2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids - Skyrocket Pomsie2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids - Squeezamals

Pomsies are kind of like furry Fingerlings. These soft fuzzy toys are interactive, like Fingerlings, but they can clip on to a backpack, wrist, clothes or wherever you child wants. With up to 50 different reactions, your child will never tire of their cute new friend!

If your child likes Pomsies, they’ll love Squeezamals. These round, plush toys are even cuter, with giant sparkling eyes and sweet smiles. Think stuffed animals, but super squishy and tons of fun.

For Kids Aged 8-11

2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids - Magic Wizard Set

Older kids are a little more dextrous, so they’ll do well with toys that involve more pieces as well as those that stimulate them intellectually. The Ideal Street Magic Wizard set is a great gift for your budding magician, with supplies and instructions for over a hundred different magic tricks. Your child will be enthralled for all of Christmas break!

2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids - Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall

Another great hands-on toy is the LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall. This set includes a buildable Great Hall and tower, complete with house tables and banners, fireplace and food, as well as 10 minifigures of everyone’s favourite characters. Grindelwald’s Escape LEGO set is a great complement to this, and it ties in nicely with the latest Fantastic Beasts film.

Board games are still popular gifts this year, including favourites like Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan, Codenames, Pandemic, and Trouble.

For Kids Aged 12-15

2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids - Nintendo Fortnite Switch2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids - Pop Funko Wobblers

Video games are still the hottest gifts for tweens and teens, especially Fortnite, currently the most popular video game in the world. For kids new to video games, grab the Fortnite Double Helix Bundle that comes with the game and a Nintendo Switch console. If they’re already playing Fortnite, give them the new Deep Freeze bundle available for PS4, Xbox One, or the Switch.

Funko POP toys are big hits with this age group too! Try the Star Wars Wobblers with bobble heads, the Rock Candy Marvel superheroes, or the Marvel Captain America set with two classic Funko POPs and two pocket POP keychains.

We’ve got all kinds of gifts for all kinds of gifters. Need more holiday gift help? Shop our selection of toys for other great gift ideas.

5 Ways to Boost Your Holiday Self-care with Essential Oils

Essential oils for holiday self-care

Ah the holiday season is definitely in the air. For many of us that means putting up twinkling lights, decorating the house, and getting ready to exchange gifts with our loved ones. It also means a long to-do list of extra errands we need to check off as we get ready for the festive season. It’s very easy to put self-care on the back-burner at this time of year, which may leave you feeling burned out and exhausted by January. To avoid ringing in 2019 already feeling weary, we have some tips on how to take care of yourself with essential oils this holiday season.

What Are Essential Oils?

Holiday Self-care with Essential Oils

Essential oils are liquids extracted from trees, shrubs, plants, flowers, and seeds, and can be used for a variety of ailments. They can be used for aroma (in a diffuser or bath), topically (applied to the skin), and internally (ingested).

Using essential oils is called aromatherapy and has become increasingly popular in recent years. Fans of aromatherapy typically use diffusers to enjoy the aromatic effects of essential oils. London Drugs has a wide array of diffusers — from the small and discreet to the eye-catching and decorative.

How to Use Essential Oils

Using essential oils for holiday self-care

Essential oils can help with everything from calming down stress levels to boosting your immunity. They can also help ensure you’re getting enough shut-eye between buying the perfect gifts and baking those scrumptious holiday cookies.

For Sleep

Scents like valerian, lavender and curated relaxation mixes are great sleep aids. Place them in your diffuser or bath an hour before bed and you’ll sleep like a yule log.

For Stress

When it all feels like a bit too much and you feel your stress levels rising, there are several oils (and oil blends) that can help restore calm. Bergamot, chamomile, and rose are frequently used to treat stress.

For an Immunity Boost

You may find yourself coming down with a cold or virus during the festive season. No one has time to spend several days in bed nursing the sniffles, so ward off any bugs with immunity boosters like oreganopeppermint, or lemon oil. If you do come down with a cold, put a few drops of Eucalyptus oil in your diffuser or bath to open up the airways and help soothe your lungs.

For Aches and Pains

Using essential oils topically (applying them to the skin) can help with a multitude of issues such as headaches, neck pain, colds, and injuries, none of which are on your to-do list this holiday season. 

Topical oils are popular because they easily penetrate the skin and specifically target problem areas. Be sure to read the instructions and ensure you don’t apply undiluted oils to the skin. Unless they already come diluted, they should always be mixed with water or a carrier oil (coconut oil or olive oil are popular) before use. Also check for skin sensitivity to any oils before using.

For an Energy Boost

Most importantly at this time of year we want to feel energized. Some great essential oils that will boost your mood are citrus blends, rosemary, vanilla, or lavender. You’ll feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle all the festivities this season.


Shop our selection of aromatherapy products for other resources that may help you destress and nurture your health this holiday season. If you are looking for some more self-care inspiration and support, you can also talk to an expert at the LD Pharmacy.

Not Just for Smoothies: The Best Blender Recipes You’ll Find Anywhere

Smoothies are a great option for a healthy breakfast or snack that you can blend up in a flash, but we have it on good authority that your blender is really bored of bananas and frozen strawberries. Send your hardworking blender on a taste vacation with these healthy and delicious blender recipes for any meal of the day.

Breakfast

Sunshine French Toast

Ingredients:

2 eggs
2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
8 slices bread

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients except bread slices in blender.
  2. Process on Blend about 5 seconds. Pour mixture into shallow bowl.
  3. Dip bread slices in mixture.
  4. Melt a small pat of butter in skillet. Cook over medium heat about 2 minutes per side or until lightly brown.
  5. Serve with butter, fresh fruit or maple syrup.

[Recipe courtesy of Hamilton Beach]

 

Egg Muffin Cups with Greens

Serves 6

Ingredients:

Cooking spray
12 silicone muffin liners
Baking pan
10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed
6 large eggs
1 cup egg whites
8 ounces reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325° F. Boil 2 litres of water in a kettle. Grease the insides of the muffin liners with oil and arrange them on a rimmed baking pan.
  2. Squeeze excess water out of the spinach and put it in a food processor or blender along with the eggs, egg whites, cheese, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Pulse until mixture is an even green colour with bits of spinach, about 30 seconds. Fill the muffin liners almost to the tops with the egg mixture. Place the baking pan on the middle oven rack and carefully pour the boiled water into the pan. Bake until firm in the centres, about 20-25 minutes.
  3. Transfer muffin liners to a cooling rack to set for 5 minutes.

Pro Tip:

Egg muffins can be wrapped and stored in the refrigerator for a week. To reheat, stick them in the microwave at 50% power for 60-90 seconds.

[Recipe courtesy of The Daily Burn]

Lunch

Fresh Broccoli Soup

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 small onion cut in quarters
2 cups broccoli, cut in big chunks
1½ cups chicken broth or bouillon
1 cup milk
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

Directions:

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté onion in butter until onion is limp.
  2. Add chicken broth and broccoli. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer 10 minutes.
  3. Place broccoli, onion, and broth in blender jar. Add milk, salt, and pepper. Remove filler-cap from cover to allow steam to escape.
  4. Blend on high speed for 5 seconds. Turn blender off.
  5. Remove cover and check consistency. For a smoother texture, replace cover and blend on high speed for 5 to 10 seconds. If desired, pour soup back into saucepan to reheat.

[Recipe courtesy of Hamilton Beach]

Southwest Chicken Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing

Ingredients: 

Salad
5 cups shredded romaine lettuce
2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (11 oz) whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, drained and rinsed
1 cup chopped tomato
1/2 cup sliced green onions

Dressing
1/3 cup olive oil or canola oil
1 1/2 cups finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 clove garlic, finely chopped (1 teaspoon)
3 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup whole milk plain yogurt

Directions:

  1. In large bowl, mix salad ingredients.
  2. In blender, place olive oil, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, and salt. Cover and blend on high speed until smooth. If necessary, stop blender and scrape down mixture. Transfer to small bowl; beat in yogurt with whisk until smooth.
  3. Before serving, add dressing to salad mixture; toss until mixed well. Serve immediately, or refrigerate up to 1 hour before serving.

[Recipe courtesy of Betty Crocker]

Dinner

Easy Mediterranean Pasta Sauce

Ingredients:

1 can (15 oz.) whole tomatoes
1/3 cup roasted red pepper
1 jar (6 oz.) marinated artichoke hearts, drained
3 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 small onion, quartered
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil

Directions:

  1. Blend tomatoes in blender on low speed until smooth.
  2. Add other ingredients and pulse until coarsely chopped. Heat, if desired, and pour over pasta.

Tip: Make an extra batch and freeze for future use. Store in freezer containers or plastic freezer bags, label, and date. This sauce can be frozen for up to 4 months.

Substitutions: If fresh herbs are available, substitute 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano for the dried basil and oregano.

Jerk Chicken Wrap

Serves 4 (Marinates overnight)

Chicken Ingredients:

6 scallions, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 Scotch Bonnet peppers, minced
½ cup soy sauce
½ cup sugarcane vinegar
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
2 Tbsp garlic, chopped
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground pimento (allspice)
1 cup chicken stock
1 ½ lbs skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Wrap Ingredients:

Paratha Roti
Cajun Mayonnaise
Romaine lettuce, shredded
Romatoes, sliced
Red onion, sliced
Pineapple and mango salsa
Cheddar cheese, grated

Directions:

  1. In the blender, combine all ingredients except the chicken breasts and blend for about 30 seconds. Ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.
  2. Place the chicken in a medium bowl, and coat with the marinade. Refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours, or overnight.
  3. Preheat grill and lightly oil grate. Cook chicken on the prepared grill 6 to 8 minutes, until juices run clear.
  4. Place grilled chicken into pan with hot chicken stock; place pan into oven to bake chicken for an additional 6 minutes.
  5. Allow meat to rest for 5 minutes.

Wrap Assembly:

  1. Char the Paratha Roti on an open grill grate, allowing both sides to toast lightly. Remove from heat.
  2. Add the following ingredients in sequence: Cajun mayonnaise, shredded romaine lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pineapple and mango salsa, grated cheddar cheese.
  3. Lay jerk chicken on top and wrap up carefully folding and tucking the bottom flap in.

[Recipe courtesy of Food Network Canada]

Snacks

Restaurant Style Salsa

Ingredients:

1 23 oz. jar diced tomatoes
1 4 oz. can green chiles
1 garlic clove
1 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp chopped white onion
1/2 cup grape tomatoes
Himalayan sea salt, to taste
Red pepper flakes, to taste
Diced red onion, for garnish

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients to blender.
  2. Pulse until salsa has reached your desired consistency.
  3. Add salt and himalayan sea salt to your taste.
  4. Serve with homemade crackers, plantain chips, corn chips, or veggies.

[Recipe courtesy of Lexi’s Clean Kitchen]

Dessert

Easy Chocolate Mousse

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 cup whole milk
4 tbsp unsalted butter
2 large eggs
6 oz good quality dark chocolate coarsely chopped
1/2 cup heavy 35% or whipping cream
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
pinch of salt
Whipped cream to serve

Directions:

  1. Heat milk and butter in a saucepan until small bubbles appear at the edge.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs in medium bowl.
  3. Very slowly stream about half of the hot milk mixture into the eggs, whisking constantly, then slowly stream the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk. (This prevents the eggs from curdling.)
  4. Cook, stirring constantly until the mixture reaches 165ºF, about 2 minutes.
  5. Carefully transfer this custard base to the blender. Add the chopped chocolate and blend on high speed for about 30 seconds. Add the cream and blend for another 30 seconds. Then add the sugar, vanilla and salt and blend again for 30 seconds.
  6. Pour the mousse into serving glasses and chill for about 2 hours, until set. Serve with whipped cream.

[Recipe courtesy of Foodess.com]


If you’re worried your blender isn’t up to the task of taking on all of these delicious new blender recipes, it could be time for an upgrade. London Drugs carries some of the best blender brands on the market, including Hamilton Beach, which has a blender for every kind of kitchen and every budget.

Until December 24, purchase any qualifying Hamilton Beach product with your #LDExtras member ID and be automatically entered to win a Toyota Prius C

 

Holiday Gift Ideas for Neighbours, Teachers, Co-Workers & More

During the holidays, surprising your loved ones with the ‘big ticket’ items they’ve been dreaming about all year is easy – what’s hard is finding a way to really wow with the smaller gifts meant for neighbours, teachers, co-workers or anyone else on your holiday shopping list. This year, consider foregoing the usual box of chocolates in favour of something that will really make them feel special: something personalized.

Our LDExperts recommend personalizing a photo mug, water bottle or carafe with a photo (and even a personal message if you like) to create a truly unique gift for all of the special people in your life. It’s sure to not only spread some holiday cheer, but will show them you’re thinking of them.

To help get you started, here are some ideas for customizing your own photo gifts:

For Your Neighbours

Do you have a snapshot of your neighbour and their family from a block party this summer? Or do you have a photo of your kids and theirs playing together? Maybe you can easily snap a photo of their pride and joy sportscar in the driveway. Whatever it is, find an image that will showcase some of the favourite things or people in their life, and use it to customize a mug, water bottle or carafe for them. It’s a small way to thank them for being such a wonderful neighbour this past year!

For Your Teachers

If you’re looking for a thoughtful way to thank your child’s teachers for all their hard work, a personalized gift will go a long way. Teachers generally get a lot of mugs as gifts, so why not switch it up and personalize a water bottle for them instead? Employ your child to draw up some artwork – maybe a simple ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Thank you Ms. ______’ theme – and we can help you scan that artwork and put it on a water bottle! Or if you have a scanner at home, you can then simply upload that digitized artwork to our Photolab site to customize your bottle.

For Your Co-Workers

Co-workers aren’t always easy to get gifts for, especially when you’re trying to keep it to something small. Here’s a creative gift idea you’ll know they’ll appreciate: personalize a mug or carafe for them, so that no one in the office will ever accidentally use their mug again! Add some custom text to it like ‘This is Gary’s Mug’, or simply add a photo of their face to the mug, so there will be zero confusion who’s mug or carafe it is. Now they won’t have to fear leaving their mug in the office cupboard! That might just make you their new favourite co-worker.

For Your Friends

This is an easy one – just pick a favourite snapshot of you and your BFF. We’re sure you won’t have any difficulties finding lots to choose from. Or take a quick peek at their Instagram, for a particularly special moment from their year, and surprise them with that on a water bottle or mug.

 

Our LDExperts also suggest making your gifts even sweeter by including some treats inside! Add a packet of hot chocolate mix, a candy cane, and a small baggy of marshmallows – all wrapped up in some cellophane.

To get started on your own personalized gifts, just visit our London Drugs Photolab online, in-store or simply download our London Drugs Photolab App for iOS and Android.

And don’t worry – if someone surprises you with a gift you weren’t expecting…you can order our 11oz and 14oz mugs same-day!

How to Next Level Your Christmas Stockings

Are you stockings starting to look a little shabby? No, we’re not talking about the ones on your feet – we’re talking about your family’s Christmas stockings! For lots of families, hanging stockings over the fireplace is a long-standing holiday tradition. But sometimes those traditions need a little sprucing up. If your stockings are looking a little worse for wear after years of use, we can help you upgrade to some truly next level stockings…completely personalized for every member of your family!

Customized Stockings

Our Photolab offers customizable Christmas stockings in a variety of styles. If each member of your family gets a stocking, give them the opportunity to make it their own. Let them choose a photo for their stocking, and they can even add their name or nickname to it. Don’t leave out the family pet either – we can help you make one for them too! You also have the option to have the photo featured on just one side, or on both sides of the stocking. Of course, all of our stockings will come with a small loop so they’re ready to hang!

Customized Stocking Stuffers

While you’re at it, you can take your stocking stuffers to the next level too! It’s always great to have some stocking stuffer fillers in there like candy canes and chocolates, but stockings are also a great place to include some more thoughtful, small gifts as well. We have lots of items you can customize, that will fit perfectly into your family’s Christmas stockings.

Two of our LDExperts’ top picks for personalized stockings stuffers are photo keychains and ornaments. Both are small enough to fit perfectly in your stockings, and are a nice, thoughtful gift they can cherish beyond this holiday season.

Keychains can be customized with your choice of photo, and come in a variety of styles, from a metal heart to a metal square with leatherette backing. We can also include a name or personal message on the photo for added customization. The same can be done with our ornaments.

The ornaments are available in 20 different styles: on metal, pewter, crystal or ceramic. Our metal ornaments can be printed on the font and back, and all of our ornaments come with a pre-drilled hole so you can easily hang from your tree with a small ribbon. We think the personalized ornaments are a great gift to make a yearly tradition! Each Christmas, simply pick a photo that best represents that person’s year – and add the year in text to the ornament so they’ll always remember when that memory was from. It’s a sweet custom that will be so special to look back on, as you collect new ornaments over the years.

 

Ready to take your Christmas stockings to the next level? Visit our London Drugs Photolab online, in-store or simply download our London Drugs Photolab App for iOS and Android to get started!

November Book of the Month: The Travelling Cat Chronicles

November Book of the Month - The Travelling Cat Chronicles

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

If you love to read you’ve likely read books of every genre, and you’ll know that certain books leave a mark on you for various reasons. Some are disturbing, some make you think about the bigger life issues, and some are just so heartwarming that they make you smile every time you think about them. The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa is one of those books that falls firmly into the heartwarming camp.

On the surface it’s a simple story about Satoru Miyawaki, who is taking his beloved cat Nana on a journey through Japan to visit old friends in search of a new home for his pet. It’s not immediately clear why he has to find a new home for a cat he clearly adores, but as the story gently unfolds, we learn more about Satoru and what brought him to his cross-country journey with Nana.

Satoru adopted Nana from the streets and, despite Nana’s initial resistance to domestication, they become inseparable. Nana is so named because of the kink in his tail that resembles the number seven, and “nana” is also the Japanese word for “seven.” The story is partially told in Nana’s voice and, in fact, many of the more revealing moments about Satoru are told by the astute feline with whom he shares his life.The Travelling Cat Chronicles

As Satoru and Nana set off in Satoru’s silver van, always with Nana riding up front so he can admire the changing scenery, the story of Satoru’s often heartbreaking past is slowly revealed. Satoru visits friends he has not seen in a long time, starting with Kosuke from elementary school, then Yoshimine and Sugi and Chikako from high school. As Satoru reunites with his old friends, they reminisce about the past and their shared experiences. Eventually, Satoru and Nana land at the home of his aunt Noriko, who took Satoru in as a child after a tragic era in his life. Through it all, Nana remains a keen observer who is slowly realizing the purpose of the cross-country journey.

If you are an animal lover, this book will certainly appeal to you, but at its heart it’s also a book about love, jealousy, and the relationships we form throughout our lives. The friendship between Satoru and Nana is so endearing and so pure it will restore your faith in humanity. Be warned though, this book will absolutely make you ugly cry. Reading it on your morning transit commute or in any public place is not advised! Reading The Travelling Cat Chronicles is like cuddling up with your favourite pet. It will warm your heart and remind you of all that is good in the world.

Book of the Month

Every month we will be featuring a book to be showcased in our Book of the Month. Staff members and friends will be reading the book and posting their reviews. We’d love to hear what you thought of these books as well. Post your comments and let us know. The Travelling Cat Chronicles is available at London Drugs along with many other great titles and is on sale for the month of November.

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