Big business can happen in small towns. Small towns offer a unique opportunity of a concentrated market, as well as the challenge of a limited population. Finding small-town business ideas that will stick is all about meeting a current demand with a great product or service.

In order to start a business in a barrymasonsongwriter small town, you’ll need to perform background research into the local market, as well as the specific geography of the physical location. In a small town, you’re much more dependent on a smaller group for business, so choosing the right location is crucial to optimize store traffic. Even if your business plan is service-based, it’s still a good idea to have a firm grasp on how big your market is.

Once you have an idea of the consumer marketplace in your town, you can lay the groundwork for different small-town business ideas, ultimately deciding on the one that you think will work best. Once you find out more about the resources available and other businesses in your area, you can talk to other business owners and evaluate the costs and requirements of starting a business in a small town. For inspiration, we’ve gathered this list of 35 small-town business ideas that every community needs. You can use this list as a starting point for research, or perhaps, find just the right idea for a business in your small town.

Small-town business ideas

Starting a small-town business requires careful research and understanding of your community. Once you have a sense of the existing businesses in your area and local demand (more on that below), you’re ready to decide which enterprise is right for you — and the community.

Try to find an industry or service where profitable small businesses, the community’s needs and your own interests intersect. Here are a few small-town business ideas you might consider:

1. Restaurants

Diner, fine dining or somewhere in between, a successful small-town restaurant is all about providing people what they want, but don’t already have. When starting a restaurant, it might be tempting to copy a popular place in town, but consider catering to a need — or desire — that locals can’t find nearby, and an attraction worth traveling over from the next town.

For example, a farm-to-table restaurant is a great small-town business idea, but if you’re not in an agriculturally rich area, or that already exists in your town, consider an alternative. Think about what your family looks forward to when leaving town. Maybe it’s the experience of an elegant meal, or maybe it’s a slice of New York-style pizza, but there’s a good chance there’s a market for a new restaurant. You just have to figure out what people want — and will eat.

2. Hybrid bar/coffee shop

Make up for slower business traffic by serving the beverages people want all day. If coffee shops aren’t a “thing” in your town, serving coffee all day at a place where people do go — like a bar — can slowly start to normalize the activity and encourage crossover business. A local small-town bar might be your dream business, but a coffee shop can start bringing in money at sunrise; there’s no need to compromise, as long as you create an environment that works for both day and night.

3. Liquor store

Depending on county laws and state taxes, opening a liquor store can be one of the most lucrative small-town business ideas. Particularly in areas where grocery stores aren’t permitted to sell alcohol, liquor stores control the alcohol market in small towns. Be sure to read up on how to start a liquor store, because securing the documentation you need (like a liquor license) can be tricky.

4. Handyman or contractor

A good handyman will always be in demand, even in small towns. If you’re frequently getting calls from friends, family and neighbors to come and take a look at a leaky pipe or wobbly board, you might be well on your way to starting a small-town business that works.

Starting a contractor service will be relatively straightforward if you already work odd jobs, and have an idea of who will hire you. If people in the area are unfamiliar with your work, try to get in touch with a general contractor who’s willing to offer a small project, and hopefully pass on your name to future clients. In a word-of-mouth business like service work, repairs and construction, the people you already know, and who know your work, are your strongest salespeople.

5. Automotive repairs

You’re pretty much required to have a car if you live in a rural area or a small town, but being far away from a dealership can make routine servicing a hassle. Auto repair services fill an obvious need for small towns and make life more convenient for locals, so you might consider whether there’s an opportunity in your town to open up shop.

Likewise, cars break down everywhere, and most tow trucks charge per mile. So, if your town is a significant distance between major cities, there might be an opportunity for you to start towing cars — even if you don’t have a proper repair shop.

Angin Kencang dan Longsor Terjang Belasan Rumah di Bogor

Belasan rumah warga dan satu PAUD di Kabupaten Bogor porak poranda akibat hujan deras disertai sicbo angin kencang dan tanah longsor. Bencana alam ini melanda enam kecamatan di Kabupaten Bogor di waktu yang berdekatan.

Kepala Pelaksana (Kalak) Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah (BPBD) Kabupaten Bogor, Ade Hasrat, menyebut peristiwa itu terjadi pada Rabu (25/10/2023) sore. Angin kencang terjadi di enam kecamatan berbeda. Yaitu Kecamatan Ciampea, Nanggung, Cigudeg, Tamansari, Ciomas dan Kecamatan Leuwiliang.

Untuk di Kecamatan Ciampea, angin kencang melanda Desa Tegal Waru dengan dampak satu unit rumah yang dihuni dua jiwa mengalami rusak ringan.

“Dengan kondisi rumah yang tidak memiliki selup dan juga kondisi kayu sudah rapuh, dikhawatirkan akan meningkatkan kerusakan pada bangunan jika terjadi kembali hujan dan angin kencang dengan waktu yang cukup lama, maka di butuhkan penanganan lebih lanjut dari pihak terkait,” kata Ade melalui keterangannya, Kamis (26/10/2023).

Untuk di Kecamatan Nanggung, sambung dia. bencana alam angin kencang ini melanda tiga kampung, yaitu Kampung Citumbuk, Kampung Babakan Cengkeh dan Kampung Babakan Sawah, Desa Cisarua. Rumah yang terdampak mengalami rusak sedang dengan dinding dapur dan kamar retak-retak.

Dari Nanggung berpindah ke Kecamatan Cigudeg, kata Ade, di sini ada satu unit rumah yang dihuni oleh rnam jiwa di Kampung Citeureup, Desa Cigudeg yang mengalami rusak berat akibat dihantam oleh angin kencang.

“Untuk sementara, rumah yang jebol, gentengnya belum diperbaiki karena tiang penyangga sudah retak dan berisiko. Harus segera diperbaiki karena khawatir apabila terjadi hujan lebat tiang penyangga atap patah,” jelasnya.

Lebih lanjut, Ade menyebut, angin kencang juga melanda Desa Sukajadi, Kecamatan Tamansari merusak satu unit rumah yang dihuni enam orang. Rumah ini engalami rusak berat dan para penghuninya pun saat ini terpaksa mengungsi di kediaman sanak saudaranya.

“Saat ini, satu rumah yang rusak akibat tertimpa pohon tumbang belum diperbaiki dan masih dalam keadaan rusak berat. Butuh penanganan segera dari pihak yang lebih berwenang,” ucap Ade.

Sedangkan untuk di Desa Kotabatu, Kecamatan Ciomas, ada empat rumah yang terdampak kerusakan akibat angin kencang tersebut. Rata-rata, kerusakan terjadi di bagian atap rumah ambruk.

Selain melanda dan berdampak pada rumah-rumah warga, sambung dia, angin kencang ini pun membuat beberapa pepohonan tumbang dan memberi dampak pada fasilitas umum. Menurut Ade, fasilitas umum tersebut adalah bangunan Pendidikan Usia Dini (Paud) Darul Mutaalimin di Desa Leuwimekar Kecamatan Leuwiliang, yang terkena dampak pohon tumbang.

“Untuk saat ini, pohon yang tumbang sudah dievakuasi oleh TRC BPBD Kabupaten Bogor dan dibantu Warga setempat,” ucapnya.

Sementara itu, ia menambahkan, tanah longsor terjadi di satu titik, yakni di Desa Cisarua, Kecamatan Nanggung dengan dampak satu unit rumah terancam oleh longsoran Tanggul Penahan Tanah (TPT).

Savor a juicy apple and you may help keep your ticker healthy in the process. “Studies have linked apple consumption with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, which may be related to the cholesterol-lowering benefits of the soluble fiber found in apples,” says Anzlovar.

Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like material, according to Mayo Clinic.

According to the University of Illinois, soluble fiber helps prevent cholesterol buildup in the lining of blood vessel walls, therefore lowering the incidence of atherosclerosis (restricted blood flow in the arteries due to plaque buildup) and heart disease. It can also help lower blood pressure levels: One past review found that a higher intake of soluble fiber was associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Past research shows that eating sempolanayamtingting apples (or pears) regularly was associated with a 52 percent lower stroke risk. Furthermore, a study published in February 2020 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating two apples a day helped study participants lower both their LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

2. Eating Foods With Fiber, Including Apples, Can Aid Digestion

You’ve likely heard that fiber is good for digestion — and what you’ve heard is true! According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, both types of fiber (soluble and insoluble, which means it can’t be absorbed in water) are important for digestion. And you’re in luck — apples have both types, according to the University of Illinois.

Soluble fiber helps slow down digestion, allowing you to feel full, and also slows the digestion of glucose, which helps control your blood sugar. Meanwhile, insoluble fiber can help move food through your system and aid with constipation and regularity, per Harvard.

Be sure to eat the apple skin, which contains much of the apple’s insoluble fiber, according to the University of Illinois.

3. Apples Can Support a Healthy Immune System

Who doesn’t want a stronger immune system going into autumn? Apples can be an important tool in your immune-supporting tool kit.

According to past research in animals, a diet filled with soluble fiber helped convert immune cells that were pro-inflammatory into anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting ones. Another animal study, published in May 2018 in the journal Immunity, found that a diet high in dietary fiber helped protect mice against the flu. (It’s not clear whether these effects would occur in humans, though.)

Still, there’s reason to believe that apples may bolster immunity, in part because they contain immune-boosting vitamin C. One past large review found that regular consumption of vitamin C plays many roles in helping the immune system function. For example, it can help strengthen the epithelial (a type of tissue) barrier against pathogens and guard against environmental oxidative stress, such as pollution and radiation, according to past research.

4. Apples Are a Diabetes-Friendly Fruit

If you have type 2 diabetes, consider adding apples to your diet. Sure, they’re a fruit, but it’s a common misconception that people with diabetes can’t eat fruit.

In this case, apples’ soluble fiber can help slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream and may improve blood sugar levels, Mayo Clinic notes. Plus, per Mayo, a healthy diet that includes insoluble fiber can lower your odds of developing type 2 diabetes in the first place.

Furthermore, a study of people with type 2 diabetes, published in August 2016 in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, found that regularly consuming soluble fiber helped reduce insulin resistance and improved blood sugar and triglyceride levels.

5. The Antioxidants in Apples May Play a Role in Cancer Prevention

While there’s no one surefire way to prevent cancer, apples may help play a role in fighting off these diseases. “Apples may reduce the risk of certain cancers, which researchers speculate is related to the antioxidants found in apples,” says Anzlovar. Past research suggests that apples are high in antioxidants, and in laboratory studies, these antioxidants have been shown to limit cancer cell growth.

A review published in October 2016 in Public Health Nutrition found that eating apples regularly is associated with a reduced risk of certain cancers, including colorectal, oral cavity, esophageal, and breast cancers.

Slot gacor, atau yang dikenal juga sebagai mesin slot online dengan tingkat kemenangan tinggi, telah menjadi sorotan utama di dunia perjudian online. Bagi para pemain yang ingin meraih kemenangan besar, memahami strategi dan tips bermain slot gacor menjadi sangat penting. Dalam artikel ini, kami akan membahas beberapa tips ampun yang dapat membantu Anda meningkatkan peluang kemenangan Anda dalam bermain slot gacor.

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Investing can intimidate a lot of people because there are many options and it can be hard to figure out which investments are right for your portfolio. This guide walks you through ten of the most common types of investments, from stocks to commodities and explains why you may want to consider including each in your portfolio. If you’re serious about investing it might make sense to find a financial advisor who can guide you and help you figure out which investments will help you reach your goals.

What Are the 3 Main Investment Categories?

While the types of investments are numerous, it is possible to group them into one of three categories, equity, fixed-income and cash or cash equivalents.

The term “equity” covers any kind of sriwijayauniversal investment that gives the investor an ownership stake in an enterprise. The most common example is common stocks. Other examples are preferred shares, funds that hold stocks, such as exchange-traded funds and mutual funds, private equity and American depositary receipts.

The term fixed-income covers any kind of investment that entails the investors essentially loaning money to an enterprise. The most common example is bonds, which come in various forms, including corporate and government, whether local, state or federal. Some fixed-income securities have equity-like characteristics, such as convertible bonds.

Cash and cash equivalents comprise a third type of investments. Besides bills such as you might keep in a wallet, this type includes checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts. Money market funds are sometimes considered cash equivalents because it’s easy to withdraw from such accounts, but they are technically fixed-income securities – albeit extremely secure securities.

5 Types of Securities

While it is possible to put investments into one of three categories, as described above, there are many types within these categories. Here are 11 key examples.

1. Stocks

Stocks, also known as shares or equities, might be the most well-known and simple type of investment. When you buy stock, you’re buying an ownership stake in a publicly-traded company. Many of the biggest companies in the country are publicly traded, meaning you can buy stock in them. Some examples include Exxon, Apple and Microsoft.

How you can make money: When you buy a stock, you’re hoping that the price will go up so you can then sell it for a profit. The risk, of course, is that the price of the stock could go down, in which case you’d lose money.

2. Bonds

When you buy a bond, you’re essentially lending money to an entity. Generally, this is a business or a government entity. Companies issue corporate bonds, whereas local governments issue municipal bonds. The U.S. Treasury issues Treasury bonds, notes and bills, all of which are debt instruments that investors buy.

How you can make money: While the money is being lent, the lender or investor gets interest payments. After the bond matures, meaning you’ve held it for the contractually determined amount of time, you get your principal back.

The rate of return for bonds is typically much lower than it is for stocks, but bonds also tend to be a lower risk. There is still some risk involved, of course. The company you buy a bond from could fold or the government could default. Treasury bonds, notes and bills, however, are considered very safe investments.

3. Mutual Funds

A mutual fund is a pool of many investors’ money that is invested broadly in a number of companies. Mutual funds can be actively managed or passively managed. An actively managed fund has a fund manager who picks securities in which to put investors’ money. Fund managers often try to beat a designated market index by choosing investments that will outperform such an index. A passively managed fund, also known as an index fund, simply tracks a major stock market index like the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500. Mutual funds can invest in a broad array of securities: equities, bonds, commodities, currencies and derivatives.

Mutual funds carry many of the same risks as stocks and bonds, depending on what they are invested in. The risk is often lesser, though, because the investments are inherently diversified.

How you can make money: Investors make money off mutual funds when the value of stocks, bonds and other bundled securities that the fund invests in go up. You can buy them directly through the managing firm and discount brokerages. But note there is typically a minimum investment and you’ll pay an annual fee.

4. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are similar to mutual funds in that they are a collection of investments that tracks a market index. Unlike mutual funds, which are purchased through a fund company, shares of ETFs are bought and sold on the stock markets. Their price fluctuates throughout the trading day, whereas mutual funds’ value is simply the net asset value of your investments, which is calculated at the end of each trading session.

How you can make money: ETFs make money from the collection of a return amongst all of their investments. ETFs are often recommended to new investors because they’re more diversified than individual stocks. You can further minimize risk by choosing an ETF that tracks a broad index. And just like mutual funds, you can make money from an ETF by selling it as it gains value.

5. Certificates of Deposit (CDs)

A certificate of deposit (CD) is considered to be a very low-risk investment. You give a bank a certain amount of money for a predetermined amount of time and earn interest on that money. When that time period is over, you get your principal back, plus the predetermined amount of interest. The longer the loan period, the higher your interest rate is likely to be. While the risk is low, so is the potential return.

How you can make money: With a CD, you make money from the interest that you earn during the term of the deposit. CDs are good long-term investments for saving money. There are no major risks because they are FDIC-insured up to $250,000, which would cover your money even if your bank were to collapse. That said, you have to make sure you won’t need the money during the term of the CD, as there are major penalties for early withdrawals.

Health is an asset that needs to be maintained properly so that we can live life optimally. Maintaining a healthy body is very important because health has a direct impact on a person’s quality of life.

Ketum PSSI, Erick Thohir memberi kejutan di hari Jumat yang berkah ini (3/11/2023) malam WIB. Ia menyampaikan bahwa proses naturalisasi pemain keturunan Justin Hubner dilanjutkan.

Erick Thohir mengumumkan hal itu melalui unggahan video di Instagram. Erick Thohir bahkan togel sdy mengatakan proses naturalisasi Justin Hubner segera rampung dan resmi jadi WNI.

« Setelah pembicaraan lebih lanjut, proses naturalisasi salah satu pemain kelahiran Belanda yang memiliki darah keturunan Indonesia, Justin Quincy Hubner, sudah masuk tahap akhir, » ujar Erick Thohir.

« Selanjutnya tinggal menunggu keputusan presiden dan pengambilan sumpah kewarganegaraan Republik Indonesia. »

« Semoga semua tahapan akan berjalan dengan lancar demi memajukan sepak bola Tanah Air. »

Sebelumnya, Justin Hubner sempat dikabarkan batal dinaturalisasi menyusul dicabutnya status Indonesia sebagai tuan rumah Piala Dunia U-20 pada akhir Maret lalu.

Saat itu, PSSI melalui Anggota Komite Eksekutif (Exco) Arya Sinulingga, menyebut pihaknya tidak lagi melanjutkan proses naturalisasi pemain milik Wolverhampton Wanderers U-21 tersebut

Meski tidak dijelaskan secara rinci, Arya saat itu menyebut Justin Hubner meminta sesuatu yang tidak disanggupi PSSI. Alhasil, hanya Ivar Jenner dan Rafael Struick yang naturalisasinya dilanjutkan kala itu.

Dalam unggahan Instagram Erick Thiohir, Justin Hubner turut memberikan respons dengan menyematkan dua emotikon.

Sebagai informasi, Justin hubner ini memiliki keturunan Indonesia dari sang ayah yang lahir di Jakarta. Sedangkan ibunya dari Belanda.

When it comes to knowing what’s healthy, even qualified experts often seem to hold opposing opinions. This can make it difficult to figure out what you should actually be doing to optimize your health.

Yet, despite all the disagreements, a number of wellness tips are well supported by research.

Here are 5 health and nutrition tips that are based on scientific evidence.

Sugary drinks like sodas, fruit juices, and sweetened teas are the primary source of added sugar in the American diet (1Trusted Source).

Unfortunately, findings from https://www.tencon2022.org/ several studies point to sugar-sweetened beverages increasing risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, even in people who are not carrying excess body fat (2Trusted Source).

Sugar-sweetened beverages are also uniquely harmful for children, as they can contribute not only to obesity in children but also to conditions that usually do not develop until adulthood, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source).

Some people avoid nuts because they are high in fat. However, nuts and seeds are incredibly nutritious. They are packed with protein, fiber, and a variety of vitamins and minerals (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).

Nuts may help you lose weight and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease (8Trusted Source).

Additionally, one large observational study noted that a low intake of nuts and seeds was potentially linked to an increased risk of death from heart disease, stroke, or type 2 diabetes (9Trusted Source).

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are foods containing ingredients that are significantly modified from their original form. They often contain additives like added sugar, highly refined oil, salt, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, colors, and flavors as well (10Trusted Source).

Examples include:

• snack cakes
• fast food
• frozen meals
• packaged cookies
• chips

UPFs are highly palatable, meaning they are easily overeaten, and activate reward-related regions in the brain, which can lead to excess calorie consumption and weight gain. Studies show that diets high in ultra-processed food can contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions (11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source).

In addition to low quality ingredients like refined oils, added sugar, and refined grains, they’re usually low in fiber, protein, and micronutrients. Thus, they provide mostly empty calories.

Despite some controversy over it, coffee is loaded with health benefits.

It’s rich in antioxidants, and some studies have linked coffee intake to longevity and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, and numerous other illnesses (16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).

The most beneficial intake amount appears to be 3–4 cups per day, although pregnant people should limit or avoid it completely because it has been linked to low birth weight (18Trusted Source).

However, it’s best to consume coffee and any caffeine-based items in moderation. Excessive caffeine intake may lead to health issues like insomnia and heart palpitations. To enjoy coffee in a safe and healthy way, keep your intake to less than 4 cups per day and avoid high-calorie, high-sugar additives like sweetened creamer.

Fish is a great source of high-quality protein and healthy fat. This is particularly true of fatty fish, such as salmon, which is loaded with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids and various other nutrients (20Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source).

Studies show that people who eat fish regularly have a lower risk for several conditions, including heart disease, dementia, and inflammatory bowel disease (22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source).

Basil-topped pizza, and paper-thin linguine served with homemade sauce, and cone after cone of gelato… are you hungry yet?

In Italy, a homemade meal is synonymous with a muisultra warm welcome, and the famous dishes the country is known for are so good, they’re worth the flight. “In Italy, we loved the homemade pastas, rich tomato sauces, fresh seafood, and the WINE,” said traveler Donna Marie. We couldn’t agree more.

Wondering what to eat in Italy? Check out a handful (or mouthful!) of regional dishes you’ve just gotta taste on a Food & Wine Tour of Italy, and some of the top Italian places to eat at. Fair warning: There are carbs ahead.

1. Margherita pizza

While you really can’t go wrong ordering pizza anywhere in Italy, the city of Naples lays claim to what is arguably some of the best. This classic pie is made with a simple dough, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. It’s no coincidence that the green, white, and red ingredients of a traditional margherita pizza match the colors of the Italian flag—it was invented in honor of Queen Margherita of Savoy in 1889, after all. And, while we wouldn’t go so far as to say this is the most popular food in Italy, it’s up there!

What really makes this dish shine is the simplicity and freshness of the ingredients. Everything from the San Marzano tomatoes to the type of flour used in the dough matters. Each pie is then cooked in a blisteringly hot stone oven for just over a minute—that’s it!—and comes out as one of the best bites of your life. There’s good reason why this dish comes to mind when talking about famous Italian food. Simply put: Nobody does pizza like Neapolitans do, and you haven’t really seen Naples until you’ve had a slice.

2. Arancini

Origin: Sicily

If you’ve never had a fried rice ball in Sicily, you’re gonna want to fix that immediately. Arancini are handmade with slightly varied ingredients and preparations on different parts of the island, but are often filled with meat ragù and peas, or ham and mozzarella. The ball (or cone) of risotto is then rolled in breadcrumb and dropped in the deep frier. What’s not to like about a warm, cheesy ball of goodness?! It’s one of the top Italian dishes for a reason.

While Italians usually prefer sitting and truly savoring a meal, arancini are snacks that you can enjoy while you explore. “Sicily is a land of incredible street food, where taste and freshness can be enjoyed on the go,” said staffer and Italy native Giada. “Arancini are where simplicity reaches the highest levels of complexity and taste.

3. Caprese salad

Origin: Capri

Say it in Italian: Insalata Caprese

Did you know that a simple dish of sliced tomatoes, basil, cow’s-milk mozzarella cheese (fior di latte), and a generous drizzle of EVOO could knock your socks off? This four-ingredient salad is proof—and just like all the most popular foods in Italy, the secret is in the super fresh, locally grown ingredients. “Insalata Caprese takes its name from the island of Capri,” said staffer and Italy native Marco. “It is the perfect light summer lunch, when the basil and the tomatoes are picked fresh from the garden.”

Of course, this is a dish that you could easily whip up in your own kitchen, but we’d suggest flying to Capri for the real thing! You’d be hard-pressed to recreate the Italy-fresh flavors of a Caprese back home, where the tomatoes weren’t ripened on a sunny Mediterranean island, and the mozzarella wasn’t made on a farm down the road.

4. Tagliatelle with ragù

If you’re asking yourself, “What food is Italy famous for?” there’s really no right answer—but we do know that Bologna is one of the best places in Italy for foodies. It’s nicknamed “La Grassa,” or the fat one, thanks to its indulgent culinary traditions, and tagliatelle alla bolognese is a shining star on that list. Saying it’s one of the best Italian dishes ever is an understatement!

Picture this: hand-rolled ribbons of long, flat pasta tossed in a ragù sauce made with meat, wine, and tomatoes. Swoon. This signature dish is even better topped with a generous sprinkling of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese made in nearby Parma. Order a nice glass of vino rosso to go with it, and you’ll be golden—and you’ll also be planning your return trip to Bologna, the meal is that good!

5. Ribollita

English translation: The soup’s name means “reboiled”—it dates back to when poor farm workers would reheat it so it lasted multiple days.

The Tuscany region is another one of the top places to eat in Italy, and if you happen to swing by Florence during the chillier months, then there’s no better dish to try than ribollita. This filling Tuscan soup is full of all the good stuff: cannellini beans, veggies galore (**“Black cabbage is the key ingredient,” said staffer and Italy native Fabrizio), and chunks of stale, unsalted Tuscan bread** that soften in the broth. (Yes, even this Italian soup has bread in it! Italy is a carb-lover’s paradise, that’s for sure.)

“Sitting down to a bowl of this hearty soup is one of the best ways to warm up on a fall or winter day in Florence,” said staffer Jamie. “There’s something so comforting about the simple, Tuscan flavors. It’s a little like minestrone soup, but the bread that’s added makes it really delicious.”

« Sustainable living aims to reduce personal and societal environmental impact by making positive changes that counteract climate change and other negative environmental concerns. »

Why live a more sustainable lifestyle?

We know bees and other pollinators play a critical role in food production and support healthy ecosystems needed for clean air, soil stability, asaktechnicalservices and biodiversity. We also know that bees are dying across the globe from various interrelated factors – mono-cropping, heavy pesticide use, drought, habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change.

Most of us claim to love the planet, but do we? It’s easy to say we love nature when we are enamored watching young bees emerge from capped cells or quietly bouncing from flower to flower, gathering pollen. It’s much more challenging when the object of our affection asks for something in return – such as being more mindful of the consequences of our consumption. We’re all guilty of allowing our habits and convenience to drive our behaviors, causing us to ignore dire environmental warnings, continue to over-consume, and emit CO2 like there’s no tomorrow.

You’d be correct to say that individual action alone is unlikely to make the global changes necessary to slow climate change, habitat loss, and harmful agricultural practices. We need business and industry leaders to change their behaviors, and we need local, national, and global policies to guide sustainability initiatives. But, don’t underestimate the impact of transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle! We keep businesses open with our purchases and influence policies with our votes and voices. Our everyday choices affect the environment. From what we eat to how we clean our houses, there’s a lot we can do to minimize our impact on our planet.

1. Before you buy, ask yourself if you really need it.

Everything we purchase has an impact on the environment. The number of resources used to make even the most straightforward products is far greater than most people think. Take a moment to think about all the resources used to create a standard #2 pencil. Zinc, copper, rubber, sulfur, iron, wood, graphite, clay – and these are just the materials of the pencil itself. Add in the resources used to mine, manufacture, package, distribute, market, and dispose of that pencil, and you’ll start to see how something as simple as a pencil can have a large environmental impact.

So, the next time you go shopping, ask yourself, do you need to go shopping? If so, do you need to buy new clothes, gadgets, and gear? Can you reduce the resources used by borrowing from a friend or neighbor, renting items, or purchasing secondhand?

2. Refuse single-use products.

An easy action we can take is to refuse single-use products. We need to fight back against the throwaway culture that has taken hold in this country and the world. All products, and especially plastics, metals, and textiles, should be designed with the intention that their raw materials will be recovered and reused or repurposed.

The hardest part of the single-use plastic battle is the magnitude of plastics we only use for a few minutes to eat, carry stuff, or package things. These items have an average life span of 15 minutes before being thrown ‘away.’ Only for plastics, there is no such thing as ‘away.’ Plastics can take 500 + years to degrade. Even then, they are not ‘away’; they break down into microplastics which we end up ingesting through our food, water, and air. 50% of the plastic problem in the ocean is disposable plastic like plastic bags, water bottles, takeaway containers, cups, and straws. Single-use plastics are a relatively easy problem to combat. Proactively say NO.

3. Choose to buy from socially and environmentally responsible companies.

One of our most significant powers as a consumer is the power of choice! From food to household products to clothes, the number of options out there can get overwhelming – but there are a couple of things we can do and look for to help us actively minimize our impact on the planet.

Look for certified products. Certifications are often the product of NGOs and businesses coming together to solve environmental and social problems. Buy organic whenever possible; it may cost a little more, but it keeps harmful pesticides out of our land and water, protecting our bees and families. When purchasing new clothing, fabrics, or home textiles, look for Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Choose shade-grown coffee, which is grown while keeping forests intact for wildlife. Check out this blog for a more comprehensive list.

4. Buy products with less, better packaging.

Packaging accounts for nearly 1/3 of municipal solid waste in the United States. Introducing a few simple practices into your lifestyle can help reduce your packaging waste.

• Bring your own reusable bag, water bottle, coffee cup, straw, and utensils.

• Bring reusable produce bags and buy unpackaged products, such as fruits vegetables, instead of pre-packaged produce. Additionally, most grocery stores allow you to fill your own containers with granola, spices, and nuts.

• When comparing similar items, choose the one with less or more easily recyclable packaging. Less packaging is more important than the type of packaging because of the pitiful recycling rates in the U.S. If the packaging is similar in volume, look at the percentage of post-consumer recycled content. The higher, the better!

5. Repair, Don’t Replace!

Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes our stuff needs to be replaced, especially if the repair costs more than the item is worth, or you have an outdated appliance that uses way more energy to operate than a newer model. But, a great way to make a difference is to repair items rather than purchasing new ones. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Not handy? Not a problem! The Internet has how-to tutorials on just about anything!

• Check to see if a small business will repair your item if you can’t fix it yourself.

• Rent or borrow tools so you don’t have to spend the money to purchase something you’ll only use a handful of times.

• Many brands and outdoor stores will offer to repair your gear for a small fee. Check out Repair Lair, Rugged Thread, or Dave Page, Cobbler, to name a few.

Are you a great cook but lousy at repairs? Exchange services with friends or family!