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This kitchen gadget made my steak taste like it was from a four-star restaurant

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There's a big difference between a steak made at a restaurant versus at home. The latter usually never tastes as stellar as the former.

But The Paragon Induction Cooktop, released in 2015, promises to help you prepare high-quality steaks in your kitchen. First Build, a subsidiary of GE, developed the appliance, which is available online for $299.

It employs induction cooking, meaning it uses copper and an electric current to sauté, sear, or fry food. But it also lets you do sous vide (which cooks food in a a temperature-controlled water bath), thanks to a water temperature sensor that hooks to the pot's side.

To switch between sous vide and normal induction, you just need to change the setting on the device. 

I'd never used a sous vide or induction cooktop before this week — I've always made steaks using my oven's broiler or stovetop. Sous vide takes much longer. To sous vide a steak with the Paragon, for example, the meat must sit in a water bath for at least two hours. 

After a few friends raved about the magic of sous vide machines, I decided to try making a steak sous vide-style using the GE cooktop. Here's what happened.

SEE ALSO: The world's largest vertical farm will produce 2 million pounds of lettuce every year

The Paragon Induction Cooktop comes in a huge, heavy box. Though I made a steak first, it can also cook chicken, pork, eggs, and vegetables (though you should only prepare veggies with the sauté feature). Normal induction cooks your food rapidly, while sous vide cooks it in a water bath for a few hours.



Because sous vide and induction lets you control the temperature down to the degree, they ensure your food cooks evenly all the way through. Here's a steak sous vide-broiler comparison by First Build (although the second steak could just be overcooked):



The cooktop comes with a digital thermometer and a cord for charging. I supplied a gallon-sized plastic bag, an induction-compatible* pan and pot, oil, water, seasonings, and the steak.

*To check if your cookware is induction-compatible, try putting a magnet against the bottom. If it sticks, you're good to go.



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Working out during my lunch break for a week had a huge effect on my productivity

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evan williams

Let's face it: There never seems to be a right time to go to the gym.

If I go in the morning, I sacrifice an hour of sleep, but when I try to go at night, I can never muster up the energy after a long day at work.

So when I heard that the uber-productive Twitter, Blogger, and Medium cofounder Evan Williams takes a break in the middle of his day to go to the gym, I felt compelled to try it for myself.

According to Coach.me, Williams says he's most productive in the morning, so he chooses to get to work immediately before his energy dips. Midday, he heads to the gym and comes back feeling energized for the other half of the workday.

"It feels weird (at first) to leave the office in the middle of the day, but total time spent is nearly the same with higher energy and focus across the board," Williams told the site.

I felt like this was the best solution for me in so many ways: I would get to the office earlier, I'd immediately use my energy on work, my workout would also count as a break, and I'd be reenergized for the rest of my day and not have to take frequent coffee breaks.

So I decided to try it for an entire work week to see if it increased my productivity and energy levels.

SEE ALSO: 8 ways I trick myself into waking up early to go to the gym

The experiment

I usually go to the gym in the morning.

I have both a gym membership and a ClassPass membership. I usually wake up at 5 a.m. about three or four days a week to go for a run and do some light strength training at the gym. The rest of the days, I'll take a class immediately after work.

I get to work around 9 a.m. and work until noon, which is when I usually take a lunch break. If I bring food, I typically sit at my desk and continue to work. If not, I'll run out and grab something but head straight back to work.

Then I work until about 5:30 p.m., but I take a few coffee breaks between lunch and the end of the day to get out of what I call my "post-lunch slump."

For this experiment, I'd only go midday.

I planned to take a class or go to the gym every day around noon. I didn't sign up for classes that were more than 45 minutes, and I made sure the classes were all within a block or two from my office.

Leaving work for 45 minutes didn't seem like a big deal, but knowing that there was a possibility I would be drenched in sweat, I took the extra time I need to shower into account. I figured my breaks would be an hour and a half, so I planned to arrive at work an hour earlier and leave a half hour later to make up the time.

I made sure all the studios I signed up for had showers. I also decided to bring lunch from home for the entire week to maximize time.

Though I expected to feel good physically by following this new routine, I also anticipated that I would feel anxious about being away from the office for too long. Though I got the OK from my editor to follow this experiment, I couldn't help but wonder if my coworkers would think I was slacking by being gone for almost two hours or if some random work emergency would come up and I wouldn't be able to fix it in time.



Monday: Off to a strong start

I woke up an hour later than usual (6 a.m.). I don't know if I jumped out of bed because I was excited to do this experiment or I actually had more energy from the extra hour of sleep.

I packed my gym bag to prepare myself for what I might need for the middle of the day. Then I showered, got dressed, ate breakfast, and was out the door in a half hour.

I was also really conscious of what I was going to wear this week. I made sure to wear outfits that were easy to put on, seeing as I would be changing in locker rooms. On Monday, I decided to wear a simple dress and sandals.

I arrived at work at 8 a.m., and because not many people were in the office yet I was able to focus and immediately started working away. By 10 a.m., I noticed I was starting to yawn, but my energy wasn't completely low.

I was also surprised by the amount of work I was able to get done. By getting so much work done in two hours, I felt as if my day had flown by, but it was still just starting.

The workout: cycling

By 11 a.m., I was getting excited to head out the door. I didn't feel too sluggish, which was good because I still had some energy left over for my workout.

At 12:30 p.m., I arrived to my first class at cycling studio Swerve. It was high-energy, and the interval training made me sweat a ton. I decided to duck out mid-stretch so I could be the first to grab a shower.

I showered quickly. As I got out of the shower, I noticed a lot of women coming in and getting ready to head back to work as well. I realized that maybe the lunchtime workout wasn't as taboo as I thought.

It was a little tough navigating around the small locker room, but I still managed to shower, get dressed, blow-dry my hair, and make it back to work by 1:45.

Back at my desk, I felt like I was bursting with energy. My face was still flushed, and my heart rate was up, but I immediately got back to work.

Since I ate right after my workout, I didn't take my typical snack break, but I did go for a coffee around 3:30 p.m. — which I fully admit was only for the craving, not the energy.

I finished all my work before 5 p.m., but since I had intended to stay an extra half hour, I felt focused and energized to go back and check everything over.



Tuesday: Still going strong

When I used to wake up at 5 a.m., I would constantly wake up and fall back asleep because I was anticipating my alarm clock to go off. On Monday, I slept through the night and woke up at 6:15 a.m. with no problem.

Since I washed my hair at the gym the day before, I took a quick body shower and threw on another dress.

The one thing that bugged me was my gym bag being a lot heavier than usual because I packed a towel and extra toiletries like shampoo and conditioner. It made my commute a little difficult because I kept hitting people with my big, bulky gym bag.

I arrived at work at 8 a.m. and noticed my energy wasn't as high as it was the day before. I'm surprised how much my energy dipped even though I was getting extra sleep.

I wasn't as productive as yesterday, but luckily by 10:30 a.m. my energy improved. I was also getting anxious for my workout because I knew it would perk me up.

The workout: boxing

I arrived at my next workout at 12:30 p.m. I decided to try a class at Shadowbox, around the corner from my office. It was another high-energy workout and super intense.

By the time the class started stretching, I was soaked with sweat and ran to the locker room yet again to beat the lines.

By the time I got out of the shower, the locker room was so packed, I didn't have time to dry my hair. I slicked it back in a high bun so I wouldn't go back to work looking like I had a wet mop on top of my head.

I got back to the office at 1:45 p.m. and felt really good and sore. I immediately had to go to a training, so I didn't get to have my lunch right after my workout, and my energy felt a little low during the meeting.

After I had my lunch, at 3 p.m., my energy spiked, and I worked until 5:30 p.m. without stopping. Even though I was a little more tired than yesterday, I felt I was still more productive than this time last week.



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The one thing you should eat at 13 London street food markets

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Bronuts

London is full of street food markets offering an array of delicious food from all over the world.

With so many options, choosing just one stall for lunch can be daunting.

To find out what we should be eating, we teamed up with Expedia and compiled a list of the one dish to try at street food markets across the capital.

From a gourmet goat wrap to halloumi fries, here are 13 scrumptious street eats every Londoner should try:

Get a "Submarine" sandwich at Lower Marsh Market.

The "Submarine" — a sub sandwich heaped with seared scallops, roasted pulled pork shoulder, blackened calamari, a dollop of lemon and parsely mayonnaise, pork crackling, and rocket — is the favourite roll offered by sandwich makers Sub Cult.

Where to get it:Lower Marsh Market



Try not to make a mess as you eat this mammoth burger at Malty Street Market.

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African Volcano's "DirtyLittleSecret" burger is made with char-grilled beef, 18-hour slow-roasted pulled pork, Emmenthal cheese, lettuce, tomato, peri peri mayonnaise and sauce, a gherkin slice, and sautéed onion. Though it's messy — the bun barely contains the filling inside — the burger is a favourite with customers.

Where to get it:Maltby Street Market



Try spicy, cheese-covered fries at Portobello Market.

If you're a fan of chips, try the "Lucifer Fries" from expert chip-maker Poptata. The hand-cut fries come served in a traditional paper cone, heaped with grated cheddar and Red Leicester cheese and flavoured with spicy paprika sauce, garlic, rosemary, and thyme.

Where to get it:Portobello Market



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4 ways to make Philadelphia a dream city for millennials

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Philadelphia may be best known as the birthplace of a nation and cheesesteaks, but according to recent research by apartment search site Abodo, it has another claim to fame. When it comes to affordability and job opportunities, it's the best US city for millennials.

According to Anum Yoon, a Philadelphian and the creator of a successful millennial finance blog, that ranking doesn't come as a surprise. She moved to the city because it offered a vibrant urban environment that still supported her financial goals.

"Everyone thinks of New York first when thinking about big-city careers," Yoon says. "But being the financially aware person that I was, I needed to move to a city that offered the same thing as NYC but without the hefty price tag."

That doesn't mean the City of Brotherly Love is a steal compared to, say, a rural town in Nebraska. Like any metropolitan area, Philadelphia comes with affordability challenges, but it also has plenty of advantages.

Here are four ways to make those Benjamins stretch. Millennials, take note.

1. Go beyond the usual neighborhoods.

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Even though the average housing costs are lower than those in New York and San Francisco, Philadelphia is still 37% above the national average, according to compensation database site PayScale. Yoon says finding affordable housing in Philly is all about location and priorities.

A report from the Pew Charitable Trusts found that Center City and the surrounding areas have the highest concentration of millennials, but the average monthly cost for furnished accommodations comes in at $2,794. So those who work in that part of the city and want to live close to the office may have a hard time finding a deal.

Yoon's thrifty solution? Explore up-and-coming neighborhoods. Yoon herself lives in the South Philly area, where she pays $800 for a two-bedroom apartment and is only about 25 minutes from Center City by public transit.

2. Find affordable transportation.

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Location plays a big role in whether or not transportation is a financial challenge for young Philadelphians. Yoon says that while it might be more convenient to have a car in certain parts of Philly, the monthly costs could add up to be quite costly.

Alternatively, a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) monthly pass costs $91 — not bad if the network meets all your transportation needs. Another affordable option is a membership to Indego, the city's bike-share program, which runs $15 a month.

Living close to public transportation can be incredibly helpful for millennials. At less than $100 a month for a transit pass, taking the bus or train — or a bike — can leave room in a budget for ever-important savings and investment in a 401(k).

3. Dine within your budget.

SantanderPhillyDining

You can't talk Philly food without talking cheesesteak. These famous sandwiches run about $9 a pop, meaning they're a fun, local indulgence but not sustainable for a food budget. For general food needs, Yoon says it's definitely possible to eat for reasonable prices in Philadelphia.

PayScale rates groceries in Philly at 17% above the national average, but that's a steal compared to other cities such as San Francisco, where groceries cost 7% more than in Philadelphia. Regional chains such as Wegmans and Wawa are great, affordable places to stock up in basics.

Philly also has great nightlife and restaurants, but drinks and dining out quickly add up. Yoon makes sure to set up a monthly budget so she knows exactly how much she can afford to put toward dining out each month.

When it comes to socializing, entertaining at home makes for a more cost-effective evening. For the times you do want to venture out, try budget-friendly options like HipCityVeg, or treat yourself to some of the best fried chicken and doughnuts in the country at Federal Donuts, where dinner and dessert come in under $10. Happy-hour specials are also the frugal Philadelphian's dream.

4. Look for free entertainment.

PhiladelphiaSantanderNightlife

Despite being a smaller city, the opportunities to have fun in Philly on a budget are robust, especially during the summer months.

From free music events like the 40th Street Summer Series to hiking trails, museums, and pop-up events, the city has a lot to offer. Yoon is a big fan of these options for millennials who understand the importance of tucking money away for retirement and shorter-term savings.

For higher-octane entertainment, the city hosts a number of pricey events, such as the Made in America music festival, which charges $162 for a two-day pass.

Other cities may get a lot of credit for appealing to millennials, but Philadelphia has definitely earned its place as a smart and fun choice for young adults. By making savvy spending decisions, millennials can balance their regular financial demands — from student loans to savings — while capitalizing on the many job opportunities, recreation, and entertainment Philadelphia has to offer.

Looking for even more ways to save? With Simply Right® Checking from Santander Bank, you can waive the Monthly Fee with any deposit, withdrawal, transfer or payment each month. Sign up today.

This post is sponsored by Santander Bank.


Santander Bank does not recommend, endorse, or make any representation or warranty regarding any of the other businesses or individuals referenced in this article.

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The 50 best colleges in the US

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Harvard campus

What makes a college great? They provide a quality education and graduate students on time, they set graduates up to earn well-paying jobs early in their career, and they provide a memorable and enjoyable campus experience that instills pride and loyalty for decades to come.

Business Insider's 2016 ranking uses a formula that relies very little on glamour statistics, like reputation and selectivity, that are featured in many college rankings. Instead, we primarily leaned on data available from the government, weighting early-career earnings and graduation rate the highest.

College years are formative for young adults, so we also gave significant credit to schools that provide a top-notch student-life experience, as measured by Niche, a company that compiles research on schools. Niche assessed the social and community life of universities and provided letter grades based on metrics like campus quality, diversity, party scene, student retention, safety, and athletics.

Other factors that counted for less and rounded out each school's score: full-time retention rate, average annual cost (after accounting for scholarships and financial aid), average SAT score of incoming students, and admittance rate. Read more about our methodology

Read on to see the full list of the best colleges in the US.

SEE ALSO: The 50 best law schools in America

DON'T MISS: The 24 smartest law schools in the US

50. Babson College

Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts

Median salary 10 years after enrolling: $85,500

Average SAT score: 1258

Student life score: B+

A leader in entrepreneurial education, Babson College equips students with the skills to innovate, experiment, and lead in the business world and beyond. The private college has produced numerous successful entrepreneurs in its nearly 100-year history, including Arthur Blank, the cofounder and former president of Home Depot who is the eponym of the college's on-campus entrepreneurship hub.



49. Hamilton College

Location: Clinton, New York

Median salary 10 years after enrolling: $57,300

Average SAT score: 1384

Student life score: A

Hamilton College takes its name from founding father Alexander Hamilton, who served as one of the school's original trustees in 1793 when he was the US secretary of the Treasury. More than 200 years later, Hamilton is still going strong: One year after graduation, at least 91% of the class of 2014 had secured a full-time job or internship or were enrolled in graduate school. For those who entered the workforce, employers included companies such as General Electric, Amazon, and The New York Times.



48. George Washington University

Location: Washington, D.C.

Median salary 10 years after enrolling:$64,500

Average SAT score: 1297

Student life score: A

Located right in the US capital, George Washington University offers more than 2,000 undergraduate courses and more than 70 majors. More than 1,400 students choose to study abroad each year at GW's study centers and partner institutions in more than 40 countries. The school also has some distinguished alumni— former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and actress Kerry Washington all attended the university.



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Gentlemen, here's what you're usually missing from your travel bags

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bad packing

Listen, we're not saying you're bad at packing — we're just saying that you might be a little clumsier at it than you should be.

And one of the main contributors to this awkwardness is that fact that you, sir, do not have a dopp kit.

Consider this a public service announcement before Labor Day weekend.

A dopp kit is a simpler way of saying toiletry bag — for most young men, a fancy way of saying "plastic sandwich bag I bought at the drugstore that by the end of my trip will also be filled with toothpaste."

"You are better than this," stylist Jessica Cadmus, of the Wardrobe Whisperer, told Business Insider.

Apparently, she sees this all the time when she packs bags for her grown, Wall Street clients. This is real talk.

Luckily, the solution is so very simple. Just buy an adult-looking dopp kit and stock it with travel-sized versions of the following:

  1. Shampoo/conditioner
  2. Toothpaste/toothbrush/floss/mouthwash
  3. Deodorant
  4. Razor/shave cream
  5. Body wash
  6. Scent (optional)
  7. Sunscreen/lotion
  8. Bug spray
  9. Tweezers
  10. Q-tips
  11. Hair product
  12. Contacts/contact solution

Keep those things in there. Do not move them. Not ever. Never ever. Replace them as needed.

Take the whole bag out for a trip (like, say, this Labor Day) and simply, gently place it in your weekend bag. Amazing.

Cadmus particularly likes hanging toiletry bags for their multiple pockets and easy packing. Check out these options from Briggs & Riley (pictured below), Bric's, Tumi, and Victorinox Swiss Army.

dopp kit

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How to roll up your shirtsleeves the right way

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Summer can be a challenging time to dress professionally while staying cool. If you can't avoid wearing dress shirts, then make sure that you are rolling your shirtsleeves up properly.

We created this simple visual guide so you'll never look sloppy with rolled sleeves:

How to roll up shirtsleeves

SEE ALSO: You lose a bunch of weight every day — here's where it all goes

DON'T MISS: It's amazing how much taller people are than 100 years ago

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NOW WATCH: You've Been Rolling Your Shirtsleeves Wrong Your Entire Life

9 surprisingly beautiful tiny homes you can buy right now

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estately tiny house

Your next home-away-from-home may come in under 500 square feet.

The market for vacation properties reached an all-time high in 2015 and shows no signs of slowing down. If you don't want to go for a typical house, tiny homes offer a low-maintenance and environmentally friendly way to expand a real estate portfolio on any budget.

We teamed up with the experts at property listing site Estately to find nine tiny homes you can buy right now. From a mini-houseboat to a log cabin, any one of these could be yours.

SEE ALSO: 16 architecturally stunning homes you can buy right now

This delightful cottage hugs the Massachusetts coastline. It includes new wood floors, stone countertops, and a roof deck perfect for soaking up the sun.

Address:423 Commercial St., Provincetown, MA

Price: $1.2 million



This rustic artist's retreat sits on nine acres of California hills where the previous owners cultivated Japanese Maple trees. It includes a workshop and two offices.

Address:3885 Cavedale Rd., Glen Ellen, CA

Price: $1.2 million



Who says a tiny house has to be on land? This houseboat situated in northern Idaho spares no amenities. It has a full kitchen and two and half baths.

Address:34179 N Scenic Bay, Bayview, ID

Price: $80,000



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Go inside a Facebook product designer's bright New York studio apartment

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For product designer Derek Bradley, coming home from Facebook's gorgeous New York City office to a drab studio apartment was not ideal. Beige walls and poor lighting had Bradley calling onHomepolish, a startup that has designed spaces for other startups and homeownersWorking with Melissa, one of Homepolish's interior designers, Bradley was able to transform his 400-square-foot home into a bright and beautiful space.

Taking inspiration from the Facebook offices and Bradley's graphic design background, Melissa was able to play with bright, bold colors and patterns. "[Derek] knew he wanted his space to be hip, modern, and minimal," she told Business Insider. Let's take a look inside his transformed seventh-floor apartment near Union Square.

SEE ALSO: Look inside the swanky New York City bachelor pad where 2 of Sweetgreen's cofounders live

Upon first walking into the space, Melissa immediately knew the walls needed to be painted. "The walls were [originally] a yellow-beige and it looked like stained teeth," she said. She suggests her favorite paint: Benjamin Moore Super White.



Melissa has two basic techniques to help make spaces feel bigger: organization and utilizing natural light. "Rather than cover the windows with ornamented window treatments, I opted to filter the light with a minimal and functional solar shade application," she said.



Melissa recommends that furniture items each have their own "zone." "When furniture and activities are organized into their own zones, the size of a space magically falls into the background and it no longer feels spatially challenged," she said.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A coffee shortage is looming — here's how soon it could be extinct

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coffee

Coffee is more than just the crucial beverage that makes it easier to face the workday. It provides comfort, culture, and is an essential source of the caffeine that Harvard neuroscientist Charles Czeisler says makes modern life possible

But the global coffee supply is currently at risk, with shortages already starting to affect the world.

A full half of the world's area that's deemed suitable for growing coffee will be lost by 2050 if climate change remains unchecked, according to a new report from The Climate Institute of Australia.

By 2080, the report estimates that wild coffee (which helps us find genetic varietals that might be more resistant to climate stress) could go extinct.

Coffee shortages that make it harder to get good coffee and that hurt the livelihoods of 25 million coffee farmers around the globe are already having an effect, and it's not just environmental research groups that are concerned about future access to coffee. Advisors for corporate giants like Starbucks and Lavazza agree.

"We have a cloud hovering over our head. It’s dramatically serious," Mario Cerutti, Green Coffee and Corporate Relations Partner at Lavazza, said at a hospitality conference in Italy in 2015.

"Climate change can have a significant adverse effect in the short term," he said. "It's no longer about the future; it's the present."

What's happening to coffee?

People drink more than 2.25 billion cups of coffee each and every day. The coffee industry is a major one, producing the second most valuable export for developing countries. But the better and more commonly grown type of coffee, Coffea Arabica, can only thrive in very specific conditions. For now, that means tropical highlands around the globe, from Central America and Brazil to Indonesia, Vietnam, and East Africa, its place of origin.

coffee beans

But a warming world and extreme weather, including both heavy rains and drought, are making it harder to grow coffee in these regions, according to the report. Temperature and heavy rain have helped a fungus called Coffee Leaf Rust spread through Central America and into South America, destroying crops. Pests like the Coffee Berry Borer are spreading for the same reasons. Drought in Brazil cut coffee production by around 30% in 2014 in Minas Gerais, a major coffee region.

Even a half a degree of temperature change can make a region that used to be a coffee gold mine unsuitable. Moving production to higher altitudes is not always feasible and can be especially difficult for the small farmers that make up 80-90% of coffee growers.

By 2050, half of currently suitable land will no longer be suitable, unless the world can limit warming to the 1.5-2 degree Celsius rise that was set as a goal at the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement, and really, even 1.5 degrees is pushing it for most farmers.

It's not a completely hopeless scenario — cutting emissions and limiting warming to 1.5 degrees would make a big difference, both for individual coffee lovers and for the 120 million people who make a living from the coffee supply chain. Buying coffee from groups that provide fair incomes to farmers can help those communities adapt.

But this is a serious situation and one worth paying attention to now, before problems get worse down the line.

As Starbucks sustainability director Jim Hanna told The Guardian in 2011 — five years ago — it's urgent.

"If we sit by and wait until the impacts of climate change are so severe that is impacting our supply chain then that puts us at a greater risk," he said. "From a business perspective we really need to address this now, and to look five, 10, and 20 years down the road."

SEE ALSO: I went to the source of the world's best coffee — and saw firsthand why the industry is in trouble

DON'T MISS: These are the worst stings in the world, according to a guy who's experienced them all

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The new tallest building in Thailand looks like a pixelated image in mid-download

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At 1,029 feet, the MahaNakhon is now the tallest building in Thailand. The 77-story tower beats the skyscraper that previously held the title, Baiyoke Tower II, by 33 feet.

To celebrate its debut on August 29, the building lit up Bangkok's skies with a fantastic light show. The skyscraper's signature ribbon, which is made to like a partially-downloaded spiral of pixels, lit up, creating a beacon in the capital city's skyline.

The building is designed for a mix of retail, hotel and residential use — it holds 200 condo units managed by Ritz-Carlton Residences.  

The Office for Metropolitan Architecture — the firm founded by famed Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas — announced plans for the building in 2009, but the final design was completed by international architecture firm Büro Ole Scheeren. The firm teamed up with Thai residential property developer PACE Development, and the building reportedly cost 18 billion baht ($520 million) to complete.

PACE hopes to sell some of the hotel space and observation decks to a local real estate investment trust next year, the Bangkok Post reports. Some of the revenue from that sale will likely recoup construction costs — as will ticket sales for the building's observation deck, and rents from the other hotel and retail spaces. Gourmet grocery store Dean & Deluca is also expected to open in the building.

But it might not stay Thailand's tallest skyscraper for long. A new structure, the Rama IX Super Tower, is proposed to be built in 2019. At 2,018 feet tall, it would be almost twice the size of the MahaNakhon.

SEE ALSO: I visited Bangkok and was shocked how clean and orderly the city's elevated Skytrain is

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NOW WATCH: You can slide down the side of a skyscraper in downtown Los Angeles

New Yorkers will soon have an easier time getting legal marijuana

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marijuanan cannabis

It is notoriously difficult to get your hands on legal marijuana in New York State.

While that remains true, several new policies from the administration of Governor Andrew Cuomo aim to make access to the state's medical marijuana program easier.

Under the new regulations, patients too ill to travel can have their cannabis delivered, and nurse practitioners may now certify patients for access to the drug, the New York Times reports.

The state is also considering broadening its list of conditions that qualify patients for the medical marijuana program to include mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic illnesses like Alzheimer's disease. Currently, only a handful of severe, "debilitating or life threatening" conditions make patients eligible for medical marijuana treatment.

Cannabis, Business, Expo, Marijuana

New York's medical marijuana program is arguably one of the most restrictive and cumbersome programs in the country, leaving patients and advocates frustrated, though plenty of states have yet to legalize cannabis in any form. In California, the state with the most lenient medical marijuana regulations, patients can obtain a recommendation and product without leaving their desks.

The new policies are a step in the right direction.

Patients can begin to order delivery by the end of September. Dispensaries will handle the transactions.

New York may also double the number of companies allowed to open dispensaries in the state, from five to 10. There are currently 17 dispensaries statewide, which is a number many advocates consider too small to serve the state's 20 million residents.

The state expects to implement all 12 of the Health Department's recommendations, the Times reports. In the meantime, patients may rest easy knowing New York is making good on its promise to evolve its nascent medical marijuana program.

SEE ALSO: Marijuana startups could be decimated once legalization hits

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NOW WATCH: We went inside a legal marijuana dispensary — it was just like any other retail experience

This high-powered CEO has an intense workout regimen that fuels his success

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Strauss Zelnick is a father, husband and media mogul who, at 59, somehow finds the time to stay in incredible shape. That's because he treats fitness with the same sense of priority that he gives business meetings and time with his family. 

Zelnick founded the private equity firm Zelnick Media Capital and also serves as CEO of ZMC's largest asset: video game developer Take-Two Interactive, which is responsible for such blockbuster hits as the "Grand Theft Auto" series, "Max Payne," and "WWE 2K."

In 2015, Zelnick founded a group fitness club called #TheProgram, which meets four times a week for a variety of intense, early morning workouts. Zelnick invited Business Insider for a look into just a small part of the weekly fitness regimen that keeps the media mogul in top physical condition.

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I went to the source of the world's best coffee — and saw firsthand why the industry is in trouble

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felix and life monteverde packages

Mmm, coffee.

Not only is the tangy brew one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, its active ingredient — caffeine — is the most popular psychoactive drug on the planet.

But coffee is in trouble. The crop is highly vulnerable to climate change. According to a new report, it'll be extinct by 2080.

I recently visited a coffee farm in Costa Rica, one of the world's most desirable coffee-harvesting countries, to see why the delicious crop is on the brink of disappearing:

UP NEXT: What caffeine does to your body and brain

SEE ALSO: A coffee shortage is looming — and scientists have figured out how soon it could be extinct

Our drive to a coffee farm called Cafe Monteverde took us up a mountain on a dirt road for about an hour and a half. On our way, we got some breathtaking views of the area's rugged, hilly terrain and gorgeous forest cover.



The region of Monteverde, where a lot of Costa Rica's coffee is grown, is a misty, cloud-enshrined area about three hours from San Jose, the capital. The humid, shady climate is ideal for growing coffee plants, but the drive to reach it can be a challenge if you're not familiar with the roads.



My partner (right) and I were introduced to the farm by Felix Salazar (left), a nature photographer born and raised in Monteverde who also works on the farm and gives tours in his free time. Felix walked us through the rolling green fields where the coffee for Cafe Monteverde is grown.



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10 of the best deals you can get on hotels in San Francisco right now

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Apple will host its annual product launch at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco September 7. It's expected to announce the next model of the iPhone and possibly a new version of the Apple Watch. 

For those traveling to San Francisco for the announcement, there are still plenty of great places to stay. Our friends at Hotels.com sent us a list of some of the top-rated hotels that are offering deals at the time around the Apple event.

But act fast — these are likely to fill up soon.

SEE ALSO: Tech billionaire Sean Parker reportedly just bought a third adjacent townhouse in New York City

Inn San Francisco

943 South Van Ness Avenue

Rooms starting at $215 a night »



Hotel Zeppelin San Francisco

545 Post Street

Rooms starting at $195 a night (was $270) »



Hotel G San Francisco

386 Geary Street

Rooms starting at $169 a night (was $290) »



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Go inside the glassy skyscraper condo Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen are selling for $17.25 million

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Now that they have a new Tribeca condo in their collection, Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen are reportedly listing the four-bedroom apartment they've owned in the towering One Madison skyscraper since 2014.

The couple bought the 48th-floor spread for about $11.7 million and are now looking to flip it for $17.25 million, according to Variety.

Stretching 3,310 square feet, the apartment has floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over Madison Square Park, the Empire State Building, and much of Lower and Midtown Manhattan. It was remodeled by noted architect Peter Marino. 

Building amenities also include a lap pool, steam room, private dining room, and gym.

Jim St. André and Stephanie McDonough of Core have the listing.

SEE ALSO: Go inside a Facebook product designer's bright New York studio apartment

There are plenty of stunning views to be had from throughout the apartment, including from this den.



Try getting some work done while gazing out on the Empire State Building.



A private elevator opens on to the light-soaked living and dining room.



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A glowing, gutted jumbo jet is roaming around Burning Man

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converted boeing 747 burning man big imagination

On August 28, Burning Man officially kicked off. The annual festival, located in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, is home to a pop-up community of over 70,000 people who wear crazy costumes, create elaborate art displays, and throw wild parties.

This year, the artist collective Big Imagination Foundation gutted a Boeing 747 jet, tricked it out with lights and lounges, and transported it over 500 miles to the desert.

The team raised over $86,000 on Indiegogo for the project, which will host art and dance events throughout the week. Check it out.

SEE ALSO: Giant, laser-cut glass orbs will glow at Burning Man this year

The Big Imagination team converted the 1985 Boeing 747 plane into a fantastical work of art, which will also serve as a performance space.

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 Source: Indiegogo



Their creation on wheels is the largest "art car" in Burning Man history. The festival has long welcomed these elaborate, decorated "art cars," though they have to be registered in advance.

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The jet contains three separate pieces: the plane's front, middle, and lower fuselages. Once the the artists purchased the plane, they gutted it and cut off the tail and wings.

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A 31-year-old who's been abroad for 5 years explains what everyone gets wrong about long-term travel

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A month before her 26th birthday, Nina Ragusa landed in Bangkok, Thailand.

About five years later, Ragusa has only been back to the US twice.

"It's funny, the live-abroad lifestyle looks so easy when you're on the outside. You just see the bikini with a karst mountain background picture or the perfectly timed sunset photo," Ragusa told Business Insider.

But the realities of living and traveling abroad for an extended period of time are a little different.

When asked what people get wrong about long-term travel, she wrote in an email, people tend to think "you have to be rich, you have to know the language, you have to be with someone else, you can only take short vacations, not live there ..."

However, she's managed to sustain herself for five years without being a fluent speaker of multiple languages, without a trust fund, and mostly by herself.

When she's traveling, she said, in a typical day, "I attempt to get around in another language, I buy my food from the markets, get around on interesting modes of transportation, meet new people, experience the culture, see something breathtaking, amazing, and/or incredible, have a beer, and wake up to do the same the next day."

However, to support this lifestyle, "work is inevitable, despite what story the photo might portray. This life isn't always easy to maintain. It's a constant flow of challenges that you have to overcome, but it's worth every drop of sweat, tears, and beers."

 

 on

 

In Rishikesh, India.

Ragusa arrived in Bangkok in May 2011 with $6,000 in her pocket — thanks to two years of saving — and with a newly minted TEFL certification she'd gotten in the US, certifying her to teach English. She was able to get a teaching job north of the city within days, and ended up teaching for two semesters.

In 2012, she picked up two unexpected jobs: teaching English online, and freelance writing. "Because I fell into those two jobs accidentally, I learned that even if you're not sure how something is going to go down, if you keep searching, take risks on what you go for, and make a solid effort, you can really make something happen," she said.

Now, Ragusa is based in Australia, where she's working as a bartender and in a surf shop to save up more cash for a camper van trip across the continent.

"Everyone wants to know how I'm able to do this, but ironically, I never had a clue myself how to live this life," she said. "Through my initial travels, I met people and inquired, I researched endlessly, I took risks, I leaped before looking a few times, and I’ve failed miserably along the way."

SEE ALSO: A 31-year-old who's been traveling the world for 5 years explains how she affords it

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NOW WATCH: SELF-MADE BILLIONAIRE: My best advice on how to make money

How to make the most of your small-business loan

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Wells Fargo small business loan

It's a great feeling to receive a small-business loan. It can open the door to new growth opportunities and keep you a step ahead of the competition. But you need to consider your long-term goals and immediate financial needs to be sure you are spending that money wisely. Here's how to put your business loan to good use.

1. Purchase new equipment

Many manufacturing, distribution, or R&D companies — as well as other businesses — can gain significant financial benefits from installing new equipment. For example, you might be able to offer new products, streamline your operations, or reduce your materials or labor costs.

2. Strengthen your online presence

A small-business loan could update an outdated website or add new e-commerce functions. You could also purchase advanced lead-tracking or customer relationship management (CRM) applications that generate new business from prospects and current customers.

3. Build brand awareness

A loan can also be used to expand current advertising, public relations, and other marketing efforts by hiring a dedicated staffer or working with an outside agency. A well-conceived branding program can increase customer awareness and lay the foundation for more sales in the future.

4. Launch a new product line

It takes money to develop a new product and bring it to market. Your customers may be asking for you to expand your current line, or your research may suggest an unmet market need. In any case, investing in a new product line can be an excellent way to take your business to a higher level.

5. Build up your inventory

Successful business owners know that they can't sell a product or service that's not in stock. Retailers, in particular, face a seasonal challenge of ordering enough merchandise in advance of busy seasonal periods. Service businesses know they need enough people to take care of their customers in a timely manner.

6. Enter a new market

Now may be the right time to open a new store, office, or warehouse in a new location. Or you might see an opportunity for your business to serve a new vertical market, such a healthcare, education, or government. A small-business loan can support your decision to enter a new market — an investment that can pay big dividends over time.

7. Renovate or expand your facility

Enlarging your office, modernizing your store, or adding customer-friendly amenities can help your business grow. This type of capital investment can be a great fit for your new loan.

8. Cover the 'growth gap'

Successful businesses recognize that there can be a delay of 30 days, 60 days, or even longer between selling a product or service and receiving payment. This can be a serious challenge for a growing company whose current spending is increasing so they can serve a larger customer base. A business loan can help cover this gap, allowing you to maintain your forward momentum without worrying about running into a cash crunch.

Whatever your decision, consider a business loan as an investment that will pay off in the future. As long as you focus on ways to increase your revenue and profitability, you'll be using the funds wisely.

For a limited time only, you can get a special interest rate discount on new small business loans and lines of credit.

This post is sponsored by Wells Fargo.

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We visited one of New York City's first marijuana dispensaries — take a look inside

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New Yorkers will soon have an easier time getting their hands on legal marijuana, thanks to several new policies announced this week.

Under the new regulations, patients too ill to travel can have their cannabis delivered, and nurse practitioners may now certify patients for access to the drug. The state may also double the number of companies allowed to operate dispensaries, from five to 10. 

Earlier this year, we toured one of the first medical marijuana dispensaries to open doors in New York. It's run by Columbia Care, a a medical marijuana company with locations in California, Nevada, and Massachusetts, and designed by the retail display group RPG.

Located just east of Union Square, the new Manhattan office is sleekly modern — here's a look. 

Drake Baer contributed to a previous version of this story.

Walking in from 14th Street, the first thing you see is the Columbia Care logo of nested Cs.



One thing you notice about the design of the space, from the reception on in, is that there are very few hard right angles. Everything has a nice flow.



Walking in, Columbia Care doesn't feel clinical. There are plants, wood, and soft lighting throughout.



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