• Lobsterwoman Virginia Oliver, 104, has worked in the family business since age 8.
• The centenarian gets up at 3 a.m. thrice a week to start her shift on the water in Maine.
• She told Business Insider she will stay in the job "until I die."

She might be 104, but Virginia Oliver won't quit lobster catching — a job she's done on and off since she was 8.

Thick fog, stormy seas, and heavy traps haven't stopped the centenarian from stepping aboard her son, Max's boat, three times a week.

"It's a family tradition," Oliver, of mid-coast Maine, told Business Insider. "I wouldn't want to do anything else."

The formidable grandmother insisted the only "dangers" she faced were occasional cuts while she banded the lobster claws together.

She said that her most recent injury happened three years ago when she was badly pinched on the little finger by a crab.

She refused to conform to a stereotypical role

Oliver needed seven stitches but was more concerned by the attitude of the doctor who treated the wound.

He asked why a woman her age could be out on the water lobstering. "I told him, 'Because I want to,'" she said.

She first refused to conform in 1928 when she joined her father — a shop owner and lobster dealer — on fishing expeditions.

It was the year Herbert Hoover became the 31st President of the US, and Disney made "Steamboat Willie," the first Mickey Mouse cartoon with sound.

Significantly, in 1920, the year Oliver was born, the 19th Amendment was passed, and women in America finally won the right to vote.

In the short documentary "The Lobster Lady," released in 2020, Oliver said, "When I started out with lobstering, no women ever went."

She told BI that she had never experienced sexism in the job and the lobstermen she'd met were "friendly."

In the film, she said she worked with her older brother and her late husband as well as accompanying her 80-year-old son.

"My life has been altogether different from most people's," she told Dale Shierholt, who directed the film.

Meanwhile, in her interview with BI, she said the secret to her longevity was keeping busy.

She goes to bed at 9 p.m. before rising at 3 a.m.

"I've always been active and enjoy my work," Oliver, who gets up at 3 a.m. three times a week ahead of loading the boat — appropriately named Virginia.

She said she goes to bed at 9 p.m. the previous night so she gets enough sleep before heading out. She's an early bird, even when she's not working, typically getting up at 5:30 a.m.

"The Lobster Lady" was produced by amateur historian Wayne Gray, who befriended Oliver and her son.

He told BI he'd joined a family dinner on June 6, 2024, when Oliver celebrated her 104th birthday.

Gray said her relatives supported her decision to keep on lobster fishing, knowing better than to interfere. He said she often piloted the boat and helped operate the winch.

She also measured the lobsters, he added, ensuring they met the size standards set by authorities in Maine

Oliver said she never felt queasy when the ocean got rough, especially after 96 years in the business. "I get wet to the gills, but I never get seasick," she told Shierholt.

Oliver still enjoys the taste of lobster

She told BI that she has not become tired of eating lobster. "I like lobster roll, as long as it's toasted," she said.

Meanwhile, she is somewhat bemused by the attention she has attracted in Maine and beyond. Last year was the subject of a children's book and has been stopped in the street for autographs.

She hoped her career — which, she said, she plans to follow until '"the day I die" — would encourage other women to enter traditionally male-dominated industries.

"I'm glad to see younger lobsterwomen following in my footsteps," she said.

Do you have a powerful story about longevity to share with Business Insider? Please send details to jridley@businessinsider.com.

• The franchisee operating the 55-year-old Arby's on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard has closed it down.
• "Truth is, I think it was the pandemic that did us in," 91-year-old owner Marilyn Leviton told KTLA-5.
• California's $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers and a need for new equipment also led to the restaurant's closure, she said.

Beef sandwich chain Arby's has closed its restaurant on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard after 55 years of operating under one owner.

The location is no longer listed on Arby's website. Local station KTLA-5 reported that it closed on Saturday.

Since the restaurant opened in January 1969, it has only had one owner: Marilyn Leviton, now 91, per KTLA-5.

"Truth is, I think it was the pandemic that did us in," Leviton told the station. "I really feel we would have closed during the pandemic, except for the federal loans."

Restaurants had to dramatically change their operations during the pandemic and pivot to just offering delivery, collection, and drive-thru as in-restaurant dining was prohibited under waves of lockdowns. Restaurants also had to deal with soaring food and labor costs.

There were other strains on the business, too, Leviton told KTLA-5.

"Arby's is demanding more technical equipment, which we couldn't afford, and I don't think the $20-an-hour wage increase helped either," she said.

California raised its minimum wage for workers at quick-service restaurant chains to $20 an hour in April — 25% more than the state's general minimum wage. The restaurant industry lobbied against the legislation, arguing that it would force them to up prices, lay off staff, and close restaurants.

Arby's did not immediately respond to a request for comment made by Business Insider outside regular working hours.

KTLA-5 reported that when the Arby's location first opened, it was the only fast-food restaurant on Sunset Boulevard with a view of the Hollywood sign.

Speaking about the closure of her restaurant, Leviton said: "I'm awfully sorry that it came to this."

"I think we did a good job for 55 years," she said.

• The 19-year-old daughter of a Russian mining magnate is suing her NYU roommate.
• The lawsuit claims the roommate stole about $51,000 worth of luxury items, including a ruby ring.
• According to the suit, she sold some of the items on The RealReal — a secondhand marketplace.

Aurora Agapov, the daughter of a Russian-American mining magnate, has accused her New York University roommate of stealing more than $50,000 worth of luxury handbags and jewelry from her.

In a lawsuit filed on May 31 in Manhattan's Supreme Court, Agapov, a 19-year-old freshman, claimed that her 18-year-old roommate, Kaitlyn Fung, sold some of the items on The RealReal — a secondhand luxury marketplace.

NBC News reported that Agapov said in the suit that the stolen items included a Solange Asagury 18-carat ruby ring worth over $23,000, a Bvlgari necklace, a Chanel bracelet, and bags from Chanel and Celine.

According to the New York Post, the first outlet to report on the lawsuit, Agopov accused Fung of selling some items significantly below their value, such as a $13,000 Bvlgari necklace for only $2,485.

The Post reported that Agapov noticed some of her belongings were missing last month.

According to the outlet, she became suspicious of Fung after finding a receipt from The RealReal in a pocketbook.

"My heart dropped," Agapov told the Post.

The items were gifted to her by her mother and held sentimental value, she told the news outlet.

The RealReal did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

In a statement provided to BI, NYU spokesperson John Beckman said universities are prohibited from speaking about specific students' disciplinary records.

However, Beckman added, "Stealing from a roommate is a lousy thing to do and a rarity among the 12,000 students we have in student housing."

He said that such actions violate both NYU's code of conduct and the law, and the university takes the matter seriously.

According to Beckman, anyone found guilty of such behavior would likely be removed from their room, face disciplinary proceedings, and could be suspended.

NBC News reported that Fung was taken into custody last month and charged with third-degree grand larceny. The criminal case is pending, according to the Post.

Fung's attorney and the New York Police Department did not immediately respond to BI's request for comment.

According to the Post, Agapov is seeking $51,000 in damages in the civil suit, and the return of any unsold items.

According to the US Sun, Agapov's father is Andre Agapov, the president and CEO of Rusoro Mining, a company that mines gold and other materials, primarily in Venezuela.

• I'm a millennial mom and always dreamt of being the cool parent. 
• While pregnant I came across the concept of gentle parenting and was sold. 
• I realized I was enabling bad behavior from my preschool child, and stopped gentle parenting. 

As a millennial mom, I've always had this fantasy of raising my child as my friend — being the "cool mom" was absolutely my dream. I was so afraid of traumatizing my son by being too firm and imposing too many rules. Would he grow up hating me? Would his only memories of me be arguments and punishments? Would he label me as a dictator to his friends?

I was convinced I could raise a child by giving him free rein. While pregnant, I read up on parenting styles and came across an ultramodern movement called "gentle parenting." It instantly struck me as empathetic, respectful, and mindful.

It promised a deep bond between parent and child, with a strong focus on the child's feelings. It leaned more toward giving children choices instead of orders. Importantly, it frowned upon punitive tactics. It perfectly aligned with what I wanted from motherhood— peacefulness — or so I thought.

Gentle parenting worked when my child was little

Gentle parenting was relatively easy during early motherhood. I managed to avoid using the word "no," I didn't implement time-outs, and if my son really didn't want to do something, instead of being reactive, I would exercise a level of patience and graciousness that previous generations probably wouldn't have. I always tried my best to model a sense of calmness by giving my son a safe space to experience his negative emotions. This seemed like a fundamental aspect of gentle parenting.

However, as my son approached preschool age, it became apparent that he would struggle in school — and the real world — if I didn't change my approach to parenting. His tantrums would go on for too long, he would be defiant with everyday tasks, and he would struggle to recognize authority. Even when I followed the gentle parenting scripts laid out by gurus, everything felt like an ongoing tug of war.

I had joined numerous parenting groups on social media to get a better idea of how to handle certain situations, such as my son's refusal to brush his teeth. Instead of seeing rational responses, I was shocked to find some parents suggesting to avoid brushing teeth to keep children happy while defining it as "negotiable" This seemed unacceptable to me.

I needed to change my parenting strategy

I quickly realized that every child has varying levels of noncompliance, and in order for my son to assimilate well outside the home, he couldn't keep up with his behavior (which I had admittedly enabled).

I could no longer align myself with the parental restrictiveness of the movement. I felt like I was treading on eggshells all the time. The pressure to be the perfect, patient parent was wearing me down.

I found gentle parenting to be unrealistic and stressful — it was making me miserable. A small but recent study found that 40% of gentle parents who were interviewed confessed to being overwhelmed, exhausted, hard on themselves, and uncertain. I can definitely relate. Confining myself to a parenting style wasn't feasible — I needed to be adaptable to changing situations and moods with my son, which required a blended approach.

Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that gentle parenting is way too gentle. Children need to learn that the world doesn't revolve around their personal feelings. Children need a level of firmness and accountability. There should be balance instead of leaning toward extremes for the sake of fitting into parenting structures.

In all honesty, drifting away from gentle parenting made me realize that parenting is more about trusting your gut than following scripts and best practices. I've learned to be myself and foster a healthy mother-son relationship with my child by enforcing firm limits and expectations while always giving warmth and support.

That's not to say I don't believe in gentle parenting. I definitely still believe in treating children with respect, modeling behaviors for children, and regulating myself as a parent before reacting.

• Two people were injured on an Air New Zealand flight due to severe turbulence.
• A passenger was scalded by hot coffee and a crew member hit the cabin ceiling.
• Turbulence is facing a renewed focus in the aviation sector after the death of a Singapore Airlines passenger.

Two people were injured on board an Air New Zealand flight when it encountered severe turbulence, according to local media reports.

The Airbus A320 was flying from the capital, Wellington, to Queenstown on Sunday when it hit turbulence.

Suze, a passenger on board, told Radio New Zealand she was burned after a full coffee pot was spilled over her during the turbulence.

She added that it happened about 15 minutes into the flight as the cabin crew started the trolley service.

"There's nothing you can do. You're strapped in, you want to stay strapped in, there could be more turbulence and then you've got to deal with the level of burns you've just received," she added. "It was actually pandemonium."

Suze, who did not share her surname, called on Air New Zealand to improve the design of their coffee pots so that the lids are more secure.

A flight attendant was also injured on the flight, the local outlet Crux reported.

"One of the cabin crew told us how she was standing and went up and hit the ceiling," a passenger told Crux.

They added, "The jolting and dropping, tilting slightly sideways, felt like those parts where you go on a roller coaster and start dropping down and then boost back up."

In a statement shared with Crux, the airline's chief safety officer, David Morgan, said customers' safety and well-being is "our number one priority."

"From time to time, clear-air turbulence can occur where rough air is not visible to the flight crew," he added.

Air New Zealand did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

The incident comes as the aviation sector considers turbulence more closely following the death of a Singapore Airlines passenger in May. Tim Clark, the president of Emirates, said that airlines could tighten seatbelt rules and use AI to help predict when turbulence might occur.

But Sunday's incident shows that even if passengers are strapped in, flight attendants still have to move about the cabin, and debris can still be a risk for passengers.

• Elon Musk is facing another lawsuit over his turbulent takeover of Twitter. 
• Twitter's former Chief Accounting Officer is suing Musk over $3.75 million in unpaid severance.
• Earlier this year, four other ex-Twitter senior execs sued Musk over unpaid severance. 

Elon Musk's legal battles keep piling up — and now he's facing a lawsuit from another former Twitter executive.

According to a lawsuit filed at the Northern District Court of California this month, the billionaire is being sued by Robert Kaiden, Twitter's former chief accounting officer, over $3.75 million in unpaid severance.

In the complaint, Kaiden said Musk, who bought Twitter in October 2022, falsely accused him and other Twitter executives of misconduct to fire them without cause and avoid paying millions in severance.

The complaint says that Musk "cheated" Kaiden and other executives out of a combined $200 million in severance benefits and that the committee that decided Kaiden's severance claim was a "sham" staffed by employees from Musk's other companies.

Elon Musk and X Corp, formerly known as Twitter, did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside normal working hours.

Kaiden is the latest former Twitter executive to sue Musk over unpaid severance. Earlier this year, former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and three other former senior executives also sued Musk over unpaid severance, collectively asking for $128 million.

Musk also faces other lawsuits from employees he laid off shortly after taking over Twitter in 2022.

Kaiden, who had been Twitter's CAO since 2015, worked to ensure Musk's takeover of the social media giant went smoothly, according to the lawsuit.

Kaiden also reportedly oversaw a payroll audit to ensure Twitter's employees were "real humans" out of Musk's concern that "ghost employees" still on the books would be given scheduled bonuses, The New York Times reported.

According to the lawsuit, Kaiden received a letter on November 2 informing him he had been terminated immediately for "gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of [his] duties." The suit said Kaiden also didn't receive his final paycheck from the company.

The lawsuit also says that Kaiden's claim for severance benefits was reviewed by a committee staffed by Lindsay Chapman and Brian Bjelde, two other defendants who the complaint says work in human resources at SpaceX, another of Musk's companies.

That claim was denied, with the committee citing Kaiden's failure to prevent the Twitter board's spending on takeover-related legal expenses, retention bonuses, and "aggressive" growth plans as reasons for his dismissal — responsibilities Kaiden claims were "invented" to justify his firing.

Both Chapman and Bjelde did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Kaiden is seeking approximately $3.75 million in severance plus interest.

• Scottsdale and Paradise Valley are among Arizona's wealthiest areas.
• I recently visited the two Phoenix suburbs for the first time and was surprised by their offerings.
• The walkable neighborhoods, luxury stores, and stunning homes made me think I could live there.

In April, I flew from my home in NYC to Phoenix to spend 48 hours in Arizona's wealth enclave.

I'd been to Phoenix many times, but I hadn't visited the two suburbs around it that are attracting affluent residents — Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

Scottsdale is growing faster than nearly every other city in America when it comes to wealth, AZ Central reported in March. Over the past decade, Scottsdale has gained 102% more millionaire residents, according to the USA Wealth Report by Henley & Partners.

Nestled between Scottsdale and Phoenix, Paradise Valley is the richest municipality in Arizona. The desert mountain town of grand estates is known as the "Beverley Hills of Arizona," and it's a billionaire hot spot.

Real-estate agent Shawn Shackelton, who has been selling luxury homes in Paradise Valley and Scottsdale for over two decades, told Business Insider that incoming residents are typically entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, medical professionals such as doctors and PAs, and young retirees.

After five years of living in NYC, I couldn't imagine ditching the big city life. But while spending one night in each Phoenix suburb, a few things about the area surprised me. And some of these surprises made me realize I could see myself moving to a place like Scottsdale or Paradise Valley.

Commuting from New York City to nearby cities and towns can take a while, so I was surprised by how quickly I could travel between Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Phoenix.

I grew up in a New York City suburb, and every trip to the airport took at least an hour.

So, I was thrilled when my cab ride from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Downtown Scottsdale took only 20 minutes.

And when I was headed to the airport on my way home from my hotel in Paradise Valley, it only took 15 minutes. It was easy to see the appeal of living near an international airport.

I took both cabs around noon, so traffic was minimal. However, according to Google Maps, commuting between Phoenix and Scottsdale or Paradise Valley can take 30 minutes or longer during rush hour.

Ultimately, I found that the three areas were close enough together to navigate easily throughout my trip. While staying in Paradise Valley, I grabbed dinner in Scottsdale, which was less than 30 minutes away by car during rush hour. Back in New York, getting to nearby cities can take over an hour — depending on which borough you live in.

I wasn't expecting the area to have so much to offer for all types of travelers.

Arizona has a lot to offer when it comes to the luxury travel scene, Condé Nast Traveler reported in 2023.

Scottsdale alone hosted nearly 11 million tourists in 2022, and together, they spent $3.2 billion on their trips, according to the city's Tourism and Events department.

During my trip, I stayed in two of the state's top hotels — first, at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, "Arizona's Leading Resort," according to the 2023 World Travel Awards. I spent my second night at the boutique Hermosa Inn, which Travel + Leisure called the best hotel in Arizona in 2023.

I was expecting to feel like a VIP in both accommodations, and I did. However, the experiences were so different that I realized the area suits a wide range of travelers — and not just in hotels.

Scottsdale has mountain hikes for adventurers. I spotted luxury spas for those looking to recharge, high-end department stores and boutiques for shoppers, public sculptures for art enthusiasts, and an old town area for history buffs.

In Scottsdale, The Phoenician felt like a mega-resort.

The Phoenician was massive. The 600 acres were filled with five pools, eight restaurants, several shops, a spa, and a sprawling golf course.

Inside, the hotel had a modern, Southwestern style with warm hues and geometric details and 645 rooms.

The hotel reminded me of a mega-cruise ship. There was so much to do that you could spend your entire trip to Scottsdale on the property without getting bored.

But not without getting lost — if you're directionally challenged like me. I spent 30 minutes looking for my room after exploring the property.

In Paradise Valley, the Hermosa Inn provided a more intimate experience.

With just six acres of gardens, adobe structures, 43 stand-alone casitas, and one pool, the Hermosa Inn was smaller than The Phoenician and had a more cultural feel.

The inn, originally built by a cowboy and artist in 1936, is rooted in history. From the lobby to the casitas, the whole property transported me back in time with traditional Southwestern architecture and interior decor, such as rustic furniture, wooden beams, and historical works of art.

Unlike The Phoenician, which would be perfect for families, the Hermosa Inn seems to be made for travelers who want a unique and secluded experience packed with culture.

I thought I'd enjoy a couple of days in the sun, but dry heat is a different beast.

In New York, April can be pretty hit or miss weatherwise. Sometimes, we'll have a sunny, 65-degree Fahrenheit day, and other times, it'll be 40 degrees Fahrenheit and rainy.

However, Scottsdale is known for its year-round warm weather, so I was excited about having a couple of sunny days in the desert.

But I didn't expect it to be so warm — upwards of 90 degrees Fahrenheit when I visited in April. And unlike in NYC, the heat was dry, so I felt I got dehydrated easily. It seemed like I had to drink twice as much water as I do at home.

If I ever move to Arizona, the weather will take some getting used to.

In Scottsdale, I was impressed with the architecture.

Like New York, Scottsdale has a mix of modern and historic buildings. However, historic architecture in the Southwest looks different.

I spotted warm-toned, adobe buildings in Scottsdale with geometric features and modern glass skyscrapers. Some buildings seemed to combine modern and traditional elements.

I was also surprised to find walkable neighborhoods in the Phoenix suburb.

One of the best things about living in NYC is not needing a car. While Scottsdale as a whole is a car-dependent city, I was surprised to find that some neighborhoods are walkable, like the downtown area, which is lined with shops, restaurants, and businesses.

Unlike NYC, the area's luxury housing seemed separate from less expensive homes.

I'm used to seeing neighborhoods with a mix of expensive and affordable housing in New York. But that didn't appear to be the case in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

I spotted modest homes in the Phoenix suburbs, but they were nowhere near the mega-mansions. Generally, it seemed like the cheaper housing and luxury estates were separated by elevation — the streets higher up in the mountains were lined with exclusively high-end homes.

In North Scottsdale, I was amazed by mansions in the hills that reminded me of castles.

About 40 minutes north of Downtown Scottsdale, DC Ranch is home to the most expensive real-estate listing in the city — a $54 million mega-mansion.

I got a private tour of the 4,400-acre community, which is made up of four villages, and most have shops, restaurants, golf clubs, and other businesses within walking distance of many of the homes. There's even a school in the community that students walk and bike to.

Ultimately, DC Ranch felt like a little town that could sustain itself without trekking to Downtown Scottsdale.

In the most expensive village, Silverleaf, mansions line long, winding roads up the mountains. It looked nothing like the luxury housing in NYC, mostly sky-high, sprawling apartments.

My jaw dropped as we drove by these homes, most of which had multiple buildings and dramatic entryways. There was a variety of architecture up there. As I passed through the desert landscape, I was reminded of medieval castles and Greek villas.

The biggest surprise during my trip to Arizona's wealth enclave was thinking I could see myself living there.

I don't see myself leaving NYC for a long time. Still, when I do, I may consider this luxury desert oasis thanks to its surprisingly walkable neighborhoods, stunning architecture, and proximity to a bigger city, Phoenix.

If I can take the heat — and the price — there's a chance I'll call this area home someday.

• Mississippi County offers up to $50,000 for new home builds or renovations to attract residents.
• The Work Here, Live Here program aims to boost the local economy and grow the population.
• The incentive is available to employees of local companies and has drawn 80 new homeowners.

Mississippi County, Arkansas wants to help residents build their dream home, as long as they agree to live in the area for at least four years. To accomplish this goal, it's offering up to $50,000 per household for a renovation or new build.

The program — called Work Here, Live Here — is the county's effort to boost the local economy and grow the population, which is just under 40,000 people, per the 2022 Census. A two-and-a-half hour drive from Little Rock, the county borders Tennessee and includes cities like Blytheville and Osceola.

Work Here, Live Here is organized and partially-funded through a group of Mississippi County industries, community groups, and financial institutions like Farmers Bank & Trust. It first started providing resident and mover incentives in the fall of 2022.

The county is one of the nation's top steel-producing areas, President and CEO of Farmers Bank & Trust Randy Scott told Business Insider. And, the incentive program is only available to employees of specific companies, like steel producers River Steel, US Steel, and Atlas Tube. Eight companies have partnered with Work Here, Live Here so far, and Scott expects more to join this month.

"We want homeowners that are gonna stay here," Scott said.

Mississippi County's incentive program is part of a recent wave of efforts across rural America to increase populations and local businesses. Areas like Lincoln County, Kansas, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Columbus, Georgia are paying people to move there, offering perks like discounted gym memberships, internet credits, tax breaks, and up to $10,000 in cash to new residents.

Mover incentive programs have become especially popular in the aftermath of the pandemic, as more jobs are remote or location flexible. And, as the cost of living continues to rise in US cities — especially on the coasts — more prospective homebuyers are being priced out. Some are turning to these smaller cities and counties in the Midwest or South.

For Mississippi County, this growing housing demand has provided an opportunity to build their towns and cities.

"They're going to be here for generations to come," Scott said. "They're your future registered voters, future school board members, future enrollments in the schools."

With housing incentives, Mississippi County hopes to see population growth

In the 20 months since Work Here, Live Here launched, the program has drawn 80 new homeowners to Mississippi County. And, according to Scott, the majority of them are first-generation homebuyers, young people, and young families.

The housing incentive program offers a 10% forgivable loan on a new home construction with a maximum home cost of $500,000, meaning some families can receive up to a $50,000 housing credit. Existing homes can receive a forgivable loan of up to 5% for a renovation.

Per data provided to BI from Work Here, Live Here, the program has already led to the construction of 28 homes and the renovation of 52 existing homes. The average price of homes purchased is $270,253 and the average benefit received is $28,767.

"We will have an individual that gets the incentive," Scott said. "And within a week, everyone that works on his shift with him is calling us saying 'hey, how can I participate as well?"'

Work Here, Live Here was initially focused on keeping residents who already lived in Mississippi County, but it has also attracted homebuyers from out of state, Scott said. Participants have come from Missouri, Alabama, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado, and Ohio.

As more families move to or settle in Mississippi County, Scott expects it will have a positive effect on businesses, the school system, and public spaces. Now, he and other northeast Arkansas leaders want to get the word out.

"Once we start having population increase — and there's no reason why we shouldn't with other jobs we have created — the quality of life will follow," Scott said. "You'll get the restaurants, you'll get the retail shops, you'll get the amenities."

Have you been paid to move? Are you open to sharing your pros and cons of moving to a new city? If so, reach out to this reporter at allisonkelly@businessinsider.com.

• A new study by Citymeals on Wheels surveyed 500 older New Yorkers about their access to food.
• Sixty-five percent of respondents said they live on $15,000 per year or less.
• Fifty-six percent receive SNAP benefits, but 34% said it's not enough to meet basic needs.

The Big Apple's Silent Generation and baby boomers face daunting food insecurity as they struggle to obtain regular meals, feel socially isolated from people who can help them get food, and lack support from government benefits like SNAP.

A new survey of 500 older people by nonprofit meal-delivery service Citymeals on Wheels and CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute highlights persistent hunger among New York's aging population: Forty-eight percent of people surveyed said they experienced some level of food insecurity in the past 12 months.

Food insecurity included worrying that food would run out before they received more money, or not being able to grocery shop or cook for themselves due to physical or psychological barriers.

The survey sampled New Yorkers over the age of 60; boomers are people between 59 and 75, and Silent Generation members are older than that. Survey participants either belonged to an older adult center or have received home-delivered meals, according to Citymeals on Wheels. Researchers aimed to gauge the effectiveness of such programs.

Researchers found that 65% of older New Yorkers surveyed are living on $15,000 a year or less. That's just 20% of the median household income in New York City, which was $74,694 in 2022, according to the Census Bureau. What's more, 32% of the people surveyed said they don't receive any Social Security benefits.

In New York City, there are nearly 1.8 million people aged 60 and older. Almost 10% of those individuals attend older adult centers and 27,547 received home-delivered meals last year, according to Citymeals on Wheels.

Another gleaning insight from the study is the mental health concern among New York City's aging population. Forty-five percent of survey respondents said they do not have friends or family who can provide them with at least one meal a day. And 82% of respondents said they have never utilized mental health services.

Among older people, social isolation such as being home-ridden or detached from technology can contribute to feelings of loneliness. Forty-five percent of respondents said they have little to no internet access and 38% said loneliness and depression were a concern.

Persistently high food bills

Fifty-six percent of respondents said they receive cash assistance for groceries through SNAP.

However, SNAP benefits are often not enough to pay for groceries. In fact, about 34% of respondents said the SNAP benefits they received were not enough to meet their needs.

One respondent said their income is just above the SNAP eligibility level, highlighting the precarious financial situation of ALICEs — asset limited, income constrained, and employed people who are trapped between making too much for benefits but too little to sustain themselves financially.

And while inflation is cooling, the cost of eating out is still a sore spot for many Americans right now. The cost of groceries remained flat from April to May, but the cost of food away from home, like eating at restaurants, increased 0.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

And the cost of limited-seating food, like fast-food joints, increased 0.2% in the same time period, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's a burden for cash-strapped New Yorkers who might find it easier to eat a quick meal out than cook at home.

In fact, 41% of survey respondents said they're only sometimes or never able to grocery shop, and 15% said they're not able to cook for themselves, citing physical and mental difficulties.

Have you found it difficult to manage your food bills? Has the price of a favorite meal recently changed or surprised you? We want to hear from you. Email this reporter at jtowfighi@insider.com

• Bethany Dobson lost 44 pounds after she learned about nutrition and strength training.
• Dobson's new understanding of calories and protein helped her make new versions of her favorite foods.
• She shared her pizza, cheeseburger pie, and brownie recipes with Business Insider.

When Bethany Dobson started learning about nutrition and strength training, it was a game changer.

For years, she thought she had to eat a restrictive diet and do tons of cardio to lose fat. But she realized she just needed to understand how calories work and, to a lesser extent, macros (proteins, carbs, and fat).

This knowledge enabled Dobson, 22, from the UK, to develop higher-protein and lower-calorie versions of her favorite meals to help her hit her nutrition goals without feeling deprived, meaning fat loss became sustainable.

About four years ago, she lost 44 pounds, and has maintained her healthy lifestyle since.

Although all macros are important in a balanced diet, eating enough protein is particularly important for fat loss, because it helps keep you feeling full. It also helps the body hold on to muscle while losing fat, which means you actually change your body composition.

As more people have become more interested in fitness and muscle-building in recent years, the size of the global protein supplements market surpassed $23.45 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $49.68 billion by 2032, according to Precedence Research.

However, dietitians generally advise aiming to get protein in your diet through whole foods before turning to supplements.

Following the success of her own fitness journey, Dobson is now a full-time fat loss coach and personal trainer, and she published her second e-book of recipes this month.

Dobson shared three of her most popular high-protein recipes with Business Insider, all approved by registered nutritionist Charan Bijlani.

Barbecue chicken cheesy stuffed crust pizza

Serves one

Ingredients

For the base:

• 70 grams self-raising flour
• 100 grams 0% fat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon mixed herbs
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 10 grams light cheese for the stuffed crust

For the toppings:

• 100 grams cooked chicken
• 10 grams pizza Sauce
• 15 grams BBQ Sauce
• Chopped onion
• Chopped pepper
• 10 grams light cheese

Method

1. Mix the flour and seasonings in a bowl, then add the Greek yogurt. Mix until a dough is formed. You may have to add some more water or flour to get the right consistency.
2. Sprinkle some flour onto a surface and roll out the dough.
3. Line the edges of the dough with cheese and fold over to make the stuffed crust.
4. Add the toppings.
5. Place on a greaseproof paper-lined tray and bake in the oven at 180°C (356°F) for 20-30 minutes, or until the dough is cooked.

Nutrition

Calories: 583

Protein: 59 grams

Carbs: 64 grams

Fat: 10 grams

Bijlani told BI that Dobson's recipe is a great higher-protein pizza option that sounds full of flavor.

"Opting for wholewheat flour would be an easy way to make this meal slightly more nutritious with some added fiber," she said. "Adding some extra veggies onto the pizza or having a side salad would be a way to ensure that there's a serving of veggies."

Cheeseburger pie

Serves four

Ingredients

For the potato fries topping:

• 600 grams white potatoes
• Salt and pepper

For the burger filling:

• 750 grams 5% fat ground beef
• 1/2 teaspoon mixed herbs
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 white onion, diced
• 1 beef stock cube, dissolved in 50 milliliters boiling water
• 1 teaspoon tomato puree
• 20 grams burger sauce

For the cheese sauce:

• 2 light cheese slices
• 20 milliliters 2% milk

For toppings:

• 6 light cheese slices
• Crinkle-cut gherkins

Method

Potato fries:

• Slice and microwave the potatoes for five to seven minutes.
• Spray with olive oil, season, and air fry for 20 minutes at 200°C (392°F) or bake in an oven for 30 minutes at 180°C (356°F).

Filling:

• Season the ground beef with the herbs and garlic powder, then fry with the onion until brown.
• Add other ingredients and simmer for five to 10 minutes.

Cheese sauce:

• Melt the cheese slices with milk in a small frying pan until smooth.

Assembly:

• Put the beef mix into a large baking dish then top with the cheese slices and potato fries. Bake for five to 10 minutes at 180°C (356°F) until the cheese is melted.
• Top with the gherkins and melted cheese sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 458

Protein: 50 grams

Carbs: 34 grams

Fat: 15 grams

Bijlani said that keeping the skin on the potatoes is a great way to up the fiber content of the meal.

"By using a variety of herbs and spices you're able to add a lot of flavor and could even eliminate the salt entirely," she said, adding that another option is to use a low-sodium stock cube.

While gherkins are great, Bijlani recommends adding vegetables or a salad to increase fiber and boost gut health.

Chocolate brownie overnight oats

Serves one. You can also make in bulk and store in the fridge for three to four days.

Ingredients

• 40 grams rolled oats
• 30 grams chocolate protein powder
• 100 grams 0% fat Greek yogurt
• 10 grams cocoa powder
• 50 millileters almond milk
• 10 grams chocolate chips
• 2 drops vanilla extract

Method

1. Mix everything together in a jar, ensuring there are no lumps.
2. Cover and leave in the fridge overnight.

Nutrition

Calories: 385

Protein: 40 grams

Carbs: 42 grams

Fat: eight grams

Bijlani said this recipe is high in fiber thanks to the oats and also high in protein, thanks to the protein powder and yogurt.

"Adding some nuts or seeds would be a way to add some healthy fats, more fiber, and plant diversity, which your gut will love," she said. "By using vanilla extract, you're able to add some sweetness without any extra sugar and could even reduce the amount of chocolate chips."

Fresh or frozen fruit would make it a more balanced meal and add more flavor, Bijlani said.