Take a seat in the classroom and earn
an MBA in food and wine. Photo
courtesy University of Bologna.

Start with an MBA in Food & Wine, given for the first time by the Alma Graduate School of Business at the University of Bologna, in Italy.

The one-year intensive program is taught in Engish.

Why Italy? According to the school’s website, the food and wine industries worldwide seek managers to capitalize on global market opportunities. Italy has developed a specific knowledge in this field.

The Food and Wine concentration focuses on the most successful Italian enterprises in the gastronomy and enology sectors, drawing upon Italy’s rich tradition, successful practices and quality of its products.

Ten full scholarships are available; the application deadline is July 15th and the program begins in September 2011. A minimum of two years of business experience is required.

Learn more at the Alma Graduate School website.

Beer-making kits, developed by the Brooklyn Brew Shop, make it easy for anyone to brew delicious beer at home.

It’s a gift any beer lover would like: the ability to experience first-hand what it takes to make a delicious brew.

The kit includes the finest barley, hops, yeast and spices, plus step-by-step instructions. You’ll see how easy it is to craft an all-natural home brew that’s as good as artisanal beers served at the best brew pubs.

Choose either fresh, light summer wheat beer or India Pale Ale (IPA), known for its bold, hops-intensive flavor. (Or why choose? Brew both!)

 
The craft brewing kit is available from Williams-Sonoma. One kit is $39.95.

The entire brewing process takes about 17 days. If you start now, you can brew Dad or Hubby his own batch as a Father’s Day gift.

Both of you might just turn into avid homebrewers. Check out the Home Brewing Association.

Brush up on your beer types in our Beer Glossary.

Asparagus: now in season, but not for long!
Photo courtesy California Asparagus Commission.

Like the idea of eating seasonal produce grown on local farms, but wonder what’s in season in your area?

Climates in the U.S. vary widely. What’s seasonal in California isn’t the same as what’s seasonal in New York or Indiana.

But there’s an easy search tool to find out exactly what’s in season in your locavore universe. Just head to SimpleSteps.org and select your state.

The website will also tell you where all your local farmers markets are, and even include directions by car, bike, walking and public transit.

SimpleSteps.org is a great resource that covers all smarter living topics, including household savings calculators and conservation tips for people who care about the planet. For example:

If a quarter of the households in the United States replaced one incandescent with one compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), it would save as much carbon dioxide (a major greenhouse gas that impacts climate change) as planting 257,215 acres of forest. (All plants absorb carbon dioxide for photosynthesis; forests absorb a large amount of it.)

Don’t like the light from CFLs? The site advises looking for bulbs with a Kelvin temperature between 3,000k and 3,500k. They give off the familiar warm glow of incandescent bulbs.

We’re off to pick up seasonal produce and CFLs.