Part 1: How Side Hustle Culture Is Redefining Learning in 2025 Gone are the days when learning only happened in classrooms or ended with a diploma. In 2025, people are learning everywhere—on YouTube, during a lunch break, and even on the bus to work. But what’s truly changing the game is how side hustle culture is becoming the new “learning lab” for millions around the world. Young people and adults alike are picking up new skills not just for fun, but to survive, earn, and thrive. Whether it’s learning how to design Canva templates , editing TikTok videos , baking for online orders , or selling vintage fashion on Instagram , the knowledge required to pull these off isn’t taught in traditional education. At Learning with AL-Mercy , we believe this is a revolution worth watching—and worth being part of. In this series, we’ll dive into: How ordinary people are learning extraordinary things to fuel their passions and pockets Where to find free and low-cost resources to learn practical sk...
Published: May 1, 2025 In a major food safety development, Smith Packing LLC , based in Utica, New York, has recalled nearly 19,000 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products . The recall, announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) , affects multiple product lines due to unsafe levels of sodium nitrite , a chemical preservative used in cured meats. 🧪 What Went Wrong? The FSIS discovered that the products contained sodium nitrite levels exceeding federally regulated limits . Sodium nitrite is commonly used to prevent bacterial growth and maintain meat color, but excessive consumption can be dangerous , leading to a potentially life-threatening condition called methemoglobinemia , which reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. The issue came to light after consumers reported off-taste and discoloration in several products, prompting lab testing and the subsequent recall. 📦 What Products Are Affected? The recall inc...