hipstress

Summer Reading

NYT Book Review HERE | NPR review HERE

“In his debut novel, A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, Anthony Marra transports readers to Chechnya, a war-torn Russian republic that has long sought independence.

The lyrical and heart-breaking novel begins in 2004 when a doctor watches as Russian soldiers abduct his neighbor, who has been accused of aiding Chechen rebels. He later rescues the neighbor’s 8-year-old daughter, then colludes with another doctor to form an unlikely family amid the daily violence.

‘It’s a novel about people who are trying to transcend the hardships of their circumstances by saving others,’ Marra tells weekends on All Things Considered host Jacki Lyden.”

Chickpea Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

Yep, that’s right, I found a way to make cookies out of chickpeas.  I love cookies that much.  These were so easy to make & surprisingly tasty, not to mention full of protein & gluten free!  Recipe HERE (courtesy of Love Lola).  For additional chickpea recipes, check out Mark Bittman’s piece in the NYT HERE.

The People’s Bootcamp

If you are in the NYC area, I love this concept!  Super trendy fitness classes have gotten so elite & spendy! The People’s Bootcamp believes in making fitness accessible (philosophically & financially) to all & its ‘pay what you can’ policy proves is.  Check it out HERE.

“A full-body revolution. No weights. No equipment. No nonsense.

Using only your body weight as resistance you’ll do more in 45-minutes than most people do in a week. Each class is a total body workout that leaves you dripping in sweat and glowing in pride.

Our tribe loses weight, builds lean muscle, improves cardiovascular function, increases mental tenacity and boosts their metabolism. But the real benefits are below the surface. You’ll see what we mean.

We’re your friends, your family, your people. We’re warriors just like you who surprise ourselves in every class.

You are capable of amazing things. Inside of you, right now, is everything you need to create anything you have ever wanted. And it’s dying to get out.

We are the key. You are the door. Get ready to kick it wide open.

Come join the revolution.”

Read the NYT review HERE.

Currently Reading

Available HERE | Michael Pollan is one of my favorite food authors & philosophers.  His writing & ideas are not only brilliant, but engaging & accessible. He does an incredible job of connecting individual to global, addressing not just personal health & well-being, but environment benefits of eating well.  Looking forward to this read & to recommitting to cooking a plant-based diet at home & being connected to my food.  NYT Book Review HERE.  See more below: 

A (Belated) Music Monday

Starting off the week behind already!  (But it’s due to a string of beloved visitors, so it’s well worth it.)

Very much looking forward to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs new album (‘Mosquito’) due out April 16!  Their last remains one of my favorite albums of the last 10 years & Karen O remains one of my all-time favorite live performers.  .  Read more HERE.  Listen to their new single ‘Sacrilege’ HERE.

THIERRY COHEN

‘Darkened Cities’ series by Thierry Cohen

French photographer, Thierry Cohen, has blended city scenes—shot & altered to eliminate lights & other distractions—& the night skies from less populated locations that fall on the same latitudes.  So Paris gets the stars of northern Montana, New York those of the Nevada desert (a Burning Man sky over NYC…how incredible!).

The result is what city dwellers might see in the absence of light & pollution.  

Cohen’s work will be exhibited at the Danziger Gallery in NYC in March.

The loss of starry skies, accelerated by worldwide population growth in cities, has created an urbanite who “forgets & no longer understands nature.”

“To show him stars is to help him dream again.”

See more HERE via the New York Times Magazine.

Nate Silver Predicts a 49ers Super Bowl WIN!

This is good news!  Nate Silver, who accurately predicted Obama’s win in November (as well as LOTS of other things), predicts a 49ers WIN this Sunday!  

Read about it HERE.

One of my favorite smells.  Reminds me of home & Sunday mornings.

Escape From Tomorrow

I’m intrigued by Randy Moore’s new film, ‘Escape From Tomorrow’ which just debuted at Sundance.  Frankly, Disney & Seaworld already freak me out.

The film—about a father going insane—was shot entirely (secretly) within Disney parks.  Should bring up some interesting legal copyright issues!  Read the NYT article HERE.

I’m also interested in seeing ‘Blackfish’ a documentary about SeaWorld & the trainer killed there by an Orca in 2010.

46 Places to Go in 2013

Check out the full list HERE via the NYT.  My top picks are below:

3. Nicaragua (eco + food + surfing!)

10. Instanbul (art, culture + ancient history)

17. Philippines (surf breaks of Kelly Slater fame)

21. The Adirondacks (luxury glamping? yes please!)

34. Czech Republic (spa + skiing, my perfect combo!)

39. Republic of Congo (posh safaris)

46. Paris (always on my list, my #3 favorite city)