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Laura Stadler was walking her two young children home from preschool and daycare, her daughter in a stroller and her son beside her. It was a sunny afternoon in March, and Stadler had just finished her first day back working as a dietician after returning from maternity leave. The family was on a crowded sidewalk on Bedford Avenue, approaching Clarkson Avenue, when shots rang out. [ more › ]
Attention nerds: There is now an aerial map in which you can view the city's trees by species. Oh boy, this is fun, and certainly less of a bummer than that toxic spill map. Let's get in there. [ more › ]
"Set adrift on corgi bliss," the pup's owner captioned.
Just chillin'.
Do you think they know how cute they are?
New friends!
The most Cali-cool dog we've ever seen.
Fun in the SoCal sun.
Earlier this week, three people—including ex-Knicks power forward Chris Copeland, his former girlfriend, and another woman—were stabbed during an incident outside the Chelsea club 1OAK. In addition to the attacker, two members of the Atlanta Hawks, Pero Antić and Thabo Sefolosha, were arrested "for trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene." It seems that during the arrest, Sefolosha was grabbed around the neck and flung to the ground. He will now miss the Hawks’ final four regular-season games and the postseason because of a fractured right fibula and ligament damage. [ more › ]
Elliot Boblittchloe the wombat!
This little cutie is a Fireball Fennec Fox — the smallest of the world's foxes — from the San Diego Zoo. Found in South Africa, his adorable ears help keep him cool in the heat.
Don't worry, this endangered Pangolin doesn't have any teeth! When he grows up, he'll look like a cross between an aardvark and an artichoke. He's receiving special care at the Taipei Zoo in this snap.
Four litters of Red Panda cubs were born at SCBI, and we just want to play with their fluff all day long.
Looks like this baby White Rhino at the Wilds in Ohio is ready for his close-up. Do you think he practices his resting bitch face?
Zoo keepers really dig, Chloe, the orphan Wombat. Part of the marsupial family, this delightful little gal loves to burrow.
This slippery little Harbor Seal is blind, but that doesn't stop him from learning new cues with a trainer. Where do we sign up?
These mean-muggin' African Wild Dog pups are too much. The three were raised by a Golden Retriever at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, and they now have names reflecting their African heritage and their surrogate mother. Aw.
This wee Rock Hyrax, who was born at Chester Zoo, is concentrating really hard (or, you know, just playfully teasing us). Either way, this furry mammal might just be our new favorite.
This rare Javan Gibbon, who was born at Perth Zoo, looks like a fuzzy alien and we aren't mad about it.
Oh. My. God. We didn't know baby kangaroos (aka joeys) were born so nude and precious. The Belfast Zoo is so lucky they get to play with this guy every day.
Ah, the good 'ol days when mom used to dote on your every whim. Needless to say, this Dallas Zoo giraffe has got it made.
We've never gotten over the fact that a friend owned an African Pygmy Hoglet in college and we didn't. We're not bitter or anything. Maybe it's time for a trip to the Oregon Zoo?
Why can't hyenas stay this cute? The rabid ones who did Scar's bidding in The Lion King are setting a bad example.
This tiny Orange Tamarin from the Santa Barbara Zoo kind of looks like it's staring into our soul, but in, like, a really friendly way.
This adorable Tapir still looks the same as he did hundreds of years ago. Even though he was the first Tapir born to the Minnesota Zoo in 20 years.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and cat videos on the Refinery29 Entertainment Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
We here at Brunch Hate Reads have seen every permutation of terrible in the weekend pages of the NY Times, from the hungover futurism consultants who are so over Brooklyn to the 22-year-old creative souls just trying to find a multi-million dollar place to hang their giant portraits of themselves. We've definitely seen some shit in our day—but we're happy to report we haven't become jaded by all the mason jar trend pieces. As we learned from a piece today, we still have the capacity for dumb-struck awe at their ability to hold up a mirror to modern New York and only notice 1% of the reflection. [ more › ]
#FDNY units will remain on-scene in #EastVillage as operations continue today. pic.twitter.com/mhzF5loGss
— FDNY (@FDNY) March 27, 2015
That Nightcap
A cocktail or glass of wine may be a soothing end to a stressful day, but sipping spirits too close to bedtime can rob you of your ZZZs. While alcohol does help you doze off faster, it also shortens rapid eye movement (REM) sleep — the most restorative phase of your sleep cycle. This means the second half of your slumber is more disrupted and less restful, causing you to wake up during the night and feel more tired the next day.
Too Much Clutter
Battling the afternoon energy slump? It may be time to clean your desk. Too much stimulation in your visual space (like a cluttered work area) restricts your ability to concentrate and process information, research at Princeton University shows. “Multiple unrelated objects in close proximity to each other compete for your brain’s resources,” says Stephanie McMains, PhD, study author and staff scientist at the Center for Brain Science at Harvard University. Keep clutter to a minimum to avoid sapping your mental energy, and try to group items in a meaningful way. “Individual objects that form part a larger group will not compete with each other as much,” says Dr. McMains. “You can also try spreading items out, so objects in the left versus right visual field don't compete as much as things right next to each other.”
Skipping Your Workout
Feeling wiped is a common excuse for cutting spin class, but skipping your workouts may be why you’re so drained in the first place. A 2006 study from the University of Georgia found that light exercise reduced feelings of fatigue by as much as 65% and boosted energy levels by 20%. “We believe exercise may alter neurotransmitters in the brain that promote feelings of energy,” says Patrick O’Connor, PhD, study author and professor in the department of kinesiology at the University of Georgia. Pack your gym bag the night before, so you’ll be less likely to bail.
Thyroid Problems
Chronic feelings of fatigue could signal a thyroid problem. The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, secretes hormones that regulate a variety of functions, from your body temperature to metabolism and heartbeat. But, sometimes, the thyroid doesn’t produce enough of these hormones, leading to a condition called hypothyroidism. “Thyroid hormones stimulate the brain, accelerating focus and awareness,” says Antonio Bianco, MD, PhD, division chief of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. “If levels of these hormones in the blood decrease, it causes body functions to slow down, and you feel fatigued.” Women are three to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems. If you have unexplained fatigue coupled with unexpected weight gain, menstrual irregularity, cold intolerance, constipation, or other unusual symptoms, see your MD for an evaluation. “Your doctor can give you a blood test to measure your thyroid hormone levels and determine if treatment is necessary,” Bianco says.
Dehydration
Even mild dehydration can alter your mood and make you feel mentally sluggish, two studies from the University of Connecticut reveal. “If we don't drink enough fluids, it makes it difficult for our cells to function properly,” says Jenna Bell, PhD, RD, a sports dietitian and the author of Energy to Burn: The Ultimate Food & Nutrition Guide to Fuel Your Active Lifestyle. “Blood volume drops, forcing your heart and the rest of your body to work harder," she adds. If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Keep a water bottle or pitcher on your desk or kitchen counter to remind you to sip regularly.
Low Iron
“Iron deficiency can lead to acute or chronic fatigue because your body isn’t able to make enough hemoglobin — the [protein molecule] in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen to working muscles and organs,” says Dr. Bell. Think you’re iron deficient? Make an appointment with your doc and fill up on iron-rich foods. “Iron is best absorbed when consumed from animal sources like lean red meats, poultry, seafood, and pork,” says Bell. “Plant sources of iron, like beans and leafy greens, aren’t as easily absorbed, but still contribute to your total iron intake. You can also get iron from dried fruits, fortified cereals, breads, and beverages.”
Allergies
All that sneezing and sniffling can sap energy levels. “Fatigue is common with both year-round and seasonal allergies,” says Mark Holbreich, MD, a board-certified allergist in Indianapolis. “Nasal congestion disrupts sleep, while the chronic symptoms that come along with allergies — like itchy eyes, sneezing and headaches — take a toll on your body and make you feel run-down.” Suspect you could be an allergy sufferer? See a board-certified allergist for an evaluation. Newer medications and a better understanding of your allergies by an expert can help bring relief, says Dr. Holbreich.
Sleeping In On Weekends
Bad news: Sleeping late Saturday and Sunday can’t make up for shuteye lost during the week. It screws with your internal body clock, making it harder to fall asleep and more difficult to get up come Monday morning, according to a study in the journal PLOS One. Plus, regularly snoozing longer than 10 hours per night is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes, though more research is needed to understand how sleep, mental health, and weight interact to influence your risk for chronic disease. “It’s possible that different factors underlie this association, like reduced physical activity, social isolation, or undiagnosed illness,” says Kristen Knutson, PhD, a National Sleep Foundation Sleep in America Poll Scholar. The sweet spot: Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep nightly.
Blue Light
Bought The Girl On the Train and now you can’t put your iPad down? You may be better off buying the hardcover version. People take longer to fall asleep, spend less time in REM sleep, and feel less alert the next morning after reading e-books, compared to people who read print books, a new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy on Sciences reveals. And, that holds true even if the e-reading folks sleep eight hours per night. “We knew light in the evening could delay your body’s circadian clock and increase alertness. But, blue short-wavelength light emitted from e-readers is even more effective at suppressing the natural sleep hormone, melatonin, and inducing these effects,” says Anne-Marie Chang, PhD, study author and associate neuroscientist in Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders. Smartphone use has been shown to have similar effects. Turning down the brightness on your device may help — or try using software such as Flux to help filter out the sleep-stealing blue light. Even better: Stick with paperbacks at night, or ban the glow of tech gadgets at least an hour before bedtime.
Medications
A new Rx could be causing your yearning for a midday nap. “Many migraine meds and some antidepressants work by increasing levels of serotonin in the body,” says Rebecca Spencer, PhD, associate professor of neuroscience at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Serotonin has numerous essential functions in the body, including the regulation of mood and appetite. It’s also used by the brain to help synthesize the sleep hormone, melatonin. “When serotonin levels are high, more melatonin is made, making you more sleepy,” explains Dr. Spencer. If you’ve found yourself feeling overly tired after starting a new medication, consult your doc to find out if your meds could be messing with your energy levels.
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Since opening in early January, Sun Noodle's Ramen Lab outpost has drawn lines of devoted soup slurpers to Kenmare to brave the elements for one of a few coveted spots at the standing bar. On a frosty Friday evening I headed to what I assumed would be a very chilly hour huddled inside the restaurant's small vestibule for space to free up. Luckily for me, showing up solo can mean squeezing in where a larger party wouldn't fit. Such is the additional advantage of not having any chairs or stools. [ more › ]
It's been open for less than a month, but Amanda Cohen's Dirt Candy reboot is already a huge hit, with weeks-long waits to snag a seat and eat her deliciously manipulated vegetables. In her minuscule original restaurant, Cohen revealed her prowess for taking ordinary ingredients and transforming them into something decadent, like the incredible Broccoli Dogs we've gushed about before. In fact, the chef shows an excellent handle on broccoli in general, as evidenced by the Korean Fried Broccoli "snack" also on the menu. [ more › ]
Boxkite
"Coffee shops are the reason I started my blog. I’m a self-proclaimed chain coffee drinker. So, what’s better than a coffee shop that can drop a ten-course tasting on you, à la a chef's counter?
"Boxkite instantly became one of my go-to coffee shops with its espresso program — then moved into its own category after the dinner I had (which, by the way, included cider pairings with every course). Each dish not only had some of the most beautiful plating my young eyes have ever seen, but the flavors were shocking, new, modern, and delicious. I know it sounds like I just described a Tom Clancy novel, but it’s all from the heart. The plates that come out of this tiny coffee-shop kitchen are nothing short of miraculous."
Tip: "It's first come, first serve, but à la carte for the couple of stools in the window. Reservations are required for the chef’s table, which serves up a tasting menu Tuesday through Saturday."
Perfect For: "Coffee with a friend, grabbing a house-made pastry to go, or a date night."
Box Kite Coffee, 115 Saint Marks Place (between First Avenue and Avenue A); 212-574-8201.
Dirty French
"The Lower East Side just keeps getting cooler. It used to be cool because you could get mugged when you went, and it was a victory to make it out alive. Now, it’s cool because of places like Dirty French, one of the best spots to land below Houston since Stanton Social's glory days.
"You have to love a restaurant that makes some of the best cocktails in the city. The bread basket (which is not a bread basket, by the way, but a bowl of insane warm crepes) blew me away, as did the duck à l’orange, the lamb carpaccio (massive and impressive), the pommes frites, and the tuna tartare. Plus, the space is beautiful, like an incredibly fancy barn in Provence. Basically, I was sold from the get-go."
Tip: "Start at one of the bars, either in the restaurant or in the hotel lobby. They're run by the same mixologist as ZZ’s Clam Bar is, meaning there are some of the finest cocktails for your sipping pleasure."
Perfect For: "Special occasions, fancy cocktails, or dinner meetings."
Dirty French, 180 Ludlow Street (between East Houston and Stanton streets); 212-254-3000.
El Rey
"Local is always the way to go. And, El Rey is the definition of a local spot. Recently, they launched a menu with the kind of things you actually want to eat every day, at prices even a struggling food blogger — a.k.a., me — can afford.
"El Rey improves and serves a variety of popular dishes, dropping them right down in front of you with that rap battle attitude. Get there early to score one of the house-made pastries (they sell out quick), and make sure to order the avocado 'del sur' — a.k.a., sliced avocado dropped from heaven; it comes with chimichurri and hickory-smoked sea salt, and will have you rethinking your entire perspective on your favorite dish. By the way, the kale isn’t your average kale, so don’t pass on that either, just because you've been O.D.-ing on kale salad for the last three years."
Tip: "Go for tea in the evening, because it's really hard to find a good, chill spot for a nice warm cup after 7 p.m."
Perfect For: "Morning coffee and breakfast, a healthy (but delicious!) lunch, or a good ol' neighborhood beer (yes, this is a coffee shop with an incredible list of brews on tap)."
El Rey Coffee Bar & Luncheonette, 100 Stanton Street (at Ludlow Street); 212-260-3950.
Hi-Collar
"Hi-Collar is the most sleeper of places. You walk into the long, narrow space and feel like you’re in a luxury Japanese train car, which I imagine to all have long, metal counters and a sake bar.
"The coffee is made to order — literally, by the cup — and the food (like the pork katsu sandwich — which they only serve 10 of per day) is fantastic. The cakes (which are basically an inch and a half of fluff) are meticulously prepared in front of you and served with an incredible specialty butter."
Tip: "Bring cash; there's a $10 credit card minimum for lunch and $20 for bar service."
Perfect For: "An escape from New York, a hearty lunch, or when you're craving something sweet."
Hi-Collar, 214 East 10th Street (between First and Second avenues); 212-777-7018.
Nitecap
"I love hidden places like Nitecap on the Lower East Side. Enter through a small door on Rivington Street, and you'll be led downstairs to a dimly lit, moody little room. All the cocktails have rad names, like Peter Piper’s Pickled Peppered Pineapple, which is fun to make your too-drunk friend say five times fast.
"They also have an 'honor' bar situation, were you pick a bottle and pay for what you drink; the menu says, ‘a handshake, eye contact, and a credit card are required.’ It's like those houses on Halloween that leave garbage bins full of candy outside, with a tiny sign that says, 'Take 1.' Yeah, that never worked."
Tip: "Avoid long, late-night waits and go for apéritif hour (where drinks are $10!) from 6 to 8 p.m."
Perfect For: "After-work cocktails, a creative date, or late-night drinks."
Nitecap, 120 Rivington Street (between Essex and Norfolk streets); 212-466-3361.
Rose Bakery
"I have so much love for Dover Street Market. It's an international purveyor of unreal clothing worldwide, and the New York [outpost] has a Nike Lab.
"Inside, you'll find this London-based café, which is the real deal. The daily salads are [insert new word for fresh, because I refuse to use that played-out word anymore]. You can also get Blue Bottle coffee alongside some eggs (my favorite) and pastries (shout out to the scones!)."
Tip: "Order an egg dish; their scrambled eggs are extra-soft and fluffy."
Perfect For: "A coffee meeting or hanging at a cool place with cooler people."
Rose Bakery, 160 Lexington Avenue (at 30th Street); 646-837-7754.
Okonomi
"Fish for breakfast is definitely not the most appealing idea I've heard. But, that's what you'll get at this Japanese spot, which sources 90% of its seafood from the East Coast.
"You can see and taste the level of attention and care the chefs put into every single dish (my favorite is rice with added egg, salmon roe, and uni). There are about 12 seats in the place, and no one there is in a rush, so don't expect to run in and out (be prepared to wait even on a weekday). It has an air of calm that just can’t be bought."
Tip: "Okonomi switches to à la carte ramen service in the evening. That is obviously worth going to as well."
Perfect For: "A more exotic breakfast, a warm bowl of ramen, or being ahead of the trends (get here before it gets too popular!)."
Okonomi, 150 Ainslie Street (between Leonard and Lorimer streets); Brooklyn.
Glady's
"I don’t live in Crown Heights, but I am obsessed with Caribbean hotspot Glady’s. A good portion of the menu is crafted using Cuca Fresca, which is impressive alone, and it features tons of pure, simple Caribbean food — like jerk lobster, which is literally pulled from the tank to your plate in minutes."
Tip: "This place has tons of deals and steals. The lunch special includes 1/4 chicken or pork, rice and peas, spicy slaw, and plantains for $9; every day from 5:30 to 7 p.m., rum punch on tap is only $4; and on Tiki Tuesdays, there are $7 drink specials."
Perfect For: "Lunch, relaxing with a friend, or a first date."
Glady's Caribbean, 788 Franklin Avenue (at Lincoln Place), Brooklyn; 718-622-0249.
Animals
"Animals is one of those pop-ups that hasn’t gone away, which is perfect, because you would never want it to close. It has the most unreal sandwiches you’ll ever taste. My personal favorite is The Beast, which is beef braised in red wine, aromatics, and stone fruit, with pickled onions and horseradish creme. When’s the last time you had a sandwich with aromatics? Probably never. Also, don’t ignore the salads like an unsophisticated goob. The Brussels salad and cabbage salad would normally be easy to overlook: not here. Oh, and the fingerling potatoes are a must."
Tip: "Pop next door to The Wayland for a nightcap. It's one of the best bars in the city and shares the same owners."
Perfect For: "Lunch. I love to stay for hours, because the plating and atmosphere are killer."
Animals, 140 Avenue C (at East 9th Street); 212-777-7437.
Petee’s Pie Company
"I thought 2015 was all about prime rib, bone broth, and Indian spices. Is the pie trend making a comeback?!
"Well, forget these food trends. Petee's Pie just changed the game. Every dish on the menu is seasonal and local. The crust is made with grass-fed butter from Upstate. Hello, pie revival; R.I.P, cupcakes."
Tip: "Order everything you can. Don’t skip anything. The cinnamon buns are very rare (they're popular!). And, get a scoop of the goat-cheese ice cream."
Perfect For: "Pie, a quick lunch, or when you're looking for a little pick-me-up."
Petee’s Pie Company, 61 Delancey Street; 212-966-2526.
Elliot Boblitthhmmmm
The pastel Save The Dates blanketing your fridge door and foreign hairs on your pathetic pebble of Irish Spring signal that it may be time to leave the group apartment. Not into a studio coffin if you can help it, but a modest one-bedroom, a space with enough buoyant dignity that one day a special person moves in and boom! You might not die alone! Here are some rental maps to remind you to hold that soap at a 60-degree angle, so the hair slides away like so many dreams. [ more › ]
Considering that, until today, I only peripherally knew what a grain silo was, that's a pretty big statement. Seriously, why do we make square houses at all?
VIEW SLIDESHOW: 32 Hot, Cheesy Pizza Recipes We Love
They may be lauded for their reasonable prices but dumplings aren't just a lowbrow option for a quick bite—especially with a Nobu vet doing the steaming. That's the story behind East Wind Snack Shop, a brand new chopsticks spot in Windsor Terrace specializing in dumplings, buns and other quickly inhaled Chinese foods. It's helmed by chef Chris Cheung, who in addition to his Nobu stint has also graced the kitchens at Jean-Georges and Ruby Foo's—but unlike those spots, nothing on this menu tops $12. [ more › ]
In five months, give or take, I’m going to have to give up these stretchy waistband pants and accidental afternoon naps for good, or so I hear, but not without a fight. But before then, oh boy, I think we’ve got a rather fun spring/summer ahead, and nobody, not a single human on earth is more excited than the future big brother, who has already declared his agenda of teaching the baby the ABCs, to read, to play soccer and to always let it have cookies before dinner, even if it doesn’t eat its vegetables.
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Courtesy: PINP/AAT Kings/Spotlight/Rex/REX USA
Eight puppies individually clad in holiday sweaters were rescued from an abandoned building in Gravesend yesterday after cops responded to a suspected burglary call. Again, eight puppies. Wearing holiday sweaters. WITH THESE FACES. [ more › ]
Elliot Boblittoh no!
If the co-op owner, management company or a construction crew had a legitimate reason to remove the nest, their recent actions haven't dissuaded the hawks from moving. So, will the building just torture the hawks by removing the nesting materials each week until spring? That certainly would be cruel.
Let's hope that either the building is forced to let the hawks continue nesting on the Christodora House or if the hawks are to be evicted, that old nest site is properly prepared so the hawks begin to find an alternate nesting location as soon as possible.
Named after Spanish slang for “nightlife,” this Washington Heights tapas joint is geared toward hungry night owls, with modern Spanish small plates and cocktails until the witching hour. Slip into a sunny yellow banquette for bites like cocas (Catalan flatbread) layered with serrano ham and wild mushrooms, chicken-and-plantain-stuffed croquettes and crispy shrimp dipped in smoked paprika aioli.
