Daily Suites/Mercedes Benz Fashion Week/NYC
New Ways to Keep the Pace...Time-wise and Fueling Up
With us...it's multi-sports (triathlons).With some fellow triath people, we notice a on the spectrum- like obsession with stats- that kinda amuses us- as amateurs level ---it's akin to expensive Little League for grown-ups (how we explain it to our Yoga/Pilate centric gal pals)...
But we don't have that kind a personality---ahahaha ---our needs for a timepiece include one that can double as an everyday wear accessory.
IMHO-very impressive---a wide assortment of Spring 2013 Freestyle watches we previewed...with several new styles too average range price-of $110-$195.
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| Avalon-38mm case -3 hand movement with date, cute embossed alligator silicone band-water resistant to 200 meters. Dive series-with one-way ratcheting bezel |
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| Kampus XL-47mm-silicone freefall strap, dual time, one-way ratcheting bezel, date, stopwatch, countdown timer, hydro pushers, 100m water resistant |
Available for small-medium-large wrists...Freestyle Watches break down into five categories: Outdoor, Sport, Dive, Endurance and Shark---so there's selections that do waaay more than just tell time. And as befits the label's name---watery environments =no problem.
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| CANDY-38mm case size, 3-hand movement, water resistant to 100 meters, luminous hands |
Not lacking functionalities... for multi-sports there are the Workout 75 Lap watches (handy-wih a lap/split function---lightweight too), Predator -with a 10 lap memory, countdown timer, and stopwatch...and another series with the tide data for 150 beaches worldwide, programmed in (Killer and Classic Tides)...to name a few. Good for cross-training on a surf board.
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| Classic Tide Watch |
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| Killer Shark Watch-stopwatch, countdown timer, dual time, alarm, hydro pushers, tides data, 48mm case |
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| New-Killer Shark Tide Watches |
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| Killer Shark Tide Watch-stopwatch, countdown timer, dual time, alarm, hydro pushers, 100 meters water resistant , 48mm case |
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| the watch comes slides into band-time/date/night vision-lights up |
Stat happy types (and their coaches)...probably love this model---now updated to the t6d.
For swimming outdoors-we prefer an application of stick sunscreen---we feel it lasts, longer than the lotion when in the water---as it's a thicker coat.
Beyond Coastal is our go to brand---with broad spectrum protection.
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| we also like the Beyond Coastal Natural Sunscreen in clear---with Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide. Great for darker skin tones as there is no white chalky residue---a problem with some white mineral based sunscreens |
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| at Demo Day Outdoor Retailer January 2013..we count on the ProBar peeps to have delish bars for breakfast (and lunch....) |
PRO BAR now has USDA Organic Energy Chews (Bolt)---that are super easy digestible-even before a swim---very rare for us, and a great way to kill the hunger pains before we start exercising.
With electrolytes and B vitamins-these tasty gummy bear like (organic tapioca syrup helps with that)... bursts of complex carb energy--- without the crash and burn--- are available in authentic tasting fruit flavors; Strawberry, Orange (gluten-free), Berry Blast and Raspberry (the later two with caffeine via organic Yerba Mate). And so we learned-the USAD Organic label means non-GMO ingredients...!
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| Vanilla, Chocolate and Berry Smoothie-12 grams of protein/serving |
Another new product we tried at Outdoor Retailer---are these Milk Duds'- like, sweet tasting, Jelly Belly Sport Beans® Protein-laden post-performance recovery crisps...with 12g protein a serving (from pea and whey)...a portable, easy way to get the protein we need after a race. We probably could have eaten this entire bin after an active snowboard session on the nearby slopes. Gluen-free, peanut free, kosher..with vitamins B+D. Recovery From The Ordinary™...sure!
Brand new---the USDA Organic Energy Chews---that gave us the surge we needed on a multi-hour hike...AND BONUS... gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO ingredients. 0g Trans Fats and no partially hydrogenated oils. 100% RDA Vitamin C along with 1g protein and 1g fibre per package.
The lime-ade flavor has a bit of caffeine too...and all have 160 calories a pack.
We never thought that we'd discover delicious food at the Daily Suites/in the glam Mandarin Hotel- during the most recent Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC...
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| John Mitchell-VP of Product Development LYFE |
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| whole grain penne pasta with turkey meatballs |
But we did. Amazing...developed by bunch of smart entrepreneurs and a CIA-trained chef (that's the Culinary Institute...not the spy place)...who worked years for Whole Foods...and gets the healthy thing.
We tried the Steel-Cut oatmeal with Quinoa-with cinnamon spice and sliced mixed fruits that emerge fresh-not mushy---what a revelation- on how good a hot cereal could be-and blessed with 5grams protein, vitamins and fiber (270 calories).
We love oatmeal---but eating it makes us sleepy for some reason---so we bought some of these-delivered courtesy of Fresh Direct priced around $4.50-$5.99/apiece)--- and eat as dessert in the evening...really. Hits the spot after a day of work and a night of training. Freezer stored...it kinda changes around our thinking of what can emerge from a box. Here's hoping they go for the USDA Organic label...we'd pay a bit more for the non-GMO/pesticide free goodies.
FYI: Just signed actress/mom Jennifer Garner as "strategic advisor"...
The Teaologist® is an artisanal NYC based tea company that blends its own brews that are positively transporting. Whole fruits and spices give the samples we tried---a complex flavor----waaayyy beyond what we usually sip. And as we were told-mixing the teas with alcohol...very popular.The loose leaf blends- come in kid friendly (naturally sweet, caffeine free), and exotic mixes...including our fav that we sipped- The Siberian -a vanilla Houjicha ginger tea..."...a coffee-drinker's cup of tea."($11.50 for 2oz blend). Nice way to energize without the headache coffee can give us...
We discovered the benefits of a complete protein powders-with essential and non-essential Amino Acids- two years ago...and have tried a slew of them---including the vegan kind made of pea and hemp proteins (eh taste-with water as the liquid part)...and the whey based kind-a dairy kind that that we only have during the 'season'---which we blend with water---for a more milk shake flavor/texture...aka...tolerable taste.
Lucky us we walked outta there with a 16oz sample which is packaged in an appropriate sized container as opposed to those ridiculously oversized (and half empty) plastic containers of other muscle brands...
Again we blend with water---and its dissolved well enough with a bit of stirring (though some people blend in a blender-and use milk ---any kind-or sprinkle on oatmeal, fruit etc).
Again we blend with water---and its dissolved well enough with a bit of stirring (though some people blend in a blender-and use milk ---any kind-or sprinkle on oatmeal, fruit etc).
Recently the pr team sent over a few packets of the vanilla flavor---that lo and behold, tastes like vanilla bean -the real kind, not the artificial kind with an aftertaste. We wish they'd send over a whole case if they feel their office needs a bit of tidying up.
FYI: Though Optimal Solutions (a Nature's Bounty brand) is billed to meet a gal's nutritional needs-we think both genders would benefit from this tasty option. Widely available online and at mass merchs...
NAVITAS Naturals bills itself as a Superfoods Company...and it is...with organic - and exotic anti-oxidant/vitamin packed fruit/nuts/seeds powders like Pomegranate, Goji, Cacao, Lucuma, Maqui Berry, Chia and Hemp... and dried fruits that are unique to this company...like Dragonfruit slices and Goji Berries.
Smoothies made easy---a little of the aforementioned powders-maybe sweetened up with NN Coconut Palm Sugar, added to nuts, rice or almond milk, some fruit- with a tad of water and vanilla extract---gives a tasty whole food source of protein, anti-oxidants, essential fats, minerals and vitamin packed=meaningfully healthy drinks.
CLIF Bars are a fav with us ---they always have an easily accessed exhibit space at Outdoor Retailer that we are embarrassed how often we swing by for a sample!
Our top Clif product though: the Chocolate Cherry Shot Bloks- that we buy by the case, several in fact----with 50g caffeine and a teeny bit of sodium per serving. The taste is a fruity/chocolate blend as billed, we don't need water as a chaser-unlike gels...with 3 chewy bloks (texture as expected...) delivering 100 calories without the crash and burn of candy-but as satisfying (and addictive).
Tradeshow/Daily Suites Images/ Words- Judith Ecochard