LYRA MAG.

Part 3 YUMMY CRUNCHY- meet the new bagel=WAFFLES! via GIPHY source imgur.com Pancakes with abs???   Nah BETTER. Waffles-especially takes on the Dutch version stroopwafel-more equivalent to a cookie- and the traditional Belgian style (fyi-the Brussels style are square). ALL are crispy crunchy-buttery-and addictive. At the Fancy Food Show-we saw shelf stable waffles-in snack and meal sizes, freshly made samples and heated up frozen kinds- that are convenient. crispy DUTCH WAFFLES -traditionally called stroopwafel-have caramel syrup taste- great when heated 

Fancy Food Show Convenience Drinks-Water Enhanced, Functional Beverages Earth's more precious resource, no filter needed-fresh drinking water -is becoming so rare that entire industries have sprung up to cure our thirst...bottled waters=sparkling/flat, water enhancers and functional quencher substitutes. via GIPHY source crosstalk.ninja.com There are plenty of water drops and powders for sale- SweetLeaf Water Drops sweeten their refreshing+authentic flavors with stevia-zero calories or carbs-and no artificial ingredients! FYI-add these flavor enhancers to recipes for cooling pops, iced teas, etc. BPA free packaging-squeezable bottles. Sweet Drops - SweetLeaf 's portable liquid option sweetened with zero calorie plant derived stevia so no glycemic response, zero carbs, no artificial sweeteners...and enhanced with natural flavors for GREAT TASTE. We consumed our coconut flavor sample--adding about 4 drops to 8oz for a delicious take on coconut water without t

Part One-Plant Based Milks Enhance Better Buzzes-Coffee Substitutes, Cold Brew Coffee, Organic + Compostable Single Serve Pods Even growing up in a junk free - real ingredient-freshly prepared foods' home...the kitchen condiments were decidedly the basic- basics...one kind of salt, 2 kinds of catsup (Del Montes or Heinz)-and the Grey Poupon = as glammy as it got. via GIPHY source: reddit.com NOW-even a typical five year old in the USA.knows their honey mustard from their Dijon...and what gets stocked in the cupboards is often internationally inspired with sophisticated flavors=accents for the new New American cuisine. AND  (yay) companies take sourcing their product components-sustainably. Some highlights:  from the recent Fancy Foods Show, Healthy Products Showcase, Editor Showcase PLANT BASED Beverages Are The New Milk  Pacific Organic  products-including pictured-Coconut Non-Dairy Beverage-we saw all kinds of USDA Organic coconut, hemp rice, 7 grain and super p

No longer a holiday only flavor---pumpkin gets some love year round: via GIPHY source zdzoo.tunblr.com URBAN ACCENTS aka "your culinary wingman™" has a slew of convenient well flavored pumpkin tagines, simmer sauces that will transport any dish to an exotic location . Pictured above-a spicy take on Mexican Chile Pumpkin Mole-a pumpkin-tomato,garlic, onion simmer sauce based in chicken broth...just add veggies or chicken-dish is complete. Urban Accents Indian Coconut Pumpkin Curry simmer sauce-takes savory spices turmeric, nutmeg, ginger, cumin+coriander-with a hint of coconut-in warm pumpkin blend. Moroccan Apricot Pumpkin Tagine -North African coriander, cinnamon, cardamon, red pepper and cloves even up this thick pumpkin simmer sauce. Terrapin Ridge Pumpkin Honey Mustard -pumpkin, cinnamon sugar, nutmeg+allspice blended with honey mustard to adorn grilled cheese, vegetables like carrots-or goat brie...

THE NEW 'HOT' FLAVORS Part One: Fancy Food Show, Editor Showcase Step aside sriracha ---the new trendy flavors tantalize the sweet, salty, sour spectrum -and reflect consumers broadening of world inspired tasty accents. What else? Bacon STILL finds its way into condiments, candy and chocolate---coinciding with the rise in plant based alternatives foods/drinks we saw at the most recent Fancy Foods Show. Some highlights: Pickled.. . via GIPHY source imgur.com Sauerkraut goes gourmet-as a side dish or as an elegant topper to all American hot dog. Cleveland Kraut Gnar Gnar-spicy hot. FYI-source of probiotics-fermented foods are.  Cleveland Kraut  Beet Red raw fermented sauerkraut slightly sweet Pacific Pickle Works Bruussizzle Sprout-quartered up Brussel Sprouts that redefine that cabbage family vegetable-A SOFI WINNER too...outstanding appetizer...tangy -semi-sweet-from a California company specializes in new takes on spicy pickles...eat&

Fancy Foods Show Our favorite red hot food trend ( addictive ) from the Fancy Food Show-is crunchy seaweed snacks -deliciously satisfying- with nutritious value (  Vitamin K, iodine    folate, magnesium, iron, and calcium ) and blessedly low in calories =WIN WIN WIN. via GIPHY These chip slayers have a naturally salty tad sweet crispy composition... and come in spicy and seasoned flavors as well as in organic choices.Popular in Korea as a snack-most companies we found- source from that area of the planet. Offered in snack size single packs - for those on the go... as well as larger size options-which frankly, got devoured almost as quickly in our household-straight outta the bag, no serving bowl necessary...or sharing. gimMe Organic Roasted Seaweed Snacks ...USDA ORGANIC-in flavors -sea salt, and hot trendy- wasabi, chipotle, and teriyaki-non-GMO, gluten free, vegan-25 calories a tasty crunchy serving. Made from Nori or red algae...also a delicious way to add some salt

Big and Small Companies Get GOING- Organic, And/Or (at least) Getting Rid of Artificial Ingredients- or-imo-risk losing sales to customers that care. And there are more of those kinds of humans -and more snack choices...without the 'junk.' Indulgent treats are always on trend-but consumers are def. embracing the more 'natural' kind with a few exceptions like Walmart's Hostess mash-up, the iconic  Twinkies coming to freezers near you. Shutting down one artery/bite (joke) via GIPHY imgur.com-source Some Sweet Eats... PURA VIDA CRUNCH LOVER™  Natural Sins   -the 2 ingredients only delicious crispy treats epitomize what a 'clean label' should read. REALLY kids worthy-especially the 'un potato' crispy beet chips -just sweet enough-with raw cane sugar- delivering 13 grams per bag-ranks as dessert worthy-but better- get 5 grams of dietary fiber, iron, potassium, and calcium too-and only 100 satisfying calories per bag. Crispy pineapple, coconut

Breakfast all day-we've been doing THAT forever-cereal always worthy of eating as a meal or snack. via GIPHY source:justdancelittlemonsters.tumblr.com Part of the reason why imo-granola has gone glammy -(not just granny). Whatever your tastes and allergies-the mix-ups of gourmet granola offerings are numerous! Crunchy all... sweetish to very sweet ( added  like organic honey, and/or dried fruits), spicy (of course-it's a hot food trend, literally), nut free, grain free selections...delivering higher protein (from seeds - nuts) than the usual cereal fare...and standard MO-non-GMO, some gluten free (from the selections we saw), dairy free, kosher, zero trans fat.... Note-these are fairly calorie high snacks imo...typical serving (1/4 cup) which isn't that huge...is around 130-150 calories -why a tablespoon of granola as a food accent- in a smoothie, atop ice cream-or creamy yogurt for example = satisfying crunchy indulgence...which also happens to be how

The Cutting Edge Walking Shoe That 'Shows" The Way +LECHAL Technology When we're walking around a new to us city laid out on the grid system...we're still fidgeting with a map-(smartphone screens too small for that)... let alone in our own hometown-when we venture to those now hip outer boroughs-or even the West Village where 4th street insanely intersects with 10th street....ahhh. The solution: HI TEC finally conjures up a tech-tricked out footwear-wearable tech -that we'd actually want. We fell in LOVE with Hi Tec 's new Navigator Low i WP (waterproof) walking shoe-that IS genius- has India's Lechal technology in the insoles (yes controlled by a GPS app)...that deftly deploys this guiding software originally designed to aid blind individuals.  Navigator is built well and lightweight at 650 grams--the Dri-Tec waterproof breathable membrane keeps feet dry and comfy via i-Shield technology-custom MICHELIN durable rubber outsole coupled w

Fierce beauty...requires scrutiny. via GIPHY source beyoncegifs.com Since the skin absorbs 90% of what gets put on it (think about that next time one reads products labels full of indecipherable chemicals)...women are scrutinizing beauty ingredients that lack much ( really any  it seems )FDA -USA government oversight-vs the EU...resembling food ingredients. DUH...that's why sales of natural indie beauty brands-skincare products and cosmetics-are booming...with these often home grown businesses finding customers by way of reviews and celeb endorsements-that aren't even paid for. We recently learnt of a USDA ORGANIC line of skin care and cream sunscreen that really impressed us   Sanre Organic Skinfood , Hailing from Georgia-the mountain part where the AT trail starts, a family - run   SANRE Organic Superfood  makes a slew of products...all gluten free and non-GMO...cruelty free and no alcohol in the mix! AND USDA ORGANIC imo-highest eco rating. Seriously.

Athletic ladies have always used multi-tasking cosmetics/skincare that keeps up with their busy lifestyles and sweaty faces-but it's been the  success of female teams on the world stage (World Cup-soccer, the Olympics in particular)-that has really (imo) given instagram worthy pics of natural to downright glammy glittery appearances -looks. For the minimalists... sunscreen is a must .  For proof of just how critical blocking out UVA/UVB/IVC rays with a solid broad spectrum rated 30SPF or higher, is -just check out any age group amateur competition-for stark differences in skin quality and texture amongst humans of the same age. It's not just genetics. transition area of recent triathlon We always use physical sunblocks with active ingredients of zinc oxide and/or titanium oxide . OUR experience in endurance events-find these usually white creamy physical block formula(s)-last longer, block out the burn rays way better. Chemical sunscreens-that feel hotter on the