LYRA MAG.

Packin' The Protein - From Crunchy Savory Sweet to Thirst Quenching worthy indulgent subs for the nutrition free-but calorie loaded alternatives   via GIPHY Crackers that needs no company= Norway's Jarlsberg  Cheese Crisps (mild nuttyish-cow's milk cheese added to semolina flour crisps)...crunchy snacks with the added protein pop of 5 grams per 120 calorie serving. Available in re-sealable bags-but why bother---shareable with all. We tried the mildly spiced up chipotle pepper flavor-adds interest and a tad heat.  Crunchmaster mashes up the nutrition rich dessert cracker thins category-or invents it with these protein plus crisp sweetish snacks that get added plant based protein mixed in (8 grams per serving). Delicious and devour able...soon available in "Thin' favs Dark Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Cherry-or Milk Chocolate versions (8 grams plant based per serving), and cracker flavors- real deal Toasted Coconut (5 grams plant based protein/serving...

Plus Home Scent Inspirations... Part 3 Some Themes from NYSCC Suppliers Day(s) Sustainable Sourcing-Of Nature Akin to the food industry-consumer demands for supply chain transparency, fair labor wages + eliminating child labor, earth concerns and production realities on the finite supplies from Mother Nature (aka major CPG cocoa sourcing initiatives )... KUNCAI -conjures up a synthetic MICA for "effect pigment end use" vs destroying the earth (Brazil, India) and lives by mining for it -to supply shiny metallics for industries varying from cosmetic s (mica-pearlescence qualities- is a staple ingredient in 'natural'mineral based makeup)--to automobile industry's car paints. That big crystal looking MICA is synthetic!!!!   Many companies-claimed ethical sourcing methods...like pictured above, Sudarshan    Ironic that mineral makeup which is booming demand -for its natural composition...can be sourced toxically-tragically, fatally.  Essenti...

Part 2 NYC "Get Your Glow On"  a desired mission condition in global cultures -universally translates into dewy-plump ( youthfu l), even tone-non-spotty, healthy looking- I woke up like this selfie worthy skin . Along with products with 'clean' ingredients, and the quest to combat signs of aging courtesy of- stress, lack of sleep- social media jet lag (yes a thing -tv binging, Instagram addiction-blue light screen savagery), environmental pollution (urban dwellers especially), poor eating-living habits-UVA-UVB sun exposure, smoking, and genetics -the 'Glow On' derma goals are the guiding light direction of many new treatments. We strongly feel that ditching some of the insane pricey creams/lotions that might take months to work  on the upper epidermis layer of the skin's appearance - and opting for one or two- non-ablative/or mildly ablative laser treatments with real positive visible results immediately and over a few month's time-  treatin...

PART ONE: Some the latest ingredients and trends in skincare, healthy hair and best beauty bets-from the NY Society of Cosmetic Chemists (Javits Convention Center) + Halo by Sciton , Alastin, GlamSquad NY Media Presentation   It's always interesting (to us)...to reflect back on what's remembered from the slew of information and new products soaked up at  NYSCC Supplier Days.  Attended by loads of skincare+ cosmetic brands looking for the next 'it' ingredients, this two day affair gets very little mainstream press-but imo-is a good indicator of current trends and future skin/hair/beauty biz products.  via GIPHY And the major issues of companies- including regulations/compliances Therefore- standing out the most -was learning that not only does the FDA practically do zilch with regards to banning chemicals in the afore mentioned cosmetic product categories...(10 vs EU's ban of  1700 chemicals plus-and another 100 or so not yet reviewed chemi...

It's Not What You Think... via GIPHY No -we're not talking $ plastic surgery-but a much easier+wallet friendly way-to turn back the clock-5-15 years(+) for something   maybe   more important than your selfie enhancement procedure--- customizing a  fav pair of shoes . YES! A new lease on life- retrofit ...of any footwear (just about)...no healing required-for those Sex In The City era pumps,  Burning Man-runway worthy comfort sandals,  moto boots that have lost their grrrrr, athletic boots worn of their functional pop... and for even added snazzy swagger of drab dress shoes for truly personalized work-to-play style.  VIBRAMs SOLE FACTOR Program and current tour is the solution. Simple to Follow Custom Repair Steps: peruse the Vibram outsole option types - available online. ..and mail or bring in a pair to one of the many designated cobblers-available coast to coast-who can add serious sass  (eye-candy patterns -colors)  serious grip (th...

Yup -even the hair brush-born over a millennium plus  ago-gets a re-boot with a fab scalp hugging curve design for a better untangling of wet or dry tresses. Available  online.https://theflexbrush.com/shop  and at salons-including co-leading light- Angelo David (Pisacreta) Salon -created with Jacob Guttman of Creative Tools  Affordable+ re-usable for stressed out-environmentally harassed scalps-now delivered---The FLEX BRUSH promotes healthy hair growth with its cool curved shape that massages all sizes of scalps, and takes the knots out of all hair types -from the fine to thick- real or otherwise  (like wigs, RHO...worthy extensions, etc). PLUS the super lightweight, vented design- enhances air flow from blow dryers. Also a great tool for dry brushing imo-...helps shed dry skin cells to smooth+brighten- and reportedly improve the body's lymphatic systems...and is perfect pet brush for shedding felines/canines.

via GIPHY There's something about pointy toe shoes-the pictured below-not the pictured above-that make these easy wear slip-ons- comfy citified cool! top pick-major gushing for these Piper silver metallic leather mule-sandal hybrids-with a manageable 2" sexy heel. $199 Wear these beauties with just about any summery outfit. Summit White Mountain These could be THE summer shoe staple-for city streets...Summit's KADE -has rather sensuous v-cut on the upper-adds major serious chic to these flat-ish (1.5" heel) pointy toe shoes -in black, silver or platinum-made in Italy too! $159 Get crafty -Pikolinos adds beautiful embroidered details...on the BARI leather slingback design-with all day comfy cushion liner. $170 

PART 2 Friendly food takes on savory flavors-have broad appeal-with just enough detectable/delicious zing for mild to fiery palates. via GIPHY Sabra hummus goes great with a lot-like crunchy chips, crackers, hunks of bread, and cut-up veggies-though perhaps  not pen caps. Hummus-a chickpea based dip- re-invented as an All-American staple from its Tahini--Mid-East heritage-IMO-courtesy of Sabra ...when their hummus landed in refrigerator aisles back in the first 21st century decade. Now part of the "Pepsi generation' -it's flavorful varieties are available in assorted sizes-including snack sizes with pretzels-practically everywhere food is sold.

Savory spices-from distinctive fiery to sweet n' tangy-flavor BBQ sauces and the latest  popular crunchy snacks. via GIPHY New-Top Picks To Fire Up Palates:

In the past-NYC's 'it' steak restaurants catered to power players - wearing power suits - surrounded by power dark wood panels- located ( mostly ) in power zipcodes. To start ...  power drinks or bottles power label wines or power scotches, followed by power (humongous) portions for power appetites... Yada yada yada. Now-preferred steakhouse dining- is lower key- welcoming-in  local spots. Lighter interiors   comfortably seat  whatever attired eaters - often with kids in tow- at earlier hours.  Food wise- a broader range of menu printed options including iconic crowd-pleasers -  satiably satisfying tastebuds craving both the namesake familiar (well rendered)- to more global (fusion) selections. picture-by TBSL Paleo please??? Today's diverse diets+eating 'rituals' from functional healthy free of   fare- to shareable portions for  hungry nibblers and grazing snackers who skip the traditional 2-3 course meal...are a dining ...

In the late 80s- NYC Marathons pre-race had 20,000+ humans-meandering around - hanging out in  basic tents for about 2 hours-eventually set-off in one massive start post the Achilles hand-cycles-wheelchair + pros. There were no timing chips- the 'gun time' was your time. The night prior-some slept on semi-stiff cotton-poly sheets- or all cotton ones-fabrics that made up a lot of runner's outfits too. Now-  over 51,000 NYC Marathon racers wearing textile performance attire + race bibs+accurate timing chips- still get to Staten Island crazy early. But the assigned race start waves (8!!!) are staggered  over 2 ½ hours-now added to the 2 plus hours of hanging around. SO it didn't exactly surprise us- that  the Bedgear Performance-a company that makes smart tech sleep products-is a NYC marathon sponsor (solicited, too). Those long waits before the pace starts to pick up-practically begs for a nap! Some help for wiry racers - and others ....