LYRA MAG.

Hosting a Olympic brunch bunch...or a betting crowd (of 1+) for the Super Bowl-sweet + spicy eats/treats can get February family and friend gatherings just a little louder than the usual holiday reveries . via GIPHY Tried and true snack favs -and new options treats/eats will satiate the nervous nibblers AND those needing more sustenance ---just in case it goes into OT.  PART ONE: Kids eyeballs might just pop-out- WHY?  Tip: fill up a lazy susan serving tray with sweet option s- guaranteed winners for small hands (and large). Another bet to make besides who wins the title ha ha ha- how long this'll last ??? Mount Franklin  Sunrise Confections' creamy yummy vegan Softer Than Brittle (in pecan, almond peanut or cashew-NO dairy, gluten, preservatives or hydrogenated oils) or Sunrise Gummy Bears (no artificial ingredients) and practically iconic-Peppermint Starlights- our favs in this tantalizing set-up. Widely available. Indulgent Fair Trade Certif...

NYC: Editor Showcase Highlights: Part One We live in a snack attack country---on the go nibbles between meals-or worthy substitutes replacing sit-down meals  - especially for the half of Americans that live alone...convenient and portable for a nation on the go. FUN-Disney Foodles...Mickey's famous head/ears-shapes the 5oz snacktime treats-4 combos Even a casual observer of grocery outlets will notice the healthier options of prepared foods- single portion snacks   eating up more shelf space. From Crunch Pak® ...packaging for the kids --and young at heart...single serve mix-ups of crunchy snacks, dips (Dipperz), cheese and it's core goody-sweet apples or crisp carrots=quick meals - tasty treats that serve up some balanced nutrition less all the sugar. THE Beef Jerky trend- continues-  with the gluten free, Paleo, and healthier snack loving populace-since we wrote  about the high protein less additives trend  -bubbling up-at first- in...

NEW TRENDS: NYC THE amazing Fancy Foods Show 2015----is a delectable gorgethon---but as athletic types who would like to sweat it out-on the lighter side --- fortunately there were many nutritious, protein delivering products-often in portion controlled-single serve packaging = convenient, portable, and ounce per ounce-good for you. Wonderful Pistachios-" Get Crackin'' 100 calorie packs so HANDY and satisfying. They're growers...so we know these are super fresh! Now available in Sweet Chili and no salt  flavors---options in bag sizes-sold all over the USA.... Nuts-particularly water intensive almonds (grown in California)---are on the 'it' list of nutritious musts...(right there with kale--- a later post)...our fav -easily -is the pistachio nut- grown in America too! wholesalers get lucky-heaven -5 lb bags-by BAZZINI's  Nutrition wise-a satisfying serving (about half cup with shells) has 160 calories- takes a while to eat too-can...

Outdoor Retailer, SLC What to eat on the go-when hiking, training for a 100 mile dash through some mountain terrain, or just hanging out paddling on some lake---there was a lot of noshing going on at the most recent OR tradeshow. One trend that is coming to store shelves near you-brick and mortars or virtual-are beefed up bars, gourmet jerky- and snacks packed with protein from sources that are not traditional for the energy bar market. No one was tasting these when we were at the booth-laden with CHAPUL Cricket Bars (maybe cultural hurdle in the bunch at the booth at that time?). Nice packaging though-and Chapul's eats-get its protein source from 'farm raised' crickets that are ground into flour…that we were told-is somewhat akin to crustaceans-hence not for those with shellfish allergies. Insects are staples in many countries' diets as cheap and readily available sources of protein. Plenty of consumer products also have insects in it-as the 'natural'...