LYRA MAG.

Sipped standing up, sitting down or on the go...coffee is replacing tea worldwide as the buzz of choice... Most recent fav java location Bar Luce ...Prada Foundazione recreates a 'typical' Milanese café aka diner par excellence-as imagined by none other than Wes Anderson-American film director. Perpetually packed-and a 'hang' for the neighborhood as well as contemporary conceptual art fans... That hazel nut chocolate-vanilla (ish) spread/sauce hybrid Nutella ... has its own menu section. Not conversant in Italian we just pointed at random options...pictured-fresh apple slices, real whipped cream, underneath the main attraction

Plant based protein yogurt, milk , creamers and ice cream are super popular...and it's not just the clean labels, ethics, and/or the more functional ingredients---it's the taste!!!! Not surprisingly-our fav products come courtesy of smaller -innovative companies. via GIPHY  A few Halo /   Half N' Half slayers from the recent Fancy Food Show/Consumer Products Events: WOWWEEEEEE! Organic Nectars Cashewtopia -hand made in a Hudson River  town...just floored us! In a good way. This delicious creamy USDA Organic, Vegan +Kosher- plant based gelato w/ cashew nut milk as the 'dairy' stand-in-is dairy free+ gluten free. No worries tho'-the rich decadent spoon licking flavor we tried...chocolate hazelnut-is sweet enough-(organic agaveLight, organic coconut palm sugar) w/ real deal chunks of chocolate +hazelnuts. IMO-will convince even the skeptical that a better for you ice cream sub-tastes better too. We should of asked for more samples. That good. Available in Wh...

via GIPHY YES-you can have your caffeine and be sustainable too. Officially obsessed... The original Swiss Army knife company Victorinox has teamed up with single serve- pod royalty Nespresso...in a recycle program whereby 24 aluminum single serve capsules get the do-over melt-down treatment-morphing into the aluminum cladding-aka the textured scales on the outside of a limited edition PIONEER pocket knife/ multi-tool . There's even a Nespresso engraved stamp on a blade. Available online   $55 while supplies last ...and select Victorinox + Nespresso boutiques. the 411...fill up the the Nespresso UPS bag w/ used single serve capsules -give/drop off to UPS locations.... or drop off at Office Home Depot or Staples. FYI-part of Nespresso's Second Life Project pictured-on left this limited Victorinox Swiss Army Pioneer multi tool knife-packaged in recyclable box +Nespresso bag for UPS. PS: Tools for the Pioneer -large blade, reamer, punch, ...

Right up there with '...Raindrops on Roses ..." Peppermint flavors are a fav thing,   taste-wise - for the holiday season. via GIPHY TIP: Add authentic Peppermint flavor to baked goods, homemade candies (drool worthy Peppermint Patt ies alert), festive cocktails +/or  an aromatic accent to hearty winter dishes of lamb-poultry-pork... with Nie lsen-Massey 's purely delicious Peppermint Extract.   Kosher certified, gluten and GMO free -and free of allergens...available in 2-4 oz sizes. Insta-holiday extract-real taste you can actually taste-a drop-or a tsp- go a long way! 

It's Limited Edition seasoning season! Holiday Flavors of spicy cinnamon paired with that ultimate patch product-pumpkin ...adds flavorful aromatic hints to sweets, staples and life's liquid must, coffee . via GIPHY Tops Picks for Pumpkin Spice Spice Islands Gourmet Blends- Pumpkin Spice -aromatic fresh ground blend of comforting cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, mace+nutmeg...add to dough destined for desserts, sprinkle a pinch on seasonal gourd vegetables or baked fruity slices or fillings...add atop frothy cappuccino or tempting vanilla ice cream= insta  sweet celebration.  GoGo squeeZ - delicious sweet applesauce in fab portable, shelf stable BPA free pouch-adds tiny hints-of cinnamon-y spice with apple/pumpkin goodness-a guaranteed children pleaser-that's also non-GMO certified,   gluten, nut, and dairy FREE  FYI-perfect for leaf peepers-take these along on autumnal hikes, pumpkin patch picking jaunts, or weekend lazy long bike rides...imo-an ideal...

HYDRO FLASK, L.L.BEAN, Snack-In-The-Box, OTTER BOX, Pelican, Eagle Creek, High Brew, Califia Farms Life on the road-for pleasure-or escaping less than optimal weather-some gear fits both occasions. for a nip of  hot or cold- ANYTHING- Hydro Flask tumbler size -vacuum with snap  on lids...fyi matchy matchy vacuum insulated stainless bottles too... L.L. Bean-sets any portable table, just right...with value priced 'camping goods' that qualify as 'home goods' too... including  vacuum insulated travel mugs + bottles with lids -slide open/close, crowd pleasers- double barrel beer worthy BPA free stainless steel  mug w/ copper finish in craft brew bottle size (16oz) with press on lid-slide one/close, handy  insulated soft pack coolers made of durable 3x ripstop Cordura®, food-grade, non-PVC liners and ez access zipped main compartment, and we love - Traverse Camp enamel cup -delivers in a 4 pack-completes any al fresco kitchen with retro-camp...

 Fancy Food Show 2017/Editor Showcase Our fav new products from recent foodie -centric events...ready to eat/drink...and delicious. CALIFIA FARMS, CHOBANI, FARMER'S PANTRY, GREYSTON BAKERY, SAHARA DATE COMPANY via GIPHY Who knew? For Half N' Half addicts...here is finally-a worthy creamy rich alternative by Califia Farms -that delivers in quart and half pint sizes-in unsweetened and original, slightly sweetened vanilla, and hazel. Our MUST HAVE new coffee pair-up---this Almondmilk Creamer with coconut-a healthy heart fat and with no sugar or cholesterol (unlike diary cream or whole milk)...has the same thick pourable texture and great shelf life as it's dairy equivalent-BUT is vegan (plus gluten/soy/dairy-free, non-GMO certified, carrageenan free, and kosher). CALIFIA FARMS dairy free, plant based milks-from Almond+and Coffee Brews available from coast to coast.  Shake well before using-and this container is recyclable. POST ENDURANCE RACE-ditch ...

Fancy Food Show Part One: CALIFIA FARMS ENHANCED MILKS, COLD BREW, REBEL KITCHEN MYLK via GIPHY Human hydration needs for summer's heated up exercises -get amped up...one reason why powered up liquids are gaining favor and flavors from plants, spices, coffee/tea combos- and and a little bit of scientific know-how. CALIFIA Farm s elevated the niche cold brew coffee market-that we remember drinking up-back in the days  -in New Orleans.. encouraging so many hot/iced coffee drinkers to enjoy this cult liquid-that it's now widely available in retail outlets, nationwide. New single serve options now include tasty flavors of plant sourced, non-dairy, enhanced 'milk' -and athlete must-intense sips of their caffeinated cold brew, slightly sweetened with cane sugar-mixed in with protein packed almond milk. Pictured: good post workout-recovery option -is the- Maca-Nilla Almond Milk -new flavor addition joining the Choco-Maca Almond Milk version. With real deal vanilla...

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 gr...