LYRA MAG.

Every once in awhile-a company makes some many good (tasty) products-we would buy stock in it...if offered :-) Family owned Clif Bar-is one of them. In fact their caffeine aided energy blocs (oversized gummies) and gels-gooey easy to digest carb hits -endurance athletes' must haves...are so effective -we buy by the CASE!  WHAT ELSE: The Clif Kid USDA Organic Z Bars -are our favs of the company's snack bars-sized right, real ingredients---and sweet tooth pacifying enough without giving us a headache. Not meal subs like their protein Builder Bars (imo)-but true snack satisfiers (12 grams of whole grains)...Clif Kid Z Bars are made chewy and fiber rich via oats and fig paste. Flavor options include dessert worthy Iced Oatmeal-what we tried-with vanilla and cinnamon hits, Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate, Chip, Caramel Chocolate and S'Mores. Widely Available.

Post Thanksgiving-even the dedicated (or  suffering ) foodie cooks need a break-so whether one is 'over' preparing elaborate meals, switching to healthier eats to void the average 7lb(!!!) holiday weight gain, or just prefer the company of humans vs the food preparation chores... easy entertaining can be tasty, practical, budget friendly-and a breeze to clean up. This is the answer to our soup prayers...as delicious as homemade-and in our case- waaay better!  Hearty winter offerings by easily found  IMAGINE SOUPS ...are made from real ingredients-with  organic selections (NO PRESERVATIVES, NON-GMO ingredients or PESTICIDES-also selections that are vegetarian, vegan, gluten free-kosher etc) and come in sealable  conveniently packaged cartons though we doubt there will be left overs, once open. Plus-add a few ingredients -spices of your own-to any of their organic creamy or chunky soups--- or organic broths/stocks like the richly flavored vegetable one-...

The 18th Annual Cranksgiving takes place in New York City on November 19 th All donations benefit The Bowery Mission WHA T Cranksgiving is a food drive on two wheels - part charity, part bike ride, and part scavenger hunt. It began in New York City in 1999, and there are now nearly 100 other Cranksgivings taking place around the globe, sharing the unique mission of helping those in need through the joy of riding a bike. The ride will cover most of Manhattan – Harlem to Battery Park – and welcomes everyone looking for a rewarding way to help those in need - from seasoned bike messengers to families out for a casual ride. Last year in New York, 350 riders collected over 1,900 pounds of canned soups & vegetables, cranberry sauce, potatoes, stuffing, corn, pasta, baby food, pies and eleven whole turkeys for The Bowery Mission. "As Cranksgiving continues to grow, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity from the cycling c...

 Garden of Eatin'-Corn Tortilla Chips,  Clif Bars- Luna Bars Snack eating are a way of life-replacing at least one meal a day for most folks we know-and that's why organic -and/or nutritional options are gaining favor with those on the go. Our favs for Fall-sure didn't last much long- past the point when this picture was snapped-devoured ALL during a mountainous multi-hour hike-and there were only 5 of us. AUTUMNAL FAVS-Garden of Eatin' redefines how big flavorful a tortilla chip can be-not just a bland base for accoutrements-but stand other own salty crunchy bites -staples in snacking households. via GIPHY IMO -who needs salsa (or guac) when these new flavors-the terrific authentic butternut squash (130 calories/1 ounce)available on AMAZON )-sweet spicy bites-hints of sgae+onion- ...AND seasonal organic (:-)) Pumpkin (gluten free too-available on AMAZON )with hints of sea salt, real pepita seeds and nutmeg-a tad sweet from evaporated cane syrup...-are crispy...

Part One: BOLLÉ CYCLE HELMETS, NITE IZE, BRILLIANT REFLECTIVE STRIPS via GIPHY Since the hot temps and daylight hours- around our universe-have peaked for while-but out lengthy training bouts have not-we are just now appreciating the essential gear we have- that's year round suitable. PLUS: Season-less multi-taskers save $ and closet space. about as neat as our transition spot gets-pictured athlete essentials-Bollé sunglasses. ALL GOOD mineral sport sunscreen, Clif Gel Shot-Espresso with caffeine (duh), speed laces-Newtons running flats, and TYR Skinsuit...cause the swims are becoming less and less wetsuit legal :-( Increasingly- like what we wear-(streetwear takes on 'athlesiure') multi-functional attributes of what we own gear-wise -adjust to changing weather conditions-are musts. Our Picks: Bollé is a company-that we always knew for its tech savvy ski goggles...but it is their cycle helmet-THE ONE- (Road-Premium)-that is hands down- the best fitting ...

Just as we read another missive from the non-profit  Environmental Working Group  about a banned in Europe ( they get it ) preservative that is still found in  foods sold HERE whaaaaa ???? ( propyl paraben )---it's really just so much easier to eat USDA certified organic treats---so we don't have to second-guess. PLUS: Earth Day is always an annual reminder that what goes around comes around and that includes harmful chemicals and pesticides used to grow food---that-can get ingested. Not wanted. INSTEAD -look for that Certified Organic USDA label on product wrappers - which means 95%-100% ingredients are certified organic-which is the high standard-wanted.  The latest bars from CLIF®  are their USDA Organic Trail Mix Bars that come in Wild Blueberry Almond, Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond, Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Raspberry, and Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt, Coconut Almond Peanut, and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter...they are all so insanely good that ...

NYC For those that drink their nutrition-as a meal or snack… Appethyl® -which tastes like most 'green'-powders we've tried-is made from spinach that is "carefully processed in a proprietary and patent pending method.." to make the vegetable's powerful  thylakoids-purported to slow down digestion and absorption of fats- bioactive…releasing "satiety hormones that signal to the brain…" one ate enough. As a food supplement-adding one 5g package of Appethyl® to a smoothie or soup is a palatable way to ingest-though it's also been suggested the appetite curbing effectiveness is enhanced when taken with a tbsp of healthy oil (e.g.olive oil). We tried it with orange juice as a mid-afternoon snack and def. satisfied without over filling us-before a workout.    Crunchy snacks like delicious potato chips are crave worthy…and fortunately-there are a slew of healthier options that satisfy the need for something crispy. Coconut oil has bec...

Way to always start our day/workout--- coffee wa s fab --worth the wait of the sloooow pour…courtesy of Miir . SLC/NYC CLIF BARS, HONEY STINGERS, POWER BAR, SETTON FARMS PISTACHIO CHEWY BITES, GOOD TO GO We schedule an Outdoor Retailer day--- with strategic pass-byes of the well stocked CLIF booth--- Clif offerings include Bloks -gel are like oversized gummy bears-made of less artificial stuff though (95% organic)+w/ electrolytes-the caffeine ones are staples during hot summer months... What's New: Chia is REALLY a staple food substance- with protein+fiber… not just a ch-ch-ch Chia PET . the cat---maybe wondering where all the yummy treats went-though she still has her Greenies. Instantly devoured-this constitutes an entreé for our dinner-the Berry Pomegranate Chia Bars…and the new flavor of a Clif bar classic= Nuts and Seeds- with organic oats+ almonds, peanut butter, sunflower+pumpkin seeds. Nifty balance of sweet+salty---we think bar food like these bar...