LYRA MAG.

Regular regular coffee---is so basic... via GIPHY source plasticcherries.tumblr.com NOW: the everyday liquid of millions-gets reloaded with nutrients...as new power-punched drinks enter the markets (and mouths) everywhere. For athletes-these sips-delivering energy-make get daily health needs met-a whole lot  easier.  BRASSICA COFFEE All-Natural Dark Roast is amped up with a powerful 15 mgs of trubroc glucoraphinan from broccoli-in each K-Cup. Impressively,  the research on this anti-oxidant shows it boosts the bodies' natural defenses against pollution and scavenger free radicals- triggering an on-going anti-oxidant activity. The All-Natural Dark Roast version- is a blend of French roasted Central American, South American and African Arabica coffees. Taste wise-it's just like the regular ole' coffee we've had from most non-organic K®-cups...so no surprises -add what ever one usually does...notably-single serve is very h andy . MAMMA CHIA's MO is th...

To carb or not to carb...that is the question for some athletes-especially the extreme controllers of their diet types...Paleos included. via GIPHY youtube.com Pasta not a biggie in our household-but we did a major rethink now that added proteins are naturally built -for more nutritious and satisfying servings. EXPLORE Cuisine ...gets it right for pasta lovers-and /or those with a no-no list of food ingredients-with its-non-GMO, USDA Organic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Kosher...yada yada yada-plant based bean and pulse 'pastas' -naturally embedded with protein from plant based legumes/beans.  Delicious-easy to prepare too-just cook in boiling water like one would the wheat based kind. No compromise on taste or texture imo-we served our Organic Chickpea Spaghetti up al dente with organic tomato sauce (just prepare and serve up with the extras-like you would any pasta)...and felt transported to Italy and the Far East where soybean noodles-and those super low cal ones made from...

AMPED UP EATS BEAT the SWEET TREATS without benefits...but are just as tasty: new takes on ice cream, gelato...PLUS protein pumped up pastas and probiotic crisps. Part One Athletes-know that ' you are what you eat ' factors in big time to overall health and performance. Happily-functional foods-that are tasty-deliver guilt-free satisfaction in products that formerly might be considered off limits for those with gold medal focus. via GIPHY YUMMY- BRIO ! flavorful ice cream-reinvents what a healthy creamy dairy dessert /snack should be. Founded by twin bros Arnie and Ross Koss-two guys with a winning history of healthy eats (Earth's Best Baby Food)---BRIO is a decade's long effort of work-enlived with input by former flavor developers from fellow Vermont brand Ben & Jerry's- resulting in amazingly delicious organic whole milk (pasture raised cows) premium ice cream-with 20%-35% less calories and half the fat of typical whole milk brands,,,PLUS amped up...

Remember the 80s? Okay maybe not-but back then-chocolate Kisses and Tootsie Rolls, candy corns (Halloween), Bartons almond chocolates (Passover),Peeps (Easter) and candy canes (Christmas only) were the highlights  of household chewy candies-with occasional eats from travel locales ( think salt water taffy, chocolate coconut patties). source retro80sgifs.tumblr.com Now- forgettabout it ...even  teeny tiny off the beaten roadside convenience shops sells exotic Organic Fair Trade single origin chocolates year round ...no artificial flavors-or colors-less the GMO corn syrup stuff too... sea salt-ed or exotically spiced up sweets, year round. Some HIGHLIGHTS we are major fans of DAGOBA chocolates-USDA Organic+Rain Forest Alliance Certified (now owned by Hershey) new from Droga - caramels . ADDICTIVE Money on Honey Wildflower Honey Caramels are 3 bite a square sized-(4 , 9 pieces,  a 16 oz bag at Costco- or  splurge worthy 60 piece size options ava...

Tastes Better Too... What we are thrilled about-MORE non-meat options-that are shelf stable -conveniently packaged and sustainably sourced-and YUMMY-responding to consumer demands for 'clean' protein sources that don't contribute to greenhouse gases...FYI worse than CO2 emissions  , ozone damaging- the major cause= methane generating animals  like cattle. SafeCatch tuna co-founder Sean Wittenberg -sustainably caught-assures best tasting, hand cut- and safest tuna on the market-only tuna brand to test every fish for mercury-ie their Elite product has 4x less mercury on average than Wild Planet tuna does...according to...WOW Delicious tasting-no additives or fillers-packed only in its natural oils, SafeCatch Elite Solid Wild Tuna Steak-made for Elite Athletes, Kids and Pregnant women-other products-Wild Albacore Tuna Salt Added and No Salt versions. Bonus-partner with Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program. cat approved!!!!! via GIPHY source reddit.c...

PALEO- puh-leeeze our ancestors never had such sophisticated flavors... Savory, smoky, spicy, citrus, and exotic seasonings-worldy ingredients-and fancier packaging...what used to be ' outdoor he man ' eats and working class food basics are now=gourmet status. For years, we've been reviewing smaller company versions of the snack- beef jerky -(that eschew nittrates/nitrites, MSGs and corn syrup found in big company-mass produced versions)...with sophisticated snacks now delivering from a variety of protein sources (regular ole' and wild game) + international flavors-appealing to guys and gals---  and kids. PLUS-Americans embracing what everyone else on planet earth already does- using the leftover 'stuff'-for cooking fats and bone broths. via GIPHY source youtube.com Raisins gone glammy -perhaps. Sausages come in 2 bite size-4 per bag-Duke's Original Recipe 7g of protein, 1g of sugar, 1.5g saturated fat-smoky-salty flavor-natural ingredients ...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

Energy bars-from smaller family owned companies can get a lot more creative with savory ingredients that-like other food groups-play on the spicy seasoning trends that millennial LOVE. via GIPHY PICKY BARS...latest flavor is Moroccan Your World made with fragrant turmeric, cardamon, ginger, pistachio, golden raisins and currants-for spicy sweet blend that totally works-chewy texture courtesy of dates, almond butter and apricots.  on the left- Blueberry Vanilla Thrilla crispy brown rice cereal mixed with chewy dates, almond butter, blueberries and almonds. All Picky Bars are non-GMO, have about 200 calories and 7grams of protein and 28grams total carb...plus packaging is based off of customer photos.

Energy Bars that are leaning sweet tasting-are more nutritious than candy -but are not supposed to be better than a healthy balanced meal. No doubt-some energy bars lining retail shelves are full of 'junk' ingredients...but there's a sizable number on the market-slightly pricier options-often conjured up by athletes themselves...that satisfy  and deliver meaningful vitamins/protein/minerals-WITHOUT artful colors or ingredients. via GIPHY All Killer, No Filler™ is an apt MO- R.e.d.d. Bars are Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Brown Rice (which has arsenic levels might surprise health types) and non-GMO- with a bit of caffeine buzz from Yerba Mate (35+MG) ...as well as 9-10 grams of protein (from pea and pumpkin seed, cashews or peanuts), 11 superfoods like Betta Berry™ blend that includes acai berry, goji berry and pomegranate juice etc-  and 23 vitamins and minerals like Vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, Chromium, Riboflavin, Niacin, B...