LYRA MAG.

Plant based treats-as snacks or entrees- are leaving the fringe of food aisles... finding favor beyond its prior niche eaters' status. Recent Tries... LOVELOVE Edibles- plant based cakes-made to order- are gluten, soy, refined sugar, agave and egg free...and are moist chewy bites of raw ingredients. Cakes are pictured above...and the equally tasty cacao +maca energy bitez with hints of vanilla, black pepper+ salt-sweetened up with coconut nectar -are equally good. 

Better for you -no cook -snacks and non-meat and vegan protein ...latest trends in foods are tasty, too! Peeled boiled eggs are a protein loaded 'thing' now! Sauder's versions are amped with beet goodness-in 2 and 6 packs. Another trend -hidden veggies -don't get much tastier than these dessert worthy Garden Lites in chocolate. In the freezer section at stores fyi...but stash them in kid's lunch boxes-and by the time they eat them-most chewy and ready! Delicious -we kept a box in the fridge. Six flavors available-options all tasty-include dairy, soy, peanut, tree nut+gluten free. Around 100-120 calories per...with real deal iron, potassium and calcium too. The chocolate- what we tried...has zucchini + carrots as the first two ingredients. IMPRESSIVE. Microwave them for few seconds...for  even more of a moist chewy texture.  Plant protein is more mainstream these days-out of the niche vegan category and part of a lot of everyday meals+snacks. G...

Tasty alcohol free thank-yous -for the host... Olive oils are as refined and sophisticated-with nuanced flavors like those other palate pleasers -wines/bourbons. via GIPHY From ITALY Redoro (extra virgin olive oil DOP Veneto) captures the amazing flavors from the acclaimed olives from the Garda area... a special spot -renown for its favorable climate+soils.  President of Redoro , Daniele Salvagno pours it on. The Olive Oil production process from hand to machine picked oils-to milling,  malaxation, decanting, filtering, preserving and bottling reminds us of the intense labors required of the winemaking industry. This version of Redoro Olio Extra Vergine Di Oliva Biologico-earns the  Italian Protected  Designation of Origin-just like the finest wines! This version, non-GMO (naturally)-is a delicate oil-with subtle fruity flavors-ideal for every Mediterranean dish with olive oil on the ingredient list. Other versions of olive oil can be more intense-...

Part 7 Health nuts can get their fizz on...with better for you versions of carbonated drinks-plus some unusual drink additions that are interesting . via GIPHY Reed's Inc Virgil's 12 oz canned sodas are a new addition to the company's familiar glass bottles of Ginger beer.  Zero sugar however-bonus for calorie watchers---these tasty sodas are made with stevia. We tried the root beer-it was authentically terrific- ice cold . Non-GMO, NO preservatives, gluten, aspartame or Sucralose.  Comes in glass bottles too-what we prefer, actually. Widely available-in five flavors.  AFRI Cola hails from Germany...and probably could be endurance racers' BFF-with its caffeine levels that out jolts, JOLT-but has less than energy drinks like Red Bull Monster... Made with real deal sugar and available in glass bottles. If only ... apparently this sip is available here again ---in about 1000 retailers. DRY SODA -USDA Organic, NON-GMO-natural flavors of carbonated soda...

Functional tea blends -with or without  some sweetener help-appeal to the whole wellness lifestyle-that dominates today's lifestyles. via GIPHY  whatever??? Tea Blends+Healthier Sodas Argentina's staple-Yerba Maté-superfood -liquid style-has a smoky green tea flavor = made from the dry leaves of  an evergreen holly-a native South American plant. Mild or strongly brewed----the taste for non believers benefits from a  bit of honey. It's naturally loaded with antioxidants and has a bit more caffeine than regular black tea (85 mg-caffeine/8 ounces) but less than coffee. Plus-it has some of the perk benefits of dark chocolate too-with theobromine + theophylline. Can be prepared in several ways-like in a french press coffee pot as well as the traditional gourd.    Palais de Thés-from France...launched blended 'Detox' teas inspired by 5 regions of the world---like the USDA Organic Brazilian-ENERGY -with green tea, maté  ---anti-oxidant açaí and ...

Part 5 Clever, catchy and an eco  sourced materials for containers...food packaging can grab those consumer eyeballs. Packaging+ Icy cold Coconut Water is so tasty refreshing...and this coconut packaging container-by Thailand's   Pearl Royal - transports us to the source-in a manner of speaking...with  a neat string rope to close/open the top that wins our top pick for cool packaging. It comes with a tiny plastic straw-too-that imo-should be replaced with a paper one.  can see from up top-Pearl River...the string opens and closes the tiny opening-sized perfectly- that accesses the delish coconut water...where the straw goes. Nifty!

Part 4 Indie brands as well as the CPG giants-are re-discovering the fun airy crunchy puff-a winning -lighter texture now in real deal variety of flavors. via GIPHY Puffs-The Eating Kind Pirate's Booty- Aged White Cheddar- cheesy baked bites made with cornmeal/rice flour, cheddar cheese, buttermilk, sea salt in the mix- w/o the weird the weird greasy orange stained fingers of our youth. HAAA. Delicious-even our cat leaned in for some-Non-GMO, gluten free and Kosher too. Coincidentally- Vegan Rob's was founded by the founder of the aforementioned Pirate's Booty (now owned by B&G Foods)- had snack size bags of puffs made from more exotic plant based origins-like Jackfruit and Moringa, as well as cauliflower, brussel sprouts, beets cheddar  and--- Probiotic loaded, but spicy- Dragon Puffs-that ALL found ready grabbers at the show. .Gluten-free, Vegan, Kosher...and zero trans fat. Crunchy -airy-and delicious-organic whole grain sorghum flour and organic sunf...

Part 3 Moringa + Cauliflower + Broccoli  (Oh MY) Carb less alternatives, sneaky veggies invade the grain/potato space. Green Giant goes back to the future with mascot Little Green Sprout-for its soon to be intro-ed USDA Organic assortment of veggie dishes-that sub as tasty alternatives-and lower in calories-than carb-cal loaded pastas, mashed potatoes..etc. Handy-just heat and serve! For now-freezer section stocks Green Giant's veggie spirals...pasta alternatives made from assortment nutrient dense vegetables. AvoLuv' s avocado chips come in four flavors-pictured above-these stackable chips-are made from HASS Avocados, tapioca flour and pink Himalayan Salt-that's it! Gluten + sugar +soy free, vegan, and  free from 8 major allergens-has a crunchy texture and def creamy avocado taste. Tasty--- these...1.5 oz=185 calories -w/ those healthy fats of superfood avocados. From The Ground Up crackers-are cute sized-like those goldfish....gluten free, Non-GMO ...

Fancy Food Show 2018 Part 2 A world staple-rice-comes in many varieties. As a headline ingredient -several new products used versions of...with tempting results. Rice Is Nice Lundberg-USDA Organic rice cake in plastic sleeves -are sold everywhere we shop. Now-their  Grounded Snacks- are a smart (and tasty crispy)additions using some of the tons of rice  grown on their farm lands. We tried one-the  French Onion - a flavor in the line of  USDA Organic, Non-GMO, Red Rice & Quinoa Tortilla Chips. FYI-tastes reminds of tangy sour cream onion dips....which makes sense given the ingredients. Eat straight outta the bag,..12 chips+140 calories. Certified Non-GMO

Fancy Food Show 2018 Stroll enough aisles at the massive Fancy Food tradeshow-and food themes jump out... Below-are some of the new 2018 trends we picked up on. via GIPHY Part One. Thin Is In -small bites - crispy sweets The name is apt...Rich Chocolate COOKIE THINS  are crispy melt in your mouth good-now available in snack size (90 calories). If you're the type that separates your Oreo cookies-and eat the wafer part, separately ...you'll love these Mandy's Cookie Thins. (Available by the case-  Fusion Gourmet , Amazon)  These mini graham crackers= Chortles - are so cookie cute small-lends itself to tossing a few atop an ice cream scoop-or yogurt. And as sweet indulgent as these are-there's a cleaner ingredient list-than others in this category. No high fructose corn syrup no hydrogenated oils, no palm oil (YAY), no trans fat, no cholesterol or saturated fats, and made in a nut free facility. The snack sizes above contain 110-120 calories-and they're...

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, ...