LYRA MAG.

There's something about arriving home at night- from long distance travels-that leaves us HHHUUUUUNNNNGGGGRY! A full meal-not wanted-but neither is carb-y sugar spiking crap. Especially before bedtime zzzzzz... Solution-high protein, nutritious tear open and heat tasty portion control eats. TOP PICK: Garden Lites Veggies Made Great Frittatas-available in four vegetarian flavors-Spinach Egg White, Broccoli & Cheddar, Mushroom & 3 Cheese and Veggie Bacon (made with spiced up pinto beans) & Potato. Just tear open (4 to a box)-and 'nuke or heat up in a toaster oven. Delicious-authentic flavors-perfectly seasoned-they are like omelets ready in all of  45 seconds. BONUS: just filling enough-and as good as homemade without the clean-up. Gluten free---and no nut tree, or soy or peanuts either. Store in the freezer-if they don't disappear prior. For more substantial fare.... SAFFRON ROAD  of crunchy roasted chickpea snack acclaim-has a new vegan-me...

THE HYBRIDS= fusion of two fav eats  Croissant Muffins (cruffin?)...buttery flaky + texture of a muffin by C'est Gourmet How smart is this -already a summer camp staple- Stuffed Puffs® (aka marshmallows) filled with chocolate-makes s'mores time a two ingredient treat...ensuring the proper marshmallow roast-chocolate melt timing=perfection. Simple idea maybe-but the manufacturing is key. Available now at WALMARTS $3.98 Doughnut cookies-from Winston-Salem, NC's   Dewey's Bakery  known for their delicious Moravian cookies-showed off some new items in The Doughnut Shop line. Inspired by the bakery's 1930 doughnut recipe-the soft cookie-tiny cake -merge...in -of course -iconic doughnut flavors-Old Fashioned Glazed, Chocolate Glazed, Apple Fritter...and Cinnamon Bun- are available online (originally a QVC exclusive). The Cauliflower fusion love fest continues-from riced , pizza crust to pasta .  A bestselling item at Trader Joes...Cauliflower G...

No added sugar + gluten free - protein packed-low carb (naturally) is a big deal . Clue in-the tasty crunchy  cheese crisps (and nut mixes)- that have hit the market-packaged in single-multiple sizes ( travel friendly )-to check off the must-haves  of snack perfection. The ultimate calorie loaded potato chip slayer? We think so. AND YES-  kids will ↑↑↑!!! too. in single-serve size bars-or larger  10oz bag  SONOMA Creamery Crips=Parmesean cheese plus pumpkin/sunflower seeds' bites=pack in 9 grams protein/serving, and are lactose/ gluten free. Four flavors are available-and yes they are all good. Cheddies -cheddar cheese crackers-are all delicious (four flavors) w/ 10 grams protein/serving -140-150 calories a serving. Bursts of real cheese flavor at first bite. GRANAROLO -from ITALY (of course!!!) Cheese crisps-in bite sized round shapes...non-GMO,  lactose and gluten free, 7 grams of protein/serving...baked to perfection. The sunf...

Popcorn - a staple snack-is so easy to make since Jiffy Pop debuted -back in the day. ..that there better be a good reason other than convenience to fork over $ to buy any. Here's two... MILLENNIAL PINK POPCORN Maddy & Maize -say hello to your next tweeter fav which is actually a Raspberry Lemon flavor (fyi their Birthday Cake is currently sold out...or... GOAT CHEDDAR CHEESE La Lou's Funny Farm's Goat Cheddar Cheese Popcorn (pictured above on left)-is a fast disappear er once opened. A tangy goat cheese flavor really comes through-in a nice butteryish creamy way. Yummy. via GIPHY

 Upcycled ingredients-re-purposed for eating-is common amongst professional chefs and everyday home cooks. That means -for example, taking parts of fruits/vegetables that were usually tossed-like stalks, cores, peels-and using them to make other eats-soups, purées etc. A new(ish) standout: Brooklyn based- RISE Craft Flour -is a byproduct of nearby beer making (makers)...using the spent grains from breweries (byproduct of the first stage of beer making=malt barley) as the base of a true versatile flour that's naturally high in fiber/protein and less carbs-than the regular kind. VERY COOL Available ONLINE RISE Craft Flour can be used interchangeably as flour in recipes-like pizza+ pie crusts, crackers and sweets. The dark flour-comes courtesy of stout, fyi-great for brownies. The light version -from IPA and Pilsner. Recipes online.     Rejected Potato Produce: Kettle Cooked-non-GMO UGLIES Potato Chips...are crispy-greasy enough in a good way. Honestly sin...

A Mixed Metaphor? NOPE. Just in Time For March Madness, Binge Watching Past Seasons Of Drama Favs...and Outdoor Fun In The Sun: The Latest Treats to Eat= Addictive and Better For You From Saffron Road ...a company dedicated to providing delicious eats for all times-inspired by 'world cuisine' -their latest products deliver accessible palate pleasing sweet-and chocolate covered snack treats-of Fair Trade sourced deep rich dark chocolate straight up or wonderfully blended with exotic chai spices (cinnamon-cardamon hints), buttery honey or  delectable salty-sweet-authentic salted caramel enveloping crunchy chick peas-for a winning combo of indulgent flavor AND satisfying crunch. Available in resealable bags---( if leftovers are a possibility which we doubt)...the new enhanced  crunchy chickpeas- a handful perfect- check off all the musts of snack needs...plus have nutrition hits of added protein and are non-GMO which increasingly matters these days -there's a re...

C runchy, snack worthy crackers-today's are worthy subs to quell  cravings  without as much fat or added sugar calories as the typical chips. Super Bowl Entertaining Alert ...up the game with these... Peter's Yard Crispbread-inspired by Sweden's signature wheel shaped cracker -these oversized crackers-are made from organic ingredients in the UK...and are worthy crunchy foundations for sharp -mild cheeses and spicy spreads. Widely available here in several flavors-like original (pictured). As addictive as bar nuts mixes...Red Barn Lavash Brewfest Crackers by Jaspar Hill Farms -are made from spent pressed grain from   Long Trail Brewery. ...and even has some of that's Vermont company's ale in the mix. SO SMART-and kudos for no food waste ethos! 2's Company super thin Australian made crispy wafers-"pairs perfectly with cheese..."scoop up dips and sauces with ease -and tastes great on their own. Gluten free wafers too-with mild cheese-y...

Drinking less beer  now-Americans more and more quench thirst with specialty red options like mineral water + functional beverages. Still a party atmosphere with choices - still expected -but the liquid selections lean more 'upscale'-matching the global-sophisticated eats...that go beyond fast food fare. TRY: A multi-tasking red wine: From Spain- Rioja is a well balanced, value priced (imo) red wine made from 100% Tempranillo grapes-that pairs well with everything from pizza, Buffalo chicken wings, tasty Middle Eastern spreads---- to South Asian or South of the border spicier snacks. we loved this Fernández De Pierola -deep bursts of ripe berries-stewed fruits, gorgeous dark cheery color, subtle tannins  and warmth of aged toasted wood-with elegant finish The perfect pairings....Fig Cake, mixed nuts, and an assortment of cheese. These samples are from  Mitica-via forevercheese.com-and available on AMAZON .   via GIPHY

Shopping....wrapping...traffic...and oh yeah...daily employment...holiday times can exhaust. No wonder ready to eat treats are more welcome as worthy subs for what would formerly be slaved over. For allergy leaning sufferers-or guests who maybe are...new Brooklyn Bites Cookie Brittles are absolutely addictive crispy hybrids cookie/brownie crust brittle tops...that deliver the sweet texture and taste indulgence WITHOUT gluten, dairy, soy, eggs or preservatives. Mom-daughter founded Brooklyn Bites are REALLY made in Brooklyn...of real deal ingredients like gluten-free oats instead of white flour, coconut oil, low glycemic coconut sugar and almond milk=a healthier snack without sacrificing on the indulgence part one bit.  Note: certified gluten free, vegan and kosher. Inside the retro style packaging-are two stacks of yumminess. Taste wise...the homemade goodness comes through- rich  authentic deep dark chocolate piece of deliciousness. ..a slight ...

  Our adult take on back to school shopping-is limited to our three fav categories...shoes, food (sweets, and drinks....                                                                                                                    The Perfect Shoe Summer weather-lasts a long(er) time-despite calendar indication...yet we're over the flip-flops. Gorgeous floral pointy toe stunners-from affordable NINA  shoes-will carry us to and fro' work, Fall weddings in the country, and weekend downtime when it's denim/leggings plus a tee, tops.

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...

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...