LYRA MAG.

January (a new year...a new decade)...is the 'to-do-list' month of good intentions. Easier ways to check off the wellness 'box'-eat better by substituting indulgent snacks and the daily java habit-with better-for you versions:

That summer fruit staple...  deliciously portable and available year round. Juicy naturally sweet watermelon ( with a few pink Himalayan salt flakes ) is a fav effective hydrating way to replenish sweat gobs during seasonal sweltering heat. Our new top 'beat' for the water/electrolyte loss? The Republic of Tea 's Hydration Single Sips-all USDA ORGANIC Watermelon ! Give a promotion to whoever came up with this dissolve-able powder's winning combo of summery flavors ( all organic -including agave, watermelon, hibiscus, baobab  -sweetened with low cal monk fruit with yup-Himalayan pink salt)! Tasty-just sweet enough-and healthy-easy to amp up water- anywhere . We feel that the replenishment-actually fills out our parched depleted cells-sticking around better than 'plain ole' H2O. Also available-Single Sips- USDA Organic in three other flavors including an Apple Cider version (pictured on the left)-that makes that beauty-digestive aid that people...

The tastiest snack sized choices- protein additions to ready-to-eat treats are athlete essentials for efficient muscle repair (esp. needed are high-branched chain amino acids BAAs-leucine, isoleucine, + valine). Dead animal free choices too... Our favs:                                                            Morning Workouts...   DITCH the early AM meal pre-workout...afterwards get an efficient, nutritionally dense, low calorie-and loaded with protein something.  ONE SOLUTION-the caffeine hit from the whey protein loaded Herbalife High Protein Iced Coffee -imo the genius drink mix aid of this hot summer. Blending easily in a shaker cup (2 scoops-12oz water) -poured over icy cubes-get the java jazz going plus 15 grams of protein from whey (dairy), low sugar grams ( the sweetener is sucralose -like Splenda). Tasty to...

Back in July-we wrote up several nut -plant based dairy   subs, from the Specialty Food Show. Two new to us companies Elmhurst Dairy and Planet Oats are now fairly widely available... Elmhurst  1925  (formerly Dairy)- originally a milk producer from YES   Elmhurst, Queens- has relocated - and now serves up nut + oat 'milks' in various versions-all without the undesirable  additive carrageena n found in some other brands. WE TRIED: Milked Oats-made up of water, oats, and salt---equivalent in thick-texture to non-fat-2% dairy cow milk. Elmhurst uses more oats (20grams/whole oats/serving)-instead of the aforementioned thickner. Generally speaking-oat milk has a creamier taste than almond milk -which is probably why the former is REALLY fast growing in popularity. The color is more-brown tinged-because duh-it's from oats.Elmhurst 1925 Oat Milked is also VEGAN, non-GMO certified and free of major allergy trigger-tree nuts, peanuts, artificial colors ...

Real Hair/Skin/Nails/Joints Nutrition Help Less The Dead Animals? Apparently so and imo a real improvement-taste-wise- in the energy-protein powder food universe. It used to be that collagen helpers...via supplements, drink powders, bone broths -got their purported (digested-delivered) nutritious powers via slaughtered animals' ground up bones, cartilage, hides (gelatin). Besides being not vegan/vegetarian-we ALSO always wondered how toxic that would be too-given that 'clean' ingredients need to be tested for that. ANYONE testing ground up hides? We think not. SOLUTION: Plant Based Collagen-PlantFusion is a new to us...but wow-it's a VERY tasty 'clean' vegan powder-to add to water or some other liquid. In The Mix: Infused with plant proteins (PlantFusion® Amino Acid Infused Protein Blend-with pea protein, algae, chia seed)...that is free of a slew of major allergens (dairy, soy, rice, eggs, peanuts, shellfish etc) no artificial colors/preserv...

Packin' The Protein - From Crunchy Savory Sweet to Thirst Quenching worthy indulgent subs for the nutrition free-but calorie loaded alternatives   via GIPHY Crackers that needs no company= Norway's Jarlsberg  Cheese Crisps (mild nuttyish-cow's milk cheese added to semolina flour crisps)...crunchy snacks with the added protein pop of 5 grams per 120 calorie serving. Available in re-sealable bags-but why bother---shareable with all. We tried the mildly spiced up chipotle pepper flavor-adds interest and a tad heat.  Crunchmaster mashes up the nutrition rich dessert cracker thins category-or invents it with these protein plus crisp sweetish snacks that get added plant based protein mixed in (8 grams per serving). Delicious and devour able...soon available in "Thin' favs Dark Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Cherry-or Milk Chocolate versions (8 grams plant based per serving), and cracker flavors- real deal Toasted Coconut (5 grams plant based protein/serving...

HEALTHY kids snacks are NOW more appealing- to kids !!!! Cleaner ingredients combined with fun packaging helps the bigger humans seal the deal when it comes to good-for-them  nutritious eats. via GIPHY AHHHH-so retro-no one should eat like this... Our fav eating grabs -worthy of little and big hands ... This above trio are ready to eat snack 'classics'-so stock up. L-R:  SWEET VALLEY ORGANICS Tart Cherries are addictive-Fair Trade melt in your mouth dark chocolate chewy 'candy'-surrounding naturally sweet dried tart cherries. Heavenly. Come in re-sealable pouches but-be prepared and buy two at a time. HALOS  'Pure Goodness" Mandarins/Clementines are in season for just two more months- bad news BUT are readily available pretty much everywhere we shop in handy net bags at terrific price points!. Seedless and super easy to peel-in juicy tiny sections- so no editing process aka adult intervention needed. We say-keep a bowl of HALOS on the kitchen counter...

PART 2 Best Protein Powders+Drinks  Convenient and a way for those on special diets (vegan, carb avoiders etc) to meet their protein needs w/o cooking-it's no wonder that protein powders and drinks have gotten so popular the past few years. via GIPHY Our favs...

Part 3 GT'S LIVING FOODS, HARMLESS HARVEST Gut health...has been trending for the past few years-with the benefits of  good intestinal bacteria-credited with immunity strength, vital digestive functions,  clearer skin and maybe even a cancer slayer . All anti-aging attributes-making one feel younger as in 'you are what you eat.' Probiotics live/active micro-organisms- and the prebiotics that feed the probiotics,  are bio-available in real deal eats/drinks-like kombucha tea,  kefir (we written about Lifeway's selections), sauerkraut, miso and the popular Korean seasoning kimchi. via GIPHY

A lcoholic liquids... the opposite of some of the new better for you  functional fluids hitting the market can be the perfect pairing of dress-upped, mixed drinks. Ideas on how to update the last decades fav Red Bull and Vodka-include  now 'cleaner' carbonated alternatives-plus fluids boasting health benefits. via GIPHY The new behind the bar staples??? Lifeway's slightly sparkling organic Elixir-fresh tasting-in fruity tangerine, elderberry, hibiscus and our fav, warm spicy ginger-delivers active culture probiotics. Served chilled -with clear alcohol-like gin or vodka-or 'straight up'- over ice ...naturally low in calories-and gluten/caffein free, vegan +kosher.  Apple Cider vinegar is the old/new remedy for human ailments-including diminishing detoxifying inflammation,  sore throats, help in weight loss, support heart health, improve blood sugar/insulin levels etc. That abrasive tartness though-on its own-or swoished in water-isn't for most. ...