LYRA MAG.

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 ...

With all the festive foods available seasonal celebrations can be sweet indeed! a challenging winter hike earns rewards BUT after an allergic response to something eaten on a far flung Southeast Asia jaunt-a few years back, we gained respectful first-hand knowledge of food allergies that can triggered by daily encountered substances.

Great gathering food/drink-options to bring along... READY TO DRINK: NY State of Mind: Hard Cider-is catching on as a refreshing party  (or anytime) alcoholic drink-that synchs well with late Fall's typical fare. Try crisp-sweet-to-tart/acidic-to spice-y fruit selections from the Empire State's culinary destinations-the bountiful Hudson Valley and Catskills Mountains-or  the beautiful Finger Lakes-known for its award winning Rieslings. New York's abundant apple crop-with the variety of apples grown= first in the USA...are picked and often distilled- right on the premises. via GIPHY The slight carbonation and low- like beer -ABV-makes it worthy of game watching thirst quencher status AND meal sipping liquid- pair with  T-day turkey, cinnamon accented cookies/pies, rich creamy pastas, New England oysters' anything, to bold cheeses and in fancy  crafted cocktails . TRY:  Raymor Estates Cellar -from the Finger Lakes Region- is a wonderful fruit...

Marigold flower petals---show the way Dia de los Muertos -a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity   heralds   a   Mexican tradition now celebrated throughout Latin America. This three day (or so) holiday- honoring of the dead in life for some in the northern Western Hemisphere... may be limited to watching Disney's blockbuster "Coco" ...but now plenty of USA retail stores, restaurants and individuals are marking this occasion-with altars, festivities and feasts. Yandy.com-an online destination for Halloween costumes (among other offerings like lingerie/activewear) -even has its second biggest holiday sales for Day of the Dead festivities. via GIPHY One of our fav James Bond opening sequences-that never lack for drama. A Day of the Dead parade... Pan dulce-sweet breads, fermented beverage (pulque), hot chocolate, and white sugar skulls are some traditional treats. For crowd pleasing light bites- Flirting with Flavors entertainment host par exc...

WHAT TO EAT BETWEEN binge-like bursts of celebratory calorie loaded holiday fare that may not be  so great , calorie-wise-or even taste that good. via GIPHY TRY INSTEAD...A gluten -free  Creamy Rich Protein W/O the Calories & the best slim Crunchy Sweet To Eat Without Feeling 'Deprived.' Say cheese :-) to the old is now new revamped image (and taste)-of the ideal protein packed pick- a diet staple, cottage cheese... Picky eaters, feline or otherwise...will love MUUNA ..(tip)-serve chilled-as creamy slightly chewy texture...enhanced cold. FYI-if like us, cereal qualifies as dinner...(so easy)...we suggest stocking up on MUUNA for more healthy, protein option that is very satisfying, taste buds wise. Above-MUUNA 4% milk fat-Classic Plain delivering a meaningful 14 grams of protein/15% calcium needs- and only 110 calories half cup human  serving-4 human sized servings per 16oz container. 

BEST HOLIDAY SWEETS, TREATS  Panettone is the 'it' newstalgic holiday chewy-moist cake-y baked 'bread' treat...with Americans discovering how this traditional Italian holiday staple should taste.   FLAMIGNI PANETTONE can 'feed' a crowd-with this pictured 10kg size (or small)...with selections made in classic Milanese style-and other delicious traditional iced (or not) selections featuring Italian regional fruits that aren't candied.  Available online-including nifty online destination of Seattle's   CHEFSHOP  and GourmetItali an.

Right up there with '...Raindrops on Roses ..." Peppermint flavors are a fav thing,   taste-wise - for the holiday season. via GIPHY TIP: Add authentic Peppermint flavor to baked goods, homemade candies (drool worthy Peppermint Patt ies alert), festive cocktails +/or  an aromatic accent to hearty winter dishes of lamb-poultry-pork... with Nie lsen-Massey 's purely delicious Peppermint Extract.   Kosher certified, gluten and GMO free -and free of allergens...available in 2-4 oz sizes. Insta-holiday extract-real taste you can actually taste-a drop-or a tsp- go a long way! 

French Mimolette -Origin Pas-de-Calais-hard dry and pressed crumbly-rich taste with roasted aromas of butterscotch+coffee flavors...terrific year round too!

Holiday fare with something ' pumpkin-spice ' -or peppermint chocolate  -match well with Octoberfest beers and schnapps-but earthy aromatic red wines as well as balanced white wines-can also pair off well. via GIPHY At- Il Gattopardo -several rich red wines made from Romagna Sangiovese regional grapes were paired perfection with the elegant rustic southern Italian appetizers served. The new to us  Sangiovese red wines-sharing the characteristic rich berry garnet color of Brunellos - are helpfully subject to the new Romagna appellation regulation (12 sub-zones) that safeguard and promote these delicious aromatic sips to consumers on this side of the Pond. One of our favs.. .Il Nespoli (Poderi Dal Nespoli S.r.L. Soc. Agr. ) Romana Sangiovese Superiore Riserva- a red wine with fine, elegant tannins with characters reflective of the medium textured terroir. Pair with hard cheeses, meaty entrees-or we think, spicy autumnal fare-like warm up pumpkin squash soup. Anot...

It's Limited Edition seasoning season! Holiday Flavors of spicy cinnamon paired with that ultimate patch product-pumpkin ...adds flavorful aromatic hints to sweets, staples and life's liquid must, coffee . via GIPHY Tops Picks for Pumpkin Spice Spice Islands Gourmet Blends- Pumpkin Spice -aromatic fresh ground blend of comforting cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, mace+nutmeg...add to dough destined for desserts, sprinkle a pinch on seasonal gourd vegetables or baked fruity slices or fillings...add atop frothy cappuccino or tempting vanilla ice cream= insta  sweet celebration.  GoGo squeeZ - delicious sweet applesauce in fab portable, shelf stable BPA free pouch-adds tiny hints-of cinnamon-y spice with apple/pumpkin goodness-a guaranteed children pleaser-that's also non-GMO certified,   gluten, nut, and dairy FREE  FYI-perfect for leaf peepers-take these along on autumnal hikes, pumpkin patch picking jaunts, or weekend lazy long bike rides...imo-an ideal...

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-...