LYRA MAG.

Sit-down 3 meals daily-gives way to more bite times of smaller eats. Life on the go doesn't mean less nutritious though...whether fresh or frozen, meal worthy snacks are substantial and healthy clean now. Convenient too. via GIPHY THE easiest substantial snack for a sit-down moment=a pairing of locally sourced- fresh baked bread+cheese-typical of our daily meal enjoyed while traveling abroad on a budget. Cheese loving nations in Europe---started it all...but now terrific options worldwide, just about-either with dairy based cheese or tasty regional dips like hummus (both protein loaded). Sweet nutty Norwegian Jarlsberg  + chewy fresh dough bread or flavored crisps-like crackers or savory flatbreads-easy does it crowd pleasers. Just add a beverage-and some fresh fruit=insta meal. Indoors? A practical posh set-up courtesy of beautiful and inexpensive  Royal Doulton housewares-china-as seen at their showroom...breadsticks, fresh figs and olives  look even more inv...

Sparkling Wines From France (Le Grand Courtage) Red+CavaWines From Spain (Clos de  Tafall, El Mirac, Parès Balta), Hard Cider (Hazlitts Cider Tree), Beer (Catskill Brewery)+Bourbon ( Taconic Distillery) From New York, Ryes/Bourbons (Mad River Distillers) From Vermont, Home Brewed Pico Systems, NUMI Organic Teas, Honey Stinger Honey, BOKU Superfood Parties-gatherings are numerous in December..for festive reasons-or to commiserate.. ...at any rate-guests expect beverages-maybe even more than eats-offered up for sure. SO why not mix up the offerings from the usual...even on a budget-there are so many small craft wineries and distillers these days-that provide unique tastes-guranteed for palate pleasers...alcoholic and not. via GIPHY Wine Spectator anointed 90 points!!! Wines from Spain...ahhh-Clos de Tafall 2014 produced by Clos Berenguer....aged 12 months in French Oak-is an aromatic red wine with floral, currant, kirsch and dark chocolate-cola flavors with lively tannin...

FANCY FOODS SHOW, NYC Declared the flavor of the year ( FIRMENICH )...honey -and we think-maple- are more in demand as a sweetners by consumers seeking more 'natural' ingredients-in everything they eat---and what gets put on their faces/bodies too (personal beauty/grooming products). Honey and maple products-artisanally made, and uniquely flavored depending on geographic location, soil composition, and the weather-(like wine actually )---from smaller producers based in the USA, France and New Zealand- really caught our eyes (and tastebuds) -at the recent 2015 Fancy Foods show. Notably-everyone we spoke with in the honey world-remarked on- sadly- stressed and rapidly disappearing honey bee colonies around the world. Factors like use of insecticides/pesticides, hybrid plants,  and environmental-climate changes greatly impact these wonders of the insect world. AND what this means for many MANY agricultural produce =talking serious $ damage too -for those deny-er types only...

Just as we read another missive from the non-profit  Environmental Working Group  about a banned in Europe ( they get it ) preservative that is still found in  foods sold HERE whaaaaa ???? ( propyl paraben )---it's really just so much easier to eat USDA certified organic treats---so we don't have to second-guess. PLUS: Earth Day is always an annual reminder that what goes around comes around and that includes harmful chemicals and pesticides used to grow food---that-can get ingested. Not wanted. INSTEAD -look for that Certified Organic USDA label on product wrappers - which means 95%-100% ingredients are certified organic-which is the high standard-wanted.  The latest bars from CLIF®  are their USDA Organic Trail Mix Bars that come in Wild Blueberry Almond, Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond, Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Raspberry, and Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt, Coconut Almond Peanut, and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter...they are all so insanely good that ...

NYC For those that drink their nutrition-as a meal or snack… Appethyl® -which tastes like most 'green'-powders we've tried-is made from spinach that is "carefully processed in a proprietary and patent pending method.." to make the vegetable's powerful  thylakoids-purported to slow down digestion and absorption of fats- bioactive…releasing "satiety hormones that signal to the brain…" one ate enough. As a food supplement-adding one 5g package of Appethyl® to a smoothie or soup is a palatable way to ingest-though it's also been suggested the appetite curbing effectiveness is enhanced when taken with a tbsp of healthy oil (e.g.olive oil). We tried it with orange juice as a mid-afternoon snack and def. satisfied without over filling us-before a workout.    Crunchy snacks like delicious potato chips are crave worthy…and fortunately-there are a slew of healthier options that satisfy the need for something crispy. Coconut oil has bec...

Way to always start our day/workout--- coffee wa s fab --worth the wait of the sloooow pour…courtesy of Miir . SLC/NYC CLIF BARS, HONEY STINGERS, POWER BAR, SETTON FARMS PISTACHIO CHEWY BITES, GOOD TO GO We schedule an Outdoor Retailer day--- with strategic pass-byes of the well stocked CLIF booth--- Clif offerings include Bloks -gel are like oversized gummy bears-made of less artificial stuff though (95% organic)+w/ electrolytes-the caffeine ones are staples during hot summer months... What's New: Chia is REALLY a staple food substance- with protein+fiber… not just a ch-ch-ch Chia PET . the cat---maybe wondering where all the yummy treats went-though she still has her Greenies. Instantly devoured-this constitutes an entreé for our dinner-the Berry Pomegranate Chia Bars…and the new flavor of a Clif bar classic= Nuts and Seeds- with organic oats+ almonds, peanut butter, sunflower+pumpkin seeds. Nifty balance of sweet+salty---we think bar food like these bar...