LYRA MAG.

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...

Specialty Foods-Fancy Food Show Plant based foods/drinks are not just trends. Pretty much everyone- from vegans (all the time)-to cattle steak enthusiasts-hardily devour plant based subs fairly regularly now... in this country. (Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger popular eats both- kinda proves that for meatheads). Still a read of ingredients has many consumers looking for healthier alternatives to big consumer packaged goods offerings or genetically modified 'food'... At the recent Fancy Food Show...a few plant subs that really taste great: Good Catch -caught our eyeballs at last year's show. There was one product-and their display table was off in a far flung Javits Center hallway. There wasn't even A/C in that section.  THIS YEAR-there has been  bump in sales-and probably a new hire or two clearly -plus  hip packaging + new products. This Chef mastered brand (plus one investor with vision) now has shelf stable-ready to eat- fish free tuna, that is no...

ATHLETE ESSENTIALS Crunchy Sweet, Bite Sized... New Snacks that are everything their supposed to be (FUN TO MUNCH ON)-with added nutritional benefits. I mpressive- SPROUT  is a private company that makes a slew of tasty snacks-packed for one-six sized portions-perfectly portable for on the go crunch musts.   In the mix-veggies form the basis of USDA ORGANIC goodness...no circumspect ingredients in the mix! Everything we sampled-from the airy properly puffy Two Peas in a Pod-to the densely crunchy Crinklez-...were great. And dip worthy. Toddlers and kids of all ages will enjoy.  There is a slightly less salty/greasy taste than the mass market junk food equivalents...fyi. Which might a be plus for many. This company also makes baby eats. Pumkin Carrot Crinklez pictured-(also Cheesy Spinach Crinklez) and Two Peas In A Pod - Aged White Cheddar. (other flavors-Broccoli, Sweet Potato Cinnamon). ALL Gluten + Dairy Free, VEGAN, Non-GMO, no added sugar, no fake col...

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...

Rarely do we get a palatable powder to add to liquids...that boasts energy charger-bio-available loaded iron- blue green algae spirulina- plus loads of healthy vitamins, iron and  micronutrients that doesn't taste like grass.   Or something worse. JUST LIKE THIS GIPHY  via GIPHY seriously-we've all been there Which is why PaleoPro's Paleo Greens Powder is our new hero product.  Sent a sample-we'd figure a tsp of this finely ground green powder in a few ounces of water...would best be inhaled like a shot-vs sipping to savor the taste. But the taste really was naturally A OK ...a sweetness from monk fruit extract but with no added sugar (and with 5 grams of plant based vegan protein-from organic hemp). If you're the type to gulp Kombucha or Apple Cider Vinegar down straight -the surprising palatable taste of Paleo Greens Powder will come as sheer taste buds' joy. Kudos to who ever figured this out. Now part of our morning routine- adding a ts...

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...

Fancy Food Show '18 Two companies that we've written about prior-showed new (to us)-versions that stood out... Reishi mushrooms have herbal medicinal properties-help detox the body, boost the immune system+fight stress. FYI-there is absolutely NO mushroom taste in this pleasingly sweet enough (coconut +coconut sugar) crunchy chewy bar.    organic pumpkin, chia and hemp seeds, sunflower kernels-and peanuts+peanut butter, cashews+almonds- in this flavor-with 7 grams protein purely elizabeth. brand expansion on their popular granolas...with a bunch of bars-including four flavors of  GRAIN-FREE Granola Bars with organic extract from SUPERFOOD REISHI mushrooms in the mix. NON-GMO, certified gluten-free, vegan and bonuses-NSF certified (great for athletes) & purely elizabeth =  CERTIFIED B Corporation .  USDA Organic Keep Healthy® Low Glycemic Bar -are tasty treats-with meaningful amounts of plant based protein-making this ...

The long endurance athlete must is getting enough grams of protein (often a challenge for vegans)- especially-after a multi-hour workout when laziness/fatigue to cook (and clean) set in...and those collegiate dinners of cereal-just don't work, anymore for the fuel is food lifestyle. via GIPHY Tour de France road hazard Our Go To Solution: A pea (plus+) protein powder...that's yummy is  SNEAKZ -in all all flavors too-that unlike a lot of other brands...has NO chalky/pasty taste and is  USDA Organic ! Priced at $21 for 340g bag as pictured... .considerably less than our prior fav-that got bought up by Nestle's and got a 30% more expensive. Sure -SNEAKZ  may be marketed/packaged for pint sized humans...serving up essential veggie blends+ probiotic nutrients (also)...but for us- way past our school days - it's a life buoy for recovery replenishments after exercising ...AND especially on the road-for a healthy-and satisfyingly sweet, pre-race meals...

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...

Fancy Food Show Part One: CALIFIA FARMS ENHANCED MILKS, COLD BREW, REBEL KITCHEN MYLK via GIPHY Human hydration needs for summer's heated up exercises -get amped up...one reason why powered up liquids are gaining favor and flavors from plants, spices, coffee/tea combos- and and a little bit of scientific know-how. CALIFIA Farm s elevated the niche cold brew coffee market-that we remember drinking up-back in the days  -in New Orleans.. encouraging so many hot/iced coffee drinkers to enjoy this cult liquid-that it's now widely available in retail outlets, nationwide. New single serve options now include tasty flavors of plant sourced, non-dairy, enhanced 'milk' -and athlete must-intense sips of their caffeinated cold brew, slightly sweetened with cane sugar-mixed in with protein packed almond milk. Pictured: good post workout-recovery option -is the- Maca-Nilla Almond Milk -new flavor addition joining the Choco-Maca Almond Milk version. With real deal vanilla...

via GIPHY What we feel like doing-after mega-workout or 4+ hour race... WHAT TO EAT WHEN... VICTORIA CHEF COLLECTION, GAIA HERBS, MATCHA LOVE, GARDEN OF LIFE, REBBL, MANITOBA HARVEST, UNTAPPED MAPLE WAFFLE  Too tired to cook more than open a frozen bag of vegs and nuking the contents...or snapping open a can of something... too hungry to wait for delivery or literally walking maybe 50 yards to scour carefully prepared foods at a local grocery store... New Products...that satisfy---are healthy  -without artificial stuff...are practically effortless-and tasty! BUON APPETITE! Brooklyn based Victoria-makers of all sorts of tasty tomato sauce help us banish memories of SpaghettiOs (uh oh) FOR SURE...with the new Victoria Chef Collection of prepared pastas in authentic sauces-pre-cooked just heat and ready to eat- and taste like you spent the time to conjure up yourself. Meaning , the pasta texture is correct-chewy-al dente, the sauce aromatic flavor...

SUPPLEMENTS and HEALTHY FOODS-ESSENTIALS Yeah yeah yeah-we know what M. Jagger/K. Richards song is really about...but this is the second decade of the 21st century...and children of the 60s (and 70s, 80s, 90s) are embracing other mother's helpers as nowadays athletic age uppers want to maintain overall fitness and physiques. New: Supplements have mixed reviews these days -why brand names (and their reputations) are important imo. For endurance athletes who cannot eat all the nutrients their bodies need to maintain ...supplements are a given. From well-respected   Natrol -Skin, Hair & Nails -a very inclusive new offering (eta May 2016) containing Vitamin B's- 5000 mcg Biotin and 10 mg Lutein (found in the also pictured Biotin Plus)....PLUS collagen+hyaluronic acid (skin hydration/firmness aid), vitamins A, C, and E (protects against damaging free radicals), D B2, B6 and minerals copper+zinc, and ALA and horsetail supplement-bonus-one pill a day vs competition 2-3...