LYRA MAG.

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...

Fancy Food Show 2018 Vegan Rob 's Kombuchabar™ bars-"crunch consciously" with organic quinoa, pumpkin+sunflower seeds and very slight hints of all star ingredient-n kombucha (yup- like the 'it' sip-the tea )...fermented-therefore has active bacteria cultures aka probiotics). Also delivered, 6 gram plant based protein- more than similar bars not loaded with whey (and therefore, not vegan)....and 4 grams of real deal fiber. Four flavors available-Non-GMO, cold pressed (heat protection for probiotics), vegan and grain free. Factoid-this company has plenty of snacking fans...founded by the leading light of Pirate's Booty popcorn. BIENA 's salted roasted chickpeas (deliversr a bit of protein, calcium, iron and potassium, naturally) -are a fav snack-now the company has taken a sweet turn with Fair Trade certified dark chocolate coated and FUN-Girl Scouts' inspired THIN MINTS' flavor-that nails it-the chocolate int so unique surrounds crunchy chic...

BETTER FOR YOU-(or) MORE INDULGENT and SATISFYING. via GIPHY Our top picks for late afternoon pick-up musts...

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. 

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! 

New and old snacks...get 'cleaner' -crafty ...plus the best sweet indulgences... via GIPHY source simpsonsworld.com Craft Beer Salsa by Mrs. Renfro 's-fun medium heat-with beery flavor...merger of two local Texas businesses-the aforementioned +Rahr&Sons-cold ones...and at 15 calories-2 tbsp serving-tasty way to perk up chips and salads without adding the pounds. Garden of Eatin   USDA  Organic Nacho +Ranch Corn Tortilla Chips =   crisp triangle sized, scoop up the dip/salsa musts-with the addition of creamy cheddar cheese-or buttermilk-that surprisingly (to us)-worked with traditional spice-y heat we expect from this popular crunch. The Nacho flavor-has hints of tomato, onion, cayenne pepper and garlic -with organic cheddar cheese-while the Ranch contain 6 grams fat -25% less than other brands-and is gluten-free/certified Kosher-with organic black pepper, white pepper, chili pepper and cumin-giving off subtle heat. GOOD HEALTH-better for you c...

Big and Small Companies Get GOING- Organic, And/Or (at least) Getting Rid of Artificial Ingredients- or-imo-risk losing sales to customers that care. And there are more of those kinds of humans -and more snack choices...without the 'junk.' Indulgent treats are always on trend-but consumers are def. embracing the more 'natural' kind with a few exceptions like Walmart's Hostess mash-up, the iconic  Twinkies coming to freezers near you. Shutting down one artery/bite (joke) via GIPHY imgur.com-source Some Sweet Eats... PURA VIDA CRUNCH LOVER™  Natural Sins   -the 2 ingredients only delicious crispy treats epitomize what a 'clean label' should read. REALLY kids worthy-especially the 'un potato' crispy beet chips -just sweet enough-with raw cane sugar- delivering 13 grams per bag-ranks as dessert worthy-but better- get 5 grams of dietary fiber, iron, potassium, and calcium too-and only 100 satisfying calories per bag. Crispy pineapple, coconut ...

NYC: There are certain aromatic flavors that are characteristic of the holiday season-just about every sweets-snacks we saw at recent tradeshows-had festive offerings-in cheerful shimmery packaging to match...making them gift ready. LAKE CHAMPLAIN Chocolates -a Vermont company that gets its 'holiday' on...in many ways...with new organic and Fair Trade holiday gifts. Pictured-bite sized richly made-dark chocolates- Peppermint Cream, Salted Caramel, Coconut Cream and Peanut Butter are organic and Fair For Life Certified...ethically sourced chocolates from Peru and the Dominican Republic and the organic cream sourced from Kimball Brook Farm in Vermont. Stocking stuffer options as well as gift box packaging...for give able treats free of preservatives, additives, high fructose corn syrup -plus non-GMO too. NICE.   positively addictive thin crispy bites of decadence... Sheila's G's Brownie Brittle's gets in the spirit with new flavors Chocolate Chip with Snowfl...

TRENDS  NYC Artificial anything-particularly re: ingredients and food colorings-a disappearing act on snack food labels...even on crunchy eats which as tasty as they are, don't pretend to be nutritious-but a "Lesser Evil"-i.e. baked, healthier oils, non-GMO, organic (the real deal kind-USDA certified), and gluten free. The name says it all "Lesser Evil"=Buddha Bowl Foods...USDA organic (that means non-GMO certified too)...in one of the 'hot' food categories-gourmet salts...Himalayan Pink Salt  (or Sea Salt) on everything... Bottom Line: the emphasis is def. on the flavors (spicy is big)...and the textures. Highlights: Some crunchy sweets: From Morocco-crunchy buttery Orientines  Palmiers+crackery Craquants  Dip-able hybrid-melba toast- biscotti fusion- Almondina Toastees -no preservatives, no cholesterol, dairy free...4 flavors the best part of brownies - duh -the crunchy top-edges parts---violà-this genius 'invention...