LYRA MAG.

With the 'journey' now being more stressful than ever (high gas prices! airport delays! flights canceled!) the destination needs to be more 'calming' than ever for need to chill out seekers.  For Value Budgeteers wanting self-care with a tad less emphasis on the 'self' (as in selfish) part-the non-profit Le Monastère Des Augustines, very accessible from the tourist destination-Old Quebec City...offers basic and contemporary rooms, healthy meals-dining (and snacks/picnics to go), multiple inclusive wellness packages or á la carte hands on holistic options of soothing pampering  massages and treatments,  mental respites in leafy green outdoor sanctuaries -including yoga, private meditations/movement sessions -and seasonal winter cross-country- downhill skiing on the slopes of nearby mountains. With a history of spiritualism combined with the healing -Le Monastère Des Augustines has reimagined and updated its historic architectural structures and thoughtfully ...

 Post pandemic self care and the resumption of 'experiences'-including endurance races (and all that training that goes into it)-require different stuff   (think actively anti-inflammatory)  than just sitting around for another Zoom call. Everyone 'gets' the hydration part of workouts (by now)-but the 'what' to drink has really evolved into functional beverages as an option to fuel/ feel  better -or in the case of Good Idea -to stabilize blood sugars' highs/lows via a winning no -calories-no caffeine-no-junk mash-up of sparkling water spiked up with amino acids and the essential mineral chromium ( chromium picolinate , precisely). That doesn't leave you spiked up (or crashing). A quarter of a can ( lightly berry flavored=totally refreshing)-with a meal-is suggested-evens out metabolism too and miraculously when we tried a half a cup of the refreshingly cold black currant flavor  -at a recent Organic Spa Magazine event-the need for the usual later after...

 YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT The importance of gut health is  accepted universally  --- EATING certain foods that are good digestible (holistic)--- accessible sources (and the correct amounts-dose needed) of pre/probiotics (fermented ones-yogurt,  miso, kimchi, sauerkraut to name a few)...is ideal-but is not realistically on the menu, for summer travelers hitting the road,  busy stay at home types or fussy food nibblers of all ages.  While immune boosting supplements are not regulated by the FDA-people nonetheless rely on them for daily doses of must haves for the gut microbiome...especially now when the nutritional value of what we eat/digest often seems a real toss-up these days-coupled with the seemingly bloomin' boomin' proliferation of auto-immune disease sufferers.  Yikes. Fortunately independent analysis of high quality supplements does exist... and should be 'on the list' for those looking to boost their daily intakes of nutrition aids.   Recent...

According to Fundera - USA based, women owned businesses generate $18 trillion.  An interesting stat there -for International Women's Day... and an inspiration for "Great Things For Spring" For Travelers: Our fav scrunchie maker Pomchies- courtesy of  Arizona based Heather Clark...marvelously pivoted towards mask making with a fashion flair ...with  chic practical  (washable) offerings. We absolutely heart these colorful (and print/shade coordinated) double (fit standard sized filters) and cool to the touch single masks, woven lanyards with claw attachments (POM MASK KEEPERS) and adorable mini cheerleader pom poms' luggage identifyers (POM-ID)---that are PERFECT for that next trip out of airport.   On an actual commercial flight airplane.  OH...the possibilities .  Animal prints, neutrals, fav school colors, or bright neons...a plethora of outfit coordinated accessories -made from material 'extras'...by POMCHIES ...(on Amazon too). Note: Masks are not ...

 With a focus on all things HOME The 'experience' of travels and attending (legal) events ...maybe off the 'list' for now :-( The upside? Great Black-Friday-Cyber Monday-New Year's (self) gifts that won't costs as much as airfare. Our at Home Fatigue  includes the 'joys' of home cooking. So over it . To ease the drudgery... shelf stable tasty spice blends/sauces to take the basics from ho hum to palate perker-uppers.  Old Arthurs   BBQ sauces from zesty hot-to some kick mild...and spice 'rubs' in a handy box set- taking the guess work out of yummy grilled, roasted or broiled anything (like corn on the cob or healthy squash). Savvy Goose The Flight -a gift ready-allergen free- shelf saver for all those spices you know you will never use (again). Carefully blended by top chefs -these handy options are awesome for us lazy microwave only cookers -rendering our typical steamed vegetables almost worthy of a gourmand.  FOR true worthy of gourmand status...

AMAZON PRIME's Heidi Klum/Tim Gunn's fashion contest spectacular, MAKING THE CUT  s final trio of contestants...included talented Berlin based designer- Esther Perbandt. ..that we've have admired for MORE THAN A DECADE. Her fabulous debut show for Berlin's Fashion Week on July 4th, 2009- inventively merged street fashion with performance...in that creative metropolis of talent...way before social media made urban backed selfies and reality TV so been there/done that. Check out the review of 'modern, well tailored separates..." from the archives... HERE

STUFFED PUFFS  Chocolate on (in) Chocolate delivers  a surprisingly rich indulgent treat ---a pleasing powdery fluffy outside encasing the perfect gooey deep chocolate center that tastes more like those expensive luxury bars that costs double . Ideal for non-marshmallow folks (too)...we'd pegged the flavor/texture sky high satisfy scale more like America's favorite gift-able treat (chocolate) -than the S'more staple...though like that melt it crisp filler...Stuffed Puffs can multi-task. Truth be told-we inhaled our samples-straight out of the bag and did not feel like sharing, any.  But these can also be baked, melted (in Rice Krispies bars, for example), roasted and dipped in warm/cold beverage.  Available at  Walmart -priced at $3.98 per 8.6 oz bag and other retailers + online at  www.stuffedpuffs.com  with prices ranging from $4.49 -$4.99.  - the"Not Your Average Marshmallow" Stuffed Puffs  genuinely manage to conjoin the...