The Daily Valet. - 5/31/22, Tuesday

✔️ Lunchflation Is Real

May 31, 2022

Tuesday, May 31st Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

I hope you have some leftover barbecue for lunch.

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

Lunchflation Is Real

Returning to the office is costing us a fortune

The return to the office hasn’t exactly been easy for several reasons. First there was the putting on pants. Then adapting to nap-less afternoons, followed by gas prices and the cost of daycare. Now there’s another woe on the rise: lunchflation.

Over the past few months workers who have the comfort of WFH have been finding the costs associated with lunches and coffee breaks taking a bigger and bigger bite. The Wall Street Journal spoke with workers who found their usual orders have increased by upwards of $10.

Payments company Square calculated that the prices of standard lunch items within major cities, including San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, Washington, D.C. and Austin, Texas, are skyrocketing. The average price of wraps is up 18% since last March, sandwiches are up 14%, salads have gone up 11% and burgers are costing an average of 8% more.

And it’s not just lunch. CNN reports that office workers are seeing higher costs for just about everything, including their morning and afternoon pick-me-up: Starbucks raised prices in the U.S. earlier this year and in October 2021—and said prices could continue to rise.

But then again, it’s not as simple as staying home either. As the prices of groceries have been rising, people are shelling out more of their paychecks to keep those home pantries and fridges stocked too. Plus, when you’re working next to your kitchen, it’s way easier to snack (and snack and snack).

↦ FYI: The broad surge in menu prices represents the largest 12-month increase since 1981, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

E.U. Agrees to Russian Oil Ban

The European Union also pledged 9 billion euros to help Ukraine

European Union leaders agreed on Monday to ban most imports of Russian oil, the harshest economic penalty yet imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, and potentially the biggest sacrifice by Europe, itself.

According to the Associated Press, the embargo covers Russian oil brought in by sea, allowing a temporary exemption for imports delivered by pipeline, a move that was crucial to bring landlocked Hungary on board a decision that required consensus.

European Council chief Charles Michel told CNN, “This sanctions package includes other hard-hitting measures: de-Swifting the largest Russian bank Sberbank, banning 3 more Russian state-owned broadcasters, and sanctioning individuals responsible for war crimes in Ukraine.” Michel also confirmed that leaders also agreed to provide Ukraine with 9 billion euros ($9.7 billion) in support funds.

The deal is the latest and most far-reaching demonstration that over more than three months of war, European leaders have grown willing to take steps they considered too extreme when the invasion began. Not suprsingly, as soon as the deal was announced, oil prices jumped.

↦ Meanwhile The Ukrainian Eurovision winners sold their trophy for $900,000 to buy drones for Ukraine.

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Health is a process. And if you've been feeling rundown, you could very well be deficient in this vital element, so make sure you're boosting it naturally.

The DeLorean Returns

No time machine, but a 100kWh battery pack and a $175,000 price tag

Originally launched in 1981, the DeLorean DMC 12 was—and frankly still is—seen as a forward-looking car. With its stainless steel body panels and gull-wing doors, the vehicle instantly made a statement. But the car was cemented into the zeitgeist thanks to the Back To The Future films, where it made memorable appearances as a time machine.

Four decades later, the DeLorean Motor Company has just revealed the first images of the brand's attempt at resurrecting the DeLorean name in an all-electric form. To be clear, it won't be built by the original DeLorean, but rather a Texas company that purchased the rights to the DeLorean name along with some spare parts.

Dubbed the Alpha 5, the reborn sports car keeps its forebear's trick door design but ditches its blocky styling. The Alpha 5's powertrain is a far different animal relative to the low-powered rear-mounted six-cylinder of the original DeLorean—this one is targeting a 100kWh battery pack that should provide excellent range, along with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup. It's projected to hit a top speed of 155 MPH and go from 0 to 60 MPH in 2.99 seconds or (yes) 0-88 MPH in 4.35 seconds.

DeLorean is showing off the car on its website now, but we'll have to wait a bit longer to see the vehicle in action, though. The company is set to officially reveal the Alpha 5 in Pebble Beach on August 21st.

↦ FYI: DeLorean partnered with Italdesign, the same Volkswagen-owned design team that helped develop the look of the 1981 DMC-12.

Nike Introduces “Re-Creation” Line

The program upcycles vintage and deadstock pieces into new and locally made products

Nike is launching a new program called Nike Re-Creation that adds another component to their recent sustainability efforts. Re-Creation takes vintage and deadstock garments and then upcycles them into new pieces that are locally designed and manufactured.

The brand claims that Re-Creation falls in line with “the ultimate goal of a zero-carbon, zero-waste future,” all the while shedding a light on local artists and up-and-coming designers—in other words, this is a win-win situation for everyone involved.

According to HiConsumption, first collection of pieces that have garnered a makeover includes a trio of Nike’s most recognizable hoodies and crewnecks inspired by the sports culture embedded in Los Angeles, a city that has more professional teams than it does arenas to house them individually.

Each piece is unique and is restored through manual patchwork, dye patterns, screen-printed graphics and decorative stitching—exclusive to the city in which they're available, with SoCal happening to be the Swoosh's first pit-stop.

↦ FYI: Zoom Air, one of Nike’s most popular shoes, was introduced to the market in 1995, but was first given the name Tensile Air.

In Other News

↦ NRA Board Re-Elects Longtime CEO Wayne LaPierre, Signaling No Change in Direction

↦ Is Pop Culture Dead? (Probably Not, But …)

↦ Mona Lisa Smeared With Cake in Apparent Climate Protest

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

Revisiting ‘Squid Game’

The great junk transfer

Tinto de Verano

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You Want More Salt, Not Less

Here’s how you boost your electrolytes if you’re active or cutting carbs

We all know that electrolytes do a body good. But what are they exactly? The essential minerals (i.e. sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium) are essential to a myriad of important bodily functions. Doctors credit them with regulating muscle contractions and keeping you hydrated, while also balancing your pH levels and controlling your nervous-system functions.

Which is why we feel so cruddy when we're running low on them. Electrolyte deficiency or imbalances can cause headaches, cramps, fatigue and weakness. When you sweat, the primary electrolyte lost is sodium (and you can lose up to seven grams per day). When sodium isn't replaced, it's common to experience muscle cramps and fatigue.

I've felt this myself when I wasn't properly rehydrating and restoring lost electrolytes after long weekend bike rides. And the same can happen if you're following a low-carb, ketogenic diet as well (anyone hear of the “keto flu”?) LMNT is an easy and tasty way to get back vital electrolytes. The single-severing drink mix has everything you need and nothing you don't. That means a generous dose of salt, along with potassium and magnesium but absolutely no sugar.

Oh, and your favorite sports drinks? Yeah the average bottle has a whopping 34 grams of sugar in them. And only 270 mg of sodium. We don't need more sugar. But we do need more salt. LMNT skips the sugar, artificial ingredients and colors. What they do have is a science-backed electrolyte ratio of 1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium and 60 mg magnesium. Plus, the fruit flavors are refreshing and sweetened only with natural, no-calorie stevia. And now for a very limited time, can try them basically for free. You've got nothing to lose and a lot to gain.

↦ Try It: Get 8 single serving packets free, just cover the cost of shipping ($5 for U.S. customers).

What We’re Eyeing

If you don't want the same shades as everyone else, go for a limited-edition pair. Offered as a limited release of only 50 pairs, each of Moscot's collaboration with Saturdays NYC ($350) will be numbered on the temple of each frame. Plus the sunglasses come with an “Originals” case and a cool co-branded cleaning cloth. Plus, the sleek mid-century style frames look great on pretty much any face shape.

↦ Want more? 5 stylish items to buy this week

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Prep Your Body for Summer

More than 4 million men trust Manscaped to clean up their most sensitive body parts with their cutting-edge tools and gentle formulations that take a self-care routine to a whole other level. If you haven't tried it yet, now's the time since Valet. readers will get 20% off and free shipping (automatically applied at checkout). Their new all-in-one groin grooming kit comes with the Lawn Mower 4.0 electric trimmer, the Weed Whacker nose and ear trimmer, anti-chafing groin deodorant, groin toner spray, plus two free gifts. Upgrade your bathroom arsenal and feel a boost of confidence come summer.

↦ Get It: The Performance Package 4.0, $217.93 / $99.99