If you’re not careful, the holiday season swims by you in a tidal wave of gluttony. Rich cakes and cookies, h0liday cocktails, sleeping off the hangover – it happens every year. And while you can’t control the amount of sugar and butter in your mother’s Christmas pudding, you can give presents that keep health and consumerism in mind. Elegant vegan chocolates for the yoga lover in your life? Check. Eco-friendly water bottle that collapses as it empties? Check.
Let’s be honest, most of us procrastinated on our gift buying and now we are scrambling for good ideas. Bite Size Wellness’ 2012 gift guide will save the season. The biggest problem will be wanting to buy 2 of everything so you can keep one for yourself. Read on health nuts!
1. Baking with Agave cookbook
If you haven’t discovered agave nectar, you’re in for a delectable surprise. This natural, low-glycemic sweetener is a revelation for diabetics, parents of young children, and anyone else who wants to cut down on refined sugar but still enjoy deep, real, satisfying sweetness. Baking with Agave Nectar is bursting with more than 100 recipes for muffins, sweet breads, cookies, cakes, ice creams and sorbets, pies and tarts, sauces and frostings, and other special desserts. ($15 on Amazon)
2. Get Burning! Republic of Tea
Feeling sluggish? This spicy herbal blend was created to help rev up your internal engine. It’s a tasty way to increase the body’s metabolism and resistance to stress. It has an organic green rooibos base, sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms, with holy basil, a long-revered herb said to increase energy and the body’s resistance to stress. This tea stimulates the body without taxing our vital systems. ($12 for 36 tea bags)
3. 20 Lbs. Hourglass Dumbbell Set
The Tone Fitness 20 lb Hourglass Dumbbell Set is the perfect addition to any strength training routine. You can improve your appearance, strength, muscle to fat ratio, bone density and even your walking performance by adding strength training to your workout routine. The dumbbells are “hourglass” shaped for a stylish look. The neoprene coating helps protect your floors and also provides an easy grip. The set contains a pair of 2, 3 and 5 lb. dumbbells for versatility. A rack is also included for easy storage. ($26.98)
4. Herbal Towelettes
Herban Essentials essential oil towelettes are made with the highest quality pure essential oil, which not only makes them smell amazing, but makes them naturally antibacterial and antiseptic as well. The most common use for the towelettes is to cleanse the hands and kill germs, but there are millions of ways to use these wonderful wipes! Toss them in your purse, backpack, briefcase, car, wallet or gym bag to enjoy their germ-killing, mood-lifting, fabulousness everywhere you go! ($16 for 20 towelettes)
5. Chakra Chocolate Box
Everyone deserves a little chocolate, and since no one should be left out, The Chakra Box is made from all-natural, dairy-free, vegan ingredients. The different flavors of each truffle corresponds to the body’s seven energy centers. All natural, dairy-free, 70% dark chocolate truffles. Seven flavors correlating to each of the seven energy centers with beautiful yantra designs on each truffles. Flavors include chai, tangerine, ginger/lemongrass, green tea, peppermint, pomegranate and honey/vanilla. (Each box costs $30.)
6. Collapsible Water Bottle
Entrepreneur Craig Madaus has traveled the world in search of new trails to run and adventures to explore. The single most frustrating challenge he’s found has been hydration. Store-bought bottles were environmentally inexcusable. Conventional, refillable bottles took up as much space empty as they did full. On January 4, 2011, Craig had his “Eureka” moment. He envisioned a refillable water bottle that would scrunch up flat or coil up to fit easily in the small spaces of pocket, pack, briefcase or gym bag. He began working with a designer and a manufacturing facility to produce a collapsible, refillable water bottle made from BPA-free materials that would be anti-microbial and resistant to both heat and cold. ($24.95)
7. Omega Juicer
Juice fruit or vegetables at high speed, then separated the juice from the pulp by spinning it like a super-fast salad spinner. This juicer has an auger that looks sort of like an old-style orange juice reamer and it spins at a much slower speed than the centrifugal juicers. But the juice extraction isn’t slow; it chews through fruits and vegetables a lot faster than expected. It’s not terribly noisy, either; it sometimes makes a squeaking sound as the vegetables give up their juice, but it’s not as loud as a blender. That’s a good thing if you’re making fresh juice before everyone is awake. ($296.99)
8. REI Santa on a Bike Ornament
The Outside Inside Mountain Bike Santa ornament reveals that the merry old elf enjoys the same muscle-powered sports as you. We found more fitness inspired ornaments that your healthy friends and family will love. ($9.03)
9. Scandle Body Massage Candle
Experience the ultimate spa massage with the aromatherapy effects of our 10-ounce Scandle Essentials with pure essential oils. Scandle is in reusable/refillable ceramic container with a pour spout. Burn time is about 30-40 hours. The body candle is a candle that burns at 2 degrees above body temperature to produce a shimmering, fragrant lotion that masks wrinkles and skin imperfections by deflecting light. To get your glow on, simply add shimmer from the options window when placing your order. (Each candle is $34.95.)
10. City Running Tour
The runner on your list will love a guided run from City Running Tours, where the host will map out an itinerary specially tailored to meet their needs. Recipients can enjoy a 6-mile run at their own pace, along with a guided tour of a major U.S. city, including Austin, Charleston, New York, San Diego and Washington D.C. City Running Tours typically cost $60 per person.
11. Naturopathica Peppermint Foot and Body Cream
This soothing cream combines crushed Mint and Arnica to help ease stress related aches and soreness. It also contains indispensable arnica, plus invigorating mint to help reduce lactic acid build-up. This gift sends the message: “I know you workout hard.” And who doesn’t like to hear that? ($26 for 5oz)
12. Groove Ear Buds
These hanger buds are designed to fit to the head, not jammed into the ears, to avoid harmful bacteria that can be found on in-ear buds (um, gross). You can swivel the entire hook around to where it needs to be. Fancy! ($19.99)
What is on your holiday wish list? Will you be buying any of or top 12 health gifts for a loved one?
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