The clock is ticking. Time to obsess over that **perfect** gift. Something they will love, use, and remember for years to come. Ohhhh, the stress of it all!
“Give what you’d love to get.” ~ someone really profound
Unless I’m in full-on DIY mode (here are some of my favorite homemade gifts), I like to let my wish list do the shopping when I’m obstressing over what to get my loved ones. It’s way easier and usually a home run. Not sure where to start?
Here are my top holiday gift ideas for your favorite health junkie (or aspiring one):
1. Organic Fair Trade Dark Chocolate (Soy-Free): Since REAL chocolate is healthy (yes, really), this makes an ideal stocking stuffer for your loves. You’ll be hard-pressed to find dark chocolate (even organic) that has no soy lecithin (read my beef with soy here). Except this one. And it’s amazing.
2. Stainless Steel Straws: Ditch the plastic straws, reduce your carbon footprint, and opt for this set of washable stainless steel straws that are kid-friendy (translation: they won’t break).
3. reCAP Mason Jar Cover: Got mason jar lovers in your inner circle? Yeah, me too. This is a hit for smoothie drinking, beet kvass pouring, beer guzzling, and anything else that mason jars are good for (everything…duh!).
4. Body Brush: Body brushing is one of my favorite ways to detox. It’s a great way to rejuvenate dull, dry skin and stimulate your lymphatic system. I do it just before I shower – which may or may not be daily. Don’t judge me. I’m saving the earth.
5. Silicone Pop Molds: These are brilliant for making your littles popsicles in the summer or freeze-ahead smoothies for their lunch boxes. They are the perfect size for little hands.
6. Silicone Candy Mold: No, not to make candy, silly goose. Unless it’s these. These little molds are perfect for making homemade gummy fruit snacks with this superfood.
7. Non-Toxic Nail Polish: I like pretty piggies as much as the next gal, but did you know that most nail polishes are loaded with toxins? This is one of the few brands of non-toxic nail polishes that I’ve found that doesn’t peel off minutes after application. These will be making an appearance in my sweet girl’s stocking this year. That girl loves a good pedi.
8. Vinyasa Yoga DVD (Baron Baptiste): My introduction to yoga years ago was from one of my besties, who moonlights as a Baptiste-trained yogi. Lucky girl. Fortunately, we can get a similar experience in the comfort of home {ok, maybe not – but just go with it}. This is a perfect beginner DVD and even good for the experienced yogi who just wants a quick 3o minute practice now and then.
9. Food Rules: We all need rules when it comes to food. Michael Pollan nails it with this easy-to-read “Food Eater’s Manual”. I love this book.
10. Coconut Oil: Am I the only one that would LOVE to get this stuff as a gift? Perhaps.
11. Coconut Nectar: Along the same theme as my beloved coconut oil. Maybe have a coconut theme? Or not. It’s your call, but this stuff makes great vegan alternative to refined sweeteners.
12. Amazon Gift Card: You just can’t go wrong with one of these. Ever. Get ’em as low as $10 and you’re shopping is dunzo.
13. Stainless Steel Juice Press: The price of lemons has gone up. A lot. What the H? This makes me want to move to a climate where I can grow my own stash. Until that happens, getting every single last drop out of my lemons is going to have to do. This little gadget does that for you.
14. Nick’s Sticks: Think Slim Jim without the crap. These grass-fed beef snack sticks are so yummy, are antibiotic and hormone-free, and make a perfect gift for the dudes in your life.
15. Organic Ghee: I love ghee. The end.
16. Raw Honey: If you can’t find local, raw honey (your best bet), this is a good option for your sweeties.
17. Organic Maple Syrup: Bake with it, top your flap jacks with it, or add it to your smoothies. This is the good stuff.
18. Celtic Sea Salt: Salt? As a gift? Yes. If you’re buying for a foodie, they’ll love this stuff. If you’re not, they won’t. It’s that simple. Just know your audience.
19. Organic, Fair-Trade Coffee: If coffee doesn’t pre-dispose your loved ones to health issues (find out here), opt for an organic, fair-trade brand. I am a decaf girl, since caffeine doesn’t have a hold on me anymore (thanks to this), but for most coffees, the decaffeination process is one fraught with chemicals. To avoid these nasties, opt for a brand of decaf that uses the Swiss water method like this one. It’s the one we drink in our house and a relatively local brand, because we like to support our fellow Massholes when the opportunity arises.
20. Silpat Baking Mat: I honestly don’t know how I lived for so long without one of these in my collection. Now I have two. They are incredible and give your baked goods a brilliant, non-stick surface without the toxic chemicals.
21. Silicone Muffin Cups: I got these as a gift a few years back, and before that time, never would have given them a second thought. Now, they’re all I use to bake my muffins, cuppy-cakes, and these DIY healthy dark chocolate peanut butter cups.
22. Stainless Steel Ice Cube Trays: Yes, I do realize that 99.9% of today’s refrigerators come equipped with ice makers. However, if yours does not OR you’d like to DIY fruit-infused ice cubes or find an easy way to get more organ meats into your family’s diet (don’t vomit on your phone – it’s legit and a great way to power up your meals), a non-toxic ice cube tray is a must-have.
23. Fermentation Weights: For the fermentation junkie in your life, these little weights are a must to keep your ferments below the liquid line. What is fermentation, you ask? Read this.
24. Hydro Flask: I (heart) this thing so much! It keeps your cold liquids COLD and hot liquids HOT. All. Day. Long. Don’t bother with the Kleen Kanteen. Get this instead. And it comes in super cute colors that don’t chip off (another strike against the Kleen Kanteen).
25. Infuser Tea Mug: Perfect for the tea aficionado in your life
26. Seed Sprouter: Like sprouts but don’t like the price tag? This is your ticket out AND it makes a great little project with the kiddos – teaching them a valuable lesson in growing their own food, eating their veggies, and keeping things alive (because let’s face it, you have to water the thing).
27. Stainless Steel Bento Style Lunchbox: This is the cutest little non-toxic lunch box for big and little hands, alike. It separates your yummies into little stations, making healthy lunching way more fun that Ziplocs. We’ve had ours since my #1 tarted pre-school and it’s solid.
28. The Four Hour Chef: Tim Ferriss is a time management ninja, and this book delivers. Learn how to compress your time in the kitchen and still eat well.
29. Lunchskins: Warning: more Ziploc bashing. Ditch those wasteful and toxic plastic bags and opt for these super cute, eco-friendly, re-usable snack and/or sandwich bags. They are dishwasher safe and come in adorable patterns. We’ve had the same five for about 5 years. If they can hold up in our house, they will be just fine in yours.
30. Ear Warmer Headphones: Don’t let the cold be your favorite person’s excuse to not get out into the elements and move this winter. These are brilliant and will make their workout out so much better when it’s 18 degrees out.
31. Butter Bell: I don’t have one of these. Yet. But, I love the fact that these cute little things keep butter fresh and spreadable for up to 30 days without refrigeration. Nothing worse than a rock solid butter, is there? Having said that, if it takes you 30 days to go through a stick of butter, clearly you’re not eating enough of this superfood.
32. Crazy Sexy Diet: You don’t need to be a vegan to love this book. Whether you’re just looking for new ways to add more plants into your diet, or want to just plain feel better, this is a great read.
33. Real Food: What to Eat & Why: This is the book that started me on my real food journey 5 years ago. A perfect gift for those you’re trying to browbeat educate that butter is good for you and margarine is not.
34. Nourishing Traditions: A staple in the collection the traditional foodie, this book challenges the Diet Dictocrats and has a TON of recipes.
35. Beautiful Babies: Did you know that what your GRANDMOTHER ate while your mom was in utero had an affect on YOUR health? That cereal is NOT the best first food for babies? Yes, it’s true. This book breaks down the importance of nutrition long before you get knocked up. Don’t worry though, it’s never too late. This makes a great gift for the mama-t0-be in your life. I read it when I was 5 months pregnant with my #2.
36. Naturally Healthy Babies & Children: Besides these, this book is my “go to” when the s*** hits the fan and we get sick. A must-have in your arsenal of holistic witch doctoring paraphernalia.
37. Practical Paleo: I just got this book, and wow. It’s the most comprehensive book I’ve ever read when it comes to living the Paleo lifestyle. Complete with meal plans, checklists, recipes, and way more that are tailored to specific health issues. Get it.
38. Yogurt Maker: In my humble, unsolicited opinion – every kitchen must have a yogurt maker. Sure, you can DIY yogurt the old school method (high-5 to those of you that do), but this is where I draw the line. I need as many easy buttons as I can get my hands on, and this is one of them. If your crew eats a lot of yogurt, this sucker will pay for itself in no time. What I really like about DIY’in my own yogurt is the control that I have over ingredients. We use raw milk and nothing else. If we want to sweeten with a little raw honey or fruit after the fact, we do. Once you taste homemade yogurt, you’ll never want to touch the commercial stuff again. Ever.
39. Paderno Spiralizer: I thought I could easily do without one of these and that I could make my own zucchini noodles with a mandoline. I was out of my mind. You need this to really get awesome, spiral noodles that will fool any skeptic into eating veggies instead of their beloved pasta. Not a fan of zukes? No problem. Spiralize just about any veggie – potatoes, butternut squash, radishes, and beyond.
40. Mandoline: Ok, so I totally threw the mandoline under the bus a minute ago, but there’s a time and place for this kitchen gadget. Spiralizing is not one of them, but super thin slicing in seconds flat is. I had a bout of analysis paralysis when I invested in my mandoline a few years back, and this was the best value with great ratings. I love it.
41. Hand Held Immersion Blender: The minimalist that I am, I also thought this addition to my kitchen was silly. I mean, I already HAD a blender. Am I really **that** lazy where I can’t transfer my soup from pot to blender and back to pot? Turns out, I am. After burning myself and insane blender explosions happened one too many times, I got myself one of these. Worth every penny. If you’ve got a soup lover on your list, this is a home run.
42. Programmable Crock Pot: Every busy mama needs a Crock Pot. Or 2. Mine is going almost 24/7. I’m serious. Between the continuous bone broth simmering, and easy dinners, it rarely gets a break. I invested in this one about a year ago after its predecessor got dropped by my sweet girl (she was helping to make broth – I couldn’t get mad). Secretly, I was happy it happened – it was a great excuse to upgrade to a programmable one like this. Don’t think you need a programmable Crock? Fine, maybe you don’t, but for this price, it’s worth having to think about one less thing.
43. Glass Straws: So…I know we already touched upon reusable straws a ways back, but these are the Cadillac of glass straws. Thick, wide, and ideal for slurping your favorite green smoothie in style. Unless you enjoy cleaning up glass, don’t give these to the kids. This set comes with a nice brush to get your new besties squeaky clean.
44. Kettle Bells: You know how much I adore High Intensity Interval Training {HIIT}, right? Well, kettle bells are the perfect compliment and a great way to do more in less time. The major secret with HIIT is that is metabolic. It raises your heart rate while working several muscles at once, which means huge calorie burn during and after your workout. If you do nothing else with your kettle bells, do the basic move, “The Swing” – it uses your legs, hips, back and arms all at once.
45. Travel Yoga Mat: For the traveling yogi in your life, this is a great mat that folds up beautifully and is designed not to absorb bacteria. Nobody likes bacteria, unless it’s this kind.
46. Heart Rate Monitor: Whether your kicking your own ass with my personal HIIT routine, or someone is doing kicking it for you, a heart rate monitor is a perfect tool to make sure you’re challenging yourself enough. Having this thing on your wrist whilst working out is a constant reminder to make every minute count.
47. Laptop EMF Radiation & Heat Shield: More than likely, you or someone you love uses a laptop or tablet. Did you know that these things emit radiation? No? Read THIS, THIS, THIS, THIS, THIS, & THIS that show laptop radiation is toxic to our DNA, mutates our cells, causes chromosomal damage and can lead to skin damage, neurological damage, cancer and other more serious long term risks. Adding insult to injury, there is also evidence that men and women can develop fertility problems due to prolonged exposure to radiation from their laptops and other electronic devices. Yikes! The DefenderPad eliminates virtually ALL laptop radiation to undetectable levels (source). I have one in pink (because that’s how I roll).
48. French Press Thermal Pot: If you’re into coffee (organic & fair trade, ideally) and coffee doesn’t pre-dispose you to health issues (find out here), then French-pressed is the way to go. It’s night and day from a drip maker. Once you go French, you’ll never go back. I like this one because it keeps your java nice and hot. If you’ve ever used a French Press before, you’ll know it doesn’t keep your coffee hot. At all. This one does.
49. Bodum Coffee Grinder: If you’re going to give them the French Press, you might as well take it one step further and let them grind their own beans too. This is the grinder we have, and like everything else, I obsessed about getting the very best one. This one lives up to the amazing reviews it has. Pair this grinder with the Thermal French Press and fair-trade coffee, and you’ve got yourself a trifecta of holiday awesomeness!
50. Dehydrator: What in the world could you possibly need a dehydrator for? Well, lots of things. Honestly, I don’t use my dehydrator to its full capacity, simply because my plate is rather full, BUT I do use it. Mainly, making dried fruit (have you ever tasted dried cantaloupe? OMG…) and drying soaked nuts. If you’ve got a hard core real foodie to buy for, and they don’t already have a dehydrator, they’ll love you for this.
51. Breville Juicer: Truth be told, I’m not a huge juicer. I love it, don’t get me wrong, and it’s so healthy for you, but the waste factor is a huge turnoff to me. Fortunately, I created some crafty ways to re-use the juicer pulp, so it’s not a huge loss. If you’ve got a juice lover, this is the best value for a top notch machine.
52. P90X: I know, I know. Get some originality, right? Well, I’m maxed out (have you been reading this list??) and honestly, aside from the corny comments from your ridiculously in-shape host, Tony Horton peppered throughout this DVD set, it’s an ASS-KICKER and will transform your body if you do it right. Yes, really. I did it for 3 solid months when my #1 was younger (and an only child) and I was in the best shape of my life. Now, if only I could get back on that horse. Two kids is a legit ball-buster, but I digress…
53. Essential Oils Premium Starter Kit: I’ve dabbled in essential oils for years, but until recently, really started incorporating them into my life and health regimen. It’s safe to say I’m officially obsessed – they’ve changed our lives in so many ways and make a perfect gift for anyone in your life looking to eliminate toxins and bring more holistic practices into their lives. This kit is the ultimate essential oils experience – and the one I purchased when I got started. It has 11 bottles of therapeutic-grade essential oils, a home diffuser, and lots of other goodies. Grab it here.
PLUS through the end of December, Young Living will throw in a FREE bottle of their signature holiday blend, Christmas Spirit. REALLY awesome stuff!
54. FitBit: Getting more activity into our lives is fun, but keeping track of it all? Exhausting. FitBit to the rescue. Track your activity, steps, calories, and lots more, and sync it with your computer and smart phone. Remember pedometers? Yeah, those are so 2005. Get a FitBit.
55. Far Infrared Portable Sauna: I’ve been lusting after one of these for some time now, but have yet to pull the trigger. As you may know, I dig detoxing, and saunas are an amazing compliment to any detox regimen. The Far Infrared Sauna is the best of both worlds – giving you the most effective and efficient way to detox using sauna technology. And the price is right for this portable one. I guess in theory, you **could** travel with it. Can you imagine taking that though security? Ok, I’m starting to hit the wall with this list. Onward!
56. 3-Piece Starter Knife Set: Every chef (both aspiring and hacks) needs good knives. It can truly make or break the cooking experience. Unfortunately, they’re expensive as hell. With knives, you get what you pay for. Spend the money upfront.
57. Chicken Coop: Yes, you read that right. I’m an aspiring chicken lady, so this gift would make me weak in the knees. Others, not so much. If you’re spending this kind of money on a gift, hopefully you’ll know the person well enough to decide if this kind of gift would be a hit or great kindling.
58. The Gift of Health & Vitality: I couldn’t put a behemoth list like this together and leave off my favorite, life-changing program, could I? Give the gift that keeps on giving: everlasting health and vitality. We all want it, but many just don’t know where to begin.
The Superwoman Slim Down: A Real Lifestyle Reboot is the first step and the ULTIMATE re-boot your loved one needs to start the year off right. Give them the gift of a New Year’s Resolution they’ll actually KEEP this year. Contact me directly (here) to arrange this gift of health.
59. Vitamix: I lusted after the Vitamix for YEARS before finally plunking down the funds for this fine piece of machinery when my blender finally shat the bed after one too many green smoothies. Worth. Every. Penny. It does everything it says it will and then some AND it’s got a 7 year warranty.
60. Le Creuset Dutch Oven: I got this as a gift from my dear Mumsie a couple of Christmases back, and (honestly) wasn’t all that stoked about it. What was so great about this Cast Iron Dutch Oven, anyway? What a fool I was! This is one of the FEW items in my kitchen that has a permanent resting place on my stove. I use it that much. From soups to stews to one-pot meals to mass-volume grain and bean boiling to frying to sautéing and so much more. It takes cast iron to a whole new level.
61. Kitchenaid Stand Mixer: Another item that had long been on my wish list but I never got the guts to hit the purchase button, until a couple of years go when I got tired of my hand mixer. Seriously, the time alone I save by setting and forgetting this mamma jamma is enough to pay for itself. Plus, it’s great to use with the kiddos. Mila has got the usage of this baby down to a science.
62. Royal Berkey: I stumbled upon this water filtration system about 3 years ago, and was love struck from day 1. How do I love the Berkey? Let me count the ways:
- It’s ability to remove fluoride and arsenic (which is VERY common in drinking water) – it just needs an additional filter. Fluoride, you ask?! Yes, fluoride. Trust me when I say you DON’T want this in your body or that of your children. I won’t drone on, but just go a quick google search for “fluoride is a toxin” and your jaw will drop.
- It’s completely power free which is great for times when the power goes out and for the preppers in your lives – not that I live with one…oh wait, yes I do.
- It’s stainless steel – totally safe and non-toxic (y’all KNOW how I feel about plastic, right?!).
- The filters last FOREVS – like up to 5 years – FIVE YEARS! Take that, Brita!
- It’s kinda pretty and not a total eyesore in your kitchen.
There ya have it! My personal picks for holiday gifts for the health nuts in your life. Now it’s YOUR turn! Can you tell me what’s missing from this list?
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