What are some health-related gift ideas?
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Dr. Jill Grimes answered:Show you really care by giving gifts that promote physical, mental, or spiritual health. How about fun workout socks or a new workout top? Buy matching pedometers for you and a buddy or two for some friendly competition or at least mutual encouragement. How about a gift certificate for a massage or manicure or pedicure? Or a new healthy cookbook?
Out of money (and who isn't)? Make a gift certificate for an outing to a park or walk around the lake or a bike ride. Be creative.
Also consider charitable. Nonprofit organizations are struggling, so consider them as an alternative if you have friends or business associates with whom you typically exchange gift baskets.
Show you really care by giving gifts that promote physical, mental, or spiritual health. How about fun workout socks or a new workout top? Buy matching pedometers for you and a buddy or two for some friendly competition or at least mutual... More -
Jennifer Cohen Katz answered:It's always a pleasure to receive a new kitchen gadget to help whip up quick, healthy meals. How about a colorful immersion blender to make smooth puréed veggie soups? A citrus press will supply the lemon, lime, or orange juice needed to brighten up sauces, salad dressings, or steamed vegetables. Spice grinders or mortar and pestles are tools to provide your gift recipient the aroma and flavor of freshly ground whole spices and seeds. A bamboo steamer basket is not only beautiful to look at, but turns out perfectly cooked fresh fish and crisp vegetables in minutes.
A healthy food-of-the-month club membership is a great idea for a health minded friend or family member. There are fruit-of-the-month clubs which will send out anything from a selection of gourmet pears to a medley of juicy fruit in a basket. For the traveler on your list, choose one of the jerky-of-the-month clubs featuring snacks such as chili lime turkey jerky or smoky teriyaki pork jerky.
For those on the list who are watching their weight but have run out of healthy meal ideas, look for a gift subscription to an online healthy meal planning service, such as www.eatwellmealplans.com. Check to make sure there is a registered dietitian associated with the site so your healthy eater won't have to worry about the nutritional quality of the menu. With a shopping list and delicious, nutritious recipes sent to them each week, they'll be sure to stick to their New Year’s resolution.
It's always a pleasure to receive a new kitchen gadget to help whip up quick, healthy meals. How about a colorful immersion blender to make smooth puréed veggie soups? A citrus press will supply the lemon, lime, or orange juice needed to... More -
RealAge answered:Here are some healthy gifts for the kitchen:
- Exotic Fruit-of-the-Month Club -- Filled with champagne mangoes and strawberry papayas, there's nothing ordinary about fruit baskets. Tantalize Mom's taste buds, and boost her daily dose of nutrients with fantastical fruits like feijoas (pineapple guavas) and pluots (plum/apricot hybrids). Choose from 3-, 6-, and 12-month memberships at favorite sites of food stylists and top chefs.
- Smoothie Maker -- Is your mom a wiz in the kitchen? Regardless of her culinary craft, smoothies are a deliciously simple way to make sure she gets lots of protective phytochemicals to help keep her heart, immune system, and memory healthy. The key: blending together a variety of brightly colored produce -- reds, purples, yellows, greens.
- Asian Bamboo Steamer -- For moms who don't have the time (or inclination) to count fat grams, steamers are a must-have for low-fat meals that practically cook themselves while retaining vitamins, nutrients, and flavor. Go for a two-tiered number: Throw veggies (carrots, leeks, bok choy) on one level, and fish (salmon, snapper, tilapia) on the other. Now, that's multitasking.
- Tabletop Farm -- You heard right! With this ingenious indoor aeroponic garden (just light and water, no dirt), Mom can harvest her own fresh lettuce, tomatoes, or peppers from her kitchen countertop. Or expand her culinary horizons with a Japanese herb garden that includes shiso and misuba. Both are full of calcium (for her bones), vitamin A (for healthy eyes), and vitamin C (for a strong heart and immune system).
- Artisan Olive Oils and Vinegars -- Great salad dressings encourage more salad eating, and few foods are healthier than fresh raw veggies -- all they need is a drizzle of heart-healthy extra-virgin olive oil.
- Gourmet Tea Kit -- Tea is rich in disease-fighting antioxidants, so start steeping! Set your mom up with a selection of green, white, black, and herbal teas. Complete the package with an electric kettle -- they bring water to a boil much faster than regular teapots, and they turn themselves off, a bonus for forgetful moms.
Here are some healthy gifts for the kitchen: Exotic Fruit-of-the-Month Club -- Filled with champagne mangoes and strawberry papayas, there's nothing ordinary about fruit baskets. Tantalize Mom's taste buds, and boost her daily dose of... More -
Joan Salge Blake of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answered:Shopping for health-conscious friends and family members can be quite a task. Make life easier for yourself by considering one of these trendy, healthy gift ideas.
Fruit Infusion Natural Fruit Flavor Pitcher
Since soft drinks, energy drinks, and sports drinks are the No. 1 source of added sugars in the diet of Americans, a Fruit Infusion Natural Fruit Flavor Pitcher will save any lucky recipient tons of sugar and money throughout the year. You just place sliced fruit or cucumbers in the center infuser of the pitcher and pour in the water. Keep the pitcher in the refrigerator for an unbelievable refreshing no-calorie and no-sugar added chilled beverage for less than $20.
Cooking Light The Food Lover's Healthy Habits Cookbook
Cook books are a great gift idea for healthy eaters looking to add variety to their diet. The Food Lover’s Healthy Habits Cookbook by nutrition expert Janet Helm, MS, RD and the editors at Cooking Light proves that with the right tools, both delicious and healthy can happily coexist in any lifestyle. This unique collection of more than 250 road-tested recipes, tips and solutions has done all of the thinking for you.
Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender
No matter the age of your gift recipient, fruit smoothies are loved by both young and old. This hand blender allows you to whip together yogurt, slightly defrost frozen berries, and a splash of skim milk for 100% delicious fruit smoothies in minutes. With this gadget around, it will be a snap to consume the minimum recommended 2 cups of fruit daily.
Shopping for health-conscious friends and family members can be quite a task. Make life easier for yourself by considering one of these trendy, healthy gift ideas. Fruit Infusion Natural Fruit Flavor Pitcher Since soft drinks, energy drinks, and... More
