By Susan Brady
Published: Friday, 3 December 2010
1. Acumat:eco: This organic acupressure mat by StyleWellness was the most common holiday gift in Sweden in 2009. Now available in the U.S., this age-old concept is a healthy one that can improve sleep, enhance relaxation, and relieve stress. Use it for yoga, meditation, or just stretching. Cheaper than a massage, far healthier than sleeping pills, this trendy item is stylish too.
2. BodyBugg: This personal calorie management system just may be the impetus someone needs to forge ahead with both weight loss and fitness plans. The BodyBugg is the armband sensor used on both The Biggest Loser and Losing It With Jillian that monitors calorie burn, both through actual steps taken (built-in pedometer), time in the gym or working out, and through daily life activities. Plug it into your computer and download calories expended, while uploading foods you have eaten, and it calculates calories consumed, energy expended and your totals for the day. A great way to keep on track with diet and fitness.
3. Cookbook: Convert your casserole queen or fast-food addict into a competent and healthy cook. Sometimes all it takes is a little inspiration from a really good cookbook. Rocco Dispirito makes home cooking easier with Now Eat This!: 150 of America's Favorite Comfort Foods, All Under 350 Calories. If you are a fan of The Biggest Loser, try the low-cal, high in flavor, and budget-friendly recipes in Biggest Loser Family Cookbook: Budget-Friendly Meals Your Whole Family Will Love. Fast-food lovers will enjoy Cook This, Not That, which provides the means to save hundreds of calories (and dollars) by recreating America’s most popular restaurant dishes.
4. CSA membership: Give the gift of healthy food (and support small local farmers) by purchasing a membership in a CSA. Community supported agriculture brings the farm to your door, providing locally-grown produce on a weekly or biweekly basis. Local Harvest, a consumer website, tries to bring you information on the best organic food that is grown closest to you. Their site allows you to find not only CSAs in your area, but also farmer's markets and local family farmstands. Their CSA locator just requires a zip code or city/state to help you find and participate in a CSA. And for a one-time shipment, TheFruitGuys also offers holiday CSA packages.
5. Customized Energy Bars: How about designing a customized energy bar for your favorite athlete? Element Bars is the ultimate in personalization. Go online and select from all natural and organic ingredients to create a one-of-a-kind energy bar. You start with a core ingredient and add fruits, nuts, sweets and boosts. Once you have decided on your choice of ingredients you actually get to name your bar.
6. Dance Lessons: Americans have rediscovered studios like Arthur Miller’s, thanks to such shows as Dancing with the Stars. Dance lessons provide a social activity (for singles), a good cardio-vascular workout (that can help tone the butt and legs as well), and can be loads of fun. Give someone the salsa, the cha-cha, the tango or the waltz for the holidays; it’s a gift they can use for the rest of their lives. (Better yet, take the classes with them!)
7. Eco-Friendly Water Bottles: Health concerns over bisphenol A (BPA) exposure in plastic bottles has made personal water bottles hip again. BPA-free and aluminum versions also help the environment by eliminating one-use water bottles from landfill and keep more money in your pocket. A $20-25 investment in a good SIGG or Camelback water bottle can be tucked in a backpack, purse or briefcase and hold your favorite beverage, not just water. Great designs are available, as are personalized bottles with names or sports teams.
8. Grill pan: This is one of my personal favorites. The grill pan allows you to cook meats, chicken, fish, and vegetables quickly and without added oil. Beautiful grill marks sear into the flesh, looking like you are preparing for a culinary photo shoot. Used on very high heat, the grill sears the juices in and provides for a tasty meal. You can buy reasonably priced ones for $25, or go high end with a Le Creuset version for $120.
9. Nintendo Wii: A bit pricier than most of the items on this list, the Wii video console has become popular with almost all age groups. You can go use the popular Wii Fit software or go bowling, play tennis, dance, do yoga, or even have Bob and Jillian from The Biggest Loser lead you through a fitness routine, all the while yelling at you to work harder!
10. Round of golf: My new favorite sport can get expensive when played on a regular basis. A gift certificate for a round or two (or for you and your favorite duffer) to either a local course or to someplace new (and challenging) is a real treat. You could even extend this to a golf getaway at a famous course.
11. Spa/Massage Certificate: One of my personal favorites, a massage, salt rub, body wrap or facial does wonders for the spirits. Set in a relaxing atmosphere, this type of pampering is usually reserved for the rich and famous, but calling around to local small spas in my area resulted in affordable specials in the $50-60 range. Of course, you can splurge on package deals, allowing mom a half-day of indulgence, but even dad will like a simple one-hour kneading (with or without hot stones).
12. Subscription to Eating Well magazine: A monthly subscription to this great publication, where good taste meets good health, will provide them with ideas and recipes on a regular basis.
http://www.healthnews.com/fitness-exercise/healthnews-dozen-12-healthy-holiday-gifts-4582.html
Published: Friday, 3 December 2010
1. Acumat:eco: This organic acupressure mat by StyleWellness was the most common holiday gift in Sweden in 2009. Now available in the U.S., this age-old concept is a healthy one that can improve sleep, enhance relaxation, and relieve stress. Use it for yoga, meditation, or just stretching. Cheaper than a massage, far healthier than sleeping pills, this trendy item is stylish too.
2. BodyBugg: This personal calorie management system just may be the impetus someone needs to forge ahead with both weight loss and fitness plans. The BodyBugg is the armband sensor used on both The Biggest Loser and Losing It With Jillian that monitors calorie burn, both through actual steps taken (built-in pedometer), time in the gym or working out, and through daily life activities. Plug it into your computer and download calories expended, while uploading foods you have eaten, and it calculates calories consumed, energy expended and your totals for the day. A great way to keep on track with diet and fitness.
3. Cookbook: Convert your casserole queen or fast-food addict into a competent and healthy cook. Sometimes all it takes is a little inspiration from a really good cookbook. Rocco Dispirito makes home cooking easier with Now Eat This!: 150 of America's Favorite Comfort Foods, All Under 350 Calories. If you are a fan of The Biggest Loser, try the low-cal, high in flavor, and budget-friendly recipes in Biggest Loser Family Cookbook: Budget-Friendly Meals Your Whole Family Will Love. Fast-food lovers will enjoy Cook This, Not That, which provides the means to save hundreds of calories (and dollars) by recreating America’s most popular restaurant dishes.
4. CSA membership: Give the gift of healthy food (and support small local farmers) by purchasing a membership in a CSA. Community supported agriculture brings the farm to your door, providing locally-grown produce on a weekly or biweekly basis. Local Harvest, a consumer website, tries to bring you information on the best organic food that is grown closest to you. Their site allows you to find not only CSAs in your area, but also farmer's markets and local family farmstands. Their CSA locator just requires a zip code or city/state to help you find and participate in a CSA. And for a one-time shipment, TheFruitGuys also offers holiday CSA packages.
5. Customized Energy Bars: How about designing a customized energy bar for your favorite athlete? Element Bars is the ultimate in personalization. Go online and select from all natural and organic ingredients to create a one-of-a-kind energy bar. You start with a core ingredient and add fruits, nuts, sweets and boosts. Once you have decided on your choice of ingredients you actually get to name your bar.
6. Dance Lessons: Americans have rediscovered studios like Arthur Miller’s, thanks to such shows as Dancing with the Stars. Dance lessons provide a social activity (for singles), a good cardio-vascular workout (that can help tone the butt and legs as well), and can be loads of fun. Give someone the salsa, the cha-cha, the tango or the waltz for the holidays; it’s a gift they can use for the rest of their lives. (Better yet, take the classes with them!)
7. Eco-Friendly Water Bottles: Health concerns over bisphenol A (BPA) exposure in plastic bottles has made personal water bottles hip again. BPA-free and aluminum versions also help the environment by eliminating one-use water bottles from landfill and keep more money in your pocket. A $20-25 investment in a good SIGG or Camelback water bottle can be tucked in a backpack, purse or briefcase and hold your favorite beverage, not just water. Great designs are available, as are personalized bottles with names or sports teams.
8. Grill pan: This is one of my personal favorites. The grill pan allows you to cook meats, chicken, fish, and vegetables quickly and without added oil. Beautiful grill marks sear into the flesh, looking like you are preparing for a culinary photo shoot. Used on very high heat, the grill sears the juices in and provides for a tasty meal. You can buy reasonably priced ones for $25, or go high end with a Le Creuset version for $120.
9. Nintendo Wii: A bit pricier than most of the items on this list, the Wii video console has become popular with almost all age groups. You can go use the popular Wii Fit software or go bowling, play tennis, dance, do yoga, or even have Bob and Jillian from The Biggest Loser lead you through a fitness routine, all the while yelling at you to work harder!
10. Round of golf: My new favorite sport can get expensive when played on a regular basis. A gift certificate for a round or two (or for you and your favorite duffer) to either a local course or to someplace new (and challenging) is a real treat. You could even extend this to a golf getaway at a famous course.
11. Spa/Massage Certificate: One of my personal favorites, a massage, salt rub, body wrap or facial does wonders for the spirits. Set in a relaxing atmosphere, this type of pampering is usually reserved for the rich and famous, but calling around to local small spas in my area resulted in affordable specials in the $50-60 range. Of course, you can splurge on package deals, allowing mom a half-day of indulgence, but even dad will like a simple one-hour kneading (with or without hot stones).
12. Subscription to Eating Well magazine: A monthly subscription to this great publication, where good taste meets good health, will provide them with ideas and recipes on a regular basis.
http://www.healthnews.com/fitness-exercise/healthnews-dozen-12-healthy-holiday-gifts-4582.html
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