Healthy Gift Giving Ideas and Simple Well Being specials

Growing up in Iceland, our Santa didn’t leave presents by the chimney on Christmas morning. Instead children in Iceland believe in 13 mischievous Yule lads who live in the mountains with their ogress mother, Gryla, her third husband and a black cat! I know, strange!

Each Yule Lad has a specific idiosyncrasy and will therefore behave in a certain manner. Their names even reflect their behavior, such as ‘Door slammer’, Pot Licker, and Candle Thief. 13 days before Christmas they begin coming to town, one by one. Each night the children leave one shoe in the window so that the Yule lad can bring us a little gift or treat (or a rotting potato depending on how the child behaved the preceding day). I remember being so excited about this. I even left things in the window for them to take, such as candle for the Candle Thief and a piece of ham for the ‘Meat Grabber’.

In the spirit of 13 days before Christmas, here are 13 health and wellness inspired holiday gift ideas (just in case you are still looking for ideas … or better yet, want to buy one for yourself!)

1. Instant Pot – This is all the rage now. Instant Pot is a seven-in-one multi-cooker that works as an electric pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, warmer, and sauté pan all in one. Great for the busy cook who needs a meal on the table fast.

2. Enamel cast iron cookware – These pots and pans are not only pretty but also safe and very effective. No more carcinogenic teflon! Use your 20% off coupons for Bed, Bath and Beyond or look for them at Marshall’s at a discounted price.

3. Colorful kitchen gadgets – There is something about colorful kitchen tools that make cooking more fun! — check out spatula’s, peelers, citrus press etc from Sur La Table or William Sonoma

4. Meditation cushion – A visual anchor and comfortable seat to start or strengthen a meditation practice. This one made my wish list this year.

5. Healthy Cookbooks – I love browsing through a new cookbook and discover new ways of making really yummy and healthy meals. Here are a a couple I plan on giving this year (and maybe receiving 😉 ‘Plenty‘ or ‘At home in the kitchen’.

6. Cold brew coffee maker – Are you onto this new trend yet? Instead of putting hot water on your coffee beans, soak them in cold water for 24 hrs. You’ll get coffee with no acid. It is so good! And this little gismo makes it easy to do.

7. Stylish Lunch tote & Eco box containers. If you go through the trouble of bringing food from home, then why not carry it in nice containers. The stainless steel is a great upgrade from anything plastic (including BPA free).

8. S’well water bottle – the only way to get enough ‘good and clean’ water every day is to carry it around with you wherever you go! These bottles are so pretty, they make you WANT to carry them around as a stylish accessory!

9. Subscription to MightyFix – Know someone who wants to live a ‘greener’ life but not sure where to start? Give them a subscription to MightyFix and they’ll receive one handpicked ‘clean and green’ product every month for 3,6, or 12 months.

10. doTERRA Essential oil kit  – There are endless uses for essential oils. Whether you want to balance moods, promote faster healing of wounds, create a fresh scent in the home, or support the immune system, there is an oil for that. The introductory kit of lemon, lavender and peppermint is a wonderful small gift. Explore the other kits or create an a la carte order. Not sure what to get, reach out to me and I’ll assist you in putting together the perfect combination of oils and other wonderful doTERRA products.

11. Green chef meals – sometimes it’s nice to hand the meal planning and shopping over to someone else and just do the cooking part. Who in your life would enjoy fresh, organic ingredients for wholesome, chef crated recipes delivered right to their doorstep? Me too!

12. Vitamix – This is my all time favorite kitchen gadget. I have had mine for 8 yrs and could not Iive without it. I make smoothies, soups, sauces, dips and more in it. I have even been known to take it with me on vacations! I’m ready for a new model but my old one is still working so well I can’t justify a new one. For the most cost effective way of buying these, check out their reconditioned models on their website. This just means they have been used in a Demo show and then cleaned up and certified as new.

13. Nutrition & Wellness Coaching Gift certificate from yours truly. Certificates available for discounted services –  $100 for initial consult (valued at $150), $250 initial consult + grocery store tour (valued at $400) Please email me to order your gift certificate. I’ll mail or deliver it to you.

Wishing your peace and joy this holiday season!