Happy Holidays from our home to yours! The season of gift-giving is officially here, and few things are sweeter to me than finding the perfect gifts for loved ones - gifts that make them feel known and loved. I’ve pulled together some of my favorite health-enhancing gift ideas, and hope this guide gives inspiration, relieves shopping frenzy, and enables you and your loved ones to savor the season.
New home health monitoring devices:
It is amazing how many home monitoring devices are now available. I am a fan of giving people knowledge about their health. The two products listed below are ideal for specific health conditions; the Food Marble is ideal for people struggling with bloating and gas, while the Biosense monitor is helpful for those using a low carb diet to support health.
Food Marble: Take the guess work out of eating. This hand held breath testing device is for people with SIBO, IBS and certain digestive issues. Monitor your meals, stress, sleep and symptoms by testing your fermentation levels with personalized, real-time results. (Save 15% though this link.)
Biosense® is a handheld breath testing device that measures fat burn (ketones) in your breath. This devices allows you to track your metabolic health and use of glucose or fat for energy. Use coupon code 9493D2AEE95 for a discount.
New Fitness Tools:
I’ve been increasing my weight training lately. I am fan of the products below for occasion muscle soreness.
Rebounder mini trampoline- Rebounding, or bouncing on a mini-trampoline, can help work the muscles in the legs, increase your endurance, support lymph drainage, and strengthen your bones, among a number of other benefits. This type of exercise is gaining popularity because it’s gentle on the joints but allows you to work your cardiovascular system without taxing the body.
A foam roller is a self-myofascial release (SMR) tool used to release tension and increase the mobility of your muscles, fascia, and other connective tissue surrounding a joint.
Body Back Buddy Classic- This low tech massager hits all the right points. I love this tool to massage trigger points or just gently knead tired muscles.
Massage Guns, also called percussive therapy devices, help relax and soothe sore muscles, whether you’re an athlete or just hunching over a desk all day.
The Gift of Food:
The gift of flavorful and nourishing food is always is season.
A delicious bottle of fresh, artisanal olive oil make a wonderful gift. I like to buy my olive oil from my local specialty olive oil shop. (Pro-tip, I always ask the shop owner for the polyphenol content of the oils I buy. The higher the number the richer the heath supporting polyphenols.)
Dark chocolate is always a welcome gift. Hu chocolate is our house favorite.
Salmon Community Supported Fishery- Give the gift of a brain-supporting, omega-3 rich seafood subscriptions. Several purveyors, like Sitka Salmon Shares or Wild Alaskan Company, send a rotating selection of premium quality seafood to your door. The fish is frozen at the peak of freshness and traceable to the source.
Homemade treats like toasted marzipan, homemade granola or dark chocolate bark are lovely ways to show appreciation to your friends, co-workers, and neighbors.