Relish Health Gift Guide 2018

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.

For the Baker:

This gorgeous cookbook from the owners of Sweet Laurel Bakery is a winner. The desserts are equally beautiful and delicious. And since they are also grain-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free, these recipes satisfy every sweet tooth, regardless of food sensitivities. The chocolate cake is amazing!

For the Chef:

Bold and adventurous flavor combinations are Ottolenghi’s specialty. His plant-forward cookbooks inspire restaurant chefs and home cooks alike. This book would be a welcome addition to any cook’s library.

For the Foodie:

Whether you are looking for a culinary high note for your own holiday table or a gift for your healthy foodie friend, pomegranate molasses is a great choice. This Middle Eastern staple has a unique flavor that is both tart and sweet. For a pop of culinary brightness, it can be added to salad dressing or drizzled on desserts or roasted veggies (think cauliflower or eggplant).

For the Coffee Connoisseur:

For the health-conscious coffee connoisseur, consider introducing them to mushroom coffee. Mushrooms’ earthy flavor complements roasted coffee beans, providing a smooth flavor and antioxidants. It’s an excellent way to fortify your morning boost! The hot chocolate flavor is delicious.

For the Tech Lovers and Night Owls:

Research shows that blue light exposure before bedtime can compromise sleep quality. Putting devices away 2-3 hours before bed is hard for many to swallow. Luckily there is an alternative. A study showed that volunteers who wore blue light-blocking glasses for the three hours before bedtime reported better sleep quality and mood than those who didn’t. Great stocking stuffer!

For the Spa Lover:

Dry skin brushing has a number of health benefits and is simple to do. Creating a ritual of regularly brushing your skin is a great way to exfoliate, stimulate your lymphatic system, and support a natural (and beautifying) detox.

For the Host and Hostess:

Stock up for party season! Nearly every host loves to receive a beautiful bottle of wine. Dry Farm Wines curates wines that are natural, organically-grown, free of chemicals and additives, sugar-free, low in sulfites, mold-free, and sustainably grown. Every curated wine is lab tested by an independent certified enologist so you can be assured you are getting a clean and delicious product.

Click here to claim a bottle for a penny.

(This blog post is not sponsored by any manufacturer. However, at no cost to you, Relish Health may receive a commission on purchases made through an Amazon link.)

How did you sleep last night?

Yesterday was World Sleep Day. Research is showing that sleep is not only important to our energy level and mood but is also closely tied to our longevity.  If sleep eluded you last night, try some of these tips for better rest tonight and in the future:

Cut back on caffeine. Response to caffeine varies person to person, but this drug remains in your system far longer than most people realize. The half-life of caffeine is several hours. This means that your morning coffee is still hanging around at lunchtime, and you may still have a quarter of the caffiene in your system at dinnertime.

Move during the day. People who exercise regularly report more satisfying sleep. Be sure to finish your workout at least three hours before bed to make sure you have proper time to relax and cool down.

Make your room dark. Light can disrupt our body’s natural secretion of melatonin. Making your room dark and avoiding blue light that is emitted from electronic devices before bedtime can help ensure our body maintains its natural circadian rhythm. If you needs some help blocking blue light, try blue light filtering glasses. 

Avoid alcohol within three hours of bedtime. While alcohol can make you sleepy, it alters the brainwave activity in your brain, preventing restorative sleep.

Relax before bed. Create an evening routine that puts you in a relaxed frame of mind. Try reading a neutral book, journaling or taking a hot bath. A hot bath with Epsom salts relaxes muscles and reduces tension through the help of magnesium sulfate.  

If sleep continues to be a concern let’s talk. Addressing hormones, blood sugar balance and stress management are also important for proper sleep.

Schedule an appointment with Relish Health today.