Healthy Holiday Gifts

Healthy holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list.
holiday gift

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Christmas Gift

Photo by: Ryan McVay ©(c) Ryan McVay

Ryan McVay, (c) Ryan McVay

Healthy Holiday Must-have #1: The UP wristband tracker is a sleek, easy to wear movement and sleep tracker that when paired with the app gives you legit feedback on your day-to-day lifestyle.  ($99, https://jawbone.com/up)

Why it made the list:
  • It's stylish, affordable and makes tracking your food intake, movement and sleep easy.
  • It syncs with your smart phone through an app that gives you real time feedback

Healthy Holiday Must -have #2 : The Mat by lululemon with a 5-class pack to a yoga studio or yoga DVD ( The Mat, $68.00; 5-Class Pack: around $65.00; Yoga DVD: $5.00-$15.00 on Amazon.com)

Why it made the list:
  • In the midst of holiday stress, it’s important to keep your center. There are so many benefits of yoga, some of which include an improved mood, decrease in body aches, improved sleep, more confidence; and body toning from head to toe.
  • The Mat is the ultimate when it comes to yoga mats. Key features include cushion for your hands and feet; a polyurethane coating that will stay grippy even through a really sweaty Vinyasa, antimicrobial additive that prevents mold and mildew; and washes with soapy water (no tea tree oil).

Healthy Holiday Must -have # 3 : Teavana’s Tea of the Month Club ($130.00 on Teavana.com)

Why it made the list:
  • Subscription services are all the rage right now – they arrive straight to your door each month, making them a great way to stay on track with your health and wellness goals.
  • The health benefits of tea are many – favorites include ginger to aid digestion, chamomile to aid sleep and green, which is full of free radical-fighting antioxidants.

Healthy Holiday Must-have #4: Custom-designed, limited edition ‘Snack & Give Back’ cubes from KIND Healthy Snacks - designed in collaboration with Arianna Huffington, Bobbi Brown and Grace Potter ($42.95/cube, SnackandGiveBack.co)

Why it made the list:
  • Every cube contains 20 KIND whole nut & fruit or KIND Nuts & Spices bars in each celebrity’s favorite flavors. Every bar is made from natural ingredients you and can see and pronounce and makes a tasty alternative to sugar-packed holiday baked goods and snacks.
  • Sales from each cube support a charitable cause of each woman’s choosing – so every time you gift a cube, you make the world a little kinder too. (Studies actually show that being kind makes you happier and healthier!)

Healthy Holiday Must-have #5Buddha bowls ( $25/each www.uncommongoods.com)

Why it made the list:
  • Any health nut knows mindful eating and portion control is key to a good-for-you lifestyle.  These beautiful bowls are the perfect size for sipping soup, grubbing stir-fry or savoring tea.
  • Enlightenment may be included.

Next Up

Ask the Experts: Healthy Holiday Gifts

Give loved ones a handmade gift, a healthy food gift, like a fruit-of-the-month-club, or a gift to get them cooking healthy meals, like an immersion blender.

12 Days of Healthy Holiday Gifts: Herb's Eggnog

Puerto Ricans have our own version of eggnog: coquito! My mother would always make this icy coconut-based drink for the holidays -- a mouthwatering tradition. But it can still be heavy on the calories, so these days, I make it lighter with a few easy tweaks. Here's how to make this classic holiday drink, plus how to package it up for a a unique, delicious homemade gift.

12 Days of Healthy Holiday Gifts: Spiced Nuts

In the midst of all the holiday sweet treats, sometimes you just need something savory to munch on. Making your own spiced nuts is simple and a not-so-expensive holiday gift. Make a double batch and serve some up to guests this holiday season.

12 Days of Healthy Holiday Gifts: Aida's Fruit Chips

Help a friend get their apple a day this holiday season with a container of Aida's easy spiced fruit chips. These festive chips are super-simple to make, and they'll stand out from the crowd of cakes, candies and cookies.