Healthy Holiday Shopping Guide

It’s holiday shopping time and what better way to show your love than give gifts that will create better health. Here’s my list of best bets for health wise gifts to give this year.

1. A series of fitness or yoga classes or even a massage from Groupon or Living Social!!

2. A gift certificate for home delivered Organic produce, teas, beans, herbs/spices, nuts, whole grains, gourmet salts, coffee, and sprouts. Healthy World Organics is my favorite local home delivered organics.

3. Work out gear, a great functional gift and very motivating. Who doesn’t love working out in gear that looks great and makes you feel great too!!

4. Stainless steel water bottles, Nathan is my very favorite! We have several in our home and are great for staying hydrated when you’re on-the-go!

5. Foam roller is great for working soreness out of tight muscles. These are all the rage now, a great way to give yourself a massage or use for doing core strengthening Pilates moves.

6. The gift of laughter is one of the best gifts for greater health! Make someone smile with a Happy Dancing Solar Flower!

7. Give the gift of health with Health Coaching Sessions! Give my $99 Healthy Holiday Coaching Special to yourself or someone you love!!

8. Thinking positive is one of the best ways to improve your health and how much joy you get out of life. I Can Do It 2012 Calendar by Louise Hay provides daily positive affirmations and words of wisdom to bring more good into your life.

9. A great cook book filled with healthy meals that taste great and are great for you! The Healthiest Meals on Earth, Eat, Drink, and Weigh Less, Greens Glorious Greens, Feeding the Whole Family, Clean Food, Peas and Thank You. I have most of these books except 2 and they are on my wish list this year!

10. For a splurge, here’s some great gadgets: Garmin 305, Vitamix, Breville Juicer, BOSU Balance Trainer.

Smoke-Rub Roast Turkey and Sweet & Gold Mash

Clean Eating Magazine released their November/December 2011 edition and their roast turkey inspired me to put in a practice turkey roasting session before Thanksgiving. I used their wonderful spice rub to roast my turkey and it turned out beautifully. You’ll have to check out their magazine for the entire recipe. Just know that you CAN make this at home and it WILL turn out like they say!!

roast turkey

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Celebrating National Childhood Nutrition Day

National Childhood Nutrition Day was created by the American Culinary Federation. It’s part of the ACFEF Chef & Child Foundation and their mission is: “To educate children and families in understanding proper nutrition through community-based initiatives led by the American Culinary Federation chef members, and to be the voice of the culinary industry in its fight against childhood hunger, malnutrition and obesity.”

Childhood Nutrition Day encourages anyone to host an event in celebration of this day and share with children fun ways to eat healthy foods and talk about the benefits of healthy eating.

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Restaurant Review: The Green Gourmet

I have been meaning to try out The Green Gourmet for several months and I finally got the chance tonight! They are an all organic and natural foods market and café, and buy from local farmers as much as possible. My friend Melissa and her family were in town for a couple of nights, and we decided to check out The Green Gourmet for dinner. Walking in you see the display case on the right and a couple of chalk boards with juice, smoothie, and information on specials. Juice Bar happy hour is 3-5pm, noted! Read more