I've been coming across so many fantastic health and foodie gifts the past few days. I'm taking it as a sign to create my own "Healthy Holidays Gift Guide." I'll be posting a new gift idea every day to help you with your last minute holiday shopping. And, to make sure we're all caught up I've posted 3 ideas to get started. Do you have a gift you think would be appropriate for our list? Please add it to the comments section below.

So, hold the fruitcake, cocoa powder mixes, peppermint bark and lame gift cards. Buy gifts that will bring health and happiness to other and the planet!

P.S. I'm not affiliated with any of the companies or organizations of these items and I don't get any special deals or money for promoting them. They are just cool things that I've come across and liked.

December 8 - Sprouting Kit
Buying someone a sprouting kit is probably one of the best health gifts you can buy. Sprouting is when a seed is grown just until germination when it starts to grow it's first tiny little green part. It's done by keeping sprouts moist and well ventilated and using a kit is a great way to get started. Plus, since you can watch the change happen and sprouts will begin to grow within 2-4 days it's also an excellent activity for kids (and impatient adults like myself). And you don't need a big garden to have fresh greens. Sprouts might be small but the pack a HUGE nutritional punch with loads of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and essential phytonutrients. Broccoli sprouts in particular have been shown to fight cancer and stomach ulcers. There are a lot of different kinds of sprouting kits out there. I have this sprouting kit that I got as a gift from my mom. You can also just use a jar and some cheese cloth for sprouting. Putting together your own kit along with a book on sprouting would be a great gift as well. Sprouts The Miracle Food: The Complete Guide to Sprouting is a useful guide to get any beginning sprouter started.


December 7 - Water bottle from Lifefactory
It seems like every week there is another water bottle out there that is supposed to be better, safer and snazzier than the previous one. The most recent fad being aluminum bottles which I think make drinks taste funny and I'm sure pretty we'll soon learn that those aren't so great for us either. I think that these beautiful and functional bottles from Lifefactory are THE perfect bottle. They are made of sturdy glass that is inserted into a rubber sleeve and have a nice wide mouth with screw cap. You can put hot and cold drinks in them, put them in the dishwasher and they come in beautiful colors. I've thrown mine around quit a bit and it's still in one piece. They also make baby bottles with the same concept. I don't think you can get much safer than glass. Check out all the options at Lifefactory.com. You can order online or find a store near you.

December 6 - Insulated Market Tote 
I mentioned yesterday how I use re-usable baskets to go grocery shopping. They are fantastic and I get so many compliments on them in the store. Even baggers at the register have said that these are much easier to put groceries in than those floppy bags. One basket I have is insulated with a zippered lid. Not only is it great for transporting home cold items but if I have my dogs in the car it prevents them from rummaging through my groceries if I have to run other errands and leave them alone in the car. My partner and I each grab a basket, fill it with our groceries and then head to the checkout. No shopping cart bumper cars for us! If you're alone, they fit perfectly in the cart as well. I got mine at Cost Plus World Market for only $20 but you can google "insulated market tote with lid" and get lots of other options.


December 5 - Produce Bags from EcoBags

The produce section really drives me nuts with all the plastic bags that are being used. I've resorted to looking like a crazy bag lady by saving plastic bags and shoving them into my re-usable shopping basket. But, plastic bags are still wasteful;
re-usable or not so I think I'll definitely be stocking up on a few of these adorable fabric ones. Plus, you can store your veggies in here much better than in plastic which can cause them to get soft and moldy much faster. And, if they get a little gross just toss them in the wash. Check out the EcoBags.com site for this version or a set of 5 for only $15. If you're more industrious you can always make your own as a little diy gift.




December 2 - The Earthbound Cook by Myra Goodman
I recently went through my Amazon wish list and came across this cookbook I added a while back. Unsure if I wanted to get it I checked it out my local library first. Needless to say, it's now on my must-have Christmas list! This is an unpretentious cookbook that gives you simple recipes and ideas on choosing foods that are healthier for you and the planet. My mouth was watering and I was ready to start rummaging in my pantry for ingredients to get cooking. Plus, with it's over 450 pages you'll never run out of ideas. You can get is on Amazon for around $14.

5 comments

1. Amanda Craig on December 5, 2010 at 10:46 AM

   The shirts on that site are cute!
   
   Do they have the local food wheel for the great northwest? I guess there aren't that many foods in season here in the winter and whatnot. We would starve to death! haha

    
2. EatFit. LiveWell on December 6, 2010 at 2:37 PM

   Amanda~
   We love the shirts too! Only drawback is that there are too many to choose from :)
   
   There isn't a guide for the northwest....yet. But, the New York metro one might be somewhat applicable to your area. Just make sure to store lots of root vegetables over the winter up there! :)

    
3. catlin harral on December 6, 2010 at 5:33 PM

   I love the market zip tote, I'd want at least three, and the veggie carriers, I hate using the plastic ones.

    
4. catlin harral on December 8, 2010 at 11:17 AM

   darn it I want that sprouter too! Another benefit to it too is that there is little chance for ecoli and salmonella contamination with these since you are growing it at home. Sprouts seem to get recalled for that type of thing.

    
5. EatFit.LiveWell on December 8, 2010 at 4:41 PM

   Catlin~
   You can totally sprout in a jar. It's super easy.
   Here's a little video that shows you exactly how to do it.
   http://renegadehealth.com/blog/2010/02/24/how-to-sprout-in-a-jar/
   
   The sprouts are super yummy on sandwiches and salads.
   I'm sure Corrina would love them too! :)