Keeping Healthy: The Gift of Health

We have reached that time of year - where you have to think of a creative, unique gift for everyone in your life.  It should be fun - but it's often stressful.  But not if you give the gift of health.

 "There's such a food frenzy, it seems that it starts around Halloween time and I know people that buy Halloween candy, and by the time Halloween comes they need to go back to the store because they ate it," as Health and Wellness expert Pat Salzer says.

And the food just keeps on coming - between the turkey, stuffing, apple pie, eggnog, champagne, potato pancakes- the holidays and food are synonymous.  But Salzer has some suggestions during this heavy eating and gift giving time. First she says consider a giving a gift basket.

"There's so many different themes you could do whether it's a cooking theme, or an eating theme, or a theme of working out."

Pat encourages us to get creative!  For a working out theme, she suggests a good pair of gloves to walk or run with, a yoga mat, dumbbells, or a reflecting light to stay safe will staying fit.  If you're giving food as a gift - try some dried fruit and nuts, whole wheat pasta and organic sauce, and some gourmet coffee. An even better idea? Give a gift you can benefit from as well.

"So it might be a gift certificate to take a yoga class together, or for dance lessons, or a cooking class that you could take together," suggests Salzer

Another option - a cooking or fitness related magazine subscription.  And while you're doing all this shopping - Salzer suggests sneaking in a bit of physical activity.  Even if you don't have to - park further away from the stores, and once you get inside, take a couple of laps to get in some extra walking.  It may seem like nothing - but Salzer says every step counts.  Happy gift giving!