Many things have changed this year. In light of this, we thought it’s a good idea to look at some healthy Christmas gift ideas to show your loved ones that you care.

After all, Christmas is generally a time for families. It’s also a time for celebration and winding down the year. Therefore, there’s no better time to have a positive impact on the health of your loved ones than this.

Healthy Christmas Gift Ideas for Plant Lovers

For the loved one that has green thumbs, why not give them joy as well as something that they can use as food?

Taking care of plants is something that many people find therapeutic. In addition, many plants can be used in cooking. In fact, this is a great way to start using food as medicine.

Here are some of my favourite herbs that grow in my garden that you can use for healthy Christmas gift ideas:

Basil

Basil leaves are delicious in several meals, for example

• Whole leaves on pizza
• Thinly sliced on top of pasta
• Blended into sauces
• Sliced in salads
• Blended into soups

Health benefits of basil

Additionally, Basil has shown to possibly have the following effects on our health:

• Improve blood circulation during pregnancy
• General digestive system health
• Kills some types of intestinal parasites
• May help prevent some forms of cancer
• Inhibition of some types of viruses
• Basil juice or seeds applied topically may alleviate insect bites and stings

Celery

Celery is oftentimes used to enhance the flavour of foods. As a matter of fact, it has so much more potential than just celery sticks with creamed cheese!

• Adds flavour to vegetable, meat or fish stock
• Celery gratin
• Waldorf salad
• Celery soup
• Used in pasta

Health benefits of celery

Celery has shown to possibly have the following effects on our health:

• Blood pressure might be lowered in hypertension patients
• Might alleviate flatulence (I am seeing many partners dash to the store for celery now :-)
• Celery may alleviate gout and rheumatism
• Total serum cholesterol can be lowered
• Celery may act as a diuretic by increasing the production of urine

Mint

Mint is one of my favourite herbs when it comes to taste! It is also a versatile plant in food:

• Mint in Greek yoghurt with berries
• Mint tea for digestion
• Balsamic reduction with mint, strawberry and basil
• Watermelon, basil, mint and feta salad
• Mint and basil pesto

Health benefits of mint

Mint has shown to possibly have the following effects on our health:

• Stimulation of the appetite
• Digestive tract health
• Tea may alleviate nausea and travel sickness
• Mint tea may alleviate morning sickness

Lavender

Lavender is not only beautiful to look at. It can be used in the kitchen as well. With that said, some varieties have a strong smell so be sure to use it sparingly and experiment:

• Meat marinades
• Baked bread
• Garnish for salads and desert

Health benefits of lavender

Like the other plants on this list, lavender has shown to possibly have the following effects on our health:

• Leaves may alleviate hiccups
• Tea may alleviate nausea
• Cooled tea may alleviate bloodshot eyes if applied as an eye bath
• Lavender tincture in bath water or applied topically may alleviate muscle cramps
• The aroma of lavender may help with relaxation and improve the quality of sleep

Healthy Christmas Gift Ideas for People Who Love to Cook

Chilli

There is always at least one chilli plant in my garden. This is because we eat a lot of spicy food with as many fresh ingredients as possible. Here are some ideas on what to do with these wonderful plants:

• Pickled chillies
• To spice up stews and soups
• Many curries use chillies as their base
• Hot sauce
• Salsa
• Jams
• Fermented foods

Health benefits of chilli

Chilli has shown to possibly have the following effects on our health:

• Improvement of blood circulation
• May prevent abnormal blood clotting
• Systemic blood pressure in hypertensive patients may be lowered
• Heartburn may be alleviated
• Hair growth in male pattern baldness may be stimulated
• May inhibit some types of detrimental bacteria

Healthy Christmas Gift Ideas for People Who Like to Pamper Themselves

This is a fun activity to do with the family whilst bringing a healthy gift to someone dear! Why would these bath bombs be seen to be beneficial for health? There are two main reasons:

Epsom salts

Epsom salts have traditionally been used in warm baths as a home remedy for:

• Stiff muscles
• Stiff joints
• Arthritis pains
• Swelling
• Bruises
• Sprains
• Relaxation

Essential oils

Aromatherapy and essential oils are a complete area of study wherein the oils are used for different effects on the person. Because of this, you can play around and find the mood you want to set!

Ingredients

• 1 cup bicarb
• 1/2 cup citric acid
• 1/2 cup Epsom salt
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• powdered colouring pigment
• 2 1/2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
• 3/4 tablespoon water
• 15 drops essential oils
• bath bomb moulds or cupcake tin

Method

1. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl. Add as much colour pigment as desired or leave it out for a white bomb.
2. Mix the wet ingredients together in a separate bowl.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones and mix. It is important to add them little by little. Furthermore, they need to be added very slowly so as to keep the citric acid from immediately activating.
4. Mix until combined and looking like wet sand.
5. Fill your moulds firmly then let it stand for a couple of minutes.
6. Gently remove the bath bombs from the moulds and let dry for 24 hours.
7. Finally, wrap them creatively and share the love!

Healthy Christmas Gift Ideas for Food Lovers

Christmas time is often seen as a time of sharing food. Here is a recap of some of our favourite healthy recipes during the year. Feel free to share them with your loved ones as gifts.

Spicy Turmeric Ginger Gummies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orange, carrot or pineapple juice
• 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
• 3 cm ginger root, thinly chopped
• 1 tablespoon agar agar powder or gelatin
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon stevia (optional)

Method:

1. Place the juice into a pan.
2. Sprinkle and mix the dry ingredients into the pan.
3. Next, simmer them over a low heat for 5 minutes, constantly stirring to make sure that it doesn’t stick or start setting.
4. Remove the ginger slices.
5. Leave to cool for 5 minutes and pour into ice trays or moulds.
6. Chill for 30 minutes.

These gummies will last for up to a week in the fridge.

Saintly sleep tea

This tea is a potent stress fighter and will help your body to let go of tension easily.  However, do note that St. Johns Wort can negate the pill. Because of this, you will have to be careful if you are on it.

Ingredients

• 25ml Spearmint
• 12.5 ml St. John’s Wort
• 12.5 ml Chamomile
• 5 ml Valerian Root
• 12.5 ml Passionflower
• 2.5 ml Himalayan salt
• 12.5 ml Rosebud

Instructions

1. Mix all of these ingredients well and keep in an airtight container
2. To make the tea, add a teaspoon into a diffuser and add 200 ml water.
3. Let steep for 3 - 4 minutes, pour and enjoy.

Coconut oil bomb

This adaptation of the classic fat bomb combines several ingredients to help with high blood pressure.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Coconut Oil
• ½ cup of Cocoa butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
• ½ teaspoon vanilla bean extract
• Pinch of Sea Salt
• 1–2 Drops of Organic Peppermint Essential Oil
• Stevia to taste

Method

1. Melt the coconut oil over low heat
2. Add all the ingredients and stir well
3. Pour mixture into ice trays and freeze

Healthy Christmas Gift Ideas for Techies

One of my absolute favourite tech gifts is the Weber Medical Spectra watch. This device uses state of the art technology from Weber Medical in Germany to treat a myriad of things. In addition to that, it has features designed to keep one healthy all-around.

For more information, please contact us!!

Yourself

Of course, there is no bigger gift that one can give than yourself. All in all, the best thing this year taught me is to cherish the time with family, friends and those we care for.

Gifts need not be things that cost money.

Indeed, a gentle smile or a word of encouragement can make a world of difference. After all, we live in a world that is filled with uncertainty. With this in mind, let us all remember our connection with each other, honour that and work from there.