News Taffy

Black Friday kicked off the holiday shopping season and so far retailers are having brisk sales. I’m sure there are some health conscious people on your shopping list so here is my annual gift list with a health twist.

Give everyone a Sonic Care toothbrush. I scoffed at these until my kids gave me one. I found they really do get your teeth cleaner. My dental hygienist had virtually nothing to do at my visit last month. Not only will it help with cavities and gum disease, but don’t forget that infection from your teeth can also travel to your heart. Sonic Care toothbrushes often go on sale at this time of year, and I’ve seen coupons for them, too.

Give the foodie or cook in your life a bottle of olive oil, the real stuff. See my previous piece on olive oil on September 26. Do your research carefully to make sure you are getting what you pay for and not some oil blend. Throw in a bottle of good balsamic vinegar while you are at it. Try raimondowinery.com for olive oil from a small family business in Arkansas.

Habe a swimmer in your life? Regular swimmers always need new goggles, swim caps and swim suits as the chlorine just eats them up. Swimoutlet.com is a great online source for all things wet plus you can get a gift card if you are unsure about sizes or preferences. A bottle of chlorine removal shampoo makes a great stocking stuffer.

Have a grandchild, niece or nephew who loves dance, gymnastics or a club team sport? Consider paying for lessons or membership dues for 6 months or a year to get them started, especially if the cost of participating is a stretch for the parents. Instead of another toy or worse, clothes, you will be giving a gift that keeps giving month after month plus keeps the child physically active.

Get gloves, a hat or long sleeved compression shirt for the runner on your list. While they need to protect themselves against the cold, runners don’t want heavy gear that will become soggy with sweat as they run. Your local athletic goods store can recommend something that runners like if you need help. Runners also go through shoes like the rest of us go through Kleenex. Try a pair of running shoes if you know their size and favorite brand.

Know someone who struggles with diabetes? You might consider a cookbook but be careful here as you don’t want to appear critical. The American Diabetic Association has a top selling cookbook, Diabetic Meals In 30 Minutes - Or Less with plenty of easy, diabetic friendly recipes.

Have someone on your list who loves tech gadgets? Check out the three products offered by Fitbit (see Fitbit.com). These products work together or separately to track your weight, BMI, sleep, daily steps, stairs climbed, calories burned and progress towards weekly goals. Fitbit motivates you to do just a bit more every day for a healthier lifestyle. There is an online and mobile dashboard to chart your progress and connect with friends for encouragement. Combine this with the cookbook above.

What better way to show your love at Christmas than to give a gift that helps someone become healthier? While you are at it, you might want to pick up one of these gifts for yourself. Happy shopping!