Healthy Holiday Food Gifts Guest Blog by Kaylie Chrismon
The holidays can be very filling: full of love, memories, and joy, but also full of calories. Here are some healthy gift ideas for friends and family. Don’t worry, being healthy doesn’t mean cutting out all sweets! A couple of these ideas include sweet treats that can keep you staying on track with your upcoming New Year’s goals!
1. Infused Olive Oil and/or Vinegar
This is a wonderful gift because anyone who cooks or bakes uses olive oil and vinegar. There are many olive oil tasting bars that allow customers to sample the flavored olive oils and vinegars. Olive oils contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for the joints, heart, brain, and eyes, and vinegars contain immune properties. Options include savory flavors, such as garlic, jalapeño, and Italian herb, and sweet flavors such as espresso, chocolate, and butter.
Make it a full gift: pair the olive oil and vinegar with 1-2 oil dispensing bottles that are attractive to sit out all year!
2. Red Wine
Nothing pairs better with a hearty meal of turkey and stuffing than red wine. Choose your favorite kind and give it as a gift! Red wine contains the antioxidant, resveratrol, making it even more delicious to know that it is beneficial in moderation.
Make it a full gift: wrap a bow around the bottle and pair with 1-2 wine glasses!
3. Holiday Power Bars
Now, power bars aren’t exactly the healthiest, but they are delicious and perfect for a sweet incentive to keep physical activity a priority during the hustle and bustle. Power bars can be full of fiber and protein, as well as vitamins and minerals that can keep you full, rejuvenate your muscles, and restore nutrients after a hard workout. The harder the workout, the more delicious it tastes. Holiday options include gingerbread, peppermint, pumpkin pie, and caramel apple.
Make it a full gift: pair 2-3 bars with a water bottle and personalized workout playlist!
4. Spices and Rubs for Soup or Meat
Spices and rubs for soup and meat can be found at gourmet food stores. Try choosing a couple different flavors, such as a spicy one and a milder one. Other options include international flavors, like Caribbean and southwestern.
Make it a full gift: put the spices in a set of spice tins and label each one accordingly!
5. Dark Chocolate Bark with Pistachios & Dried Cranberries
It wouldn’t be the holidays without a little treat. Don’t worry, I’m justifying this one for you. Dark chocolate is full of antioxidants and has very little added sugar. Pistachios are high in protein and low in fat, and dried cranberries contribute to your fruit intake!
Recipe:
1 bag, 12 oz, dark chocolate chips
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup chopped pistachios
1. Melt chocolate on the stove by stirring over medium-low heat until chocolate melts.
2. Pour chocolate onto parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Spread thin using a spatula. Sprinkle nuts and cranberries on chocolate, press down slightly to secure the toppings in the chocolate, then refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes.
3. After the chocolate has set, break or cut apart into pieces.
Make it a full gift: pair it with a cute holiday apron to keep nice clothes clean while making goodies in the kitchen!
What is a favorite holiday food gift you have received?