Alright folks, here is my bi-annual (apparently) gift recommendation list for you! Just click on the title of each section to be taken to the various websites of the products I have listed.
I got one of these last year for Christmas and it is so great for getting your heart pumping and working up a sweat inside during the colder months. They are also really helpful for lymphatic drainage. That is a very important topic and I plan to blog about it soon!
Corey and I both have these and use them as house shoes! They are like walking on a cloud and help so much with back pain, especially if you have a lot of hard surfaces in your home or spend a lot of time on your feet. And this year they came out with some new slippers that look really nice. Oofos have been one of our favorite gifts to give both men and women lately!
You may remember my blog post a couple months ago on this topic. If not, you can find it here. Hydrogen water has a whole lot of benefits for anyone and everyone! I’ve been doing a great deal of research and comparing & I finally decided to ask for one from Evolv. My parents gave it to me yesterday when we were at their house for Thanksgiving, so I will keep you guys posted once I’m able to use it for a bit and see what I think!
4. Non-toxic candles
A couple of my personal favorite clean candles I have found and use in my home are Calyan Wax Co. and Linden Candle Company. Linden has a crackling wood wick & Calyan has a really great mission that I care a lot about, too!
5. Abide Christian Meditation App
Taking time to pause and breathe while meditating on Scripture is so calming and peace inducing. And who could use more calm and peace in this crazy world?! I love how this app has daily meditations, sleep meditations and also ones based on different emotions you may be experiencing or trials you may be facing. You have the ability choose what you need in the moment. Currently there is a series focused on gratitude and I wouldn’t be suprised if tomorrow brings about an Advent series!
As I have mentioned before, I am a big fan of magnesium/epsom salt baths… but not all soaks are created equally. I am so glad I found Flewd! They make high quality, non-toxic bath salts with bio-available magnesium + vitamins and minerals to help with anxiety, insomnia, sadness, aches, etc. This is a great gift for promoting self-care. I personally like to listen to my Abide meditation app while taking my bath, to soothe both my mind and body! If you need a refresher on the benefits of magnesium, here is my blog post on it.
7. Sourdough bread starter kit
Sourdough baking has been such a fun hobby for me the past couple of years! It is so satisfying to make and enjoy homemade bread that is beneficial for your gut and tastes delicious! There can be a bit of a learning curve, but it is fairly easy once you get the hang of it. I have this cookbook, which is great for beginners! A lot of people don’t realize you can make so much more than bread. I make pizza crust, brownies, english muffins, scones, muffins, etc. with the sourdough discard.
This is a vagus nerve stimulating device that I think looks so cool and helpful! Most of us could benefit with some assistance in managing our stress levels and helping our bodies come out of fight-or-flight, and that is exactly what Pulsetto is supposed to do. You just place it on your neck and are supposed to experience relaxation in as little as 4 minutes! I asked Santa for one for Christmas… let’s hope I’ve been good enough!
One of the best things I have done these past several months for my health is focus more on grounding! It is such an easy thing to incorporate… especially if you do a sheet on your bed. You don’t even have to think about it, you just get the benefits while you sleep! But a grounding mat can also be a great option if you would rather use it while watching t.v., sitting at your desk, etc. Connecting my grounding blog post here for more info!
10. Everyday dose mushroom coffee drink
Since my overall focus this year is on brain health, I thought I would end this post with a brain-boosting elixir that contains functional mushrooms, collagen and nootropics. Together these ingredients promote energy, focus, immunity, gut health, good mood and sleep. And I like this it is very versatile, you can add it to your coffee or tea, or drink it by itself. It is fun to experiment!
Speaking of brain health and Thanksgiving, I want to leave you with a quote I saw recently from a functional medicine psychiatrist:
“Practicing gratitude actually makes your brain work better. It causes significant changes to occur in your brain that can enhance function and make you feel better.” Dr. Daniel Amen, BrainMD
I’m grateful for my blog readers, friends and family near and far who are on this journey of life with me! I hope this list gives you all some good health-promoting ideas or inspiration for gifts to ask for for yourself or to bless your loved ones with!
Love your blog! There is a lot of healthy information and great ideas for Christmas for those that are trying to turn their health around. Nothing invasive about these products just ways to balance your body. Thank you!