The Healthy Holiday Gift Guide 2016

If you’re a health & fitness nut like me, your perfect day involves slipping on your favorite pair of lulu’s, working up a good sweat and sipping on a mean, green post-workout smoothie, packed full of protein. Just imagining my perfect day gets me all fired up and ready to leap into action! If only there was a way of bottling up that feeling, sticking a bow on it and giving it to friends and family. Hmm, well whilst I muse on that, here are some more practical ideas for giving the gift of health this Christmas without breaking the bank.

1. S’well Bottle

I just LOVE my S’well bottle & wouldn’t hit the gym without it now. I bought one earlier this year before I set off on my travels to Bali. Wanting to keep my drinks cold & avoid contributing to plastic waste, I knew I should invest in a decent bottle that would keep my water cool all day long. The S’well bottle does exactly that providing you with 24 hours in which to enjoy a deliciously cold beverage. The best thing about the bottle is it doesn’t create any condensation so everything else in my bag stays dry! Oh and in case you live somewhere cold, your S’well bottle can double up as a thermos, keeping your drinks hot for up to 12 hours. Yes I know, mind-blowing! These bottles are worth every penny, buy one for your friend & then buy one for you too!

2. Foam roller

Say goodbye to your aches & pains with this awesome lightweight & portable kit. Anyone who’s putting in a solid effort at the gym will undoubtedly experience that post-workout soreness. Whilst a weekly or even monthly massage may be a little beyond the budget, this Mobility Kit from Mob Loko definitely isn’t! The foam roller comes with 2 different sized mobility balls, a peanut ball, rubber band & a carrying strap. Buy this kit if you want to look super generous!

3. Relentless Jeans

If the man in your life is looking for supreme comfort & a ridiculously good fit then look no further than Relentless Jeans. Their denim is super soft & all styles have been designed specifically for athletes. The Championship series were even designed in collaboration with Rich Froning! Check out their fashion-forward athletic range  & take advantage of their holiday deals.

4. ROMWOD Yoga Mat

Whether your friend’s an avid yogi, CrossFitter or a total newbie to stretching, this  R ROMWOD “Swole & Flexy” mat is THE place to embrace or improve your flexibility & find your recovery mode. This mat provides a fabulous anti-slip surface and great padding for knees & joints. Let’s get #swoleandflexy!

5. Strengthlete Protein Powder

When it comes to recovery, everyone knows how important protein is. Unfortunately, most of us just aren’t getting enough relative to our other macronutrients (carbohydrates & fats). I find mixing protein powder with water after a workout is a great way to stay on top of my protein needs. I love the super clean whey protein used in Strengthlete’s products which provide all the essential amino acids that can’t be produced by the body. Strengthlete Protein also contains minimal amounts of carbohydrates and fat making it a great choice for those who are looking to lose weight. Try the chocolate or vanilla flavors, they’re delicious!

6. Belle & Bell Fitness Apparel

Need a gym buddy? Get your girlfriend motivated to hit the gym with you with Bell & Bell’s fashionable, everyday gym apparel for women.

I love working out but not before I get my morning cup of coffee! So of course, I just adore this “I Lift a Latte” racerback tee by Belle & Bell! I actually picked this up for myself at the CrossFit Games earlier this year along with one of their muscle tanks & I practically live in them! As well as being super cute, their fitness apparel is soft & comfortable, making it perfect for wearing both in and outside the gym.

7. Kodiak Cakes Pancake & Waffle Mix

Yes, you read that right, superfood & waffle mix in the same sentence! The Kodiak Cakes waffle & flapjack mix transforms your usual breakfast treats into healthy & guilt-free meals you can enjoy every day. Hurrah! Don’t just take my word for it though. Consumers out there are clearly loving their pancake and waffle mixes because Kodiak Cakes are rapidly expanding their products to offer oatmeal, minute muffins & flapjacks on the go! All of their products are non-GMO and they also offer a gluten-free pancake mix & 100% organic oat flapjack & baking mix. Personally, I’m a sucker for their Protein Packed Crunchy Peanut Butter power cakes!

8. Junk Brands head-bands

When every second counts the last thing you want to be doing is wasting time pulling your hair out of your face. Junk Brands high performance headbands are made with super soft technical t-shirt fabric making them comfortable, lightweight & breathable against the skin. Their wick finish helps pull sweat away from the skin & dry quickly, perfect for those who want to get their sweat on but keep it out of their eyes! Check out the holiday gift guide on their page for the latest fashionable & festive styles for the season!

 9. Mod_e Booster Rock_it

Boost your body from the inside out and see your performance sky-rocket with Mod_e’s line of  100% organic, all natural sports performance juices. Mod_e’s Booster Rock_it is packed full of naturally invigorating ingredients, specifically designed to give you a quick and natural boost of energy pre-workout.  These 2oz shots are the perfect size as they won’t fill your stomach and can be rapidly absorbed into your bloodstream getting you ready to perform at your best in a matter of minutes. Buy online & have it shipped directly to your door!

10. Nut butters

Spread the love with nut butters! I recently discovered these two healthy nut butter alternatives at my local Whole Foods. Both are non-GMO, gluten free & insanely delicious! I just love Betsy’s Best Gourmet Peanut Butter with Cinnamon and Chia Seeds! It’s easy to stir with a deliciously gooey consistency, making it perfect to drizzle over waffles or greek yogurt. For those looking for a more paleo-friendly & vegan option, Barney’s Almond Butter is equally exquisite. Check out the flavors & recipes on their website for inspiration or enjoy it in its simplest form straight out of the jar like I do.

11. Take Eating Back – Membership Site

The ultimate nutrition gift for people looking to improve their relationship with food, lose or gain weight or change their body composition. Through a series of videos that teach you the foundation of flexible eating, the Take Eating Back Membership site guides its members to sustainable success whatever their goals.

Find out more from the founder, Jason Ackerman, via his video case studies, or join the Flexible Eating Nation on Facebook and connect with others who are a part of the Take Eating Back Revolution!