Ten Healthy Holiday Gift and Stocking-Stuffer Ideas

By Dr. Manny Alvarez (FOX News)

The holiday season may be synonymous with the word overindulgence, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help your friends and family start off the New Year right.
From gym memberships to skincare products, there are a number of holiday gifts focused on wellness. So why not indulge the “healthy” intentions of your loved ones when shopping for presents.
Click here for a video of Dr. Manny's healthy gift picks

Here are 10 items that would make good gifts or stocking stuffers:

1.) Dakota Talking Pedometer with Pulse Meter
Recipient: Anyone
Health Benefit: Studies show that people who use pedometers walk an average of a mile more a day than those who don’t. A talking pedometer can be a great companion for a walking workout. The chatty product announces steps, distance, calories, elapsed time and current time.
Price: $19.95
Available: Shop.com

2.) Motherlove Herbals Pregnancy Sample Pack
Recipient: Any mother-to-be
Health Benefit: Organic pregnancy products to pamper moms-to-be and promote health and relaxation. The Motherlove sample pack includes 1/2 oz. Birth & Baby Massage Oil, 1/2 oz. Pregnant Belly Oil, 1/2 oz. “Baby Me” Bath, 1/4 oz. Rhoid Balm, 1/4 oz. Pregnant Belly Salve.
Price: $17.95
Available: Shop.com

3.) Exercise Band Including Handles
Recipient: Anyone/fitness buff
Health Benefit: Portable and convenient exercise program for the entire body. Helps increase upper body flexibility and strength with a regular use. Bands can be wrapped around legs for a lower body workout.
Price: $19.99
Available: Sears.com, department stores, sporting goods stores

4.) Burt’s Bees Natural Remedy Kit
Recipient: Women and men who love the outdoors
Health Benefit: Selection of natural remedies formulated to relieve the discomfort of minor skin irritations, burns, bruises, stings and scrapes. The kit includes Burt's Bees Hand Salve, .30oz; Burt's Bees Lifeguard's Choice Weatherproofing Lip Balm, .15oz; Burt's Bees Poison Ivy Soap, .80oz; Burt's Bees Peppermint Shower Soap, .80oz; Burt's Bees Therapeutic Bath Crystals, 1.5oz; Doctor Burt's Res-Q Ointment, .30 oz; Doctor Burt's Herbal Defense Ointment, .56oz; Doctor Burt's Lavender Mint Toothpaste, .56oz; Doctor Burt's Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar, .80oz.
Price: $12.99
Available: Drugstore.com, CVS Pharmacy

5.) Katadyn Micro Bottle
Recipient: Fitness buffs, college students, kids, adventurers
Health Benefit: The Katadyn Micro water bottle contains a water filtration on the go. It includes an additional carbon filter to reduce chemicals and make water taste better. Eliminates 99.9 percent of contaminants
Price: $29.99
Available: Modell’s, sporting goods stores

6.) Vegetable Steamer
Recipient: People who like to cook
Health Benefit: Steaming cooks vegetables without robbing them of their essential vitamins and minerals.
Price: $24.99
Available: Target, other general merchandisers and specialty stores

7.) Spa Day
Recipient: Anyone in need of a little R&R
Health Benefit: Help someone unwind with a relaxing massage, a soothing facial or a beautifying manicure and pedicure.
Price: $30 - $150
Available: Check the yellow pages or ask a friend to recommend a spa near you

8.) Jump Rope
Recipient: Fitness buffs
Health Benefit: Jump ropes aren’t just for kids. They’re portable, you can use them almost anywhere and they’re offer an excellent cardiovascular workout.
Price: $5 and up
Available: Sporting goods stores and general merchandisers

9.) Green Tea Gift Basket
Recipient: Tea lovers
Health Benefit: Green tea is high in disease-fighting antioxidants and some studies have showed it aid in weight loss.
Price: $16
Available: Shopstashtea.com http://shopstashtea.com/325112.html

10.) Six-Month/One-Year “Healthy” Magazine Subscription
Recipient: Magazine lovers, anyone who enjoys reading.
Health Benefit: From Men’s Health and Women’s Health to Cooking Light and Shape, fitness and other health-themed magazines offer advice and support to people seeking to make healthy changes in their lives.
Price: $15 to $25
Available: Check magazines.com for discount subscriptions

Foxnews.com health editor Marrecca Fiore contributed to this report.
Click here to check out Dr. Manny's book The Check List (Harper Collins, 2007).
Dr. Manny Alvarez is the managing editor of health news at FOXNews.com and is a regular medical contributor on the FOX News Channel. He is chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Science at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. Additionally, Alvarez is adjunct professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York University School of Medicine in New York City.


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