These gifts keep on giving all year
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
You can support the good health of the health buffs on your list with a subscription or membership. These kinds of gifts will definitely get used — unlike yet another tchotchke or sweater.
“Most of the flavored olive oils are popular as gifts,” said Mary Jo Parker, registered dietitian in private practice in Williamsville. “Olive oil is probably by far has been studied more than any other. It’s the basis of the Mediterranean diet, which is considered the healthiest way to eat. They invite healthy cooking and can be added to salads.”
Olive Oil Lovers (https://oliveoillovers.com) offers one example of monthly olive oil delivery subscription.
As another healthful gift, Parker also likes balsamic vinegar, which may provide a tasty and healthful way to roast vegetables in the oven. It’s also flavorful for tossing a garden salad instead of using creamy dressing. Cardenas (https://cardenastaproom.com) offers three-month olive oil and balsamic vinegar subscriptions.
Consider giving membership with a meal kit service. These companies deliver the prepared, measured elements to make a meal, but the recipient does the mixing and cooking. In addition to saving time, meal prep packages also help people learn how to cook for themselves, which can aid in weight loss and improving produce intake. Most meal kit companies include options such as Mediterranean, keto, vegetarian, low-fat or other health-conscious meals to accommodate any preferred eating plan.
“Fresh fruit is good in a subscription, like oranges from Florida,” said Rosanna Monteleone, functional nutritional therapy practitioner and owner of Nature to Nourish Wellness in Niagara Falls. Hale Groves (https://www.halegroves.com) is one example.
Selecting a variety of produce items for regular delivery from a grocery service can especially help busy families or older adults who struggle to do weekly grocery shopping for perishable items. It also keeps fresh produce in the kitchen: a big plus for people who want to eat right.
Fitness subscriptions can also help people who want to stay healthy.
Richard Derwald, fitness trainer and consultant for the Erie County Senior Services, said that too many people spend far too much time “engaged for all hours on their phone, especially children. That’s the worst thing for them.”
A big proponent of physical exercise for young and not-so-young, he believes that many people feel motivated through signing up for a class or formal instruction, which provide a sense of accountability and professional instruction. A gift certificate for active lessons, such as gymnastics, boxing, dancing or martial arts could help keep someone of any age moving more. Practices such as yoga and tai chi have been linked with stress reduction and tend to be gentle on the joints. Many fitness-minded people like trying new activities and a gift certificate for a class may be just the motivation to branch out.
“For the novice who’s motivated, look into a personal trainer or instructor with certification who can set them on the right path,” said physician Michael S. Freitas, who works in primary care sports medicine for UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and directs the primary care sports medicine fellowship in the department of orthopedics at Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo.
Freitas likes the anonymous aspect and convenience of virtual fitness memberships, such as Beach Body and Peloton, which help fitness-minded people connect from anywhere.
“It’s not like a typical gym setting where you see other people you may think are noticing you — although they’re not,” he said. “Or you see other people lifting a lot more weight. You may feel intimidated. Joining an online club gives the physical and social aspect.”
Good health also relies upon rest and relaxation, but most people take little time for self-care. Consider a gift card for a massage therapist. Their modalities can help induce a sense of deep relaxation.