A Healthier Holiday Shopping Guide

by ALEXA

The 2015 Flo & Grace Healthier Holiday Shopping Guide offers healthier holiday gift ideas for those you love on any budget.

Gifts for a healthier body and mind.

Speaking to a full house at a recent conference, keynote speaker Robyn O’Brien shared something that the entire room of Mamma Bears needed to hear.

“You have got to take care of yourself.”

The stresses of mothering and life are one thing. Add to them the worries and challenges that come with chronic illness, anaphylaxis, spectrum disorders or a fight with cancer and the stress becomes overwhelming. As a caregiver, you need more than a spa day, YOU need extra care. The ones you love will always be a priority, but you are a priority, too.

You have got to take care of yourself.

For years I ignored these words. I was too busy, had too much on my plate and had too much to worry about.

Oh but silly me, I knew better.

I knew that stress was essentially a toxin and that, when unmanaged, could contribute to the likes of heart disease and cancer.

Coming off of a relatively benign adrenal crash and hormonal imbalance I decided to make 2015 a year of simplifying, making healthier choices and shunning the “shoulds”.

A lot of the work that had to be done took place in the secret places of my heart. Others were accomplished with the help of a few gadgets and things. Whether it be the pressure cooker that simplified meal making, to warm wool socks that made my feet smile, to a free meditation app that helped me zen out at a moment’s notice—here are some of the things that helped me take care of myself this year.

Mamma Bear-to-Mamma Bear, I pray that 2016 brings you more peace, more joy, more laughter and vibrant health. You are a warrior, a woman to be reckoned with. Don’t lose your fierce—breathe and keep strong.

 


 

Healthier Holiday Gift Ideas

Some of the links below may lead to you sources for which I am affiliate.

Cuisinart Pressure Cooker: My trusty kitchen companion. Chicken masala in under 20 minutes? You bet.

Juice It. Blend It. Live It. Cookbook: A great book for the juicing newbie. But the recipes don’t stop at just juices. There are chapters for smoothies and nut milks, too.

Omega J8006 Nutrition Center Juicer: I finally upgraded from my $9 Goodwill juicer to this model. Love it! Tip: You may want to check Craigslist for gently used juicers. I got mine for $125 and it had only been used twice!

Black Soap: A great stocking stuffer. The combination of essential oils in this African black soap are divine! Made with palm ash, tamarind extract and plantain peel. Caution: Contains oats that my not be certified gluten-free.

Old-School Pedometer: My goal this year was to log 5,000 steps a day. In 2016 it will be 7,500. This old-school pedometer helped me track every step I took without forking out money for a pricey Fitbit. Tip: Use a large safety pin to securely attach to your waistband.

Holiday Glasses: Laughter is the best medicine. Stock those stockings with these trippy glasses. You’ll never look at holiday lights the same way again.

Epsom Salts: Detoxify by adding 1 cup epsom salts and 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil to a hot bath.

ZEGO Bars: This mom start-up offers bars that my kids love (Apple Cinnamon, oh yeah!)—and that gives me peace of mind. No common food allergens, gluten, oats, or GMOs and they avoid ingredients that can be cross reactive to gluten (like rice) or are stomach irritants (like inulin).

Foam Roller: Knead out tight back and butt muscles. Might even spare you a trip to the chiro!

Tribest Mason Jar Personal Blender: No BPA here. A special attachment allows for blending in mason jars. Great for grinding coffee, flax and chia seed, and soft veggie and fruit smoothies.

Dr. Sara’s Shake: Chose from chocolate or vanilla. This shake is part of Dr. Sara Gottfried’s Hormone Reset Detox program. I did it twice this year. Check her out!

Life Factory Water Bottle: I don’t do anything but glass water bottles—this one is tres chic, no?

Indigestion Aid: On the occasion something doesn’t agree with my tummy I reach for these essential oil capsules instead of Pepto. Within 10 minutes I’m usually feeling much better!

Merino Socks: These Made in USA socks keep my feetsies warm and happy and they are a rockin’ deal!

DefenderPad Laptop Radiation & Heat Shield: YouTube videos on EMFs freaked me out enough to buy this shield. The company sells cases for smart phones, too.

Insight Timer: More than half a million meditators call Insight home. I love this FREE app. Got 10 minutes in the car at after school pick-up? Tune in and be all zen by the time the kids pile into the car.

 

Live With Flow and Grace™

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