The holidays are in full swing. I know we're all crazy busy this time of year so I'll get right to business. Hopefully you took advantage of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales as well as supported all of your fave small businesses on Small Business Saturday. But if you still have shopping to do or are looking for a gift for someone who has everything, hopefully this list will give you some gifting ideas.
This is a list of a few of my favorite things. That I use all. the. time. I don't ever want to be without the things on this list. Ever!
First up, the kitchen because let's be honest, that's where the action is.
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
They are heavy, but they are fantastic! They cook evenly, are naturally non-stick (no more yucky chemicals!), and can be used in the oven too. They also fortify your food with iron. (Bonus!) You need at least one of these in your life.
Olive Oil
Did you know that most olive oil in the grocery store is cut with other oils like canola oil...even when it says 100% pure olive oil. I know! I was shocked! Now I only use brands I know and trust. You will be able to taste the difference. In fact, now when I taste other olive oil it tastes rancid so I always have a travel bottle in my purse.
Hand Immersion Blender
I tried to live without one when my old one quit working, but life was way too inconvenient. Once you add this tool to your kitchen you will fall in love and wonder how you lived without it for so long. Making soup, gravy, and smoothies has never been easier. Then just throw the blender end into the dishwasher.
Instant Pot
Seriously, how did I survive without this pressure cooker. It has saved me countless times. Not only can you cook things from frozen, but the cooking time is drastically reduced for everything. (Hello, bone broth!)
Cookbooks
So, I don't love cooking from recipes. Sometimes, I want to up my game a little and cook from a recipe or try something new, but mostly I just want to cook some protein and some veggies and EAT. These cookbooks have simple, yet delicious recipes that have become my go-to cookbooks.
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee
Two words...Game Changer. I have such clarity and focus during the day after just one cup of this amazing brew. They have a ground version as well along with a ton of amazing other blends that benefit your immune system, gut health, and even some that help you chill out.
PS - It's not just coffee. They offer matcha, hot cocoa and more.
French Press
My coffee has never tasted so good. Here's the thing...I've been getting better about not having an entire pot of coffee to myself. And brewing just a cup or two in a traditional coffee maker is challenging. This has solved my problem.
Vital Proteins
These collagen peptides can be added to cold or hot beverages. I also add them to pancakes and sweet treats like cookies or fat bombs. There is no flavor so you can even add it to your water bottle. It's so easy to get more collagen in your diet. It's great for hair, skin, nails and joints. This has made a huge difference for me.
The beef gelatin is used mostly for gummies at my house, but it has endless uses. You can add it to tea, broth and soup or homemade jello, custard, and many other desserts. Gelatin is great for gut health and joints.
Typically people have a very strong reaction to liver. They either LOVE it because they grew up eating it or they HATE it because "ewwww liver". I have a "I tolerate you because I need you" relationship with liver. These desiccated liver capsules saved me when I was pregnant because protein wasn't my friend and after that aversion got better...it was still touch and go. These are great to keep on hand because I find it difficult to eat the amount of liver I need to have in my diet.
Next up, the bathroom. I've been ditching the chemical laden body care products for healthier non-toxic options for several years now. Here are a few basics to help you do the same.
Epsom Salt
We go through a ton of this stuff. Add to your bath to help your body detoxify and help with sore muscles. Magnesium is a relaxation mineral so it's great to help you relax before bedtime. (read: add it to your child's bath too!) Add a few drops of essential oils and you'll feel like you're at a spa. No time to get into a bath? Make a foot soak. You still get all the great benefits. We also add it to our laundry as a fabric softener. We buy in bulk!
Dry Brush
Check out the video below that I recently posted on Facebook on how any why you might want to consider dry brushing. I discuss how to do it and many of the benefits of dry brushing, like improved lymphatic drainage for immune support, exfoliation, cleans pores, and reduces cellulite.
Essential Oils...how did I live without them? I have no idea because not a day goes by that I'm not using one, actually multiple. Not only that, I'm recommending oils left and right to people who ask...and some that don't. Sorry, not sorry. There is literally an oil for E V E R Y T H I N G. There are too many to list, but if you want a few ideas of great oils for body care they would be tea tree, lavender, and frankincense. Some of my favorite uses are using tea tree for spot acne treatment or combine with a carrier oil for the man in your life to use after shaving. Lavender is great to add to a bath, your body butter, to treat cuts, scrapes and burns, the uses are truly endless. Frankincense is great to add to your body butter or a diy face cream.
Okay, on to more oily favorites.
My Favorite Diffuser
Options. I love having them and this one doesn't disappoint. There are 3 diffusing settings, including an intermittent setting that diffuses up to 10 hours. It also has 10 LED colored light options, including a candle-like flicker mode. My fave!
Thieves
I love this blend, but what I want to recommend today is the Thieves cleaner. Okay, I know not everyone might want to receive a "gift" to help them clean, but if nothing else...buy this, wrap it up and put it under the tree for yourself. I however would welcome this as a gift with open arms. It smells amazing and cleans wonderfully...and you guessed it...no yucky chemicals. This is a concentrate and you just dilute with water. It can be used in every room, for every surface of your home...windows, floors, counters, etc. And this bottle will last you about a year. Yes, one whole year. On average, Americans spend about $1,500 annually on household cleaners. This is the easiest way to ditch the chemicals in your home and you can save money too. Just begin replacing with Thieves as you run out of the old stuff...or just toss the chemicals all at once because once you smell this and begin using it you won't want to use the other stuff!
Aroma Outfitters box
I received this as a gift a few months ago. While I'd like to display all of my oils they should be kept out of the light. This beautiful wooden storage box makes it easy to find the oil I want. It's made very well and great quality.
Lastly, a few of my favorites that didn't fit into the above categories.
Hydroflask
This water bottle makes drinking enough water easy. It fits in my cup holder in my car so I take it everywhere. I've found as long as I have water nearby, I have no issues getting in my daily allotment. The 24oz size means I don't have to constantly refill and it stays cold for hours. I ended up getting another one for coffee because I love it so much. And it keeps my coffee hot all day.
Books
Here are a few of my favorite books for the readers in your life.
These books do an excellent job explaining the "why" behind making healthier choices and why nutrition matters.
Lastly, this book helps you understand your personality in a whole new way. You can discover how you respond to expectations and find strategies to help yourself make new habits and live happier.
Bottom Line
I hope something on this list sparks a gifting idea for someone on your list or maybe inspires you to add something to your wish list. If you're all done with your shopping...first of all hats off to YOU!...but save this list for later. There are always birthdays and other reasons to gift throughout the year.
Happy Holidays!