Last Minute Healthy Holiday Gift Guide for Travel, Spa, Wellness and Inspiration

Healthy Holiday Gift Guide
Travel, Spa, and Wellness

It’s the season of giving and if you’re like me and seek out healthy holiday gifts that keep on giving all year, then my hope is that you’ll enjoy this thoughtful list.  Many of these gift ideas will inspire others and truly make a difference in a person’s life, perhaps your own life.

Merry Christmas and holiday greetings to you and yours. Best wishes for a New Year filled with Good Health, Joy and many Happy Adventures! – Donna

Coloring Books
I love that Coloring Books are so widely available.    This is one that I love and it inspires me, brings me peace and truly brings me back to the present moment.  And, yes, it reconnects me with my inner child and offers a way to relax and have fun.  Coloring offers a mindful way to take a few minutes  out of a hectic day and tap into our creativity.
The Mandala Coloring Book – affordable and has 100 Mandala Coloring Pages


Skin Authority
There are several products that I like by this brand.  For family and friends living in colder climates, this is a great option for the winter season. The Holiday Essentials Duo is a useful option to keep skin, hair and nails nourished and hydrated during the winter and beyond.  This item includes the Oil Nutrient for Face, Hair, and Nails and the Moisturizing Mist..
The other product I love for gift giving is the Stocking Stuffer Sampler, offered in the 0.7 oz personal size. The Sampler includes: Hand Foot Body Restoration; Olive, Fig, Shea Butter Body Cream: Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF30 and Daily Cleanser*
* Both items offer a price break and they’re both packaged in the gold organza pouch.


Tony Redhouse
Music is Uplifting, Inspirational, Soothing, Relaxing and Energizing.
I’ve personally known Tony Redhouse for several years having first met him at Miraval Arizona.   His music touches my soul and brings me to a higher level of awareness and I believe it will do the same for you.  Tony is an Inspirational Speaker, Native American Spiritual Coach, Native American Musician, and offers Yoga and Meditation.  His titles include: Soul Blessings, Release, Deep Within and Harmony of East and West.  www.tonyredhouse.net/

Brittany Shane
I came upon Brittany’s music from an Indie film called The Village Barbershop.  I enjoyed the movie and the music so I set out to connect with Brittany and listen to more of her work.   These are two of her CDs I enjoy listening to and I chose them for this list because her music (rock, pop and poetry) inspires me and improves my well-being.  www.brittanyshane.com


Wellness Retreats for Body, Mind and Spirit
Destination spas offer programs for healthy living and are designed to help you get on track with tools to help you continue on the path to wellness when you return.  If you’re still thinking of something to do for someone close to you and you have a larger budget to do so, this is a gift that will inspire wellness for years to come.

Ideas include:
1. Shankara Ayurveda Spa at the Art of Living Retreat Center.
With stunning mountain views, this Center is just outside of Boone, N.C.   This option is great for a solo traveler, friends, couples and offers meditation and programs based on Ayurvedic practices.  www.artoflivingretreatcenter.org
2. Hilton Head Health, Hilton Head, SC.
Hilton Head Health (H3) has over 40 years of experience with their weight loss program and their newer Live Well Program.  Beginning on day one you’re assessed by H3’s fitness experts and given a personalized program, one that is effective and tailored to your needs.  Scheduling features healthy eating, fitness, behavioral health and they’re offered in private and small groups.  H3’s all-inclusive program is effective, empowering and fun.
Promotional rate effective until the end of 2015 starting at $3700 Single (7-night stay).
3. Vera Via, Carlsbad, CA
Vera Via offers one of the most unique programs among destination/health spas.  Their program helps guests accomplish specific goals including weight reduction, personal fitness and programs for long lasting health and well-being.  I love that you meet with their experts and create an individualized plan that helps you realize success during your stay with continued progress when you’re back home. Treating the ‘whole’ person leads to long lasting results.
Vera Via offers 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-week stays and a Vera Via Express 3-night stay. Rates start at $2950 per person.

A book is one of the best gifts you can give and this is one of a few that I’m including on this list. The author, Kimber Simpkins, is also a yoga instructor and author of Full.

52 Ways to Love your Body is her latest and it truly spoke to me.  About a year ago I told myself to ’embrace my body,’ and yet I’ve fallen short just as many others have in their lives.  This book gives you 52 ways to love your body and discover/rediscover your unique attributes.   Many chapters spoke to me, however Chapter 34 (Not All Hunger is for Food) did so the most.  Chapters 6, 11 and 20 also spoke to me. Kimber offers insight, tips and action steps and one per week can help you make effective changes through the year.  You may choose to get one for a friend and one for yourself!

Wine Trails: Plan 52 Perfect Weekends in Wine Country
For the family member and/or friend that loves wine and travel!
This is the latest by Lonely Planet with amazing photography (only wish I was a contributor!) and offers ideas for your next wine getaway.
20 Countries – 52 Itineraries – 327 Wineries
This guide covers where to stay, where to eat, what to do and more.
Consider pairing Wine Trails with a bottle (or two) of the wines covered.

Steeped: Recipes Infused with Tea by Annelies Zijderveld
I first connected with Annelies several years ago when she was with Mighty Leaf Tea and I was delighted when her book came out.  She’s a food writer and creator of the food blog – the food poet.  Steeped is also a Los Angeles Times Favorite Cookbook of the Year.  This book is filled with creative recipes, information on cooking with tea tools, a guide to teas and more.  Some recipes that stand out for me include Green Tea Granola, Orange-Jasmine Brussels Sprouts and Blueberry Scones with Rooibos Honey Butter.
Tea offers numerous health benefits and Steeped offers many ideas to add more creative recipes to your healthy meal planning.

Another book that I love!  It’s actually a journal and written by self-taught artist, Meera Lee Patel.
Start Where You Are – A Journal for Self-Exploration
Meera believes that it is the act of starting somewhere first (anywhere) that takes us to where we want to be.  This is also part of my belief system, which is why I think this journal resonates so much.  I think it’s one that you’ll also enjoy.  It is filled with Meera’s colorful artwork, insightful quotes and thoughts to inspire you to take action.

Photo: Pixabay