By Alison Lewis for Ingredients, Inc.

It’s always rewarding to prepare and receive homemade food gifts during the holidays. Well, guess what? Not all of them have to be heavy, high-fat desserts, sugary candy, or gifts that you feel bad about afterwards. I thought I would share a list of some of my favorite homemade food gifts, including quick bread, cookies, granola and more.

If you don’t have time to bake, I’ve also included a great list of healthy food gifts you can purchase online such as chocolate, jam, peanut butter, rubs and fresh fruit. Enjoy these options for a healthier holiday season.

Healthy Homemade Food Gift Ideas

Healthy Pumpkin Bread with Flaxseed from Ingredients, Inc. – Made with Greek yogurt, canned pumpkin and simple baking ingredients, this recipe makes several small loaves just in time for the holidays.

Berry Good For You Cookies from Canola Info – This combination of oats, cherries, coconut, mini chocolate chips and almonds creates a wonderful cookie with only 100 calories and 4.5 grams of fat.

Chunky Nut Granola from Ingredients, Inc. – A very popular granola recipe filled with flaxseed, oats and easy-to-find healthy, all-natural ingredients. Fill a mason jar and top with a decorate ribbon and an ornament for a beautifully presented homemade gift.
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Hanging Christmas stockings never gets old. Even though you may be the one that packs them, it’s still an exciting and integral part of many families’ holiday traditions. Instead of packing them with candy, here is a list of pint sized products – every one of them completely tested! – that can help your family members get a leg up on a healthy, active lifestyle before the New Year’s Eve ball drops!

Handful Bras
– Originally created because company owner Jennifer Ferguson  couldn’t find a flattering sports bra, this pocket sized product is a dream come true for smaller breasted ladies. Holding you firm without flattening or causing the dreaded “Uni-boob” image, this is the one sports bra that does it all. I let my two older daughters try this bra, and it has already become a favorite. It doesn’t ride up, it flatters and holds everything into place. In other words, it does exactly what it’s *supposed* to do and none of what it isn’t.  Attractive enough to be worn alone, or flattering under a traditional work out top, this bra would make a wonderful addition to a Christmas stocking.

Myorope Balls – These “balls on a rope” appear innocent and safe, but one quick trial and you’ll know that these balls mean business! I’ve long been a fan of self-massage and trigger point pressure, even going so far as to carry a lacrosse ball in my boxing bag. It can be tricky to get the ball at just the right spot, which is where the unique design of the Myorope comes in. Offered in 2, 4 or 6, the design allows for one ball to be anchored and lets the rest get into every nook and crevice that needs help. If you’ve got a runner, CrossFit enthusiast or triathlete – or if you are a fan of foam rolling, these will be the hit of the day. (I’ve been badgered for my set every time I enter the gym!)

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We know, we know, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but many of our readers are sure to be thinking about buying gifts already. Since the summer, we’ve been keeping lists of our favorite health and fitness products, so that we could share the best of the year’s offerings in our holiday gift guides. We have gifts for the gym lover in your life, the foodie, the runner and yoga practitioner. We also have a special kids gift guide, full of fun present ideas that will encourage active play and healthy eating. No matter who you’re shopping for, we have healthy ideas that suit a range of budgets.

We’re especially excited to announce that each of these gift guides also features a prize pack, with some of the best prizes we’ve ever had the opportunity to give away. In total, we’re giving away more than $1800 in prizes this year! Check out the contest details at the end of each guide to find out how to win.

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Money may be a graduation gift that will never be returned, but you may be looking for a more unique and useful graduation gift for that high school or college senior in your life. Here are eight health and fitness gifts that are perfect for someone with a new diploma.

High School Grads

There’s some doubt about the real origins of the “freshman 15,” but it’s certainly something that many college-bound students worry about. Why not outfit your grad with tools to help them stay active and eat right?

Student Cookbooks

There are lots of cookbooks that offer advice to college student who are preparing meals in their dorms, but many of these books focus on convenience rather than health. Instead, consider picking up a copy The Healthy College Cookbook. For the adventurous, Vegan and vegetarian cookbooks are also fun for students who may want to explore new ways of eating.

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By Jessie Gorges

This Sunday is Mother’s Day so, this year, don’t get caught waiting until the last minute to only buy your mom some half-dead flowers from the drug store.

Candy and jewelry are common gift ideas, but chocolate will only add inches to your mom’s waist, and, with the skyrocketing price in gold, who can afford jewelry? Show Mom how much you love her and how much you care by getting her a gift that will keep her healthy and happy.

Check out these gift ideas that will put Mom on the right track to living an active lifestyle.

Shape-ups ($100): This gift is perfect for the mom who hates, or doesn’t have time, to go to the gym. These tennis shoes, with an elevated sole, promise to tone your muscles by simply walking. Just a 20-minute walk will have her calves tingling from all the toning.

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