Magazine

Home
Magazine
DIY Holiday Gifts For Everyone

DIY Holiday Gifts For Everyone December 17, 2013Magazine0 Comments

Holiday gifts that keep on giving!

Christina Markos

Who wouldn’t want to give an incredible homemade gift? The gift of better health and all-natural products are great gifts to give your loved ones- epsecially as we head into the New Year and make those resolutions to be healthier!

In my article about superfoods that promote vitality, I thought I would share the trail mix recipe I mentioned and show how simple and festive it is! Nuts are great for you, they contain healthy fats (omega-3 fatty acids) that also ease inflammation in the body. In this recipe I am using both walnuts and peanuts (which are actually a legume, not a nut) but contain their own superpowers, “Not only do peanuts contain oleic acid, the healthful fat found in olive oil, but new research shows these tasty legumes are also as rich in antioxidants as many fruits. While unable to boast an antioxidant content that can compare with the fruits highest in antioxidants, such as pomegranate, roasted peanuts do rival the antioxidant content of blackberries and strawberries, and are far richer in antioxidants than apples, carrots or beets. Research conducted by a team of University of Florida scientists, published in the journal Food Chemistry, shows that peanuts contain high concentrations of antioxidant polyphenols, primarily a compound called p-coumaric acid, and that roasting can increase peanuts’ p-coumaric acid levels, boosting their overall antioxidant content by as much as 22%.” (WHFoods)

I am roasting both the walnuts and peanuts to ensure we not only get great flavor, but as mentioned above, roasting the peanuts boosts their overall antioxidant content. I am using low sodium peanuts because I think the combination of salty and sweet makes for an extra tasty trail mix that will satisfy all of your taste buds.

Roasted and cooled. Cranberries and chocolate now added!

As noted in the earlier post, cranberries are also great at lowering inflammation in the body. And yes, I am using a little chocolate in my recipe…you can of course omit the chocolate, but as we know today, eating pure dark chocolate with 70-85% cocoa in moderation can prevent heart disease and is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health. Made from the seed of the cocoa tree, it is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet. So throw in a little dark chocolate for health (I like to get a bar and cut it into chunks). If you do not want the chocoalte in this mix, or don’t like chocolate (does anyone not like chocolate?) then go for some unsweetened shredded coconut or something else that is festive and nutritious.

Make your own Festive Vitality Trail Mix

What you will need:

2 cups walnuts (I get the kind that is already chopped)

1 cup low sodium peanuts (if you don’t like the salty/ sweet combo then use unsalted or raw almonds)

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

1 cup 70% dark chocolate (either chips, chunks, or a bar)

1/2 cup organic dried cranberries

2 medium mason jars or 4 small mason jars

Some festive holiday ribbon and string

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 and combine walnuts and peanuts on lined baking sheet (parchment or foil)

Roast nuts for about 10-12 minutes

Let nuts cool completely

Once cooled, add the cranberries, chocolate and coconut (optional) and mix together.

Once all the ingredients are combined the creative parts starts and you get to put your trail mix into mason jars and decorate as you wish!

Festive trail mix in a festive container!

Next up is one of my very favorite products to use. I use this scrub about twice a week and my skin has never looked better. This is in amazing gift to give because it is all natural and gentle enough for the most sensitive skin. It is like getting a microdermabrasion treatment from a spa that costs a lot of money- but for free! You have probably heard a lot about coconut oil in the news lately. It is a wonderful cooking oil, as well as an amazing moisturizer. It can be used in so many ways (I will be dedicating a whole post to it!) It works wonders on skin, moisturizing, brightening and cleansing, “Because coconut oil is naturally antibacterial, antifungal, moisturizing and, according to research, great for atopic dermatitis, many women swear by its use as a nighttime moisturizer for their face, too. ” (Prevention) By adding baking soda to the coconut oil it creates a natural microdermabrasion (exfoilant) that sloughs off dead and dry skin cells in a gentle way, while the coconut oil replenishes, cleanses and moisturizes the skin for a glowing complexion. I know so many people who swear by this skin care regimen. Here is my all-natural DIY scrub recipe: Natural Coconut Oil Exfoliating Scrub

Simple recipe that yields amazing results!

What you will need:

A measuring cup (makes it easy to mix and then pour into the gift jars)

1 cup extra virgin cold pressed organic coconut oil

2-4 tbsp baking soda

small mason jar or any other small container

Coconut oil is solid when it is at room temp or in a cool place. For this recipe it is best to warm up the coconut oil. My favorite method is to run the jar of oil under hot water for a few minutes. This usually does the trick!

This scrub is ready to be gifted!

Once the oil is in liquid form, measure and pour the correct amount into your measuring cup and add the baking soda. With a spoon mix the two together until it becomes a thick paste. If it seems to thin, add a little more baking soda, if it seems too thick, add a little more coconut oil. Once the desired thickness is obtained, pour the mixture into the desired jar and there it is! This scrub is best for the face, but can be used anywhere on the body, especially rough areas such as heels, knees and elbows.

I love to put these homemade gifts and treats into mason jars because the jars can be reused time and time again! It is fun to get creative with ribbons and ties on the jars and to personalize them for each person for you are giving a gift to. Here at the Adelle Davis Foundation we hope that your holidays are filled with health and happiness and that you spread the gift of vitality and wellness with some of these recipes. Let’s have a happy and healthy holiday season.