Handout: 20 Ideas for Gifts of Health

Written By Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Here are some thoughtful "gifts of health" to inspire wellness and self-care for yourself and your loved ones:

  1. Dutch Oven: This kitchen workhorse is essential for one-pot meals, healthy soups, beans, and more. Choose an enamel-over-cast-iron model for even cooking and easy cleanup.

  2. Fitness Tracker: Encourage daily movement and exercise. Fitbit, Apple, and Garmin make the most popular.

  3. Healthy Cooking Class: Empower them to create nutritious meals.

  4. Herbal Tea Gift Set: Promote relaxation and healthful sipping.

  5. Yoga Class Gift Card: Offer a month’s worth of yoga classes to encourage strength, balance, and flexibility.

  6. Dishwasher-Friendly Cutting Boards: Nylon cutting boards with nonslip pads are always needed and appreciated in any kitchen.

  7. Yoga Mat and Accessories: Support their yoga or meditation practice.

  8. Fruit and Vegetable Subscription Box: Deliver fresh, seasonal produce.

  9. Healthy Snack Basket: Filled with nuts, dried fruits, and other nutritious treats.

  10. Water Bottle with Infuser: Encourage hydration with fruit-infused water.

  11. Online Fitness Program Membership: Offer guided workouts and lifestyle tips.

  12. Weighted Blanket: Promote better sleep and reduce anxiety.

  13. Air Fryer: Make healthy cooking more effortless and fun.

  14. Meditation App Subscription: Encourage daily mindfulness and mental health.

  15. Nature Hiking or Park Pass: Encourage outdoor activity and fresh air.

  16. Kitchen knives: Make meal prep more enjoyable.

  17. Smoothie Blender: Prepare healthy smoothies quickly.

  18. Exercise Bands or Weights: For at-home strength training.

  19. Health Journal or Planner: Encourage goal setting and progress tracking.

  20. UV Sunglasses: These are for eye health when driving or going outside for exercise.

Each of these gifts aims to promote physical, emotional, or mental well-being while making wellness a priority!

Download a printable PDF handout.

Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Judy’s passion for cooking began with helping her grandmother make raisin oatmeal for breakfast. From there, she earned her first food service job at 15, was accepted to the world-famous Culinary Institute of America at 18 (where she graduated second in her class), and went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland, where she focused on pastry arts and baking. After a decade in food service for Hyatt Hotels, Judy launched Food and Health Communications to focus on flavor and health. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Culinary Arts, holds a master’s degree in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, two art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and runs a food photography & motion studio where her love is creating fun recipes and content.

Judy received The Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef II certification, the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year. Her enthusiasm for eating nutritiously and deliciously leads her to constantly innovate and use the latest nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to guide her creativity, from putting new twists on fajitas to adapting Italian brownies to include ingredients like toasted nuts and cooked honey. Judy’s publishing company, Food and Health Communications, is dedicated to her vision that everyone can make food that tastes as good as it is for you.

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