Healthy Christmas Gifts 2012

by Chris Jones on December 8, 2012

Christmas is a very special time of the year when Christians celebrate the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ and the impact that he has on their lives. The Christmas message is one of joy, peace on Earth and good will to all people. At Christmastime, we express our love and appreciation of family and friends by giving them gifts and cards. With good health in mind, I have some ideas for gifts that can provide lasting benefits for those special people in our lives, gifts that can promote their health and well-being.

1) A daily devotional book. For those who are spiritually minded, spending time each day in prayer and meditation is a very worthwhile and highly rewarding experience. Quiet time spent in devotion puts daily concerns into perspective and serves to relieve stress. The gift of a daily devotional book according to a person’s faith will lift and inspire, provide spiritual guidance, daily encouragement and peace of mind.

2) Gifts that promote healthy outdoor activities and exercise. These could include walking shoes, suitable clothing, and gardening tools. For the even more energetic, you could consider sports equipment, hiking boots and camping gear. From the point of view of our health and wellbeing, it is very important to spend more time outdoors engaging in regular low-intensity exercise. Gardening and frequent walks are highly recommended.

3) The Zero Water Filtration Pitcher/Dispenser. Available in three different sizes, each container is fitted with an interchangeable filter that uses a patented Ion Exchange System to provide the only filtered water measuring a “000” reading for total dissolved solids. It is not generally known that tap water is required to meet more stringent requirements than bottled water and the addition of the Zero Water filtration system makes it even purer. Please note that the plastic from which the pitchers and dispenser are made does not contain bisphenol A (BPA) so there is no risk that this product will leach into filtered water stored in the containers.

4) The “Magic Bullet”. This is a high-speed blender that comes with lots of accessories and is very reasonably priced. I prefer blending to juicing in the case of fruit. With juicing, the calories are concentrated and the fiber removed. Blending achieves the opposite result and the “Magic Bullet” serves its purpose well. It is quick and easy to use and simple to clean afterwards. Suggested recipe: Blend one half-cup of organic soy milk, with one chopped sweet apple and some strawberries and/or grapes, all of which are certified organic or are pesticide-free. The result is a delicious shake, rich in antioxidants, fiber, isoflavones and vitamins.

5) The Breville Juice Fountains. This family of juicers is highly recommended for their speed and ease of use. They are centrifugal juicers which first grate the fruit or vegetables and then separate the juice from the pulp using centrifugal force. The most expensive model costs $300.00 and is made of stainless steel but a budget plastic version is available, for around $100.00. Juicing is an excellent way to obtain nutrition from fresh vegetables, some of which such as chard and kale are difficult to consume raw. The only drawback with juicing, apart from concentrating calories in the case of fruits, is the removal of fiber. It is therefore important to ensure an adequate fiber intake in the diet by consuming some whole fruit, vegetables and grains also.

6) A Steamer. Whenever vegetables are to be cooked then it is best to steam or lightly stir-fry them because more of the goodness is retained this way. Boiling is not advisable because water-soluble vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals will leach out from the vegetables and be lost when the water is drained off. A steamer is therefore a very important addition to the healthy household.

7) “The Healthy Home” by Dr. Myron Wentz and Dave Wentz. An excellent book by this father and son team who take the reader on a tour through a typical home where they expose the dangers that lie within. The authors write in a very entertaining style and the narrative is interspersed with illustrations and helpful questionnaires. It is astonishing just how many toxic chemicals we unknowingly encounter in everyday life and this book contains practical advice on how to reduce our exposure and protect our health.

8) “Super Immunity” by Joel Fuhrman, M.D. An excellent book which describes in detail the steps we should take to supercharge our immune system and so protect our bodies from diseases ranging from the common cold to cancer. There is no doubt that poor diet and lack of exercise are at the root of so many health problems today. Yet the solution is at hand and Dr. Fuhrman’s latest book not only provides key guidance based on his own experience and an extensive bibliography of published research but also contains menu plans and recipes for very healthy meals.

9) “The Spectrum” by Dean Ornish, M.D. This book is a successor to “Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease” which presented his ground breaking studies on reversing coronary heart disease without drugs or surgery but instead with the adoption of a very low-fat vegetarian diet coupled with a regular exercise program, relaxation techniques and group support. Now, he has followed this work with “The Spectrum” which helps the reader assess their current health status and then offers a range of dietary and exercise options to improve their health and well-being. The book includes some of the latest information on preventive medicine and there are also some excellent recipes by the celebrated chef Art Smith.

10) “Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes” by Neal D. Barnard, M.D. If you know someone who is suffering from Type 2 diabetes or is pre-diabetic then this would be a wonderful gift for them and one whose recommendations they could discuss with their physician. Tragically, Type 2 diabetes, which used to be called Adult-Onset diabetes, is now also seen in children. It is becoming all too common, largely as a result of the current obesity epidemic. The good news is that Type 2 diabetes can be both prevented and reversed by following the healthy diet and lifestyle described by Dr. Barnard. Recipes are included in the book.

Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas and a Joyful New Year!

© Christopher J. Jones, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Adventist Health Ministry,
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, USA.

Books
1) Wentz, M. & Wentz, D. (2011) The Healthy Home. Vanguard Press, New York, 284pp.
2) Fuhrman, J. (2011) Super Immunity. Harper Collins, New York, 278 pp.
3) Ornish, D. (2007) The Spectrum: A Scientifically Proven Program to Feel Better, Live Longer, Lose Weight, and Gain Health. Ballantine Books, New York, 386 pp.
4) Barnard, N. (2007) Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes without Drugs. Random House, New York, 466 pp.

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The information and recommendations given on this site are based upon the experience of the author and on assessments of published findings by others. You should seek advice from an appropriate health professional such as a physician, dietician, nutritionist or exercise specialist if you are considering making changes to your diet and lifestyle, in the event that there may be health and fitness issues and possible food allergies to consider. It is prudent to make changes gradually rather than all at once.