This week marks the beginning of holiday gift shopping. Do you have friends or family recently diagnosed with a chronic disease who could use a gift to help boost their healthy living in the new year? Perhaps you have a friend who is new to the whole foods, plant-based lifestyle but you’re unsure what to get them? Or maybe you and your spouse want to work together next year to improve your health? Wherever you fall on the spectrum, I’ve gathered a list of gift ideas from my bookshelves and kitchen for you.

Books are a great gift for Christmas to introduce your loved ones to a plant based lifestyle. Have you ever bought books from Bookshop.org. I love this online book store because every purchase financially supports local independent bookstores! Here’s a list of a few of my favorites new and old. ***

**Note: all links will carry you to bookshop.org or amazon and author will receive a tiny associate benefit.****

1. Chef AJ’s Sweet Indulgence-Here’s one for the sweet tooth in your family. A recipe book of only desserts; gorgeous photos, easy directions, and educational tips. Just released in September 2024.
2. The Homemade Vegan Pantry: The Art of Making Your Own Staples – this has been a game changer for me this year. Author, Miyoko Schinner, is original creator of the amazing plant based products seen in the grocery store: Miyoko butter and cream cheese. Her mayo substitute recipe is perfect and so simple. This is a great basic book for those wanting to learn to create their own vegan substitutes.
3. A Couple Cooks: 100 Recipes to Cook Together – This one is for the couples that are ready to cook healthy in the new year. I love the energy of this husband and wife team. Not all recipes are vegan, but we all begin somewhere, and no better idea than beginning healthy habits as a couple. Their award-winning food blog, A Couple Cooks, was inspired by their shift from processed foods to cooking at home from scratch.
4. Think OutSide the Lunchbox by Jyl Steinback. This is a great gift for the mom or dad choosing to introduce healthier choices to their little ones. This book was recommended by my friend Meryl Fury, the founder of The 6 Million SEEDS School-based project for kids. The goal of 6 Million SEEDS is to reach students, educators, and classroom parents, school dietary personnel through direct experience of healthy foods and frequent exposure to evidence-based nutrition education created by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (not on bookshop.org)
5. Plant Based Cooking Made Easy – by Jill Dalton. This book is great for beginner’s, a recommendation by friend Janet Pearson. The book is based on the cooking show by Jill Dalton and has a QR code on every recipe with a video and how to make it each recipe. (not on bookshop.org)
6. In the Garden– by Me, Nichole Fogleman, shamelessly placing a plug for my first book. It’s a great resource for beginners; a christian devotional, whole health approach that empowers and equips individuals to take charge of their health and spiritual well-being. The impact of chronic disease cannot be overlooked. Intractable pain causes anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness. This book will help the individual take back control of their life using all three strategies of self management: diet, behavior management, and spiritual guidance.

Let’s Talk Gadgets

1. Ninja AirFryer – This past year we purchased our first airfryer. French Fries are one of my salty addictions, and being able to make my own batch of healthy fries with no oil at home in 15 minutes or less has changed my life. I made them last night for my daughter, son-in-law, and father. They went back for seconds. The great thing about this device is it’s ability to fold up and reclaim your counter space. This was my primary reason for purchasing this device. I hate bulky items on the counter, and it looks lovely matching the other appliances.
2. Electric Tea kettle – by Pohl and Schmitt; Drinking tea in the winter months is something I do daily and this device has revolutionized the ease of this habit. This past year PBNSG (plant based nutrition support group), I hosted guest Kiyomi Koike of Sei Mee Sencha Tea, the zenith of green tea with a lower caffeine content. Their Sencha stands unparalleled, offering an unmatched level of EGCG, the acclaimed antioxidant. Besides the added health benefits, I love that this is lower in caffeine, and drink this daily as a afternoon snack. The warmth of tea in the afternoon is comforting, but the caffeine is not something I can usually handle. This product is different. I’m addicted!! Sencha’s potent antioxidants are revered for their health-promoting properties.
3. Hand Held Coffee Grinder – We purchased this the Krups grinder last year. It’s quieter than previous versions. Most importantly I have found that having one of these grinders handy for grinding up spices has increased the depth of the flavorings in the dishes I prepare. For flavoring plant based recipes, having high quality spices is a must. With this gadget I grind my own vanilla from pods, mustard powder from seeds, and spices to make healthy specialty fun drink concoctions. Below is one of my favorite winter mocktail drinks of 2024. I use this gadget to grind Allspice to add to the blender for this healthy mocktail.
4. Hand held Natural Nut Butter Mixer – Tired of mixing natural nut butters? This is a great stocking stuffer for anyone and everyone. I think I might buy my hubby one today. This gift was recommended by friend, Peggy Kraus. She is an adult exercise physiologist and certified in both diabetes care and education and in teaching plant-based nutrition. She is a plant based nutrition coach at https://peggykraus.com/page/programs

Holiday Mandarin Orange – Cherry Mocktail

I have shared this recipe earlier in the year, but it would be a great mocktail for the holidays. Mandarin oranges will be in season, and you can use your great trick with grinding the Allspice for your quests and teaching them the added health benefits of this spice ( Allspice contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties called eugenol. “These compounds may help reduce inflammation in the body, which is associated with various chronic conditions, including arthritis, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.” -ispicefoods.com )

Ingredients

3 mandarin oranges

1/2 of dark red frozen tart cherries

1 tsp of Allspice – I buy unground Allspice and grind it myself with a coffee grinder

Directions: Use Vitamixer or blender and add all ingredients and blend. Use frozen cherries only and no ice needed. Add filtered water to obtain your desired consistency if needed. Usually I do not add water.

3 servings

I hope this list of books, gadgets, and recipes helps inspire your holiday shopping. Whether you’re introducing a loved one to a plant-based lifestyle or simply looking for a unique gift, there’s something here for everyone!