I’m sure that the organised amongst you have already got Christmas wrapped up, but if like me you are more of a last-minute person, I thought you might appreciate my healthy gift guide for stocking fillers and higher-cost gifts that could positively impact the recipient’s health.

Kiki Health Organic Mushroom Cacao Powder

Organic Mushroom Cacao Powder 105g: The Natural Dispensary

I was lucky enough to receive this as a gift from my business partner Lisa. She’s a big fan of medicinal mushrooms and has been taking them in various forms for years to support her immunity. The powder contains extracts of Wild Chaga, Shiitake and Auricularia mushrooms. Mushrooms are a rich source of beta glucans which are a type of fibre which has powerful antioxidant properties and acts as an immune modulator. Foods like oats and barley also contain good levels of beta-glucans. Cacao as you may know is the raw form of cocoa and has not been heat-treated. It is also high in antioxidants and one of the richest food sources of these important phytochemicals. And as well as all these amazing health properties, it tastes delicious!

Staying on the theme of cacao I love the sound of this: Ancient & Brave Cacao + Collagen 250g: The Natural Dispensary. This is a lovely combination of antioxidant rich Cacao with collagen peptides. It also contains ashwagandha which is great for stress reliance, cinnamon which helps with blood sugar regulation and baoab which is nutrient dense. It sounds like a delicious way to keep your skin plump and joint supple. I’ve just ordered a pot and will let you know what I think.

Pukka Teas have a range of beautiful tea selection boxes. I think these make a lovely gift and can help someone make time to relax. It feels like a real treat to have such a wide choice. The range includes Active (think Matcha, Ginseng Matcha, Turmeric and Chai), Relax (Nightime, Chamomile and Tulsi), and Support (Echinacea, Tumeric, Ginger and Blackcurrant). Relax Tea Selection Box: The Natural Dispensary

Another lovely way to relax is in an Epsom Salts bath. Many of us are deficient in Magnesium, particularly if we are stressed. Having a bath with Epsom Salts is a really effective way of raising your Magnesium levels as it is readily absorbed through the skin. I love the Sleep Flakes by BetterYou they also contains lavender oil and chamomile to calm your senses and support more restful sleep.  I’ve discovered that TK Maxx is a great place to buy Espom Salts and you should be able to get them cheaply in your local chemist shop. Magnesium Sleep Flakes 1kg: The Natural Dispensary

I’m always on the lookout for clean beauty products that are free from hormone disrupting chemicals and my latest find is Antipodes, a New Zealand beauty brand. I’ve just started using their Baptise H20 Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel 60ml: The Natural Dispensary and it is divine. They have an extensive range of toiletries and make-up for every skin type.

If you are a client of mine, you will know how much I love a Gratitude Journal. Research has proven that they can have a positive effect on mood within as little as two weeks. I found these online Joy | Gratitude Journal | Papier and I love the different prompts that they ask each day. This would make a thoughtful gift for the person in your life that might be struggling with negative thoughts and low mood

If you want to spend a little more on your loved one have a look at these more expensive healthy gift ideas:

My partner bought me a Lumie® Bodyclock Spark 100 SAD Wake-up Light Alarm Clock a few years ago and I love it. It gently wakes you via a gradually brightening light over 30 minutes mimicking sunrise and you can use it at bedtime in the sunset function, where the light gradually fades. The technology is all about stimulating your natural circadian rhythms by exposing your body to bright light in the mornings and reducing exposure at the end of the day in order to encourage your body to produce more melatonin, the sleep hormone. It would make a great gift for anyone, but particularly for someone who suffers with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), insomnia or ADHD.

I also purchased a SAD lamp a few years ago and have started using it again recently, since the clocks went back. Lumie make SAD lamps too, but I bought one by Beurer. Daylight therapy lamps | beurer. SAD affects many people and is characterised by low mood, worsened when the days get shorter. Sufferers can struggle with sleep, find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning, have low motivation and brain fog, overeat (particularly comfort food) and need to nap during the day.  A natural solution is to get daily morning exposure to sunlight. Indoor artificial light is less than 1000 Lux (the measurement of light) whereas outdoor light is at least 4 times as bright. And SAD lamps can be 20,000 Lux.

Another gift for someone who struggles with sleep is blue-light blocking glasses. You wear them from 9pm onwards to block blue-light from phones and screens, thereby encouraging the brain to produce more melatonin. This website has a huge range of styles:  About Us | BlockBlueLight | Blue Light Blocking Experts

As mentioned in my last newsletter gifting a Sensate could be a life-changing gift for a loved one who is stressed or anxious. This amazing piece of technology (a vibrating pebble) tones the vagus nerve and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, enabling your body to get into a state of rest and relaxation. Click here to find out more and use my code (4WP) to get a generous discount.

Why not give the gift of nutrition this year? I am happy to provide you with a gift voucher to any monetary value which the recipient could use towards one of my packages. And if you gift someone my introductory Nutritional Therapy package (£289 for three consultations) I will reward you with a Pukka Tea Selection box. Email me now if you would like me to arrange this in time for Christmas.