Article originally appears in the November 20, 2018 issue of the SNEB eCommunicator.

A recent purchase of very thick and comfy crew socks for walking led to this article. Let me connect the dots…really comfy socks for walking, more enjoyable walking, walking more often. As the holidays approach there are many outlets that provide sources of reasonably-priced ‘health/self-care’ gifts (think dollar stores or discounted grocery stores). Happy gift-giving! (Note: most items below are $20 or less, a few are about $30).

Activity-related items
**Cushioned socks for a better walk or run
**Yoga/exercise mat
**Resistance bands, hand weights
**Water bottle
**Shower gel for pampering after a gym visit
**Fanny pack for walking
**Tote bag for gym equipment
**Hat/visor
**Pedometer (find accurate pedometers @ https://www.verywellfit.com/the-most-accurate-pedometers-3432828, some in the $20 $30 range)

Cooking/health items
**Hand grinder to grind spices
**Spirulizer to make zucchini, sweet potato and other veggie ‘noodles.’ Here’s one review of 5 spiralizers @ https://foodal.com/kitchen/general-kitchenware/guides-general-kitchenware/make-healthy-vegetable-noodles-with-a-spiralizer/
**Microplane to make zest or grate items
**Box grater to make your own cauliflower ‘rice’
**Colorful kitchen tools such as spatulas and colorful spice bottles
**Set of glass storage containers along with healthy recipes to remind that special someone to bring healthy foods to work for lunch
**Hand blender to make fruit/veggie smoothies
**Herb garden starter kit to grow your own herbs
**Mug w/infuser to infuse hot water with tea leaves
**Vegetable dip mix, dry rub mix in a decorative container
**High quality aceto balsamico/balsamic vinegar (if you can’t buy locally, search online)
**Health/cooking healthy magazine subscription
**If the person you are giving to has a favorite app but there’s a fee, give it as a gift (Browse the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food and Nutrition magazine’s app archive @ https://foodandnutrition.org/tag/apps/)

**10 healthy gift ideas from a nutritionist includes suggestions such as a chef’s knife and a healthy calendar
https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/johannah-sakimura-nutrition-sleuth/healthy-holiday-gift-ideas/

**Healthy gift guide – suggestions include olive oil and homemade roasted chickpeas
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/2015/12/03/healthy-gift-guide-17-ideas-for-giving-the-gift-of-health/

**Healthy gifts from the heart – suggestions include a healthy soup basket
https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/wellness/2016/12/07/healthy-gifts-from-the-heart/

**Healthy holiday gifts – physical activity and healthy eating ideas
http://igrow.org/healthy-families/health-and-wellness/healthy-holiday-gifts1/