|
Holiday gift guide: Health and wellness gift ideas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Morgan Kriz
|
|
Tuesday, 11 December 2007 |
|
|
|
|
For the mind
Gifts on a liftee’s salary ($20 and under):
 • Candles big or small, soy, paraffin, beeswax, scented or unscented can spark a light in a room as well as in the body. Besides being aesthetically pleasing, lighting a candle can be very relaxing and be a form of aromatherapy. There are many local stores around the area that have a variety of colors, scents and sizes. Prices can range anywhere from $3 to $20 or more depending on the size.
(Tahoe Store Emporium, Rainbow Bridge, Seasons, Splash Bath and Body, many more)
• Good humor. The Crystal Bay Casino presents Tahoe Comedy North every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. in the Crown Room. Many of the comedians performing have been seen on the Showtime, HBO, Comedy Central and have made appearances on syndicated radio shows. For a good laugh and to clear the mind, get someone tickets to a comedy show.
Tickets range from $10 to $15. Check out upcoming performances on www.tahoecomedynorth.com.
• Soaps, oils, scrubs, lotions, salts and body care products are a great gift for both men and women. Pick up a few items to make a complete little package — bath bombs, scented lotions and bath toys for the little guys. There are many products made by locals in retail stores — so support local artists. Gift baskets can be arranged. Prices can range from $2 to $20 per item.
Gifts on a ski patroller’s salary ($20 to $100):
 • Tibetan Singing Bowls
Tibetan Monks have been using medicine bowls to induce meditation and assist spiritual seekers to the state of enlightenment. The sound the bowls create, has an effective and proven modality that uses vibrations of sound to help reduce stress, alter consciousness and create a deep sense of peace, well being and better health. Prices range from $38 to $188 or for a quartz crystal bowl, which resonates sound quicker and louder, can run anywhere from $149 to $800. (Rainbow Bridge)
 • Give the gift of peace and relaxation with a massage, a gift most everyone will enjoy. Choose from a number of massages including Swedish, deep tissue and many other creative and effective ways to soothe aching muscles and relax the mind. Prices range from $50 on up depending on the type of massage, the length of time and also on site massages can be more expensive. (Lighthouse Spa, Aloha Spa, many more)
• Inspirational books
There is plenty of literature about health issues, relationship and personal development, meditation and many self inspiring/self help books that will motivate, light up and amuse readers. Empower someone in your life with books such as “ The Four Insights” by Alberto Villoldo, “Inspiration” by Wayne W. Dyer or “Law of Attraction,” by Michael Losier — just to name a few popular ones. Prices range from $10 to $35. Tiny books of inspirational and motivational quotes make a great stocking stuffer. Prices can be $5 to $20 for smaller books.
Gifts on a mogul’s salary ($100 and over):
• A day at a spa can relieve stress and rejuvenate the senses — give a gift certificate to a local spa to pamper someone on your holiday giving list. Facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing or wrapping someone up in personalized service will surely treat the mind, body and soul. Packages range from $100 to $500 (or more) for the amount of pampering you would like to give. (Clearwater Day Spa, Aloha Spa, many more)
For the body
Gifts on a liftee’s salary ($20 and under):
 • Help someone look and feel good while working out. Athletic or performance apparel and accessories are available at your local gym. Prices may range from $10 or more for items such as sweatbands and weight lifting gloves, to $25 for quality athletic apparel, yoga mats and $50 or more for fitness balls and full performance outfits. (Asante Lakeside Fitness, Yoga Spa)
• Ear candling, also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is a folk medicine practice said to assist the natural clearing of earwax (cerumen) and remove toxins from a person’s ear. Ear Candles are believed to help  relieve earache pain, provide relief from pressure in the sinuses and allow the ear to naturally push out the old ear wax. Directions will be included in the package. Prices range from $3 to $4. (New Moon Natural Foods).
• Keep your loved ones healthy during the winter season with organic herbal teas and tea accessories. Natura Vita in Incline Village creates customized blends of teas such as Cold and Flu, Allergy Relief and Immune Boosters. The teas are all organic and the ingredients are pure and have plenty of medicinal benefits. Prices range from $8.50 to $15 depending on the tin. To add a little more to the gift buy a tea pot, tea mug or travel mug. The French press travel tea mug has a screw off bottom to store more teas. Price of the travel mug is under $20. “Tea lovers” gift baskets are also available, ranging from $50 to $75. (Natura Vita)
Gifts on a ski patroller’s salary ($20 to $100):
• Eating well is imperative to good health. Wine, in moderation, can be part of an overall healthy diet. Why not wine and dine someone with a gift certificate to a local restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner? An average gift certificate can run anywhere from $50 to $75 (treating two people), or be more generous to include a nice bottle of wine.
 • An exercise class or clinic is perfect for the adventurous or athletic type on your holiday list. Here are a few upcoming clinics or seminars around the area, book a spot for someone you know would enjoy it:
Core skiing
This three hour clinic is geared to review, fine tune and go to the next level of core skiing on Feb. 7. The price is $65 for everything, $55 for the clinic and trail pass, or $35 for season pass holders and is for all levels.
www.royalgorge.com.
Just for Women Ski Clinics
Squaw Valley presents a unique ski program designed exclusively for women skiers throughout the winter. Spend up to five hours skiing each day in a supportive environment with small, well-matched classes taught by Squaw Valley’s top female instructors. This program incorporates a positive teaching approach designed to enhance skill development at all levels. Many other ski resorts will be offering clinics just for women for all ages and skill levels. Check out the different resorts for more information and dates. Call Squaw Valley Ski Resort (530) 581-7263.
 Yoga seminar
Noah Maze is recognized in the yoga community as one of the most advanced and proficient practitioners and teachers of Anusara Yoga. He is widely sought out as a teacher’s teacher. Maze will be in the Tahoe area Jan. 11-13 with four different classes, which include yogic philosophy, myths and stories weaved together with asana, pranayama and meditation. Sign someone up to attend one or all of the classes. Prices are (before Jan. 4) three hour $50; full workshop $140; full workshop and teacher $180. Tahoe Yoga & Wellness Center will be presenting this seminar.
Visit www.tahoeyoga.com or call Truckee (530)550-8333 or Reno (775)348-9642.
Gifts on a mogul’s salary ($100 and over):
 • Whether someone wants to tone up, slim down or recover from an injury, a personal trainer may be just what you need to give someone to fulfill their fitness goals. They will receive expert guidance, a personally tailored fitness program, individual attention, encouragement and most importantly motivation to keep going to get the results they want. Get a one time visit to learn more about the equipment or a personal fitness assessment test. Many trainers do on site training to cater to the client. Prices vary.
Check out your local gym for details.
• Bed Head pajamas.
Wrap up some of Oprah’s favorite pajamas for that bed bug on your shopping list. Bed Head pajamas use fine, high-quality fabrics, excellent tailoring and piping details. Made of 1,000 thread count they are extremely comfortable and come in a variety of patterns and styles. Price for a set can range from $145 on up.
(Splash Bath and Body)
For the soul
Consider yourself a mogul for buying or participating in any one of these ideas for your loved ones
• Fair trade after dinner mints
No better place to enjoy chocolate guilt free than at Fair & Green in Truckee’s Brickelltown district. This fair trade shop (ensuring farmers earn a fair wage, no child labor and safe working conditions) offers many boutique items such as gift baskets made from recycled telephone wire, to devilishly delicious chocolates. Try the divine mint dark chocolate. Mouth watering yet? Buy a box of 20 after-dinner mints for $7. While you’re picking out the sweets for your holiday sweetheart, mark Thursday, Feb. 7 on your calendar to return to Fair & Green for a fair trade chocolate tasting. Fair & Green donates 1 percent of its sales to nonprofit groups on its giving menu, featuring four local groups.
Fair & Green, 10382 Donner Pass Road, (530) 582-0908
Visit www.fair-and-green.com
• World-conscious slide show
Expand someone’s views of the world on Monday, Jan. 7, when you purchase $10 tickets to “Walking the War Zones of Pakistan” — Ruth Anne Kocour will chronicle and present slides of two journeys made “under-veil” into the menacing shadow of the Taliban. Three months after the U.S. bombed the stronghold of Osama bin Laden, Ruth Anne trekked the Baltoro Glacier to K2 only a short distance from the disputed Indo-Pakistan cease-fire line in Kashmir. Her second trek the following year took her through tribal regions along the Afghan border currently thought to be the hiding place of Osama bin Laden. A no host bar will take place from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at PlumpJack Conference Center. Program at 7 p.m. Tickets at door or online up to 24-hours before event. Adults are $10.
Visit www.squawvalleyinstitute.org
• Name a room in honor of a loved one
Your loved one dedicated to a life of philanthropy and service to community? Name a meeting room, garden, or grant after your special someone at the Donald W. Reynolds Non-Profit Community Center in Incline Village. The building is the focal point of collaboration for non-profit groups across the North Shore and Truckee. A naming donation or grant pays for building upkeep, ensures the continuing spirit of collaboration and community service.
(775) 298-0100 www.parasol.org
• Give a gift for good
Join the Gifts For Good campaign through the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation. Giving to the Gifts for Good campaign through the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation, you can change the life of each and every permanent and part-time resident in North Tahoe. You can give once and know that your gift is pooled with gifts from many others to benefit nonprofit organizations serving our community. Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation (Gifts for Good) (530) 587-1776
www.ttcf.net
 • Revel in Antarctica’s beauty
You’d be hard pressed to find another Truckee resident dedicated to sharing his appreciation for the Earth than Doug Stoup. Stoup and friends attempted to ski to the North Pole in 2005 in the hopes of gaining knowledge about global warming, bringing the findings back home where it could be studied, as well as sharing experience with middle schoolers.|For $4,250+, you can bag first descents in Antarctica, experience the unfathomable mystery of this rugged polar landscape, gain a first-hand appreciation for the continent’s wildlife. Ice Axe Expeditions, Stoup’s company, chartered a 110-passenger ice-strengthened ship for a 13-day, 12-night expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula Oct. 29-Nov. 10, 2008.|Ice Axe Expeditions (530) 582-1246
www.iceaxe.tvx
• Feed your community
Seems simple enough and there are many ways to help. One of the simplest is to call up Project MANA, North Tahoe and Truckee’s hunger relief organization, and ask what’s needed to outfit it’s food stores, create a memorial fund, or for $50 help buy the food for someone on a restricted diet through its F.A.C.E (Fresh Alternatives Create Empowerment) program. A “meals on wheels” type program, provides nutrition assistance to homebound clients who cannot make it to the regular food distributions. A Project MANA volunteer delivers bags of canned goods, fresh produce, milk and eggs. Companionship and connections to other social services are also provided. Contact (775) 298-0008 or visit www.projectmana.org
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 11 December 2007 )
|
|
|
