Healthful--and Helpful!--Gifts

Each of us is a unique, special snowflake ; ), and of course we all want a 'good' gift for the holidays, which makes us think of splashy, spectacular, jaw-dropping presents. But we often don't consider what's good for us. Sometimes we take the most important gift we're given-- our health--for granted. There's truth in the old adage, "if you don't have your health, you don't have anything." So, here are some healthful, as well as helpful, gift ideas.

You can't always be there with your children. When they are in school, are they getting the care they need? You wonder, especially if your child needs medication during the day, or has a life-threatening peanut allergy. WellCharms for kids can help you ensure your children are safe and healthy.

Wellcharms are "smart" bracelets and necklaces that serve as a medical information tool. In an emergency, teachers, bystanders, andy first respondants can access your child's vital health information (including food allergies, medication allergies, doctors, and emergency contacts) in a matter of seconds by phone, text, or Internet simply by entering the WELL-ID found on the WELLcharms. That information is available through WELLalarm™, which offers secure, 24 hours a day/7 days a week access to medical information from anywhere in the world.

And they've even improved their service with a special new addition: with Wellalarm's Platinum service, parents can even have text messages sent to their DD/DS during the day, reminding them to take their meds!

Wellcharms just informed me they are offering 20% off through December 20th with this coupon code: We Care.

I absolutely love this next product, because it works so well for my oldest son. That's right, it's all about ME! ; )

Seriously, though, if you have a child with braces, and I know a lot of you do, you know what it's after those orthodontist appointments, when your kid doesn't want to eat anything (because chewing hurts!) and you are scrambling, trying to find something they can eat. Sometimes, kids can't even open their mouths wide after having their braces tightened.

Well, an inspired Mom came to your rescue, with a little help from her own daughter, who at eleven years old was already sick and tired of her own braces (well, she'd had them on for three years, so who could blame her?).

Together, they composed The Braces Cookbook: Recipes You (and Your Orthodontist) Will Love, A Parent Award winner chock-full of recipes kids can eat even with their mouth full of metal. In addition to the recipes, there are tips for braces wearers and trivia about braces to keep kids entertained.

There's also a sequel due out early this month for those who have graduated to a little more sophisticated tastes, including adults wearing braces, The Braces Cookbook 2: Comfort Food with a Gourmet Touch.

Trust me, these books are lifesavers! (both The Braces Cookbook 9.95, and its sequel, which is coming out soon, are available at Amazon and on the Braces Cookbook website.)

This next gift idea really fills a niche these days. Wouldn't it be great if kids with food allergies could dive into one of those gift baskets you get for a birthday or holiday without having to worry about the ingredients, just like all the other kids?

Well, if you order your basket from HomeFree, they can!

HomeFree, a new brand of organic, ready-to-eat, whole grain cookies and coffee cakes free of common food allergens including peanuts, tree nuts, dairy and eggs, has put together a terrific cookie basket for the people on your list with food allergies this holiday season.

And their cookies actually taste good--really! I tried some myself. Gift certificates are also available. (Home-Free Cookie Gift Basket, 24.95).

Kids, especially teenagers, sometimes go even further with their health and diet, and decide that they don't want to eat meat. Maybe it's a lifestyle choice, a concern for animals, or just a food preference, but whatever the cause, teen who chose to go vegetarian didn't have many resources available to them specifically until Elyse May came along.

Elyse May, a 14 year-old animal lover and vegetarian herself, came up with Veggie Teens: A Cookbook and Guide for Vegetarian Teenagers, an earth-friendly e-book for teens like her. Of course, she had some help, as her Mom's a physician and her Dad's a spa chef! Veggie Teens is available for just 12.95 through the website.

I've also been given a pdf copy to give away to one lucky reader--so if your teen is a vegetarian, be the FIRST to comment on this post with your email address and I'll send the Veggie Teens e-book right over to you!