A bicycle!

If your last bicycle ride was with training wheels, well, time to consider biking again and just get out there!  A bicycle offers an opportunity to get outside and get great exercise.  There are many options for mountain bikes and hybrid bikes and more from the affordable Huffy brand (www.huffybikes.com) to the Trek brand (www.trekbikes.com).
 

Note:  You may also want to check out the Rails to Trails sites as these are safe places to go biking or hiking and a way to support the environment.  For more information, go to: www.railstotrails.com 

a subscription to a healthy magazine.

There are many choices available focused on healthy living, healthy eating, and balanced living and sometimes just one idea can help us make significant changes for a more productive and joyful life.  A few to consider include Balance Magazine (www.balancemagazine.com), Body & Soul (www.bodyandsoulmag.com) and for men, Men’s Health (www.menshealth.com).

A great way to offer your friends, family or co-workers a year of healthy living ideas!

an inspirational movie called “The Secret.”

A film of discovery and transformation that reveals resources for unlimited joy, love, relationships, health and more. 

Visit http://www.gaiam.com/category/……al-dvds.do 

a gift to promote stress relief.

It’s a hectic time of year and it really doesn’t have to be.  Take some time to de-stress and think of ways to minimize the usual hustle and bustle of the season.  Here are some ways to do just that and use your time to meet with friends for that hot cup of cocoa, or watch a holiday movie or just relax and take that hot bath with candles that’s been on your mind.

1.  Make some holiday treats and give them to your friends and co-workers.  This doesn’t take a lot of time and it shows your thoughtfulness and is fun.  Some items I created came from the Food Network www.foodtv.com.   Take a look and see how simple it can be and relaxing!

2.  Go for a ride in your neighborhood (with a thermos of hot cocoa, of course) and enjoy the twinkle of lights on your neighbor’s homes.  Play some holiday music and have fun with it.

3.  Shop online and have your gifts shipped.  Visit www.amazon.com and www.gaiam.com and one favorite item is from Real Music, a spa CD called “Zen Pause” by Thierry David. 

4.  Consider making a donation in someone’s name for the holiday.  It will help the organization and spread good will further.  This is especially good for the guy or girl that has everything.  Consider www.diabetes.org or www.worldvision.org or your favorite organization.

5.  And, it just wouldn’t be right if I didn’t include my favorite gift, a gift certificate to a day spa.  Day spas offer a lot of special packages this time of year so you may find that you just have to get one for you.  After all, this is about stress reduction so consider some time with your favorite pal and work together on simplifying your life and enjoying those special moments.

Happy Holidays and stay tuned for the 2nd Day of Christmas…