KatySays: Gift Ideas

I’m not a big fan of holiday shopping because I’m not a fan of shopping in general, nor am I a fan of new stuff. I mean, I like stuff that is new-to-me, just not a rows and rows of brand-new stuff waiting to replace hardly-used other stuff.

Unless it’s this, and then I am totally cool with new stuff:

I am a huge fan of giving healthy gifts though -- especially stuff that I can order with a click, the day before I need it. Because yes, I am That Person, who remembers my holiday obligations two days before. Or one day after, depending on the holiday.

Like a good blogger, I have created my holiday shopping list -- mostly because, when I can’t be creative I search the internet for ideas. So I’m giving back. Most of these you can get last minute, a few you can make yourself (because I love me a homemade gift first) and a couple will cost you a gajillion dollars. Because I never know who actually reads this blog.

And, for what it's worth, this is how I roll: I don't get anything from any of these people or the products listed here. I don't advertise, in case you've noticed and that includes not making deals or getting free stuff, etc. No one on this list even knows I'm putting them on here, especially my husband, when I write about the Christmas everyone thought everyone else had terrible gas. For what it's worth.

🙂

A Massage Gift Certificate: And I don’t mean the “One Coupon Good for A Back Rub” either. I mean, I appreciate the gesture, but we both know that, in three months from now when I’m all “Honey, I’m ready for my back rub now,” you’ll either be all “Sorry, I’m booked for at least three weeks out” or else I will get my back rub, for about five minutes, with two fingers on one hand, while you watch Top Chef. I want me some professional action, you hear?

CORE Bars: I love core bars, and chances are if you’re a vegan, a fat-freak (in that you love it!), a whole-food lover, or just uber hip you’re going to love them too. I eat almost two of these a day while nursing and one a day when I’m not. Seriously, my kids are made of these things. They have a sample pack which makes a great gift, although they're fresh -- so they need to stay in the fridge or freezer. Better give a gift certificate, now that I think of it. Which reminds me of the time the Huz gave me two hard-boiled eggs for Christmas because "You always are saying why don't I boil more eggs as a convenient snack." All of Christmas Eve night everyone was wondering who farted.

A Yearly Subscription to this Blog: Hey, maybe they don't know it's free! And you can write up a little note that says A One-Year Subscription to KatySays.com. And they'll think you spent hundreds of dollars and then they'll feel obligated to get you something even nicer next year, because that's how it works. Just as Jesus would have wanted.

SKYPE Restorative Exercise™ Alignment Session: We get a lot of requests for which of our grads see people via Skype. We've got a few, here in the US and some abroad. Which reminds me of the time I told my friend I was going abroad and he said "You're already a broad" and I thought it was funny.

A Coaching Session: You may or may not be into coaching, but I treat myself to one year-review/what's up ahead session with Brook once a year, for the last few years. I have difficulty making difficult decisions (imagine that!) and an hour with this woman a year has clarified my vision on the last six or seven major changes I've made to my life over the last five years. I've given sessions with her as gifts and if you know someone who is struggling with a choice (change careers? work from home? move? get healthy?) they've always had positive feedback. I groove with her, but everyone is different. Here's a list of two more peeps that I know and love. You can see if their style aligns with your own;  http://www.msmindbody.com/coaching/ (really wanting to chill the heck out?)

Books: These are some great gift-books and most you can “gift” as a Kindle download.

Man On Top: Lose Fat, Get Fit, and Control Your Weight For Life by Roland Denzel. This book is just out. I haven’t read it but I did just order it for one of the Huz’s gifts. I know the authors and their relationship with food and movement is inspiring and this book will be too. There is rarely a book written especially for men, that addresses food and habits and movement in compassionate way. Jump on this one. You can read a bit of what they do here, and see if it's your bag: http://www.thefitink.com/

 The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide: 77 Simple Strategies for Serenity by Kate Hanley. I love to gift this book for a lot of different occasions, but at the beginning of the year is a good time to check in with stress habits and employ some of Kate's tips. Kate is hysterically funny and I'm pretty sure she learned that from watching me. You can read a sample of the book on her site and see if it's up your alley: http://www.msmindbody.com/

The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Vasant Lad. The Huz is an Ayurveda practitioner (who gives a superb, at least one-full-handed massage he wants me to let you know) so we apply Ayurvedic theory to everything. This book is a great place to start if you're unfamiliar with the concept of doshas. It simplifies so many health issues when you look at this perspective!

This is stuff that has to be ordered ahead of time:

A Half Dome: I think everyone in the world should have one of these. Or, more specifically, something of this shape. Someone made me one once by cutting a log in half and it's my favorite. So you could make one of these too. And if you fork over the money for a year's blog subscription and give it with the dome, someone's going to thank you at some point. Only, probably not anyone in your current family or friend circle because they're tired of you always saying "Katy Says." So, on second thought, don't give this to anyone, just get one for yourself.

The Full Aligned and Well DVD Series: This is a great deal for the health practitioner. Especially when you use it as a library for your clients. A great way to spread alignment info in a simple, below-the-radar. Much better than saying "Well, Katy Says you should do that, so do that."

WHO THE HECK IS THIS KATY AND WOULD YOU PLEASE STOP QUOTING HER. It's freaking me out, man.

DIY Foodstuffs: I love, Love, LOVE it when people make me food -- especially food that fits into what I am or am not eating. When you're off grains or gluten, the holidays can a a little dull. Here are two sunbeams in my day, in case you'd like to spread the love.

This recipe (click) is beyond words. I have it memorized as I've made it three times a week for the last nine weeks. Whip up a batch of these and give it to any of your Paleo-eatin' or gluten free pals. They'll love it.

A lovely lady sent this to me as a kit: A jar of coconut manna, cranberries, soaked and dried pecans and a mold. She wrote "warm and stir the manna until it's the consistency of peanut butter and pour a bit over cluster of nuts and berries." So I did.

I've since added carob. And eaten a million of these. They make a great "candy" gift for those watching sugar, grains, or are vegan. You know the other half of my children? The half that's not CORE Bars? They're made out of these. No wonder I want to eat them. My children, I mean.

DIY Minimal footwear: I just love this tutorial on do-it-yourself shoes from one of our grads at www.positivelyaligned.com. If you're good at stuff like this, these make great gifts -- especially if all your friends and family have read my book and now want minimal shoes without spending a ton of dough.

And, in case you were wondering what to get me this year:

Yes Please.
And, in case you were wondering what else to get me, in case the other thing didn’t work out -- how about a book review? It takes a few minutes of your time and is extremely helpful in 1) getting people interested in the book and 2) getting a publisher interested in a second.

EVERY TIME SOMEONE CLICKS (HERE) TO PLACE A REVIEW, AN ANGEL GETS THEIR WINGS.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeh.