Presents that pamper are two a penny so why not give a loved one a seasonal gift that promotes their physical and mental wellbeing this Christmas? Fiona Tyrrellprovides a healthy wish list
Healthy Christmas eating:Healthy eating doesn't have to mean no to Christmas goodies. There are a host of companies now baking all manner of wheat, gluten, dairy and even sugar-free seasonal treats. Blazing Salads on Dublin's Drury Street (tel: 01-6719552) makes its own juicy and very large mince pies which are wheat, sugar, yeast and dairy-free. They cost €8.55 for a half-dozen. Mince pie tarts and pumpkin pie tarts cost €12.50.
The Village Bakery does a great range of gluten, diary, wheat, vegetarian and vegan Christmas goodies. Prices start at about €7.25 for six mince pies and €12.45 for pudding. This range is available in health stores across the State.
Dublin-based organic food company Absolutely Organic has put together some nice Christmas hampers which contain a range of yummy organic food including Lily O'Brien chocolates, Chai tea, jams, cheese, biscuits and organic wine. Prices range from €35-€100 and delivery is countrywide.
For hard core healthy eating individuals, the gift of a box of fruit is always a great idea. Priced at about €35, contact the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (tel: 043-42495) for a list of certified organic fruit and vegetable box suppliers.
A little bit more indulgent is Booja Booja, a range of dairy- and wheat-free chocolate truffles which taste so good it's hard to believe they're not bad for you. The range is available in health stores including Nature's Hand in Limerick (tel: 061-2288880). Priced about €6. For those of you likely to over-indulge at Christmas, consider making a gift of some preventive measures. Bioforce's Milk Thistle (€10.50) is a complex of five natural plant extracts which has mild detoxification properties - ideal to keep the body ticking over at Christmas.
Also recommended for the gruelling festive season are fat child pills - a traditional Chinese medicine remedy, which, taken three times a day, are said to counteract the effects of over eating and over drinking. €10 for a 10-day pack from the Fitzwilliam Health Clinic (tel: 01-6618949).
Healthy breaks:Pamper weekends are popular gifts at the moment, but their effect can be relatively transient. Sometimes just the drive home can counteract the uplifting effects of an indulgent Balinese massage ritual. Why not give someone the gift of a weekend away that will have a real impact on their lives?
Chrysalis (tel: 045-404713) runs one-day and weekend courses at its peaceful centre in Donard, Co Wicklow.
The programme is very varied and includes courses on vegetarian cookery, massage, creative writing, dowsing and animal communication. Day courses cost about €100. The Boghill Centre in Co Clare (tel: 065-7074644) is a residential activity centre in a postcard-perfect setting in Kilfenora.
Upcoming workshops include tribal drumming (one almost every month), Alexander Technique (April), traditional Irish music (June, July and August) and ceramics (June, July and August).
For someone who would enjoy some serious time out, consider a weekend retreat at Dzogchen Beara (tel: 027- 73032) - a Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Centre on the far-flung cliffs of the Beara peninsula in west Cork. Upcoming events include a New Year retreat, which runs from December 29th to January 1st (€250), and a retreat offering an introduction to meditation which runs from January 18th to 20th (€160).
The Organic Centre in Rossinver, Co Leitrim (tel: 071-98-54338) has a dizzying array of courses throughout the year. Its programme covers everything from mushroom identification and natural cosmetics and soap-making to cookery courses and alternative energy seminars.
Healthy plants:Plants are gifts that keep on giving. Excellent toxin busters, they are also good for promoting mental health and some have medicinal properties. All plants oxygenate the air and filter pollutants from the atmosphere but some are better than others, according to horticulturist Paul Daly who works in Woodies DIY in Galway (tel: 091-563700).
Studies have shown that plants also filter compounds such as formaldehyde and benzene which make their way into many homes via the glue in curtains, carpets and furniture, he says. Tests in the workplace have shown that indoor plants alleviate headaches and reduce absenteeism.
A NASA study highlighted the pollutant-removing properties of the Phoenix Pobelinia palm plant (available in Woodies for €12.99). Other good toxin-removing plants are the urn plant (aechmea fasciata) from the bromeliad family, the fig plant, areca palms (chrysalidocarpus lutescens) and peace lilies.
The aloe vera is a very versatile plant - not only does it clean the air but the gel inside its leaves is a great first aid treatment for burns and minor skin abrasions. Woodies is selling aloe vera plants in attractive pots for €12.99 at the moment. Tending plants is good for self-development and mental health. Why not give the gift of an orchid? Go for an orchid from the Cymbidium family. They are the easiest to care for. Even more challenging and potentially rewarding is a packet of seeds - it's cheaper than a bar of chocolate, and a lot healthier. For those who enjoy healthy eating, a great gift is Bioforce's funky dome germinator, pictured above, used to cultivate fresh shoots and sprouts in the kitchen. Price €29. A pack of starter seeds costs €7.95.
Healthy books:In 2007 there was a move away from hard-core dieting books towards more holistic approaches to health, according to Eason's Maria Dickinson.
Top sellers include Neris and India's Idiot-proof Dietand Channel 4's Cook Your Self Thin. Self-help books have also done well in 2007. The Secretby Rhonda Byrne has been a phenomenal success. Big sellers every year include Discover Your Destiny with The Monk who Sold his Ferrariby Robin S Sharma and Feel The Fear and Do It Anywayby Susan Jeffers. The Nature Doctor, a manual of traditional natural medicine from one of the world's leading naturopaths Alfred Vogel, also sells well every year. First published in 1952, it's still a good down-to-earth commonsense guide to healthy living. Healthy cook books are a good gift. Hughes and Hughes recommends Going Organicby Bob Flowerdew and Wild Garlic, Gooseberries and Meby Denis Cotter.
Healthy skincare for him and her:There is no shortage of all-natural skincare gifts available on the market. When buying there are a few things to look out for to make sure you are getting a quality product. Firstly, if a product claims to be organic, look for organic certification on the bottle. Check the ingredient list to avoid substances which can cause problems for people with sensitive skin such as parabens, sulphates and synthetic chemicals called PEGs.
One of the most popular natural ranges on the market at the moment is the Dr Hauschka brand, popular with the likes of Madonna, Brad Pitt and Kate Moss. Its Rose Day cream is an all-time favourite and is good for people who spend lots of time outdoors. A Dr Hauschka gift set costs about €100.
A new German range called Lavera which has an exhaustive range of all natural skincare made with organic ingredients is going down well with Irish punters. Creams are thick and the ingredient list is spotless.
A range of Christmas-inspired scented gels and lotions from Lavera include an orange and coco shower gel (about €8).
Lavera also does a great no-nonsense range of men's skincare products. Shaving cream costs about €6 and face wash and scrub €9. Two other all-natural male skincare ranges are the Sante Homme and Logona Mann ranges. Other well-regarded natural skincare ranges are Jason, A'kin, Dead Sea Magik and the pricy but gorgeous Spirit of Beauty products.
For a real flavour of the all-natural, try traditional Chinese medicine practitioner Amanda Hughes's creamy face cream. Use as a moisturiser or exfoliating mask. A gift box of the cream with face flannel costs €25 and is available from Amanda's skincare clinic on Fitzwilliam Square (tel: 01-6618949).
Healthy gifts made simple:Do you want to give a healthy gift but don't know where to start? An oil burner with a selection of essential oils is a great fail-safe present. All health shops, many pharmacies and most homeware stores will sell oil burners.
An introductory trio of oils could include lavender (good for stress and insomnia with a hard-not-to-like aroma), ylang ylang (a mild aphrodisiac and a confidence booster, it's ideal for the party season), and bergamot (fresh uplifting scent with floral and citrus tones).
For extra brownie points, include a box of night lights.
For something a little unusual, check out the Moon ceramic room humidifier on sale at the Dublin NutriCentre on South William Street (tel: 087-4105700).
This clever little gismo is an oil burner and humidifier in one and no night lights are needed because it hangs off the radiator.
What's more it's fair trade and one of a range of lovely ceramic products made in a village in India. Price €17.94.
Healthy options for children:It's easy to forget about children's eyes, even though their eyes are more sun sensitive than adults.
Why not invest in a pair of funky Frubi shades designed with baby and children in mind?
Made from soft foam they are practically indestructible and, according to the manufacture, give 99 per cent protection from UVA, UVB and UVC. Price are from about €15. See www.evenone.com for stockists.
For new arrivals, all-natural company Burt's Bees have a lovely Baby Bee starter kit which includes apricot baby oil and comb, dusting powder, buttermilk lotion, nappy ointment and buttermilk bath soak. Price €30.
Wheatbag-filled cuddly toys that double as heat packs are a great gift for children. They are very cute and safer than the old-fashioned hot water bottle. They are available in a range of animal shapes from giraffes to lambs at Evergreen stores in Galway. Prices are about €10.