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The runner's healthy holiday gift list
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Courtesy of About.com
While getting running gear can warm the heart of any runner, getting gear to keep them healthy and happy can be just as good. Here are 5 ideas for keeping your favorite runner healthy this holiday season, and all year round.
Reusable Water Bottles
Carrying water in a reusable water bottle is not only Earth-friendly, but it will help your runner stay hydrated. Hydration is just as important in cold months as it is in warmer months, even if you think you sweat less. You still sweat in the colder months, and you also lose moisture due to the dry indoor air. Some good bottles to look for are Nalgene and Camelbak, both environment and human friendly because they're made BPA-free.
Tea
Tea is quickly becoming a staple in a healthy runner's cabinet. There are several different types of tea, but they all are high in antioxidants and compounds known to combat chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Whether you drink tea in the morning for that much needed pick-me-up, or in the evening as a way to relax, choose a tea that is less processed and more whole-leaf sold in infuser bags. Some good choices (and my personal favorites) are Revolution Tea and Mighty Leaf Tea.
Microwave Popcorn Popper
This isn't your average popcorn popper. I saw this popper from Sur La Table on the Today Show. And it pops up the goodness in under 3 minutes without any oil. There is a lid to add some butter, but the fresh warm popcorn is yummy all by itself. Popcorn is a healthy, whole-grain snack that you can take anywhere, even on a run. And you can add flavor with a sprinkle of spices or Parmesean cheese instead of high-fat butter.
Penzey's Spices
A friend of mine gave me a Penzey's spice gift set many years ago for my birthday. Life as I knew it had changed! While Penzey's carries your usual spices like oregano and basil, they have these spice blends that have become a staple in my house. They have blends we use on pasta instead of sauce, which adds a ton of flavor without added calories. There are blends that are great for any type of meat, vegetables, soups, and salad dressings. They take the guess work out of what to do for a meal. For example, say you're in the mood for some spicy chicken stir fry. As you cook up your chicken and vegetables, sprinkle some Singapore seasoning with it's flavorful blend of garlic, cumin, ginger, and cayenne red pepper, and you're in heaven! Because the blends are so flavorful, you don't need to add a lot of oil or butter to any of your meals for flavor. The spices do it all for you.
Mono-Giro Apple Slicer
Also seen on the Today Show, this apple slicer is the coolest thing! It's a disc that slices the apple in a spiral, leaving only the core. It slices the apples into chip-like pieces rather than chunks, so you it feels like you have more snack to munch on. You can also use the tool to cover a half-eaten apple, which will prevent it from becoming brown and dried out.
Happy (and healthy) running!
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