
'Tis the season to celebrate -- and a time to eat! Most of us gain a few pounds during the holiday season. With family dinners, holiday parties and gift baskets loaded with goodies, who thinks of staying fit?
Instead of giving a pyramid of chocolate, a basket of tempting treats or a bottle of bubbly this year, why not be different? Give your loved ones a Holiday Health Kit to start out the New Year right.
With so many inexpensive or low-cost fitness products available, it's easy to combine several items into a customized Get-Fit Gift. Louise Roach, marketing director at SnowPack, a New Mexico-based company that manufactures ice therapy kits, has several suggestions:
"If you have someone on your Christmas list who likes to walk or run, think of items like a pedometer, a gift certificate to your local running specialty store, energy bars, a water bottle, a portable CD player, books on stretching, sunscreen, and lip balm. Plus an ice pack just in case they overdo it. Put it all together in a nifty duffel bag and you have a very thoughtful gift.
"Maybe someone you know needs motivation to get up and get going. Why not give a 'home gym in a bag'? A few suggestions to include are: free weights, a jump rope, resistance bands, workout videos, a yoga mat, a BMI scale, a heart rate monitor, sport drinks, and protein bars. Of course every home gym needs first aid in the form of an ice therapy product to take care of strained muscles. Then wrap it all up in a bright tote bag for giving.
"Several other themes for Get-Fit Gifts could be biking, hiking and backpacking. A visit to your local athletic store can offer many ideas such as a day pack, water carrying system, socks, hats, compass (or GPS system), utility tool, first aid kit, a spa product and destination books."
With a little creativity, you can put together healthy, useful gifts that will be well appreciated throughout the New Year.
About The Author
Louise Roach has been instrumental in the development of SnowPack, a patented cold therapy that exhibits the same qualities as ice. SnowPack offers two Body-n-Ice Kits that make perfect Get-Fit Gifts by themselves. They're a great idea for soccer families and active Baby Boomers, plus everyone in between. For more information visit: http://www.snowpackusa.com
AP - A key panel unanimously recommended impeachment for Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Thursday, setting up a vote that could make him the first governor to face such fate in Illinois' sordid political history. Blagojevich should lose his job for abusing power, mismanaging government and committing possible criminal acts, including federal allegations he tried to sell off a U.S. Senate seat, the special committee concluded.
AP - Vice President Dick Cheney said Thursday that he sees no reason for President George W. Bush to pre-emptively pardon anyone at the CIA involved in harsh interrogations of suspected terrorists. "I don't have any reason to believe that anybody in the agency did anything illegal," he said. In an interview with The Associated Press, Cheney also said that Bush has no need to apologize for not foreseeing the economic crisis.
AP - The U.N. suspended food deliveries to Gaza and the Red Cross accused Israel of blocking medical assistance after forces fired on aid workers, killing two, as the threat of a wider conflict emerged with Lebanon.
AP - President-elect Barack Obama's proposed tax cuts ran into opposition Thursday from senators in his own party who said they wouldn't do much to stimulate the economy or create jobs. Senators from both parties agreed that Congress should do something to stimulate the economy. But Democratic senators emerging from a private meeting of the Senate Finance Committee criticized business and individual tax cuts in Obama's stimulus plan.
AP - The many Bernard Madoff investors who withdrew money from their accounts over the years are now wrestling with an ethical and legal quandary. What they thought were profits was likely money stolen from other clients in what prosecutors are calling the largest Ponzi scheme in history. Now, they are confronting the possibility they may have to pay some of it back.
AP - In grainy cell-phone videos played over and over on the Internet, police officers force an unarmed black man to the ground and hold him face-down on a crowded train platform. Suddenly one of the officers draws his gun and fatally shoots the man in the back then looks up.
AP - U.S. policy to win in Afghanistan must recognize the poor nation's limitations and its neighborhood, especially its intertwined relationship with U.S. terrorism-fighting ally Pakistan, the top U.S. military commander in the region said Thursday.
AP - Two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks couldn't produce a point in the first quarter of the BCS championship game. Tim Tebow and No. 1 Florida and Sam Bradford and No. 2 Oklahoma were scoreless after the first 15 minutes at Dolphin Stadium on Thursday night.
Reuters - Recovery teams ventured into battlegrounds of the Gaza Strip on Thursday to gather bodies from the rubble, and Hamas officials said the Palestinian death toll in Israel's 13-day-old offensive had risen to 765.
Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama warned on Thursday the U.S. economy could stay mired in recession for years without bold action and he urged lawmakers to work day and night to pass a massive stimulus plan.
Reuters - Financial giant Citigroup Inc will support a proposal in Congress to rewrite U.S. bankruptcy law to help troubled mortgage borrowers avoid foreclosure, Chief Executive Vikram Pandit said on Thursday.
Reuters - The United States and its allies share some interests with Iran when it comes to stabilizing Afghanistan, Army Gen. David Petraeus, head of the U.S. military's Central Command, said on Thursday.
Reuters - A legislative committee on Thursday recommended the impeachment of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, citing widespread abuse of power including allegations he tried to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
Reuters - Accused swindler Bernard Madoff had signed checks totaling more than $173 million in his office desk ready to be sent out before his arrest, U.S. prosecutors said in court papers on Thursday asking a judge to jail him.
Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama named Tim Kaine as head of the Democratic Party on Thursday, rewarding an early supporter with a high-profile political post even as he continues to serve as Virginia governor.
Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc and other top U.S. retailers delivered disappointing December same-store sales and profit warnings on Thursday, sparking fresh recession concerns that hit stock and currency markets.
AFP - Diplomatic efforts to end the Gaza conflict intensified Friday with Western and Arab diplomats agreeing to call for an immediate ceasefire as the death toll from the two-week-old war rose past 760.
AFP - Hopes for a quick resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe were rising Friday after Russia agreed on the terms for the deployment of monitors in Ukraine.
Mothers Day is the day we set aside each year to show... Read More
If your diet is making you a humbug this season, there's some... Read More
The most beautiful dyes for Easter eggs come from foodstuff you probably... Read More
You don't have to spend a fortune this Valentine's Day to show... Read More
My good friend, Rae, just called and suggested having a Fourth of... Read More
You're tired. You've worked hard all week. Suddenly, the kids shout gleefully...... Read More
Plan ahead this year for your corporate clients and associates holiday gifts.Now... Read More
Flowers & Valentine's Day go hand in hand. Your Valentine will be... Read More
Traditionally Christmas ornaments were bulbs of all the same color which were... Read More
So Valentine's Day is upon us yet again, and most of us... Read More
"It's not that the Irish are cynical. It's rather that they have... Read More
So you ate, drank and spent too much over the Holidays. Now... Read More
At the end of the movie "Braveheart," William Wallace is tortured but... Read More
Mother's Day, Do you know what you're giving the woman who gave... Read More
Last Christmas, Uncle Albert promised his neighbor, Wilson, to find a way... Read More
The holidays are supposed to be a time of celebration when friends... Read More
Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mailSure, they love you... Read More
Can you believe that Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away? What... Read More
Did you know that after Christmas, Valentine's Day is the biggest retail... Read More
"Here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the... Read More
Sometimes gifts that you purchase are not as personalized as you would... Read More
For most people that don't enjoy wearing messy makeup, Halloween masks are... Read More
During this Thanksgiving holiday, we are reminded to reflect on the bounty... Read More
Just as soon as the stores put away their Christmas merchandise, out... Read More
On July 4th 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.... Read More
It's back. The holiday season and all the challenges that come with... Read More
Thanksgiving is the most important holiday of the year.Oh, sure, Christmas is... Read More
The carving. The leftovers. The endless stuffing. Actually, you love the stuffing,... Read More
Mother's Day is the day when sons, daughters and husbands buy gifts... Read More
Is there any party more delightful than sweet 16? If you're stuck... Read More
The thought of Valentine's Day conjures up romantic evenings, a candlelight dinner,... Read More
Holidays and the start of a new year inevitably make us think... Read More
Being alone is a challenge for many people. This challenge may loom... Read More
Is there really a Santa Claus? Any parent who hasn't been faced... Read More
This weekend as we celebrate Father's Day, take an opportunity to express... Read More
The general word on the Internet is the first Valentine card was... Read More
One of the tools I use as a professional organizer are countdowns.What... Read More
Father's Day is just around the corner. If you're looking for a... Read More
Halloween is the day of the year that has the most parties... Read More
I remember vividly as if it were yesterday when I was only... Read More
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the clock is... Read More
Here it is Thursday afternoon, and Evelyn sees no break in her... Read More
The exact origin of April Fool's Day is uncertain, but popular belief... Read More
You may be wondering why I would call this article a Thankful... Read More
This Father's Day, sit back and enjoy a nice cold drink with... Read More
Holiday Tips For Stepfamilies: Let Go Of The "Brady Bunch" Fantasy!When my... Read More
It's not only the candy that puts smiles on kids' faces on... Read More
1. Santa Spends More Than He MakesSanta's paychecks are nothing to sneeze... Read More
While mothers have had their special day since 1914, fathers have only... Read More
Father's Day...Father's Day only one month away! Father's Day is Sunday, June... Read More
What does your holiday season usually look like -- a lot of... Read More
Why is it that whenever you go to a holiday party, you... Read More
The general word on the Internet is the first Valentine card was... Read More
Wonderfully simple to do and oh so impressive!You don't need a $40... Read More
Mother's Day is Sunday, May 8th! Whether she lives next door or... Read More
"It is therefore recommended ... to set apart Thursday the eighteenth day... Read More
This weekend as we celebrate Father's Day, take an opportunity to express... Read More
Anniversary parties are a wonderful way to celebrate two people who have... Read More
So Valentine's Day is upon us yet again, and most of us... Read More
It is 7:45 a.m. in Port Moody, British Columbia Canada, and the... Read More
1. Knowledge is Power. Whatever the area of collecting ? depression glass,... Read More
A mother's bracelet is a personalized bracelet that celebrates the most important... Read More
It's the holiday season, and the first thing that comes to so... Read More
The glorious egg, with its deep links to Creation mythology, is one... Read More
The holidays are officially here. And so the season for giving begins.... Read More
There are as many as eight possible Valentines Day origins and the... Read More
So you know someone who likes to "veg out" in front of... Read More
Remember when no one started Christmas shopping until after Thanksgiving?Wisconsin author LeAnn... Read More
As the holidays approach, I find myself wondering how I'm going to... Read More
So Christmas is a few months away. Seems like a lot of... Read More
In a word, yes !Labor Day, which started in 1882 to honor... Read More
Looking for interesting Halloween ideas? Perhaps you are looking for something new... Read More
It is widely known that many men enjoy fine jewelry. So, why... Read More
As a little girl I often loved to dress up as a... Read More
It can be very hard to find that one perfect gift for... Read More
Valentines Day is one of the most enigmatic of holidays, having appeared... Read More
Many of us are probably squeezing out our brains to the limit... Read More
If you're looking for great ways to decorate your home this glorious... Read More
One of the best things about Halloween, is wearing a costume. If... Read More
Choosing a birthday gift for a friend about to turn thirty years... Read More
I have a friend who works at a loan company. She starts... Read More
I remember just a handful of the Christmas presents I received as... Read More
No matter what the season, packages make a statement even before they're... Read More
Putting up and decorating your Christmas tree is a holiday tradition which... Read More
The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to allow your children to... Read More
Mistletoe. Holiday parties. New Years kiss at midnight. This time of year... Read More
"Mother: the most beautiful word on the lips of mankind." -Kahil GibranThis... Read More
You can call it the emasculator of the old king, a sexual... Read More
Costumes are a great way to escape reality, and wearing your favorite... Read More
One of the most inexpensive ways to create stonewalls in your home/haunt... Read More
Fathers Day is another reason to celebrate another responsible adult in the... Read More
Thirteen years ago I became quite intrigued with the idea of LOSING... Read More
For most people, Labor Day symbolizes the end of summer, back to... Read More
What a great time of year! It's a time to be thankful... Read More
Holiday Holiday |