Ayurvedic Holidays Gift Guide 2012

Things that I’m loving lately and that your friends and loved ones will love as presents!

The holiday season is here! Time to celebrate, spend time with friends and family, and indulge in yummy food (don’t over-indulge though!). This is also a season of gifting and sharing.

Gifts don’t have to be expensive to show that you care. They also don’t have to take hours of browsing the stores to be personal and useful. Gifts are a perfect opportunity to share something that changed your life or perception in the past year. It is a perfect time to offer inspiration for a change, instead of demanding it.

Many of you ask me about what I eat, what I use on my skin, and what are my favorite kitchen must-haves. So while putting together Holidays gift guide 2012, I chose things that I love, that I use often, and that I hope you and your lucky gift-getters would enjoy as well!

You will find some amazing body stuff, yummy foods, nutrition-dense snacks and even a couple of self-care practices that I am loving.

Ayurvedic Holidays Gift Guide 2012 (Love List)

Nasya Oil $10.95 – The nose is the direct route to the brain and also the doorway to consciousness. It is the entrance for prana, the life force, which comes into the body through the breath. Healthy uncongested breathing is important to ensure proper flow of prana throughout the head and body. When an excess of bodily fluids accumulates in the sinus, throat, nose or head areas, it is best eliminated through the nose. Administration of herbally infused oil, or nasya, helps faciliate this cleansing process. Nasya Oil soothes and protects the nasal passages and helps relieve sinus congestion. Daily nasal lubrication helps to release tension in the head and relieve accumulated stress. Balancing for vata, pitta, and kapha, Nasya Oil is also traditionally said to improve quality of voice, strengthen vision and promote mental clarity.

Weleda Wild Rose Body Oil $19 – Colder months tend to lead to dry skin. Weleda’s body oils are great to prevent it. Pampers and harmonizes the skin and senses and helps revitalize the skins natural functions. It protects skin from damaging free radicals and environmental influences with the essential fatty acids antioxidants and vitamins A and E that are highly concentrated in Weleda’s organic rosehip seed oil. Organic rose flower oil is prized for its harmonizing aroma therapeutic properties that promote your inner balance and relaxation. A base of organic jojoba seed oil ensures this blend is easily absorbed, keeping skin soft to the touch and giving you a radiant glow. It’s always a pleasure to receive roses, and having their very essence wrapped around your entire being is a beautifying experience that goes beyond skin deep. Goat milk lotion. Butterfield Farm in Lavender smell $8 – Love this stuff! Got it from Union Sq market and looking forward to using it every day. It has a perfect light calming aroma and is very moisturizing. It absorbs quickly and leaves the skin feeling silky soft. It’s also very affordable by natural skincare standards. Goat milk has long been regarded as the ultimate skin luxury. It is said that Cleopatra’s beauty secret was bathing in goat milk. Goat milk is nourishing because it has more vital vitamins and triglycerides (fats) than either cow’s milk or water. It is packed with vitamins A, B, C & D as well as protein, calcium, potassium and magnesium. Goat milk is gentle because it has a pH level that is closest to that of our skin.  It contains Caprylic Acid which maintains this low alkalinity. Great for sensitive skin! Goat milk is moisturizing because its short-strand protein structure allows it to be easily absorbed into the skin. Goat milk is often recommended by dermatologists to patients who suffer from dry skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.

Pratima Soothing Lotion $22 – Pratima knows skincare! Sandalwood Soothing Lotion for Blemishes / Problem Skin. A Signature PRATIMA product derived from the Calamus root works with healing Comfrey and Neem to provide dramatic and immediate relief from acne, blemishes, irritations and inflammation. Botanicals of Chamomile and Sandalwood leave the skin soothed and calm, never dry!

Body Scrub by Breathe Deep Naturals $17 – All girls want soft skin. All men love the touch of the soft skin. Jasmine Spice Organic Sugar Scrub. A sweet organic sugar scrub with the aroma of luxurious jasmine and exotic spices.  We’ll understand if, while scrubbing a friends back, you are tempted to stretch out your tongue and lick a little off. Made with organic sugar, organic sweet almond oil, organic coconut oil, orange essential oil, cardamom essential oil, clove essential oil, ginger essential oil, jasmine absolute oil, vitamin E, grapefruit seed extract Grass Fed Ghee $11.95 – When it comes to cooking oils, in my opinion, nothing beats ghee. Golden colored Ghee is prepared by melting and simmering butter until all the water evaporates and the milk solids settle at the bottom. Organic Ghee is rich in nutrients, including healthy fat soluble vitamins which aid in the absorption of nutrients in the foods. Ghee contains naturally occurring CLA, Vitamins A, D & K. Per Ayurveda, cow ghee is one of the most sacred foods. During the clarification process, milk solids are removed, leaving the healthy butter fats behind. Small, trace amounts of casein and lactose can possibly remain in the ghee, but unless a person is extremely sensitive, consuming ghee will be fine, even if dairy is not. There is no hissing, popping or splattering when you use ghee. Ghee has a high smoke point (485 degrees F) and it won’t burn like butter. Perfect for sautés, stir-fries and sauces. Delicious on rice, pancakes, scones or biscuits, and it makes the best popcorn ever. Pure Indian Foods ghee is made from milk obtained only during the spring and fall when the cows are on the pasture eating rapidly growing fresh, green grass. Teechia $10 – A great present for busy people who need a filling healthy breakfast that will keep them going for a few hours. It should also be easy to digest since so your loved ones feel light not bloated. Gluten free Teechia with blueberries and dates is one of my favorite choices. It has no added sweeteners besides dates, lots of fiber from ground up chia seeds, and a healthy dose of protein from quinoa and pumpkin seeds. Nutrient-dense super seeds in a delicious blend with gluten-free oats, blueberries and dates create a high performance cereal to keep you energized and satisfied all morning long. A rushed girl’s dream! Pour hot water, let it soak for 5 mins and eat! Teeccino $8 and up – Herbal Coffee is naturally caffeine-free, non-acidic, and taste just like coffee! Every cup of Teeccino is brimming with nutritious health benefitsthat are naturally released during brewing from Teeccino’s herbs, grains, fruits and nuts. These nutrients are quickly absorbable from brewed Teeccino because the nutrients are suspended in liquid so digestion isn’t needed to remove them from fiber. With Teeccino, people experience an energy boost that comes from nutrients, not stimulants like caffeine. A cup of Teeccino keeps energy steady and balanced, but won’t provide that spike and subsequent crash that you can experience from too much coffee. In many ways, Teeccino rebalances the negative effects of coffee. For instance, Teeccino is excellent for people with digestive health conditions because it is non-acidic and contains the prebiotic, inulin. Inulin is a soluble fiber from chicory root that supports a healthy population of beneficial digestive flora, so necessary for good digestive health. Seasnax $3 and up – I love it, my boyfriend is hooked, and my sisters keep asking me to bring it to them to Russia. Crispy salty healthy snack or a great addition to soups. Seaweed is one of the most nutrient-rich foods. Olive oil and wasabi are my favorite flavors. The one with Sesame oil is probably best for Vata that needs some warming. Non-GMO Project Verified roasted seaweed snack that is vegan, gluten-free. Crunchy and delicious snack made with just three all natural ingredients No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives and high in vitamins (B1, B6, C), vegetable protein, fiber, iron and other minerals and trace element. Enjoy wrapped around rice, in your favorite soup, salad or sandwich, as a pizza topping or just right out of the pack Sunflower seed butter $6.99 – Sometime products that we consume on a regular basis can cause sensitivity. WIth almonds being a very popular snack food, more people are starting to develop sensitivity to almonds. Taking a break from almonds means no more almond butter. In search for a vata and pitta friendly alternative, I stopped at sunflower seed butter. As all nut and seed butter, it is a treat not a daily food. I smother it on bananas and while it is not a perfect food combination, it tastes amazing! As an occasional treat is quite yummy! Organic Sunflower Butter contains only the pure goodness of certified-organic sunflower seeds–with no added salt or sugar! SunButter is power-packed with a mix of mono and polyunsaturated fats, high levels of vitamin E, protein, fiber, minerals and phytonutrients–all important to the nutritional quality of your diet. Delicious alternative to peanut butter–use in sandwiches, snacks, and other recipes. Kids love it! Made in a peanut- and tree nut-free facility.

Artisana cashew, goji, milk thirstle $29.99 – I got a sample of it in the last Conscious Box. It is very interesting in taste and is made out of nutrient-dense ingredients. In a cold dry Vata season, we need healthy fats. The butter has a slight sweetness to it and a hint of cashews. I would sprinkle some cardamom on it, too. It comes in single serving packets and can be a good on-the-go snack. Your healthy friends will love it as a present! Over the past forty years, intensive chemical, pharmacological and clinical research has confirmed the mechanisms of action and therapeutic value of Milk Thistle in a wide range of human liver-related and non-liver-related conditions. Literally hundreds of modern research studies have confirmed the remarkable ability of milk thistle to protect the liver and the body against virtually all types of damage. Milk thistle extract is used to maintain liver health and to protect the liver from the effects of toxins such as alcohol, a polluted environment or workplace, and a host of liver related diseases. The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies $11– Based on the ancient healing tradition from India that dates back thousands of years, The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies offers natural alternatives to conventional medicines and treatments with practical advice and easy-to-follow instructions. A leading authority in this field, Dr. Vasant Lad first explains the principles behind the science of Ayurveda, exploring the physical and psychological characteristics of each of the three doshas, or mind-body types–vata, pitta, and kapha. Once you have determined which type or combination of types you are, Dr. Lad helps you to begin your journey to the ultimate “state of balance” and well-being.

Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life  $12– A great book for any woman! In clear, accessible language, internationally renowned doctor Claudia Welch explains hormones from A to Z, specifically how they relate to each other, how and why they become imbalanced, and how women can restore that balance. Welch includes simple diet tips, stress-management techniques, and natural sleep secrets. Using the principles of Ayurveda (popularized in the West by Deepak Chopra) and the holistic sensibility of Dr. Christiane Northrup, Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life gives women the essential tools to achieve the perfect balance between their yin (sex hormones) and yang (stress hormones), and between the body and the mind. Eat-Taste-Heal: An Ayurvedic Cookbook for Modern Living $19 – Eat.Taste.Heal is a groundbreaking work within the field of holistic health and nutrition, written by a medical doctor, a patient, and an acclaimed chef. A complete guidebook and cookbook in one, Eat.Taste.Heal demystifies the ancient healing science of Ayurveda, humankind’s most ancient system of healthy living. The aim of the book is simple: to create harmony within through using common foods and healthy lifestyle practices as medicine. The collection contains over 150 cross-cultural recipes and received a Maverick Award for excellence in photography. The authors are a unique trio: physician, patient, and chef. Dr. Thomas Yarema M.D., director of the Kauai Center for Holistic Medicine and Research, created for his patients an understandable dietary program rooted in common sense. Daniel Rhoda, a patient who found healing through Ayurveda, demystifies the ancient science that helped restore his health. Chef Johnny Brannigan, an internationally trained Ayurvedic chef, has created more than 150 recipes to empower individual healing through the exploration of taste.

Vegan Cuts Snack Box or Conscious Box $19–  — a monthly subscription boxes that deliver a variety of healthy goodies right to your door. Each box includes sample size or full size products, ranging from sweet treats to household fun stuff, body care, and supplements. If you are looking for a present for someone just getting into a healthy lifestyle, it is a great way to help them get savvy in the healthy food products. Homemade Tasty Treats precious-  (Homemade Mocha Nutella from Oh She Glows) – Why not give a gift of a tasty and healthier version of tasty food delights to a loved one? You can make a big batch and give it to several friends. Nothing is more precious in a world where you can buy anything that a DIY gift. It means that you put in thought, heart, and time into it.

Calorie-free event – shows, galleries, museums are always a fun and unusual present. For everyone who is in NYC next weekend, I invite you to join me in a calorie-free holiday celebration http://tinyurl.com/ct6jscj! Enter NADYA as a discount code and all your tix will be only $10!

Idea to better living (Sitali) – Take a beautiful card and write down your favorite relaxation technique, tea recipe, or inspirational quote. One of my favorites is Sitali practice. Even though it is getting cooler outside, my people will experience fiery pitta surge after party alcohol and crazy shopping. It can surface as short temper, acid reflux,  I love how a regular daily practice is making me feel. It is cooling, calming, grounding, and very soothing. If you have outbursts of temper, hyperacidity, heartburn, inflammation, or irritation of some sort, try sitali!

If you have a healthy treat that you think would be a great gift, please share it in the comments!

Now let’s talk gift to Spinach and Yoga fans! Last week I posted a special giveaway contest for a beautiful VonVonni transformer dress. The winner was chosen using http://www.randomnumbergenerator.com/ Today I am announcing the lucky winner – Carlen Hultgren! Congratulations, Carlen! I will email you with details!