Treat them right with tasty and healthful presents.
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
It’s easy to give a mass-produced, sugary sweet; however, it’s thoughtful to present friends and family with an indulgence that promotes good health.
Ben Rayland, certified strength and conditioning specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and owner of Rampage Strength and Conditioning in East Syracuse, recommends giving gourmet popcorn.
“A lot of people like gourmet popcorn,” he said.
Popcorn is a whole grain and packed with fiber. Its high volume to calorie ratio ensures that it’s tough to overindulge in popcorn. Give a jar of kernels with an air popper.
Rayland also suggested giving coffee or tea. These offer antioxidants, as does “fancier dark chocolates, which are pretty good for you and has plenty of antioxidants.”
Select “fancy” varieties to tuck in a basket lined with a tea towel and a mug. With loose tea, include a tea ball.
At The Gift Box Shoppe in Syracuse, owner Jan Constas said that honey, maple syrup and maple seasoning are all gift box staples. Honey is naturally antimicrobial and maple syrup provides trace minerals and calcium.
Cranberry pepper jelly is another popular item. Cranberry products can help reduce risk of urinary tract infections. It doesn’t take much of the flavorful jelly to satisfy.
“Saratoga Olive Oil in basil and garlic flavors are good in a basket,” Constas said. “Customers put together a gift basket with small gift items, like spreaders for hot pepper jellies.”
Gift baskets are fun because recipients can discover several small items as they unpack the container.
Olive oil is fundamental to the Mediterranean diet, long touted for heart health and weight loss. Olive oil is an example of a monounsaturated “healthful” fat which can improve satiety and support the health of the brain, skin, hair and joints as it is rich in antioxidants and boasts anti- inflammatory properties.
Perfect for people who already have everything and enjoy the simple things of life, a fruit basket is a pleasant surprise. Thomas Michailidis with C’s Farm Market in Oswego, said that the business offers a few different sizes of fruit baskets.
“Our most popular has two grapefruits, apples, oranges, pears, peaches, bananas and a large pineapple,” he said. “In addition to fruit, it has a box of crackers and coffee.”
A variety of fruit helps people “eat the rainbow,” the strategy of incorporating a variety of produce in the daily diet to better ensure sufficient produce consumption.