During this holiday season of giving, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to give thoughtful gifts.  I am all about simple do-it-yourself (DIY) foodie gifts to encourage family and friends to fuel their bodies well.  Wrap them up with pretty boxes and bows and you’ll have beautiful, heart-felt presents.  Plus, I want my gifts to help others pause and take some time out of their busy days to savor, sip and breathe.  After all, slowing down can do wonders for your health, too!

5 Simple DIY Healthy Holiday Gifts

The best part of these 5 gift ideas is that you just add water.   Add a gift tag saying . . .

Gift idea #1: Hot Peanut Butter Cocoa Mix

1 heaping tablespoon cocoa (unsweetened) + 1 teaspoon peanut powder (100% peanuts) + 1 tablespoon semi-sweet chocolate chips
Serves 1
Pour  all ingredients into a large mug and fill with 6 ounces of water.  Place in the microwave for 1 minute, stir and place back in for 20 seconds.  Remove, stir and enjoy.  (Feel free to boil water in a tea kettle and add to cup with cocoa mixture; stir and enjoy.)
 

Gift Idea #2: A Pot of Flowering Tea

1 tea flower ball (I got this tea, TWG Tea, from my husband when he went to  England. I fell in love with it!)
Serves 2
Fill a standard tea kettle with water.  Bring to a boil (or whistle); set a side for a minute.  Put tea ball into a tea pot and fill with hot water.  Steep for 3 – 4 minutes to allow the flower to open up beautifully and the tea to emit from the plant into the water.  Pour in to tea cups and enjoy.
 

Gift Idea #3: Cinnamon Blueberry Oatmeal

1/2 cup old fashioned oats + 1 tablespoon organic wild blueberry sprinkles + 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon  
Serves 1
On the stove top over high heat, pour oats, blueberry sprinkles and cinnamon into a small pot with 1 cup of water.  Stir together and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer; stirring until thickened.  Remove from stove and pour into a small bowl and enjoy.
 

Gift Idea #4: Curried Couscous

1/2 cup whole wheat couscous + 1 teaspoon curry powder + 1/2 teaspoon sea salt  
On the stovetop over high heat, pour couscous, curry powder and sea salt into a small pot with 1 cup of water. Stir together and bring to a boil.  Turn off heat and cover.  In 5 minutes, flake couscous with a fork.  Serve and enjoy.
 

Gift Idea #5: Spicy Lentils

1/2 cup dry lentils + 1 teaspoon dried cayenne pepper flakes + a generous pinch of sea salt
On the stovetop over high heat, pour lentils, cayenne flakes and salt into a small pot with 1 cup of water. Stir together and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and allow lentils to cook.  In 5 – 10 minutes, stir and remove from heat when liquid is dissolved. Serve and enjoy.
Of course, you can make these gifts in large batches by doubling or tripling the recipes.  Happy holiday crafting!