Are you looking for a gourmet food gift for a close friend or acquaintance? If you eat a healthy diet and encourage others to do the same, you may be sending the wrong message by giving a dozen cookies or a box of gooey milk chocolates as a gift. One alternative if you want to give a gift that’ll be remembered throughout the year is to treat your lucky recipient to a food of the month club. While you may think all of the available gift options are high in fat and sugar, there are some healthy alternatives that will delight your recipient without raising their cholesterol level. Here are some healthy food of the month club ideas you may want to consider.
Healthy food of the month clubs: Olive oil of the month
The health benefits of olive oil prove that not all fats should be avoided. Olive oil is rich in heart healthy, monounsaturated fat that helps to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Who wouldn’t want to receive a different olive oil each month from such exotic locations as Morocco and Turkey? If you have a friend who loves to cook, this is a perfect heart friendly gift you can give without a speck of guilt. One of several sites that offers this option is The Month Club Store at monthclubstore.com.
Healthy food of the month clubs: Tea of the month club
By now, you probably realize the health benefits of tea, particularly the green and white varieties. Sipping this tasty, brewed beverage may lower your risk of a variety of chronic diseases including heart disease and cancer. At Adagio Teas (adagio.com), you can surprise your gift recipient with a different tea mailed to them every other month. They’ll enjoy sipping a cup of warm tea on a cold winter night, while you can be happy knowing you’re making their life a little healthier.
Healthy food of the month clubs: Hot sauce of the month club
Hot sauces are “hot” for more reasons than one. Not only do they supply a bit of heat, but they’re also an excellent source of an anti-inflammatory chemical called capsaicin. This chemical is thought to bind to nerve cell receptors and help to reduce the sensation of pain. It’s also thought to promote weight loss by slightly boosting the metabolic rate. Hot sauce can also help to improve digestive function in some people. If your gift recipient suffers from arthritis, pain reducing hot sauce just might be the perfect gift choice. You can find this healthy gift alternative at amazingclubs.com.
You’ll also find a variety of coffee of the month and wine of the month clubs available online. Both coffee and wine have shown some positive health benefits in studies, although you may not want to encourage wine consumption in excess, particularly for women, since more than a glass a day is thought to increase the risk of breast cancer.
Next time you’re looking for a food gift, skip the candy and cakes and choose a healthy food of the month club instead.
