1. The North Face Stow-n-Go Sports Bra. This sports bra makes it easy to hold on to keys or cards without carrying a purse or exercise bag. Not only will it give great support, but it also has a double layer pocket in the front panel for essentials. Available at TheNorthFace.com for $35.00.

2. Vitamix Blender. If you want to give the Porsche of blenders, this is the one to buy! The Vitamix is a high-quality blender that mixes up nutritious smoothies, soups, or sauces. My daughter even puts a Granny Smith apple in her smoothies and it blends with ease. I tell my clients this blender is an investment to your health. Check it out at Vitamix.com for $449.00.

3. Natural Body Gift Certificate. We can all use a little stress buster and who doesn’t love to have some “me” time at the spa. Whether it is a microdermabrasion facial, massage, mani or pedi nothing shows how much you care like giving someone you love the pampering she deserves. For an amazing spa experience try Natural Body Spa and Shop at One Nineteen.

4. Pedometer. Ever wonder how many steps you actually take in a day? With a pedometer, you won’t anymore! Aid your loved ones in reaching a goal of 10,000 steps a day by giving them a way to keep track of their daily steps. Buy a good pedometer like the Omron HJ-112 on Amazon.com for $20.99.

5. Lucy Perfect Core Exercise Pant. The name says it all…these are the perfect pant and my absolute favorite! The extremely comfortable pant compresses in just the right spots easily transitions from working out to running errands and taking the kids to activities. I suggest going up 1 size from normal. They are a bit pricey at $98 but worth it because the lucky person who receives this pant will never want to take them off.

6. Athletic Shoes. For a step in the right direction, a new pair of shoes may be just what your loved one needs to move more in 2012.  Go to Elite Feet in Hawthorne Plaza for a knowledgeable staff to help you pick out the right shoe for your loved one.

7. Lululemon Gift Certificate. It’s important to feel good about yourself while working out, and looking the part certainly helps! Lululemon makes fun, stylish workout clothes for yoga, running, and working out. They have a variety of pieces from pants to jackets that will get your loved one excited to work out. Visit lululemon in One Nineteen.

8. Trader Joe’s Gift Certificate. Encourage the people you love to eat healthy by giving them a gift certificate to this grocery store. They have a large selection or organic foods and other great finds that will make it easier to make smart shopping choices. Located at One Nineteen. If you want to give a tasty bottle of wine for a good price, go to the Ward Parkway Trader Joe’s location.

9. Nike Tempo Running Shorts. These are my favorite workout shorts. Not only are they extremely comfortable but they also come in a variety of fun colors and patterns. Visit Dick’s Sporting Goods or Nike Outlet at the Legends.

10. Mitzi Dulan’s Boot Camp for Women Gift Certificate. Give 4 weeks of fun, inspiring workouts to your wife, girlfriend, mom, sister, daughter or friend. This gift can transform their life! The healthy jumpstart to 2012 with yours truly is good for all fitness levels. Not only will they get 12 workouts, but they will also receive a nutrition seminar, motivational training and support. The 4-Week Boot Camp costs $219.00; for more information visit MitziDulansBootCamp.com.

11. P90X2. Millions of people have worked out to P90X and now the follow-up to Tony Horton’s hugely popular DVD series, P90X2, is available for pre-order to ship in time for the holidays. Check it out at BeachBody.com for $119.85.

12. Biggest Loser Kitchen Scale. Portion control is a huge factor of eating healthy. This scale not only weighs food, but it also has a built in memory for over 1,400 foods. In addition, you can enter up to 50 new foods and recipes. It is $59.99 at Macys.com.

Happy Shopping!

Mitzi’s Favorite Websites for Healthy Gift Ideas

Amazon.com

Lucy.com

Lululemon.com

TheNorthFace.com

BeachBody.com

MitziDulansBootCamp.com

CrateandBarrel.com

Macys.com

Nike.com

Reprinted courtesy of 435 South magazine

Here are some ideas for dishes to include in your healthy feast this Thanksgiving:

Main Course:

• Skinless herbed turkey breast
• Pork loin with fig glaze
• Salmon filets with red wine-morel sauce
• Orange roasted duck
• Squash and leek lasagne
• Roasted chicken with lemon
• Mediterranean couscous cabbage rolls
• Acorn squash stuffed with chard and white beans

Side Dishes:

• Romaine and spinach salad with mixed vegetables
• Brussels sprouts with chestnuts and sage
• Maple roasted sweet potatoes
• Cranberry, cherry and walnut marmalade
• Rustic mushroom tart
• Ginger cranberry pilaf
• Cider glazed roots with cinnamon and walnuts
• Low-fat milk creamed onions
• Lemon dill green beans
• Layered mashed potatoes and mushroom casserole
• Roasted acorn squash with cider
• Wild mushroom stuffing

Breads:

• Whole wheat italian herb bread
• Pumpkin bread
• Yam corn bread
• Apple bran muffins
• Cranberry apple oat bread

Desserts:

• Lighter holiday pumpkin pie
• Pear, apple, cranberry tart
• Glazed chocolate-pumpkin bundt cake
• Cranberry upside-down cake
• Maple walnut cake
• Pear crumble
• Riesling baked pears
• Greek yogurt cheesecake with ouzo-poached figs

Drinks:

• Low-fat egg nog
• Pumpkin spiced black tea
• Hot cider
• Spiced turkish coffee
• Red wine
• Low-fat chai tea
• Water

With assistance provided by Colleen Poling

1. Wicked Pumpkin Soup:

• Simmer onions, pumpkin puree, low sodium vegetable broth, cinnamon, nutmeg, fat-free milk together for 5 minutes. Top with chopped green onion.
• This sweet and savory soup will warm your heart, and fill your stomach with plenty of healthy nutrients.

2. Spooky Spiced Popcorn:

• There is no need to add butter to your popcorn any longer. Mix together cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cinnamon in a bowl. Spray air popped popcorn with cooking spray. Evenly coat popcorn with spiced mix.
• Popcorn is high in fiber which will keep you full.

3. Haunted Pumpkin Seeds:

• Bake at 325 degrees until golden brown. When the seeds are still hot, sprinkle a little garlic powder over the top.
• Pumpkin seeds are high in fiber and contain iron, magnesium and zinc.

4. Trick or Treat Trail Mix:

• Mix together roasted almonds, raisins, cranberries, dark chocolate chips.
• Heart healthy fats from the almonds, antioxidants from the cranberries and dark chocolate, this is a cancer fighting snack to the rescue!

5. Ghoulish Halloween Pumpkin Bread:

• For this recipe you will need 1 cup light brown sugar, 2 eggs, 1 cup pumpkin puree, ¼ cup canola oil, 1/3 cup low fat plain yogurt, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup all purpose flour, ¾ cup whole wheat flour, 1 ½ baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ½ teaspoon baking soda.
• Whisk together the wet ingredients, then the dry in a separate bowl. The combine pumpkin mixture to flour mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.
• This treat is low in calories and high in flavor. The pumpkin adds extra vitamin C and fiber to your diet.

6. Brain Cell Delight:

• Whip up a box of jello, then layer on top the mixed cottage cheese and blueberries for a disgustingly yummy looking treat.
• Blueberries are packed with antioxidants which are warriors against cancer. Cottage cheese is low in calories and fat, high in protein and contains bone building calcium.

7. Gruesome Pumpkin Pancakes:

• For this recipe you will need 2 cups whole wheat flour, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon allspice, 12 teaspoon ginger, 2 cups skim milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 cup canned pumpkin puree.
• Mix all the dry ingredients and then all the wet ingredients, then mix together. Cook on medium heat with a skillet. Serve with real maple syrup or microwaved berries.
• Pumpkin is low in calories and fat and high in fiber, vitamin C and E, potassium and magnesium.

8. Spider Pretzels:

• Sandwich natural almond butter between two whole wheat crackers and stick in pretzel “legs” into the sides. Add raisins for eyes with a little almond butter for glue on top.
• Almonds are high in heart healthy fats your body desperately needs.

9. Vampire Blood Smoothie:

• Blend together plain low fat yogurt with frozen raspberries, strawberries.
• Raspberries are high in fiber, and antioxidants which may help prevent cancer.

10. Bewitched Baked Apples:

• Stuff raisins and walnuts into a cored apple for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees. Top with cinnamon and fat-free whipped topping.
• Apples are in season right now, so you can get them for very cheap, plus they are high in fiber and cancer fighting substances.

With assistance provided by Colleen Poling

General Tips
•Go easy on the extra additives like soy sauce, extra salt, butter, and ketchup and mayo, which are high in calories and sodium.
•Avoid fried options and side items that can add tons of extra fat and calories sabotaging any weight loss efforts.
•Don’t hesitate to ask for special requests but BE VERY NICE! Ask that your veggies be steamed instead of prepared in oil and butter.
•Choose water for your drink order instead of soda or other sugary drinks.

Sushi
•Avoid: tempura-fried rolls; too much volume of rolls- instead choose sashimi style.
•Limit: spicy rolls, which have tons of sauces added that are likely mayonnaise-based; sides such as wasabi and pickled ginger; soy sauce (ask for the low-sodium option).
•Top picks: eel roll; avocado roll; salmon or tuna nigiri; appetizers like tuna tataki, miso soup, edamame, brown rice sushi whenever available.
Sushi Take Home Tip: with sushi just don’t go overboard with too many rolls and pieces which can lead to a very large meal.

Chinese Food
•Avoid: fried rice (most restaurants will swap it for plain rice if you ask); fried entrees; egg rolls; deep-fried dishes.
•Limit: soy sauces and duck sauces; dumplings.
•Top Picks: plain noodles with vegetables and peanut sauce; wonton soup and egg drop soup; brown steamed rice; stir-fried vegetables; ahi tuna dishes, Kung Pao shrimp.

Italian and Pizza Restaurants
•Avoid: fat-laden dipping sauces; extra cheese; thick-crust pies; sugary sides like cinnamon sticks.
•Limit: high-fat meat toppings such as bacon, pepperoni and sausage (try chicken instead).
•Top Picks: thin-crust pizzas with bbq chicken or vegetable toppings such as red peppers, onions and spinach; other toppings like pineapples.

Sub Sandwich Chains (Subway, Quizno’s)
•Avoid: extra cheeses; mayonnaise-based sauces; footlong options; white breads and wraps.
•Limit: side options like chips.
•Top Picks: six-inch options; whole-grain breads; healthy meats such as roast beef, turkey, chicken and lean ham; apples, water.

Mexican Restaurants
•Avoid: refried beans; steak chalupas.
•Limit: sour creams and cheese sauces; nachos; quesadillas; large portions of rice.
•Top Picks: black beans; grilled chicken fajitas, vegetable burritos; shrimp ensaladas.