Gifts for the Heart

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Written By Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Remember your friends and sweetheart on Valentine’s day with a gift for their heart. You will celebrate both Valentine’s Day and February as American Heart Month. The benefits received from giving something fitness or health related can be ongoing and plentiful.Small gifts are really big gifts when they are homemade. Our list below has many gift suggestions that can be bought or made from scratch along with big ones for bigger budgets. See our side bar for fun recipes.This Valentine’s Day give a gift that truly symbolizes love or friendship. Show your sense of admiration by giving a gift that can help your loved ones feel great for an on-going period of time and that does more than just momentarily satisfy their sweet tooth. Make a lasting loving impression by surprising someone with:Small gift:Basketful of jarred salsas tied with a bowBasketful of flavored vinegars with a bowBox of flavored herb teas with a mug (can get a photo mug)Heart shaped basket of fruitRed water bottle for walking/exerciseExercise tee shirt (can get one with photo)Certificate for a homemade meal(s)Basket with flavored pasta and pasta sauceSupplies to plant an herb garden orPotted herbs tied with a bowMedium gift:Subscription to a fitness magazine such as FitnessSubscription to a healthy cooking magazine, such as Eating Well or Cooking LightHealthy Cookbook – look for ones by Steve Raichlen or Jay Solomon; try Dean Ornish’s book Everyday Cooking With Dean OrnishNew spice rack with low sodium seasonings and heart healthy recipesGift certificate to a healthy restaurantGift certificate to sporting goods storeLarge gift:Session(s) with a personal trainerMembership to a gymGift certificate for a massage or treatments at a day spaMembership in a fruit of the month club

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Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Judy’s passion for cooking began with helping her grandmother make raisin oatmeal for breakfast. From there, she earned her first food service job at 15, was accepted to the world-famous Culinary Institute of America at 18 (where she graduated second in her class), and went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland, where she focused on pastry arts and baking. After a decade in food service for Hyatt Hotels, Judy launched Food and Health Communications to focus on flavor and health. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Culinary Arts, holds a master’s degree in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, two art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and runs a food photography & motion studio where her love is creating fun recipes and content.

Judy received The Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef II certification, the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year. Her enthusiasm for eating nutritiously and deliciously leads her to constantly innovate and use the latest nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to guide her creativity, from putting new twists on fajitas to adapting Italian brownies to include ingredients like toasted nuts and cooked honey. Judy’s publishing company, Food and Health Communications, is dedicated to her vision that everyone can make food that tastes as good as it is for you.

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