Gift Ideas for the Gluten-Free Foodie

Every time I turn around lately, it seems that someone else is promoting the “ultimate Holiday Gift List.”

And being part of a this special group of “gluten-free, allergen-free” folks – it occurred to me that we could benefit from a Gift List specifically tailored to our needs.

With that in mind, here are some of my absolutely best Gift Ideas for the gluten-free foodie, that also have your health in mind.

 

Small Kitchen Appliances

We’ll start here – and even though this represents the priciest category, the items I’ve included here are absolutely worth the investment.

But then, my rule of thumb has always been “It’s better to buy well than often.”

In other words, if you’re going to splurge – then go for it!

Simply because, when you choose the one thing that is most important to you (and you choose well) – you won’t be disappointed.

That’s why a Vitamix blender is always at the top of my list is. (If you’re lucky enough to already own one, you know what I mean).

Yes, it is expensive, but it also out-performs every other blender on the market.

And it’s the perfect gift for that special someone (maybe you?) – who enjoys making homemade soups and smoothies, and grinding their own flour.

Speaking of smoothies, freshly made juice is also extremely popular these days.

Which makes a Juicer a perfect gift to include on your Wish List – whether for yourself or someone else.

My favorite juicer is the Hurom Slow Juicer – but I would consider the Breville Juice Fountain Compact as a close runner-up.

As with everything, there are pros and cons.

On the plus side, the Hurom Slow Juicer retains more of the enzymes and minerals, and extra juice will easily keep in the fridge for 24 hours or so, without loosing all it’s nutrients. But this juicer also requires extra prep time, for cutting up all your vegetables into smaller pieces –so they’ll fit through the feed tube.

That’s why, if time is of the essence (and you know you’re less likely to use your juicer if more work is involved) I recommend the Breville Juice Fountain Compact instead – since it requires minimal prep work.

(A whole cucumber or apple will easily fit inside the tube, which makes for a super-quick juicing experience).

On the down side, this also means you need to drink your juice right away, since it will oxidize much more quickly.

How do you decide?

More than anything, it’s about knowing how you function in your kitchen, and what works best for you.

By the way, if there’s a tea lover in your family – consider the Breville One Touch Tea Maker. It makes the perfect cup of tea every time, whether black tea, green, or oolong – adjusting both the water temperature and the steep time.

This is one item that’s definitely on my own list!

 

Gadgets & Things

I’m often a sucker for kitchen gadgets that promise to make every little task easier. Then again, some of these kitchen tools are a lot more useful than others.

(How many gadgets have you purchased – with good intentions – that ended up stashed in a drawer?)

That said, here are a few “must haves” for the cook in your family, beginning with good quality knives.

The right cutting utensils will make every kitchen task easier, from slicing tomatoes or gluten-free bread, to cutting up meat or boning a chicken.

If you don’t already own a good knife set, this is definitely something to have on your list!

Fresh lemons add a wonderful zest to any dish, and squeezing your own juice from lemons is a snap, with a lemon squeezer. I’m recommending this one because it’s made of stainless steel instead of plastics.

(There’s absolutely no comparison to the processed juice in one of those little lemon-shaped squeeze bottles).  

And trust me – the less plastics in your home, the better of you will be – but that’s a whole other discussion!

Also, don’t overlook a microplane grater/zester. This simple kitchen gadget is indispensible for grating lemons and chocolate – and it also makes a great stocking stuffer!

I also love these eco-friendly glass drinking straws from Glass Dharma – for the kid in you!

Personally, I can’t think of a better way to brighten up a smoothie, and these straws allow you to partake in a fun and safe way that avoids those ever-present plastics found in typical straws.

 

Cookbooks & More

I love a good cookbook!

And I’m guessing that the cook in your family would also love to receive a new cookbook – or two.

This year, I introduced several new books to my cooking library, including Gwyneth Paltrow’s “It’s All Good”. If you’re looking for a book that offers a little bit of everything – in other words, both vegan or meat-filled dishes, with an emphasis on good health – this is a great place to start.

I also thoroughly enjoyed “Crazy Sexy Kitchen” by Kris Carr – perfect for anyone with vegan or vegetarian leanings.

For the cook – and baker – who is new to all things gluten-free, “The Allergen-Free Baker’s Handbook” and “The Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook“ by Cybele Pascal are both excellent choices.

An added plus is that the author has focused on removing all eight of the top allergens, which is truly an impressive feat in and of itself.

For additional recommendations, you’ll find plenty more ideas right here.

 

Consider a Gift Basket

A gift basket can be so much fun to put together!

It’s the perfect way to customize gift giving for the recipient – while allowing you to be as creative as you wish. While the possibilities are really endless, here are a few ideas to get you started:

 

• Over-the-top Gluten-Free Bonanza

The idea here, is to fill a large basket with just about anything you can think of that is gluten-free, and allergen-safe for the recipient – while also healthy and fun. (This is a particularly welcome idea for the gluten-free foodie who’s just recently been diagnosed).

Fill the basket with pasta, cookies, crackers and a baking mix or two. Better still – you could package your own, home-made baking mix in a clearly labeled, pretty glass jar, along with a cookie recipe that explains exactly how to use the mix.

Be sure to include extras like a kitchen gadget or two, and perhaps some mugs or fresh fruit. (The latter is naturally gluten-free, of course!)

 

• Go Italian

Choose a pretty basket, line it with a checkered cloth, and fill it with everything you can think of for a gluten-free Italian feast – pasta (I like Tinkyada, or Quinoa brands), bottled Marinara Sauce, tapenade, and maybe some gluten-free macaroons or chocolates for dessert. Be sure to include some non-food extras like a spaghetti fork, or metal strainer.

 

• Tea Time

For the tea or coffee lover, you could fill a napkin-lined basket with a selection of loose tea or tea bags, or exotic coffee, along with some gluten-free cookies. Be sure to include a tea strainer, and perhaps a couple of mugs. Let your imagination lead the way!

Of course, you want to make certain the teas are actually gluten-free – since some of the more complex flavors and ingredients could be suspect. This article from The Food Babe will tell you everything you need to know.

 

• For the Bath

While I’m not suggesting that bath products are edible, I do want to gently remind you that gluten is very sneaky and appears in everything from toiletries to cosmetics.

In other words –  buyer beware!

A few of my favorite brands for cleansers and body lotions are Desert Essence, and Hugo Naturals. Another popular on-line company is Annemarie Gianni.

(I recently bought some of her products, and I have to say – they not only smell absolutely heavenly, they are among the cleanest, safest products around!)

 

So that’s it.

Hopefully I’ve given you more than enough ideas for everyone on your gift list – including yourself.