Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Foodtrainers' Favorite Gifts

Sprout Skincare

I love gifts. I generally enjoy giving gifts even more than receiving them (I swear). Whether it’s a hostess gift or birthday present, I like sharing something I think a friend or family member will appreciate. The gifts I cherish receiving are usually smaller ones. A friend showed up with a test tube-like container of black sea salt recently. It was wrapped with a bow such a nice surprise. And a few days ago a client came to a session with shishito peppers from the green market. I was so excited to try them I bit a piece off of one on my way home, not smart.
This week, we sent out our annual Foodtrainers’ Gift Guide to our Monthly Morsels mailing list. We tried putting together our “top 10” gifts but ended up with 11 because none of us was willing to cut anything out.  I thought I’d mention some of the gifts that weren’t on the list as well as my personal favorites.

For the Beauty Queen
When I wrote my natural skincare blog, many of you commented or tweeted me with your favorite brands of skincare. The Sprout users were a vocal bunch. I love the ingredients and the packaging (see top) of this line. I adore the gentle cleanser (and rosewater scent). I love the exfoliant (oats and salt- what could be better?) and though I thought I’d give it to the boys, I stole back the Cocoa Lip Balm (we share).

For the Hotty

I’ve gushed about McClure’s pickles before. Yes, I got out of my bed deathly ill to Google and track them down.  McClure’s also makes Bloody Mary Mix with the pickle juice. With Tito’s handmade vodka it’s a heavenly combination. On its own it’s the most delicious snack or egg accompaniment. If you like pickles and spice, you can’t go wrong. Give a jar to someone you love and they will love you back.

For the Tea Devotee

ultiliTEA- for my birthday, a friend of mine said “I sent you something, I know you’ll appreciate it.” Sure enough, she was right. I already have an electric teakettle at the office but this one has different temperature settings for green, herbal and black tea and it boils water by the time you have your tea bag in the cup. 
For the “Eco-have-it and know-it-all”



Strawesome- Everyone thinks of BPAs in plastic bottles what about straws? These glass straws are great for smoothies, for parties ( I used their black straws  in our Halloween dark and stormys) and according to dentists, when drinking coffee or tea. My kids love them but I love them more. They come in different sizes and colors, so match your décor or your favorite cocktail.

For the Hydrator

Ovopur- ok this is not a “little” gift but it’s a good one. Plastic has its problems and those gigundo, plastic water dispensers aren’t the most attractive contraptions. I’m a fan of healthy and beautiful and the Ovopur meets both criteria. We have one in our waiting room and though some mistake it for a snowman, it’s pretty popular. Can your New Years resolution be buying no more bottled water?


For the Cook

California Olive Ranch- Carolyn and I heard about these olive oils when we took Dan Kluger’s class at Degustibus. I am the type of person that goes home and looks up each item a chef mentions. I ordered the oil and passed on the pricey knife that was plugged. As directed, I’m using Millers Blend for cooking and Arbequina for finishing and salads. California Olive Ranch sources from sustainable olive ranches and its bottles are recyclable.
What have been your favorite gifts recently? Anything your eyeing this holiday season? Which of the above items would you pick?





32 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, that water dispenser is beautiful. It actually looks like art. I love giving gifts as well, and it's about the time of year that I start thinking about them. I'd love to buy reusable straws to tuck into people's stockings this year. Thanks for the reminder!

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  2. The straws are great and surprisingly durable/safe for kids. The ovopur makes me happy. The water tastes incredible it's as good a filter as it is "art".

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  3. i've seen that water dispenser. I have AMAZING OILS and VINEGARS that are perfect holiday gifts from a company in New Mexico called Oleaceae!!! check them out and let me know what you think!

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  4. I think I tasted one of these this summer and it was delicious, lemon perhaps? I hear these make great ski house gifts too. XO

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  5. I'm adding that tea kettle to my wish list right now!

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  6. I love giving gifts too! I get more excited about giving than getting gifts.
    I just cringe when I think about how many years I used a plastic water dispenser! I love the one you have at the office =)

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  7. Love all of these - just got a few bottles of California Olive Ranch oils so looking forward to trying those. This year Im keeping my wish list active - hoping for a new snowboard and ski gear, but thinking I will throw strawesome and that bloody mary mix on there too.

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  8. Carolyn, so we're both dorks, let me know what you like from C.O.R. Ski gear, that's an awesome one. Lisa, doesn't surprise me you're a gift giver for some reason. Laure, the tea kettle is phenomenal and quick. I put my stovetop one away.

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  9. I'm in love with the California Olive Ranch olive oils too. It's all I buy for olive oil these days. I'd love to give the Pickles to my pickle eating friends, and get that tea kettle for myself. Fun gift roundup Lauren!

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  10. I am so going to try that McClures bloody mary mix! And the pickles too. LOVE pickles, LOVE-LOVE spice. I could also use a new tea kettle. Oh, wait, these are GIFTS...right. Great ideas!

    Sad your talk got cancelled. Hope everything is OK?

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  11. Looks like we have the same taste in gifts cameo! Sorry I will not be meeting you Thursday. Thanks for the support.

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  12. My hubs really enjoys fancy oils, so I'm gonna' go with the last pick.

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  13. I would love to have that hydrator too. So practical and nice.

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  14. Wish we were giving away all of these to all of you.

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  15. These are some great gift ideas!

    Ps thanks for stopping by my blog earlier! Glad i could offer up a little inspiration!

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  16. This list has replaced my beloved-but-gone Oprah's Favorite Things show. (the list in the magazine just wasn't satisfying...) If only Cochon shipped those pickles.

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  17. Speaking of which, did you know our fave hot sauce is Blake Lively's too and there's a whole controversy surrounding it? We have to send you out some McClures Marie- you a bloody girl? Thanks for the Oprah comment I think she got us all excited about gift lists, didn't see the O version. Miss Oprah.

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  18. Blake is right in that it's the best hot sauce. A friend in NOLA is shipping some to me, so I'll be sure to send you some too. Oh, I do enjoy the bloody, and McClures pickles have a special place in my heart/fridge.

    I think that Cochon and Cochon Butcher should send us many food gifts for the amount of chatting we've done about both places. The Real Cajun cookbook is really good and surprisingly healthy, particularly the veggies.

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  19. Thanks to Lauren and Carolyn for the kind shout out about California Olive Ranch! We are honored to be part of Foodtrainers' Favorite Gifts - Wow!

    Kirsten

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  20. My local Williams-Sonoma has the pickles. I want to try them.

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  21. Caron- we have them in the office and the only downside is pickle breath between clients. Kristen, I mentioned the olive oil to a group of friends and they're all placing orders, love both of the ones I am using. And Marie- seriously Cochon, can't you break the rules for us?

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  22. I love these gifts! So nice!
    We have a similar electric kettle at work. It is such a treat to have!
    I really should get some of those straws. Great idea!

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  23. These pickles really interest me. I remember reading about them before on your blog also and thought back then about how I must get some ASAP. Unfortunately they only ship by the case from their website. I guess I will have to go to an actual store to do my groceries!

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  24. Sam- I buy pickles by the case if you can't find them let me know. Kristen the straws make drinking anything more fun.

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  25. The olive oil looks promising. :) cute straws :)

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  26. Thanks Ayala, no better daily gift than your beautiful, moving poetry.

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  27. Until now I hadn't thought about the BPA-filled straws we have sitting around here...love your gift idea of a glass one instead!

    I personally wanted a new pair of boots and instead of waiting to get them for Christmas I bought them this past weekend! I couldn't resist. Obviously I need to take a lesson on how to appreciate giving rather than receiving!

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  28. What I'd really like to try is the McClure's garlic relish. I can imagine THAT would be a real problem with clients. ;)

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  29. Yes Ameena, we all need to chuck the plastic straws. As far as boots, that's not a gift it's a necessity, different. Caron- I bought the relish (seems all foods I like are bad breath foods) and didn't use it. I wasn't sure what foods got "relished".

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  30. Thanks for sharing that bloody mary mix! I LOVE bloody marys. I might have to give that gift to myself :)

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  31. Nothing wrong with self gifting, bloody marys make holiday shopping better.

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  32. I totally would have passed on the knife in favor of the oils!

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