Top 10 Best Products as Gifts: Holiday Shopping at Healthy Options (Shangri-La Mall)

The Yuletide holiday season this year went by too fast, don’t you think? In its truest meaning, let’s not forget that Christmas is about the celebration of Christ’s birth. It’s about giving and sharing—love, joy, peace, goodwill to men—that kind of thing. With the limited time for me to shop and my loved ones and myself (from October to December), Healthy Options had me covered. 🙂

Often, gifts that make life simpler and healthier are extremely welcome. At HO Shangri-La Mall, I found so many great items that I’m sure my family and friends would love. These were composed mostly of food and personal care stuff we can use every day.  Here are the top 10 best products I got without breaking the bank.

Top 10 Best Products as Gifts: Holiday Shopping at Healthy Options (Shangri-La Mall)

1. derma e Purifying Daily Detox Scrub With Marine Algae and Activated Charcoal (100% vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, lanolin-free, gluten free, GMO-free) (left most)

I absolutely love using this as a facial scrub. With apricot seed powder and activated charcoal, it draws out toxins from skin’s surface down to the pores and exfoliates away pollutants and impurities. Derma e Purifying Daily Detox Scrub With Marine Algae and Activated Charcoal is ideal for those looking to diminish the visible signs of aging as well as fight off future damage. It leaves my face fresh and so soft!

2. Alba Botanica Even Advanced Moisturizer SPF 15 (Sea Moss) (in the middle)

This moisturizer forms part of my nighttime facial care routine ever since I bought it. Alba Botanica Even Advanced Moisturizer is hypo-allergenic and smells so nice. Featuring sea moss extracts, it stimulates cell regeneration to help correct uneven tone, while the breathable sunscreen content helps protect against future discoloration and sun-induced complexion issues. At daytime, it can be worn well alone or under make-up. After a week of use, my skin feels supple and looks good. No irritation or unwanted breakouts! I’ll definitely repurchase.

3. Alba Botanica Even Advanced Natural Cleansing Milk (Sea Lettuce) (right most)

Completing the facial care combo is this fragrant soap-free milk cleanser that gently removes any traces of the day. Made with sea lettuce, aloe vera, and jojoba, the Alba Botanica Even Advanced Natural Cleansing Milk maintains the skin’s pH and provides moisture for a powerful regenerative effect. The “milk” attached to the name is quite appropriate, because it’s so creamy but light). Suggested use is to gently rub onto a face pre-moisted with warm water, to give you that Cleopatra bathing-in-milk feeling of luxury.

4. Nature’s Gate Liquid Hand Soap 

Made with herbal extracts, Nature’s Gate Moisturizing Liquid Soap gently cleanses and leaves hands feeling soft and pampered. We bought a ton of these as giveaways (in different scents) to my mom’s friends and colleagues and as gifts for exchange gift. The soap itself produces a nice lather, so far the best hand soap we’ve tried.

5. Nature’s Gate Shampoo and Conditioner

Nature’s Gate Shampoo and Conditioner are hands-down my favorite. I have influenced so many people in my circle to use these in replacement of mainstream products that contain harsh chemicals and ingredients that may produce adverse reactions and side effects. I recommend these for all hair types especially for colored hair since they don’t strip the dye from hair. The smell lingers and it’s amazing. We also bought these as gifts to friends.

6. The Carolina Nut Company Gourmet Peanuts

We tried the honey roasted and chipotle variants and shared them with my family and office mates. We liked them so much—we need more. In different spice varieties, Carolina nuts are fresh, well-seasoned nuts presented in regular nut tins with classy, well done labels. They’re so addictive! On my next two visits at Healthy Options, all the flavors were out of stock. OMG. The stores should restock more of these, so we can spread the goodness to everyone.

7. Sahale Snacks Parmesan Cheese + Herbs Crunchers (certified gluten-free)

Since The Carolina Nut Co. peanuts were not available during my recent trips at the stores, I was happy to find Sahale Snacks Parmesan Cheese + Herbs Crunchers. The herbs are a mix of Italian seasonings (oregano, basil, etc.) and peppers. When these combine with the Parmesan cheese, the resulting flavor is really delicious. The red pepper tilts these over to the spicier side of things, but that’s fine. Natural sweeteners, such as organic tapioca syrup and organic cane sugar, were used. I thought these will serve as a nice garnish on pasta or even cooked as an ingredient in spicy stir-fry dishes in this holiday season.

8. Natural Nectar Spread, ChocoDream Cookie Butter Speculoos Spread

Now who doesn’t love cookie butter speculoos spread? Cookie butter is a decadent treat that’s gained a cult following for a time. Spice cookies or speculoos (pronounced “speck-you-lows”) are a sign of the holiday season. Some call them St. Nicholas cookies—and they’re basically edible versions of the warm, fuzzy feelings we get when curl up in bed. We like it on toast, while some prefer having a couple of spoonfuls. But you know what we have yet to try? Put ChocoDream Cookie Butter Speculoos Spread as crust to cheesecake and add about a pint of ice cream on top to make a good speculoos pie. Yum!

9. Barney Butter Almond Butter Vanilla + Espresso

A “non-cheat” food with essential nutrition, Barney Butter Almond Butter Vanilla + Espresso can be described like “love.” Made with blended blanched almond butter, it’s a little bit subtle, robust, smooth and sweet. This is a great gift to those who are allergic to peanuts but do enjoy nutty flavor because it’s peanut-free and gluten-free. Its creamy texture is thick enough to spread or dip chunks of apple into. It spreads easily and is wonderful in sandwiches.

10. Healthy Options Sparkling Juices (Acai, Peach, Golden Apple, Grape, Rose, and Wildberry)

At only PhP 295 per bottle, these sparkling juices are very elegant and presentable gifts for Christmas and the holidays. We bought more than 10 bottles of these and we’re so glad that the wine bag and the Healthy Options apple logo sticker came with each as perfect packaging. These sparkling juices are non-alcoholic and refreshing. The flavor is sweet and bold, yet delicate and sophisticated. 🙂

Have you completed your holiday gift-giving list yet? If you are at a loss for Christmas or Thanksgiving gift ideas, this may serve as a dazzling list of possible presents for your family, friends, and yourself. Shopping at Healthy Options for products that deliver great value is always fun and satisfying. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 😉

[schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/HealthyOptionsPhilippines/” name=”Healthy Options Shangri-La Plaza” description=”Main Wing Shangri- La Plaza, Edsa Corner Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, 1550 Metro Manila” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 635 0321″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-12-29″ ]