The Yuletide holiday season this year went by too fast, don’t you think? In its truest meaning, let’s not forget thatΒ Christmas is about the celebration of Christ’sΒ birth. It’s about giving and sharingβlove, joy, peace, goodwill to menβthat kind of thing. With the limited time for me to shop and my loved ones and myself (from October to December), Healthy OptionsΒ had me covered. π
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. Β 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.Β 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 powderΒ 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 CharcoalΒ is ideal for those looking to diminish the visible signs of aging as well as fight off future damage.Β ItΒ leaves my face fresh and so soft!
2.Β 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.Β 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.Β Made with sea lettuce, aloe vera, and jojoba, the Alba Botanica Even Advanced Natural Cleansing MilkΒ maintains the skin’s pH and provides moisture for a powerful regenerative effect.Β 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 SoapΒ
Made with herbal extracts, Nature’s Gate Moisturizing Liquid Soap gently cleanses and leaves hands feeling soft and pampered.Β We bought a ton of these as giveaways (in different scents) to my mom’s friends and colleaguesΒ and as gifts for exchange gift.Β 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 ConditionerΒ are hands-down my favorite.Β I have influenced so many people in my circle to use these in replacement ofΒ mainstream products that contain harsh chemicals and ingredients that may produce adverse reactions and side effects.Β 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. WeΒ liked them so muchβwe need more. In different spice varieties, Carolina nuts are fresh, well-seasoned nuts presented in regular nut tins with classy, well done labels.Β 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 SnacksΒ Parmesan Cheese + Herbs Crunchers.Β 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.Β Natural Nectar Spread, ChocoDream Cookie Butter Speculoos Spread
Now who doesn’t love cookie butter speculoos spread?Β Cookie butter is a decadent treat thatβs 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 cookiesβand 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? PutΒ 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.Β 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,Β 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. π
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! π
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
The food related products look delicious, some I have never heard of. Thanks to your post, and my note-taking skills, I will be on the lookout for many of them locally here. The lotions and bath/body washes look amazing as well, especially the JASON Apricot Scrubbie! Can you tell me where I can purchase that? Is it available locally or online?
In the Philippines, you can look for it at any branch of Healthy Options. π Online though, you can check out Amazon or iHerb. π
Wow! This store looks so nice. I am really interested in learning more about those skin care lines. I might have a little obsession with lotions and scrubs. π Thanks for sharing this nice health store to check out.
You’re welcome! We love makeup, but there’s no substitute for clear, beautiful, and healthy skin. When I started using only organic and natural products this 2016, my face felt squeaky-clean but never tight or dry.
These are really great suggestions! I love using healthy and organic products for my family! I also love giving my friends organic products they can try. These are such great gift ideas for any special day.
It’s great to share products and brands that we really believe in to friends so they can also experience the beauty and understand why those products truly deserve some love. π
The name says it all. ? It certainly has healthy options to choose from.
Yup, it’s spot on. I like that they carry the message as they deliver value. π
I was laying in bed this morning thinking we hadn’t had Christmas yet and realized that we had. Lol. The food related stuff looks the best.
These are comfort food without the guilt. π
It’s like you have read my mind. I truly love to receive gifts like these and food if at the top of my list. I love the high quality all natural foods but they are usually just a once in a while treat because of the price. This is the perfect way to put a smile on my face, give me my favorite all natural foods and let me enjoy them without having to splurge, love it!
Taking all-natural products after years and years of using synthetic ones is like pushing the “reset” button on your body, making it brand new again from the inside-out and having it perform at its best. π
Wow. These products are just too good. Perfectly my kind.
Hope you get to try all if not most of them! π
If I visit this place, I will also buy the similar products. They all look healthy and good in quality. Also, loved the ambiance.
I haven’t been to healthy options for quite some time. I should visit the place again as I like some of the new items here.
I love nature gate’s product. I am a die hard fan of their sulphate free shampoo. Really does wonder for me! but, sadly not readily available in Malaysia. I always have to stock it up!
Nice way to provide shopping guide. All from one shopping mall so that people can get it all in one place without having to travel to many places~
Thank you for reviewing these products. It’s hard to gamble on buying from Healthy Options because the products are expensive.
Cool haul of gifts hahaha Beauty and food products are really nice gifts for these days. I would like to try Alba Botanica products, it seems pretty nice. Happy new year!
These products are really amazing! I wish I could shop these for my loved ones..
I like that most of these items in the list are βpracticalβ gifts as they can really be used. The non-alcoholic and 100% all-natural sparkling juices seems such a great gift for a reasonable price. I hope I get to visit a Healthy Options branch soon.
β Grace β