Mother's Day: Gifts For The Healthy-Minded Mom

Mother's Day is quickly approaching! This year, it falls on Sunday, May 13, so you have a couple of weeks to come up with the perfect token of appreciation to show mom you care.

Here at HuffPost Healthy Living, we firmly believe that the best Mother's Day gifts don't only make moms feel good, they're good for them, too. That's why we've compiled a few healthy Mother's Day gift ideas. Click through our favorites below, then tell us in the comments how you and your mom will be celebrating.

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• Dark Chocolate

  Instead of a too-sugary box of regular ol' chocolates, opt for dark chocolate -- studies show it packs the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/28/chocolate-health-benefits_n_1383372.html" target="_hplink">biggest health punch</a>, including decreasing stroke risk, protecting the skin and boosting your mood. We're loving these salted bars from <a href="http://www.salazonchoc.com/products.html" target="_hplink">Salazon Chocolate Co.</a> ($3.59 per bar)

• Fruit Bouquet

  Dietary guidelines call for five to 13 <a href="http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vegetables-full-story/" target="_hplink">servings of fruit and veggies a day</a>, but the average American mom only gets three, according to Harvard School of Public Health. Gift her a delicious and gorgeous fruit bouquet from <a href="http://www.ediblearrangements.com/" target="_hplink">Edible Arrangements</a> -- and hope she'll share! (prices vary) <br> <br> <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kokiri/1525559352/" target="_hplink">DarkChunsa</a></em>

• Sweat Sessions

  If your mom is a fan of Spinning or wants to give yoga a try, set her up with a few classes. Many studios offer gift certificates or three-, five-class or week-long passes that you can purchase and hand off to mom to try at her leisure. <br> <br> <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/domestictimes/3684242630/" target="_hplink">Augusto Mia Battaglia</a></em>

• Tea Party To Go

  Regular tea drinkers boast <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/05/health-benefits-of-tea_n_1126594.html" target="_hplink">health benefits</a> like protection against heart disease and Parkinson's. Combine some of your favorite flavors in a pretty basket with a cute teapot or mug and you've got an easy, homemade gift, or pick up a version like this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tazo-Tea-Temptations-Gift-Basket/dp/B005S6EGGU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335385803&sr=8-1" target="_hplink">Tazo mix</a> ($31).

• DIY Spa Kit

  A visit to the spa can do wonders to help busy moms de-stress, but all that pampering can be pricey. Set her up with all the tools she needs to rejuvenate at home with a home spa kit. The all-natural, calming soaps and salts in this <a href="http://www.gaiam.com/product/healing+home+spa+set.do" target="_hplink">set from Gaiam</a> make for a great pick ($68).

• Acupressure Mat

  Acupressure is another great way to help mom relax -- but without the sometimes-scary needles used in its cousin, acupuncture. Coax mom into relaxing on her own terms with this hands-off, use-anywhere <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_hpc?_encoding=UTF8&node=3760901&field-brandtextbin=HIMALAYA ACUPRESSURE MAT %28THE ORIGINAL%29" target="_hplink">acupressure mat</a> ($28.95).

• Organic Sheets

  Remind busy moms about the <a href="http://www.coyuchi.com/organic-bedding/organic-sheets.html" target="_hplink">importance of a good night's sleep</a> -- it can improve memory, prevent heart problems and keep extra pounds at bay. A set of organic, soft-as-a-cloud cotton <a href="http://www.coyuchi.com/organic-bedding/organic-sheets.html" target="_hplink">sheets from Coyuchi</a>, available in a range of colors, should do the trick (prices vary). <br> <br> <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/trufflepig/1353853438/" target="_hplink">svacher</a></em>

• Massage Gift Certificate

  You can't go wrong with an "I Owe You" for a relaxing massage. Pick one up at a local spa, or click over to <a href="http://www.spafinder.com/" target="_hplink">SpaFinder.com</a>. Mom can cash it in at over 7,000 locations. <br> <br> Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougellis/6851923202/" target="_hplink">doug ellis</a>

• Related Video

For more on Mother's Day, click here.

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Comments

[DebbieBarker]

07:28 PM on 05/01/2012

Massage is a great gift for Mom - super easy to go pick up a gift card somewhere. Plus, it's a gift that won't end up being ANOTHER item in her closet. Not to mention, a slew of health benefits. Check it out! http://betterhealthwashington.com/2012/04/geriatric-massage-the-significant-power-of-touch/

[Jeff Roth]

01:27 PM on 04/30/2012

try this:

[Queen of Green]

04:04 PM on 04/27/2012

Additional healthy Mother's Day gifts can be found at http://www.ecochicgiftbaskets.com
including 100% natural and organic spa gift baskets. They're exquisite, eco friendly and economical!

[BowlingForRevenge]

03:19 PM on 04/27/2012

I sleep on Coyuchi organic percale sheets every night and they
are the BEST.