DTSB Holiday Gift Guide: Healthy and Holistic
Nov 24

DTSB Holiday Gift Guide: Healthy and Holistic

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As you all know, I love South Bend. I love the people and the businesses and the spirit of our city, which is why I am so excited to announce that OMG has teamed up with enFocus and DTSB to bring you a really awesome series of holiday gift guides featuring local businesses. The enFocus Ambassador of Buzz, Kelsie Ferguson, has been interviewing Downtown South Bend businesses about what they’ll be offering their customers this Holiday Season and with Small Business Saturday happening this week, it’s a perfect time to go shopping! So, keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks for more features from this great series! In addition to the articles, enFocus is running a competition on their Facebook Page where you have the opportunity to win the prizes mentioned here and I know you don’t want to miss out on that! Now, I’m going to turn this post over to Kelsie for the first article in the series… Happy Shopping!

Gifts for the Healthy and Holistic

A guide to finding something for the healthy, holistic, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, sustainability-loving, sometimes difficult but still totally lovable individuals in your life.

The Vibrance Center
Prize: doTERRA AromaTouch Session. $70 value
Location: 328 N Michigan St, Suite B3
Online: http://vibrancecenter.com/

A stress-free zone with your frazzled significant other, friend, or family member’s name on it. When people come into a session, nothing else exists but them, sessions are booked so you can arrive early, and take your time leaving. An escape – where for once – you won’t feel rushed.

“We show people how to turn their negativity into good and productive energy; happy people work better, they aren’t overloaded with stress and therefore aren’t using their energy to manage it,” says the owner, Colleen Kielton.

For the holiday months, individuals can get a reduced rate on their memberships. This includes a monthly session in either; massage, reiki, acupuncture, private and semi-private qigong.

The gift of group membership can be purchased by business owners for their employees, giving them an opportunity to enjoy a monthly session and many other great benefits listed on the website!

Woochi
Prize: $25 Gift Card
Location: 123 W Washington St
Online: http://www.notjustsushi.com/

Be it a large party, a romantic table for two, or an energetic bar area – Woochi strives to be much more than just a place for sushi. They make it their mission to create a family-friendly and health-oriented Japanese Restaurant experience. With an emphasis on quality and fresh food, Woochi is a healthy option for many with specific dietary preferences.

For the holidays, Woochi is offering a gift-card special: for every $100 you spend, you receive a free $20 card in return. With a variety of gluten-free and vegan options on their menu, a Woochi gift card is a great idea for the selective persons on your list!

Woochi focuses on the quality and healthiness of their products. From limited deep-frying, avoiding sweet or high-sodium options to adding wasabi and ginger to each sushi meal, the rolls are quite healthy – and delicious.

“Woochi is not just sushi,” says Founder and Managing Partner, Jeremy Young, “We also offer Thai food, home-made Korean kimchi, and a secret authentic Chinese menu and so on. Maybe one day you may find burger on our menu, as long as it’s delicious and healthy.”

Dancehipology
Prize: 1 Free Private Group Lesson (for a group of between 5 and 20 people)
Location: 121 S Niles Ave
Online: http://dancehipology.com/

Working out is tedious, but healthy also means happy, so why not dance instead? A beautiful and spacious dance floor, a gorgeous view of the river, and excited instructors all give Dancehipology that special zing your gift-recipients will love.

The studio offers both kids and adult classes, private lessons for couples or individuals, private group lessons for friends, family, or co-workers, and even bachelorette parties. Wedding dance packages are also available for those individuals wanting to make that first-dance or wedding party routine especially unique. Gift certificates are available over the phone, email, or in-person.

For the winter holidays, Dancehipology is offering a pop-up Santa Baby class on December 6th. This class is for adults 18+ and individuals should look forward to learning a fun and sexy routine to cure those holiday blues. Call ahead to register ($15).

“For couples, it’s great one-on-one time and it’s a chance to learn something you can do together. For kids, it’s an activity they can use to get out and express themselves. Dancing releases endorphins, relieves stress, and allows you to lose weight and not know you’re even working out,” says owner, Velvet Canada.

Edible Arrangements
Prize: A Reindeer Sleigh Ride Bouquet
Location: 123 S Michigan St
Online: http://www.ediblearrangements.com/stores/123-S.-Michigan-Street-South-Bend-IN-46601

From reindeer-shaped, chocolate-dipped pineapple pops, to fruit-filled sleighs of deliciousness, Edible Arrangements provides a tasty, healthy, and more sustainable gift than a dozen roses or a box of chocolates.

Guess what! Edible Arrangements donates all of its rinds and leftover fruit to a pig rescue. That’s right, I said pigs and I said rescue. None of the pigs on this farm are harmed. In fact, they’re saved!

If that’s not enough to tug at your heartstrings, ask the kids at Memorial Children’s Hospital how they felt when Downtown hosted it’s Frozen event, and Edible Arrangements showed up with pineapple pops shaped like snowflakes and Sven from the movie.

Not only are the ethics at Edible Arrangements note-worthy, so is their product. Fruit can be cut into many shapes. From reindeer to snowflakes, stars, and trees, Edible has it all.

“Treat others how you would want to be treated only sweeter,” is a motto of Regional Manager, Sean O’Malley, and Edible Arrangements. Gift cards and arrangement orders are available, and the business delivers.

The Creperie
Prize: A Voucher for a Free Crepe & 12oz Drink
Location: 121 S Niles Avenue
Online: http://www.thecreperiesb.com/

The Creperie features a simple, yet delicious variety of crepes, smoothies, coffee, juices, teas, and more. Gathering ingredients from local, organic, and sustainable businesses – a gift card to The Creperie is bound to send any sustainability-interested individual to their happy place. What’s that? Oh yeah, they have vegan crepe batter.

What’s better than sitting on a warm comfortable couch enjoying a Christmas Crepe? Knowing where all the ingredients came from, and maybe even being able to drive by the places they were made. The business holds high sustainability standards, recycling, composting, and returning that compost to the Purple Porch, and back to the farms that provided the products to begin with.

If you’re struggling for a gift idea that will impress your healthy and sustainable friend, look no further. Whether they come for the crepes, the transparency, the food culture, or the sustainability, they will love the spirit behind these (really thin) pancakes.

Purple Porch Co-op
Prize: A Voucher for a Free Breakfast Burrito & Bottle of Locally Made Hot Sauce
Location: 123 N Hill St
Online: www.purpleporchcoop.com

“Meet me at the Purple Porch” they used to say; a group of individuals who would buy bulk supplies and divvy them up. Dreaming of a more sustainable and fair future for the food market, the Purple Porch now offers many delicious items for the sustainable, healthy, vegan and vegetarian individuals on your shopping list this year.

From farm to fork, The Purple Porch Co-op has unique, local items. The café offers food prepared completely from scratch using the ingredients in the store itself! The shop offers locally made soap, and other cosmetics. There are even bottles of locally-made hot sauce. There is also a section dedicated to Holiday-meal-making ingredients.

For the Holidays, Maureen Wijnen will be offering Chocolate Peppermint Muffins and Organic Fresh Baked Challah alongside other breads each day.

Gift-cards are available in the store, helping the decision-making process considerably. Memberships are also available which allow individuals to receive 10% off a purchase once a month.

Yummy Cupcakes
Prize: A Voucher for a Free Cupcake
Location: 119 S Michigan St
Online: www.yummycupcakes.com

I know what you must be thinking. What is this madness? Healthy cupcakes? Well, everyone wants to indulge, and Yummy Cupcakes has something for everyone.

Featuring up to two vegan options daily, and one gluten-free option, Yummy Cupcakes is a healthy-gift idea for the health-nut friend you want to indulge.

Vegan cupcakes are dairy-free. Rather than having buttercream, they are topped with vegan frosting. On Friday and Saturday the shop offers sugar-free options as well.

There are over 400 different choices in flavors. Check out their website and, remember, although the weather outside may be frightful this winter, the cupcakes are oh so delightful!

Memorial HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum
Prize: 1 Family Membership, $70 value
Location: 111 W Jefferson Blvd
Online: http://www.healthworkskids.org/

Thump thump, thump thump. Walking up the stairs to HealthWorks, you pass a huge happy heart. Questions line the walls. Why do I shiver when I’m cold? Why does my breath smell bad? They may seem silly to adults, but kids are curious, and HealthWorks has the answers!

“Winter is a time of inactivity, so it’s important to teach kids healthy ways to stay active, even if they’re inside,” says Eliana Ramos, who bears the title Captain of the Universe at HealthWorks.

The museum is a healthy way to keep kids entertained, warm, and educated. From the ‘Skin Crawl Wall’ to hula-hoops and exercise games, HealthWorks offers a lot to choose from.

Events, such as the upcoming Holiday Hoopla Winter Camps on December 22nd and 23rd, are a great way for kids and adults to learn some exciting crafts, games, and activities over the winter break.

Instead of toys, or chocolate, impress the whole family with a membership. What’s better than fun, education, and time together all tied into one gift with a big red bow?

South Bend Civic Theatre
Prize: 2 Tickets to The White Christmas Show
Location: 215 W Madison St
Online: www.sbct.org

Grand ionic columns adorn the façade of the South Bend Civic Theatre. If you don’t feel like a Roman or a royal walking up the steps, you will once you come inside.

Why not take a break from shopping and give yourself a gift while Downtown? During the month of December, the South Bend Civic Theatre (SBCT) is showing the holiday classic Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, based on the 1954 film by David Ives and Paul Blake. Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin.

The theatre draws on the talents of the community, featuring one of a kind performances put on by individuals who volunteer their time for the love of the performing arts.

“We are a gift to the community and part of the cultural infrastructure of South Bend,” says Scot Shepley, Marketing Director and Actor at SBCT.

Full Circle Nutrition
Prize: A Voucher for a Free Aloe Shot, Hot Tea & Shake
Location: 127 W Washington St
Online: http://www.facebook.com/fullcirclenutritionDTSB

Full Circle Nutrition is a healthy haven on a busy street. Inside you’ll find an energetic atmosphere, and a warm smile or two from behind the shake bar. They offer a series of Herbal-Life drinks that are designed to kick-start your metabolism and digestion as well as nourish your body.

Locating in the heart of the city was a dream come true for Jenna and Kyle Ingle. It was there they knew they could make the biggest impact on the happiness, and healthiness of the community.

“We really just want to make people feel good,” says Jenna, “They can come in, hang out, bring their kids. We’re all family here.”

The shop offers aloe shots, hot and cold tea, and delicious shakes. Recently opened this November, they will have gift cards soon.

The business is very event-oriented, hosting fitness camps, weight loss challenges and even kids’ craft days. In the corner is a play-area for kids. After-hours coaches sit down with customers to build free wellness profiles. They listen to the customer’s goals, be it to have more energy, gain muscle, or lose weight, and build them a program fit for their needs.

“We want to build relationships with the community, not transactions,” says Jenna.

About The Author

Kelsie Ferguson is the enFocus Ambassador of Buzz for Downtown South Bend. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Indiana University South Bend, with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in Art History. She developed her talents as the Staff Writer and then Managing Editor at the IUSB campus paper, The Preface.

Competition Details and Rules

The Facebook promotion being run in parallel with this Gift Guide article is administered by enFocus Inc., a non-profit business-consulting firm located in South Bend, Indiana. It is open to residents of the South Bend region over the age of 18 years. The deadline for entries is 10:00 AM on November 30th, 2014. There is a limit of one entry per person. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, OMG Photography or DTSB.