From Your Table to Your Health: Stay Off the Naughty List With These Gift Ideas

Secure lid and shake to mix.

Tie ribbon around jar and make a bow.

Type or hand write the following information on a card to include with the mix: Sprinkle lightly on meat or vegetables before cooking.

Nutrition Information: A teaspoon of this seasoning mix contains about 1 mg sodium.

Low-Sodium Barbecue Seasoning Mix

Another idea is this low-sodium barbecue seasoning mix. Many barbecue seasonings are quite high in sodium. This one contains about 9 mg sodium per teaspoon. It is delicious on chicken and hamburgers. Makes ½ cup seasoning mix.

2 tablespoons onion powder

¼ cup garlic powder

1 ½ tablespoons paprika

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 teaspoons dried mustard powder

2 teaspoons crumbled dried thyme

1 small decorative jar with a tight fitting lid

Ribbon to decorate

Combine all ingredients in jar.

Secure lid and shake to mix.

Tie ribbon around jar and make a bow.

Type or hand write the following information on a card to include with the mix: Sprinkle on chicken or hamburgers before cooking.

Nutrition Information: A teaspoon of this seasoning mix contains about 9 mg sodium.

Homemade Granola Bars

Another recommendation is to limit the consumption of foods that contain refined grains. Whole wheat flour and rolled oats, which are both whole grains, are used in these granola bars. Makes 12 bars.

½ cup whole wheat flour

½ cup brown sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup rolled oats

½ cup chopped walnuts

½ teaspoon vanilla

¼ cup honey

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a 10 x 6 inch or 8 x 8 inch baking dish with a nonstick cooking spray.

Sift together the whole wheat flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Sprinkle the whole wheat flour that remains in the sifter over the sifted ingredients. Fold in the oats and walnuts.

Combine the honey and vanilla in a small bowl. Add to dry ingredients.

Using clean hands mix ingredients very well.

Press the mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes.

Cool completely. Using a very sharp knife cut into 12 bars.

These can be left in the baking dish (to include dish as part of the gift) or placed on a decorative disposable plate and cover with plastic wrap.

Nutrition Information: This recipe makes 12 granola bars. Each bar contains approximately 126 calories and 4 grams of fat.