Holiday Gift Guide :: for your friend who rarely takes no for an answer, will eat ice cream for dinner any day, and wants her opinions & lifestyle to positively impact the lives of others

A necklace that isn't just pretty but empowering.
31bits is a company using design to empower people to rise above poverty.
Each necklace means jobs, education, counseling services, health education, finance training, and business mentorships for women and men in Uganda. Read more here.

A beanie for a good cause & a one-for-one initiative.
Love Your Melon brings hats to children battling cancer & donates 50% of the proceeds to CureSearch and the Pinky Swear Foundation to fund cancer research initiatives and provide immediate support for families. Best. Gift. Ever.

Grab a tee or sweatshirt benefiting beautiful animals all around the world.
VAUTE is “The World’s First All-Vegan Fashion Brand.” Buy from a line that says no to animal cruelty & yes to conscientious fashion choices. Many items from the casuals line support charities ending animal testing and harm.

Snag an incredibly powerful necklace.
Each old, used key is engraved with an empowering word and meant to be worn for the time you need it and then passed on to somebody else. A percentage of the sales go to Chrysalis, a non-profit creating a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income individuals by providing the resources and support needed to find and retain employment.

Give her something that can hold her necessities while providing meals for the hungry!
This bag provides 70 micronutrient packets to children in Guatemala. FEED is fighting against hunger in a tangible way. Each bag features the number of meals or micronutrient packets provided to those in need. I've bought several of their products and am always in awe of their impact and beauty.

A necklace or ring or cuff from an organization with an extremely powerful mission statement. Liberty United transforms illegal guns and ammunition provided by police into handcrafted jewelry. Every purchase helps to protect an at-risk child from gun violence. Read more about Liberty United here.

Nothing like a new pair of shoes!
If you've never heard of Toms, they are incredible. With their one-for-one promise, buying a pair of shoes means a pair for someone else in need, too.

Shop local! If you're in Wilmington, check out Pineapple Studios, a beautiful yoga and pottery studio. Jess sells her own work as well as the creations of others, and I personally want to buy it all. You can shop her store, and this beautiful mug, at the studio or online! When you shop local, you empower men and women in your community. Find a local store you love and support it will all of your heart.

Empower men and women all across the world with a $25 loan.
The loans from Kiva are repaid back to your account which can be lent out again and again and again. What a beautiful gift to give in the name of someone.

Check out the whole 2015 Gift Guide so far ...

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How To :: 3 Easy Tips for Working Out During the Holidays (bonus free printable!)

Sometimes working out sucks.

Contrary to popular belief, however, working out isn't meant to make you cringe in fear or push it off until the latest hour of the day. It's supposed to be enjoyable, fun, and something you look forward to during your week. It can be challenging & intense, don't get me wrong. But it's not supposed to be terrifying.

If you've ever had a difficult time planning a schedule or sticking to one, you're not alone! Think back to your New Year's Resolutions. Was exercising more on that list? Maybe you've stuck with it somewhat or maybe you haven't. No worries. It might be the end of the year when the mad rush of crazy schedules is at it's peak, but that doesn't mean you can't find your new favorite workout. Last year, I fell in love with Barre3 in an attempt to procrastinate studying for finals and decrease my stress levels. I've been doing it three times a week ever since!

Exercising has been known to elevate the mood thanks to a flood of endorphins. It helps you sleep better at night. Exercise makes you feel confident and sexy in your body, because you're getting in touch with your power and strength. It's been known to boost memory retention and can help fight off illness. This last point has one major caveat: too much exercise can lead to intense fatigue and a suppressed immune system - rest days are important, so take them! I aim for and recommend at least 2 days of rest a week. Exercise, when done right, gives you more energy and simply makes you happier.

Read on for 3 simple tips for working out during the holidays ...

During the holiday season working out still kind of sucks & almost seems impossible. Here's how to do it:

1. Ink it in.

Just like you schedule appointments, book workouts into your calendar with ink (or swear never to delete them off Google Calendar). When it's written down with a specific date and time, it becomes as important as the working lunch or client consult. At the beginning of the week, pen in the specific dates, times, & types of workouts you'll be doing over the next seven days. For example: Monday at 6:15; in the gym for an hour.

2. Make it fun.

Like I said above, workouts aren't meant to make you hide in fear. They can be intense, work your muscles to the core, and leave you sore the next day, but if you're crying at the thought of your next session or don't enjoy the burn while you're doing it, maybe your workout isn't the best it could be for you right now. What we're drawn to changes over time, and what works for some might not work for others. If you normally do crossfit but now really want a calmer pace, take up some yoga or barre. If you're looking for more cardio in addition to your Vinyasa classes, try a meditative run (see the download below). Make it something that works for YOU, not your best friend or brother.

3. Be kind to yourself.

It's a really freaking busy time of the year. If you're someone who normally exercises regularly and now you're struggling to fit it into your schedule, try not to think all or none. If 60 minute workouts (just as a comparison, not a 'best length' recommendation) don't fit into your calendar, and you only have time for 10 minutes, then a 10 minutes workout is great! You'll still get the energy needed to power through the endless list of holiday to-do's and parties. Ten minutes a day will have you ready to rock those pretty holiday outfits you can't wait to put on. In the printable below, you'll find a 10 minute yoga flow & tools for a meditative run that can easily be applied to walking.

If you don't have time to fit exercising into your schedule, don't beat yourself up. Life is far more than sweating out toxins. You've still got it regardless, so flaunt that hot body of yours with a bright smile and cheery vibe.

Happy happy, everyone. And for those celebrating, Happy Hanukkah! Xx.

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To celebrate the holiday season with movement, I made you this free printable :: click the image to download & print!

Like what you see? It's part of the new, free 7 page Healthy Holidays Guide.

Want a copy? Get it delivered to your inbox on Friday, December 11th when you fill out the form below.

Put me on the list!

Healthy Holidays Guide Release

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P.S.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
other places Emily's spreading the Great Vibes?

Holiday Gift Guide :: for the host & hostess who throw the best parties and always make you feel like you're a part of the family

A timeless wood and marble cutting board.
Perfect for all the stinky cheese & yummy crackers.

A basket with a wonderful story.
Give it just as is or with yummy treats like cheese or chocolate.

Personalized stationary and calling cards for notes & reminders.
Especially lovely if this is a newly married couple.

For a little quirk & holiday entertainment, bring a game
the whole gang can enjoy. Gotta love a oiuja board.

Along with a bottle of wine, bring these fantastic wooden bottle stoppers.

Speaking of wine, how about this awesome opener?
It uncorks a bottle of wine in three seconds. (or you can go for a classic).

Perhaps my very favorite host/hostess gift is a loaf of bread (or muffins or crescent rolls).
With nut butter, jam or jelly, and a little container of ground coffee,
it makes for a dreamy, lazy morning & breakfast post-entertaining. So thoughtful.

A candle makes for a perfect, inexpensive gift.
I bet this scent is incredibly nostalgic.

A great book for their coffee table.
This one is the best conversation starter I've found so far.

Check out the 2015 Gift Guide so far ...

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P.S. Affiliate links were used throughout this post. Thanks for supporting The Great Vibes Guide & Em through the holidays! Xx.

Subscribe to The Newsletter.

Subscribe to The Newsletter.

P.S.S. Did you know you get a free 5 Tips to Great Vibes Guide & grocery store printable when you sign up for The Newsletter? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

P.S.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
other places Emily's spreading the Great Vibes?