Healthy Father’s Day Gifts from the Heart

Another Hallmark holiday is upon us, celebrating fatherhood across the land. Bad ties, ill-fitting shirts, and millions of golf balls will be given this year in homage to our collective patriarchs. Not that I am advocating against the holiday, or any reason to celebrate for that matter. But I do tend to rebel against the commercialism of it all. But rather than rant and rave, I would like to suggest some alternate celebratory offerings—something a bit healthier.

The suggestions will give you an opportunity to improve your father’s life, through his diet, exercise, and even mental health. It will allow you to be creative and maybe spend some quality time with the old (or not so old) man. So rather than heading out to the local big box store or your favorite retailer,  consider changing it up this holiday with your gift-giving.

Start an herb garden or small plot seeded with your father’s favorite vegetables.
If space is limited, an herb garden can be planted in a large pot for the front porch or back patio. If he is a pepper fiend, find some unusual varieties and make room next to the rose bushes. He will thank you for months to come, every time one of those herbs or peppers tickles his taste buds.

Bake him up some tasty blueberry bran muffins to tuck into a fresh fruit basket.
Head down to your local farmers’ market or greengrocer and pick up some beautiful summer produce: Peaches, apricots, mangos, strawberries. Set them in a festive basket and add some homemade muffins, which will freeze well and can be heated in the microwave when needed.

Buy him a good grill pan, fish basket for the barbecue, or metal skewers for chicken kabobs.
Steer dad away from the ribs and the rib eyes. Give him a reason to buy the salmon and skinless chicken breasts. Top it off with a good herb or barbecue rub to add some potent flavor.

Treat him to a monthly box of fruit and veggies from a local CSA.
There’s nothing like farm-to-table produce. Fresh, tasty and irresistible, he can grill it up on his barbecue with that chicken kabob. You can look up a local CSA here, or try a service like FruitGuys.

Take your dad out for a day of heart-healthy activities.
How about a hike in the hills, a round of golf, a game of tennis, a walk on the beach, or a bike ride to the park? You could even extend this to a weekend camping/hiking trip or golf getaway at a famous course.  Nothing like spending time together to put a smile on dad’s face.

Give dad a cooking lesson at a local culinary school.
Many schools offer one-day and weekend courses on a variety of subjects, including knife skills, charcuterie, barbecue, and regional cuisine (think Italian, Mediterranean, Greek). Maybe he would like to learn to bake or learn more about wine or cheese? Most urban and suburban areas have classes at cooking stores (Williams-Sonoma, for example), larger grocery and specialty stores, park and rec departments, as well as formal cooking schools that offer less-than-formal training for the home chef. 

Cook up a healthy breakfast, lunch or dinner (or provide your father with coupons redeemable for a meal of his choosing).
My columns have been filled with good eats and recipes, so that’s a good place to start. You can also head over to some of my favorite bloggers to get ideas and inspiration. Check out the Gingerbread Pancakes or Greek Salad over at Tea & Cookies; the Poached Halibut with Sweet Garlic, Parsley, and Lemon or the deliciously simple Sliced Mushrooms with Fresh Mozzarella and Thyme at Orangette; and for pictures to die for, in addition to healthy recipes, head over to What’s for Lunch, Honey?
 

In Memory: DLW 1937-2008 and MES 1938-2005