The Ultimate Nom Nom Paleo Holiday Gift Guide: Curated Gifts for Foodies, Techies, and Beyond!
Welcome to my much-anticipated annual Holiday Gift Guide! As in previous years, I’ve meticulously curated a selection of my absolute favorite gadgets, essential cooking tools, and inspiring cookbooks that are guaranteed to delight. This guide is tailored for those with discerning tastes—especially if they share my passion for healthy living, delicious food, and innovative tech here at Nom Nom Paleo World Headquarters. The best part? Thanks to the marvels of modern online shopping, you can effortlessly complete your holiday list without ever having to leave the cozy comfort of your couch!
Just like all my prior holiday gift guides, this carefully selected list comprises items that have genuinely enhanced my daily life and brought me immense joy. You won’t find any paid endorsements for products I haven’t personally experienced; in fact, I’ve personally purchased, own, actively use, and absolutely adore every single item featured in this Holiday Gift Guide. Yes, that even includes my own acclaimed cookbooks, our popular calendar, and my signature Magic Mushroom Powder, believe it or not! My guiding principle is simple: if it’s not something I deem worthy of spending my own hard-earned money on, then I wouldn’t feel right recommending it to you. (Full disclosure: While I’m not paid to endorse these fantastic products, if you choose to purchase them via my affiliate links, I do receive a small commission. Rest assured, this comes at no additional cost to you, but it helps support the work we do at Nom Nom Paleo.)
Ready to discover some truly exceptional gifts that will delight your friends and family (and maybe even yourself)? Let’s dive in!
Thoughtful Gifts for Nomsters and Culinary Enthusiasts
READY OR NOT! COOKBOOK
Okay, I admit I’m a little biased, but I wholeheartedly believe that the most wonderful holiday present you can give yourself and your loved ones is our latest culinary creation, Ready or Not! This cookbook isn’t just a collection of recipes; it’s a comprehensive guide designed to make healthy paleo home cooking utterly effortless, whether you’re a meticulous meal planner with ample prep time or a spontaneous cook with just minutes to spare. It caters to every culinary personality, offering an abundance of deliciously nourishing options. From convenient make-ahead feasts and delectable treats to lightning-fast leftover makeovers and quick make-now meals, you’ll find solutions for every occasion.
Presented in our distinctive and beloved comic book style, Ready or Not! stands out with its easy-to-follow step-by-step recipes, vibrant photographs, and practical meal plans. We’ve meticulously crafted it to transform cooking into an enjoyable habit you’ll embrace year-round. Henry and I poured our hearts and souls into every page, testing each and every recipe on our own family to ensure perfection, capturing over 2,000 stunning photographs right in our home kitchen, painstakingly drawing every charming illustration, and personally designing and laying out every single page. This book is truly a labor of love.
The hard work paid off, as Ready or Not! proudly became a New York Times bestseller, and soared to the #1 spot on both the Wall Street Journal and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller lists for Hardcover Nonfiction. It was also recognized as a Semifinalist in Goodreads’ Choice Awards for Food & Cookbooks and named one of the 15 best books of 2017 in Cooking & Wine by Amazon. So, you can be confident it’s an exceptionally good read and a valuable cooking companion!
Ready or Not! is widely available wherever books are sold, both in the U.S. and internationally. It’s the ideal gift for anyone considering a Whole30 or paleo reset in the new year, or simply for those looking to inspire their kids to get more involved in the kitchen. And if your friends haven’t yet discovered the joys of my first cookbook, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans, be sure to grab a copy for them too!
ONE AND DONE! WALL CALENDAR
If you’re already a fan of our cookbooks and our previous wall calendars, you’ll be thrilled with our brand-new One and Done: A Nom Nom Paleo 2019 Wall Calendar! This vibrant, cartoon-packed calendar, presented in our signature zany comic-book style, is designed to inspire you with deliciously hassle-free meals all year long. Each month features a unique Paleo and Whole30-friendly recipe that can be prepared in just one pot or pan, making healthy cooking incredibly convenient. Imagine whipping up dishes like Thai Curry Chicken Casserole or Paleo Chicken Chow Mein with minimal cleanup!
Beyond the fantastic recipes, this calendar also comes with a sheet of colorful stickers to help you track your cooking adventures or simply brighten your days. Hanging this engaging calendar on your wall will serve as a constant source of inspiration, making healthy and delicious cooking a breeze throughout the entire year. Get your copy from Amazon here and make 2019 your most flavorful and organized year yet!
MAGIC MUSHROOM POWDER
If you’ve never experienced the culinary magic of my Magic Mushroom Powder, prepare to be amazed! This extraordinary seasoning is one of the most potent flavor boosters in my kitchen arsenal. It’s an umami-packed seasoning salt that once made The Oregonian’s Test Kitchen declare it had them “rethink everything [they]’ve been doing in the kitchen.” Magic Mushroom Powder can be effortlessly used in place of regular salt in virtually any dish, instantly adding a profound depth of flavor and an addictive savory punch. From simple scrambled eggs and ground meat to perfectly roasted vegetables and crispy chicken wings, it transforms ordinary meals into something truly special.
I always keep Magic Mushroom Powder fully stocked in my kitchen, and you can too! For a personal touch, you can even make it yourself using this easy recipe – it makes for fantastic, thoughtful stocking stuffers for your favorite foodies and home cooks. If DIY isn’t your style, or if you’re simply short on time, I have exciting news: Magic Mushroom Powder is now available in charming tins at Whole Foods Market locations NATIONWIDE! You can typically find it stocked conveniently at the butcher counter or in the spice aisle. To avoid a wasted trip, I recommend calling your local Whole Foods Market first to confirm availability. If it’s not in stock, don’t hesitate to ask the store to re-order it; they’ll be happy to help you get your hands on this game-changing seasoning!
Innovative Gifts for Healthy Techies and Wellness Enthusiasts
Oura Ring
Without a doubt, the single purchase that has brought the most significant positive impact and joy to my life this year is my Oura Ring. This incredibly sleek and minimalist ring is arguably one of the coolest, smallest, and most powerful sleep and activity trackers currently available on the market. As a self-confessed fitness gadget hoarder, I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve invested in and rigorously tested almost every highly-rated fitness tracker out there, including the Bodybugg, various Fitbit models, Jawbone Up, Misfit Shine, Basis, and the Apple Watch. Yet, the Oura Ring has unequivocally emerged as my absolute favorite.
What truly distinguishes the Oura Ring from its competitors? Its unparalleled accuracy in sleep tracking, making it one of the most reliable devices consumers can buy for understanding their rest patterns. What’s even more impressive is how Oura has managed to ingeniously tuck an array of sophisticated sensors and advanced technological components into such an elegant and lightweight ring. It’s discreet, comfortable, and remarkably, you can even wear it on airplane mode, making it perfect for travel or those who prefer to limit electromagnetic exposure.
For me, prioritizing quality sleep takes precedence over EVERYTHING else, because sleep is arguably more determinative of overall personal health than almost any other factor. As a recovering night shift worker, I have firsthand experience with the damaging side effects and profound impact of disrupting one’s natural circadian rhythm. That’s precisely why I rely on my Oura Ring to meticulously track crucial metrics like my sleep stages (deep, REM, light), recovery levels, daily activity, heart rate variability (HRV), and body temperature. This comprehensive daily data, particularly my personalized “Readiness” score, empowers me to make informed decisions and continuously improve my sleep hygiene for the following night. For instance, if my Oura indicates a poor night’s sleep or an elevated body temperature, it intelligently prompts me to take it easy the next day and to aim for an optimal bedtime. I can also delve into the tracked data to identify specific behaviors or factors from the previous night that might have negatively impacted my sleep quality. Through consulting my Oura Ring’s insights, I’ve concretely learned that consistently going to bed by 10 p.m. and finishing my last meal by early evening typically results in significantly more rejuvenating deep sleep compared to staying up until midnight—even if the total sleep duration is 8 hours in both scenarios. That’s a crucial insight for fostering better health!
While I may not be able to completely undo the cumulative damage caused by years of shift work, with my Oura Ring, I am proactively ensuring that my sleep quality from this point forward is as restorative and beneficial as possible. If you’re ready to take control of your sleep and unlock its full potential for improved health and well-being, I highly recommend investing in an Oura Ring. Simply click here to grab yours and begin your journey to better rest!
Must-Have Gifts for Instant Pot Enthusiasts
MY FAVORITE INSTANT POT MODELS
I’ve been such an ardent evangelist and passionate advocate for the Instant Pot for so long that many people assume I must be some kind of paid spokesperson for the brand. But I assure you, that’s not the case! My enthusiasm stems purely from my genuine adoration for using Instant Pots to create incredibly fast, incredibly delicious, and effortlessly healthy recipes. I simply want everyone to experience the transformative power of this kitchen appliance!
To be completely transparent, while Instant Pots are renowned for their multi-use capabilities—handling everything from slow cooking and sautéing to yogurt making and even sterilizing—the electric pressure cooker function is, without a doubt, my absolute favorite, and the one I primarily utilize. But what an electric pressure cooker it is! Seriously, incorporating an Instant Pot into your kitchen routine will fundamentally change your life, streamlining the entire process of getting tasty, hot, and nourishing food onto your table. It drastically cuts down cooking times for traditionally slow-cooked meals, locks in nutrients, and develops incredible flavors with minimal effort.
I’m constantly asked to recommend my favorite Instant Pot models, and my top picks haven’t changed since last year:
Instant Pot IP-DUO Plus: This 9-in-1, 6-quart multi-use cooker offers exceptional value and versatility for its price point. I used to highly recommend the IP-DUO 7-in-1 cooker as the go-to model, but this updated version is even more impressive. Instant Pot truly listened to extensive user feedback on how to enhance the older version, incorporating thoughtful improvements such as adding a clear max-fill line inside the insert, intuitively renaming the “Manual” button to “Pressure Cook,” and packing a host of innovative new features into this already fantastic gadget. It’s a testament to their commitment to continuous improvement. You can grab one of these incredible kitchen workhorses from Amazon here!
Instant Pot Ultra: This one holds the title as my absolute favorite, narrowly beating out the IP-DUO Plus. Why? The Ultra boasts a more sleek and modern aesthetic, features a highly intuitive central dial with convenient turn-and-press functionality for precise control, includes a handy cooking progress indicator, and comes with a dedicated steam release reset button—a thoughtful addition designed to reassure those who might be a bit apprehensive about the escaping steam during manual pressure release. While the central dial might require a slight adjustment for users accustomed to traditional buttons, it offers unparalleled customization and precision in cooking. This model is ideal for those who appreciate advanced features and a more refined user experience. You can find the Instant Pot Ultra on Amazon here!
For most families of four to six, I recommend the 6-quart size, but if you have a larger family or frequently enjoy cooking in bulk for meal prep, increasing to the 8-quart size is a wise choice. I always keep my eyes peeled for sales on these fantastic appliances and make sure to regularly update my Instant Pot Deals page with the latest bargains. And of course, don’t forget to explore my ever-growing list of delicious Instant Pot recipes to get started!
Oxo Silicone Pressure Cooker Egg Rack
While I generally believe it’s unnecessary to own a plethora of accessories for your Instant Pot, this particular Oxo silicone pressure cooker egg rack is an incredibly nifty and surprisingly essential addition. If you, like me, absolutely adore making perfectly “boiled” eggs in the Instant Pot using the pressure cooking method (check out my recipe here!), then this item is an absolute game-changer. I personally prefer it even over the traditional silicone steamer inserts because its clever design ensures the eggs stay securely in place throughout the entire cooking process. This stability is key, as it prevents any cracking that might otherwise occur, guaranteeing beautifully intact eggs every time. Plus, for those who love to meal prep or feed a crowd, you can conveniently buy two of these racks and stack them to cook a crazy-big batch of hard-boiled eggs simultaneously. It’s a simple accessory that delivers significant convenience and perfect results. Purchase one (or two!) of these invaluable egg racks right here.
Instant Pot Cookbooks
Of course, you can find a vast array of Instant Pot recipes for free all over the internet—including all of mine on this ever-expanding recipe roundup. However, if you’re like me, there’s still a unique joy and satisfaction in flipping through the pages of an actual physical cookbook. The market for Instant Pot cookbooks has exploded, with seemingly a bazillion options available, but at this moment, there are three exceptional cookbooks that have truly captured my attention and earned my highest recommendation.
First up is a fantastic new pressure cooking tome from my talented pal, Coco Morante, titled The Ultimate Instant Pot Cookbook! While it’s not exclusively a paleo cookbook, its pages are brimming with an incredible abundance of diverse recipes, invaluable tips, and clever tricks for almost everything you could possibly want to cook in an Instant Pot. There’s a very good reason why the word “Ultimate” is prominently featured right there on the cover—it truly lives up to its name as a comprehensive resource for any Instant Pot owner, regardless of dietary preference. Get one here and unlock a world of culinary possibilities.
If you’re specifically searching for a purely paleo Instant Pot cookbook, the consistently amazing Jennifer Robins has once again delivered! She recently released Affordable Paleo Cooking With Your Instant Pot: Quick + Clean Meals on a Budget, and it is an absolute gem for anyone who craves delicious, wholesome paleo meals without breaking the bank. Jennifer’s recipes are renowned for being both accessible and incredibly flavorful, proving that eating healthy and within a budget is entirely achievable with the help of your Instant Pot. This cookbook is perfect for paleo enthusiasts looking to maximize efficiency and taste while managing their grocery expenses. Get your copy here and start enjoying quick, clean, and economical paleo dishes.
Do you love your Instant Pot but also want a versatile recipe book that explores a wider range of cooking methods? Then you absolutely must check out Danielle Walker’s highly anticipated upcoming cookbook, Eat What You Love. This book is beautifully crafted and brimming with nourishing, paleo-friendly comfort food recipes that are not only consistently delicious but also incredibly reliable. I’ve had the privilege of getting a preview copy, and I can guarantee you’ll fall in love with it just as much as I have. And for those Instant Pot fans, you’ll be thrilled to know that the Instant Pot recipes included in Danielle’s book are, without exaggeration, absolutely incredible! They offer a perfect blend of convenience, flavor, and healthy eating. Don’t miss out on this fantastic resource; nab a copy here to bring delightful, comforting paleo meals into your kitchen.
Exciting Gifts For Foodies and Passionate Home Cooks
Primal Palate Spice of the Month Club
I absolutely, unequivocally love Primal Palate Organic Spices! These aren’t just any spices; they are consistently high-quality, flavorful, and a staple in my kitchen. I use them constantly to effortlessly elevate plain vegetables and various proteins, transforming simple dishes into gourmet experiences. I enthusiastically recommend these fantastic spices to all my friends and fellow food enthusiasts. While I adore all the innovative blends offered by my good pals Bill and Hayley at Primal Palate, I have a particular fondness for their versatile Adobo Seasoning and their robust Meat and Potatoes Seasoning, which truly makes a difference in flavor.
This year, Primal Palate has introduced a truly exceptional gift idea: The 2019 Spice of the Month Club—a gift that genuinely keeps on giving throughout the entire year! Every quarter, you (or your incredibly lucky gift recipient) will receive a delightful shipment that includes three exciting new spice blends, accompanied by three carefully crafted recipe cards designed to perfectly complement those blends. As an added bonus, the very first shipment also includes a fun 2019 calendar! This club is the perfect way to ensure your pantry remains stocked with a fresh supply of delicious, high-quality organic spices, encouraging culinary exploration and adding excitement to every meal, all year long. Elevate your cooking game or surprise a foodie friend by getting a 6-month or 12-month subscription here!
Frywall
Do you, like me, absolutely love making crispy, delicious dishes such as Ollie’s Cracklin’ Chicken, but absolutely dread the inevitable greasy mess that often accompanies such culinary delights? Then I have discovered just the kitchen miracle you’ve been searching for: the ingenious Frywall! This innovative product is a flexible, incredibly heat-resistant silicone splatter “wall” that you simply place inside your skillet. Its brilliant design effectively contains grease splatters, oil mists, and bubbling liquids, ensuring your stovetop and surrounding counters remain impeccably clean. No more endless wiping down after frying! The Frywall is available in three convenient sizes to fit various pans, is heat-resistant up to an impressive 450ºF, and cleverly folds up small for incredibly easy and compact storage. Plus, it’s completely dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze. You can finally retire your old, hard-to-clean splatter guard, people, and embrace a cleaner cooking experience!
Seriously, if Lori Grenier—my favorite “shark” on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank—invested a substantial $100,000 in Frywall, you can bet your bottom dollar it’s a truly cool and problem-solving invention! Don’t miss out on this kitchen game-changer; get one here and revolutionize your frying experience.
FORLIFE Extra-fine Tea Infuser and Dish Set
If you cherish a good cup of tea but are increasingly bothered by the waste generated by single-use tea bags, then I have the perfect solution for you and your tea-loving friends! I recently transitioned to enjoying loose leaf tea, drawn by its superior flavor and reduced environmental impact, and in my quest for the ideal infuser, I discovered this gem at one of my favorite Portland coffee shops. The FORLIFE Extra-fine Tea Infuser is brilliantly designed to fit securely on any size mug, ensuring that even the finest tea leaves remain perfectly contained within the infuser, never escaping into your brew. This handy little tool also comes with a wonderfully cute and practical small dish, providing a clean and convenient spot to place the infuser once your tea has steeped to perfection. It’s a stylish, functional, and eco-friendly gift that any tea connoisseur will appreciate, elevating their daily tea ritual. Get one for your tea-loving pals here and help them savor every sip.
Breville Smart Oven Air
For those culinary enthusiasts who are looking for a small yet incredibly powerful convection oven to grace their countertop, the Breville Smart Oven Air is absolutely worth the splurge. I was previously a proud owner (and devoted fan) of the earlier Breville Smart Oven model, which I adored even without its advanced air fryer and dehydrate modes. However, this new, upgraded version is nothing short of absolutely indispensable in my kitchen. Loyal and eagle-eyed Nomsters already know that I actually utilize my Breville Smart Oven Air far more frequently than my traditional wall oven. Why? Because it offers unparalleled versatility, allowing me to roast almost anything with exceptional results, from perfectly cooked vegetables to succulent meats. What truly sets it apart is its lightning-fast preheating time, which saves precious minutes and energy compared to waiting for a full-sized oven. With added functionalities like air frying for crispy textures and dehydrating for healthy snacks, this smart oven is a true multi-tasker that brings efficiency and gourmet results to any home cook. If you’re serious about your cooking and value convenience without compromising on quality, this is the appliance for you. Buy one here and transform your kitchen experience.
Chic Gifts For (Lazy) Beauties: Effortless Self-Care
I would never, ever presume to position myself as an expert on beauty products. However, I simply must share two remarkable items I incorporated into my routine this year that I believe make fantastic, fun stocking stuffers for your friends who appreciate low-maintenance, yet highly effective, beauty care solutions.
Baby Foot
Okay, I’ll be honest: when I first heard about Baby Foot, my initial reaction was a mix of skepticism and slight horror. It’s essentially an at-home chemical peel specifically designed for your feet, promising to slough off dead skin and calluses. The process involves wearing a pair of plastic-bag booties filled with a special gel for about an hour. Then comes the truly intriguing part: you wait a few days, and almost as if by magic, your callouses and dry skin begin to visibly peel and flake off. It’s undeniably a bit gross to witness, but I have to confess, I absolutely love the incredibly smooth and soft results! The transformation is truly remarkable, leaving your feet feeling rejuvenated and incredibly soft, like a baby’s.
Even if the idea of trying it yourself feels a bit too freaky, Baby Foot makes for an absolutely hilarious and memorable gag gift for friends who appreciate a good laugh and a surprisingly effective beauty treatment. Get one here and prepare for some interesting conversations!
R+Co Badlands Dry Shampoo Paste
If you share my profound dislike for washing your hair as often as societal norms might suggest, then you are going to absolutely fall in love with R+Co Badlands Dry Shampoo Paste! This revolutionary product is a game-changer for extending the time between washes. It not only totally absorbs excess oil, leaving your hair feeling fresh and clean, but it also miraculously adds fantastic texture and volume, which is particularly beneficial for my fine hair. This dual action is a complete win-win! Beyond just refreshing my hair, I can also creatively use it to style my hair, effortlessly achieving my signature braids with added hold and grip. It’s a versatile styling product that truly delivers on its promises, saving you time and ensuring your hair looks great even on non-wash days. Get some here and embrace effortless hair care.
Alright, Nomsters and gift-givers, that wraps up my carefully curated picks for this year’s Holiday Gift Guide! If you’re still seeking more brilliant suggestions and inspiration, I highly recommend checking out my comprehensive holiday gift guides from 2016 and 2017. The reason I suggest them is simple: I still genuinely love and actively use almost every single item featured on those past lists, a true testament to their lasting quality and utility. Additionally, for an even wider array of my perennial favorites, including kitchen tools, innovative gadgets, essential pantry items, and effective sleep hacks, you can always visit my dedicated page on Amazon right here.
Now that you’ve successfully conquered your holiday shopping list with these thoughtful and tried-and-true recommendations, it’s time to get off the couch and do something fun and rewarding for yourself! Happy holidays and happy gifting!
Looking for more delicious and healthy recipe ideas? Head on over to my comprehensive Recipe Index, where you’ll find a treasure trove of culinary inspiration. You’ll also discover exclusive recipes and even more cooking tips on my award-winning iPhone and iPad app, and, of course, in my best-selling cookbooks: Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013) and Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017)! Happy cooking!