To show your family and friends how much they mean to you, choose holiday gifts that help them stay healthy instead of stuff that will sit on a shelf and collect dust.

For cooks:

#&149; Healthy cooking magazine subscription or cookbook

#&149; Nonstick cookware

#&149; Electric countertop grill for meat

#&149; Slow cooker

#&149; Vegetable or rice steamer

#&149; Gravy skimmer (a small pitcher that separates the fat from the broth)

#&149; Chef's knife

#&149; Knife sharpener

#&149; Food processor

#&149; Mini chopper

#&149; Salad spinner

#&149; Cutting boards or mats

#&149; Flavored vinegar assortment

#&149; Bottled herbs and spices

#&149; Assorted flavorings (lemon, orange, maple, butter, almond)

#&149; Book on growing vegetables and herbs

For food lovers:

#&149; Flavored teas and teapot

#&149; Coffee beans and coffee grinder

#&149; Fruit basket

#&149; Nuts in the shell with a nutcracker

#&149; Individually wrapped dark chocolates

#&149; Low sugar jams and jellies

For physical activity:

#&149; Exercise video or DVD

#&149; Interactive game or dance system

#&149; Membership to gym or sports facility

#&149; Gift certificate for dance classes

#&149; Pedometer

#&149; Treadmill or other indoor exercise equipment

#&149; Exercise ball or bands

#&149; Workout attire

#&149; Cold weather gear

#&149; Snow shoes or cross country skiis

#&149; Book on local outdoor recreational areas

To make the gift more special, include a card with the offer to cook or exercise with someone who is working toward a healthier lifestyle. Happy shopping!

Christine Gutelius, MA, RD, CDN, is a nutrition resource educator with the Eat Smart NY program at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County

Muffin Cup Meat Loaf

Makes 8 servings

1 small onion, chopped

1 egg

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon mustard

1/4 cup ketchup

1/2 cup tomato juice

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup quick-cooking oatmeal (uncooked)

1 pound ground beef or ground turkey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray muffin cups with cooking spray.

In large bowl, combine onion, egg, Worcestershire sauce,

mustard, pepper, ketchup and tomato juice and stir until well mixed.

Add oatmeal and ground beef or turkey. Mix until well

combined.

Spoon mixture into muffin cups, distributing evenly.

Bake 30 minutes.