2007 Holiday Gift Guide (Part 1)

The holiday season is in full swing. Local Forage has compiled a guide to gastronomic gift ideas for every foodie or health nut on your list.

For the serious shopper: Easy to set up, break down, the Hook & Go is a must-have for shopping at farmers markets and grocery stores. Outfitted with a pair of wheels and a rack with hooks, the Hook & Go carries plastic bags without squashing your produce. It's strong too; I can carry pounds and pounds of melons or squash with this thing! I received this as a gift and now I couldn't do without it.

For the purist: Himalayan Crystal Salt is my favorite salt. You can't see it in the picture exactly, but it's pink. It has 84 minerals and trace elements. No anti-caking agents or other additives. Experts agree that conventional salt, sea salt, and himalayan crystal salt are very different substances, microscopically and nutritionally.  This salt is from an ancient, primal ocean that evaporated some 250,000,000 years ago in, you guessed it, the Himalayas. Things were a lot cleaner, a lot purer, then.

For plastiphobes* or sporty people on the go: Klean Kanteen is the best non-toxic, durable way for bringing water on-the-go. Plastic leaches and glass breaks unlike stainless steel. I have had my KK bottle for years. The water tastes clean and stays odor free. I even bought the KK cozy accessory to insulate hot beverages. *I made this term up.

For the oenophile: So, maybe you can you distinguish between aromas of black currant and blackberry in a glass of Cabernet, but can you detect "wine faults" like vinegar, sulfur, glue, and onion? Le Nez du Vin’s Faults Kit contains an instruction kit with 12 aroma vials that will train your nose to recognize a bad bottle of wine. $120

For the mobile gourmand: Sigg's cutlery tool made from high-grade stainless steel makes it easy to eat on-the-go. Think camping, picnics, glove compartment stash. It's great for traveling since it's folds down so you don't cut or impale yourself while rifling through your backpack or purse. The different utensils easily separate for independent use and the knife locks so that you can cut your food safely. Also, the slide and lock mechanism when you are putting it back together is magnetically guided - they really thought of everything. It comes with the little nylon carrying case. $19

For the tea lover: Breville makes the sexiest appliances. This water kettle is no exception. It has no nickel or plastic on the inside. And it's cordless. Voila, the perfect electric kettle. $69

For the charcuterie connoisseur, or any Italian: Fra'Mani salumi is hand-crafted here locally in Berkeley. Chef Paul Bertolli (of restaurant Oliveto fame) started Fra' Mani in 2006. This salametto is wonderful, like what my grandfather used to make. Bertolli uses only the highest quality all natural pork available from family farms. The hogs are given no antibiotics, or growth hormones and fed only the highest quality grains and natural feed. Makes a great stocking stuffer. Don't laugh, my brother actually got one in his stocking last year. If you're not in the bay area, it's available through Amazon.com. $16

For the tea-totaller: My favorite every-day hot drink. Try Dandy Blend on the strong side with warm milk, melted coconut oil and/or coconut milk. It was created by Dr. Peter Gail, who has devoted his life's work to the study of healing herbs--particularly the dandelion. Delicious and healthy. I'm addicted to this stuff! $15.00