Perhaps you’ve been on the hunt for that “perfect” gift, or are just completely stumped on what to get your loved ones this holiday season. If you need a little guidance, then look no further. Every Wednesday leading up to Christmas, we’ll bring you a new Holiday Gift Guide for the women in your life.

In this second installment of our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide series, we’ve brought to you some gift ideas for all the beauty and makeup obsessed gals you know. From the natural beauty buff, to the skincare guru, and even the girls that like a little extra glam, we’ve got you covered!

If you missed it, check out our first Holiday Gift Guide: For the Fitness Chick!

So maybe you didn’t go out on Black Friday with the sale-crazed bargain shoppers and get your holiday shopping over and done with– don’t worry, we don’t blame you! Perhaps you’ve been on the hunt for that “perfect” gift, or are just completely stumped on what to get your loved ones this holiday season. If you need a little guidance, then look no further.

Every Wednesday leading up to Christmas, we’ll bring you a new Holiday Gift Guide for the women in your life. Today we’ve picked out an assortment of gift ideas for all the fitness enthusiasts you know. Whether she’s a yoga buff, a runner, or a zumba fanatic, these gifts won’t disappoint!

Here are three fun, nutritious fruit presentations to share with your family this Fourth of July.

Flag Kabobs

Ingredients:

• Strawberries, thickly sliced
• Blueberries
• Bananas, sliced

Directions:

Arrange fruits on a skewer or chopstick. Alternate in a pattern for individual red, white, and blue kabobs, or make a “bigger picture” with multiple kabobs arranged in an American flag pattern.

Who says you can’t enjoy eggnog when you’re on a diet? This shake should help satisfy your seasonal sweet tooth! Drink one before going to a holiday party, and you’ll be less likely to over-indulge on party food because the protein in the shake will keep you full.

Holiday Eggnog Shake

1. Crush 4-6 ice cubes in a blender.
2. Add 10-12 0z. of water or fat-free milk (use soy or lactose-free if you’re lactose intolerant).
3. Add 1 tsp. cinnamon.
4. Add 1 tsp. nutmeg.
5. Add 1 scoop of vanilla LiveRite shake mix.
6. Blend and enjoy!

Happy Holidays from
Lucille Roberts!

These gingerbread men pack a punch of protein in every bite! They’re also adorable and make delicious holiday gifts. Enjoy!

Gingerbread
“Muscle Men”
Protein Cookies

Ingredients

• 5 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup vanilla LiveRite protein powder shake mix*
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1 Tbsp. ground ginger
• 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 cup butter substitute, melted and cooled
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 egg whites
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Potato latkes are a standard holiday dish, but they can be high in carbs and calories. This is an alternative recipe that uses other vegetables to boost nutrients and cut calories.

Vegetable Latkes

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 4 cups assorted root vegetables, peeled (beets, carrots, turnips, yams, sweet potatoes, etc.)
• 2 tsp. corn oil per batch
• 1/4 tsp. salt (optional)
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper (optional)
• Fat-free Greek yogurt/fat-free sour cream for serving
• Pear sauce or applesauce

Directions

1. Wash vegetables.

Finding the right holiday gift for everyone on your list can be overwhelming; it can get expensive, and of course you don’t want to leave anyone out! We’ve come up with some gift ideas that are fun to give and to receive, and they’re all under $30!

LUSH Bath Bombs – $4.95

"Rose Queen" Scent

These bath bombs look good enough to eat, like a scoop of ice cream, but the best thing about them is that they’re calorie-free! LUSH Bath Bombs are a special treat for a hot, relaxing bath. As they fizz and dissolve, they add a luscious scent to the water. Since they cost as little as $4.95 each, you can mix and match different scents like Rose Queen, Fairy Jasmine, Gingerman (shaped like gingerbread man cookies!), and lots more.

Recommended by Dr. Emily: “Perfect for almost any woman!”
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Yankee Candles – $10.99-29.99

Woven Basket Gift Set - $29.99

Lucille Roberts Manager Yancell Ruiz says, “I believe just about everyone loves to have their house smelling beautiful, especially at this time of year. Yankee Candle has many varieties to choose from, and they are wonderful quality candles. Over the years I have been delighted with every fragrance of theirs I have tried.”

Check out the Yankee Candle website for gift sets under $30, including holiday fragrances. Also, right now they’re having a buy one, get one 50% off sale for selected items.
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iTap Gloves - $20

"Brick" Color iTap Gloves

Gloves keep your hands warm, but they can also make it impossible to use a touch-screen phone or tablet. You end up having to take off your glove to use your phone, and then your fingers are freezing! Fortunately, iTap Gloves solve this problem! The thumb, index, and middle finger will work on any touch screen device. Since they’re made of lambswool, they’ll keep your hands warm, too!

Cassaundra Rosario, receptionist at Lucille Roberts main office, recommends them, saying, “It’s better than taking off your entire glove!”

Lucille Roberts Gift Card – $29.99*

Lucille Roberts 1-Month Gift Cards on Sale!

Lucille Roberts 1-month gift cards are on sale! Get your friends and family hooked on Lucille Roberts! This is a great deal because you’ll save $20 off the regular cost of registration and first month’s membership. It’s a one-size-fits-all gift!

*Gift cards at 5th Ave., 42nd St., Forest Hills, and Clifton cost slightly more, as membership prices at those gyms vary from other Lucille Roberts locations.

Before you reach for that extra holiday treat, consider the following facts:

• 2 glasses of wine= 1 hour bike ride
• 1 potato latke= 30 minute walk
• 1 slice pumpkin pie= 81 minute walk
• 1 gingerbread cookie = 18 minute swim

All it takes is an extra 100 calories a day (4 Hershey’s kisses) between Thanksgiving and New Years to gain 1 lb. of body fat!

Diet Tip by Nutritionist Natalie.

Don’t let holiday shopping get in the way of losing weight! The most important thing you can do for yourself this season is to stick to your workout routine. No matter how busy we get, we should still make time for at least one class or a cardio and strength training workout. Map out your workouts in advance and stick to them!

This Friday is Black Friday, the day when many of us hit the department stores to take advantage of holiday discounts. Why not turn your shopping trips into an opportunity to burn extra calories? Here are some ideas for you:

It has been estimated that the average holiday weight gain, between Halloween and New Year’s day, is 7-10 pounds. That is about the size of a newborn on your frame! It’s much easier to head off the weight gain BEFORE it occurs rather than waiting until after to try to lose the weight. I have found that there are a few things common to many of us during this “comfort food” and “comfortable family” season. Let’s talk about how to head off this possible weight gain and make sure it’s kept to 1-2 lb. or NONE gained at all!