Next week is Mother’s Day. There are many different women in our lives – mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, daughter and friends. And they all should be celebrated 365 days a year. But, on this day that pays tribute to them, think of ways that you can help make their lives healthier and more enriched.  Here are some gifts that you can share with the special women in your life, not just today, but all year long.

If there is a new mom in your life, making sure she is well nourished is a great gift. Looking after a newborn is time and energy consuming and her own needs are often forgotten, especially in the early days.  So, offer to stock her fridge with healthy groceries – fruits, vegetables, cheese, yogurt, eggs, whole grain breads/rolls or even a barbecued chicken so when she gets hungry, she’ll have easy, healthy things to choose from. Or, when you go to visit, bring a nourishing meal that she wouldn’t have time to make for herself.

If your mom or grandmother is older and has lost interest in cooking much, make sure she also has a well-stocked kitchen that has foods she likes and are effortless to prepare. Offer to buy her groceries when you are shopping for yourself or take her with you and make an outing of it.  Make a regular date for a lunch or dinner either in a restaurant or that you can cook together.  Discuss the possibility of having some healthy meals delivered to her home.

If you’re living with your mom, cook lunch and/or dinner for her. Giving her the gift of your time and energy is a true gift of love.

Why not start a cookbook with your mom?   Sit down with her and go through all your favourite recipes from childhood on. You may want to “healthy up” some of them a little, but the two of you could do that together. And, you’ll have this keepsake forever.

A good Mother’s Day gift is a commitment for some shared exercise. A regular walking date is a great time to catch up, share stories and get fitter. Take a fitness/dance/yoga/Pilates/Tai Chi class together, or play tennis or golf.  Check the neighborhood community centre for exercise classes that you may both enjoy together.

When you’re planning a Mother’s Day celebration, have it around the dinner or brunch table. The art of eating together as a family seems to be disappearing and it’s a tradition that more families should share. If your family life is such that you can’t eat together every night, make an arrangement that you will schedule at least one or two family meals (it can be breakfast, lunch and/or dinner) each week.

Happy Mother’s Day!