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10 HEALTH AND WELLNESS INSPIRED GIFTS UNDER $20

Health and wellness is a daily topic at the Angel Harvey Family Health Center. We carry our mission with us, even when it’s time to give a gift. Join us as we aim to inspire families and communities to achieve greater health! These gifts* are sure to motivate your loved ones to be their best, most healthy selves all year long.

*Please note that while links are provided for gifts 1-9, they are meant to be used as examples only. We are in no way affiliated with the brands or vendors listed below, and we are in no way promoting any specific item or product.

Yoga Mat

Amazon.com
Amazon.com

BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose 1/2-Inch Extra Thick High-Density Anti-Tear Exercise Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap $12.90

A yoga mat is a wonderfully versatile gift that can be used to help an individual achieve several different wellness goals. A good mat provides comfort and protects the joints while stretching, meditating, and of course, yoga practice!

Dumbell Alarm Clock

Walmart.com

Dumbbell Alarm Clock Shape Lift Up 30 Times Work Out Morning $19.39

Help a budding or seasoned fitness enthusiast wake up to a great workout with this dumbbell alarm clock. When the alarm sounds, the sleepy head will have to complete 30 curls to turn it off. No snooze buttons here!

Unique Fitness Experience

rock wall2Buying gym memberships and passes are so last season! Consider giving the gift of a unique fitness experience that can be shared or used by an adventurer. Websites like Groupon, Goldstar and Living Social offer unique experiences for individuals and groups at inexpensive prices. Try:

  • Rock climbing (indoor or outdoor)
  • An iron man challenge or training course
  • Zumba classes
  • A fencing class
  • Rollerblades

Infuser Water Bottle

Amazon.com
Amazon.com

32oz Straw Water Bottles, Large Infused Fruit Water Infusion Bottles Time Markings, BPA Free Leak Proof Sport Travel Water Bottle with Measurements, Office Detox Infuser Tritan Drinking Bottle $14.99

An infuser bottle is a fun way to stay hydrated! Some bottles, like this one by Tritan, has markings to help users keep track of how much water they are consuming in a day. Add fruit and herb combinations to create unique flavored water sensations and forget all about sodas and sports drinks.

Indoor Herb Garden

ThriveMarket.com
ThriveMarket.com

Self-Watering Tomato Planter $21.95Basil Garden in a Can $5.99; Flat Leaf Italian Parsley $2.19

Herbs and perennial plants are the gifts that keep on giving. Indoor gardens encourage users to eat healthier, use less salt, and provide a cleaner air quality and indoor aesthetic. Not to mention, it’s a real money saver.

Essential Oil Diffuser

Ebay.com
Ebay.com

Essential Oil Diffuser Aroma 300ml Peppermint Lavender Young Living Rom Spa Yoga $9.99

Essential oils smell wonderful and are have been considered as a possible solution for easing stress symptoms, migraine or headache relief, and relieving insomnia or sleeping problems. Other interesting applications for health have been noted as well. For more information about the uses of essential oils, read this article by Helen West, RD.

 

Adult Lunch Box Set

Groupon.com
Groupon.com

Bentgo Lunchbox Set (6-Piece) $18.99

A lunch box could be the difference between eating pre-planned healthy meals while saving money, or not. A lunchbox set with accompanying Tupperware help with portion control and offer space for healthy snacks and beverages.

DIY Healthy Snack Basket

SONY DSC

Easy and fun to create, a DIY healthy snack basket is a thoughtful way to support a healthy lifestyle. Fill the basket with your favorite fruit, proteins, tea samples and more!

 

 

A Neat Book

Amazon.com
Amazon.com

Quick. Easy. Healthy.: Good Food Every Day $16.99

A cookbook is a helpful tool for supporting both a busy and a healthy lifestyle. Consider giving your favorite cookbook or one that is highly acclaimed. A one-year subscription to a food and cooking magazine is equally thoughtful and health promoting.

 

Make a Charitable Contribution

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For the health guru who has it all, consider making a charitable contribution to a health and wellness organization on their behalf. The Angel Harvey Family Health Center relies in part on charitable donations from individuals, foundations and other resources to help our non-profit clinic achieve its mission to provide a continuum of integrated, quality, and preventive health care services to children and their families, enabling them to lead healthy and productive lives.

Cathy Alvarez, MSN, CPNP-PC

Family Practice

Cathy Alvarez, MSN, CPNP-PC, is a board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with over two decades of experience dedicated to nurturing the health and well-being of children from birth through adolescence. Known for her warm, individualized approach to care, Cathy is passionate about building lasting relationships with her patients and their families—many of whom she’s supported through every milestone of childhood.

Cathy began her nursing career after earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1999. She gained valuable experience working on the inpatient pediatric unit at Advocate Lutheran Children’s Hospital in Aurora. Driven to deepen her impact, she returned to UIC to complete the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program, earning her Master of Science in Nursing in 2005. She is certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) and has since devoted her career to providing expert care to diverse pediatric populations.

She is an active member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, always staying at the forefront of pediatric healthcare.
Fluent in English and Polish, with conversational Spanish skills, Cathy connects seamlessly with families from many cultural backgrounds.

Outside of work, you can find her cheering on her son at soccer games, exploring new destinations, and enjoying quality time with her family. Her caring spirit and clinical excellence make her a trusted partner in every child’s healthcare journey.” 

Marixa Alvarez, ARN, MSN, FNP-BC

Family Practice

Marixa Alvarez, ARN, MSN, FNP-BC, is a dedicated and compassionate Family Nurse Practitioner, board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Lewis University, where she cultivated her passion for holistic, patient-centered care.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Marixa connects deeply with diverse communities, ensuring every patient feels heard and supported. Outside of the clinic, you’ll likely find her in the kitchen—cooking, baking, and bringing people together over a homemade meal. A fun fact? Marixa has a knack for solving puzzles and putting things together—whether it’s a 1,000-piece jigsaw or helping patients piece together their path to better health.

Carlos Sian, PA

Physician Assistant

Carlos is a board-certified Physician Assistant who joined the IWS Family Health team in January 2024. He was born and raised in Antigua, Guatemala and is fluent in both English and Spanish.

His academic journey began at Saint Michael’s College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology alongside minors in Chemistry and Religious Studies. Driven by a commitment to service, he devoted a year to volunteering as a medical assistant at a health clinic in Albuquerque, NM, through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. This experience solidified his interest in medicine, inspiring him to delve deeper into healthcare and ultimately leading Carlos to pursue a Master of Public Health in Community Health Sciences and Infectious Diseases from Boston University School of Public Health.

Following his MPH, Carlos dedicated several years to the public health sector, primarily serving as a linkage to care coordinator,  clinical research coordinator, and COVID-19 contact tracer. Moved by a need to help his community during the 2020 pandemic, he secured admission to and completed the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine PA program, earning his Master of Medical Science degree.

Carlos aims to integrate his public health training with his medical practice to bring culturally competent and inclusive medical services to all his patients, but specially the Hispanic/Latino and LGTBQ+ communities he serves. In his downtime, Carlos enjoys cooking, collecting plants, fostering dogs, playing video games, watching reality TV shows, and adding more stamps to his passport!

Dr. Tara Ioffe

Family Practice

Dr. Tara Ioffe is a dedicated and compassionate Board-Certified Family Medicine physician with a strong commitment to providing excellent care to her patients. She obtained her medical degree from Avalon University in Curacao and went on to complete her Family Medicine Residency at the University of Oklahoma. She has worked at the University of Chicago and most recently NorthShore University. She has since returned to Chicago and is thrilled to join the IWS Family Health team in 2023, where she will continue to provide excellent care to her patients.

Throughout her career, Dr. Ioffe has gained experience in diverse medical fields, such as immediate and urgent care medicine while working at NorthShore Immediate Care. She did clinical research at the University of Chicago. Dr. Ioffe strives to foster a secure and inclusive environment for all her patients. She believes in an integrated approach to medicine, dedicating her time to understand each patient’s unique needs.

During her leisure time, Dr. Ioffe indulges in reading a variety of books for pleasure, plays boardgames, and loves to explore Chicago with her spouse and young child.