‘Tis the season! Christmas is right around the corner, and some of us may still be scrambling for that last-minute holiday gift. But no worries–you don’t have to come empty handed. Here is a healthy twist on that beat-the-clock holiday gift. How about a wellness gift for the mind, body, and soul.
What’s the one gift we all want but can’t really buy?
GOOD HEALTH!
Now, although we can’t box that up, all is not lost. There is still time to buy that special someone a gift and make it meaningful. Make your gift count by giving the gift that keeps on giving. Many times we want to be healthy, eat healthy, and live healthy, but when it comes to the bottom line and bills, often those healthy items fall last on our shopping list to buy. So, this is where your wellness gift can make the difference.
Here are five holiday gifts with a healthy twist.
Gym Bag With a Water Bottle and/or Weight Gloves
(Photo: Pexels)
These are vital gym basics to get started. Get your friends and family organized with a stylish gym bag. The gloves provide hand protection for lifting weights–and they look stylish. You can drop a little note in the water bottle, reminding them to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
Yoga Mat With Resistance Bands
(Photo: John Giustina/Getty Images)
This is the perfect mobile or stationary exercise station. Resistance bands fit easily into any purse or backpack, so it’s great for those that travel often. Add a note with exercise examples.
Essential Oils or Scented Candles
(Photo: Pexels)
Aromatherapy in the form of essential oils can be used for a wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications. You can smell it, rub on the skin, and even ingest some (but check with your doctor first).
Here are some favorites:
Lavender: Helps you get better sleep and manage stress
Grapefruit: Reduces the appetite
Sweet Orange: Helps with anxiety
Tea Tree: Wards off and fights infections
Peppermint: Puts a stop to headaches
Cedar wood: Helps prevent hair loss and skin irritation
Rosemary: Better focus at work
Ginger: Relieves nausea
Mix-and-Match Neck Pillow or Gel Cooling Eye Mask, Paired With Earplugs
(Photo: Pexels)
Sleeping less than six hours per night can lead to long-term health consequences. It’s important to keep ourselves energized, so give the gift that promotes rest for good health.This gift can help them get better sleep and helps to create a restful and comfortable sleep environment.
One-Month Gym Pass
(Photo: Pexels)
One major barrier to getting to the gym is how expensive it can be at times, so this is a great way to introduce someone to the gym. There are tons of holiday specials right now, so you have a lot of options to get a great price. Even if they don’t stick to the gym, they can use it for what it’s worth, and hopefully build in the healthy lifestyle of exercise.
Gear friends and family up for those 2024 New Year’s health resolutions, with any of these cool gifts.
‘Tis the season! Christmas is right around the corner, and some of us may still be scrambling for that last-minute holiday gift. But no worries–you don’t have to come empty handed. Here is a healthy twist on that beat-the-clock holiday gift. How about a wellness gift for the mind, body, and soul.
What’s the one gift we all want but can’t really buy?
GOOD HEALTH!
Now, although we can’t box that up, all is not lost. There is still time to buy that special someone a gift and make it meaningful. Make your gift count by giving the gift that keeps on giving. Many times we want to be healthy, eat healthy, and live healthy, but when it comes to the bottom line and bills, often those healthy items fall last on our shopping list to buy. So, this is where your wellness gift can make the difference.
Here are five holiday gifts with a healthy twist.
Gym Bag With a Water Bottle and/or Weight Gloves
(Photo: Pexels)
These are vital gym basics to get started. Get your friends and family organized with a stylish gym bag. The gloves provide hand protection for lifting weights–and they look stylish. You can drop a little note in the water bottle, reminding them to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
Yoga Mat With Resistance Bands
(Photo: John Giustina/Getty Images)
This is the perfect mobile or stationary exercise station. Resistance bands fit easily into any purse or backpack, so it’s great for those that travel often. Add a note with exercise examples.
Essential Oils or Scented Candles
(Photo: Pexels)
Aromatherapy in the form of essential oils can be used for a wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications. You can smell it, rub on the skin, and even ingest some (but check with your doctor first).
Here are some favorites:
Lavender: Helps you get better sleep and manage stress
Grapefruit: Reduces the appetite
Sweet Orange: Helps with anxiety
Tea Tree: Wards off and fights infections
Peppermint: Puts a stop to headaches
Cedar wood: Helps prevent hair loss and skin irritation
Rosemary: Better focus at work
Ginger: Relieves nausea
Mix-and-Match Neck Pillow or Gel Cooling Eye Mask, Paired With Earplugs
(Photo: Pexels)
Sleeping less than six hours per night can lead to long-term health consequences. It’s important to keep ourselves energized, so give the gift that promotes rest for good health.This gift can help them get better sleep and helps to create a restful and comfortable sleep environment.
One-Month Gym Pass
(Photo: Pexels)
One major barrier to getting to the gym is how expensive it can be at times, so this is a great way to introduce someone to the gym. There are tons of holiday specials right now, so you have a lot of options to get a great price. Even if they don’t stick to the gym, they can use it for what it’s worth, and hopefully build in the healthy lifestyle of exercise.
Gear friends and family up for those 2024 New Year’s health resolutions, with any of these cool gifts.
It is a common practice in Hollywood to turn book series into movies or TV shows. However, the adaptations often fail to capture the true essence of the original literature, and as a result, fans feel let down. However, in the case of the popular book series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, it seems that Disney and 20th Century Fox have come close to creating a TV series that truly captures the excitement of the books.
After being expelled from yet another boarding school, Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell) finds himself in serious trouble. His feisty mother, Sally (Virginia Kull), struggles to tell him that his father is actually a Greek god and that Percy himself is a demigod, also known as a half-blood. Initially, Percy is skeptical and cannot believe what he is hearing.
However, his disbelief is shattered when he discovers that his best friend, Grover (Aryan Simhardi), is a satyr who needs to take Percy and his mother to the safety of Camp Half-Blood. While en route, they are attacked by a minotaur, and unfortunately, Percy’s mother does not survive the attack and make it to the camp.
Upon arriving at the camp, Percy is immediately taken to Hermes’ cabin by the camp mentors: the wise Chiron (Glynn Turman) and the unserious Dionysus (Jason Mantzoukas). There, he meets Luke Castellan (Charlie Bushnell), the son of Hermes, who is tasked with training him. Percy learns about the rules that demigods must follow, while also being scrutinized by the other campers. He also meets Annabeth Chase (Leah Jeffries), who is analytical and hesitant about him and is only interested in him as a means to finally get on a quest.
Eventually, Percy is claimed by his father, Poseidon, and embarks on a journey across America to return Zeus’ powerful weapon known as the master bolt and prevent an all-out war between Zeus and Poseidon. With the help of his friends Annabeth and Grover, Percy’s journey will bring him closer to discovering where he belongs and what his destiny holds.
The TV adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians may have made some changes to the storyline, but once you get past those differences, you’ll discover a world full of wonder and beauty. The realm of the demigods is a fascinating place. As Percy embarks on his quest, viewers are introduced to a plethora of fascinating characters, creatures, and locales.
As an avid fan of the Percy Jackson book series, I have been eagerly anticipating the release of the upcoming Percy Jackson and the Olympians TV series ever since series author and show creator Rick Riordan announced it. Despite some initial concerns about the casting choices, the actors ultimately do justice to their characters’ names and bring them to life on screen.
While the show takes a few episodes to hit its stride, the young actors eventually find their footing and deliver performances that are both witty and endearing. They capture the essence of their book counterparts, showcasing the characters’ signature traits of humor, sarcasm, and compassion.
Following a lackluster film adaptation in 2010, Percy‘s TV adaptation offers viewers a rich and immersive experience that is sure to delight both fans of the books and newcomers alike. The world of Percy Jackson is full of adventure, humor, and heart, and the series does an admirable job of bringing that world to life. It’s not an exact page-to-screen adaptation, but it comes close. Changes have been made to the plot, but they make sense within the context of the TV series, and the scriptwriters have managed to stay true to the spirit of the books.
As the story unfolds, viewers are treated to a world that is both familiar and new. The TV series takes some creative liberties with the source material, but they are done in a way that enhances the story rather than detracts from it. The sets and costumes are also impressive, bringing the world of Percy Jackson to life in a visually stunning way.
In conclusion, I decided to approach the TV series with an open mind and enjoy the thrill of waiting for each episode to come out. I’m excited to see how Disney combines animation and live-action to bring this beloved series to life. If you’re a fan of the books, you’ll appreciate the effort that has gone into creating this TV adaptation, and if you’re new to the world of Percy Jackson, you’re in for a treat.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series will be available to stream on Disney+ starting on December 20, 2023. Don’t miss out on the chance to witness the magic of this epic retelling of Greek mythology.
“I’m not trying to be like anyone else. I want to be myself, and I want to make sure that other girls understand that too.” -Leah Sava Jeffries
Leah Sava Jeffries (Beast, Rel, Something From Tiffany’s) is the teenage, Black female lead of Percy Jackson and The Olympians based on the wildly popular Percy Jackson fantasy book series, of the same name written by bestselling author, Rick Riordan. Set to premiere on December 20th on Disney+.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians follow Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell) on a dangerous quest with the assistance of questmates Annabeth and Grover (Aryam Simhadri). In the new television series, Jeffries plays Annabeth Chase, a young daughter of Athena, the Greek Goddess of war. Like her fictional mother Athena, Jeffries’ Annabeth is fearless and the most skilled fighter in the camp.
Percy Jackson & The Olympians – “Episode 102” (Disney/David Bukach)
In a recent interview with Essence, Jeffries shared that while in the book series, Annabeth Chase is white and blonde, she did not let that deter her from attending the casting call wearing her hair in its natural, authentic state. She quips that the casting teams loved her reads even more when she showed up with her natural hairstyles. “My first two self-tapes were braids, and my third audition and chemistry read, I had my natural hair out. I feel really great when I film with my natural hair. It just makes me feel like I can play more of any character, especially strong characters.”
Despite both backlash about being cast as Annabeth Chase, and many new loyal fans, Jeffries’ inner strength and fearlessness are by design. She is surrounded by maternal supportive women who model for her the type of woman that she strives to be. Jeffries attributes her fun persona and courageousness to her mother, aunt, and the influence of her grandmother, the matriarch of her family.
Percy Jackson & The Olympians – “Episode 105” (Disney/David Bukach)
“First, I have to say that my mother [has the greatest influence on me], because I am definitely a mini version of her. We have the same name “Leah” and I love her so much. She is the person who stays up late at night and wakes up early in the morning and does my hair, and she helps me with picking out my clothes, and everything. I’m definitely her mini-me, and people even say we sound alike. And, of course, my grandmother, because she taught my mother everything that she knows. And, my aunties, because when we are together, they share inspiration with me, and even help with my makeup. So, I stay pretty grounded.”
Jeffries understands the power of representation, showing up authentically as yourself, and realizing that fans will always have opinions. But, she also realizes that it’s important not to internalize the opinions of others. “I listen to people say things and try to tear me down. They say you are not her [Annabeth]. You can’t play her like Alexandra Daddario. But, you know what? They’re right. I’m not her, and I cannot play like her. But, I’m going to show you who I am, and how I’m going to play it. I’m not trying to be like anyone else. I want to be myself, and I want to make sure that other girls understand that too.”
Backlash is a gift, because it helps to develop inner strength and character. For Jeffries, it has helped to propel her forward. Despite some of the controversy over the casting, the executive teams and Disney have been very supportive of Jeffries throughout the casting process and beyond. The series co-creator Jon Steinberg and executive producer Dan Shotz both echoed that Jeffries was cast as a result of her acting and on-screen appeal above all else. In a statement to Essence, Steinberg stated, “We had no idea what we were looking for, but when Leah walked in and did her reads, we knew. Their talent speaks for itself, and you’ll recognize it when you see it on screen. All of the kids were exceptional.”
And, not only have the production team and author Riordan been vocal about their stance on their casting choices for the lead talent in the series, but they were also very supportive behind the scenes, too. Jeffries wants to make it known that the hair and makeup teams on set were both culturally and ethnically diverse as well. “Sometimes, I had African-American people do my hair [on set], and I had other people of different races do my hair as well. I actually like that they were all different because I think it’s important for people who are not Black to know how to do my hair, too. And on set, there were times when like five different people [of various backgrounds] were doing my hair at once. It was amazing.”
Percy Jackson & The Olympians – “Episode 102” (Disney/David Bukach) 
Percy Jackson & The Olympians – “Episode 105” (Disney/David Bukach)