12 Days of Fit Gifts: Food in Jars Canning Cookbook

On the seventh day of Fit Gifts my true love gave to me: a how-to guide for saving seasonal flavors.

What: Food in Jars: Preservation in Small Batches Year-Round by Marisa McClellan.

Why it’s cool: Sure, you can always buy a jar of strawberry jam or pickled green beans, but where’s the fun in that? Philly blogger (and Best of Be Well Philly expert!) Marisa McClellan takes the guesswork out of canning and preserving with her very first cookbook, Food in Jars. It includes easy-to-follow how-tos for staples like jellies and jams, plus some surprises, such as nut butters, seasonings, tomato sauces and chutneys. And you don’t have to have a spare pantry to store your creations: the recipes are for small batches (duh, just look at the book’s title), which means they’re perfect for even the most space-starved home cook.

Who it’s for: Your cooking-blog-obsessed sister-in-law, or that coworker who’s always bringing his latest kitchen confection for you to sample.

Cost: $15.43 at Amazon.

>> Through December 18th, we’re rolling out our best buys for fitness gifts! Check back every day for new gift ideas for everyone on your list. To see them all in one place, head to the archive.