Holiday Gift Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! For many, that means the challenge of finding just the right gift for the special people in their lives. Although that can be stressful, experts say putting thought into gift-giving is important — but follow the trends. Gifts that provide experiences and show great care for the recipients are at the top of Santa’s list this year.

As the holiday season approaches, consumers are showing a discerning approach to gift buying, emphasizing value and thoughtful choices. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, holiday retail sales are projected to rise between 3.5% and 5.5% in 2023. This trend reflects the resilience of consumer confidence, even as economic gains experienced in the summer took a recent downturn. Shoppers are seeking meaningful gifts that offer genuine worth, demonstrating a shift from impulsive buys to selections that balance quality with cost. As such, businesses are encouraged to tailor their offerings and marketing strategies to meet these evolving consumer expectations.

Shopping at Any Lab Test Now®

That’s where we can help. At Any Lab Test Now®, we are committed to helping you and your family with your wellness goals. What better gift is there to give than the gift of providing answers about your health?  

Here are a few tests to consider when shopping for the perfect gift.

• GPS ORIGINS ANCESTRY TEST  The GPS Origins test delves deep into your migration history, breaking down your genetic origin percentages, ancestral migration paths, and stories, all presented digitally. It scrutinizes over 800,000 autosomal DNA markers to precisely trace your roots. This examination determines the exact locations where your DNA formed by identifying the populations that converged to form your unique genetic lineage. Subsequently, the GPS Origins™ test tracks the migration pathways of your DNA, tracing back to its inception and calculating the age of your unique DNA signature. This is accomplished for both your maternal and paternal lineages, revealing the genesis of your DNA. An in-depth report then illustrates these ancestral findings. For those eager to explore genetic lineage beyond documented family records or those looking to deepen their understanding of their heritage, this test is invaluable. It serves not only as a fascinating topic of discussion but also makes a thoughtful gift.

• Similar to this human test, giving the gift of lab testing from Any Lab Test Now® also means the dog lovers on your gift list can get answers about their furbabies with our DOGGY BREED TEST. This test examines your dog’s DNA with a specialized computer algorithm and a comprehensive breed database to pinpoint the breeds in its recent lineage. If you believe your dog is a purebred or a mix of two distinct breeds (often referred to as a designer dog), you can specify this when activating the kit. Recognizing your dog’s ancestry allows you to customize a wellness plan suited to their unique requirements. Your dog doesn’t need to fast; a simple cheek swab will suffice. Once the kit reaches the lab, expect your results in 14 to 21 business days.

• For folks on your shopping list who are searching for answers about reactions to food or allergens, this Any Lab Test Now® gift called 295 COMBINATION (FOOD & INHALANTS) ALLERGY (IGE) PANEL can test for a multitude of issues. Allergic reactions, whether mild or severe, are initiated by antibodies known as IgE. When our body encounters a foreign substance, it produces antibodies. In the case of allergies, the IgE antibody remembers and launches an attack on the allergen when it’s encountered again. This response triggers the release of histamine, leading to familiar allergic symptoms such as itching, sneezing, redness, difficulty breathing, and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis — which can be life-threatening. This comprehensive test for food and inhalant allergies checks for numerous specific IgE antibodies, helping pinpoint potential allergens. The more extensive the panel, the more allergens it can identify.

This panel will look at 295 different substances, including 158 foods and 140 inhalants in the following categories:

• Dairy
• Fish/Crustaceans/Mollusk (Shellfish)
• Egg/Meat/Poultry
• Fruits
• Miscellaneous
• Grains/Legumes/Nuts
• Vegetables
• Molds
• Trees
• Weeds
• Grasses
• Mites and Cockroaches
• Dander and Epithelia (including multiple pets and animals)
• Skin Yeasts
• Insect Venom

Any Lab Test Now® is Your Partner in Health

We want to help you and your family stay healthy by providing answers about your wellness. At Any Lab Test Now®, we provide tests that give you tangible results, making this a perfect holiday gift. Stop into one of our lab testing centers near you to find out more.

Foods to Avoid During the Holiday Season

It’s time to deck the halls, light candles and visit with friends. From fancy cocktail affairs to cozy kitchen gatherings, people from coast to coast are getting together and bringing out their favorite fare during this season. While a little bit of nibbling can be okay for most people when done in moderation, overdoing the treats can cause serious health concerns.

What Foods to Avoid

Consumed mindlessly or in large quantities, any food can wreak havoc on your health. However, during the holiday season, these seem to be more frequently available than at other times of the year:

• Tempting beverages. Alcoholic beverages, in general, can cause a variety of health concerns, such as cirrhosis of the liver or increased blood pressure, and alcohol consumption increases during the holiday season. Beyond concerns about over-consumption, seasonal favorites like eggnog, buttered rum and mulled cider tend to have significant amounts of fat and sugar that should be avoided.
• Fatty meats. Prime rib, pot roast and the darker cuts of turkey will weigh you down with their high saturated fat content. (And this doesn’t even take the gravy into account!)
• Rich, creamy sauces. Drenching mashed potatoes and topping green beans, these sauces certainly add appeal to your veggies, but they also increase the amount of fat, sodium and sugar in the dishes.
• Extra candies. Candy canes are traditional sweets, but they are simply loaded with high fructose corn syrup that rubs up against your teeth, so be aware! And, there are other sugary culprits too: bowls of peppermints, Grandma’s fudge, and Auntie’s peanut brittle pop to mind.

From avoiding cardiac issues to maintaining hormone balance, food plays a critical role in your overall health and well-being. That’s why it’s important to become more aware of what you’re eating during this festive season.

How to Stay Holly Jolly

Of course, being careful doesn’t mean that you should skip out on all the fun! Instead, try these suggestions for taking part in the festivities without sacrificing your overall health.

• Pick your favorites. Have a taste of the favorites you crave, but limit it to just a bite or two and be selective about which you choose.
• Select healthier options. Grab a few nuts instead of heavy hors d’oeuvres. Enjoy a salad instead of the green bean casserole. Try gingerbread or pumpkin pie at dessert time instead of pecan pie or cheesecake.
• Drink water. Before you leave for the festivities, drink a glass of water. This will help to control your appetite so you don’t over-graze.
• Investigate alternatives. Instead of butter in baking, consider apple sauce. Instead of heavy cream, use low-fat milk. Try whole-grain rice instead of mashed potatoes. A quick search online will offer plenty of alternatives to help you cut down on fat, sugar and sodium in your cooking.
• Try tracking. Since this time of year can be so hectic, consider keeping a food log or using a calorie counter app. Using one can help you become more aware of the choices that you’re making at each gathering, and help you remember all the fun items you’ve already nibbled on.

Know Your Body

While most people can sample a sweet treat or delve into a fatty dip once in a while, there are cases where a stricter diet is still advised. For instance, people who are managing their diabetes or have specific food sensitivities may need to bring extra caution to their diet as they join in the fun! If you want to know where you stand as the holiday season approaches, walk into your local Any Lab Test Now for a screening. Doing so will allow you to indulge a little bit while still knowing that your body can handle the impact of the food you’re enjoying.

4 Reasons You Make Us Happy

“We often take for granted the very things that
most deserve our gratitude.”-Cynthia Ozick

All of us at ANY LAB TEST NOW® want to make sure you know that we don’t take you for granted and appreciate you more than you know. We wanted to dedicate this post to you to simply say thank YOU! Here’s a few reasons why you make us happy.

1. We get to do what we love, which is helping people like you with affordable lab tests.

2. Every day is a new adventure and you help us map out our journey.

3. We are constantly learning to better serve you through education and we appreciate your willingness to learn and trust us.

4. You keep a smile on our face because of your confidence in our high quality lab testing facilities and accredited and certified laboratory testing partners.

There’s plenty more reasons, but we’ll stick with those for now. Thanks for a great year and we can’t wait to show you what we’ve got next year!