For a lot of us, the day doesn’t officially start until that first cup of brew. There’s just something about the aroma, the ritual, the caffeinated jolt that gets us going even on a sleepy Tuesday morning!

So, in honor of our beloved beverages, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite gifts for the coffee and tea connoisseur in your life (even if it happens to be you!). Who needs the coffee shop when you can be your own barista right in your kitchen?

1. DeLonghi Nespresso Capsule Espresso/Capuccino Machine, 2. Keurig MINI Plus Brewing System, 3. Le Creuset Whistling Kettle, 4. Krups XP2280 Programmable Precise Tamp Combination Coffee Maker, 5. KitchenAid Four-cup Personal Coffee Maker, 6. Breville You Brew Coffee Maker

Today is International Chocolate Day. However, that’s not the focus of this post; in fact, quite the opposite. Although chocolate (particularly dark chocolate) is great when enjoyed in moderation, a healthy lifestyle really does rely predominantly on a healthy, balanced diet.

A diet that consists of mostly whole, unprocessed foods, with lots of fruits and veggies in the mix, is considered to be the healthiest. If that sounds bland and boring to you, think again! Healthy eating can be just as satisfying, if not more so, than eating junk. The trick is having the right kitchen gadgets and experiment with healthy ingredients you love.

Check out a few of our favorite healthy-diet kitchen essentials:

1. Breville 800 BLXL Die-Cast Hemisphere™ Blender, 2. Omega VRT350 Vert Low Speed Juicing System, 3. Fagor Slow Juicer, 4. Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 11" Square Grill Pan 5. Kitchenaid 13-Cup Food Processor, 6. Emile Henry Flame Kabob Grilling Stone and Skewers

For breakfast or a delicious mid-day snack, a refreshing green smoothie* or juice is a great option. With the right blend of yummy fruits and veggies, these super-nutritious drinks are packed with so much vitamins and minerals that are easily absorbed into the body. Investing in a high-quality blender and/or juicer is something your body will reap rewards from for years to come. That’s why it’s always on our “healthy living” must-have list!

For dinner, opt for lean meats and veggies grilled to perfection. Kabobs** are a really easy option, so is grilled fish with salad or a delicious homemade salsa as a side.

*Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com® via user WhitneyLW

**Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com®  via user DAVESARAH

For the mom who loves to work her magic in the kitchen, a gift of a fabulous kitchen gadget is not only thoughtful; you reap some benefits from it, too!

Mom’s culinary talents will shine even brighter with a few quality kitchen essentials in her arsenal. Maybe she’ll even whip you up a delicious treat for giving her such a great Mother’s Day gift!

Check out a few of our favorite kitchen helpers that mom will surely love:

1. Wusthof Gourmet 7-Piece Block Set, 2. Le Creuset 5-Piece Signature Set, 3. DeLonghi Hand Blender Set, 4. Higbury Bistro de Paris 4-Piece Bowl Set, 5. Le Creuset 4.5 Qt Casserole, 6. Kitchenaid Artisan Stand Mixer

Zappos employees ham it up during our Mother's Day Picks photoshoot.

Mom definitely deserves more than just one day out of the year in her honor; all those sleepless nights, all the lunches she’s packed for us over the years, and the countless rides to soccer games and the mall—we think she’s better than any superhero!

However, since there’s only one designated Mother’s Day, it’s your chance to really make it count. Show her your appreciation with thoughtful gifts she won’t have to fake enthusiasm for!

We asked this week’s Zappos employee “models” about their own moms (and wife) and their gift picks for her. To get a real mom’s perspective, we also threw in Sunshine who is a mom of two.

Cheers to all you moms out there! We love you!

What was the best/craziest/most creative gift you have ever given your mom for Mother’s Day?

T: I surprised her with a huge bouquet of tulips last year. I'm bad about forgetting holidays, so she was genuinely shocked that I remembered! 

What is your fondest, most cherished memory of your mom?

T: I had a lot of hearing problems when I was a kid, and I remember her putting her hands over my ears and praying for me every day. 

What three words best describe her as a mom?

T: Affectionate, self-sacrificing, and fun! 

What three things are currently on your Mother’s Day gift list?

T:  Essie 6 Piece Mega Mini Color Cube in Winter , Dooney & Bourke Lambskin Collection O-Ring Shopper , UGG Coquette

What was the best/craziest/most creative gift you have ever given your mom for Mother’s Day?

D: Five years ago my brother, dad, and myself bought my mom a Jack Russell Terrier puppy for Mother’s Day. His name is Rusty.

What is your fondest, most cherished memory of your mom?

D: Going to the mountains with her.

What three words best describe her as a mom?

D: Loving, Cheerful, Humble 

What three things are currently on your Mother’s Day gift list?

D: Keen Coronado sandals,  LeSportsac Cosmetic Bag Combo , Lucky Brand Garden Stack Ring Set

What was the best/craziest/most creative gift you (or your kids) have ever given your wife for Mother’s Day?

S: The gift of making her a mother! 

It’s Mother’s Day morning—what is the first thing you and the kids do to greet mom for her special day?

S: Hugs and kisses.  

 What three words best describe her as a mom?

S: Best Mom Ever.

What three things are currently on your Mother’s Day gift list?

S: Volcom All Day Long Creedlers Sandals, Michael Kors MK5038 Watch, Michael Kors MK5216 Watch

What was the best/craziest/most creative gift your kids have ever given you for Mother’s Day?

S:  They always make me breakfast in bed. It's fun to listen to them "cooking" downstairs while they think I'm still sleeping. One year I got to eat soggy Cherrios, gummy worms and a Diet Coke.

Describe each of your kids in three words (each):

S:  Scarlett: Independent, willful, wise. Zack: Empathetic, funny, lovable.  

What is your favorite thing about being a mom?

S: They give me purpose. Everything I do is for them.  

What three things are currently on your Mother’s Day wish list? (Kids, pay attention!):

S: Kitchenaid 5-Quart Artisan Design Series Stand Mixer, Fossil Flight Chronograph Watch , Ray-Ban New Wayfarer

Check out our Gifts page for more gifts ideas for mom!

Now that all those indulgent holiday meals are history, it’s time to get back on track with sensible eating. When it comes to whipping up healthy home-cooked meals, a little bit of help in the kitchen sure goes a long way! Check out some of our favorite kitchen essentials to start off 2012 on road to healthy eating:

1. Joseph Joseph Salad Bowl w/ Servers: We love the clever and modern design of this generously-sized salad bowl! It’s perfect for dinner parties.

2. Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick Bronze 12” Wok: Cook perfect stir frys without using a ton of oil in this essential nonstick wok.

3. OXO Little Salad & Herb Spinner: Making salad for two? This handy tool makes sure your salads are restaurant-perfect every time!

4. Cuisinart Elite Collection® 14-Cup Food Processor:  Talk about versatility! This powerful machine makes creating an entire meal fast and simple.

5. Kitchenaid 5-Speed Metallic Series Blender: This not only makes perfect smoothies, it’s also great for homemade soups and sauces!

6. DeLonghi Indoor Grill/Broiler: We love this for grilling up chicken and seafood for delicious salads.

1. Le Creuset of 4 Stonewear Cocottes w/ Cookbook, 2. KitchenAid 5-Quart Artisan Stand Mixer, 3. OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set, 4. Nordic Ware Snowman Cake Mold, 5. Calphalon Classic Jelly Roll & Brownie Pan Combo, 6. Emile Henry Le Grande 12" Pie Dish

One of our favorite things about the holiday season is the liberty to indulge in our favorite desserts. Diets can wait until the New Year! That’s what resolutions are for, right?

Why not get the baker in your life (or yourself) a gift that keeps on giving with some of the best baking tools around?

In the spirit of sweet indulgence, check out this delicious recipe for a classic pecan pie!

Irresistible Pecan Pie by IHART44

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons white sugar

1/2 cup butter, chilled

4 tablespoons ice water

3 eggs, beaten

3/4 cup light corn syrup

2 tablespoons dark corn syrup

3/4 cup light brown sugar

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 pinch salt

1/2 cup pecans, finely crushed

1 cup pecans, quartered

1 cup pecan halves

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. To make crust: In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt and white sugar. Cut butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually sprinkle the water over the dry mixture, stirring until dough comes together enough to form a ball.
3. On a floured surface flatten dough ball with rolling pin. Roll out into a circle that is one inch larger than pie dish. Place pie shell into dish and refrigerate until pie filling is complete.
4. To make pie filling: In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, light and dark corn syrups, brown sugar, butter, salt and finely crushed pecans. Spread quartered pecans over bottom of refrigerated pie crust. Pour syrup mixture over top of pecans, and then arrange pecan halves on top of pie.
5. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for one hour or until firm; let cool for one hour before serving.

*Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com®

Time is a hot commodity during the holiday season. That’s why we love anything that helps us save time, particularly in the kitchen.

Whipping up those holiday meals will be a snap with some of our favorite kitchen time savers:

1. Cuisinart Smartstick® Hand Blender: Cut down on the number of dirty bowls you use when whipping and blending with this versatile gadget.

2. Kitchenaid 12-Cup Food Processor: Chop, blend, mince and mix your way into culinary perfection with this powerful must-have tool.

3. Bodum Eileen French Press 4-Cup Coffee Maker: This aesthetically-pleasing coffee maker lets you to brew a delicious cup of coffee on the go!

4. OXO Stainless Steel Mandoline Slicer: This versatile and handy slicer comes with three different blades and a soft-touch dial to adjust slice thickness. From making homemade fries to fresh veggies for dipping, this tool is a definite must have.