Warm up with healthy hot cocoa this holiday season
Cold temperatures and strong winds call for many of us to hibernate throughout the entirety of the winter months. What could be better than cozying up on the couch with your favorite movie and a steaming mug of hot cocoa? Something about hot cocoa seems to immediately bring comfort and warmth. Since many of us will most likely be routinely indulging in this warm beverage, enjoy it the healthy way.
What are the health benefits of hot cocoa?
Remember: There is no need to feel guilty after enjoying this winter treat. If made nutritiously, the healthy hot cocoa has so many benefits. Cocoa is full of nutrients called antioxidants. Melissa Breyer of mnn.com explains that these antioxidants “help prevent cancer, heart disease, age-related macular degeneration and aging in general because they fight free radicals in the body.” Some other surprising hot cocoa facts? Mnn.com notes that the “hot” in hot cocoa is especially important because antioxidants are better released when heated up. Furthermore, typical chocolate bars contain saturated fats. The cocoa in hot cocoa is in a more pure state, which increases the healthy benefits. Click here to read a comprehensive list of all the health benefits of drinking hot cocoa.
Beware of those instant packets!
Though hot cocoa at its essence is healthy, the hot cocoa that many of us are used to is anything but. You may find sugar and corn syrup listed as the first ingredients on the back of the hot cocoa packet. As for the ingredient that you are actually looking for? Cocoa can be found somewhere in the middle of the long ingredient list. Ultimately, all of the artificial ingredients in instant packets negate the nutritious benefits that create a healthy hot cocoa.
Healthy hot cocoa recipes
But now you don’t have to look any further for healthy hot cocoa recipes. Mnn.com also includes 5 simple yet delicious hot cocoa creations that are full of only the purest of ingredients. There are even vegan and sugar-free options! Which healthy hot cocoa recipe will you be trying during these chilly days? Take your pick from Traditional Hot Chocolate, Dried Plum Cocoa, Coconut Hot Cocoa, Maple Hot Cocoa, and even Mexican Hot Cocoa.
You should add a Levana Nourishments packet with that…
Looking for some more healthy beverage inspiration? Warm up this winter with Levana’s Hot Chocolate Recipe. This creamy concoction is all natural and all delicious. Add in a Levana Nourishments Cocoa Coffee packet for some extra nutrients. It may be cold outside, but you can remain warm on the inside by enjoying these healthy hot cocoa recipes.
Ingredients
-1 cup pure cocoa powder
-2 pouches Levana Nourishments Cocoa Coffee
-1/2 cup coconut sugar
-1 cup erythritol, or 1/2 cup stevia or truvia
For mocha: Add 1 cup instant coffee powder, decaf OK
Optional flavorings:
Add only in your individual cup; choose one: pinch cayenne, cinnamon, nutmeg , vanilla extract, caramel extract, star anise, drop peppermint extract, etc.
Instructions
Mix thoroughly and store in a glass jar.
For 1 cup hot cocoa: whisk 2 tablespoons (Hot mocha: 2 1/2 tablespoons) of the mix into 1 cup very hot whole milk or dairy-free milk. Makes about 3 cups hot chocolate mix, or 4 cups hot mocha mix). Store in a glass jar at room temperature. Makes about 20 servings.
Note: If you find boiling the milk too much of an imposition, add 1 1/2 cups whole-milk powder, dairy or dairy-free (I love hot chocolate made with coconut milk powder!), to the mix. For 1 cup hot cocoa: Whisk 3 tablespoons (hot mocha: 4 tablespoons) mix into 1 cup boiling water. Makes 4 1/5 cups just-add-water hot chocolate mix, or 5 1/2 cups just-add-water hot mocha mix.
-Talya Hyman
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