Healthy Hot Chocolate
Healthy Hot Chocolate
Why Healthy Hot Chocolate?
I feel like I’m bearing my soul when I write down this version of my healthy hot chocolate! There are many variations of this recipe and I certainly recommend that you experiment. Hot Chocolate has been a staple for me these last few years.
My husband loves coffee. And, I have to admit, I love it too. I really believe coffee is beneficial for his blood type. It’s not quite as beneficial for me as this healthy hot chocolate recipe. Even though the taste and smell are great, it seems to make me jittery and grouchy.
(This link leads you to Eating for Your blood type, which I like to recommend for beneficial foods. Not so much so that you get into fear about what you are eating and drinking, but more so, that you can see how uniquely different we are. This site/organization/supplements does a great job of showing you the benefits of certain foods with certain people along with what is good to avoid. At the end of the day, though, I want all of the readers of this blog to understand that health ultimately came from Jesus. If you’d like to hear more about that, I encourage you to sign up for the monthly enewsletter at the foot of this blog. It is in the newsletter that I love to share the wonderful parallels that God has for health and food.)
Back to coffee…I bring this up because there are so many wonderful alternatives to coffee if it isn’t beneficial for you! I’m starting here, with this recipe for healthy hot chocolate.
The Ingredients I Prefer
Two servings:
4-5 tsp of hemp seed (substitute walnut for brain health and an extra boost of good fat) Hemp seeds (no THC) are a great source of protein and omegas, plus they have varying amounts of iron, magnesium and phosphorus. Some sources (like Healthline) suggest they may reduce menopause symptoms. All are great reasons to at least try!
3 dates if fresh (if dried, you may need 5)
2 heaping teaspoon of cocao (I always opt for a raw organic brand that doesn’t contain any added sugar other other unnecessary ingredients)
A half teaspoon of cocao nibs
One-fourth teaspoon of carob powder (optional) You can replace the entire amount of cocao with carob if you would like, but it definitely has a caramel-like flavor. Carob is distinctly different from cocao but is a nice compliment in this drink when I mix it. Amounts are entirely up to you and I hope you experiment.
1 Tblsp of coconut oil or butter (optional) if you would like the frothy part and aren’t using whipping cream
Add a pinch of sea salt if you’d like!
Making the Hot Chocolate Without Wrecking the Nutritional Content
To make the recipe, it is as simple as mixing it all together. The tricky part for me is figuring out how hot to make it. I think somewhere around 130 degrees works the best, as it is not yet boiling and I can program it into my Pampered Chef blender and set it for that temperature digitally. It’s ideal to heat the water first and then add all of the ingredients. This way, the fresh and raw ingredients have a great chance of keeping their nutritional value. Do not microwave it to heat it up. If you would rather heat the water on the stove, or a water boiler first, then put it into a blender, that is ideal. If the water boils, let it cool for a few minutes and then blend.
Fun fact: Did you know that the boiling point of water is 212 degrees Fahrenheit or 100 degrees Celsius at sea level, meaning as you rise above sea level, water boils at a lower temperature? Interesting, right? I found that bit of trivia in a USA Today article in July, 2022.
If you want to add any oils, I wouldn’t put much more than a tablespoon or so. You will have to experiment with that. I used to use coconut oil, but I have scaled back on that as I like the simple-ness of the dates and cocoa.
My favorite ingredients will be listed at the bottom of this blog and throughout this blog, therefore I encourage you to try them!
Shopping List:
Walnuts– raw and soaked (suggested substitute)
Optional ingredients:
Olive oil (I like the container for this brand too)
CSA from your local farmer, or Organic Raw Whipping Cream like this one
Sea Salt (I prefer this brand)
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There are so many wonderful alternatives to coffee if it isn’t beneficial for you! I’m starting here, with this recipe for healthy hot chocolate. It's nutritious, delicious and versatile.
Ingredients
3 dates if fresh (if dried, you may need 5)
2 heaping teaspoon of cocao (I always opt for a raw organic brand that doesn’t contain any added sugar other other unnecessary ingredients)
A half teaspoon of cocao nibs
One-fourth teaspoon of carob powder (optional) You can replace the entire amount of cocao with carob if you would like, but it definitely has a caramel-like flavor. Carob is distinctly different from cocao but is a nice compliment in this drink when I mix it. Amounts are entirely up to you and I hope you experiment.
1 Tbsp of coconut oil or butter (optional) if you would like the frothy part and aren’t using whipping cream
Add a pinch of sea salt if you'd like!
Instructions
To make the recipe, it is as simple as mixing it all together. The tricky part for me is figuring out how hot to make it. I think somewhere around 130 degrees works the best, as it is not yet boiling and I can program it into my Pampered Chef blender and set it for that temperature digitally.
It’s ideal to heat the water first and then add all of the ingredients. This way, the fresh and raw ingredients have a great chance of keeping their nutritional value. Do not microwave it to heat it up. If you would rather heat the water on the stove, or a water boiler first, then put it into a blender, that is ideal. If the water boils, let it cool for a few minutes and then blend.
Prep time: 5
Cook time: 5
Total time: 10
Servings: 2
Serving size: 2 cups
Meal type: Breakfast, Sidedish, Raw
Special Equipment needed: blender