WAIT!! February! Don’t leave me without just getting one post in!!! 🙂

It has been a CRAZY last 45 days! When I’m not whooping it up in the kitchen, reading health articles or my current paperback, practicing yoga, spending time with my hubby and kiddo Chuckie, I’m sometimes running the highways in various states, laying the land for our wine company. Yes, vino.  We’ve been in and out of town, working and growing that part of our focus the last month-ish. It has been our family business for going on 8 ++ years now. Creating brands and selling wine to the “restless wine consumer”. A fun part of our lives, taking us on travels as we build that business, learning about varietals and regions, etc…. Although a super neat business, working with boutique brands, learning about the families that harvest that fruit that ends up in that attractive looking bottle on the local market’s shelf, meeting and connecting with new people, our soul’s are fed in a lot of other ways… Hence the next few paragraph’s subject matter 🙂

So… Once again, this winter season has been bringing a lot of us folks across the U.S.A. some pretty nasty weather! You got the North in minus single and double digits, ice covering things all over the South, and grocery stores out of bread and milk! Stand back, people! Anyone wonder what the next storm is going to be named…? Sheesh. With all that said, it can be many days, holed up in the house, craving something hot, soothing and satisfying to the tummy. I remember adoring my after school snack, around the age of 9, on those cold, Michigan, winter days – a cup of cocoa with just the right amount of marshmallows on top, and graham crackers on the side. TIP: letting those crackers soak for about 10 seconds in that yummy goodness and then taking a bite was like a little bit of heaven. Well, I’ve been playing a bit with different concoctions – totally nothing original or difficult – when it has come to that treat of my past-time hot chocolate. Then, I came across an article/recipe on MindBodyGreen a month or so ago that looked super interesting  – and DELICIOUS. After a few tries, a couple alterations, and different times of the day drinking it, I found a staple in the recipe collection! Can maybe even replace my coffee/tea/even breakfast some days! It not only is soooooo tasty, it gives you a serious, positive boost in your day. Drink it in the morning or have it as an afternoon pick-me-up snack, this Powerhouse Hot Cocoa is to die for! Move over Nestle, Swiss Miss and Carnation… There is a new hot chocolate on the block! This isn’t just your average delightful, creamy, warm, rich, marshmallow-topped, past-time beverage – this is a SUPERFOOD hot chocolate. Packed with several powerful ingredients, this comforting cocoa will satisfy that sweet craving, as well as nourish your body!

~Makes 2 Servings~ 😉 Share the love…

• 2 cups of unsweetened Almond Milk, Coconut Milk, or other non-dairy milk – I prefer 365 Unsweetened Original Almond Milk – free of *carrageenan
  • Alternate option: 1 cup of non-dairy milk & 1 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of MCT Oil or Coconut Oil
• 2 tablespoons of Raw Cacao Powder – I use Navitas Naturals Raw Cacao Powder
• 1 teaspoon of Raw Maca Root Powder – I use Navitas Naturals Raw Maca Root Powder
• 1 teaspoon of Turmeric Powder
• 6 dashes of Cinnamon
• 2 pinches of Cayenne & Sea Salt
• Sweetener Options:
  • *MY PICK* – 15-20 drops of Vanilla Stevia
  • ½ tablespoon of Raw Honey
  • A combo of 1 teaspoon of Raw Honey & 10 drops of Vanilla Stevia

1. In a saucepan, add the non-dairy milk of your choice, as well as the MCT Oil or Coconut Oil and bring to a simmer where it is slightly bubbly
2. Add all ingredients with the liquid into a blender (I use a Nutri Bullet) and blend well until frothy
3. Serve in your favorite mug

PRINT RECIPE: Powerhouse Hot Cocoa

Learn More About the Powerhouse Superfood Ingredient Benefits…

• MCT OIL – Stands for Medium Chain Triglycerides. A concentrated form of coconut oil and form of fat – 6x stronger than eating coconut oil. Improves energy, improves metabolism, regulates appetite, blood sugar, and it is brain food as it enhances ketone production-efficient fuel for your brain. http://rebootedbody.com/health-benefit-mct-oil/
• Cacao Powder – High in antioxidants, increases certain neurotransmitters, and has essential minerals. Cacao powder is simply the bean from the cacao tree, that through a cold-pressing process, has had the fat (cacao butter) removed. http://livesuperfoods.com/live-superfoods-raw-organic-cacao-powder.html
• Maca Root Powder – Rich in vitamins B, C and E. Has plenty of zinc, calcium, iron and magnesium. Helps balance hormones, energy levels and good for your skin. A root from Peru. http://www.vegkitchen.com/nutrition/7-top-health-benefits-of-maca/
• Turmeric – Has been shown to ease arthritis pain, help detoxify the liver by enhancing liver function, boost blood circulation (and also thins the blood, so be careful if on blood thinners), heal and soothe digestive tract – very anti-inflammatory. http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric/
• Cinnamon – Has medicinal and anti-inflammatory properties, loaded with antioxidants, and can lower blood sugar. http://authoritynutrition.com/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon/
• Cayenne – Anti-irritant properties, has the ability to ease upset stomach, ulcers, sore throats, spasmodic and irritating coughs, and diarrhea. It is an anti-cold and flu agent, has anti-fungal properties, a digestive aid, anti-allergen, and has a host of other benefits. http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/benefits-of-cayenne-pepper/

**JUST SAY NO! Learn more about Carrageenan: http://foodbabe.com/2012/05/22/watch-out-for-this-carcinogen-in-your-organic-food/

❤