Snowed in? We are not “officially” snowed in, but I’m gonna consider myself snowed in so I can be lazy and binge watch Netflix series. I love The Ranch, but Jesse (the hubby) and I went crazy and just watched all of them one after the other because we just don’t know how to pace ourselves.
It’s just how we roll…
One thing I L.O.V.E. to have on a cold snowy day is a nice cup of hot tea or hot cocoa. Today was a hot cocoa day for sure! Add some whipped topping and I’m totally good.
Like probably a lot of you, I’ve fallen in the “easy hot chocolate packet” way of making hot chocolate for so many years. I mean, come on, they are just too convenient.
Open.
Add to milk or water.
Stir.
DONE.
So simple, right?
But, now that I read ingredient labels, I was bummed to find out what was in your average cocoa packet.
AVERAGE HOT CHOCOLATE PACKET INGREDIENTS:
SUGAR, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, VEGETABLE OIL (PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COCONUT OR PALM KERNEL AND HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN), DAIRY PRODUCT SOLIDS, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, AND LESS THAN 2% OF CELLULOSE GUM, NONFAT MILK, SALT, SODIUM CASEINATE, SODIUM CITRATE, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM ALUMINOSILICATE, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, GUAR GUM, ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS.
UGH!
What the heck IS all that stuff? Like, why do they need all those ingredients JUST for one tiny cup? Remember my motto: If you can’t pronounce it, you probably shouldn’t be eating/drinking it.
And vegetable oil? In your hot chocolate? Who wants vegetable oil in hot chocolate? How about sodium caseinate?
Just walk (run) over to your pantry and throw that stuff out-now!
So, what’s a hot-chocolate-loving-girl to do?
Well luckily, there is a better choice!
My healthier version of hot chocolate is so much better. Heck, it technically only has FOUR ingredients. Ingredients you can pronounce.
HEALTHIER, CLEANER (PEPPERMINT) HOT CHOCOLATE
My healthy hot chocolate ingredient list contains the following:
Milk, raw cacao powder, raw sugar, peppermint
You could use cocoa powder from a clean source. But, I like to use raw cacao. Unlike cocoa powder, which is processed at high temperatures, cacao powder is made by milling un-roasted cacao beans. The process results in a phytochemically diverse superfood that boasts living enzymes, antioxidants, magnesium, zinc and iron.
Cacao is also great for your skin! Which means it makes it on my beauty list.
CACAO WORKS IN AN AMAZING WAY TO KEEP THE SKIN HEALTHY
- Cacao is high in antioxidants so it protects the body against many diseases including premature aging.
- Cacao contains vitamin C and magnesium, which helps in protecting the skin and keeping it healthy.
- Cacao contains omega 6 fatty acids, which helps in cellular healing. This also means healing of scars.
- Cacao has a raw enzyme, which helps in repairing the cell and its rejuvenation.
- It also protects the skin from harmful UV rays and acts as a natural sunscreen.
- Cacao help increase blood flow to the skin, keeping it healthy and glowing.
- Cacao help improve the skin’s complexion by sending hydration to the skin, which helps skin look younger.
So, why would you not want to use cacao in your hot chocolate?
Now, on to this easy peezy hot chocolate-with added peppermint…
- 1 cup, plus 1-2 tablespoons milk of choice
- 2-3 teaspoons raw cacao
- 1 teaspoon (or more for taste) coconut sugar or sweetener of choice.
- 1 drop of peppermint oil
- Coconut whipped cream (optional)
- Homemade chocolate drizzle (optional)
- Peppermint candies (optional)
- Place milk in a small pot over medium low heat.
- Meanwhile, place cacao powder, sugar, and extra tablespoon of milk in a small bowl. Whisk until a thick mixture forms and powder is absorbed. Add additional tablespoon of milk, if needed.
- Whisk cacao mixture into milk mixture. Heat till hot but not boiling.
- Pour into a mug and add peppermint and optional additions.
- Serve and enjoy!
Bottom line – you don’t need those packets once you know how easy healthy hot cocoa is!
xoxo tess
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