Gingerbread Hot Cocoa

Tis the holiday season! Happy Ardie Bernarde Day! You may be wondering what the heck I’m talking aboute wondering what the heck I’m talking about, no I didn’t have too much eggnog, Bailey’s or wine over Christmas. For as long as I could remember we celebrated Ardie Bernarde Day, the day after Christmas where we would stay in pajamas all day and play with our toys. As I got older I started realizing that maybe my family (and extended family on my mother’s side) were the only ones to celebrate this holiday as none of my friends had ever heard of it. Oh well I thought they’re the ones missing out not me so even if it was something crazy that started with my great grandmother I was just going to keep with the tradition.

Last Wednesday I posted that I wasn’t sure if I would post Friday or not as I was going to be cherishing all the moments with family and taking a little break, but I really wanted to share a hot cocoa recipe. I decided not to post Friday as not only was I cherishing the moments but trying to get ready for company staying at our house as well as those we would have over Christmas Eve and not feeling 100%. Christmas came and it was crazy, yesterday driving up to my parents which we normally don’t do just so we could spend Christmas with my brother and his family as my parents haven’t had us and their grandkids together on Christmas in years. Feeling drained I told you I would post for Meatless Monday, the last one of the year, so here I am getting it done late Christmas night. Honestly I debated on taking the week off from posting and just spending it with my family and I’m not sure what I will be doing this week but I had to come for our last Meatless Monday of 2016. My co-host Deborah and I are so happy you could join us. If you normally link up with us for Meatless Monday and didn’t this week I understand and hope you are cherishing all the moments this holiday season.

As I said I have a hot cocoa recipe and while it isn’t something I would usually post for Meatless Monday it is meatless and well it’s just perfect to post this time of year! Plus I can’t connect to our network and I happen to have the recipe and pictures on my computer. Hot Cocoa, or hot chocolate, or whatever you want to call it is a staple during the winter especially if you live in a cold weather state like we do. While it didn’t snow for Christmas we do have snow on the ground and it did rain, freezing rain, and wasn’t fun. We are waiting for a good snow this week with the time off so we can go sledding, build a snowman, make snow angels, or just get out and play in it. When we’re done there is nothing like a nice warm cup of hot coca. Of course any cold winter morning it hits to the spot, but on snowy holiday or vacation mornings sometimes you want something special and for those times I have fun hot cocoa like this homemade Gingerbread hot Cocoa. This one is made with spices, molasses, cacao, and cacao butter! A healthy twist on a classic. So rich and creamy with a little hint of sugar and spice and everything nice! Cacao powder is actually different than cacao powder and has healthy benefits. Cacao is loaded with antioxidants. Pure cacao powder also contains a good dose of magnesium and fiber. I also like to add cacao butter as it makes it so rich and creamy and is an great source of healthy omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, contains natural antioxidants, as well as nutrients that support mood and the immune system. If you’re like my family you don’t need a reason for a nice warm cup of hot cocoa on a snowy cold winter day.

I hope you all had a great holiday weekend and if you’re like us and have the week off enjoy every moment to the fullest. Whether that is relaxing or a day packed full of skiing, snowboarding, or doing something you love. All about healthy balance I like to put a nice cup of hot cocoa with a sugar cookie or Gingerbread Donut, especially during the holidays! Hot Cocoa cheers!

Gingerbread Hot Cocoa
Makes 2-3 servings
2c coconut milk, or non dairy milk of choice (So Delicious Unsweetened Vanilla Coconut Milk)
2 TBSP cacao powder (Navitas Naturals)
2 TBSP coconut palm sugar, pure maple syrup, or local honey
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp all spice
1/2 tsp molasses
1 TBSP cacao butter (Navitas Naturals), you can omit or add one of the substitutes below but cacao butter is my favorite and makes it rich and creamy

Options
*Add 1 TBSP cacao butter, coconut cream, or coconut oil.
Add 1 tsp to 1 TBSP gelatinized maca powder (Navitas Naturals).
Top with marshmallows or coconut whipped cream.

Steam or heat milk. Our espresso machine has a steam/frother but I also heat it in the stove when that isn’t an option. Pour warm milk and remaining ingredients into a Vitamix, or high-speed blender, and blend until combine, frothy, and smooth. With my Vitamix I like to use the soup setting. If you don’t’ have a Vitamix/blender you can whisk ingredients into the warm milk until combine. Pour into glasses and top with optional marshmallows or whipped cream. Enjoy!
Gingerbread Hot Cocoa, delicious #healthy hot cocoa that's made with sugar, spice and everything nice! @NavitasNaturals Share on X

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