This healing hot cocoa will warm you up, keep you hydrated and nourish your body. Plus it tastes great! The perfect cold weather drink.
Ever since I got pregnant with baby number two (in 2010) I have been hooked on hot chocolate. While I had morning sickness, it was about the only way I could get fluids down. For some reason even when I’m sick chocolate still sounds good.
Even after giving birth I still enjoyed hot chocolate, but didn’t need it daily any more. I should say I’d try not to drink it daily…I was trying to be “good.”
Being good didn’t work.
Why Water Doesn’t Hydrate
So whenever I’m feeling dehydrated, like I’m not absorbing fluids, or like I need something to help warm up I reach for a big mug of homemade hot cocoa.
Why Hot Cocoa Heals
I’ve tried other drinks, but they never do the same thing. Why would this be?
Turns out my body really does know what it needs.
First, cocoa is actually quite high in magnesium. And that’s something I am lacking.
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Cocoa is also high in iron. And I just found out this week that I’m anemic. So I better keep drinking my hot chocolate!
Finally, as a tired mom with adrenal fatigue, plain water just makes me sluggish. This healthy hot cocoa gives my adrenals the boost they need to get through the day.
Healthy Hot Cocoa
After reading Eat For Heat I know that some fluids like plain water, tea, coffee and soda just flush the minerals out of your body. But cocoa is is a very warming food. And so is salt…which I add to my hot chocolate to make it even more warming!
Finally I saw this article recently about the health benefits of honey and cinnamon.
I combine all of these benefits into a cup of delicious, healing, hydrating, warming hot cocoa. It only takes a few seconds to make (once you have hot water). And it is very allergy-friendly (dairy, eggs, wheat, gluten, soy, etc.). If you can handle cocoa powder it is even GAPS legal.
You can also use cacao or carob in place of the cocoa. Whichever you choose make sure it’s organic.
With the salt/sweet/mineral content this could even replace your sports drink.
Make Your Homemade Hot Cocoa Even Better
If you really want a nutrient boost you can add collagen, butter and/or coconut oil!
Want to take a step towards good health? Instead of drowning in ounce after ounce of plain water try a delicious mug of healing hot cocoa. Your body and your taste buds will thank you.
A little disclaimer – I’m not a doctor. I don’t have scientific data to back this up. I just know how my body responds. I always feel warm and hydrated when I drink my homemade hot cocoa. But I feel full and cold when I drink most other fluids.
How about you? Does your body respond well to hot cocoa?
Want to learn more about hydration, thyroid, and adrenals? Read why I cut way down on drinking plain water.
Homemade Hot Cocoa That Heals
Ingredients
- 1 - 2 tsp. organic cocoa powder it is important to use organic to avoid GMOs (you can also use carob powder if you can't tolerate cocoa)
- 2 tsp. raw honey, organic cane sugar or maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon optional
- 1/8 tsp. unrefined sea salt
- 1/4 cup milk or milk substitute optional
- 2 tsp. collagen optional
- 2 tsp. butter optional
- 2 tsp. coconut oil optional
- hot water
Instructions
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Place cocoa powder, honey, cinnamon, collagen and salt in a mug.
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Fill the mug with hot water and stir to dissolve.
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Add a splash of milk if desired for creaminess/to cool the hot chocolate.
Sounds good!
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Take Care
Yum! Thank you for a delicious and healthy recipe! Now I don’t feel guilty having a cup, or two, of hot cocoa. I made two cups this morning, the first one I followed the recipe, and it was so yummy I made another one! The second cup I added an extra teaspoon of cocoa and 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne! Wow, that was delicious! 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it! I never follow any recipe really. I just made a guess at quantities to post it. Glad you adjusted it to your liking. I bet cayenne really gave it a kick!!
You are making me want some hot cocoa! I think Carson and I will make this today… It’s frigid outside so it seems perfect! 🙂
Having some right now. My variation: Dutch-process cocoa, maple syrup, cinnamon, turmeric, this special live sea salt I have with kelp, and I added light cream… YUM.
Oooh, that sounds good! I alternate sweeteners sometimes…honey, maple syrup, cane sugar or molasses. They each give a unique flavor. I love how the sea salt really brings out all the other flavors.
I am making two cups to try right now! I am so to have hot chocolate to give to my kids that I feel good about. I’ll try your molasses tonic soon too!
Enjoy! I LOVE hot chocolate.
Yummy! Do you think that beef gelatin would be similar to collagen?
Eunie,
Gelatin and collagen are pretty much the same thing. The difference is that one gels (gelatin) and one doesn’t (collagen). You can absolutely use gelatin in this hot cocoa. To do so I add the gelatin, and other dry ingredients to a cup. Then pour in a small amount of water and stir. The gelatin will mix with the water to create a gel. Then add the hot water, and the gelatin will dissolve.
This is my new favorite way to eat blackstrap molasses. I might try it next time with just a pinch of salt and more cocoa. Thanks for the great recipe embracing one of my favorite foods- chocolate!
You’re welcome, Lydia! Glad you found a way to enjoy molasses!
Sounds so comforting – what a fun treat! We always have hot cocoa on the first day of Dec in new Christmas jammies!
What a great tradition, Renee!
My kids are going to love this! We’ve been drinking cocoa like it’s going out of style lately. 😉
Definitely the right time for hot cocoa!
I’m sorry. Maybe I missed something. This recipe states it is dairy free but one ingredient is milk. ??? I see it says milk substitute optional but it seems strange that it says dairy free.
Hi Lisa,
Sorry if that was confusing. The hot cocoa IS dairy free. There are optional add-ins depending on your dietary needs and preferences, one of which is milk or a milk substitute. If you don’t want that or can’t have that don’t use it. I personally don’t add any form of milk to my hot cocoa. That is why it says optional. Make it to suit your taste and needs. The base recipe of the hot cocoa (that is free of all allergens) are the ingredients not listed as optional.
Thank you for your reply. Now I understand. And I am very excited to try this because it’s one thing I have been missing since giving up dairy.