Every year I come home to visit for the holidays with a new favorite drink or food that I'm eager to share with my family. This year, I've been on a hot chocolate kick for about a month now, and it's been a healing and delicious journey. This has been the morning drink of choice at my house for the past few days, and I encourage you to give it a try if you're looking for a cozy nourishing start to your day. Especially around the stressful holiday season, starting with a warm pre-digested drink like this will sooth the digestive system instead of causing more stress first thing in the morning. You'll feel lighter and more energized.
Ingredients
2 cups herbal tea -Any herbal tea of choice works.I use a loose leaf mixture of dandelion root, holy basil, gynostemma, and chaga mushroom. (I order my herbs online from Mountain Rose Herbs)
2 Tablespoons hemp seeds
1 Tablespoon raw cacao powder
1 Tablespoon coconut oil
1 teaspoon raw honey
1 teaspoon raw maca powder - Boosts energy, balances mood, influences stamina, and aids sexual function
1/4-1/2 teaspoon ashwagandha powder - An adaptogenic herb that helps the body deal with stress, strengthens the immune system, and boosts energy.
1/4 teaspoon he shou wu - Strengthens the immune system, supports adrenals, calms the nervous system, and maintains youthful condition and color of hair.
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1-2 drops of vanilla stevia (Omica Organics)
Pinch of sea salt
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Procedure
- Place hot tea and remaining ingredients in a blender and blend until creamy and frothy.
Note: This drink is not by all means limited to these ingredients only. My hot chocolate is never the same. I like to switch off using different superfoods depending on how I feel that day. Play around with what calls you. Other ingredients I often use: mucuna, shilajit, lucuma, stevia, dates instead of honey, tahini, cinnamon, medicinal mushroom powders (reishi, cordyceps, turkey tail, shiitake, etc.), and Everlasting Vitality & Youth.
Let me know what ingredients you try and how your specialty superfood hot chocolate turns out.
Enjoy & Happy Holidays!
x, Giovanna