NON-DAIRY DRINKS FOR A COLD DAY: CHAI TEA & HOT COCOA WITH CACAO

1.  NON -DAIRY CHAI TEA FOR TWO

The spices, the tea, the raw honey – all good for you. This comes together in a snap with ingredients you may already have in your pantry and fridge!  Surprise that special someone with a mug of this and make one for yourself, too, and enjoy some tea for two in a very special way!

Gather

• 2 black tea bags
• 1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamon
• 1.5 cups boiling water
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1.5 – 2 tablespoons raw honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• whipped coconut cream – optional (see below)
• whole nutmeg for grating – optional

2.  HOT COCOA USING CACAO

If you haven’t heard, cacao (pronounced ka-kow) is unbelievably nutrient-dense and the main ingredient in my recipe below.  It is basically chocolate in raw form that is loaded with flavor and provided off the charts nutrition for you! Check out exactly what I mean with full details on what cacao can do for your body and mind here.

So, it is a no-brainer to serve this to your family instead of the processed stuff to make this favorite winter-time drink.  (Don’t miss a special topping you can make below!) So, please sip and slurp to your delight. And, do so often!

Gather

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1.5 tablespoons raw organic cacao powder or a little less (I use this brand: TerrAmazon that has maca added.)
• 1 heaping tablespoon raw honey (or another sweetener of choice)
• pinch sea salt
• splash of vanilla (omit if using almond milk with vanilla)
• whipped coconut cream- optional (see below)
• Ceylon cinnamon to sprinkle on top – optional

whisk

Now do this:

• Warm milk on low flame for several minutes until steamy.
• Add next four ingredients and whisk until well combined.
• Taste and adjust for sweetness and chocolate level flavorings.
• Pour in a mug and add coconut cream on top and sprinkle with cinnamon.

HOW TO MAKE COCONUT CREAM

For an every now and then treat, reach for a can of coconut milk to make a delicious topping that you would use in place of whipped cream.  It is made the very same way, but is dairy-free and contains all the sweet health benefits of coconut.

Gather

• 1 can (BPA-free) full-fat organic coconut milk, chilled for several hours
• 1 tablespoon sweetener of choice such as raw honey, maple syrup, or a sprinkle of stevia, etc.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

mixer

Now do this

• Scoop off the firm layer of coconut cream on the top of the can of coconut milk and save the water for another use.
• Place this cream in the bowl of a mixer.
• Turn your mixer or hand beaters to high speed and whip the coconut cream for 3 to 5 minutes or until fluffy and light.
• Slowly add sweetener and vanilla and whip 30 seconds or more.
• Taste and adjust for sweetness.

Do you have a favorite recipe you want to add a link to in the comments that can warm us up in a healthy way? Please share!

SHOP EVERYTHING HOT COCOA

Below are some great finds to make and drink your delicious warm healthy drinks and some other fun cacao items, too:

MORE IDEAS

Below are some other links you may find of help:

• Healthy drink recipes to boost your energy without caffeine.
• Here is an interview with an expert on how coffee affects your brain.
• Ideas to use the amazingly healthy match tea other than just drinking it.
• Here are teas that help you sleep and detoxify at the very same time!
  
  hot cocoa: photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/rofi/4219851110/”>rofi</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/”>cc</a>
  
  
  coconut: photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/yimhafiz/4031507140/”>YIM Hafiz</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>cc</a>