Hello My Dear Reader,
As the holidays approach us, you might be experiencing some stress and anxiety over the perfect gift. You are a giver, you love to see the delight on someone’s face as they open that one of a kind, special, unique present from your heart. You run from store to store looking for that oh so special gift and maybe you even find it.
To me, the thought of stepping into a crowded shopping mall creates anything but a delightful feeling. I find it a bit overwhelming and I usually end up buying stuff that doesn’t reflect the feeling or intention behind my gift.
What’s important is the effort and intention that’s behind the gift. If someone is taking the time to create something unique just for me, putting all their sweet love and soul into it, that makes me feel incredibly special. Or if I receive a gift of experience, meaning they want to spend with me, now that’s awesome and memorable.
Now I’m not saying that anything that comes from a store is necessarily imprudent, especially if it’s something that will bring great joy to someone. I’m merely suggesting thinking outside the box and making holiday gift giving a bit less stressful for you.
Last weekend I got the chance to share one of my favourite hot chocolate recipes at the holiday social I co-hosted at Essence of L Spa and everyone absolutely LOVED it!
So I’m sharing my secret recipe with you, my dear, and how you can make it into a memorable and health enhancing gift for someone special.
I’m not using just any cocoa powder in this recipe, I’m using raw cacao powder from Giddy Yoyo. Unlike the cheapened version of cocoa powder, this unprocessed superfood is one of the most anti-oxidant rich sources of food on the planet and it also contains high amounts of magnesium. Think of magnesium as nature’s chill pill. It is used in over 300 enzymatic processes in the body, meaning it will help you assimilate and absorb nutrients, and it acts as a relaxant in the body. I recommend magnesium to clients who are suffering from chronic stress, headaches, and have trouble falling asleep. If you want to learn more about all the awesome health benefits of chocolate, check out this post! (You’ll find some delish chocolate recipes there too!)
Give a gift with purpose! This hot chocolate mix is sure to elevate anyone’s mood, helps to fight free-radical damage (wrinkles and such), boosts you metabolism and ignite feelings of joy and gratitude.
Holiday Sparkle Hot Chocolate
(Recipe for 1 serving)
- 2 Tbsp Raw Cacao Powder (I used Giddy Yoyo brand)
- 1 Tbsp Coconut Palm Sugar
- 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp vanilla powder
- Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1.5 cups unsweetened coconut milk beverage (or almond milk)
To make a 6 serving holiday gift:
- 3/4 cup Raw Cacao Powder
- 6 Tbsp Coconut Palm Sugar
- 1.5 tsp cinnamon
- 1.5 tsp vanilla powder
- 1/8 – 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
How to make:
Mix all dry ingredient in a bowl. (For the gift: place into a cute little glass jar ~ I picked mine up from the dollar store ~ and write instructions to mix 2 Tbsp hot chocolate mix with 1 cup of their favourite milk!)
Warm your choice of milk over the stove (careful not to overheat). Place milk into a blender and add hot chocolate mix. Blend until frothy and enjoy in a pretty mug!
Enjoy!!
In health,
Annaliisa
