Winter Warmer Hot Choc (Dairy Free!)

As I write this its a grey, rainy day. The perfect time to make a warming hot chocolate!

If like me you're a little bit sensitive to dairy or if you're just trying to reduce your dairy intake for health or ethical reasons this is the perfect hot choc for you. Best of all it's also free from processed sugar, full to the brim of nutrients AND absolutely delicious.

How can this be?

The nutrient rich ingredients of this health boosting drink help to increase your energy, naturally and without the sugar crash, sooth any sore throat or cold symptoms and lift your mood.

Nutrient rich ingredients and benefits:

Raw Cacao

40 times the antioxidants of blueberries

The highest plant based source of iron - a whopping 7.3mg per 100g. This compares to beef and lamb at 2.5mg, and spinach at 3.6mg.

Lots of magnesium for a healthy brain and heart

Tons of calcium, even more than cows milk - 160mg per 100g vs only 125mg per 100ml of milk.

A brilliant source of Serotonin and other happiness promoters - helping to boost your mood and alleviate depression, naturally.

(Source of info - begoodorganics.com)

Manuka Honey

Contains lots amino acids

Has antibacterial properties which make it great for sore throats and colds

Anti-Inflammatory making it prefect to maintain a healthy body - from your joints to your digestive system

Full of B vitamins which help to prevent infections as well as promoting energy levels, cell health, brain function and good eyesight, among many more benefits

Contains calcium and iron like our main ingredient above!

Other ingredients:

Non dairy milk - I use oat milk as it has the same consistency as cows milk and contains lots of B vits, however feel free house what ever DF milk you love!

Ground vanilla for flavour!

How to make

Pour a cup of DF milk into a pan and gently heat over a med-low heat

Add 1 tablespoon of raw cacao powder

Stir in - if you have a little balloon whisk that helps to mix the powder in and gets rid of the 'bits' of stuck together powder!

Grind some vanilla pods - to your taste. I add about a teaspoon

Once all mixed together and nice and toasty, pour into your favourite cup.

Add your Manuka honey to taste - I add about a teaspoon.

Sit back and enjoy!