homemade hot chocolate with cacao powder

Here’s the perfect thing for an afternoon treat!  Good for warming up on a cool fall day or for a little pick-me-up!

You can read more about the benefits of cacao here! 

hot cacao

Hot Cacao

1 cup almond milk

2 tablespoons cacao powder

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1-2 tablespoons organic coconut palm sugar (any sweetener would work)

dash cinnamon

-Gently melt coconut oil and whisk in cacao powder, coconut palm sugar and cinnamon.

-Add almond milk and simmer until warm.

-Enjoy!

I threw mine into the vitamix for a whirl to make it frothy!

www.beginwithinnutrition.com

chocolate banana chia pudding

I’ve been interested in trying chia pods, but haven’t been able to find them anywhere!  So, I ordered a case of them through the food co-op that I am a part of.  Good thing I like them because now I have a whole refrigerator full!  Made with only 3 ingredients and no added sugar, they make a great on-the-go snack especially since they are packaged with a cute little spoon!

ChiPodBlueberry

And it doesn’t hurt that Kelly Slater sponsors the company as well :)  Check out his video here

While they taste awesome and are super healthy for you, they cost a lot…over $3.00 each!  So, at a fraction of the cost here is my chia pod recipe!

chocolate banana chia pudding ~vegan, gluten free~

Chocolate Banana Chia Pudding

1 can coconut milk

1 banana

1/4 cup chia seeds

2 tablespoons cacao powder or cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

-In a blender or food processor, blend together coconut milk, banana, cacao powder and vanilla.  Pour mixture into a bowl.

-Add chia seeds and stir.  (continuously stir for a few minutes so chia seeds do not clump!)

-Place in the refrigerator for 2 hours.  Chia seeds will absorb liquid resulting in a pudding consistency.

-Portion out pudding in single-serve containers and enjoy!

www.beginwithinnutrition.com

chocolate chia milkshake

Having a green smoothie is an excellent way to power up your nutrient intake for the day.  There aren’t many other quick and simple meal/snack options that come packed with green leafy vegetables, omega 3 fatty acids, fiber and antioxidants.  Smoothies are also a tasty way to easily incorporate “super foods” such as chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, goji berries, wheat grass, spirulina and cacao into your diet!

This recipe uses a little bit of avocado to make it rich and creamy.  Just like a milkshake, but a whole lot healthier for you!

chocolate chia milkshake ~vegan green smoothie~

Chocolate Chia Milkshake

2 cups almond milk

2 tablespoons raw cacao powder (or cocoa powder)

1/2 avocado

1 banana

1 large handful baby spinach

1 tablespoon shredded coconut

2 tablespoons chia seeds

2 dates, pitted (I used 3 because the banana I had wasn’t very ripe)

6 ice cubes

~Blend and Enjoy~

www.beginwithinnutrition.com