Hot chocolate can be comforting and healthy if you make it in your own kitchen.

Hot chocolate, when you want it, there is nothing like it. There are no substitutes but you can substitute ingredients to make a healthy and comforting cup of hot cocao.

Here are the instructions for a great super foods cup of hot chocolate: start with plain almond milk, you can sweeten it up on your own. Hot cocoa is most nutritious if you use raw cacao powder but unsweetened cocoa powder will work also. If using a blender like a vita-mix your cacao will blend well and allow you to also add nut butter, a tablespoon or less.  If you are not using a blender, I’d forego the nut butter and just use a pan and carefully and slowly heat the cocoa. I like to use a vita-mix and start with the milk, then the nut butter and oil, then add the dry ingredients. For each cup of milk, add 2 tablespoons of cacao powder, a tablespoon of coconut oil, and a few spices like cinnamon, vanilla extract and a dash of sea salt. There has to be a bit of sweet added to the bitter cocoa. You can use local honey, or, for a non-glycemic cup, use stevia powder or liquid. If you are daring, you can add a bit of cayenne. It does add a kick, but it combines perfectly with the other ingredients. If you have them, use chia seeds, a teaspoon is enough to add numerous health benefits. Chia seeds are great for your brain, your digestion and if you’re athletic, you will be glad to know the Aztecs used chia seeds to help sustain their energy for long distance runs. I urge you to gather these ingredients so you can enjoy a cup of hot cocoa on the first cold day of the season!