Jess In Retrospect: healthy drink

Winter Spiced Hot Chocolate

If you're looking for a cosy, festive drink that is also full of mood boosting, anti inflammatory health benefits then you've come to the right place! I mean for one, is there anything more comforting and calming than a steaming cup of hot chocolate? Personally I don't think so..

For this recipe we will give processed cocoa powder a wide berth as it is full of sugar and has lost most of its antioxidants and other health benefits in the process of making your classic sweet cocoa powder. Actual raw unprocessed cacao is an amazing source of antioxidants (more even than famously antioxidant packed blueberries!) and iron as well as magnesium and calcium. And all that while being a natural mood booster and anti-depressant!

To make the spiced cacao powder you'll need:

75g powdered raw cacao

3 tbsp turmeric powder

6 tsp ground ginger

6 tsp ground cinnamon

pinch of ground black pepper

1 tsp ground cumin

Mix all the spices with the cacao powder. Make sure you include the black pepper as it helps your body absorb the curcumin which is found in turmeric and comes with all the anti inflammatory properties we want! Black pepper can also help boost metabolism.

To make the hot chocolate, warm some plant milk or milk of your choice in a pot and stir in about one to two tablespoons of your spiced cacao powder per serving. Add in some sweetener of your choice, like honey, agave syrup or coconut sugar to taste.

Now snuggle up and enjoy this on these gray and dreary days to fight the winter blues and boost that mood while supporting your body with all these amazing nutrients!

Lot of Love,

Jess xx

Sunday, December 17, 2023
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Golden Milk | Turmeric Latte

food

I'm on a bit of a health kick still, wanting to eat healthier and treat my body better in 2022 so I am trying to incorporate more beneficial foods and beverages into my life. Golden milk - or turmeric milk - is an Ayurvedan drink that's known for its many health promoting properties. And not just that, it's actually also absolutely delicious. So let me show you how I make this today :)

For two mugs you'll need:

500ml oat milk (or milk of your choice)

2 heaped tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger powder

1 generous pinch of black pepper

2 tsp agave syrup or honey (optional)

Add all your ingredients to a small pot and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often.

Turn down the heat and let your golden milk simmer for about 10 minutes.

Strain the milk through a tea filter or fine strainer into your mugs and enjoy while still warm.

If you fancy, add some foamed up oat milk on top or go wild with your latte art :)

It's so quick and easy to make! And it can also be made in advance and kept in the fridge for up to five days. Simply reheat it in the morning and have a cup with your breakfast :)

If you, like me, are a bit sceptical about black pepper (I hate it really) don't go and skip it in this recipe! The human body is actually not very good at absorbing the curcumin in turmeric and therefore needs help with that, which black pepper can provide (it actually enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2000%!!) You also can't really taste it in this spice/milk mixture!

The curcumin in turmeric is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties and is linked to skin health as well as being praised as an immunity booster.

If all of this doesn't make you want to try it then rest assured that it's also just a deliciously warming drink that adds a bit of colour to your table! :)