The Sisterhood of the [Unbuttoned] [Trousers]

Hearty Hot Chocolate

6:23 PM |

I love chocolate, especially in the form of hot cocoa in the cooler winter months. Commercial hot chocolate from stores or coffee shops are often loaded with ingredients that make the hot chocolate delicious, but that can leave one feeling sluggish after. I found this recipe for Superfood Hot Chocolate and decided to make something similar based on what I already had.

For an invigorating hot chocolate with natural ingredients:

1 cup unsweetened vanilla-flavored almond milk
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
Cinnamon *
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 tablespoon honey
A little sea salt

* They said 3 dashes; one dash is 1/8 teaspoon, so I just added about ½ teaspoon. Or, you could always use a Pinch/Smidgeon/Dash Measuring Set.

1. Warm the almond milk on the stovetop at moderate heat for 5 – 10 min, swirling a few times. It should emanate heat visibly without coming to a boil.

2. Blend the heated milk with all other ingredients.

It tuned out pretty well - sweet, but with a kick from the cinnamon and turmeric. There is a lot of room for adjusting the recipe based on available or preferred ingredients.

Hope you have a warmer winter!

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Superfood Smoothie

8:32 AM |

What better way to start the New Year than with a nutritious snack?

After doing some research on various superfoods, I put together a smoothie recipe packed not only with the sweetness of fruit, but also with essential vitamins, minerals, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber.

Ingredients:

1 banana (semi-ripe)
1 cup of frozen mixed berries
1 cup of almond milk (Silk, unsweetened vanilla flavor)
1 tablespoon of organic chia seeds (Viva Labs)
1 tablespoon of organic cacao powder (Viva Labs)
1 tablespoon of blue agave syrup

Serves 1 - 3

Put all ingredients together and blend about 30 seconds until smooth. Then, enjoy as a meal or share with friends.

For sweeter smoothies, use more banana or agave syrup.

Add more cacao for a chocolatey taste (may be slightly bitter).

Health Benefits:

Banana – potassium, magnesium, and B-vitamins, as well as tryptophan for increased serotonin production. Improves mood, digestion, heart health - there are too many benefits to list! Check out the links below for more information.
Berries – antioxidants and polyphenols for prevention of cardiovascular disease and even cancer.
Almond milk – a lactose-free substitute for milk; Low in calories, with calcium, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, it tastes delicious and doesn’t spoil as readily as cow’s milk.
Chia seeds - omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein and many minerals. No wonder they are known as the Aztec superfood!
Raw cacao - antioxidants, dietary fiber, essential minerals and vitamins, particularly magnesium. Good for mood, stress, and energy.
Agave syrup – fructose, so it has a lower glycemic index than sucrose.

(Disclaimer: agave syrup should be used with moderation, as it is mostly just sugar and may still be associated with insulin resistance. Honey or maple syrup may be better since they have other nutrients.)

If you have a sweet tooth and an active lifestyle, this is a great way to boost energy levels in the morning or afternoon.

Here’s to thriving in 2015!

Sources:

http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/25-powerful-reasons-to-eat-bananas

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20665789,00.html

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/benefits-almond-milk.html

http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6442472548

http://vivalabs.com/products/cacao-powder

http://nourishedkitchen.com/whats-your-take-on-agave-nectar/

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/is-honey-a-safer-sweetener/#axzz3NaI7Z92s

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Mulled Wine

10:53 AM |

Tis’ the season for warm drinks – and around Christmas, mulled wine is often a favorite, especially in the UK, although it has gained popularity in the US. This year, I made some for family and friends in the states using a BBC recipe as a guide:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/mulledwine_8156

After a couple of tweaks, this is the recipe I used:

Ingredients:

1 bottle of red wine (e.g. Cabernet Sauvignon)

3 cups of apple cider

1 orange

1/3 cup of brown sugar

2 cinnamon sticks

1 bay leaf

5 – 10 whole cloves

Serves: 6 – 8

Recipe:

Slice up orange into discs and wedges, leaving rind, and place in large cooking pot.
Add sugar, spices, wine, and apple cider.
Heat slowly for 15 – 30 minutes on low heat, with some stirring. The longer you heat it, the more the wine will absorb all of the flavors.

This makes for a great starting drink at parties. Also, there are some health benefits you get from the ingredients in mulled wine:

Vitamin C from oranges and apple cider
Antioxidants, tannins, and procyanidins in red wine
Antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients from spices

For a healthier alternative, substitute raw honey or agave syrup for brown sugar.

Happy Holidays!

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