Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

 Hot chocolate is a winter staple. Perhaps it's nostalgia from childhood or that sipping on something warm and sweet soothes the soul. But in reality—dairy, artificial ingredients, and copious amounts of sugar can wreak havoc on the body.

Ever notice how your kids can get grouchy, and your stomach hurts after drinking a venti cup from Starbucks? 37 grams of sugar—mixed in with dairy in your cup (learn why here)— is the culprit.

The American Heart Association recommends that children and teenagers have NO MORE than 25 grams of sugar a day. And that’s the recommendation for standard health—not optimal, best health ever levels! 

Since the Alkamind lifestyle is all about living a delicious life, I’ve created a divine hot chocolate recipe that won a stamp of approval from my kids! 

It is created with cacao, which is naturally sugar-free. Cacao tastes like chocolate and is proven to lower blood pressure and benefit overall heart, circulation, and brain function. It also helps your body relax and ease tension. ‘Tis the season—we all need some of that! 

Ingredients: (Serves 2)

• 2 cups almond milk (or coconut)
• 1⁄4 cup raw cacao
• 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
• Optional: Love Mexican hot chocolate? Add in some cayenne pepper! Wanting some extra spice in your life? Play around with nutmeg, coriander, and your other favorite spices!

Directions:

1. Puree everything in a blender. 
2. Warm in a pot on the stove.
3. Serve, sip, and soothe! 

Curious about why you—and your children—crave sugar? It’s your body’s cry for more minerals. A lack of minerals = a strong craving for sugar. 

Many diets and lifestyle plans tell you just to remove sugar, but they don’t give what it needs to prevent the craving. That is why so many people fail and then plain give up. You can’t remove the poison without providing an antidote.

Acid-Kicking Minerals in sweet flavors such as Kiwi-Strawberry provides a dessert-like drink while giving your body the minerals it desperately needs!