Now that the days are getting shorter and our nights colder and longer, this hot chai chocolate is one of my absolute favourite afternoon-pick-me-ups. However, just as good in the morning and a much healthier alternative than your odd cup of coffee. Add some cooked quinoa, buckwheat or teff and it makes your perfect morning-spicy-wake-me-up-chocolate bowl. I love that it is easy and quick to whip up and how it manages to re-charge my energy every single time in such a wholesome and very nurturing way.
- 1 mug of almond milk (make your own with soaked almonds and filtered water, I use the ratio of 2 cups of almonds to 1 litre of filtered water; if you decide to buy it, be sure to read your labels not that you are spending your money on added sugars and preservatives).
- 2 TBS of raw cacao
- 1 TBS of ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp of ground nutmeg
- 1 TBS of turmeric
- 1 TBS of garam masala (start with ½ if you prefer it less spicy)
- 1 tsp of pure vanilla bean (ground)
Pour your fresh almond milk in a little pot and heat over medium heat while you are stirring in your cacao and then your spices. Keep stirring until all the cacao and spices are dissolved and the milk has a lovely rich, chocolaty consistency and the temperature you would like it to be.
Add ¼ -½ a tsp of rice malt syrup if not sweet enough for you. But give it a go without first…you know sometimes your tastebuds just need a while to adjust to the goodness mother nature has to offer.
To make you feel even better, here is why this hot cup of spicy deliciousness is so good for you:
- Cacao is bursting full of age defying antioxidants and it is a rich source of iron and magnesium which makes it the perfect treat after a good workout. Also, cacao is known to boost your happy hormones. Can always do with some of those!!!
- Cinnamon too is loaded with health-promoting anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It is, moreover, known to improve your sensitivity to insulin which can help to keep your blood sugars stable. This makes cinnamon a great saviour against sweet cravings.
- Besides Nutmeg’s health boosting anti-oxidant properties, it can also help with detoxification by aiding the body’s elimination of stored toxins. Nutmeg also can have very soothing effects on any digestion related problems.
- Turmeric contains a very powerful disease fighting cocktail of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In addition, it may help with weight loss and like nutmeg can help with indigestions.
- Garam Masala is a blend of spices commonly used in the Ayurvedic tradition, India or in general the South Asian cuisine. Spices that are often used in the blend include coriander, cumin, cardamom, mustard seeds, bay leaves, fennel, fenugreek, caraway, black and white pepper corns, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. Garam Masala is believed to boost immunity, promote weight loss, help with digestion and to lower blood sugar levels.
- Almond milk is rich in many important minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, potassium, and selenium that are important for strong bones, muscles and a healthy heart. What I love it most for, however, is the healthy glow it puts on my skin which is due to its high level of wrinkle-fighting vitamin E. I don’t mind the fact either that it is far better option as compared to dairy when a looking at losing or maintaining your weight.