Hot Chocolate - Superfood Version! (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Whole30 Approved!)

Ever since starting Whole30 (I'm on the 2nd week - woohoo!), I've been finding more unique and creative ways to recreate foods I love. Enter this superfood hot chocolate that I whipped up over the weekend. What's better than hot chocolate on a cold winter's day? How about a hot chocolate drink that's chock full of antioxidants!

The main component of this drink is cacao powder - which is not the same as cocoa powder. Instead, cacao is the unprocessed version of the cocoa bean. Other than being able to add it to anything in your diet to give it a chocolate-y kick with no guilt, cacao also has tons of benefits...

• Cacao is a superfood
• Cacao has 40x the amount of antioxidants than blueberries
• Cacao is a natural anti-depressant and will help improve your mood
• Cacao is one of the highest plant-based iron you can find

You'll also notice in the ingredients below that turmeric along with some black pepper is included. To really unlock the health benefits of turmeric, its best to take it with black pepper. Curcumin, a substance in turmeric, is the main reason why turmeric is so good for you and is responsible for the beautiful yellow colour. For the most part, curcumin in turmeric gets metabolized too quickly to properly absorb in the body. Black pepper acts as an inhibitor to help slow down the metabolization of turmeric. When absorbed properly, turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory and source of antioxidant.

While the I'll definitely continue to make this once I come off Whole30, I will include honey to give it a bit of sweetness.. At the moment, it is quite bitter but I'm growing accustomed to a decrease of sugar in my diet. Anyways - onto the recipe below!

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WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• 2 cups non-dairy milk (I used coconut!)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1.5 tbsp cacao powder
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• dash of cinnamon
• crack of black pepper
• Agave syrup or honey (optional - omit if you are on Whole30)
• Marshmallows (optional - omit if you are on Whole30)

DIRECTIONS

1. Warm the non-dairy milk in a pot on medium heat. You don't want it to bubble, just simmer peacefully.
2. Whisk in all the dry ingredients and honey if you're using it.
3. Serve hot in a mug and enjoy! Top with marshmallows if you're not on whole30!