Do you remember drinking hot chocolate on a cold day to make the chill go away? What a great excuse to have a hot chocolate. Most hot chocolate drinks were loaded with table sugar, milk, and some type of processed chocolate mix that included ingredients that were artificial and not so healthy. Here is a recipe that is the real deal. Try it; you might like it – hot cocoa as it was meant to be. And, very healthy, too.
 
Cocoa is the spicy powder that makes chocolate taste like chocolate. It is one of the richest sources of flavanols. Studies have shown that flavanols can disarm cell-damaging free radicals, preserve cell membranes, protect DNA, prevent the formation of artery-clogging plaque, improve blood flow to the heart, lower high blood pressure, and prevent blood clots that can cause a heart attack or stroke.
 
Most chocolate drinks contain milk. Be aware that milk can bind to the flavanols in cocoa interfering with their absorption by the body.
 
There are two surprises in this recipe: ghee and pastured egg yolk. Both will give the drink body and smoothness. Ghee is made from the butter of grass-fed cows and is all butterfat with no milk solids. The pastured egg yolk will add significant nutrients to the drink. If you included some sautéed greens along with this drink, you would have a great meal.
 
PALEO HOT COCOA
 
Ingredients:
 
1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened organic cocoa powder
1 tablespoon raw, local honey
1 tablespoon ghee
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground cloves
1 pastured egg yolk
8 ounces hot water (not boiling)
 
Preparation:
 
• Mix all ingredients together
 
• Blend with a stick blender
 
• Yum!