Recently on More Good Day Oregon, I made this dairy-free, gluten-free — and guilt-free Superfood Hot Chocolate.
Superfood Hot Chocolate: watch the video
The inspiration behind Superfood Hot Chocolate
As a young kid living in the Chicago area, and then Buffalo, NY, I deeply appreciated the special magic of hot chocolate on a cold, winter's day.
Hot chocolate mix out of a packet was EVERYTHING on those days after we spent hours skating on a DIY rink at Evanston's Baker Park, or digging out the driveway after the snowplows came barreling down our street in Buffalo.
I especially loved the marshmallows-added variety. I treasured how those mini morsels melted into the chocolate to create a creamy, rich blend.
Fast forward years later, and I'm sad to report that instant hot chocolate no longer holds the same appeal. Alas, the palate changes as we grow up — pixie sticks and candy corn get replaced with martinis and Kettle chips, I guess. However, my love for a super creamy, satisfying hot chocolate endures. And I bet yours does too.
Can hot chocolate really be guilt-free?
So here's the deal — you can still enjoy a creamy hot chocolate that satisfies that snowball-hoarding kid in you, while giving your grown-up palate the velvety dark chocolate flavor you've come to crave.
This special hot chocolate concoction is delightfully guilt-free — we use dates instead of sugar for some sweetness, plus we use hemp seeds to provide dairy-free creaminess, healthy fats, and protein.
Now, for the superfood part: I like to add a half-teaspoon of medicinal mushroom powder — such as chaga, reishi, or cordyceps powder. Medicinal mushrooms are potent nutritional supplements that can help boost the immune system, counter stress, support the adrenal system, fight disease, and provide caffeine-free energy.
Sometimes, I also add a half-teaspoon of ashwagandha, an herb used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to help us manage stress and support a healthy thyroid.
If you’re curious about medicinal mushrooms, look for them in the supplement section at Whole Foods, New Seasons (Portland area) or at your local natural foods store. Brands to check out include Om Mushrooms (formerly Mushroom Matrix), as well as Four Sigmatic, which you can find online and at Thrive Market. For ashwagandha and other herbs, look for Sun Potion foods online, and at Thrive Market.
Important: please check with your healthcare professional before adding any supplements to your regimen, especially if you’re currently on prescription medication or are dealing with ongoing medical conditions.
Superfood Coconut Hot Chocolate — Get the Recipe
Ready for the recipe? Just click on the green box below!