Homemade Hot Cocoa

I remember as a  child, before there were commercially available cocoa mixes in individual packets, my family made the most delicious  hot cocoa from scratch. During the time between Christmas and New Year's, while you are enjoying all your new gifts, perhaps a good cup of old fashioned cocoa is just what you need to hit the spot. Cocoa has health benefits as well as having the ability to bring on a soothing, feel-good mood. I have decided to devote this week's blog to recipes for homemade cocoa.  So here goes.

Regular Homemade Cocoa

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup sugar
1 pinch of salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup half and half

Combine cocoa, sugar and salt in a saucepan. Blend in boiling water. Bring to a boil. Simmer and stir for ab out 2 minutes. Stir in 3 1/2 cups milk and heat till hot. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Add half and half to cool cocoa to drinking temperature

Sugar and Milk Free Cocoa

Unsweetened almond milk
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Dairy-free semisweet or dark chocolate
Raw sugar, or sweetener of choice

Mix ingredients in amounts of your choosing and warm up in the microwave or use a saucepan on the stove. Cool and enjoy.

There are many flavorings you can add to your cocoa. Some people add peppermint extract or a peppermint stick. Vanilla is another favorite. Some folks like marshmallows. My favorite is cinnamon.

Sources:
tp://allrecipes.com/recipe/20211/creamy-hot-cocoa/
http://minimalistbaker.com/5-minute-vegan-hot-cocoa/
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/simple-hot-cocoa-for-one-369469

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Check out my website at www.valerielull.com

Valerie Lull
Author/Herbalist
valerielull923@gmail.com

Warm Cocoa is Good for You

Most people who follow the news in the nutrition world are aware that chocolate is good for you. Does that apply to hot cocoa drinks? The answer is yes. Cocoa originated in South America with the Incas called it the "food of the gods". It spread to Europe around in the sixteenth century.

There have been several studies done on cocoa that suggests it can boost your brain health, lower high blood pressure and more.A study conducted on older adults with high blood pressure problems found that drinking two cups of cocoa a day for a month showed significant improvements in cognitive function and blood flow to the brain. One of the beneficial substances in cocoa called is flavanols. These are found in in red wine and tea as well. These flavonols help other things besides the brain. They help the circulatory system to maintain elasticity.

Along with helping hypertension, cocoa has been associated with helping decrease cholesterol in folks under 50, and increasing good cholesterol.It appears to lower risk factors in diabetes. Other health effects that have been associated with cocoa consumption include relief of angina pectoris, stimulation of the nervous system, helping digestion, mental fatigue, fever, kidney stones and stimulation of the appetite. In recent times the focus has been on ageing, hypertension and atherosclerosis.

There are some things you need to watch for. Cocoa is often made with milk and sugar. The milk lessens the good effects of the cocoa and sugar is not good for you. Cocoa can be made with milk substitutes such as soy, coconut or almond milk. Stevia, or agave or even honey may be a good substitute for sugar. Here is a simple recipe that might help.

Dairy and Sugar Free Cocoa

1 cup non-dairy milk
1 Tablespoon of Cocoa
Stevia to taste
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla and/or cinnamon if desired.

Place everything in a saucepan and stir over heat until heated to the desired warmth.
Pour out into a cup and enjoy.

Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20110323/cocoa-rich-in-health-benefits
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/119/10/1433.full
http://www.nutritionletter.tufts.edu/issues/9_11/current-articles/Drinking-Cocoa-Boosts-Cognition-and-Blood-Flow-in-the-Brain_1270-1.html
http://wholenewmom.com/recipes/homemade-hot-chocolate-recipe-dairy-free-sugar-free/

Are there any particular topics you would like to see published here? You are welcome to make  suggestions in the comments sections. I am interested in knowing what my readers want to know about.

Be sure and check out my website. Go to www.valerielull.com  My new digital book is out. It is called "Ten Spices for Health and Longevity". Many spices have good health benefits. You can have good food and be healthy too!

Valerie Lull

Author

"Ten Spices for Health and Longevity"

valerielull923@gmail.com

www.valerielull.com 

Chocolate and Your Heart

 Have you ever eaten a delicious piece of chocolate and then felt guilty? You don't need to. Chocolate is actually good for you. There are a couple of qualifiers; the chocolate must be dark chocolate, and it must be eaten in small to moderate quantities to avoid weight gain.

It seems that there are antioxidants in chocolate that can protect you from free radicals, that play a role in heart disease. There are also plant constituents called flavanols that are heart healthy. Flavonoids are known to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. These factors can lower the risk of heart attacks, high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.

Theobromine is a substance in chocolate that some scientists think may also contribute to its heart friendly properties. It is thought to relax the blood vessels and preventing high blood pressure. Antioxidants, on the other hand, help to reduce cellular damage that is caused by free radicals. Free radicals cause oxidation of the cells, Free radicals can cause bad cholesterol to form plaque on the walls of your blood vessels.

To get these health benefits you  have to be sure to get the right kind of chocolate. The milk in milk chocolate negates the benefits of the flavonols. Heavy processing, by alkalizing, fermentation or roasting tends to destroy the health promoting flavonoids.  Most candy bars in the supermarket are loaded with sugar and many of them have milk. Be sure to look for chocolate that has at least 70% cacao. Raw organic chocolate is the best.

Research is in the works to produce a supplement that you can take that will give you the benefits of raw cacao without the added sugar or milk. It will be interesting to see the research on these supplements.

Sources:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/prevention/nutrition/food-choices/benefits-of-chocolate
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/119/10/1433.full
http://thealternativedaily/research-gives-us-more-reasons-to-enjoy-dark-chocolate/

Check out my website at www.valerielull.com I have a new book out called Ten Spices for Health and Longevity. 

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Spices for Health and Longevity
www.valerielull923@gmail.com

Dark Chocolate Has Health Benefits

One of my favorite indulgences is chocolate. However, if you want to receive the health benefits you have to be careful what kind of chocolate you eat and how much. Emerging research seems to indicate that chocolate has a number of healing properties and may actually be good for you when taken in the right form and in moderation. Chocolate is chucked full of good things like flavonoids that reduce inflammation, phytosterols that help cholesterol levels, and antioxidants that reduce free radicals.  There are so many things that are good about chocolate I could write several blogs on the subject. Today I will hit the highlights.

Antioxidant - Antioxidants are substances that fight free radicals. Free radicals are atoms that have an electron missing and can damage your cells DNA. The antioxidants provide the missing electron and stabilizes the molecule. The damage free radicals can do can be the start of processes that lead to cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Cardiovascular Problems - According to recent research chocolate can help coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, high cholesterol, plaque deposits on artery walls and obesity.

Natural Stimulant - Eating chocolate can produce a boost of energy both physically and mentally. This is partly due to the caffeine content and partly due to theobromine. Theobromine is an alkaloid in cacao that also can provide a boost of energy.

Cognitive Function - Cocoa is good for your mind. The flavonols in chocolate may help with cognitive decline.Flavonols can reverse age-related cognitive decline by increasing the strength of the connections of the neurons in your brain that aid in maintaining memory.

Mood Booster - There is a chemical reaction with chocolate called anandamide that blocks feelings of pain and depression temporarily. Some researchers call it bliss. Some evidence seems to show that it also sweetens up your love life.

Gut Bacteria - The good bacteria in your gut love to feast on chocolate. They turn it into anti-inflammatory compounds that fight inflammation, another underlying cause of chronic diseases like heart trouble, cancer and Alzheimer's.

Some guidelines - Don't use this information as a reason to run down to your market and chow down on candy bars. There's way too much sugar in them. If you want to eat good chocolate choose the dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao. It has less sugar and the higher the cacao content, the more health benefits you will reap. Eat only 1-2 squares a day. As the old saying goes, "all things in moderation". If you are still worried about sugar content you can get cacao in capsule form and take a few each day. Cacao in capsule form can be purchased on the internet, your local health food store, or by mail order.You can also get benefits from hot coco, or from cacao beans that have been dipped in chocolate

To learn another Way to stay healthy go now to my web site  www.valerielull.com  It is OK to have a chocolate treat if it is done with thought, care and moderation.

Valerie Lull,  MH,
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
www.Lullval@clearwire.net