HEALTHY HOT CHOCOLATE
Who doesn’t love a delicious mug of hot chocolate in the winter?  
Did you know I am a self-identified chocoholic?  Almost ten years ago, I changed my diet and cut out the majority of dairy and sugar. (There’s a long story for another time…LOL!)  Of course, I feel WAY better. My immune system is stronger. But….what did I do about the hot chocolate dilemma?  Those little packets you mix with water are full of sugar and chemicals.
After some searching, I found an excellent recipe!  This has become my go-to for my family!





INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 cups Almond Milk
  • 1 Cup Coconut Milk
  • 3-4 Tbsp Maple Syrup
  • ¼ Cup Cocoa Powder
  • ¼ Cup Dark Chocolate Chips
DIRECTIONS:
Heat milk and maple syrup in a pan on the stove.  Once hot add cocoa powder. Whisk to mix the cocoa powder into the milk.  Add in the dark chocolate chips and whisk.  

* Substitutions for personal preference…. Use any kind of non-dairy milk you prefer.  I love vanilla unsweetened almond milk and canned coconut milk/cream for this recipe.  You could substitute raw coconut sugar for maple syrup.  Use your favorite kind of chocolate chips!  (There are brands that offer dairy free and sugar free options.) I love Ghirardelli brand 60% dark chocolate chips.  They do have a bit of dairy and sugar. You could omit the chocolate chips completely if you prefer.

* Take it to the Next Level …add your favorite extract or food-grade essential oil.  Peppermint hot chocolate!  Orange hot chocolate!  So many delicious options!

ENJOY!  

PS…I’d love to know if you try this recipe!  Drop me a note or tag me in your social media post!

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Meet Nina Cesena

 
Chronic illness STINKS!  A battle with autoimmune disease left me “immune compromised” after the loss of my spleen, which happens to be an integral part of our immune system.

I won the battle with autoimmune disease and got into remission…but my immune system was still thrashed! I fell unwell ALL. THE. TIME. I was a classroom teacher and a mom of school age kids. Every icky thing that went around seemed to find me. There were winters I forgot what it felt like to feel “well”.  I wondered what my future was going to be like….Was I going to be a victim of my immune system forever?
Then…I began to wonder if there were ways I could support my immune system naturally. I’m a skeptic. If I’m going to try something new, I need to know “how” and “why” it is going to work! I did a ton of research…and tried something I hadn’t tried before.

A few months went by…and I realized I had made it through an entire fall-winter season feeling WELL! That was 7 years ago!!

Now, I live my life confident in the power of my immune system. I don't worry that every germ is going to catch up with me. I don't fear NOT having a spleen!
 
I’ve learned so much since that first winter seven years ago! Chronic illness or a weakened immune system can make us feel out of control and even trapped! I’m on a mission to help others empower themselves to take control and gain freedom.

Come join our group of wellness warriors!
Contact me!

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