Winter has only just begun, but after biting cold winds, hail showers and snowfalls on the nearby ranges I’m already over the thought of Winter Wonderland Magic. So this year I’ve decided to add these delicious healthy winter treats into my routine before the cold gets me down.
These magical winter warmers are guaranteed to lift your mood and keep you cosy as we go deeper into Winter.
I love herbal teas and I have a whole cupboard devoted to them. But, even with my super-wide choice, as well as the basic green tea back-up, I am bored and need something new.
These yummy hot drinks are sure to spice things up when tea just doesn’t cut it any more, and help you to weather winter with grace.
Hot chocolate!
Chocolate is a mild stimulant and if you choose your chocolate wisely you get all the health benefits from the antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals it contains.
Here are two DELICIOUS chocolate-y drinks to warm your insides and your spirits.
PIPING HOT CHOC WINTER SMOOTHIE
This is thick, creamy, decadent and not-naughty.
Ingredients
1 banana
1 heaped Tablespoon raw cacao (don’t use drinking chocolate or cocoa…it’s absolutely worth getting Raw Cacao instead)
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon chia seeds
2 medjool dates or some honey
1 cup boiling water OR warm almond milk OR dandelion tea
Add peanut butter, oats, cinnamon, coconut or maca to taste.
◊ Blend. Pour. Guzzle. Buzz.
SUPERFOOD HAUTE CHOCOLATE
The warming cayenne pepper in dark chocolate turns this into a Mayan delight
You need…
2 Tablespoons raw cacao powder
2 teaspoons maca powder
1 Tablespoon coconut sugar
Pinch sea salt
Pinch cinnamon powder
Pinch cayenne pepper
Pinch ginger powder
Small piece vanilla bean, scraped (optional)
1½ cups milk of your choice or water
◊ Boil water or warm milk on the stove and let cool slightly. If using raw nut milk do not heat above 42ْ C
◊ Whisk in the dry ingredients.
◊ Serve immediately with a cinnamon stick, if desired.
Not only is this hot choc yummy but all the spices are wonderful, warming, circulation stimulants to warm you through to the fingertips and toes.
Recipe from Sarah Britton at My New Roots
DANDELION CHAI – SPICED DANDELION ROOT TEA
Dandelion roots are a great source of vitamins and minerals that give excellent support to your liver. You’ll love the tantalizing fragrant of this herbal upgrade to normal chai.
It also makes a great iced latte!
Ingredients
For 2 cups of water:
3 Tablespoons organic roast dandelion root
1 cinnamon stick (or a pinch of cinnamon powder)
Ginger root, chopped up with the skin left on (or ground)
Add any of these spices to taste: star anise, bay leaf, black peppercorns, green cardamom seeds slightly crushed, cloves, dried orange peel, dried raspberry leaf, fennel seeds, peppercorns, vanilla bean, licorice root.
(You can substitute 3 roasted dandelion root tea bags for the loose herb)
◊ Place all ingredients and water in a pot, bring to boil and simmer for 8-10 minutes over medium heat.
◊ Strain through a fine tea strainer.
◊ Add a spoonful of honey and your milk of choice if desired.
◊ Heat again but do not boil.
◊ Keep any leftover in the fridge and add water and reuse.
Dandelion root also tastes great black, but may be too strong if you are not used to it.
Recipe from Dandelion Tea
HOME MADE LEMON AND GINGER TEA
Ok, so this one isn’t new but homemade is just SO good. It’s super easy to make and rates head and shoulders better than anything from a tea bag.
Plus it’s a great way to fend off winter ailments or throw off a cough. The lemon is high in vitamin C to boost your immune system. Ginger and honey also support the immune system.
Ingredients
2 cups boiling water
Juice of ½-1 lemon (about 60ml)
2.5cm piece ginger root, grated
A couple of spoons (or more) of honey to taste, manuka honey if you have it
◊ Add the ginger to the boiling water and simmer in an open pan for about 15 minutes. Add the lemon juice and the honey to the ginger water. Strain into your cup.
Alternative Method:
◊ Add all the ingredients to the water and pour into a thermos. Let the mix sit for 20 minutes before straining and drinking.
