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Dairy-Free Hot Cocoa

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DairyFreeHotCocoa

Did you ever drink a Shaklee protein shake or Ovaltine? This hot cocoa reminds me of those, only it tastes better, in my opinion. :0) And, of course, mine is free of casein and whey (or any other kind of dairy), soy, refined sugar, or anything else I don’t want to eat or feed my family. It’s made of almond milk, cacao powder, honey and Chia Seed meal. That’s it. The chia is what gives it a slight Shaklee or Ovaltine flavor, so you could cut back on it if you prefer, but the girls and I love it. Plus the chia adds a thickness which we really like.

Chia Seeds are really phenomenal for you. They are rich in protein, iron, calcium and essential fatty acids, omega 3 and 6. They are a great substitute for eggs, as I’ve seen in my egg-free recipes, but they are even more nutritious uncooked. Heat damages and even destroys the omega 3 and 6, which we need so much for good health. That’s why I blend these few ingredients to make hot cocoa and only heat them just slightly, being careful not to overheat.
I also add chia seeds (as well as other sources of omega 3 and 6, like hemp seeds) to anything I can. The girls and I drink lots of smoothies, which are another great way to get more of these seeds, and I put them in homemade ice cream, salad, salad dressing (the best way to thicken salad dressing!) and pie filling.

Dairy-free Hot Cocoa

Add to blender:
3 cups almond milk
3 tbsp cocoa or Raw Cacao Powder
2 to 3 tbsp honey, depending on your taste
2 tbsp Chia Seed meal (I grind my chia seeds with a coffee grinder. The seed to meal ratio is about 1:2)
Puree.
Heat on the stovetop slightly, so as not to damage the omega 3 and 6.
Love, Kelly
PS Don’t forget to keep your chia seeds, like hemp seeds and nuts in the refrigerator.
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  2. My kiddos love to drink hot chocolate. They call it their “tea time”. We will definietly be trying this recipe out soon! Thanks 🙂

  4. Thanks!

    So for instance, 1 tbsp whole chia seeds will produce about 2 tbsp chia seed meal when you grind it in the coffee grinder 🙂

  5. I just received my first chia seed and hemp seed in my iHerb giveaway package. Can’t wait to use them so your post is timely and that cocoa looks so delicious. (I’m assuming I don’t have to refrigerate until I open them.) Who can resist hot cocoa? 😉

    That Cherry is the cutest dog ever. I love it whenever you have photos of her. 🙂

    Shirley

  6. I’ve just discovered the joy of making almond milk myself, and have been playing around with chocolate milk recipes. I’m so excited to try this one out!

  7. Wow, this looks so tasty! I’ve not been able to have anything resembling hot cocoa in a while, so this is amazing!

    I’ve started to see some very tasty recipes come up with Chia seeds, I’d better hurry up and get my hands on some!

  8. I definitely have to try this. I LOVE Shaklee protein shakes but they don’t love me. My children and I both love the distinct taste of the protein drink, so I am sure we would like this.

  9. Just picked up some Chia seeds the other day – now will have a way to use them! And the dog? Simply ADORABLE!!
    -faith

  10. I made your potatoes and parsnips tonight and everyone is fighting over having seconds! I’ll have to double this next time for my family of 6.

  12. Sounds yummy! Is it okay to use store bought almond milk rather than making it yourself? And I am following a low sugar diet, so is there anything I could use in place of the honey? How many servings does this make? Sorry for all the ?s Love your site! Thanks!

  13. Thanks! It’s about 2 servings. Store bought almond milk has sugar in it, but it would work. You could also use coconut sugar, xylitol or stevia in place of honey if you like 🙂 They are all low glycemic index natural alternatives.