Hot Cacao

This recipe is great for when it’s cold outside.  It’s reminiscent of hot cocoa, but is a powerhouse of nutrients.  The following bullet points go over some of the health benefits of most of the recipe’s ingredients:
•    Cacao powder has a myriad of health benefits.  It’s packed with flavonoids, which can lower blood pressure, aid with blood flow to the brain and heart, and help with preventing blood clots.  Furthermore, it may reduce the risk of diabetes.
•    Cacao is a superfood.  Compared to its fellow, known plant sources in which iron was measured, it contains the most iron out of all of them.  The fact that cacao has so much iron may be very beneficial since some athletes need more of it.  It’s a necessary nutrient that diminishes via exercise.  Cacao is also one of the highest sources of magnesium found in nature and contains a lot of antioxidants.
•    Maca powder is also a superfood.  It has high levels of iron and iodine which aid in maintaining our metabolisms.  It contains a lot of potassium, which aids with digestion and muscle contractions.  It’s full of calcium, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.  
•    Maca powder may give us more energy and strengthen our bones.  
•    Maple syrup has a lot of manganese, which is an essential nutrient for healthy bones.  It’s full of antioxidants, may lower cholesterol, and prevent inflammation of the liver.  





 



















Servings: 2
Prep time: 5 minutes
Created by: Christine Shiau



INGREDIENTS:
2 cups oat milk, unsweetened
2 tbsp cacao powder
¾ tsp maca powder
1 tbsp of maple syrup, grade A (I suggest amber) 

DIRECTIONS:
1.    Boil oat milk in a pot over medium-high heat, covered, for about 3 minutes.
2.    Pour the heated milk, powders, and the syrup inside a blender.  
3.    Blend the mixture until all the ingredients are well mixed and the milk is foamy.
4.    Pour the drink into two mugs and serve while warm.