RS Vacations – Big Bear Lake, CA

Nothing is better than a steaming mug of creamy hot chocolate after a day of winter sports. Yum! Okay, yes, I have been talking about getting healthy this week and this may seem like a not-so-good-for-you recipe, but I am not talking about a packet of artificial flavors and poly this and that trying to pass itself off as chocolate. Real cocoa is actually full of anti-oxidants and has some real health benefits when consumed in moderation. Here is a recipe for Healthified Hot Cocoa from EatingWell.com:

Ingredients (To make 1 cup)

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup 1% milk, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of ground cinnamon

1. Mix sugar, cocoa and 2 tablespoons cold milk in a mug until smooth. Heat the remaining milk in a small saucepan on the stove top or in a 2-cup glass measure in the microwave until steaming hot but not boiling. Stir in the cocoa mixture and vanilla.
2. To froth the hot chocolate, whirl a whisk in it by rubbing your hands back and forth. (Alternatively, pour the hot chocolate into a blender, cover with the lid and a kitchen towel and blend until frothy.) Pour it back into the mug and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Nutrition

Per serving: 227 calories; 4 g fat ( 1 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 31 g carbohydrates; 7 g protein; 2 g fiber; 97 mg sodium; 390 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: 312 mg calcium (31% dv).