Recipe

My Go to Hot Cocoa + Four Tips for Sugar Cravings

I have a ritual for hot cocoa. I love to hold the warm mug in both hands and just breath. When was the last time you took time to just sip + enjoy. If you are interested in a practice like that I have the Cooking Mediations, get them free here

Please let me know if you make the cocoa. And if you are Insta, tag me in your photo, I would love to see what you make!

Eat Well,

xo Carla

PS: Let’s work together! Checkout Poppy + online courses + freebies here

Ingredients

1 cup of preferred milk
1 tablespoon of cocoa, like Valrhona
1-3 teaspoons maple syrup, optional
1 teaspoon vanilla, optional
1 teaspoon cinnamon, optional
1 smallest pinch of sea salt

Instructions

Whisk all ingredients together in a small sauce pan.
Heat until warm.

Chef Carla Notes

I have a bodum foamer, its a wonderful little tool to add foam to your beverages like tea, coffee or hot chocolate. That's why my hot chocolate has so much foam!
The Valrhona chocolate makes a real difference. It has a deep chocolate flavor.

Here are four tips for sugar cravings:

Breathe – Take five to ten deep belly breaths. When you take the breaths let your abdomen expand through your inhale and pull your belly towards your spine on the exhale. Sometimes counting can help, so breathe in for four counts and release for four counts. This brings oxygen to your brain and can help you make a better decision. You can even stop mid binge to do this, and may decide that you’ve had enough. Either way pausing for a moment will help you stay present during your eating experience.
Drink a glass of water – We often mistake hunger for thirst. If getting in your water is a challenge get a 32-ounce water bottle and fill it up twice a day (that’s your recommend water intake) or download the Waterlogged App and track your water for the day. You can even set up a reminder!
Drink of cup of hot herbal tea – Pick something along the lines of chamomile, peppermint, or ginger. To make it more soothing add your favorite milk — I love making an almond tea latte with chamomile and ginger tea bags. Drinking tea is comforting, and often we are looking for a stress relief in that bite of sugar or chocolate. Switching your focus to herbal tea can help you learn to distinguish a true craving instead eating for emotional medication. Hint: A square or two is medicine; an entire chocolate bar is a binge. See the difference?
Eat the chocolate – Um what? Yep! Sometimes you just have to enjoy. Take a few deep breathes and savor each and every bite. Actually chew that piece of chocolate cake, and yes, you can find and make delicious refined-sugar free versions. If you are at home, don’t eat it out of the box. Put it on a pretty plate, sit your butt down and eat it with a fork and a napkin like a human!