Creamy Hot Chocolate … and Listening to that still small voice

VIDEO:  Watch my son and I did a video making this healthier version of hot chocolate.

Coffee or tea…or how about hot chocolate?  Now you can ditch that prepackaged powdered stuff.   You know the kind with the dehydrated marshmallows inside?  Yes, admittedly those do taste pretty good but I promise you this recipe tastes even better and actually has some health benefits! I know you want to, but don’t skip ahead to the recipe just yet without reading below because I know all of us can see ourselves in this story….

On Monday I was enjoying my day off doing one of my favorite things.  I was on my way to Pier 1 to shop for some cool food photography props when I spotted a women and her toddler sitting on the bench at the bus stop waiting for the bus.  I instantly felt prompted to give her the little bit of cash I was carrying that I was about to deposit in the bank that afternoon.  I was surprised at all of the thoughts that went through my head in those few seconds.  “But I NEED this money to be deposited today”, “there really is nowhere to safely pull over”, “I should give it to her, she may really need it”, “what if my gesture insults her?” and … “my husband just got laid off in a corporate cut back how can this be a good idea?”.  I figured that last one in itself should justify me not being inconvenienced right?  Then the light turned red which placed me not too far from where she was sitting.   I relented and decided to give her the money.  I rolled down my window and yelled out the window twice in an effort to get her attention. My shouts went unheard and the light turned green. I did not feel like turning the car around, so I guiltily thought to myself “I did try, and I can always give the money to the homeless man I saw in a wheelchair on the way home instead”.  I thought that seemed like a fair trade off but immediately the feeling that came across me was that that is not what I was being lead to do and that no it really wasn’t “good enough”.  Feeling a bit bothered (as we do when we ignore what we know we are supposed to do) I walked into Pier 1 and instead of enjoying my favorite pastime I felt heavy and burdened and frankly a bit selfish.

Twenty minutes later I pulled out of Pier 1 and saw the woman still waiting for the bus.  I was so relieved to see her I drove right over, parked on the side of the road and walked up to the bench. I reached out my hand with the money and told her not to take this gesture the wrong way but that I felt I was to give her this money and to do whatever she’d like with it.  She froze and didn’t even reach out her hand to take it right away.  I wasn’t sure if she was insulted, or if there was a language barrior but she didn’t say a word, she just started to cry and then reached out to take the money from my hand.  As I was walking away I heard her yell out through her cry “thank you”!  I didn’t turn around I just raised up my arm in a gesture of “your welcome”.

I realized not only did her face and tears prove she was in dire straits  but also that when we listen to that still small voice it turns out not only are we blessing that other person but also ourselves! I drove home thinking of all the possible reasons she became so emotional.  Maybe she was short her rent payment, or maybe she wouldn’t have been able to eat lunch that day. I thought about all the times in my past when I was in need and the right person or circumstance appeared, and how glad I was she was still there so I could get a second chance to do the right thing.  When we let our flesh get in the way and justify all the reasons for not helping we miss out on such wonderful opportunities.  You never know who’s path you may cross and how you can make a huge difference in their lives and how one day we will all need someone to take that same time for us.

Healthy Hot Chocolate

Erin Porter

Ditch that prepackaged powdered stuff and try this quick and healthy creamy hot chocolate!

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Course Drinks

Equipment

• 1 Nutri bullet or a blender

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup Light coconut milk
• 1 tbsp Coco powder (I used Equal Exchange Baking Cocoa, it does not contain sugar)
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1/2 tbsp Coconut oil
• 4 1/2 tsp Xylitol
• pinch Salt

Instructions

 

• Heat all ingredient in a saucepan on medium heat until hot.
• Once the hot chocolate is hot, pour into a bullet or a blender for 5 seconds. This makes the drink so frothy and it's mixed perfectly! Don't leave out this last step.
• Top with homemade whipped cream if desired - click here for whipped cream recipe

Video

Notes

Don't skip the final step which is to mix this in a bullet or blender. Makes one serving. Double the recipe for two.

UPDATE: I have since bought a "frother" they are cheap and quick so I no longer do the step above using the bullet. If you don't have one they are a fantastic addition in the kitchen!

Kaufmann 1 Diet (Kaufmann Phase I)