The Ultimate Hot Chocolate

The Ultimate Hot Chocolate With Fresh Whipped Cream!

Mmmmm, it’s so nice to have a cup of creamy hot chocolate on cold winter days.  It’s one of those small comforts that make life a little sweeter.  Plus, it reminds me of being a kid and having a cup of hot chocolate after playing out in the snow.  Everything just kind of slowed and relaxed as the body warmed to a soft glow.  Now as an adult, life can be busy.  I’m usually coming in from work or errands….So, I like to seek out ways to have more fun, be more kid like and bring a little comfort to my day and that of my family’s.  Hot Chocolate is one of those ways.  Let’s just call it a form of therapy.  Yeah, that’s right, therapy, the chocolaty goodness kind.  And it works too…to put a smile on the face, a warmth to the heart and brings a little creativity, play, and imagination to the day……….

This is the ultimate cup of hot chocolate, full bodied and deeply satisfying.  After experimenting with different types of chocolate, and many cups of hot chocolate later, it seemed obvious to combine the chocolate chips with the cocoa. Together, with their strengths, they create a sublime experience, a robust chocolate flavor that’s creamy, rich and delicious…. 

I definitely recommend using dark chocolate.  It has that deep dark chocolate flavor that isn't too sweet, but just sweet enough.  I also recommend using  organic milk and organic half and half because organic really does have a better flavor and consistency than the non-organic…..okay then, mmmm, ready?….

Directions:  Combine ingredients together and stir constantly until well blended on medium low heat.  When everything is well incorporated and the milk is steaming, (careful not to burn) turn the heat down on low and let simmer for 5 minutes more.  Stir again before serving and then garnish if you like.  It's delicious on it's own, but with whip cream it becomes insane! Garnish as much or as little as you like....have fun...follow your heart….be a kid …be silly, be happy, be in the moment, enjoy!       

Ingredients 

1 ½  Cups Organic 2% Milk

1/2 Cup Organic Half and Half

1 Teaspoon Dark Cocoa Powder

½ Cup Dark Chocolate Chips

Dash of salt (optional )

Serves 2

Optional Toppings

Whip cream

Marshmallows

Ice cream

Cinnamon

Peppermint stick

Grated Chocolate

Cayenne Pepper

Etc.

ps. feel free to substitute with almond, coconut or soy milk........;)

Related entry: Simple Pleasures:Chocolate Toast
copyright 2013

Grief: Finding Our Way Through The Darkness

photo courtesy of Lukas

"It takes great courage and strength to feel our emotions, to let the tears fall, to allow our feelings of sadness and despair.  But this is how we heal, one moment, one day at a time......"   

I wanted to write an entry on grief.  I've been meaning to for a long time now, but somehow I always put it off. After the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, it prompted me further.  It’s not an easy subject, but having my own experiences with grief that have profoundly changed my life, I wanted to write something that might be helpful.   It is my belief that where there is darkness, there is the capacity for great light too, and so, I cannot write about grief without writing about hope.

We grieve because we love. It’s that simple. If I knew a way around this, I would tell you. There is nothing stronger on Earth than love. The grief we feel speaks to the connections that we have with one another, 
to the preciousness of our relationships and honors the love and experiences we've shared. Everyone experiences grief in their own way. For me, I sometimes think of grief as a road, maybe a journey, or landscape of some kind; one where we cannot see our way through, but are guided by the stars illuminated in the sky.  It is here, when we face the darkness, and look deep into the heart of our sadness that the brilliance of our hope and love shine so bright. And then, in moments like these, we may feel some peace and comfort in our hearts, our grief transcended.

It’s one of those universal paradoxes that there are gifts in loss.  I often feel like it’s the compassion of the universe lending its hand. These gifts can range in an outpouring of love and support from our community and friends to a rebirth and renewal.  This rebirth or reset as someone I know calls it can be more like an awakening or a new awareness, a gratitude for life, of bringing us closer to who we are and to what we want out of life, of being more authentically who we want to be and living the kind of life we want to have. It can make us more aware of how precious the people around us are and how precious are own life is.  It can motivate us to make the world a better place. 

And so, it’s important to give ourselves permission to grieve.  There is no time table for this.  It would be nice if it passed quickly, and sometimes it does, but it’s one of those times in life that the way out is through.  This means allowing ourselves to feel and process our emotions in the amount of time we need.  It takes great courage and strength to feel our emotions, to let the tears fall, to allow our feelings of sadness and despair.  But this is how we heal, one moment, one day at a time......   

There are many positive things we can do to help ourselves through this time. Here are a few:

Take your time in healing yourself..... 

Do what you feel like, move towards those things that inspire you and gives you comfort..... 

Eat well, and sleep when you can......

Walking, hiking, and any exercise in general is very helpful...... 

Writing, journaling, reading, prayer, and meditation help too...... 

Of course, talking to a therapist or grief counselor or joining a support group is also very helpful.....


Related Post:
Kindness


I dedicate this to my sister, who in her absence taught us to love better.  And to those who have shared their own stories in their sadness....xo……..

copyright 2013