First and foremost, I want to say how incredibly thankful I am for the those we remember today on November 11, Remembrance Day. Those who sacrificed so much for our freedom. Lest we forget.
Now onto my post for today!
Mmm.. hot chocolate. If you read my latest post you know I struggle to enjoy winter but hot chocolate is definitely one of the wintery things that helps me embrace the season a little more. I’m a sucker for a warm, cozy drinks and when it’s cold and gloomy outside and I’m feeling a little chilled, there’s something about making a steaming hot cup of tea or hot chocolate to brighten my mood.
As a kid I absolutely loved hot chocolate and my parents would always buy the powdered sugary version (you know the one I’m taking about?) which I would generously dump into a mug to mix with hot milk or water. When I entered the nutrition field and became much more aware of the quality of foods I put into my body (as well as discovered I had a dairy allergy), this favourite past-time became almost nonexistent. That is until recently, when I came up with this delicious recipe for my super healthy rich and creamy hot chocolate.
Not only is this delightfully warming drink free of refined sugars, weird additives, and dairy, it’s also secretly infused with as much iron as half of a chicken breast! The hot chocolate is also rich in fibre, healthy fats, and antioxidants. While you can make this delicious hot chocolate with regular hot water my secret tool is the Lucky Iron Fish, one of the coolest cooking inventions I’ve come across yet!
When I was pregnant with Hemsley, in my third trimester I experienced iron deficiency (the little peanut was apparently sucking all of my iron!) and I felt super exhausted. I had to try really hard to get extra iron in my diet because I couldn’t stomach iron supplements and I had several weird food aversions. I wish I had known about the Lucky Iron Fish at that time, but I’m happy that I now I have a plan for preventing iron deficiency when I am pregnant again. The Lucky Iron Fish is a cast iron cooking tool that you simply add to water and boil to naturally infuse the water with a perfect dose of absorbable iron.
It’s actually quite surprising how many of us are at risk of being deficient in iron. Women, very active individuals, athletes, vegans, vegetarians, and pregnant women are especially susceptible to iron deficiency, and as are most individuals in the developing world.
While I haven’t had a blood test since Hemsley has been born to find out where my iron levels are now I am thrilled to have this little tool to bring more iron into my diet every week. All I have to do is boil it in water then add that water to any meals I’m making, such as a smoothie, soup, stew, or drink. I never thought I could boost my iron levels while simultaneously enjoying a delicious, warm, cozy, rich and creamy hot chocolate!
The best part about Lucky Iron Fish and why I am thrilled to be partnering with them, is that they are also a brand that gives back. When you purchase a Lucky Iron Fish, they donate one fish to a family in need in the developing world, where iron deficiency is exceptionally common.
Their goal is to put a “fish in every pot”.
How wonderful!!
This past week brought quite a lot of snow and cold temperatures for us here in Edmonton, and I’m sure most of you who live in places that experience a snowy winter are feeling the same chill as I am. What better way to warm up than with this rich and creamy super healthy hot chocolate recipe.
Instead of sugary hot chocolate powder, you can make this delicious drink that contains fibre-rich dates which bring in natural sweetness, chia seeds that add healthy fats and fibre as well as the perfect creamy texture when blended, raw antioxidant-rich cocoa powder, protein-packed collagen, and more healthy fats from natural almond butter. Are you drooling yet?? I hope this recipe is one you add to your recipe repertoire and you and your family can enjoy it all through the holiday season!
If you are also looking for another delicious and warming drink, try out a Turmeric Milk or Golden Milk, my friend Deryn of Running on Real Food has a great How To tutorial for turmeric drinks on her blog here!
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? I am going to get started within the next couple of weeks as I like to avoid the crazy hectic rush at the end of December! If you haven’t started, why not gift a loved one, or even yourself, a Lucky Iron Fish? Then at the same time you’ll also be gifting a fish to a family in need. That’s a win-win I’d say!
Head over to the Lucky Iron Fish website to learn more about iron deficiency, how to get more iron, and how to get a fish for yourself. Also, be sure to pin the photo below the recipe to save this recipe for later and of course, share the love!
Have you ever had low iron levels? Or do you struggle with it currently? In what ways do you try to naturally boost your iron? I’d love to read about it in the comments!
- 1 cup Lucky Iron Fish enriched water*
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- 3 tablespoons raw cocoa powder
- ¼ cup pitted dates
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons collagen peptide powder (optional)
- 2½ tablespoons chia seeds
- In a medium sized pot boil 1 litre of water with the Lucky Iron Fish according to the instructions on the Lucky Iron Fish package, then transfer to a glass jar or other container.
- Using the same pot, add the almond or coconut milk, almond butter, cocoa powder, dates, maple syrup, collagen, and chia seeds as well as 1 cup of the iron fortified water.
- Over high heat bring pot contents to a low boil, stirring continuously.
- Once boiling, remove from heat and transfer everything to a high speed blender.
- Blend on low, then increase to the highest speed and blend until completely smooth.
- Divide hot chocolate between two mugs and top with dairy free whipped cream, or marshmallows (lightly toasted marshmallows are delicious!), or dark chocolate shavings.
- Enjoy while still hot.
Pin me!
Have a wonderful Sunday,
Can’t wait to try this
Enjoy Bethany!
cant wait to try …sounds yummy
Enjoy!!
I love the mugs in this post. Where are they from?
A Homesense find!!
Hot chocolate is one of my favorite holiday beverages–it just might be my #1 fave, actually! I definitely love healthier takes on them just because I prefer to indulge in solids more. I never heard of Iron Fish water–wow, who knew that you could supplement iron with water? That’s pretty darn neat, I’ll admit! This looks like such a cozy and comforting mug of hot chocolate. I love coconut milk or almond milk with cacao powder and Stevia! That’s my go-to for hot chocolate!
It’s so good isn’t it! Yes the lucky iron fish makes getting more iron so easy!!! Thanks Cassie 🙂