Tis the season when many of us will be trying to stay warm with a cup of hot cocoa,
and if you’re interested in the benefits you can get from drinking a cup or two each
day then make sure to read some of our past posts.
The post- slow down aging with cocoa.

But today, we’re sharing a T.V. chef’s secret to making your cup of cocoa a lower
calorie treat.
The T.V. chef and Food Network star–Rachael Ray.

Ms. Ray uses coconut water and not cream to make it a lighter and healthier
version of America’s favorite-hot cocoa.

To make:
In a medium-sized pot over medium-heat, combine 1 cup of coconut water
and 1 oz. of a dark chocolate almond bar (chopped into small pieces)
heat until the chocolate is melted. Add 1 Tbs. of unsweetened cocoa powder;
stir until simmering. Divide mixture among 4 mugs and top each with mini
marshmallows. (optional)

And if you want something more decadent to go along with that cup of hot
cocoa, here’s a recipe for a chocolate and peppermint cookie.

According to some nutritionists, you can block fat with cocoa.
Polyhenols in the cocoa slow the absorption of carbs and fat, which means
you gain about 70% less weight.

The Recipe:
Peppermint Chocolate Cookies!
Ingredients:
1 tube of refrigerated cookie dough, (Sugar)
1/3 cup of all-purpose flour
1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder (Hershey’s)
2 cups of white (or brown) chocolate chips, melted
2 tsp. of oil
2 candy canes (finely crushed)
To make:
Heat oven to 350*F. Coat 2 one or two baking sheets with cooking spray.
Get out the mixer and beat the first 3 ingredients on low speed.
Divide into 16 portions. Roll into balls. Place 2″ apart on the baking sheet;
flatten to 2″ rounds. Bake until set and lightly brown, (about 10 to 12 mins.)
Remove from the oven and let cool. In a bowl, add the white chocolate and oil;
Dip the cookies (to coat them) and for the final step, sprinkle them with the crushed
candy cakes.

Calories per cookie- 250, 35 gr. of fiber and 3 g of carbs.
And one last tip: Even though the cocoa does make them a little less fattening,
it still important that you practice control and eat only one or two at a time.

That’s it- your grocery list for this week.

Good Luck, Good Eating and Good Health!

Sources:
* Rachael Ray T.V. Chef and Food Network Star
* Fred Pescatore, M.D. Nutritional Expert
* Taste of Home Magazine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++