by Christina | Dec 19, 2016 | Recipes, Wellness
Before I left L.A. to go back to the Bay Area for winter break, I ran around like a madwoman trying to visit all of my favorite dessert places one last time. The dessert options for a high-maintenance health nut like me in the Bay Area are horrendous. Obviously, I had to go to Yoga-Urt before departing. Guess what their December special was? ICE CREAM SUNDAES. One of the sundae options was froyo on top of a chocolate chai cookie (topped with fudge, coconut whipped cream, the works). As soon as I heard about the chocolate chai cookie, I basically sprinted to the door.
I had never tried a chai cookie before, but I love chai, and I definitely love cookies. How could you go wrong when combining them? The cookie wasn’t really a chocolate chai cookie, though. It was a chai chocolate chip cookie. It looked like a regular chocolate chip cookie, but it had chai spices in it. Get the difference? It was verrrrrryyyy delicious, but honestly…it could’ve been better. The chai flavor wasn’t as strong as I would’ve liked. (The overall sundae, though, was INCREDIBLE.)
I couldn’t get over how misleading the name was. If it’s called a chocolate chai cookie, shouldn’t it be a chocolate cookie with chai flavor? Not just a chocolate chip cookie with chai? I know I know, I’m being picky, but that’s the way I am. I decided I needed to make my own.
These chocolate chai cookies are fluffy, moist, and completely delectable. Imagine hot chocolate and chai tea swirled together and magically transformed into a cookie. This is it. You can definitely taste the chai in these, and the chocolate is quite potent as well. Overall, this recipe is a winner.
Chocolate on chocolate. Chai on chocolate. Just all of the good combos. You can also totally adjust these if there’s something you don’t like about them. For instance, if you want to dial down the chocolate, feel free to leave out the cocoa powder or the chocolate chips. Personally, though, I don’t think you can ever have too much chocolate.
These came at the perfect time because I’ve been struggling with the idea of a Christmas cookie. What kind of cookie is Christmassy? I’m not really sure. I really feel like any cookie is Christmassy. Or the ones I do think of, like peppermint chocolate, sugar cookies, and plain chocolate chip, have already been done and done again. I try not to do the same old thing.
Anyways, you might need a glass of milk with these. They’re nice and rich, but not too dense. The idea of dipping these into a giant glass of coconut milk is honestly making me drool. I ate these with my Spiced Hot Chocolate the other night, and it was serious chocolate heaven. If you wanna get extremely chocolate drunk, DO IT.
These guys are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and paleo. They’re so quick and simple…it’s dangerous. Happy Healthy Holidays!
Paleo Chocolate Chai Cookies (Gluten-Free)
Makes: About 14 cookies
Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp Himalayan pink salt
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cloves
- 1 tsp cardamom
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350*F. Grease a cookie sheet with coconut oil.
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Use a spoon to create balls with the dough and place them about 1-2 inches apart on the greased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges look slightly browned.
- Allow the cookies to cool for about 10 minutes and enjoy!
Let me know if you make these! You’ll seriously fall in love. I’m thinking I might have to do another tea-inspired cookie…any suggestions?
by Christina | Dec 17, 2016 | Recipes, Wellness
Is it really Christmas without hot chocolate?
I don’t think so. Hot chocolate is an absolute staple during the holiday season.
Thinking about all of the pre-made hot chocolate packets I used to guzzle down year after year for most of my life makes my stomach flip. I don’t even know what’s in those packets, but I know it’s not good. Definitely not real food. Probably gave me gut bugs.
Hot chocolate tastes best when it’s healthy. I promise. Aaaaand this recipe has a few little twists, because you know I couldn’t just post about your average hot chocolate. First of all, the key to getting the richest chocolate flavor and a thick texture is to A) use coconut milk and B) melt actual chocolate into the mixture. Plain old powder alone doesn’t totally do the trick.
Second, you gotta spice it up! Make it interesting. Some cinnamon, nutmeg, and a dash of pink salt is all you need to really take your hot chocolate up a notch.
I want to talk about the “healthy” thing for a sec. If there’s a healthy version of hot chocolate, this is it. Let’s break it down. First of all, let’s start with the chocolate itself. We’re using raw cacao powder as a base. Where do I even begin when it comes to praising cacao?
Even though cacao makes me kinda crazy (as we all know), it offers a ton of health benefits. First of all, cacao contains an extremely high amount of antioxidants. We’re talking twenty times the amount of antioxidants as blueberries. Raw cacao has been linked to improved memory, a stronger immune system, better moods, reduced heart disease, and increased energy. (I can certainly attest to that last one…) The positive mood effects are due to cacao’s anandamide and phenethylamine content – both are known to increase those happy feels. Cacao also increases the levels of serotonin in the brain, which makes you happier and helps to balance out hormones. You can also find flavanols in cacao, which are anti-inflammatory and protect your heart.
Ever heard the myth that you have to cut out chocolate if you want to lose weight? Well, it’s wrong. Cacao is actually linked to weight loss because it contains MAO inhibitors, which reduce one’s appetite. Don’t go overboard though.
Cacao also contains a ton of magnesium, which most people are deficient in. Magnesium reduces the risk of osteoporosis, decreases blood pressure, fights against fatigue, and really boosts your energy. Cacao has also been shown to actually help reduce insulin resistance, contrary to what you might assume when it comes to a sweet treat.
Cacao contains lots of healthy fats and fiber, which both help to keep you full and regulate your digestion. Good digestion is the key to overall health, IMO.
Basically, cacao is a total superfood. Told you healthy food is yummy!
What you need to be aware of, however, is the difference between cocoa and cacao. They are not the same thing! You can usually use them interchangeably in baking and cooking, although cacao can be a tad more bitter and might require some additional sweetener if you can’t handle the bitterness. However, when it comes to nutrient density, cacao is clearly #1. Cacao is raw, and its the purest form of chocolate. Cocoa, however, is a processed form of chocolate and usually contains added sugar. Because cocoa is heated at a higher temperature than cacao, a lot of the nutrients are removed. It still does retain some of its nutrients though, so don’t totally discount it. Cacao is just better. When picking a chocolate bar at the store, you always want to go with the highest percentage of cocoa to get the highest nutrient density and least amount of processing.
Even though I melted cocoa disks into this mixture, they’re 100% cocoa, so the only ingredients are cocoa beans and cocoa butter. A.K.A. as pure as cocoa gets. No added sugar. You can definitely make this recipe without the chocolate discs, but it will be a slightly thinner texture.
Also, I used Madecasse Chocolate Discs, 100% Cocoa. For some reason I can’t find a link to them online, but I see them every time I’m at Whole Foods.
Who’s ready for a yummy, healthy superfood holiday drink?!
Healthy, Rich Spiced Hot Chocolate (Paleo / Vegan / GF)
Serves: 1
Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup canned coconut milk
- 2-3 100% cocoa chocolate discs (3 if you want it thicker and richer, but it’s slightly more bitter. I used Madecasse Chocolate Discs, 100% Cocoa, from Whole Foods. Here’s something similar. Really, you could just melt any form of a 100% cocoa or cacao bar, or just the highest percentage you can find! Melting the solid is what creates the thickness.)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp raw cacao powder
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- dash of pink Himalayan salt
- Optional: Gluten-free / vegan marshmallows, coconut milk whipped cream
Instructions:
- Add the coconut milk and chocolate discs to a small saucepan on low heat. Allow the discs to melt for about a minute.
- Add in the rest of the ingredients into the saucepan and use a whisk to stir everything together until it is all dissolved.
- Top with gluten-free marshmallows and coconut milk whipped cream, if you want.
- Enjoy!
(Optional)
Coconut Milk Whipped Cream
Ingredients:
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Refrigerate a can of coconut milk overnight.
- The next day, flip the can upside down, open it, pour out the liquid (you can save it for something else), and put the coconut cream from the bottom of the can into your mixing bowl.
- Beat the coconut cream, maple syrup, and vanilla until combined.
- Place on top of warm beverage and enjoy!
What’s your favorite holiday drink?!
by Christina | Dec 15, 2016 | Wellness
I’ve got one more holiday gift guide for you, because I’m excessive like that.
If you haven’t seen my holiday gift guide for her or for him yet, be sure to check those out! If you’ve already seen them but still need more ideas, then this one’s for you.
Some people are really easy to shop for. Maybe your sister’s a major makeup-lover, or your brother’s obsessed with a certain sports team. Maybe your dad loves to grill, and your mom loves to bake. When people have “things,” it’s much easier to pick out a present for them.
Some people, however, don’t have a specific “thing.” Maybe they don’t really have any interests, or maybe they have a ton. Those people are much harder to shop for because there are too many possibilities in front of you. THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER. How do you even pick?! I’ll tell you how – use this list.
This is basically my random collection of great gifts for anybody. It doesn’t matter who the person is. Young, old, woman, man, sibling, aunt, uncle, parent, friend. You seriously cannot go wrong with any of these. (Unless you’re shopping for like… your cat.)
Healthy Human Tumbler: You’ve probably seen these on Instagram before, and they’re definitely worth the hype. They come in a ton of different colors, so pick your friend’s favorite! Everybody will use a good tumbler. They’re great for coffee, tea, smoothies, water, or even soup. The double insulation keeps your beverage nice and hot, or cold, so you don’t have to worry about reheating anything or putting it in the fridge. It’s completely perfect for class or work!
Pocket Projector Micro: I’ve been pining after one of these for a long time. They’re so cool. All you have to do is plug in your phone, and the images on your screen magically get projected onto the wall. Wanna watch a movie? No TV required. This projector is really small, so it’s very portable and great for traveling. The image is 50 inches diagonally, which I think is the perfect size. You don’t want anything too big, otherwise it can be hard to find a completely clear wall to watch your videos on. Also, how fun would it be to watch movies on your ceiling while laying in bed?!
JBL Bluetooth Speaker: A bluetooth speaker is another thing you really can’t go wrong with. Even if someone already has a speaker, they could always use another to keep in a different room. This one has great sound quality for the price, and it comes in a variety of colors. Plus, this could kind of double as a gift for you, too. Who doesn’t like it when their friends are blasting good music?!
Crock-Pot: Everyone also needs a Crock-Pot. Especially people who hate cooking. It will change your cooking game forever. You can use it to cook meat, veggies, soups, lasagna, desserts, drinks, or anything else. Just toss in the food and go. This is an especially good present for someone who is low on time and needs to cook in bulk!
Ultimate Organic Starter Spice Gift Set: This is another present that will really kick someone’s cooking game up a notch. Spices are the best way to make food more exciting! Sadly, most people don’t have an excessive spice collection. Spices can be expensive, so people don’t always like to splurge on them. They just stick to the basics instead – salt and pepper. Boring. Why not give the gift of flavor this Christmas? I’d die for this gift set.
Squatty Potty: This. Is. Necessary. I’m serious. It’s a health hazard to not use one of these! Quite a few members of my family will be receiving this for Christmas this year…for their own good. If you haven’t read my post about the importance of using a Squatty Potty, then I would highly recommend you do so. In sum, you need to be squatting if you want to properly eliminate and prevent your butt from having problems in the future. Yeeeeepppppp.
Sun Basket Subscription: The gift that keeps on giving! This is the perfect way to encourage someone to start eating healthier meals. All of the hard work is done for them – Sun Basket delivers the ingredients right to their door. This is also perfect for minimalists who don’t want more objects in their house, or for the person who tells you, “There’s nothing I want for Christmas.” Guess what…everyone needs to eat! These meals are delicious and healthy, and it gives your friend or family member the power to choose what they want to eat! Plus, they could walk away with some much-needed healthy food inspo.
Another subscription service I love is Daily Harvest. I’m getting multiple people in my family this subscription for Christmas. People always complain they don’t have time to make a healthy breakfast. With this service, you have no excuse! These ready-to-blend smoothie packs are made with real, whole food ingredients. Love it. You can use the code “addictedtolovely” at checkout to get 3 FREE smoothies with your first order!
Lastly, I’m going to suggest….TICKETS. To anything. Tickets are another great option for the minimalist in your life or the person who has no wish list. You can turn this into a gift for yourself, too, if you get a pair of tickets and keep one of them! Memories are worth more than any object, in my opinion. You could get tickets to a concert, to a theme park, to a sports game, or to an event in the area. Tickets just went on sale for the Good Fest, which is happening this April, and that would be an amazing gift for any wellness lover in your life. I’m asking for a ticket to the Good Festival for Christmas, in case you were wondering. You can buy tickets here!
That’s it for my holiday 2016 gift guides! Holiday shopping can be so stressful, but hopefully this took some of the hard work out of the process! What are you guys asking for this Christmas?
by Christina | Dec 14, 2016 | Wellness
“It’s so hard to shop for guys.” I hear this constantly during the holidays. I think that we think it’s hard to shop for guys, but the truth is, it’s not really. It seems difficult because men are pretty simple. And women overthink everything. Most guys are also minimalists, too, so there’s not much they need that they don’t already have. While that might make us think its harder to shop for men than for women, it’s actually easier. I’m pretty sure most guys will be excited to receive anything you pick out for them.
I will admit, though, that I tend to spend a lot of money on gifts for the men in my life. I’m not totally sure why that is. My hunch is that because most guys already have what they need, I want to buy them extras that they don’t need, which tend to be nicer items. Fancy ish.
That being said, I’ve compiled a gift guide for the men in your life with the help of one of my best guy friends. In other words, I suggested things and had him tell me yes or no. And then he suggested things. So this has a male stamp of approval, in case you were nervous! #Legit
This guide is much shorter than my gift guide for women, so it’s not broken up into parts. I’ll just explain everything as I go.
Stonewall Kitchen Sweet Grille Sauce Collection: I bought these for my dad one year for his birthday, and he has asked for them for every single holiday ever since. He has literally asked 5 people to buy him these this year for Christmas. I wish these were healthy, but they’re not. But hey, it’s Christmas! The good news is that I can pronounce all of the ingredients and I know what the ingredients are! It could be worse. Anyways, he tells me these are the best BBQ sauces in the game. I don’t know many guys who wouldn’t go for a good BBQ sauce.
Stainless Steel BBQ Tool Set: If your man is into grilling, then hook him up with some classy grilling tools! He will actually use them, so he will appreciate them. Plus, it might incentivize him to cook you up something super yummy! 😉
Leather Card Case: Apparently card cases are the cool new thing. Guys have the ability to travel light (unlike me with my 300 pound purse), and a card case is even more convenient for them than a wallet. Since most men already have a nice wallet, why not get them a classy card case to spice things up?!
Sephora Favorites Cologne Sampler: Every man needs a good scent. And, just like for women, picking a scent is tricky. It’s personal! That’s where the cologne sampler comes in. He can sample a ton of different fragrances, and then he can use the Scent Certificate to redeem a full-sized set of his choice! In a way, he’s picking out his own present. For everything you get in this set, it’s a total steal.
Chukka Boots: These are soooo classy. If the man in question doesn’t already have a pair of quality, nice shoes, buy him some! Chukka boots are super popular right now, and these ones from Steve Madden were the best quality chukka boots I could find that were also relatively affordable. My friend also recommended these ones from Clark’s, which are a little bit more expensive, but well worth the money.
Topman Cotton Bomber Jacket: So swaggy. Bomber jackets can be dressed up or dressed down, and black goes with everything. Word on the street is that you should order a size up in this particular jacket, just to be safe. If your guy isn’t very stylish, then Christmas is the perfect time to trick him into getting a little more fashionable!
MVMT Watch: Let’s be honest – watches are kind of the only accessory guys can really switch up. I don’t think a guy can have too many watches. MVMT has some really nice styles at really affordable prices, so browse around! Casual, fancy, bulky, slim…they’ve got it all.
Stainless Steel Beer Mug: Just like every woman needs a girly mug for her tea, every man needs a MAN MUG. Not only is it perfect for coffee in the morning, but it’s also ideal for keepin’ your beer cool at night. Insulation for the win!
The Art of Shaving – The 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave Carry-On: This set comes with pre-shave oil, shaving cream, after-shave balm, and a shaving brush! This is the male version of fancy personal care products that us women love to unnecessarily buy each other. You know he’ll use it at some point, and it’s travel-friendly! Why not take something as boring as shaving and try to spice it up a little bit?
Beautycounter Naughty to Nice Gift Set: I’m serious when I say everybody needs Beautycounter’s charcoal cleansing bar and charcoal mask. My sister got her boyfriend to start using it, and he loves it. My aunt got my uncle to start using it, and he loves it too. EVERYONE LOVES IT. This will transform anybody’s skin. Any age, any skin type. Do it.
Powerbeats Wireless: Yes, these are expensive. But you’ll be the hero if you get these. Don’t forget, you can always go in on a gift with another person, or a few other people, so that you don’t have to pay the full amount! I feel like these headphones are on every guy’s wish list, and you know he will definitely use them.
Sports Jersey: If the man in question has a favorite sports team or favorite player, go for a jersey or a T-shirt! It’s a nice way to show that you know something personal about him, and he will love that you put some thought into it.
Anyone else think guys aren’t as hard to shop for as we all think? I think we need to stop overthinking it!
by Christina | Dec 13, 2016 | Recipes, Wellness
Good ole’ golden milk. It’s all over the Internet. I don’t mean to sound super cool or anything, buuuut I’ve been drinking golden milk for quite a few years now. Pre-popularity. It’s such a basic recipe that I never thought to even put it on the blog, but I recently came up with a new twist on the old classic. Golden. Milk. Pudding.
As much as I love golden milk, I much prefer to eat something rather than drink something. I like substance. There’s also something really soothing about a pudding or a Jell-O. It brings me back to my childhood when my mom would make me custard or strawberry Jell-O as a treat, especially when I was sick. But this time, it’s actually healthy.
The beauty of this recipe is that you can make it either a pudding or a Jell-O by using the same ingredients – you just gotta adjust the measurements a tad. I love to make it both ways, depending on my mood.
Let’s get back to golden milk for a second. Maybe you haven’t tried it. Maybe you haven’t even heard of it. In case you haven’t, I’ll tell ya a little bit about this magical potion. Golden milk has been used for a loooong time as a healing remedy in Ayurvedic medicine, especially when it comes to digestion, immunity, and liver function. It’s also been used as a folk remedy for colds, headaches, sore throats, and depression. The “gold” in golden milk comes from turmeric, which contains circumin, a polyphenol with a ton of health benefits. Two of my favorites? Circumin helps reduce inflammation and eliminate toxins in the body. Obviously, my favorite part of golden milk is its digestive benefits. You know me and digestive health… It’s my number one fave.
In general, golden milk is very relaxing and comforting. I love having golden milk before bed as a way to calm myself down and soothe my stomach. What’s in it, anyways? There are different variations, but mainly – coconut milk, turmeric, ginger, pepper, vanilla, and cinnamon. The oddball is pepper, I know. But you need the pepper! When you add black pepper to a mixture that contains turmeric, the body absorbs the turmeric 2000% better. WHOA.
So how do you turn regular golden milk into golden milk PUDDING or golden milk JELL-O?! Vital Proteins Beef Gelatin, of course! I’ve briefly discussed the health benefits of collagen before, but I’ll review them again. First of all, the collagen protein in beef gelatin is a powerhouse when it comes to digestive improvements. Gelatin lines the GI tract to help enhance the nutrients absorbed from your food and improve your overall gut health. That’s key if you want to heal leaky gut. Adding gelatin to the already powerful benefits of turmeric makes this recipe a GUT HEALTH DREAM. The collagen in gelatin also helps strengthen bones, reduce inflammation, improve sleep quality, and enhance the health of your hair, skin, and nails. So it’s a beauty food, too! Plus, it contains 17 grams of protein per serving. Hello, muscles!
Vital Proteins Beef Gelatin is Paleo, gluten-free, sugar-free, and hormone-free. And Whole 30 approved! In fact, this entire recipe is. It’s also AIP–friendly. You can choose to add sweetener if you want, but I prefer not to. I think it’s just as good without it.
This recipe is full of healthy fats from the coconut milk and lots of protein from the gelatin, so it’ll fill you up! This is also a great recipe to meal prep ahead of time. It only takes a few minutes, and the next day you can just grab it and go. I’ve been having this as a snack nonstop for the past few weeks…and I’m definitely not getting tired of it.
Golden Milk Pudding / Jell-O (Gluten-Free / Paleo / AIP-Friendly)
Serves: 1-2
Time: 5-10 minutes, plus refrigeration for a few hours/overnight
Ingredients:
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean powder (I prefer vanilla bean powder)
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 – 1 tbsp Vital Proteins Beef Gelatin
- Optional: 1 tbsp maple syrup, honey, or other sweetener
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients besides the gelatin into a small saucepan. Mix everything together until it is well combined.
- Now it’s time to bloom the gelatin! To do so, sprinkle the gelatin in a single layer on top of the coconut milk mixture. If you want a pudding-like consistency, use 3/4 tbsp of gelatin. If you want the consistency to be firmer, like Jell-O, use 1 tbsp.
- You’ll see the gelatin form a thicker layer on top of the coconut milk. Use a whisk to stir the gelatin into the coconut milk mixture, and then heat the saucepan over medium-low heat. It just has to get warm enough for the gelatin to melt and dissolve into the mixture, which only takes a few minutes. Keep whisking while you’re heating it.
- When everything looks dissolved after a few minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat and pour it into whatever container you’re going to use – mason jar, bowl, etc. You can pour it all into one container or split it into two.
- Let the mixture cool in the container(s) for five minutes or so, and then place the bowls in the fridge for the pudding/Jell-O to set. You can leave it in the fridge overnight (which is what I usually do) or just for a few hours.
- Once the pudding is set, enjoy! You can top it with coconut flakes, nuts, or any other toppings your heart desires!
