Biohacked Hot Chocolate: for a more beautiful, more anabolic, improved sleeping and leaner you. Just in time for the new year.
Oh, and it’s about 10 calories, too. :)
Having colitis, and missing my transverse colon, means staying hydrated is paramount to maintaining optimal health. But even without those conditions, most of us walk around dehydrated - and then reach for food - usually whatever is available - because the brain is beyond the point of distinguishing between hunger and thirst at that point.
Starting the day with at least 60 ounces of warm water helps me to get myself (and things) moving. I aim for about 2-3 gallons of fluid per day. This keeps hunger at bay, helps maintain regularity (as much as possible) and keeps illness away (for the most part). Many common maladies are caused by simple dehydration: headaches, dry eyes, dry mouth, constipation, lightheadedness, fatigue, etc.
But, that’s a lot of chugging of plain water. And that can get pretty boring. Afterall, it is a learned habit. It took time to train myself to drink that much each day. Everyone is different and requires different things. I used to abhor drinking water. It made me “feel full and almost nauseous.” How many times I’ve heard that from clients... I get it. Me too. At first. Then, one figures out what works. For example, I can’t stand cold water. It hurts to get it down. I prefer warm water, flavored, through a straw. Sounds silly, but it makes all the difference. Find what works for you.
Here’s a recipe to spice up the ole jug, and provide health benefits - not just “less damage” by “diet adjacent” food substitutes. Feel free to experiment. That’s how everything great was ever invented!
Warm water. (I use tap - I tell myself it expands my gut biodiversity)
Why not hot boiled water? Because frankly I don’t have time to wait for it to cool down to a temperature I can drink through a plastic straw. If I make the recipe with hot boiled water (say, coffee), I’ll dilute it by half with warm water .... because a burned tastebud is a useless tastebud and being nutrition-conscious means every calorie counts and WILL be enjoyed :)
Kate’s Warm Chocolate Beauty & Body Elixir
-1-16 cups Warm water.
-1 teaspoon - 1 tablespoon Hershey’s cocoa powder, unsweetened (3-10 calories)
- 1 tsp- tbsp glutamine powdered, unflavored
- 1/2tsp - 1 tsp glycine powder, titrate up to personal bowel tolerance
- 1/8tsp theanine powder
-1/8tsp Taurine powder (Optional)
- heaps of stevia (I prefer Kal)
- ample pink Himalayan salt (not optional)
- vanilla stevia or vanilla bean powder (Optional)
- additional flavored stevia (chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla, etc- Optional)
Stir. Enjoy. Enjoy again.
Cocoa powder is an amazing source of antioxidants and has skin healing and anti aging properties. I consume generous amounts of this superfood in this form daily. Also a lovely source of fiber and healthy carbohydrates (in large enough quantities). Cocoa also boosts immune function.
Pink salt helps the body to maintain proper electrolyte balance, as does Taurine. Combining them with glutamine, another gut- supersupplement, helps the colon to complete housekeeping most efficiently and use nutrients properly, while increasing energy stores and restoring immunity.
Theanine helps the brain relax into focus. Try combining this hot chocolate treat with half a cup of coffee midday for an amazing nootropic brain boost. Or, on its own at night for improved sleep.
Glycine, theanine and Taurine combine to help the nervous system function properly and improve growth hormone levels by increasing quality of sleep. Glycine also regulates blood sugar and helps carbs be utilized as energy, rather than being stored as fat. I always combine night time carbs with glycine for this added benefit.
Why warm water? It helps digestion and opens bronchial pathways for improved respiration, increasing a sense of calm through each of the 12 bodily systems. On a hot day, though, this can be blended with ice for an icy drink or served chilled after a workout.
Finally, of course, one could also add a scoop (or half) of whey to this mix for a protein boost - but then it wouldn’t be 5 calories and it would technically be a food ;) not a drink.
Enjoy!
With enthusiasm and gratitude,
Kate