hot, healthy beverages to wind down with

If you’re a fellow Charlestonian, you can attest to the chilly temperatures we’ve been feeling as of late. These cold mornings and evenings call for a warm drink that serenades our tastebuds, soothes our nerves and supports our health- all at the same time. While a hot cup of coffee almost always hits the spot, switch it up with one of these three hot and healthy beverages that are sure to help you wind down and relax. ​

Clean, vegan hot cocoa: A cup of hot chocolate is a wintertime classic. It’s incredibly comforting and decadent, but it can also be calorie-laden and quite unhealthy. Conventional, store-bought hot cocoa brands contain some pretty awful ingredients, namely corn syrup, carrageenan, modified whey, mono- and diglycerides, sucralose and artificial flavors. YIKES. To make a great cup of hot chocolate that's free of processed cocoa and no-no ingredients, here’s what you’ll need: 

• 1-2 tablespoons of organic cocoa/cacao powder (Carob powder could also be used, but this may be an acquired taste)
• Sweetener of choice, to taste: Organic pure maple syrup, organic honey, organic cane sugar or xylitol 
• Milk of choice: Macadamia will give you the creamiest consistency, but you could also use cashew milk, almond milk, oat milk, flax milk, pistachio milk or coconut milk. Lactose-free milk is also an option here. 
• Marshmallows: Smashmallow and Dandies are overall better picks than Kraft Jetpuffed marshmallows.

Adding adaptogenic herbs like tulsi, ashwagandha, maca, astragalus, or Rhodiola to your hot chocolate will turn it into a powerful immune booster and stress-relief tonic. In this study, the ashwagandha root was found to treat hypothyroidism, stress, and anxiety in adults. 

Caffeine-free turmeric latte: Curcumin, a bioactive compound found in turmeric, has been found to lower stress hormones and reduce chronic inflammation. Because of the concentrated curcumin in turmeric, ingesting this medicinal spice can help fight anxiety, stress, and depression. Studies have shown that it acts on certain parts of the brain to control dopamine and serotonin levels, thereby controlling your mood and how you respond to stress. Time to make yourself a golden latte.

• Organic ground turmeric 
• Raw honey or organic maple syrup
• Milk of choice: coconut, almond, macadamia, cashew, oat, flax
• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon

Add some ginger and cardamom to turn it into a gingerbread latte and enjoy the deeply relaxing effects of ginger. 

Post-meal chamomile: Not only does the chamomile plant fight stress, inflammation, and anxiety, but it also helps to induce and improve sleep. If you find it hard to fall asleep at night, especially after a big dinner, brew a cup of chamomile tea an hour or two before bedtime. The herbal scent of the chamomile itself is aromatherapeutic, soothing tensed nerves and promoting the release of serotonin. You can also enjoy a cup of peppermint, lemon balm, or lavender tea, as they are all remarkably soothing bedtime teas. 

Whenever you need to wind down and ease off the day’s stress, fill your favorite mug with one of these soothing beverages, and leave the phone behind. Allow yourself to fully revel in the moment, filling yourself up with warmth from the outside in. ​

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Longevity Living, an aspirational lifestyle blog by Longevity Fitness Charleston, is your source for all things fitness, nutrition and wellness. Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter for scroll-worthy articles, must-watch videos from our expert trainers, studio updates & more.