Cozy concoctions & holiday vibes
A wise elf named Buddy once shared: “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” (quoting from The Code of the Elves, to be clear). So I am “singing loud” by sharing a few cozy concoctions to help spark some holiday spirit.
Make these your own by adjusting ingredients to taste or swapping as needed.
Enjoy whilst listening to favorite seasonal tunes, watching a favorite holiday flick, playing a fun board game, getting toasty by the fire, getting lost in a good book, or spending time with good people.
Remember to take good care of your body, mindset, and nervous system, too 🙂
Tasty hot cacao template
Serves 1—adjust ingredients & portions to taste
Ingredients
- 1-1 ½ cup milk of choice (sub half milk + half boiled water)
- 1-2 tsp unsweetened cacao powder (sub carob for a caffeine-free option)
- ½-1 tsp tahini (I like white tahini here—almond butter works too)
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼-½ tsp vanilla
- ¼-½ tsp dried rose petals* or powder (optional)
- ½ tsp honey or maple syrup (to taste)
Instructions
- Gently simmer all ingredients except sweetener if using.
- Add sweetener if desired.
- Blend or whisk until smooth and frothy.
*Rose petals can also be used as a topping if you don’t want them in the drink—I use an Ayurvedic rose tea called Ashoka from Chandika (code SAVEME10 = 10% off).
Fall-Winter Porridge Template
- Fall/winter fruits: I once used and loved the combo of physalis, pear, and persimmon, but a good ol’ apple is just as tasty—dried fruits work, too.
- Spices: I like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom in the colder months—add ginger for a chai-inspired kick.
- Porridge: Choose a base like oats, quinoa, rice, amaranth, buckwheat, or semolina.
- Milk: Use milk of choice—I like whole milk or almond milk.
- Cook: Put a bit of ghee, butter, or coconut oil into a small pot as it heats up.
- Add spices, then stir in fruit and porridge base until coated with spices.
- Add some water, then milk—simmer uncovered on low until cooked.
- Extra flavor: Stir in vanilla, maple syrup, and/or local honey—choose your flavors.
- Toppings: Toasted nuts or seeds, tahini or nut-butter, coconut or dark chocolate.
Breakfast
- Cacao granola. Really satisfying for chocolate lovers.
- Golden chocolate chunk buckwheat pancakes. Healthy and hearty.
- Maple tahini granola. So so good—also makes a delicious gift.
- Spiced Savory Sweet Potato Buckwheat Pancakes. Grounding and satiating.
Treats
- Almond chocolate chunk biscotti. Inspired by my Neapolitan Nana’s traditional Christmas cookies—dip it into your cozy beverage.
- Carob sun butter cookies. A nice alternative to chocolate—the recipe is free of caffeine, gluten, dairy, nuts, and refined sugar.
- Homemade peanut butter chocolate bar. Easy, yummy, and gift-able.
- Matcha coconut yogurt cheesecake tart. A labor of love, but worth it.
- Pumpkin coconut yogurt cheesecake tart. So delightful and freezer-friendly.
Beverages
- Matcha latte recipes. My forever favorite.
- Nourishing nighttime rose ojas milk. A soothing Ayurvedic drink.
- Pistachio rose matcha latte. Deluxe and divine.
- Tahini hot cacao. Created with my friend Paige years ago—still wonderful.
eBooks etc
- Goddess brunch holiday ebook: delicious & healthy recipes
- Mindful morning: nourish mind, body & planet
Everyday Non-Thanksgiving Seasonal Food
October Roots: Food to Feel Rooted in Body & Mind
Winter-to-Spring Eats
My free holiday gift guide is my way of spreading eco-conscious cheer and “singing loud for all to hear” about planet-friendly brands and products:
Earth Conscious Gift Guide for Wellbeing of Mind, Body & Planet
Take good care of yourselves and each other,
S
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