Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/615573
Hot Chili Chocolate THE CAYENNE IN THIS HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE GIVES IT A BOOST OF VITAMINS A AND C. INGREDIENTS (SERVES TWO): 2 cups of skim milk ½ teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 Tablespoons dark chocolate chips INSTRUCTIONS: Heat milk over medium heat. Add vanilla, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Stir in dark chocolate chips smoothly until melted. Pour into two mugs. NUTRITION INFORMATION (PER SERVING) Calories: 130 Total fat: 2g Saturated fat: 1.3g Carbohydrates: 18g Cholesterol: 5mg Sodium: 130mg Vitamin A: 12 percent Vitamin C: 4 percent WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE DROPS, YOU INSTINCTIVELY TURN TO WARM DRINKS, BUT SOMETIMES THOSE DRINKS ARE CHOCK-FULL OF THINGS THAT, IN LARGE QUANTITIES, AREN'T GREAT FOR OUR HEALTH. "LOOK AT A TRIP to a preferred coffee shop as a treat—limit the amount of times you go to more infrequent visits," says Heather Krieger, RD, CD, HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital Registered Dietitian. "One way to make these drinks healthier right off the bat is to choose a lower percentage of milk or even skim milk." Krieger also recommends looking at the overall calories of your beverage. The mochas and lattes that come with a variety of different flavored syrups are high in both calories and sugar, whereas teas and basic coffee drinks tend to have less of each. KIDS AND COFFEE "I wouldn't allow caffeine consumption—particularly the amount that comes in coffee drinks—until your children are teenagers," Krieger says. "Even then, I recommend closely monitoring how much they consume. This particularly applies for kids who play sports, as caffeine can cause them to become dehydrated more quickly." As with anything that has the potential to be unhealthy, Krieger notes the most important thing to remember is moderation—kids having a coffee drink while hanging out with friends or a soda here and there is usually okay, but be careful not to let it become a daily habit. HOT AND HEALTHY 1 5 S A C R E D H E A R T E A U C L A I R E . O R G