This week on the blog we're looking at how caffeine affects our body. For many of us, our love for coffee stems from an emotional attachment.   

"For many of us, our love for coffee stems from an emotional attachment."

We are all emotionally attached to food. If you don't eat for 6 months, chances are you're properly going to die and I don't know about you, but I'm emotionally attached to living!  

I'll be the first to admit that I love coffee, however it also increases the stress load on our body which I saw when measuring my blood sugar levels. I discuss this more in my blog post, 'What you need to know about coffee' and it caused me to completely end my coffee drinking habit. When trying to reduce a negative habit, rather than going cold turkey, your chances of success are much higher if you can replace it with a positive habit instead.  

If you are emotionally attached to the social routine of coffee, try switching your order to a decaf. Many cafes also offer turmeric, chai and matcha lattes. Some cafes will use sugars and syrups in these so it's always a good idea to check with them before ordering.

Our BePure Clinical Consultant, Rachel Bird, likes to refer to a nourishing mug of frothy goodness as a 'warm hug.' So, if you're looking for a coffee alternative treat or warm hug, give this delicious cacao hot chocolate a go. If you want to make it extra decadent add a drop of peppermint essential oil.

Cacao Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Essential Oil

This recipe makes two mugs. It's refined sugar-free, dairy free and gluten free.   

Ingredients

• 3 cups almond milk or homemade nut milk  
• 2 Tbsp raw cacao powder   
• 6 dates or sweetener of choice, maple syrup or stevia would also be a tasty option  
• 1 cinnamon quill
• 1 drop of peppermint essential oil (optional)
• Gut loving marshmallows (optional)

Instructions

1. Cover dates with warm water and allow to soak for 10 minutes
2. Combine dates and milk in a blender and whiz on high for 60 seconds or until smooth (if you're not using dates you can omit steps 1 and 2).
3. Add milk, cacao powder, cinnamon quill (and sweetener of choice) to a pot and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.   
4. Pour into a mug with a single drop of peppermint essential oil and decorate with gut loving marshmallows

If you have a go let us know. Tag us in your Instagram images @bepurebenwarren or use #bepurebenwarren for your chance to be featured on our account.  

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