This is a most wonderful start to the day! A perfect cup of creamy hot cacao (not to be confused with "hot cocoa" made from low-quality processed cocoa powder) revs you up and gets you ready to live your day to the fullest. Chocolate gets you feeling zesty, zing-y, hopped up on theobromine (related to coffee, but not a nervous system stimulant), bliss-inducing anandamides and PEA, which is a chemical that your brain produces when you're in love. It’ll make ya feel SO GOOD! Sitting down with a giant mug of chocolate-y perfection really has me feel like I'm winning already even though the day hasn't really started yet. Pairing the cacao with a subtle hint of peppermint upgrades the morning to perfection, in my humble opinion, so I've added that to the recipe below, but you can certainly make it without it, or add any of your favorite elixir additions as well. Maple is my favorite sweetener for the taste it brings, and adding some collagen will make it extra creamy.

Medicinal Peppermint Hot Chocolate

10 ounces of very hot water
1/2 - 1.5 tablespoons best quality butter or ghee from grass-fed/pastured cows, or coconut oil
2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
2 or more drops peppermint oil
maple syrup, honey or monkfruit powder, or a combination, to taste
Maca, Medicinal Mushrooms, or other herbal additions
Optional: 2-3 Tablespoons collagen powder

Blend all ingredients except collagen 30 seconds or more on high until frothy and smooth. Stop the blender and tweak the sweetness to your liking if necessary, and add collagen if using. It's best to not blend collagen at a very high speed, so just blend it in briefly on low speed, then pour and enjoy!