Forget the Eggnog—This Holiday, It's
All About Cacao, Connection, and
Habits That Won't Land You on the
Naughty List!
The holiday season is a magical time, brimming with cozy traditions and heart-warming rituals that bring family (and friends) closer together.
Whether it's looking at Christmas lights, baking cookies, or snuggling up for movie nights, these cherished moments create memories that last a lifetime.
This year, why not add a new ritual to your holiday repertoire?
Make your own hot chocolate
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Picture this: sharing a steaming cup of rich, velvety, heart healthy, collagen & stem cell building hot (cacao) beverage, brimming with flavor and packed with nourishing goodness, shared around the table with your loved ones.
Cacao is not just a treat—it's a celebration of health, warmth, and connection, perfect for 'the most wonderful time of the year'.
Cacao, rich in antioxidants, magnesium, and mood-enhancing compounds, nourishes your body while grounding your mind.
By making this a daily practice, you're not just enjoying a delicious drink—you can consciously carve out a moment of peace, reflection, and self-care in the hustle of daily life.
By using minimally processed cacao, you can enjoy its health benefits while creating a rich, indulgent drink for you and your family.
Whether for meditation, a morning boost, or a soothing treat, cacao offers a versatile and nourishing option for health-conscious individuals or for people who just love good quality, warm, functional drinks.
Cacao is not only a healthier alternative to processed chocolate, but drinking a cup of hot cacao before meals may reduce appetite by helping you better attune to your body's hunger signals.
Imagine drinking a cup of delicious, nutritious cacao while ALSO getting health benefits!?
Remember, Quality is Key - If you missed our blog about our new specialty cacao from Peru - it's worth a read. This is the best we have sourced to date, and here is what some Giddy Yo fans are saying:
“Your new Cacao powder is outstanding. The previous batch, good as it was, does not compare in quality to my most recent purchase -- which is exceptional!” Wayras “
Your cacao powder is out of this world. Best and most fresh tasting cacao I've tasted. I absolutely need to order more to ensure I never run out. Thank you for all you have to offer.” Tara “
This is my favourite cacao powder for baking and hot chocolate. I love how rich, delicious, healthy, and allergy friendly it is. I can't tolerate even trace amounts of dairy and I've never had any issues with this product."- Angie
We have customers from all over the world who order our cacao because it's THAT good! We know many of you also come to us for your ceremonial cacao and we love your passion for our clean, quality products. You can't fake quality. You can talk and talk, but at the end of the day, quality always rises above!
3 reasons why cacao could be your new daily wellness drink
1. Packed with theobromine, this natural compound is the secret behind cacao's reputation as a heart medicine. Unlike caffeine, theobromine gently stimulates the cardiovascular system, promoting healthy blood flow and creating that wonderful "heart-opening" sensation. It works as a vasodilator, supporting your vascular system and helping you feel more connected and alive.
2. Cacao is low in caffeine. Giddy Yo cacao offers a balanced energy boost without jitters, anxiety, or scattered feelings often linked to coffee and other brands offering cacao/cocoa. Instead, the right cacao may help you be grounded, present, and aware.
3. Magnesium—cacao is loaded with it! Known as the ultimate "calm mineral," magnesium helps relax the nervous system, making it a perfect choice for anyone prone to stress or anxiety. It's also essential for heart health, with studies showing that magnesium deficiencies can lead to heart arrhythmias and discomfort. By incorporating cacao into your routine, you're giving your heart and nervous system a big, loving boost.
Beyond its incredible nutritional benefits, cacao is steeped in tradition, cherished for centuries as a plant medicine by Mesoamerican cultures. Today, it's made its way into modern lives and daily rituals, offering not just nourishment, but also joy, connection, and a little extra power for the body and soul.
Bonus Benefits - Cacao also contains:
Iron: Essential for hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. Cacao provides non-heme iron, best absorbed when paired with vitamin C-rich foods.
Calcium: Cacao has more calcium than milk (160mg per 100g vs. 125mg per 100ml),which is important for bone health and teeth.
Zinc: Supports immune health, wound healing, and thyroid function. A serving of cacao provides 20% of the daily zinc requirement.
Copper: Essential for nervous and immune system health and red blood cell production. A 15g daily dose meets the full recommended daily amount (900 mcg).
Potassium: Maintains fluid balance, regulates heartbeat, and supports muscle and nerve function. A 22g serving offers up to 400mg, aiding in preventing muscle cramps.
Cacao nourishes your body while delighting your soul AND your tastebuds!
APPETITE CONTROL - Cacao is not only a healthier alternative to processed chocolate and cocoa, but drinking a cup of hot cacao before meals may reduce your appetite by helping you better attune to your body's hunger signals. This is said to be because of the monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibitors (or MAO inhibitors for short) found in cacao, which are linked to weight loss and maintenance.
All this to say, we here at Giddy Yo say it's time to start incorporating a hot steamy cacao drink into your daily routine!
Level Upwith Homemade Marshmallow Recipe - For those looking to do a little somethin' somethin' different and fun over the holidays, here is a recipe to make your own gut healthy, homemade marshmallows - tested by our very own Andi.
HOW TO MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE CACAO DRINKS THAT WILL WOW YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY (and create new holiday rituals) for years to come
The Basics: Recipes for Making Your Own Hot Chocolate Drinks
Beginner Warm Cacao Drink (2 servings) In a shaker cup or mason jar add the following:
-2 cups of water or mylk of choice
-2 tablespoons of Giddy Yo cacao powder
-1-2 tablespoons of sweetener of choice (honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, monk fruit…)
-Pinch of GY Pink Mountain Salt
Tighten lid and shake shake shake til well mixed. Transfer to a saucepan and heat to desired
temp and enjoy! Store unused cacao drink in fridge. For added texture use a frother- so yum!
Intermediate - Superfood Hot Chocolate: Use 1-2 Tablespoons of GY cacao powder as the base to 1-2 cups of water/mylk of choice- (we're addicted to our Coco Soulno-sugar added coconut milk). Add adaptogens like Giddy Yo maca, Giddy Yo reishi tincture or ashwagandha for added health benefits. A must add is a healthy pinch of GY Pink Mountain Saltand GY ground Madagascar Vanilla beans. Incorporate spices like Ceylon cinnamon, freshly ground nutmeg, ginger, and cayenne for a warming flavour and metabolism boost!
Pro/Indulgent – Add your fave Giddy Yo chocolate bar, or cacao paste and grate some cacao butter into the warm mixture to melt and add even more richness. Going for the extra dark no-sweet variety, melt some 100% Hundo or Mint Hundo chocolate bars into your mug for a sugar-free, chocolate peppermint drink!
Creative Additions: Take your drink to the next level by adding GY clean brewed coffee, GY Maras Mountain Salt,GY Madagascar Vanilla, GY Maca, GY dark chocolate, CocoSoul coconut milk (it's shockingly good), almond butter, protein powder, pre-made chaga tea, chaga or reishi tinctures, goji berries, or organic edible essential oils of choice!
Make Ahead Batch: This is a great idea. Make a batch of hot chocolate and transfer to a jar and refrigerated for up to 5 days. Shake or stir it before warming and serving (you can drink it cold or reheat it!).
Giddy Yo Make Ahead Chocolate Latte Into a Blender mix
4 cups warm water
4-6 Tablespoons of GY Cacao Powder
4-6 Tablespoons sweetener of choice
2 Tablespoons organic coconut oil, olive oil, or melted Giddy Yo cacao butter
½ teaspoon Cinnamon
¼ teaspoon GY Maras Mountain Salt
¼ teaspoon GY Madagascar Vanilla
Pour blended mixture into a saucepan and warm to desired temperature and serve.
Tips: The best hot chocolate is made with high quality cacao. It's important to whisk the cacao powder into the milk before heating it up (it will take a bit of whisking to dissolve) OR use the mason jar/ shaker cup method found in the BEGINNER recipe. If you add the cacao powder to hot milk it can clump, and nobody likes clumpy hot cacao :). A pinch of salt (and GY clean brewed coffee) helps to amplify all of the flavours.
DID YOU KNOW? (Hot) chocolate makes all your troubles melt away.
We hope you and yours have a lovely holiday season.
Warmest wishes!
God Bless.
