Toasting the New Year

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language, and next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.” — T.S. Eliot

Happy New Year to Everyone!

We are saying a thankful farewell to a difficult 2020. For many of us, we’ve endured losses in this year of strife, illness, and masks. To those that lost loved ones, a blessing on you for you have shouldered the hardest cut. For those that are struggling financially, a blessing on you also for you’ve faced challenges to stay alive and under a roof. To all of us, this has been a difficult time and we eagerly look forward to a better year ahead. 2021 will have challenges also, but let’s hope that they will be far less than this passing year.

Traditionally, we gather with friends and family to bid the old year farewell and reflect on the lessons and good memories. It will be more bitter than sweet, but I end the year grateful to be alive and reasonably healthy. I hope most of you can say the same. I will be toasting with my longtime roommate and a hot cup of spiked cocoa. The recipe is simple, but so delicious.

Hot Spiced Low Carb Cocoa

Photo is from Stencil. It looks better than the one I took.

An easy and delicious low carb chocolate drink mix. Try it with a bit of Peppermint Sugar-free Syrup in it for a nice holiday toast.

2 teaspoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 cup Almond Milk or Coconut Milk, unsweetened
3-4 drops of liquid Sucralose or other sweetener (about 2 teaspoons if you’re using granulated)
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon (optional)
1/2 jigger of Rum or Whiskey (or Peppermint or Ginger Bread sugar-free Syrup)

In a small sauce pan, heat almond milk to almost boiling, reduce to a simmer, then stir in cocoa powder, and cinnamon. Remove from heat, then add vanilla, sweetener, and alcohol or syrup. Stir well. Serve hot.

Makes 1 serving

To do this in a microwave, put the almond milk in a 10 oz. cup and microwave for one minute. Stir in cocoa and cinnamon, then add the remaining ingredients and stir together. Serve.

To make Coffee and Cocoa drink, follow the same instructions above, but reduce the almond milk to 1/2 cup, add in 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee with the cocoa and cinnamon then add 1/2 cup boiling water. Add the vanilla and alcohol or syrup.

You can use regular milk if you prefer. The carbs will be around 12 for just the milk.