On a shivery sort of day, my children love hot chocolate. When I was growing up, we made our own mix each fall. Many winter mornings we enjoyed a hot cup of chocolate. And often for an after-school snack too. Mom and Dad put restrictions on how many cups we could have in a day.  As for mini marshmallows, those were restricted as well. If I recall correctly, 7 was the alloted number allowed per cup.

I still have that recipe for hot chocolate mix in my kitchen, but I just can’t bring myself to make it! It’s full of things like Nesquick, powdered sugar, and powdered milk.  Eww… I’ve learned a few things since those days.

But neither does this mother approve of Swiss Miss packets. Occasionally Josie reminds me she had hot chocolate at school that day. And  I cringe to think of all the sugar, (28 grams to be exact. Yes, I checked. This was off the milk chocolate packets ingredient list) corn syrup and other non-pronouncable ingredients that entered her body. She quickly assures me she only uses half a pack. “But then I eat the rest,“ she said. Oh shivers!😫 What can I do?! It’s a real world out there.

This is what I can do. I can make my own hot chocolate mix and marshmallows at home!! Then, when they want a hot cup of chocolate,  I can rest assured I did my best in creating a much healthier alternative.  

Yes, this still has sugar but a kind of sugar that’s much easier for our body to process. If you use coconut sugar like I did, it is even lower on the glycemic index than sucunat. Plus, the mix has an added benefit of collagen, which is great for a little extra protein! I used Great Lakes collagen which is a clean brand. Some will have sneaky additives or MSG in them, so be careful what kind you buy.

As for the marshmallows, they too have protein in the form of gelatin! Although let me hasten to inform you to make sure you use a good grass-fed beef gelatin. This has wonderful gut healing properties. I use this same gelatin to make a protein packed jello. You can find the recipe in this post.

You can try cutting back on the sugar or even using Simple Sweet. I tried using less sugar but didn’t think it was sweet enough. 

This hot chocolate recipe is one I found out of Keeper’s At Home magazine Fall 2024. Although the lady that shared it said she liked adding water and vanilla yet and cooking it into a syrup. I prefer the dry mix, so that’s how I chose to make it. 

This marshmallow recipe is also not original with me, but I changed it up a bit as to how I make it. And honestly, I was out of vanilla so mine didn’t even get that. I’m sure it’s a good addition though. I used a 9×13 pan but it made thinner marshmallows. So I’d recommend a smaller pan if you want a thick version.

I have tried these using 1/2 cup honey and 1/3 cup xylitol. But there was not enough bulk, and didn’t whip up to a large amount like the full cup of honey does.

Arrowroot powder comes from the arrowroot plant’s tuber. It’s a gluten free white substance that is used as a thickner for an alternative to cornstarch or flour. To use it as thickner, be sure to dissolve it in cool water first before adding to hot mixtures. It’s also often used in gluten free baking mixes. It’s tasteless, so it works perfectly for dusting these marshmallows without adding extra sugar! You can find it online or health food stores.

Please believe me when I tell you these marshmallows are waayyy more creamy than their inferior boughten version! Delicious too. I love that I can throw 1 or 2 marshmallows into my cup and it dissolves into a luscious creamy goodness- without that guilty feeling!

I have not tried roasting these, although I don’t know why they wouldn’t work for that.

All set for a cup above the average processed, sugar laden, food coloring smitten packaged mixes. Did you know marshmallows have food coloring in them?  Food coloring to make them look sparkly white! 😢 Oh, and have we mentioned corn syrup?!

I thought my marshmallows might not be very white due to the honey, but they really do have a nice white color without fake coloring involved!!

An update on myself since my last post. I’m still dealing with lightheadedness, but am much better than the first 2 weeks, for which I’m grateful! I’m up more than I was, but still not back to my normal duties.

I’ve been getting massages and trying things to help open my eustachian tubes. I’m chomping gum. I hate gum! And sucking Sour Patch Kids. Both make salivary glands run, which can help open the tubes. Imagine me and hideous food coloring, sugar covered candy!! I stand at the bathroom sink and spit out the saliva it produces, then thoroughly rinse my mouth. I would hate to ingest the amount of candy I go through some days!

 Most people could take an allergy med or something like Mucinex to help dry up the remaining fluid in the ear, but it’s not safe with pregnancy, because it could affect the amniotic fluid. Today I went for an IV infusion for an added boost to my overall health. I hope it will especially help with the heart palpitations. 

Church ladies have been so graciously bringing us meals!! Some have given breakfast foods, which have been such a help for those hurried school mornings! Flowers, cards and messages remind me I’m being prayed and cared for…. I feel so blessed! ♥️ For truly, many people in today’s isolated world do not have this privilege.