FreeFrom just about Everything Hot or Cold Chocolate Drink/Protein Drink

I am calling it this because the basic recipe can be adapted to whatever you need it to be FreeFrom.

You will need:

one jug - to mix it up in
one hand-blender/mixer - I use my Bamix

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons cocoa powder - preferably organic
3 tablespoons Josephs Sugar Free Maple Syrup or Maltitol Syrup plain - if Ok with sugars then can substitute another syrup eg maple, agave, honey or a sugar to taste eg coconut sugar.  You will need around 10% less than if using Josephs as it is less sweet than "full fat" sugars. 
Splenda and Tagatesse are also possible options for sweetening but as both have a distinct after-taste I would suggest using about 1/2:1/2 ratio of each in combination and as both are hugely sweeter than sugar you will need in the region of 1 level tablespoon of the combined mix or to taste.

700-800ml of either Kara coconut drink, Ecomil unsweetened Almond milk, Hemp seed milk (I find that this has a very strong flavour and is an acquired taste but does work quite well with cocoa flavourings) Soya milk, Oatly drink or even milk if you tolerate dairy.

1-2 tablespoons coconut cream as an optional extra if using Kara coconut drink
or whipped cream if using milk or Mimicreme if Ok with nuts

Optional -  if wanting to make this into a protein drink 2 tablespoons protein powder - natural whey protein powder is great if you are Ok with dairy otherwise chose from Sacha Inchi Protein Powder (more about this below, has a nutty taste but is not a nut) or Soya Protein Powder, Hemp seed protein powder..

Method
Put the cocoa powder and if using potein powder in the jug.
With your hand-mixer turned on slowly start to pour about 1/3 of the liquid into the jug and mix until there are no lumps.
Add the sweetener of choice and mix wel.
Add the remaining liquid and mix well.

If using coconut milk to enrich this drink make sure that it is in a liquid form by gently warming it in the microwave on reheat for 10 second intervals until liquid.

Add to the rest and mix for a rich and creamy boost.

If using whipped cream use it to top your drink after it is in the mug.  If using Mimicreme mix it in as for the coconut milk.

If you want a hot drink then pour out a mug's worth and heat it up either on the stove or in the microwave so that it is warm.

Do not heat to boiling as you will destroy the benefits of the protein powders if using.

This drink is also great cold.

Be aware that the addition of the protein powder turns it into a liquid meal and it should be viewed as such.

An added bonus of including a protein powder is that you can take it with you for breakfast on the go or as a snack.

More about the ingredients:

Benefits of Coconut milk  and coconut oil
Coconut oil is burned as energy not fat. It provides immune boosting, medium chain fatty acids and other minerals that help brain function and digestion.
Coconut milk contains Essential fatty acids and these are the good fat! These fatty acids create and provide energy for our bodies and support the immune system as well as helping to remove toxins and pathogens including candida.
Both are easily absorbed by the digestive system.

Sacha Inchi Powder
Sacha Inchi Powder is harvested from seed pods growing on vines in the Peruvian Amazon.
It has been used by native tribes dating back to the Incans for its health-giving properties. It is not an endangered product.  By supporting the use of Sacha Inchi products including this powder you will help prevent the fertile land on which it grows from being destroyed and used for less sustainable raw materials.
Benefits: Sacha Inchi Protein Powder is over 60% complete protein and contains all the essential amino acids needed to build muscle. It is also known for its high concentration of Omega-3 fatty acids and it has high levels of vitamin A and calcium.
It is available on-line. I found it on Aggressive Health and since then also on Inner Organics.

My favourite kitchen gadget - the Bamix!

A word about my favourite kitchen gadget.........
My mother had a bamix hand held mixer.  It was used in particular for making homemade soups and mayo.  This machine must have been from the 1960s and I remember it being used in the 70s and 80s and 90s until it finally expired shortly before she did.
My dear Dad gave me a handheld mixer for making soups, he was worried that I was not eating properly!  It was not a Bamix, it lasted a few years and then promptly died.  This particular make had a plastic wand and covering down to the blade and could not be used in a hot pan of vegetables and stock which meant that one had to pour the very hot liquid into another container first if one wanted to make soup.  After this mixer died it was replaced with a similar one, lasted a few years, same story.
About 6 or so years ago I treated myself to a Bamix like the one in the picture above.  I use it for all sorts of concoctions.  It comes with 3 blade attachments and a separate grinder so that one can chop, whip and whisk as well as make spice blends, grind nuts, chop herbs.............I find that because of the metal wand it is safe to use directly in a pan of veggies and stock, hey presto, soup without the danger of transferring hot liquids between containers.  I also make yorkshires in the jug using it, smoothies, pancake batters, mayo, profiteroles, whipped cream, whipped egg whites .............it comes on holiday with me, I just adore it!
Another plus is that if one loses any of the blades once can buy replacements and Bamix offer lifetime this, that and the other in terms of repairs..........
If one had to chose a desert island kitchen tool not to be without this would be my choice.
When I bought mine the jazzier colours were not available and so mine is a very sound navy blue.  I have been tempted by red, silver and even pink but as the current one is in fabulous condition and working just like new I feel that I cannot justify a new one, that is perhaps the down side of this machine!
As I use my Bamix for a lot of my recipes I have linked those on Amazon to this page so that you can see what I am referring to.  The prices vary but the initial outlay does seem to be an awful lot compared to some makes of handheld mixer but my own experience does suggest that this make is worth the extra cost.  Bamix also make a very useful container with a lid that one can use for making smoothies, chocolate protein drinks, mayo.............and once made pop the lid on and put it in the fridge for later use.  No, I do not work for Bamix!
Everyone has favourites so do tell me about yours!
The Bamix Beauty Gallery!!