Practice Savoring with a Warm Drink this Season
One of my favorite mindfulness practices is savoring. Savoring is being in the present moment while cultivating and extending positive feelings.
Savoring a warm drink is a wonderful mindfulness practice, especially as those temperatures start to ease down as we move toward the holidays.
Warm beverages are fantastic during the colder months, but many of these warm drinks like the famous Pumpkin Spice Latte pack a ton of sugar in one cup.
Luckily, there are loads of healthy and immune-boosting warm drinks you can enjoy instead. Here are a few of my favorite options to rotate through the chilly months...
Fresh ginger tea
Not only is ginger wonderful for tummy troubles, but it’s also great for reducing inflammation. Slice a small piece of fresh ginger root and add it to your cup. Pour boiling water over it and voila -- you have ginger tea!
Fresh mint tea
Mint might seem like a summery flavor, but it works as an outstanding way to clear your palate, aid digestion, and help you feel full after a meal. You’ll be less prone to snacking when you end your meal with a cup of fresh mint tea.
Homemade hot chocolate
It’s so tempting when the winds start to get a bit blustery to pop into your favorite café for an indulgent hot chocolate. Save one of those for a special treat and instead, make your own hot chocolate at home. Use an unsweetened cocoa powder with warmed almond milk. You can sweeten it with just a hint of stevia or maple syrup, if you prefer. I put a 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil in for some silkiness and blend with my immersion blender on the stove top.
Hot lemon water
Another way to cleanse your palate is to slice up fresh lemons and pour boiling water over them for a hot lemonade of sorts. Leave the sugar out of the equation, and you’ll find you have a delightful sip-worthy drink without any of the ill side effects. I like to put in a sprig of fresh herbs like cilantro or basil for fun.
Healthy homemade chai latte
Chai tea itself is very healthy, but most people head to the café to grab a chai latte in fall. You might be tempted too with its warming aroma, thinking you’re doing better than getting that pumpkin spice latte. But chai lattes can have loads of sugar also. A better option is to brew chai tea at home and then froth up almond milk in your microwave. Add a touch of cinnamon to the top to make it feel more indulgent without doing any harm. I use a Yerba Mate Chai as my base. Yerba Mate has many health benefits and is a great herbal tea replacement for coffee.
Healthy warm beverage choices can be delicious. Keep this list handy, so when the mood strikes, you’ll be ready with a healthy option to counter your cravings and savor mindfully!
