I know what is in my Hot Cocoa

Our family is trying our very best not to eat processed foods. So, when my kids asked me for Hot Cocoa today, I decided to make my own instead of buying the packets of who knows what is in there! It was delicious and the kids drank it up not knowing any different!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup unsweetened 100% cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• heavy cream (optional)

Directions:

Put cocoa powder in a sauce pot. In a separate pot, boil water with salt. After water reaches boiling pour over cocoa powder and whisk together. Again bring to a boil making sure not to scald the cocoa. Whisk in agave nectar and milk and heat. (DO NOT BOIL at this point). Finally remove from burner and add vanilla extract.

If desired, add heavy cream or whipped cream before serving. Enjoy! Serves 4.

Easy Party Punch

I make this almost every time we have a party and everyone always seems to enjoy it...it disappears!

Ingredients:
1 can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 can frozen berry concentrate (I like using strawberry...it is usually the mix for daiquiri's NON-alcoholic)
2 (2 liter) bottles of ginger ale
1 12-16oz bag frozen strawberries (preferably sliced)

Directions:
In large punch bowl squeeze out still frozen oj and berry mix into the bottom of the bowl. Top with ginger ale (I usually can't fit both bottles in at once, but after some people take some punch I add the remaining ginger ale) and frozen strawberries. Just let it sit for a couple minutes and stir gently.