Holiday Beverages @ The Coffee Shop?

Fancy a Peppermint Mocha, or perhaps a White Caramel Latte?

In other words- here's a cup of liquid refined sugar, some dairy, possibly some hydrogenated oils and maybe, if you're lucky, a bit of artificial colour…

Think I'll pass!

I'll admit that memories of drinking homemade egg nog as a kid with my mom is quite nostalgic and seasonally festive, BUT, just the though of how my stomach would feel, and how congested I'd feel are enough reason to make me opt for something else, personally.

However, there's no need to feel like you can't partake of holiday cheer:

-Opt for a kid's size natural (no sugar added) hot cider with a cinnamon stick (having this WITH your lunch, for example, would allow you to take in some protein and fat at the same time, thus lowering the glycemic load from the beverage).

-Herbal teas, in holiday blends are quite nice; those with nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon & cloves are quite enjoyable all by themselves!

-If you're really jonesing for an eggnog, following is a recipe for one which you can make with coconut milk (just a reminder NOT to use canned- as it often contains guar gum, derived from a bean, and thus, not Paleo!).  I've found this online, and, to make an example out of how you can convert a non-Paleo recipe to one that is, I've made some changes in red:

 

8 egg yolks

4 cups coconut milk or cream

8 tablespoons dark rum Easy enough to omit- or use natural rum extract flavoring

6 tablespoons white sugar Skip this, or use a bit of honey- as per The Paleo Diet- ok to use on rare occasions…

2 teaspoons vanilla essence

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, ground

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, ground

 

Coconut Eggnog Directions

Into a large saucepan, pour the coconut milk/ cream and add the white sugar.

Heat BUT DO NOT BOIL over a medium heat.

In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks with the vanilla essence.

Into the bowl, pour approximately half the coconut milk & sugar mixture.

Whisk briskly.

Add the remainder of the coconut milk & sugar mixture.

Pour the combined mixture back into your large saucepan.

Wash out the large bowl because you'll need it again in a few minutes.

Cook over a low heat BUT DO NOT BOIL, ensuring that you continuously stir.

Continue stirring until the eggnog thickens slightly – enough to be able to coat the back of a spoon.

Pour & strain the eggnog back into the (washed, rinsed & dried) large bowl.

Allow the eggnog to sit and cool until it becomes room temperature.

Stir in the dark rum.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, but preferably overnight.

Just prior to serving, combine the ground nutmeg & ground cinnamon on a small dish, and sprinkle a little of the mixture on top of each served glassful of your delicious coconut eggnog!

 

Enjoy the holiday shopping, warm beverage in hand, with the knowledge that you've not strayed off your Paleo track, and as a result, you've avoided adding a few hundred empty sugar calories to boot!