Hot Chocolate with Cashew Cream

The flag is flying half mast at Finn and Cate's school today.

A little girl passed away.

I can't drive past the school without tears. 

And I can't stop thinking about how quickly the years fly by and how life can change in an instant. 

We are so caught up in the everyday things – whether their rooms are tidy, their backpacks are put away, their hair is brushed – that we miss the little things that are oh, so important  – how their eyes light up the instant they see you waiting for them at the bus stop, how tightly they hold onto your little finger when walking down the street, or how they always seem to know just when you need a hug.
 
I hugged my kids a little longer and a little tighter when they came home from school today.  And then, instead of sweeping the floor and folding the laundry, we cuddled on the couch with cups of hot chocolate. 
  
Life is precious and the time with our loved ones finite.  Take the extra time to cuddle on the couch with your loved ones today.

Hot Chocolate
Serves 1 adult and 2 kids, or 2 adults

1¾ cups soy milk
¼ cup cocoa powder
2 tablespoons maple syrup, or to taste
pinch of cinnamon
pinch of sea salt

Throw all the ingredients into a small pot and whisk like crazy to remove all the clumps.  Bring to a boil over medium heat and then simmer on low for a minute or two while whisking to remove any remaining clumps.  Alow to cool slightly, then pour into mugs and top with the cashew cream. 

Cashew Cream

one heaping ½ cup cashews, soaked in water for three hours
¼ cup water
2 teaspoons agave, or to taste
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt

While you're waiting for your hot chocolate to come to a boil, drain the cashews, throw everything into a blender and process on the highest setting.  If you have an ancient blender like I do, you will have to scrape down the sides quite frequently.  This will take a while, probably about 5 minutes.  Just keep blending and scraping until smooth and fluffy.  Trust me, it will happen.  Just when you're thinking it's never going to resemble anything close to whipped cream and you're ready to delete this blog from your favourites, give it another minute.  You can also make the cream a couple hours ahead of time.  Just keep it in the fridge and give it a quick blitz in the blender before spooning it on top of the hot chocolate.