Hot Drinks Can Warm You Up, Boost Your Energy

If you’ve ever walked to school or work in the winter, you know the feeling of waking up in a warm bed and knowing that very soon, you’re going to be outside in freezing cold weather.

Walks during which you wear at least three layers of clothing and are still chilled are not the best way to start the day. However, a great way to stay warm and also give yourself some extra energy is to have a warm drink before going out.

Everyone knows that warm drinks not only warm you up, but they can give you an energy boost. On a very cold recent night, I was out late studying for an exam, and on my walk home, near my college dorm, there was a group of people handing out hot chocolate and cookies. It was the perfect way to make my walk home seem much shorter and warmer!

Two other hot drinks that will warm you up are Caramel Milk and Spicy Hot Orange Drink. They can also be part of a healthy breakfast since there’s milk in caramel milk and fruit in the orange drink.

If you want to sip along your way, get a thermos, or use an insulated cup with a lid. At home, a nice thick mug will keep you from burning your hands.

The next time you have a long cold walk ahead of you, make it warmer by treating yourself to a hot drink. An added bonus: Holding the cup will keep your hands toasty, too!

Hot Caramel Milk

2 cups milk

5 tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pour the milk into a microwave-safe, medium glass bowl. Heat on High in the microwave until hot, about 80-90 seconds.

Carefully pour the milk into 2 mugs. Stir half of the brown sugar and vanilla extract into each mug. Serve warm.

Yield: 2 servings.

Nutrition information per serving: 252 calories, 5 grams fat (18 percent fat calories), 8 grams protein, 45 grams carbohydrate, 18 milligrams cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 135 milligrams sodium.

Nutty Vanilla Milk

2 cups milk

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pour the milk into a microwave-safe glass bowl and heat on High until it is hot, about 80 seconds. Stir the remaining ingredients into the hot milk, and mix until thoroughly combined. Pour into mugs and serve immediately.

Yield: 2 servings.

Nutrition information per serving: 177 calories, 5 grams fat (25 percent fat calories), 8 grams protein, 24 grams carbohydrate, 18 milligrams cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 122 milligrams sodium.

Spicy Hot Orange Drink

2 quarts orange juice

3/4 cup sugar

3 cinnamon sticks (3 inches each)

15 whole cloves

3 tablespoons grated orange zest

In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 5 minutes. Strain through a colander into a large pitcher. Pour into mugs and serve.

Yield: 8 to 10 servings.

Nutrition information per each of 10 servings: 152 calories, 1 gram fat (6 percent fat calories), 1 gram protein, 37 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 1 gram dietary fiber, 4 milligrams sodium.

Easy Hot Cocoa

This is the easiest recipe in the world for hot cocoa.

1 cup milk

3 tablespoons chocolate syrup

Dash of vanilla extract

Mini marshmallows, optional

Heat the milk in a microwave oven until very hot, about 1 minute. Stir in the syrup and the vanilla extract. If you like, sprinkle with marshmallows before drinking.

Yield: 1 serving.

Nutrition information per serving, without marshmallows: 276 calories, 5 grams fat (16 percent fat calories), 9 grams protein, 47 grams carbohydrate, 18 milligrams cholesterol, 2 grams dietary fiber, 150 milligrams sodium.