Ever since we came out from the MCO, it is an uphill hike to get the kids back to our old routine of going to bed early and waking up happy for school in the morning; simply because they have gotten so used to a “free and easy” schedule while being locked down at home for so long.
Mums with school-going kids would have at one stage or another experience this before, right?
No amount of coaxing or level of noise could wake your little tornadoes up, and then when they do finally get ready without tantrum (consider yourself lucky on such mornings!), they would want nothing to eat at all after you have poured your heart out into making them a hearty, delicious meal. I mean, not having breakfast?! Our mother’s instinct would tingle like crazy telling us that this is bad!
No doubt breakfast is an important meal to start the day off, especially for kids who are still growing ever so rapidly; they need all the energy and nutrients they can get. So, I have been cracking my head for breakfast ideas until an eureka moment struck when my 5-year-old asked if he could have a piece of chocolate brownies one morning.
Chocolate, You Say? Hmmm…
Most people could hardly say no when offered chocolate, let alone children! But as with all candies and snacks, parents often pull the breaks whenever we come to chocolates because let’s be real, it is a treat; not a dietary staple.
Well, to a certain extent it is true.
Chocolates in the forms of sweetened chocolate bars, candies, and even malted chocolate drinks should be consumed sparingly. But cacao beans in its raw form is actually a highly nutritious natural food.
Good Chocolate Is Good!
Well, the good news is high-quality cocoa powder actually contains vitamins and minerals, such as selenium, zinc, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, fiber, etc. that provide many health benefits!
Do you know that dark chocolate contains flavonoids (powerful antioxidant agents), which stimulate the brain’s hippocampus, which in turn result in better concentration and effective memory? You do now! Certain flavonoids play a role in improving the properties of preventing inflammation and blood clots, and increase the sensitivity of insulin levels, which help in reducing the chances of being diabetic in the future. It is also said to help restore skin health without inducing acne while the magnesium in cocoa helps maintain our nerve and muscle functions.
Sounds promising right?
Well, here are some fun facts about chocolates:
- Chocolates are made from cacao beans, and cacao beans were used as a currency back during the Mayan civilization. Yep, kaching!
- The kings in the Aztec civilization used to drink around 10 cups of chocolate drinks in a day!
- And get this, chocolate was once considered the food of the gods. Now, this we can concur, can’t we?
Chocolate is such an indulgent yet a nutritious treat!
More Chocolate Please!
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So, right then I thought that was it! Why not offer something that the kids themselves would think is appetizing to stomach early in the morning yet nutritious enough to meet the needs of their active life? Why, a chocolate drink sounds like a win!
But not just any chocolate drinks. No, no! It has to be high in quality and superior in nutrition yet made convenient enough to consume. The majority of chocolate drinks in the market are malt drinks and contain high amounts of refined sugar – definitely not the kind of source you would want your little ones to draw energy from.
Finally, my search came to an end when I was introduced to Chek Hup® Kokoo 3 in 1 Chocolate Drink by a fellow mum who swears by it. And I can see why.
Chek Hup® Kokoo 3 in 1 Chocolate Drink is produced using 100% fully fermented high-grade cacao beans. As the product does not contain added artificial cocoa flavouring, the process of fermentation, thus increases the strength of cocoa flavour and reduces the bitterness. And without the addition of malt, what you get is a pure, rich, creamy cup of chocolate drink in all its glorious goodness. What sold me is that the chocolate drink uses rock sugar to sweeten and bring out the cocoa flavour instead of refined sugar!
A Lil’ Treat Makes A Happy Child
The aromatic chocolate drink can be enjoyed hot or cold. On days when we are running late, a hot cup of chocolate drink helps to carry my kids through till their break time; or when served chilled, Kokoo Chocolate drink makes a perfect choice for my family’s after-sports indulgence in the evenings. Given our unbearable hot weather, serving the yummy chocolate drink in the afternoons never fails to earn me brownie points from my kids!
Some days when we are feeling a little fancy, we would also make a chocolate oat porridge with Kokoo Chocolate and serve it with sliced bananas and blueberries! And whenever we run out of milk, my kids love having their plain cereals with a cold bowl of Kokoo Chocolate. As it is individually packed, I can also conveniently enjoy it while at work!
Here is a tip for you, parents: Serve your kids with a hot cup of Kokoo Chocolate for tea time with a generous sprinkling of mini marshmallows and watch their eyes glow and sparkle in joy!
With Chek Hup® Kokoo 3 in 1 Chocolate Drink on our breakfast menu, let’s just say waking up bright and cheery is no longer a wish. Try it today and give your family and your kids’ day an energetic and nutritious kickstart!
Celebrating Chek Hup®’s 55 Years Of Legacy
Established in Ipoh, Malaysia in 1965, Chek Hup® is a unique brand that is known for its special brew of roasted coffee beans. The brand is founded by a true coffee enthusiast who had successfully blended the local flavour and culture with freshly roasted premium coffee beans.
Always innovating and improving, Chek Hup® has since brewed up a wide range of goodness serving not just fans from Malaysia, but also Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mainland China.
Check out Chek Hup®’s extensive selections of beverages and find out where you can get your hands on its delicious products on its website, Facebook, and Instagram.