Hot and creamy, so sweet and comforting. I'm talking about Hot Chocolate, perhaps one of the most underrated of all comfort foods. We're so used to indulging on calorie infested meals of pasta, large glasses of wine (or other alcohol) to make us forget our problems, or shoving cookie after cookies in our mouths to fill a void in our souls.

Hot chocolate fits the comfort food bill in many ways, while also allowing you to keep a serving size in mind to keep your caloric intake in the healthy zone. It's hot, it's chocolate, it's pure magic in a cup. With whipped cream on top!

Here are my top reasons to pull out the can of Swiss Miss and tub of Cool Whip:

1. Camping/Bonfires

Imagine it. A crisp late summer evening. You and all of your friends and/or family are gathered around the fire pit. Instead of a cold beer in your hand, making your fingers stiff, why not try a mug of hot chocolate? It's sweeter than beer, and it's good hot or cold (because, let's face it, you're having too good of a time enjoying those around you to drink it while it's hot.)

2. Cool Weather

Notice how I did not limit this to COLD weather, but just COOL. Drinking hot chocolate is like putting on a sweater, but for your digestive system. It's also a great excuse to curl up with a book or your knitting and a warm kitty or puppy!

3. PMS/The Evil Week of Evil

Seriously, ladies, this is the best ever Period Hack for two reasons. 1) chocolate promotes healthy circulation. 2) hot beverages promote healthy circulation. BOOM! Perfect comfort food for someone constantly bleeding for five-to-seven days.

Unless you're like me and end up filling your cup with more whipped topping than actual hot chocolate.....

4. A Break-Up

You need a hug. Sure, your mom can hug you, your bestie can snuggle in your bed and watch "The Notebook" with you, but is anyone going to hug you spiritually? No? Hot Chocolate can do that. Kind of.... I mean, think about the feeling of the hot liquid sliding down your esophagus and landing in your stomach. It warms you from the inside, thus giving you the warm fuzzies!

5. Family Gatherings

Your family is driving you crazy. The Secret Santa segment of the holiday party is taking three hours too many. So what should you do? Make yourself a mug of hot chocolate, of course?! Slip some peppermint or cinnamon schnapps in there to avoid Aunt Glenda's disapproving glare of your slight dependence of alcohol during these lovely family gatherings!!

6. Lack of Sweets

You ran out of Oreos. You're too broke and/or too exhausted to make a trip to the store. Oh, look! That can that seems to never empty of hot chocolate mix is still in the back of the pantry! You have left-over marshmallows, too? Bonus!