Smoothie-In-A-Bowl

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Smoothie-In-A-Bowl
serves: 1

~ Recipe: Susan Maxon

I love smoothies, but sometimes I think that eating my breakfast is more satisfying than drinking it. I was introduced to smoothie bowls when my family went hiking in Hawaii. They have become very popular, but if you purchase them at a juice bar or smoothie station, they are very expensive. So make your own.

This “recipe” is more art than science. It will depend on what’s in your pantry, what foods agree with you, and what you feel like eating on a particular morning.

Into your Vitamix or heavy-duty blender:

Add a frozen banana and one cup your favorite, frozen fruit or fruit combination (possibilities: pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, mango).
Note: If using fresh fruit, you’ll need to add ice  (maybe about 1/2 cup).

Choose your liquid.  Examples: almond, soy, coconut, or plain milk;  yogurt–plain or flavored; orange juice, carrot juice.

Use as little liquid as possible to ensure a thick blend: about 1/2 cup (more or less depending on how juicy the fruits are that you’ve chosen to use).

OPTIONS: You can add one tablespoon nut butter (almond, hazelnut ,peanut butter) for protein and one tablespoon maple syrup, honey, or agave, if you’d like it a bit sweeter.

And for a nutritional boost,  add 1/2 cup spinach.  It’ll change the color but not the taste.

Blend all ingredients until smooth and scrape into a wide bowl because now you’re going to add the toppings that you’ve prepared (ahead of time so your smoothie bowl doesn’t melt too fast).

Ideas for toppings: chopped or slivered nuts, seeds (chia, pumpkin, sunflower), granola, dry cereal, dried fruit (dates, raisins, craisins, coconut) or even more fresh fruit (apple slices, kiwi, berries, etc).  A few cocoa nibs or dark chocolate chips would be a treat.

Now grab your spoon and enjoy!

* Photo Credit – flicker.com