Today for breakfast, we're diving right into summer.
| PLEASE EXCUSE THE BLURRINESS |
I've mentioned before I'm not really a "summer" person. I like the cold and the rain and the winter and warm drinks and fires and Christmas. But lately, I've been really looking forward to summer. And not just because it means I'm done with school.
But, I do think I'm starting to turn into a summer person. I mean winter will always win over summer for me, but I am really excited for the pool, sleeping in, vacations, and the warm weather. Oh, and summery food. I think I've talked about it before but one thing that summer trumps winter in (for me) is definitely food.
A couple years ago, every day in the summer I would wake up, go for a run, come back and devour a smoothie Bowl of some sort. I think I'm going to start that tradition again this summer.
Smoothie bowls and smoothies have always been one of my favorite breakfasts or snacks (or actually any meal, really).
The other day I got a MAJOR craving for one, but I really couldn't decide what kind I was feeling. I usually don't make my own "acai bowls," mostly because it's pretty hard to find frozen Acai where I live and I don't like the powder.
I found the frozen acai at one of our grocery stores, so I knew I had to make an acai bowl, but I still wanted to try some other flavor combos out. So, what better way to bring on the summer with not 1 but 3 smoothie bowls?? These are also the easiest breakfasts/snacks to whip up-- just blend the base together (try to keep it thick) and load on the toppings.
All of them are so delicious and filling, and SO SO pretty to look at.
Before I get into this, I just want to say that you can top these with whatever your heart desires, these are just the combinations that I came up with that I thought worked best.
Also, for some reason these pictures came out kind of blurry or smeared or something... and I honestly didn't feel like recreating these, so just try to look over that part and distract yourself with the pretty colors...
The first one definitely satisfies any chocolate/sweet cravings you may have... Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Oatmeal Cookie smoothie bowl. Yep. A thick chocolate-banana smoothie (pretty much like "ice cream") topped with all the goods-- almond butter, cacao nibs, dark chocolate shavings, dark chocolate dipped banana chips, and the best, most addicting "oatmeal cookie" granola. Seriously, I'm obsessed with this my granola. You need this granola recipe in your life. It's so easy, so quick, and comes out SO crunchy. I actually think I'm going to go make some right now...
Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Oatmeal Cookie
Makes 1
Base:
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 tbs. almond butter
- 2 dates
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. almond extract
- 2-3 dashes cinnamon
Toppings:
- Dark chocolate dipped banana chips (melt dark chocolate; dip banana chips halfway in them; freeze on a parchment-lined baking sheet until set)
- almond butter
- cacao nibs and/or dark chocolate chips/shavings
- Oatmeal Cookie Granola: 2 1/2 cups oats, 1/2 cup melted coconut oil, 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup slivered almonds, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1 tsp. sea salt-- mix all ingredients together-- bake at 350º for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown-- let cool and crisp up before storing in an airtight container or jar.
The next one is more of a traditional acai bowl, but with a little something special on the side... Tropical Acai + Coconut Chia Pudding bowl. I love having the chia pudding with the acai because
1. it makes it super creamy
2. it makes the bowl a lot more filling
This one is filled with all things fruity and refreshing like lime, fresh fruit, coconut shavings, mint, coconut water, and honey.
Tropical Acai + Coconut Chia Pudding
Makes 2
Base:
- 1/2 cup frozen mango
- 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
- a few mint sprigs
- 1 packet frozen acai
- 1/2 cup coconut water
- 1 lime- juiced
Toppings:
- Coconut lime chia pudding: 1/4 cup chia seeds, 1 cup coconut milk, zest from 1 lime, 1 tsp. honey-- mix in a jar/container-- refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Fresh mango, pineapple, papaya, kiwi berries/kiwi, etc.
- Coconut shavings
- Honey
Strawberry Hibiscus + Cream
Makes 1-2
Base:
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup hibiscus tea- cooled
- 1/4 cup cashew milk (add more if needed to blend)
- 1/2 tbs. agave
- 1/2 orange- juice (save the zest for toppings)
Toppings:
- Cashews
- Coconut Shavings
- Whipped Coconut Cream
- Goji Berries
- Orange Zest
- Strawberries
- Honey/Agave
XOXO
Ceciia A.
