#smoothiebowl

It’s still a trend, apparently, to put a smoothie into a bowl instead of into the traditional glass. So here we go, let’s get into it:

The smoothie: whatever fruits and/or veggies you have that are about to go bad get blended with a liquid. It’s as simple as that….or is it? Here are some tips to make an insta-worthy bowl and ideas for fancy ingredients.

The Base:

I always have overripe, peeled, frozen bananas on hand. They are perfect to use as a base because they blend to a rich and creamy consistency and have a sweet but mild flavor.

The Additions:

Almost anything, depending on your blender. *Can’t recommend throwing raw beets in a smoothie unless you have a VitaMix.*

I add a combination of fresh and frozen fruits and veggies to my frozen bananas. These usually include pineapple, mango, berries, and leafy greens. I also sometimes get a little crazy and add nuts, nut butter, or a touch of spirulina powder. You can also add protein powder or any vitamin enhancer you like.

For the liquid, you can use anything you have. Some people like traditional milk, non-dairy milks (like almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk etc.), any type of juice, or even plain old water. Some people add yogurt to their smoothies. I have even seen ice cream being added to a smoothie, so this should be a good indication that you can be as healthy or indulgent as you wish.

The Assembly:

Your smoothie is blended nice and thick so your toppings don’t sink to the bottom. Your most beautiful bowl has been selected (or you are real #extra and have hollowed out a pineapple as your vessel. Do it for the insta, amiright?). You swirl the smoothie into the bowl and get ready to top it with all the bright colors.

The Toppings:

Look for color.

Fruits are colorful–think out-of-the-ordinary like kiwi, dragonfruit, figs, starfruit, etc.

Use a variety of shapes–fruits can be sliced, cubed, cut into rounds, fanned out like flowers, overlapped, laid next to each other, etc.

Freeze-dried berries are super fun and give great crunch.

Think about nuts, granola, bee pollen, jam, coconut flakes, honey, mint, nut butter, cacao nibs, chia seeds, yogurt, edible flowers, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, a.v.o.c.a.d.o. Whatever gets you going.

When arranging these items, think about what your final bowl will look like. You should be able to see at least some of the actual smoothie because you want to know what’s beneath the toppings.

Questions to consider: Is your smoothie thick enough to handle all of these toppings? If not, just put the whole bowl in the freezer for like twenty minutes before adding the toppings. Are you going to lay your ingredients in straight lines? Are the lines going to go through the center of the bowl or do you want them off to one side? Do you want your ingredients to start in the center and fan out in a circular pattern like a mandala? Do you have a variety of textures and shapes? Do you have enough color? Do you want that cool frosty look on your berries? If so, pop them in the freezer for ten-ish minutes. HOW EXTRA DO YOU WANT TO BE??

No matter what, it’ll taste great, and your bowls will only get better the more you make them.

The Examples:

A basic bowl blended with a touch of spirulina powder for that aqua color, topped with freezer-frosted berries.