Talk about a Super Bowl!  This quick and easy breakfast idea will quench your brain’s thirst for bright pretty colors while satisfying your belly’s hunger for something filling and nutritious.  I love sipping smoothies, but sometimes you want to spoon your breakfast into your mouth.  Plus, it’s easier to load on the toppings.

I’ve tried some smoothie bowl recipes in the past, and they were either too runny, (and I ended up pouring them into a cup and drinking them) or they required some kind of thickener.  For this smoothie bowl, I kept things nice and chunky, and used a mini food processor to blend the ingredients.  The result: a nice thick, spoonable smoothie.

Blueberries and Rasperries

Organic frozen raspberries and blueberries offer an economical (and ecological – fresh berries have probably traveled days to sit at your supermarket) option for getting that taste of summer all year long.  Berries (fresh or frozen) provide an abundance of skin and hair boosting antioxidants, imparting a healthy radiance and warding off wrinkles.  Eating more berries has been shown to prevent cardiovascular disease, memory loss, cancer, and blood sugar imbalance.  In addition to their health-enhancing nutrients, berries have a high water content, making them a great hydrating food, especially important first thing in the morning.

Almond Butter

Almonds and almond butter are very good sources of monounsaturated fats (healthy fats!), biotin, vitamin E, manganese, and copper.  If you’re looking to nourish your beauty from the inside out, these are key nutrients!  All help to maintain soft and strong hair, smooth and firm skin, and many studies show that regular nut consumption actually reduces the risk of weight gain.  Almonds also provide protection against cardiovascular disease and diabetes.  Including almond butter in your smoothie bowl supplies some protein, as well as fiber, to keep you satisfied until your lunch break.

Chia Seeds

The chia seeds in this smoothie bowl are probably optional, but I like to put chia seeds in just about everything.  Don’t let these teeny little guys decieve you, they’re flexin’ some huge nutritional biceps.  In fact the word “chia” is an ancient Mayan word meaning “strength,” and was used as a “running food” by Aztec warriors.  Just 2 tablespoons provides 4 grams of high quality protein, 11 grams of fiber, 18% of your calcium needs, and 30% of your magnanese, magnesium, and phosporous (great for bone health).  Chia seeds are also a great source of antioxidants and an excellent source of ALA omega-3 fatty acids.  Studies have shown that chia seeds may aid in weight loss by keeping you fuller longer and reducing appetite.  You don’t really need these to thicken your smoothie bowl, but with all these glowing benefits, I say throw some in there!

This bowl of goodness is completely versatile and I can envision many varieties and adaptions, so let your creativity guide you!  I used maple sweetened almond butter, but any kind will do. If you want a little more sweetness, just add a teaspoon of maple syrup, or even half of a banana.  To save time, measure out a half cup of your frozen berries and let them thaw in the fridge overnight, so they’re ready to go in the morning.  Or, you can gently heat them with splash of water in a small pot for a few minutes until they’re soft.  Then, just throw everything in your processor and pulse until partially blended, but still thick and chunky.

  

Then add your toppings – I used homemade granola, unsweetened shredded coconut, and cacao nibs.  Yum, num, num.

Berry Almond Butter Smoothie Bowl

1/2 cup thawed frozen berries (I used a combination of blueberries and raspberries)

1 cup frozen berries (I used a combination of blueberries and raspberries)

2 tablespoons of raw almond butter (I used Maranatha Raw Maple Almond Butter)

1-2 tablespoons chia seeds

2 tablespoons of almond milk

optional – 1 tsp maple syrup

Instructions:

Thaw 1/2 cup of frozen berries overnight in the fridge or in a small pot over low heat.  Throw all ingredients into your mini food processor and pulse until blended but still thick and chunky.  Top with granola, coconut shreds, nuts/seeds, cacao nibs, and/or other toppings of choice.