I'm alive...and eating a lot of acaí bowls.

I know I have been a little (maybe a lot) absent from my blog.  As you may recall, I have returned back to school to follow a passion.  I am taking prerequisites so that I can apply to Bastyr University for the Master in Nutrition program  I am very excited- but very busy with school, work and (of course) fitness: crossfit during the week and cycling on the weekends.  My one day, 200+ mile bike ride down to Portland in the Classic STP is in 13 days, yahoo!

In addition to my busy life, I have still been trying to keep busy in the kitchen cooking up tasty meals. One tasty meal that has become a staple in the mornings have been I have been acaí bowls. Ahhh-mazing!

I was first introduced to acaí bowls in Santa Barbara while I was visiting two of my favorite people, Sarah and Jack. :-) After getting a WOD in at a local crossfit gym - which nowhere near as awesome as my two favorite gyms here in Seattle: Crossfit206 and Stoneway Crossfit - I stumbled into Backyard Bowls, looked at the menu, asked some questions and was sold on this acaí bowl idea.  I ordered the Green Bowl, it was the bomb! I had to bring Sarah and Jack back there, pronto. Not going to lie, we definitely went back three times- we fell in love.

 {Happiness}

{Sarah and Jack in Santa Barbara}

So what's an acaí bowl?

Well, first off, it's frozen goodness!  You take the frozen pulp of the acaí berry, blend it with fruits, veggies and other goodies to get a super thick smoothie. This is placed in a bowl and topped with some more goodies of your choice like: nuts, shaved coconut, strawberries, granola, honey etc.

Here are just a few photos of the acaí bowl goodness I enjoyed in Santa Barbara.

{The Green Bowl}

Acai Banana, Broccoli, Spinach, Ginger, Lime Juice & Apple Juice
Topped with: Strawberries, Blueberries & Walnuts.

{Diego's Power Bowl}

Acai, Banana, Strawberry, Hemp Protein, Peanut Butter & Hemp Milk
Topped with: Banana, Hemp Seeds, Walnuts & Almonds

Upon returning from Santa Barbara, I went out and bought me some acaí makin' ingredients and put my vitamix to work!

My favorite in SB was the Green Bowl....I had to recreate it.

 {My take on the Green Bowl}

  
{Leah's Green Acaí Bowl}

the bowl
1/2-1 banana
1/4 frozen avocado (fresh works too)
1 acaí smoothi pack
1-2 cups frozen spinach (or fresh)
1 cup frozen broccoli (or fresh)
1-3 tablespoons liquid - I typically use apple juice or coconut milk

juice of 1/2-1 lime (optional, but this is what makes it super tasty!)

fresh ginger (optional, but this also makes it super tasty!)

toppings options
berries

hemp seeds

shaved coconut
chopped nuts (I prefer walnuts and almonds)
granola
whole roasted flax seeds
honey

Method

1. Throw the ingredients (not the toppings) in the blender and blend away. *start with just a little liquid.
**see tips below

2. Once it is all blended up, pour the deliciousness into a bowl and top with desired toppings. Enjoy!
 
 Tips:

•  Place softer ingredients in the blender first. This allows the blender to get it's momentum going.
• Start with minimal liquid and add more as needed. This will ensure a super thick consistency. 
• It is helpful if you have a tamper (the stick you can use to move the ingredients around).  If you don't have one of these you will probably have to blend for a minute, stop and move things around and blend again.

Variations:

• The opportunities are endless!   You don't have to have acaí- you can replace it with frozen berries.
• Kale is an excellent green to add.  I use frozen kale. It makes a quick and easy addition. 
• Check out the Backyard Bowls menu for ideas!
• Get some extra protein by adding protein powder.
• Add a nut butter.
• You essentially can do this with any smoothie just by adding minimal liquid so that it is super thick.