Food Trend Alert: Smoothie Bowls

New health trends pop up everyday. Some are actually healthy while others are simply for show. This summer, health enthusiasts have developed another food trend: smoothie bowls. 

A smoothie bowl is simply a traditional smoothie placed in a bowl and topped with fruit, granola and even decorative pieces such as flowers. In other words, it's cereal on steroids. Drinking smoothies are so last year. Now you can eat them! 

Here are some of our favorite smoothie bowl pictures and also a few recipes that you can use to make your own Instagram worthy smoothie bowls:

Pinkberry Banana Maca (The Coveteur)

• 1 frozen, sliced, RIPE banana
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
• 1 cup soy milk (or milk of choice)
• 1 scoop vegan vanilla protein powder
• 1 tsp maca powder
• 1 tsp pomegranate powder (optional, enhances the pink color)
• cold water (as needed)

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in your blender and process. 
2. Add cold water as needed to get everything incorporated, but if you want a thick smoothie, use only a small amount. 

Acai with Berries and Banana (Popsugar)

• 2 cups (10 1/2 ounces) frozen strawberries
• 2 frozen sliced bananas [3]
• 4 tablespoons acai powder [4]
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice), plus more as needed
• 2 tablespoons nut or seed butter (I used almond)
• 1/2 to 1 tablespoon honey, to taste 

Toppings:

• Fresh fruit, sliced (I used bananas, strawberries, and raspberries)
• Bee pollen [5]
• Clear, runny honey
• Granola (optional)
• Unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
• Dried goji berries (optional)
• Chia or hemp seeds (optional)

Directions:

1. Add the frozen fruits, acai powder, almond milk, nut or seed butter, and honey to a blender. Blend until creamy and smooth, adding extra almond milk as needed to get the blender running. Aim for a frozen-yogurt consistency (it should be thicker than a smoothie).
2. Spoon the acai mixture into bowls and top with sliced fruit, bee pollen, a drizzle of honey, and the optional toppings (if using).

Green Smoothie Bowl (Minimalist Baker)

• 1/4 ripe avocado
• 2 medium ripe bananas, previously sliced and frozen
• 1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries (organic when possible) - use strawberries/raspberries for a greener smoothie, darker berries for a purple smoothie
• 2 large handfuls spinach (organic when possible)
• 1 small handful kale (organic when possible), large stems removed
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk (will depend on if your berries are frozen)
• 1 Tbsp flax seed meal
• Optional: 2 Tbsp salted creamy almond or peanut butter

Toppings:

• Roasted unsalted sunflower seeds
• Granola
• Raw or roasted nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.)
• Shredded unsweetened coconut
• Fresh berries
• Hemp seeds

Directions:

1. Add all smoothie ingredients to a blender and blend until creamy and smooth. Add more almond milk (or water) to thin.
2. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more ripe banana (or maple syrup) for added sweetness, more spinach for a bright green hue, or almond milk for creaminess.
3. For the green smoothie I used strawberries, which let the green color come through more. For the purple bowl I used darker berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries).
4. For more protein, add nut butter! This also offsets / enhances the natural sweetness of the smoothie.
5. Divide between 2 serving bowls and top with desired toppings!
6. Best when fresh, though leftovers can be kept in jars in the fridge for up to 1-2 days.

Stay Stylish,

FS