Acai ya later -

Ah-sah-ee. Say it with me now. Acai is one of my true loves from my summer spent in Brazil. I’ve been scouring every place that claims they have Brazilian acai bowls since I’ve been home. They’re fine and all, but they just don’t compare. The delicious acai berry hails from the Amazon after all. It only makes sense that this exotic berry turned smoothie bowl tastes best where it started. In an attempt to cure my craving (without the cost of a plane ticket back to South America), I’ve created my own acai bowl recipe. You can change up the toppings or fruit you add inside for your favorite flavors, but the base is the same.

My favorite is acai with guarana, another gem from the Amazon. Lucky for me, acai is increasingly popular lately in the ole US of A, so I had a lot of choices in making my own. I even found some frozen superfood packs with my beloved guarana. You can do juice, powder, superfood packs, or just buy acai pre-made in an ice cream-like container. I noticed that most contain a lot of sugar. Determined to find a way to make this Whole 30 approved (thinking ahead) I found some unsweetened ones and let my fruits give it the sweetness.

Sambazon is one brand that has a lot of choices. Find some of their products here. If you’re doing a Whole 30, powder may be your best bet. I love Navitas Naturals acai powder. Just read your labels, folks. Whole Foods has a ton of acai options.

Start with coconut water or coconut/almond milk (really, whatever floats your boat), add in a frozen superfood pack or two, a banana, and your fruit of choice. I love strawberries or blueberries with mine. Add a little ice if you like yours on the thick side. If you’re starting with acai juice, then try freezing your banana to thicken it. If you want yours sweet– you can also add honey. Top with your favorite toppings! When not on the Whole 30, I love mine with homemade gluten free granola. When I am, I add more bananas, coconut flakes, almond butter, and more fruit.

The best part about acai is that it provides natural energy and is loaded with antioxidants! Healthy and delicious? No wonder it’s joked to be the secret of so many beautiful Brazilians. Plus, acai is like, really pretty. Who doesn’t love a colorful breakfast?

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup of coconut/almond milk or coconut water
2 frozen acai superfruit packs (or 1.5 to 2 Tablespoons of acai powder)
1 banana
3-4 strawberries
1/4 cup of blueberries

OR…

1/4 cup of acai juice
1 frozen banana
3-4 strawberries
1/4 cup of blueberries

DIRECTIONS:

Combine all ingredients in a blender.
Blend until smooth.
Add ice until desired thickness is achieved.
Pour into a bowl, add toppings, and enjoy!

The granola recipe is modified from the 21 day revolution and is below:

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups of gluten-free oats
1/4 cup of maple syrup
1/2 cup (mix) chopped cashews/almonds/sunflower seeds
1 Tablespoon of cinnamon.

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat your oven to 325 and lined a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine all the ingredients except the maple syrup in a large mixing bowl. Stir well and slowly pour in maple syrup as you continue to mix. Then, spread onto parchment paper.
Bake for 10 minutes, then toss around and bake for another 10 minutes.
Allow to cool at room temperature before storing in an airtight container.

Acai ya later! (I HAD to.)