Smoothie & Poke Bowls

We love heathy Acai bowls! These fruits come from the Acai palm tree in Brazil and have become increasingly popular. The fruits do have healthy benefits such as balance blood sugar, improve immunity as well as lower inflammation.

They are also a WORK OF ART. They look appetizing and healthy. You can do an Acai sweet or savory such as a poke bowl.  Poke bowls are a traditional Hawaiian dish made with fish, but really anything goes!

You wonder if they are truly healthy? Watch one of my latest segments on 69 News WFMZ where I offer tips on how to keep the food bowl craze healthy. The Acai berry is loaded with nutrients, but the bowls can contain too much sugar, mostly fruit sugar.  You can make a healthy version that is still tasty but also well-rounded with protein, fat and antioxidants for a filling snack or meal without overdosing on the sugars.

To make a healthy bowl, the base is just a thick smoothie – but you have lots of options. You can start with Acai berries, frozen or powdered, add coconut/almond milk, half an avocado for a thickener, sunflower butter, spinach, Standard Process Vanilla or Chocolate protein powder.  Sweeten it with maple syrup if needed. This is your base for the bottom of the bowl.  Make sure it’s thick and creamy!

This is the fun part - Decorate with toppings such as coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds (seeds are healthier than granola), raw almonds, dark chocolate chips and blueberries, strawberries, blackberries or apple slices.  Use lots of color.  Your kids won’t forget to eat their breakfast! 

If you are looking for something savory, make a poke bowl – just use what you would already use for dinner.  If chicken or tuna – chop it in cubes.  Use tomato, zucchini, peas, beans, avocado or anything that can be made into a tiny cube.  Arrange it nicely in tiny blocks. Another option is to slice cucumbers, onions, and fan them over the bowl for a different look. Top with spices/olive oil/balsamic vinegar. For the base - Instead of white rice, or pasta, use cauliflower rice, or quinoa is a better option for healthy eating. Or a bed of lettuce works too!

If you are tired of the same old dinner, these bowls a fun way to make your meal into a healthy work of art.  Many of your meals can make a bowl.  Get the kids involved to create something healthy and appetizing. Your family is more excited about their healthy dinner if it looks appealing.