Antioxidant Açaí Bowl: A Superfood Breakfast of Champions

Açaí You, Baby!

Every time the hubby and I go on vacation somewhere, the first thing we do is seek out the nearest juice and smoothie bar. As much as I hate to leave my Vitamix behind, waking up every morning to a fresh, cold-pressed green juice and an Açaí Bowl more than satisfies--plus, it's nice to get a break from having to do it myself!

These super-tasty superfood bowls have taken smoothie shops and juiceries by storm, and for good reason--açaí (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) is chock full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. All that being said, you can bring vacation right to your kitchen with just a few simple ingredients!

The Basics

• source + location

  • pronounced ah-sigh-ee, this superfruit comes from the dark purple berries of a tropical palm tree

  • indigenous to Central and South America; commonly harvested from the Amazonian rainforests of Brazil

• contents + benefits

  • one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet; contains antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, protein, fiber, and several micronutrients including resveratrol, calcium, magnesium, and iron

  • antioxidants improve overall health and attack disease-causing free radicals in the body, great for energy and focus, low-glycemic, low sugar and can help fight off weight gain and combat cravings, protein and fiber help to keep fuller longer

• amount + uses

  • 1 tbsp powder or 1-2 frozen packs

  • mixed in with smoothies or "nice cream," this makes an antioxidant-packed tropical treat; beverages, and desserts

• taste + fun facts

  • creamy and tart berry flavor with chocolate undertones

  • harvest and sales of the crop generates income for native communities and is a great alternative to deforestation and habitat destruction

For more info on Superfoods, check out:

 My Top 10 Superfoods

ORAC Value

Free radicals are caused by our exposure to environmental toxins and pollutants, like cigarette smoke, alcohol consumption, excessive sun exposure, smog, chemicals in household cleaners and personal care products--even stress can cause inflammation and oxidation to occur in the body. When we consume a diet rich in nutrient-dense foods like fruits and vegetables, we are getting a healthy dose of antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals. This process helps to fight off illness and disease, and combats premature aging. The ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) of a substance measures its antioxidant level, and subsequent free radical-fighting ability.

Açaí most definitely earns its place as a superfood, due to its super high ORAC score:

• Banana: 795

• Spinach: 1,687

• Red Delicious Apple: 4,275

• Wild Blueberries: 9,621

• Açaí Berry: 102,700

Amp Up

Amp up your antioxidants with an Açaí Bowl and reap all of the health benefits that come along with it! No need break the bank at the local juicery to indulge in this sweet treat when you can make it right at home!

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Antioxidant Açaí Bowl

Açaí bowls are all the rage! Most juice bars and smoothie shops come fully equipped with an assortment of variations of these delectable superfood smoothie bowls. It's easier than ever to treat yourself anytime at home, with a few simple ingredients! Açaí is extremely high in anti-aging phytonutrients and disease-fighting antioxidants and will give you that extra oomph to get you through your day without the need for refined sugar and stimulants! Pure, simple, whole, and delicious!

raw vegan, gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, antioxidant-packed!

serves: 2 // time: 10 min

ingredients:

• 2 cups frozen, ripe, freckled bananas

• 1 cup frozen strawberries

• 1 cup frozen blueberries

• 1 cup frozen raspberries

• 2 frozen, unsweetened açaí packs

• 1 cup coconut water, almond milk, or water

• 1 scoop raw vegan, vanilla SunWarrior protein powder (optional)

  • use discount code EatMoveRest for 20% off your purchase

method:

1. Place all frozen ingredients into high-speed blender and top with liquid of choice.

2. Blend until smooth and creamy.

3. Pour into 2 bowls and top with fruit and other whole-food ingredients--some of my favorites are bananas, mangos, kiwis, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, dried mulberries, and coconut flakes! Enjoy!

notes:

• for an extra indulgent boost, try topping with other flavorful and nutritious ingredients like almond butter, cacao nibs, cinnamon, granola, hemp, chia, and ground flax

• If using fresh young coconut water, check out the CocoJack to easily crack open your coconut! Use discount code EATMOVEREST for 10% off your purchase!

*nutrition:

• macronutrients: 337 calories per serving // 68.9g carbs // 5.4g protein // 7g fat

• micronutrients: 41% vitamin A // 123% vitamin C // 75% fiber // 19% folate // 15% iron // 12% calcium

*from cronometer.com

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As Seen On YouTube

Join me in the kitchen to watch me whip up an Antioxidant Açaí Bowl! Be sure to Subscribe to the EatMoveRest channel, hit the bell symbol to turn on Notifications to stay up-to-date on new videos, Like the video by giving it a thumbs up, show some love and leave us a Comment, and Share with family and friends!

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Superfood, Super You!

Satisfy your sweet tooth while doing your body good with an antioxidant-rich Açaí Bowl--perfect for breakfast or lunch, pre- or post-workout!

Show some love! Be sure to take a snapshot of your smoothie bowl creation and tag me on Instagram by using the hashtag #EatMoveRest!

Designed For Your Lifestyle,

Erin

Go Green With Mint Chip Banana "Nice" Cream

Grow Your Garden Within

It's St. Patty's Day (or the day after if you're reading this in my morning email), take a minute and make sure everyone in the room is wearing green, and pinch them for me if they're not! It's fun to get festive and celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but it isn't just a day to fill up on green beer. I like to think of it as a celebration of new life, growth, and going green with your health--both with the foods you eat and the thoughts you cultivate!

“The grass isn’t greener on the other side, it’s green where you water it!”

Rather than comparing yourself to someone else or wishing you could be somewhere else, focus inward on personal growth and contentment! If you want to become a better version of yourself, you've got to put in the work! Sow the seeds of success by treating your body right and making healthy choices, practicing gratitude, going the extra mile to help someone else, speaking kind words, and thinking positive thoughts! Your garden will begin to grow green and tall! Focus on blooming where you are planted. Take advantage of opportunities right at your fingertips, no matter what your circumstances are. Wishing won't get you there, but action, dedication, and the right mindset will!

The End of the Rainbow

Since I went plant-based--from eating less meat, to no meat, to no animal products at all, dessert options became more and more limited. It was a struggle for real. Enter, "nice" cream! One of the best things about going plant-based (besides having an endless stream of energy, great digestion, solid sleep, and clear skin) is getting creative in the kitchen and finding new ways to make the same foods I was eating before, only clean, nourishing, whole food versions!

Go Bananas!

I think it's safe to say that we all love ice cream. Some of us are vanilla people, some of us are chocolate people, and then there are the best-of-both-worlds, I-want-it-all, "chocolate-vanilla-swirl" people. No matter what type is your favorite, most ice creams are loaded with refined sugar, unhealthy fats, preservatives, and other artificial ingredients that can be less than friendly to our insides...and our outsides. The good news is, you can make your own ice cream right at home, without an ice cream maker, and only one simple ingredient--bananas! 

Simply let your bananas ripen until they are leopard-spotted, peel and chop, and place them on parchment paper and pop them in the freezer, as pictured below! After they are frozen, I like to store them in a mason jar in the freezer. (If you store them like this before they are frozen they will just clump and stick together.) Whenever you go to make nice cream or a smoothie, grab out however many banana chunks you want and store the rest!

Check out my blog post on the benefits of Fruit vs. Refined Sugar, and scroll to the bottom to see why bananas are best for digestion and fuel when spotted and ripe!

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Mint Chip Banana "Nice" Cream

raw, vegan, dairy-free, refined-sugar-free, gluten-free, oil-free, heavenly

I like to think I've got a bit of Irish in me, considering my name is Erin, and it's your lucky day, because I've got a pot of green deliciousness for you at the end of this rainbow! For St. Patty's Day, I decided to put a twist on the classic banana nice cream recipe by adding a healthy dose of green! Spirulina is a nutrient-packed superfood that also happens to make a fantastic food dye. Sprinkle in one of my other superfood favorites--cacao nibs--add a dash of mint, and you've got yourself a completely guilt-free, mouth-watering treat. 

ingredients:

serves 4-6

• 6 ripe, frozen bananas
• 1 tsp spirulina powder
• fresh mint leaves
  • or one drop food-grade peppermint essential oil
  • or peppermint extract to taste
• 1/8-1/4 cup raw cacao nibs

method

1. Before you even begin, make sure that you let your bananas ripen until they are leopard spotted.
2. Peel bananas and slice into chunks so that they will be easier to blend, and place on parchment paper in the freezer overnight or for a few hours.
3. Place frozen bananas in food processor or high speed blender. *Important: Allow to thaw for a few minutes before blending so that appliance will not overheat or blades become dull.
4. Once blended smooth, add in spirulina powder until desired hue of green is achieved.
5. Add in mint leaves or peppermint extract to taste, or one drop of food-grade peppermint essential oil. *Important: A little bit goes a long way with essential oils. Be very careful not to add more than one drop!
6. Once your nice cream is a uniform green color, sprinkle in however much cacao you want and pulse until mixed in.
7. Pour into dish and top with a bit of extra cacao and enjoy this refreshing, soft serve as is, or pop in the freezer for a future sweet treat!

options

• For the full scoop and to check out other fun variations of this simple recipe, check out my classic Banana "Nice" Cream blog post! 
• Also check out my Top 10 Superfoods to read up on spirulina and cacao, and for other nutrient-dense mix-ins and toppings for your nice cream!

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Spring Has Sprung

We've Marched right into spring with a wave of warmer weather than usual this year--birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, the days are finally longer--and there's no better time to turn over a new leaf and Go Green! Pun intended. Do yourself a favor and whip up a healthy and equally delicious dessert that'll do your body good! Cheers, and may the Luck O' The Irish be with you!

Designed For Your Lifestyle,

Erin