Beautiful Bali
Two years ago I was in a real Eat, Pray, Love state of mind. I had recently quit my stable office job of almost 3 years and decided to go back to school to pursue a career in nutrition. I had also been dreaming about visiting the beautiful province of Bali for months, and felt a strong urge to go on a solo expedition just like Elizabeth Gilbert in her well-known story.
Solo-travel was not something I had done much of before, and definitely not international solo-travel, but I have always been an independent person and was excited about the idea of traveling alone. Yes, I could hear the warnings of friends and family on the dangers of solo-travel ringing in my ears, but I did my research. I knew Bali was a safe place to travel, and I followed my urge to buy those plane tickets and go.
Bali was everything I dreamed it would be - amazing beaches, monkeys running loose, evenings ending with stunning sunsets and waking up to sounds of the jungle - paradise. Of course one of the things I most looked forward to and loved the most about my trip was the ease of finding a cute healthy cafe in every little town. I never went long without enjoying a healthy vegetarian meal, coconut water straight from the shell, or my favorite of all, açaí/smoothie bowls!
I really made the most of my two weeks in Bali and was sad to leave when the time came up to head back home. Something I have continued to do since my travels is make my own smoothie/açaí bowls at home, which always gives me a little taste of that wonderful experience I was fortunate enough to have in tropical paradise.
What is açaí?
Açaí, pronounced ah-sai-ee, is a berry that originates from Brazil and Amazon regions. It is considered a “superfood” due to its high nutrient density, which you can confirm just by seeing its deep purple color. The fruit is naturally low in sugar, rich in antioxidants, and also provides significant amounts of trace minerals. The combination of these elements makes açaí a wonderful addition to boost a healthy diet and lifestyle.
The Recipe
The good news is you don’t have to travel all the way to Bali to enjoy an açaí bowl! Below is a recipe I have come up with since experimenting with making my own açaí bowls at home. It is versatile in that you can always incorporate different kinds of frozen fruits, non-dairy milks, and toppings for different variations. Enjoy!
DIY açaí bowl
*Note: I always recommend using organic ingredients whenever possible
Ingredients
Smoothie
1 packet of frozen unsweetened açaí (I buy mine at Trader Joe’s in the frozen fruit section)
1/2 a frozen banana
1/4 cup frozen mango
1/4 cup frozen strawberries
3/4 cup almond milk (or nondairy milk of choice)
1/4 cup coconut cream
Small handful of ice cubes
*Optional - add protein powder of choice for a boost of protein to this healthful recipe
Toppings
Toppings of choice - I used fresh blueberries, strawberries, banana, hemp seeds and shredded coconut
Directions
Run packet of açaí under warm water for 5-10 seconds. Cut open and add açaí to blender.
Add remaining smoothie ingredients to blender and blend until smooth.
Smoothie should be very thick, you may need to scrape down sides to get all ingredients well-blended.
Pour smoothie into a bowl. Top with ingredients of choice.
Grab a spoon and enjoy right away!
