More and more, you’ll see acai bowls on the menu of health-conscious restaurants. So what exactly is an acai bowl you might wonder? It’s a yummy concoction, reminiscent of a granola parfait, that is not only a hearty meal, but one chock full of healthy ingredients. Acai bowls mainly consist of frozen and fresh fruits, protein powder and granola. Some folks like to add in a little nut butter, just for fun. In fact that’s the way I like my acai bowls.

So what is acai? It’s a fruit—a berry actually—that is native to the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest. Acai is often called a “superfruit” because it’s loaded with antioxidants, protein and omegas. The acai berry’s health benefits are the reason why it gets to be the star of these bowls.

Acai bowls are simple to make and the results are worth it. The recipe I’m sharing below should feed two. While you can use any kind of granola cereal, my personal preference is Natures’s Path Hemp Plus Granola cereal. And if you’re wondering how to get ahold of some frozen acai berries, it’s easier than you think. Sambazon single serve pouches can be found in the freezer section of Whole Foods.

Below is a simple starter recipe for delicious, nutritious acai bowls. Don’t be shy with the toppings. You can add all kinds of fruits, maple syrup, agave syrup, and granola mixes into your bowl. Once you start making these bowls, don’t be surprised if you find yourself a little addicted to them. It happens to the best of us.

The glop:
2 frozen bananas
8 frozen strawberries
4 Tablespoons organic peanut butter
2 Tablespoons protein powder
½ cup rice milk
1 single serve pouch of frozen acai berry

Topping:
2 cups granola
fresh blueberries
fresh strawberries, slices
dash of cinnamon

Instructions: put all of the glop in a blender and blend until it’s all mixed. Pour the glop into either one large bowl, or two smaller bowls. Next, dress up the bowls with the topping ingredients. If you want to make it extra sweet, drizzle some agave or maple syrup on top.

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