smoothie Archives - Happy Healthy RD

Mango Avocado Smoothie

May 12, 2015 by 2 Comments

Sometimes I feel like a smoothie that isn’t green and tastes like a milkshake. This mango smoothie is just that. It is sweet, creamy, and just delish.

The game changer is avocado. I promise it doesn’t taste like guacamole and it adds a smoothness that reminds me of a milkshake.

Also, there is something about mango that just makes me want to smile. It is so bright and cheerful. If you have fresh, use that. But the ease of using frozen can’t be beat. I still haven’t mastered the art of cutting a mango, I always feel like there is so much left around the pit. The taste of fresh mango versus frozen does make up for (some) of the hassle. Anyway, for this smoothie I’m all about the frozen.

Mango Avocado Smoothie

Ingredients

2 cups frozen mango
1 cup milk of your choice (I used cashew milk but any kind would work!)
1 small banana
1/2 small avocado
1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)

Makes about 2 small servings or one big serving.

Add all ingredients to blender. Blend, drink, and enjoy!

What is your favorite smoothie ingredient?

Be Happy, Be Healthy!

The Scoop on Acai Bowls

April 17, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Have you had an acai bowl yet? I hadn’t either so when I saw some acai puree at Earth Fare I knew I had to try it. I have been seeing beautiful pictures of acai bowls all over the internet and have even heard that there are restaurants popping up serving acai bowls. I was excited to try this new food trend!

First a quick background on acai, (pronounced ah-sigh-ee). Acai berries come from the acai palm tree commonly grown in Trinidad and northern South America along the Amazon (source). The acai berry is full of antioxidants and has a reputation of being a super food that can aid in weight loss. However, I didn’t find any hard hitting evidence that acai berries are that much better than any other berry. Acai bowls were popularized in Brazil back in the 1980’s by a Jujitsu fighter that started his fighters on a diet of acai pulp mixed with bananas. Soon the fitness and health communities caught on and the acai bowl was born(source). Acai is also used in many beauty products and may help protect your skin from pollution and UV damage.

So basically an acai bowl is a thick smoothie that you eat with a spoon. To me the smoothie part isn’t too exciting, but the toppings are what makes it fun!

I topped mine with bananas, raspberries, and granola but the possibilities are endless.

Acai Bowl

Ingredients:

Two packets of frozen acai pulp

1 banana

3/4 cup almond milk (or whatever your favorite milk is)

1 tsp chia seeds (optional but makes it a little thicker)

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

Toppings: fresh fruit (I think berries, banana, kiwi, and pineapple would be really good!), nuts, granola, dried fruit

Blend ingredients in a high speed blender. Poor into bowl, top with your favorite toppings.

The verdict: I think acai bowls are a really fun way to change up a plain old smoothie. But it also got me thinking that you could really top any smoothie with delicious toppings and eat it out of a bowl. I wouldn’t say that the flavor of acai is something really special. I actually made it first without the blueberries and it wasn’t too good. It sort of reminded me of a cross between a tart blueberry and blackberry. But I would say that this bowl was a perfect post-run eat and kept me full for quite awhile. I’m not sure if I’ll buy more acai pulp in the near future but I will definitely be making more smoothie bowls!

Be Happy, Be Healthy!

Almond Joy Smoothie

February 3, 2015 by 1 Comment

It’s obvious that smoothies are a regular thing in my diet but sometimes I want to change it up from a super duper healthy smoothie to more of a sweet, kinda like a milkshake if I use my imagination smoothie. Enter the Almond Joy Smoothie!

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut milk, unsweetened Vanilla (or whatever type you have)

1 Tablespoon almond butter

1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup coconut flakes

1 banana, frozen

Handful of greens (definitely optional!)

Directions

Mix everything until well blended in high powered blender.

Some Suggestions:

-You could use a fresh banana but I would also throw in some ice cubes so it gets cold.

-I bet cocoa powder or really anything chocolate flavored could be substituted for the chocolate chips. The main thing is to have coconut, almond, and chocolate flavors so it is just like an Almond Joy.

Of course, it would be a much prettier color without the greens. But my thought is why wouldn’t you put greens in a smoothie since you can’t even taste them? The almond butter covers the green taste right up, I promise!