The weather is finally starting to warm up around here in Chicago. Summer is approaching and I can not wait! Last October we traveled to Turks & Caicos and my daughters fell in love with having free smoothies all day long at the swim up bar. They request them all the time at home and I decided I needed to up my smoothie game.

So, we all have a new obsession - Smoothies and Smoothie Bowls!

SMOOTHIE BOWL

Apparently Smoothie Bowls have been around for awhile and I have been living under a rock, or a pile of books! Do you know what a Smoothie Bowl is? They are simple, easy, so refreshing and we all love them.  A Smoothie Bowl is exactly what it sounds like — a smoothie poured into a bowl instead of into a glass. You can top it with whatever your palate is desiring that morning, granola, fruit, or any other toppings. You eat it with a spoon just like cereal. So, I have been experimenting with Smoothies and Smoothie Bowls to satisfy all our new obsession.

There are so many ways you can make this breakfast, and it is just so delicious. And for me to say that is HUGE, because I do not like to eat breakfast in any way, shape or form. I'm not a breakfast gal and this works for me. It is much more satisfying than just drinking my breakfast and much healthier too.

To make a smoothie that's best eaten with a spoon and I am talking extra thick here, use a bit less milk or liquid than normal. The result is a thicker creamier smoothie that is almost like gelato, but not quite.

Another aspect I like besides the thicker consistency is that I don't like a thick drink through astraw. For some reason it always makes me gag. But on a spoon, easy-peasy for me to eat. Plus, going sans glass enables me to go a little bonkers with delicious toppings.

Tasty Toppings

• Granola
• Muesli
• Chocolate Chip Cookies, crumbled
• Shredded coconut
• Cacao nibs
• Fresh blueberries and blackberries, grapes, pomegranate, or figs
• Almonds, nuts or any kind of seed (YUM)
• Pumpkin seeds (my middle child's favorite)
• Add your favorite Activz whole-foods powder to boost the produce content

Try one of these amazing recipes this week and get ready to feel like you're digging into a bowl of oatmeal at the breakfast table.

• 1 cup almond milk or milk of choice (make a small 1 cup - as in not a full 1 cup - just shy)
• 1/4 tsp pure organic vanilla extract
• tiny pinch raw salt
• FRUIT of your choice - I prefer berries, my kids like bananas (I detest bananas)
• 1 tbsp Organic Activz Blueberry-Acai Powder (Found on-line)
• optional superfoods like flax or chia  (anything you want really!)
• ½ cup plain greek yogurt (or flavored if preferred)

To make: Blend all ingredients together until smooth. Pour into a bowl and top with your favorite Tasty Topping (see above examples). Feel free to double or triple the recipe for the entire family.

Flavor Variations:

Peanut Butter Acai Smoothie Bowl:  Add 1 1/2 tbsp organic peanut butter to the ingredients before blending. Top with granola, sliced fruit, and more peanut butter.
Hawaiian Acai Smoothie Bowl: Add 1 tbsp Activz Organic Coconut Powder OR Add 1 tbsp Activz Organic Mango Powder and use 1/2 of a banana with 2/3 cup frozen pineapple tidbits. Top with granola, fruit, and shredded coconut.
Green Power Acai Smoothie Bowl: Add 1 tbsp Activz Organic Spinach Powder OR Activz Organic Wheatgrass Powder OR Activz Organic Kale Powder and add loosely-packed 1/4 cup greens of choice.
Raspberry Chocoholic Acai Smoothie Bowl: Add 1 tbsp Activz Non-GMO Raspberry Powder and add 1 tbsp cocoa powder before blending, and top with chocolate chips or melted chocolate.

The mix-ins are really what makes this better than your typical-in-the-glass-smoothie.

What is your go-to Smoothie Bowl Recipe?

Learn more about activz whole-food powders at activz (DOT) com. 

Disclosure: I received product in order to conduct a review. No compensation has been received. My thoughts and opinions are my own.