Sometimes I wake up and just can’t adult. You? Lucky for you (and me!), I created this power-boosting smoothie bowl, packed with special superfoods that are the answer to all of my lethargic-y behaviours (and yours!). I’m telling you. It will change your whole outlook on Mondays.
Last summer, I backpacked through Peru and discovered a vegetable called maca. If you’ve heard of it, you may know that, when consumed, it’s known to majorly enhance energy levels. It also helps to increase fertility, especially in men. The Peruvians swear by it. You NEED to try it.
Maca grows at high altitudes in the Andes and looks similar to a rounded-out ginger root. It is typically dried out and processed into a powder for consumption, but I have also seen it in pill form (Costco). After hearing about maca and learning about it’s magic, I loaded up on a few bags before flying out of Lima. There, it was super cheap to pick up. Here, not so much. I usually buy mine at the Bulk Barn and it is decently expensive, but a little bit goes a long way. You can also (obviously) find it on Amazon.
One more thing about maca, it’s a libido-booster people…So if you need a little help in that department…I meannn, you’re welcome.
Moving along now. Superfood number two – Spirulina. Now this is the epitome of plant nutrition. Spirulina is a blue-green algae that again, is processed into powder-form (perfect for adding to smoothies or smoothie bowls, btw) and is jam-packed with the good stuff. The vitamins. The minerals. All of it. It will make you feel wonderfully alive and ready for all of the adult things that you must face throughout your day.
I must warn you though…it is unwise to put your nose anywhere near the opened container and breathe deeply. You will have major regrets. Don’t let the smell fool you though! You cannot at-all taste what your nose regretfully inhales…trust! Spirulina is also what gives it that pretty, vibrant green colour. I’ll admit – I originally bought it for the photos…not the health benefits. It’s cool, guys. It’s cool.
I buy my spirulina off of Amazon. You can find it here. I have also seen it for sale at Bulk Barn.
The rest of the ingredients are pretty basic. They are as follows:
- Frozen fruit (bananas, mangos and cherries)
- Protein powder (vanilla)
- Almond milk
- Preferred toppings (I like fresh fruit, hemp hearts, roasted nuts, pomegranate seeds, toasted coconut and peanut butter)
So basically, you throw the frozen fruit, superfoods, protein powder and almond milk into a food processor and blend until smooth. It has a similar consistency to “nice cream,” just slightly thinner. It’s everything wonderful, honestly.
After blended, transfer to a bowl and top with all of your faves! Yet another opportunity to sneak a few more energy-boosting ingredients in. Some other options are: chia seeds for protein, good fats and fibre, granola for the ultimate crunch factor, and dark chocolate shavings because uhm..the antioxidants…fine, it’s because I don’t go a day without eating dark chocolate and you shouldn’t either.
Power Boosting Smoothie Bowl
Servings: 1
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 3-4 frozen mango chunks
- 3-4 frozen cherries
- 1 tsp spirulina powder
- 1 tsp maca powder
- 1 tbsp protein powder
- 2 tbsp almond milk (or any non-dairy milk)
- Toppings of choice (nuts, seeds, fresh fruit, nut butters, coconut, granola, etc.)
Instructions:
- Add frozen fruit and powders to a food processor and pulse a few times to break up. Turn on the motor and blend on low speed, slowly drizzling in the milk.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary. Transfer to a bowl.
- Add your choice of toppings and you’re done!