Tropical Mango Strawberry Smoothie Bowl

Fall is just arriving in New England. Actually, this is my first autumn here since 2006 and it is bringing on such intense nostalgia for long gone angsty high school days. But still, autumn was always my favorite time of year when I was young.

I basked in the autumnal glory during my morning yoga practice. Feeling extremely sore from a heavy lifting session yesterday, I spent the entire 90 minutes working in sitting and laying postures. Yoga is all about listening to your body and I'm so glad I did. Instead of feeling tired, I feel rejuvenated and healed.

View from my yoga mat this morning. Made "auto awesome" by google. Whatever that means.

So to celebrate the beginning of autumn and my post-yoga bliss, I decided to make a fruity, delicious breakfast.

However, this breakfast bowl has little or nothing to do with fall. It is instead a tropical wonderland of delectable flavors and healthy green additions that make it a nutrition packed filling breakfast that will freak out your parents and wow your health nut friends. Except the cereal. But I love cereal.

My favorite way to eat a smoothie is in a bowl. Basically you make the smoothie. Pour it in a bowl, and put whatever you want on top of it. Then mix it all up and voila! Amazebowl breakfast.


People get all weird about cereal these days because the "health" community decided to fear carbs. Just like they used to fear fat. Next they will probably decide to fear protein.

Anyway, if you fear carbs I'm sorry for you. It will be okay. But if you love cereal, try putting it on top of a smoothie instead of milk! Hint: It's delicious.


Aside from the fact they are really really ridiculously good tasting, why should you use any of these ingredients?

Obviously mango and strawberries are fruit. So they are fiber packed and nutrient dense, full of anti-oxidents and energy providing, slow digesting carbs. Spinach has loads of nutrients, most importantly calcium and iron, which becomes easier to absorb when you combine it with vitamin C. Vitamin C can be found in what? Fruit. Bam! Healthy and delicious.

Cinnamon has boatloads of health benefits, including helping to control blood sugar, it's anti-microbial, and the list goes on. This website I found has a list of 20 benefits. Seriously. 20. http://cinnamonvogue.com/cinnamoncommonuses.html

Walnuts? Also great for you. They are a nut though so just remember not to go too overboard if you are trying to lose weight, because they are high in fat. HOWEVER fat is good for you so eat them. They are good for your brain! Omega-3's for days.

Hemp seeds. Protein. Filling. Crunchy. Yummy.



Alright, recipe time!

Ingredients

For the Smoothie

1. 1/2 Mango
2. Strawberries
3. 1/4 package silken tofu
4. Handful of spinach
5. spoonful of Greens Superfood Blend (totally optional, but I like it)
6. tsp vanilla extract
7. dash of cinnamon
8. water

For the Toppings

1. More Strawberries
2. 2 Figs
3. Crushed walnuts
4. tbsp hemp seeds
5. Grape Nuts Cereal (or cereal of your choice)
6. Lots of cinnamon!

To begin: It's simple. Take all smoothie ingredients. Stick them in a blender. Blend until smooth.

But if you need more directions, see below:

Get your blender cup and put in the handful of spinach. Top that with some silken tofu.

Next, cup up your mango. Cut the top off the mango, then slice horizontal and vertical so you create a checkerboard effect. Put the bottoms so it all pops up all pretty like this. And peel off or cut off those nice little cubes and throw it in with the spinach and tofu.

Tip: I like to cup up the whole mango in one go, and stick the rest in the freezer for later. Frozen mango makes great fake ice cream.

Cut up your strawberries and add them to the mix. Top it off with the green powder blend, cinnamon, and vanilla. Now add as much water as you like, depending on your desired consistency.

Blend until smooth.

Pour this lovely mixture into a bowl.

Now for toppings!

Cut up the figs by cutting them in half, half again, and half again. Add to bowl.

Cut up strawberries. Add to bowl.

Crush walnuts. Add to bowl. Are we seeing a theme here?

Add the hemp seeds and cereal. Stir it all up! 

Add a generous sprinkle of cinnamon.

Devour.

I hope you love it. If you want more sweetness may I suggest adding dates, honey, or maple syrup. I prefer a more subtle sweetness but that is just me. If you have any suggestions or ideas for improving or changing this up, please leave a comment and let me know!