When I was in New York earlier this year, I was amazed at the vast selection of healthy food shops! Dotted all over the place are fabulous juice and smoothie bars, deli’s and salad shops. I got to eat some amazing food and was particularly influenced by the types of açai bowls I could find. I based this recipe on one of the açai bowls I came across whilst there, and I am thrilled with how it turned out.

Now, if you haven’t had the chance to experience an açai bowl yet, I strongly urge you to try it. Açai itself can be found in powdered form or in frozen sachets (there are juices and tablets to, but I am focussing on açai bowl ingredients). The powdered form is much easier to come by. It works really well mixed with a berry base, which is what I use for smoothies and bowls.

The cost is higher than any of the other supplements I have purchased. When trying it out for the first time, I went for the smallest pack I could find (I went on Amazon for the best price). I didn’t want to commit to a huge cost for something I was not even sure I would like! Clearly, I liked it from the get go. We now purchase it by the half kilo!

Makes 1 serving

• 1 Tbsp Açai Powder
• 1 Banana
• 1 tsp Hemp Hearts
• 1 tsp Chia Seeds
• 1 tsp Flax
• 1 Tbsp Almond Butter
• 1 cup Blueberries, frozen
• 3 Tbsp Almond Milk (or other milk)

Blend all the ingredients together until smooth and well blended. It will be very thick. Pour into a bowl, add your toppings and serve.

Some suggested toppings:

I have used hemp granola, Banana and hemp hearts.

• Sliced or grated fruit: bananas, apple,
• Dried fruit: Raisins, sultanas, goji berries, chopped apricots
• Nuts or nut butters
• Seeds: pumpkin, sunflower, chia, sesame
• Coconut yoghurt (or other yoghurt)
• Fresh berries
• Coconut chips
• Cacao nibs
• Granola (I used Hemp Granola)