Cherry Chocolate (and some other fruits) Smoothie Bowl

Let's talk about how ice cream for breakfast is definitely a thing.

And no, I am not ACTUALLY talking about ice cream for breakfast. At least in this instance. Take me back 10 years before I figured out I was lactose intolerant or when going dairy free wasn't the new cool thing on the block. Yeah, now we are actually talking about a scoop of phish food when mom was not looking. And Ben and Jerry's can be good breakfast food right? It is organic!

That justifies everything, right?

No I am talking about smoothie bowls. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love a good smoothie bowl. When I was in college, I used to drink my smoothies. I had one of these $15 blenders from Target and I was obsessed with it. I could drink my smoothie out of the cup?! No extra dishes. How crazy is that! Of course, like a lot of my kitchen appliances, I burned the motor out and I did not feel like breaking out the ginormous blender for another smoothie. Poor guy. 

Breakfast then became a series of oatmeal, yogurt, and pancakes for the next year. Which, as an aside, I want to tell y'all that college was LIVING. I had time to make pancakes four days a week. Huge stacks with yogurt, almond butter, and every fruit ever. I ate so many pumpkin buckwheat pancakes that my skin turned orange.

So yes, what they are telling you is true.

Anyways smoothie bowls totally changed the game for me. For me to eat a smoothie bowl, it has to be almost like soft serve. Like banana soft serve. If it is too liquid-y, it defeats the whole purpose (cause then the crunchy bits sink to the bottom. Sad face). I almost ALWAYS add a quarter of an avocado to my smoothies. I know what you're thinking: is my smoothie going to taste like guac? Well, unless you add a jalepeno or some lime juice, it won't! Trust me on this. The avocado is so mild you can barely taste it. If it still skeves you out, feel free to substitute half of a frozen banana.

Top this puppy with EVERYTHANG your heart desires. I feel like you cannot go wrong with the toppings, as long as you have a flavor as BALLER as chocolate cherry. Seriously so good you guys. If you've never had frozen cherries in your smoothies, drop everything and run out to grab some frozen cherries. They have them at Trader Joe's, I know for sure. Oh and while you're at it, get some of those chocolate covered cacao nibs. they would be so good on there!

Ok other toppings: I always have to have granola 1) because back in the "low fat" days, I never touched the stuff. I have to make up for lost time. And 2) I love the textural difference. I'm obsessed with peanut butter flavored granolas, because it gets me on that PB&J kick . Ooomph so so good. Crunchy with smooth and creamy. My kind of breakfast. But I'm a texture freak so take that for what you will. 

Cherry Chocolate (and some other fruits) Smoothie Bowl

serves 1
stuff
smoothie bowl:

• 1/3 cup plain greek yogurt (I like 2% or 4% skyr but you do you!)
• 1/2 cup coconut almond milk (or whatever non-dairy milk you have on hand)
• 1/4 avocado (or another 1/2 frozen banana)
• 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder (optional)
• 2-3 mint leaves (optional)
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup frozen cherries
• 1/3 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cacao powder

toppings:

• sliced strawberries
• peanut butter granola
• flaked, unsweetened coconut
• pumpkin seeds
• hemp seeds
• chia seeds
• creamy peanut butter
• cacao nibs
• defrosted blueberries

meanderings
Add smoothie bowl ingredients to a high speed blender. Blend until smooth and thick. Pour mixture into a bowl. If your smoothie doesn't seem that thick, place bowl in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to firm up. Cover with your desired toppings. EAT.

Go on. Treat yo' self.