There was a time in my life where if you told me to eat a smoothie with a spoon I would’ve thought you were drunk.
“Smoothies are for drinking, moron silly!” I would’ve exclaimed. “You need a straw, not a spoon!”
It took a trip to Hawaii a couple years ago, and the introduction to acai bowls (you may remember the Super Mango Pineapple Acai Bowl and my Cacao Berry Bliss Bowl that were inspired by this trip) to completely change the way I look at smoothies. Now, I would say it’s evenly split between how I consume my smoothies. Sometimes I use a straw, sometimes I use a spoon, and sometimes I use both!
I love scooping up a bite of smoothie with a little crunchy granola and a little bit offresh fruit. It makes the smoothie seem like more of a solid meal to me- one that keeps me energized for hours!
Recently I was grocery shopping and in the freezer section, next to my beloved acai packets, I found frozen pitaya or dragon fruit puree. Seconds later, it was in my shopping cart and I was running to the register. I was about to have a dragon fruit smoothie for lunch! The dragon fruit puree had a milder taste than I’d expected, which means it pairs well with other fruits. It reminded me of a very mild kiwi and it made for a light, delicious, and gorgeously bright pink smoothie. I loved the smoothie so much, I couldn’t wait to make a smoothie bowl for breakfast the next day.
Since I knew Chris and I would be enjoying these bowls after a long run, I added some some Tropical Tango Vega Protein Smoothie Powder (my favorite protein powder for fruity smoothies, by the way) to help replenish some protein, vitamins, and minerals. I also used mango as my base because too much banana makes my blood sugar spike and drop perilously low faster than you can sing “B-A-N-A-N-A-S” (both bowls show bananas on top, but I gave most of mine to Chris post-photo shoot). If you have no problem with bananas, then you can definitely replace the mango with a large banana, if you’d like. Almond milk, kiwi, and some frozen strawberries made up the rest of smoothie. Topped with some granola (I used Lemon Blueberry Granola) and some fresh fruit, this dragon fruit smoothie bowl is the picture of pure bliss. Somebody, grab me a spoon!
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped frozen mango
- 1 cup chopped frozen pineapple
- 1 packet of frozen pitaya (dragon fruit) puree
- 2 handfuls of baby spinach (or other green)
- 1/2 kiwi, peeled
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 scoop Tropical Tango Vega Protein Smoothie Powder
- granola (I used Lemon Blueberry Granola)
- chopped fresh fruit of choice: strawberries, banana, kiwi, mango, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries
Instructions
- Combine the smoothie ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour about 1/4 cup of granola into the serving bowl. Top with the smoothie. Top with more granola and fresh fruit of choice. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Thank you to everyone who entered the NuNaturals Giveaway! Congratulations to the winners, Melissa Atlas, Margaux Mouton, Caitlin Palamara, and Olivia Allman!
Do you prefer to drink your smoothies or eat them with a spoon?
Photography by Chris Miller
One of the recipes I always make from you is the Acai bowl.. I just love it.. this I will have to try as well
definitely a spoon fan! being able to chew the smoothie (or i guess, the toppings) helps me feel full afterward, which i find is kind of a problem when I drink them
I always ate my smoothies with a spoon. Ok that’s a lie. Back when I actually did like smoothies (I know, I was crazy), I drank them with a straw. Then life changed when the spoon was introduced 😉 These look delicious! I’m going to have to keep my eyes peeled for those dragon fruit packs!
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That purple color is ridiculously cool! I usually eat my smoothies out of a glass, but using a spoon. *shrug*
Shannon recently posted…Arugula, Hummus and Olive Tapenade Flatbread & What to Do with White Bean Flour
Same here! I always eat my smoothies with a spoon out of a glass 😀
That magenta color is absolutely stunning!
Ashley recently posted…Spicy Spotlight: Horseshoe Brand
Straw, all the way! I love the convenience of grabbing it whenever I need to run and just inhale the smoothie if I’m in a hurry. But this bowl looks so appetizing, I might just try it that way 🙂
Ana recently posted…Ana’s Split Pea Soup
This smoothie looks gorgeous! Love all the colors and the fruits so neatly lined up on top. That granola sounds so yummy, I’ve been wanting to make it since you posted it! Hopefully I can make this bowl and the granola this weekend!
Anna recently posted…Healthy Vegan Fridays #15
😀 Huzzah! *bounce* I can’t wait for the awesome gift – thank you again!
I’ve been seeing smoothie bowls a lot more recently – this looks delicious – I think it might make a lovely breakfast modification so that I don’t starve of hunger by teatime 🙂
Margaux recently posted…Spinach bean brownies and some vegan escapades
I find it feels more substantial and filling when I use a spoon – it’s the best for me 🙂 I had a fresh dragon fruit when I was younger, and didn’t like it at all. Perhaps now I’m older and wiser (!!!) I need to give it another go 🙂
Emily @ It Comes Naturally Blog recently posted…A week of…kale chips and sandwiches
My smoothies are always so thick that I usually eat them with a spoon – they’re like a really thick milkshake. I’ve noticed these smoothie bowls are getting very popular these days, so I tried one this morning and loved it. Wish I’d had some granola or seed mix to add to it as well.
The Vegan Cookie Fairy recently posted…Vegan In Scotland: Henderson’s Restaurant and Deli Review
What store and what part of town? I have yet scene it in any of the stores I visit. I travel to the small mom/pop health food store, whole foods, tjoes, international market to my local grocery. I guess I will have to purchase online.Thanks
I am loving the idea of a smoothie bowl and the vibrant purple-ness of this beautiful breaky! I genuinely cannot wait to try this smoothie bowl out – it is right up my alley! Pinned 🙂
Ceara @ Ceara’s Kitchen recently posted…Pecan Cashew Butter (vegan, gluten-free)
Wow! This just looks amazing! The photos are so beautiful and colorful. This smoothie bowl is just perfect for summer 🙂
So the pictures were so beautiful and your words were so persuasive that I had to try a smoothie bowl, despite my skepticism.
Holy crap! Soooooo yummy! I have had a smoothie bowl w fruit and granola every day this week!!! (Sometimes more than once a day!)
I also couldn’t find dragonfruit puree (but I also live in the Midwest) but no biggie bc there are so many smoothie/fruit/granola combinations I am excited to try!
My KIDS even love smoothie bowls! How awesome is that?!
Thank you for sharing this!
Such a beautiful color! I remember that trip to Hawaii and it was just when I started to fall in love with your blog (and you!) – such a fun lunch!
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Just curious – where do you find your dragonfruit puree? I’m looking at all kinds of natural markets, whole foods, fred meyers, EVERYWHERE and not finding it 🙁
I find it in the freezer section of my local Whole Foods. I’ve also seen it at many natural food stores. Are you looking in the freezer department? If you are and it’s not there, you can always request for your store to carry it.
Yep, I checked freezer section and they referred me to an employee there who said they’ve never had frozen dragon fruit but they do get a handful of fresh dragon fruit in when it’s in season (and only occasionally). I’m going to check one more store near here and then maybe request WF stock it 🙂 Especially since they’re only 2 miles from me 😀
If made exactly as per the recipe/picture above, How many calories, protein, sugar and carbs per serving? Any idea? Thanks! So damn pretty, I need to make this soon!
Thank you, but I actually don’t have the nutritional information for my recipes. Sorry!
Thanks for the fruit smoothie tip. I just tried dragon fruit the first time. Here are my experiences http://earthlychow.com/enter-the-dragon-fruit
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I love my smoothie and bowls and make them often but I always seem to have the same issue with them. I have an issue getting the smoothie bowl thick, which is the consistency I would like for my bowls, any tips?
I usually use frozen banana but it still seems to not be very thick
I try to use less liquid.
Hello. is this like an acai bowl or just a smoothie bowl. Also on a scale of 1-10 how sweet is it?
An acai bowl is a smoothie bowl but it contains acai. This smoothie bowl does not contain acai. It’s sweet, but not overbearingly so.
haha ! I love this . Seriously you give me something which will give some good taste to my tongue. Really this sounds too good.
This looks delicious! Can’t wait to try the recipe.
Those smoothies look sooo yummy! I never seen one before! I always see those white ones. And ohhh frozen bananas, thanks for this, I learned a new trick. :)
Kristy this looks awesome, these fruits bring the summer vibe, simple and easy to make and healthy as well.