You know you’re in the zone when it’s time for a cheat meal, but you just can’t bring yourself to eat any junk. This is a great place to be, but if you’re not careful, you could burn out and crash by eating enough crap in one weekend to scuttle months of hard work. This dessert will scratch the same itch as a cup of froyo – but it’s a nutritional powerhouse that eliminates a bunch of stuff you don’t need like processed sugar and dairy.
Harness the Power of Purple
Acai (ah-SIGH’-ee) bowls are made of frozen fruit with the main ingredient being a South American berry that has a rich purple color and packs antioxidants and omega fatty acids that help facilitate your gym gains. And though they might not be on your regular grocery list, acai berries aren’t hard to find. The berry’s antioxidant content far surpasses that of most fruit, which makes it excellent at fighting free radicals to help keep your body functioning at its peak level. Acai berries are also a great source of essential fatty acids that help reduce inflammation and fatigue as well as improve mood and memory. It’s almost like they know exactly what you need if you’re on an intense training program. This fruit is also high in fiber, so it will make you feel full as it helps regulate your blood sugar levels – a must if you’re trying to lean out.
The Recipe
So now that you know the power of the little purple berry, let’s use it to make something delicious. Acai bowls are made up of an assortment of frozen fruits topped with granola and fresh fruit slices. In a blender, add coconut water, acai packet and all frozen fruit. Blend until desired consistency. It should be on the thick side. Pour mixture into a bowl, and top with fresh fruit and granola. At this point, taste and see if you want to a add a drizzle of honey on top. You can also add a drizzle of honey for a bit of extra sweetness.
Ingredients
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 packet of frozen acai (can be found at grocery stores that specialize in whole and natural foods)
1/4 cup of coconut water (less or more depending on how thick you want your base)
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup granola (as much or as little as you like)
