Easy Pineapple Acai Bowl [made with ALL frozen fruit]

This Acai bowl requires NO FRESH fruit…yet it tastes fresh and it still healthy! So it is the busy person’s dream. Just add frozen fruit + unsweetened vanilla Almond milk + granola + more frozen fruit.

We lived in Southern California for long enough for us to enjoy AND spend all of our souvenir money on what’s known as the Bonzai Bowl.

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We would get them on our way to the beach, or on our way home from the beach, on our way to the store, or on a random tuesday. We THOROUGHLY enojoyed them and definitely did not waste time in getting our fill.

And yet, everytime we go back….there are never enough days for the Acai Bowl. Dang it. Even if we get one EVERY DAY there are never enough days.

Now we are states away from the OG Bonzai bowl in California….living New York City, and we need a substitute. And I’ll be honest, no matter how exact I measure or how perfecly I think the Bonzai bowl is, it just never is up to par. HOWEVER, it’s darn close and it will most definitely quench our Bonzai desire here on the island of New York.

WHATS IN THE BOWL:

• Frozen Acai Packets – we like the Sambazoan Brand but the TJ’s brand is very comparable.
  • IMPORTANT!! Be sure to check the back of the packet for “NO ADDED SUGAR” the word “cane sugar” should be no where to be found on the back under ingredient list. That’s the one to get! You will be making it sweet enough with the fruit you add to it. You don’t need any extra sugar!
• Frozen Mixed Berries. – any combination works! Our favorite is the Mixed berries back. Like the blackberries + strawberries + blueberries + raspberries. But, any mixture will work!
• Frozen Banana – easy enough. I break them in half prior to freezing them because then they are ready to use in a smoothie and I don’t have to risk chopping a finger off when trying to cut a frozen banana.
• Frozen pineapple – you can JUST use the Frozen Mixed berry but it’s fun sometimes to switch it up with another Fruit. How I choose? I choose by using whatever is in my freezer! Mango….more strawberries….pineapple….etc.
• Unsweetened Almond milk – either the Vanilla or Original work fine! You can also use hemp milk, or coconut milk, or cashew milk, or even regular cow’s milk if that’s what you have.
• Spinach – You can’t really taste the spinach. I add it because why not! Why. not add a little extra Iron and green veggies to you meal if it doesn’t change the taste but adds nutritional value?!

SECRETS:

• There are SECRETS that we have learned over the years…other than the Blendtec blender is really the only one that blends it well. AND it is what they use too!

#1: DON’T PUT TOO MUCH LIQUID

-this is a common mistake of the newbies. But i’m warning you…that is the first mistake!! Then it becomes a smoothie and NOT a bowl! Start by using less than you think and go up from there! Also, it is normal to have to turn off the blender and stir with a wooden spoon or spoon and then blend again. It’s unfortunate, but that is the price you pay for a good thick bowl.

#2: DON’T PUT ANY ICE

– Also may be a common mistake of the newbies. What makes an Acai Bowl an Acai bowl is that there is no extra water content! The frozen fruit makes it frozen. No need to add ice cubes! If you do, it may become more like a smoothie. You have been warned.

#3: DON’T FORGET THE BANANA

– My mom is guilty of this. She doesn’t love bananas so she has left it out. Unfortunately, if you leave the banana out it will just be ICEY. The sugar content in the banana is what makes it smooth and creamy. So, if your bowl is a bit icey, cut off a little more banana and blend it again! But don’t leave it out! And mom, you can barely taste the banana flavor!

#4: PUT IN THE FREEZER UNLESS SERVING IMMEDIATELY!

-No one likes a soupy bonzai bowl. May I politely suggest that you put your bowl in the freezer IMMEDIATELY after dishing up into your bowl to prevent soupiness. Your eaters will appreciate it!

#5: BE CREATIVE!

-There are a myriad of optional ingredients you can substitute!

MILKS= any milk will do….hemp milk, cashew milk, almond milk, oat milk, cow’s milk, coconut milk, chocolate versions of any

FROZEN FRUITS = frozen mango, strawberries, raspberries, pineapple, blueberries, work the best.

TOPPINGS to go with the GRANOLA= unsweetened coconut, cocoa nibs, peanut butter, almond butter, fresh strawberries, goji berries, bananas, kiwi, mango, pineapple, blueberries, raspberries….ANY fresh fruit or frozen fruit will taste delicious! Some people put granola on the bottom AND the top. I only put it on the top. And of course, homemade works best~

OUR other FAVORITE COMBINATIONS:

Coconut Maui– Coconut milk + Frozen Mango + Frozen Berries + Acai pack + Banana ….topped homemade granola with Unsweetened coconut flakes + mango + and berries on hand.

Blueberry peanut butter – Unsweetened Almond milk + Frozen Blueberries + Frozen Berries + Acai Pack + banana + scoop of peanut butter//////topped with homemade granola and any fresh or frozen fruit!

Healthy Acai with Spinach – Unsweetened almond milk/coconut milk + Acai pack + Frozen strawberries + Frozen Berries + banana/////topped with homemade granola + blueberries [fresh or frozen] + banana

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