Smoothie Bowls

We love smoothies, but they can be a bit boring. My children love bright colours and food which looks different and fun. You can dress up a smoothie bowl with anything you have in your fridge and pantry. I use a mixture of grains, nuts, seeds and fruit. My kids love a smiley face on top of the brightly coloured base mixture. The trick to the floating face, is to make sure the smoothie is thick. You won't be drinking it through a straw and you don't want the toppings to sink! I like to use frozen bananas to make 'nice cream', which is nice and thick.

A smoothie bowl is typically topped with nuts, seeds and fruit which provide essential nutrients, vitamins and protein. Some people only use fruit and/or protein powder in the smoothie itself. That doesn't keep my kids full for long at all. My favourite tummy filling, protein loaded things to add are:

* soaked oats

* cooked quinoa

* cooked buckwheat

* cooked kumara (sweet potato)

* Cannellini Beans

Mix it up a bit and try something different each time. I don't use plant milk in smoothies, I only use water. This is only because it can be expensive when you use it all the time. Water works just as well and if I want a creamier consistency, I add an avocado.

If you or you children haven't tired spirulina powder before, just try a little bit first and look out for a tummy upset. It isn't recommended for children under 1 yr, so please consult a professional before giving it to your baby.

I hope you have as much fun creating these bowls as I do.

This recipe makes 4 smoothie bowls.

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats, soaked overnight in 1 cup almond milk

2 tsp spirulina powder

4 heaped tsp ground flaxseed

4 bananas or 2 cups frozen blueberries

4 tsp chia seeds

4 tsp sunflower seeds

4 tsp blueberry & apple jam

8 tsp peanut butter

1/4 cup water

Pure maple syrup, optional (I add a tsp to each smoothie to dull the taste of the spirulina powder)

Method:

In the blender add the soaked oats, 2 bananas, spirulina powder, 2 tsp of flaxseed, 1/4 - 1/2 cup water

Blend until smooth

Pour into a bowl and top with your favourite toppings and enjoy!