Berry Basic Smoothie Bowl

Going back to basics today with the Berry Basic Smoothie Bowl. I shared so many smoothies when I started my blog years ago that I thought people would get sick of them. Smoothies turned into smoothie bowls and over the years our love is still going strong and for good reason, they’re good! Smoothie bowls can be backed with so much nutrition, they’re quick and easy, and the best part is they’re so delicious! I remember back to my first smoothie bowl and how thick and creamy it was and how it felt like dessert and like a big bowl of froyo yet it was just a thicker version of a smoothie I’ve had so many times. Not that my smoothies don’t taste like a sweet treat too from time to time.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked for a favorite smoothie or smoothie bowl recipe, don’t have just one sorry. How do I make such thick smoothies, well I’ll tell you just keep reading. What’s the best one for kids or what do your kids like, well they like lots of them but this is a favorite that we all love. I can’t make it I don’t have a Vitamix, you don’t need a Vitamix. I can’t find ingredients or they’re too expensive, don’t worry easy to find affordable ingredients and it can be as simple as you want it to be or as crazy as you want.

Today I’m sharing the Berry Basic Smoothie Bowl. The name says it all, it’s basic! All simple ingredients you can get at your local grocery store and many you might already have in your kitchen. This is an all in one that works for everyone and everyone can customize theirs which leaves the whole family with smiles and happy tummies.

For starters the 5 simple basic ingredients:
1. Coconut milk or non dairy milk of choice
2. Bananas, frozen (This is a great way to use up all those spotty bananas, which should never go to waste! Just peel, cut in half, and place in a bag or container in the freezer.)
3. Berries, frozen (In this case we used blueberries but strawberries are another family favorite. Again you can clean and freeze fresh ones that won’t get eaten or buy frozen)
4. Spinach (Start with spinach as it’s the sweetest green and your kids won’t even taste it. You can play with other greens like kale or mixed greens as you expand and play.)
5. Toppings, and add-ins (Sorry toppings are not optional)

Once you have your basic ingredients you can build from there adding in protein with protein powder, nut butter or powder, or hemp seeds, nutritional supplements, and decide on toppings. This is all up to you and what you like and what you need. I will list out some of our favorite supplements and toppings below as well as tell you what’s in each of our bowls. Now when it comes to add-ins if you are making this for yourself and your kids it’s easy. I double the recipe for my Berry Basic Smoothie Bowl below and pour out some into two bowls for the girls, if they’re really hungry and I’m making it before or after sports or as a breakfast bowl sometimes I make a triple batch as my girls are very active 8 and 13 year olds. Than I will add in my supplements and protein powder. If I’m making a big protein batch or adding chia seeds or something to the whole batch I do that and then keep mine separate if still adding in things like maca that I won’t add to my girls bowls. One Vitamix container, one mess that’s quick to clean up.

For those without a Vitamix. If you have a high-speed blender or even a Magic Bullet you can still make a smoothie bowl. If you have a high-speed blender with a tamper tool you can probably follow the same basic Vitamix instructions. Otherwise the only things you will need to change to make a smoothie bowl is chop up your bananas into chunks no bigger than 1″. Add the liquid to your blender first and than blend in your greens, than berries. Once those are blended add in your chopped bananas in batches. You can do it the other way around I just find that with the softer bananas added after berries I get less chunks. Blend stopping, and shutting off the machine before putting anything in it to stir, as needed to move things around. You may need to add a little more milk if you have too much fruit and your smoothie bowl might not be quit as thick.

Once you have your smoothie bowl that’s simple basic and yet packed with healthy whole food nutrition the fun part… toppings!! Your topping is your opportunity to make this yours, have fun with it! You can put anything you want on it, although I will say that I can’t guarantee it will be delicious if you go totally off the wall with something crazy. You can go with fresh fruits, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, nut butter, coconut, cereals, muesli, granola, cacao nibs, even your favorite bar or a muffin crumbled up. If you’re making it for a dessert you can even go with candies, again it’s up to YOU! You can make a pretty picture with your toppings, just throw them on, again have fun with it and make it YOURS!

There is no right or wrong time to enjoy a smoothie bowl. We like them for breakfast, an afternoon snack, pre or post gymnastics/soccer (or workout for me), or dessert, or in the summer even lunch. Smoothie bowls have no season. While we enjoy them a lot in the summer it was freezing here yesterday and snowing almost all day and yet we had smoothie bowls. They can be a great healthy option but also have gotten a bad rap from time to time. They are like anything you can make them unhealthy and you need to know what you’re eating. We don’t make huge smoothie bowls with all the toppings for snacks. I don’t like to post calories and I don’t count them but this basic recipe with the coconut milk, banana, blueberries, and spinach has under 200 calories. This will vary depending on the milk you use. If you use a full fat coconut/nut milk or a homemade one yes it will have more calories. If you use one of the store brands with under 50 calories per cup you will be under 200 calories for sure. Now when you add protein powders or other add-ins and toppings they all count, nut butters, seeds, cereals, ect. Again if you are watching calories or using this as a snack know your needs. They can be really healthy and packed with nutrition when made right.

Smoothie bowls are meant to be enjoyed, yes it’s fuel for your body but you should enjoy it. We love making them, decorating them, and eating them. I hope that this Berry Basic Smoothie Bowl, as basic as it is makes you smile! If you do make it we’d love to see your creation, and hear what your favorite combo is, be sure to tag Miss Whisk/ A Whisk and Two Wands on social media!

Berry Basic Smoothie Bowl
Makes 1-2 servings (I make a double batch for me and my two girls, triple if wanting larger portions)
1c coconut or non dairy milk of choice
1/2c frozen blueberries, or frozen berries of choice
1/2 medium to large banana, frozen
big handful of spinach, fresh or frozen (frozen will help make it thicker)

Optional Add-Ins:
Protein powder (We use Vega, plant-based protein, there are many options all gluten free and vegan.)
Hemp seeds
Chia seeds
Flax seed
Supplements and superfoods such as maca (I use Navitas Naturals Gelatinized Maca), wheat grass, spirulina, acai, superfood blends, ect

Toppings:
Fresh fruit
Dried fruit
Nuts
Seeds
Coconut
Cereals, muesli, granola
Bars, crumbled or cut up (such as Go Macro, Vega, Square Organics, Lara Bar, or your favorite on the go bar)
Homemade power balls or bars
Cacao nibs, chopped chocolate, chocolate chips
Nut butter or coconut butter
Bee Pollen
Honey

*I’ve noted under each photo the toppings and add-ins used in our bowls.

Directions can be found in the post where I have tips but basic instructions are add milk, berries, banana, and spinach to your Vitamix, or high-speed blender, and blend until smooth. Add in optional add-ins such as protein powder, nut butter, hemp seeds, and or supplements you want and blend smooth. Adjust as needed to suit your tastes adding a little more fruit if you want it thicker or more milk if you still have chunks. Pour, or if you’re like us spoon, it into a bowl and add toppings as desired. Enjoy!
A great things start with something simple. Berry Basic Smoothie Bowl #FitFluential #healthy Share on X
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