Homemade Açaí Bowl

After a couple trips this summer with friends I was finally introduced to the amazing Açaí bowl! Since I haven't come across any places near me that sell these (probably a good thing), I decided to try making my own (definitely a better thing) and they are too awesome not to share! The main ingredient you need to find is the frozen Açaí packets. I found the Sambazon Superfruit Pack (Unsweetened) at my local natural and organic food market. I have also seen these packs at Wegman's and their website lists that they are sold at Whole Food's, Costco, Safeway, and a few other stores. Trader Joe's also sells Unsweetened Organic Açaí Purée Packets, which is another good and unsweetened option. Anyways, once you have that you can blend it with any frozen or unfrozen fruits to get your base. Then, all you need to do is top it with your favorite ingredients! I made my own Rawnola to top this with and provided that recipe below. If you do not feel like making your own Rawnola, here are a few options you can purchase that I have come across:

• Seven Sundays Blueberry Chia Buckwheat Muesli (found this at my local grocery store in the "Natural Food" aisle)
• Steve's PaleoGoods PaleoKrunch Cereal (found this at Whole Food's)
• Paleonola (found this at Whole Food's)
• Bobs Red Mill Cereal Muesli Paleo (I have not seen this in stores, but if you have let me know!)

The first three options listed also have different flavors of mixes too. Anyways, those are just my recommendations! My first couple attempts at the Açaí bowl turned out more like a smoothie, so the ingredients I listed below gave me the best thickness. Another tasty option is to replace the water/coconut milk by blending a juicy fruit first and using that as the liquid to blend with the frozen Açaí  pack and any other frozen fruits you may have. Some good juicy fruits are pineapple, watermelon, oranges, kiwi, papaya, mangoes, and the list goes on. Just thinking about all those fruits makes me want an Açaí bowl. Let me know if you try this out and what ingredient combinations you used! 

Homemade Açaí Bowl
Ingredients:
Açaí mix:

• Sambazon Superfruit Pack (Unsweetened) 
• 1/2 cup Frozen Blueberries
• 1/2 Frozen Banana
• 4 oz Water or Coconut Milk

Toppings:

• 1/2 Cup Rawnola (or however much you want)
• Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
• Any fruit
• Any nut butter
• Honey

Directions:

1. Run Açaí packet under hot water until you can break into pieces.
2. Place those frozen pieces into a blender with frozen blueberries, banana, and water (or whatever liquid you choose). Blend until desired consistency is reached. 
3. Pour blended mix into a bowl. Top with your desired toppings!

Homemade Rawnola:
Ingredients:

• 4 oz Pitted Dates
• 1 1/2 cup of Gluten Free Rolled Oats
• 1/4 cup Shredded Coconut Unsweetened
• 1/4 cup Pumpkin Seeds
• 1/4 cup Hemp Seeds
• 1/2 Tbsp Cacao Powder

Directions:

1. Using your large food processor, add all ingredients.
2. Blend and pulse until desired consistency.
3. Optional: To make it more sticky you can add a small drizzle of maple syrup or honey while pulsing. I did not do this.
4. Store in glass jar in the fridge for 2 weeks.

Note: This made me about 7 servings at 209 calories, 8 grams of Fat, 28 grams of Carbs, and 7 grams of Protein.