I noticed that most food bloggers start their acai bowl stories with, "When I was in ___, I saw acai bowls being sold everywhere and I knew what I was making next."

I wish I could start this food post with similar words, but unfortunately as a gal living in suburban Maryland in the middle of not a beach, I have yet to see a shop selling acai bowls on its menu. But, the closest acai creation I've tried was an acai drink by Sambazon and all I have to say... Berry, BERRY delicious. The flavor is quite complex; I would say that it's a complicated mix of a cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry morphed into a new berry breed. As a berry exclusively grown in Brazil and Peru, it’s very rich in antioxidants, fiber and minerals, omega fatty acids, and many more. Oh, and did I mention that it's considered the world's best superfood?! Health enthusiasts go wild over this, mixing more even more natural ingredients with the fruit to create the ultimate smoothie bowl. Seriously, if only acai products weren't so dang expensive, I would probably be incorporating acai into all my plant-based recipes.

Although the drink certainly exceeded my acai expectations, I did still have the urge to try the real deal. My little heart went out to buy Terrasoul's acai powder, some organic granola, strawberries, blackberries, bananas, kiwis, and coconut. After some experimentation in the kitchen, this monster of a bowl was born.

The process is very similar to the common thick smoothie-making process. You mix all your ingredients in a blender, but you're pouring it into a bowl instead of the usual cup or mason jar. Everything was made in about 10 minutes, and the final product was so refreshing and satisfying – the acai flavor bursts through the other fruit flavors, and the wonderful crunch from the granola and coconut complements the tart fruits in every bite. I also thought it would be fun to bring chia seeds into the picture for an extra boost! This blackberry acai bowl could definitely make a fine shake for a morning meal or a little afternoon pick-me-up.

Although it's a traditional dish eaten on the beaches of Brazil, acai bowls are definitely gaining popularity worldwide, and for a good reason! This is a delicious and easy way to start your day with clean energy and the best part is that you can make it completely your own – depending on what you have available. Feel free to add more ingredients into this recipe if you want more of a “meal” such as rolled oats, avocado, more bananas, a favorite protein powder, hemp seeds, etc. Experiment around and see what kind of acai-amazing combinations you come up with and be sure to share with me in the comments!

Recipe