Chasing the sun with my work means that, for the most part, I am spared of those brisk winter mornings and the need for a hot, soul nourishing breakfast to kickstart my day.

Instead, it’s almost the opposite. I make myself a coffee and leave it for a good half hour before I even take a sip, usually unintentionally but it’s just the way it happens these days. I potter around with a few little bits and then like to take a few minutes of calm to take in where I am, let my day begin through finding peace in my thoughts and ground myself for the day ahead.

By the time I’ve got to my now lukewarm coffee, the chances are high that my stomach is starting to talk to me.

It’s a five minute fix, but (in my humble opinion) it’s the best start to a day, and it’s my favourite kind of breakfast.

What is it?

The smoothie bowl.

I’m terrible at sticking to exact recipes and I very rarely measure anything, but when making this it’s all about the taste and texture you’re after so it doesn’t necessarily matter exactly how much of everything you put in.

But since I start almost every day with one of these bad boys, I thought what better way to start my blog than sharing my smoothie bowl recipe.

You will need 5 minutes & a bender.

Serves 1.

For the base:

• 1 Frozen Banana (peeled and cut into slices or chunks)
• 1 large handful of Frozen Berries (either a mixture or your pick your favourite: raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries)
• Unsweetened Almond Milk (sub any other plant-based milk of choice)

Toppings:

• Chia Seeds
• Hemp Seeds
• Desiccated Coconut
• Peanut Butter
• Goji Berries
• Dried Mulberries

Add the banana and berries to a blender and just enough milk to cover the fruit. Pulse until it starts to combine and then blitz on high speed for a minute or so until it comes together.

You may need to add more milk if it isn’t catching, but do this slowly as the amount of liquid that goes in is the difference between being able to pour it into a bowl and enjoy all of your toppings with it and it going into a glass and drinking a regular smoothie – but that’s boring.

Once it’s come together and there’s no lumps left, blitz for another 30 seconds and then pour into a bowl.

It will be “gloopy” and may all just plop into the bowl at once.

Flatten it down with the back of a spoon to make the top smooth and go crazy with your toppings. I mix up the quantities, but about a tablespoon of each of the seeds and coconut, a teaspoon of each dried berry and a heaped teaspoon of peanut butter.

I’ve listed my favourite combination, but there are no limits.

Try adding some pumpkin seeds for a nice crunch or mix some raw cacao powder into the base mix for a chocolate flavored smoothie bowl.

Cut up some fresh fruit and use that as a topping, maybe some crunchy granola to make it even heartier or switch it up and blend the base with the peanut butter to make it creamier instead of adding a dollop on top.

This is just my guide and for me it works, it fills me up for the whole morning, but some days I’m extra hungry so will add a spoonful of coconut yoghurt, some homemade nutty granola or another half banana on top.

Mix it up and find your favourite combination, but make sure you share with me your creations!

Best enjoyed with a side of sunshine or at least dreams of tropical vibes.

Enjoy and have a beautiful day.

L,

xo