Gold & Blue Game Day Smoothie Bowl
The start of spring is days away and March Madness is upon us, so what better way to get ready for warmer weather and tip off than with an antioxidant-packed smoothie bowl with a tropical twist.
Just four main ingredients, and a dash of Mountaineer pride, are needed to make this Gold & Blue Game Day Smoothie Bowl.
Gold & Blue Game Day Smoothie Bowl
I bet you’re wondering what makes this smoothie bowl SO blue. The secret ingredient is: Spirulina.
If you’ve never heard of this superfood, spirulina is a type of cyanobacteria, commonly referred to as blue-green algae. It is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. Just a teaspoon contains protein, multiple B vitamins, iron, potassium and magnesium. In addition to its high nutritional value, spirulina has been shown to improve energy levels, boost the immune system and protect your cells from chronic inflammation, which can lead to cancer and other diseases.
Spirulina naturally has a bright blue or blue-green color. It’s basically nature’s food coloring. You should be able to find it at your local health food store.
Spirulina can normally be found at your local health food store.
Now that you know all about our secret blue ingredient, spirulina, you’ll also need these ingredients:
Coconut meat from 1 young Thai coconut
1 banana (fresh or frozen)
1 cup mango (fresh or frozen)
How to make: First, open one young Thai coconut and empty the coconut water into a separate cup or bowl and set aside. Then, scoop out the coconut meat inside using a spoon and toss in the blender. Next, add a cup of frozen mango and one frozen banana. Finally, add 1 teaspoon of blue spirulina and blend until smooth. Pour into a bowl, add some toppings, grab a spoon and enjoy!
*Tip: Using frozen mango and banana will create a thicker texture, similar to the consistency of ice cream, which holds up better for a smoothie bowl rather than a smoothie you would drink. However, if your frozen ingredients are having a tough time blending, add a splash of the coconut water you set aside to help blend them together.
Now, if you’ve never opened a young Thai coconut, check out the video below. Essentially, you use a knife to remove the top layer of the exterior shell, revealing the actual husk of the coconut inside. Then, using the base of your knife, create a round opening to pry open the lid of the coconut. As an extra bonus, enjoy the refreshing coconut water inside, which is super hydrating, delicious and nutritious.
If you can’t find coconuts at your local grocery store, or don’t want to pretend like you’re trying to survive on a deserted island in your own kitchen, you can substitute the coconut meat and water in your smoothie bowl with a splash of plain, unsweetened almond milk or your preferred plant-based milk of choice.
Once you’ve poured your smoothie base into a bowl, add some ‘gold and blue’ toppings like fresh banana and mango and frozen blueberries. Some other good toppings on any smoothie bowl that can add to its nutritional value and your enjoyment are: hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, granola, goji berries, cacao nibs, extra fresh or frozen fruit and even nut butters.
Share your Gold & Blue Game Day Smoothie Bowl using the hashtag #MountaineerMedia and let us know what you think! Go ‘Eers!
