Mango Chia Smoothie Bowl

 

I do an "Ingredient of the Week" challenge with a group of buddies. Each week, one of us chooses an ingredient and we all have to consume it in some form during the week. Sometimes the ingredients are new to us (I'm looking at you, celeriac). Most of the time, though, it's nothing too exotic. It's really just a fun way for us to include a variety of foods on our tables—to ensure we don't get into a food rut with the same meals, over and over.

Recently, mango—possibly my favorite summer food—was selected one week and chia seeds the following week. I actually eat these both pretty regularly. But for some reason, I rarely put them together. I decided to make a smoothie bowl that highlights the pairing.

Speaking of smoothie bowls, have you entered our Blendtec giveaway yet? Just a couple more days left to enter for your chance to win an amazing, high-powered blender. And then you can make smooth, ice cream-y smoothie bowls like this one! Life is better with a really good blender. And I'm only being slightly hyperbolic with that statement.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup frozen mango chunks
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice (can substitute orange juice)
• 3/4 cup plain kefir or drinkable yogurt
• 1 Tablespoon hemp seeds or hearts
• 2 Tablespoons unsweetened, shredded coconut—some reserved for topping
• 1 Tablespoon chia seeds

Place yogurt, mango, hemp seeds, and coconut in the high-powered blender (or food processor). Blend until smooth. It should be the texture of soft-serve ice cream.

Spoon into a bowl and top with the chia seeds and additional coconut.

This bowl is just a really bright way to start the day. It's also packed with protein, good carbs, probiotics, fiber, omega-3s. Good stuff.

Or try these other smoothie bowls! Almond Joy:

 

Cherry Berry Coconut Almond Smoothie Bowl:

Have you entered the Blendtec giveaway yet? What are you waiting for?