I’m excited to share my 4 secrets to Instagram-worthy smoothie bowls so that you can create a beautiful, delicious and healthy smoothie every time.
Want to know something kind of crazy? Until about a year ago I didn’t really like smoothies. You might be thinking to yourself, “bull sheeeet Georgie, all you do is post recipes and Instagrams of smoothies” which, yes is 100% true, I do post a lot of smoothie recipes. Buuut my smoothie love really didn’t start until last summer. *gasp*
In the past, my beef with smoothies was this: I associated smoothies with places like Jamba Juice and Smoothie King where you basically get a bucket of sugar to suck through a straw that left you hungry and frozen inside. Let’s be real, I like to eat. I didn’t want to waste my sugar or calories on a giant sub-par juice.
The smoothie game has changed since then. Now I look at smoothies as a flavorful nutrition vehicle, packing in protein, vitamins, complex carbs and healthy fats. Plus, when you make your own smoothies you have total control over the texture, flavor and ingredients, so you can make them exactly how you want. But if you’re new to the blending game, it’s easy to come out with an icy, chunky, funky mess… trust me, I’ve been there.
I want to help you smooth over (see what I did there) all those issues and show you how I make an Insta-Perfect smoothie bowl with these 4 secrets.
Secret 1: Use a Food Processor
I get asked a lot how I get my smoothies so thick (I totally just chuckled writing that). My trick? I use frozen fruit and a food processor. (This is the one I have*) For most of my smoothies I’ll use 1 frozen banana, 1 1/2 cups of frozen fruit, a handful of spinach and scoop of protein powder then pour less than a 1/2 cup of almond milk (all in that order) and blend. It’s pretty magical guys. I let it blend for about a minute to really get that smooth texture, wiping down the edges if needed.
Secret 2: Frozen Bananas
Frozen bananas are magic. I don’t know, they just are. If you haven’t tried blending them in a food processor plain to make “nice cream” go for it. The texture is just awesome. They also add a mellow sweetness that balances the greens and more powerful fruits. If you absolutely hate bananas, soaked pitted dates are a pretty close second. If I’m feelin’ *fancy* I’ll use both.
Secret 3: Find a Protein Powder You Love
If you’re looking to add protein to your smoothie, a high quality protein powder can be a great addition but only if you love it. Most protein powders have pretty distinctive tastes and can make or break the whole smoothie. The wrong protein powder can totally ruin your smoothie. To find the one you love without investing in a giant tub first, go to a Whole Food’s or health food store and buy a couple of the single serve packets.
I personally use and love plant the based protein powders, VegaOne* and KaChava Tribe.
Secret 4: Toppings. Toppings. Toppings.
Finally, probably one of my favorite parts of the smoothie bowl is the toppings. Toppings add a whole other texture dimension to the smoothie experience and are probably the reason I enjoy smoothie bowls so much. This is where you can really get creative and have fun making a beautiful AND delicious creation.
Topping Ideas
- Granola, I used Nature’s Path
- Nut Butter
- Fresh Fruit
- Hemp Seeds
- Goji Berries
- Chia Seeds
- Coconut Flakes
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Sunflower Seeds
- Almond Slivers
- Whatever the heck your heart desires
Bonus: For snapping the pic
- Lighting is everything! Take your Insta in bright, natural light.
- Try a couple angles, from the side, overhead, close up.
- When in doubt keep it simple and let the smoothie shine.
- Use a clear, wooden or white bowl to help bring out the beautiful colors and textures from your creation.
Don’t spend another dime on expensive smoothies, download your free Smooth-E-Book with 10 of my best smoothie recipes so you can put your new skills to the test