(these photos were taken by the lovely Megumi who has her own food/fashion/photographer blog! Check her out!)

So…. it is 3:44 a.m. and I just can’t fall back asleep! This seems to be a ‘trait of inheritance’ because every time I am excited about something, I work on little to no sleep just like my old man. Or it may be that spring is here and it is a million degrees in my little place here in the tropics!  I had a fan.. but I put it outside to clean yesterday, and a sweet Tongan lady stopped and asked if she could have it, and for some reason I said, ‘Oh ya,  sure, take it!’ I don’t think I thought that one through, but hey that must mean some good Karma is coming my way- right? Anyway, dead winds in Hawaii can make for some hot sleepless nights, so I best be getting me a fan by tonight!

Whatever the reason for my early rise, I am up and full of energy which I am sure  will be fizzling out around 7 a.m. when my son wakes up.

So let 3:44 a.m. be the inspiration for today’s recipe- The Acai Bowl also known as The Original Rio Bowl.

If you have never heard of an Acai bowl you are in for a treat. It is a thick smoothie served in a bowl made with a South American powerhouse of a berry that is packed with all sorts of nutrients, antioxidants, proteins, fiber, phytosterols, omega 3s and amino acids making it onto the list of the worlds top “superfoods”.  The bowl is topped with sliced banana, granola and a drizzle of honey. It is amazing and wonderfully addicting!

This little purple berry is bound to fix any energy fizzle you may be experiencing. Take it from me, or ask any other person in Hawaii, Acai Bowls are where its at. There are shacks all along the North Shore  serving the Rio with quite a few variations. It is a very popular item for surfers and  anyone else who is looking for something delicious and nutritious. Eaten for breakfast or as a snack, pre or post workout, this is an amazing powerhouse of a dish for the whole family.

I will make sure to take some photos and post the next time I visit a smoothie shack on the North Shore so if you are ever here you know where to go!  Tawny, what are you doing this afternoon??

Recipe: Authentic Rio Bowl

 Ingredients

• 2 packs Sambazon Original Açaí
• 1organic banana (frozen if you have- adds lots of body)
• splash of apple juice or soy milk
• sweeten taste with honey or agave
• top with organic sliced bananas and granola ( I like the chunky kind you can buy in bulk at many health food stores such as WholeFoods or in Hawaii at Down To Earth).
• Drizzle the top with honey

Instructions:

Break up the two packs of Acai to fit in your blender, add frozen banana and a splash of juice or milk. Add just enough liquid so your blender will work. The thicker you can make this the better. Sweeten to desired taste. I like as is.

Once blended pour into a bowl and top with fresh banana, granola and drizzle with honey.

Suggestions: I like putting granola on the bottom and the top just to make sure I don’t run out!

Because I am gluten intolerant, I use gluten free granola or break up a gluten free muffin or gluten free banana bread (whatever I have around) and use that to top it off.

This can also be eaten as a smoothie and mixed with other fruit (I like to freeze mine or buy frozen). My favorite combo besides using frozen banana is blueberries, pineapple or strawberries. Top with any fruit you would like!

Freezing Bananas: Peel and chop into bit size and store in zip lock bag for easy use!

Zambazon products can be found at Foodland in Hawaii now.  It is sold in most health food stores across America and Canada (that I know of).

One more thing.. I buy the Orginal Smoothie Packet  because the unsweetened is a little bitter making it a little more difficult to work with.

And one more thing!  Sometimes I cut the naturally sweetened packet in half and give it to my son as a Popsicle. Messy? Potentially Yes! Healthy Snack? Completely. Anything that I can get into his mouth that is healthy I will take any day of the week!

Here are a few alternatives to the Original Rio Bowl!

Ingredients The Zen Bowl

• 2 packs Sambazon Pure Unsweetened Açaí
• 1 ounce coconut water
• 1 tsp Agave (or sweeten to taste)
• 1 banana
• Raw nuts & dried fruit (optional)

Ingredients Yogi Bowl

• 2 packs Sambazon Pure Unsweetened Açaí
• 1 table spoon of flax seed oil
• 1 table spoon of Amazing Grass Superfood Powder
• splash of soy milk
• Organic Hemp Granola (optional)

ingredients Acai Parfait

• 1 pack Sambazon Original Açaí
• 1 organic banana
• 3oz of plain yogurt
• splash of soy milk
• top with organic mixed berries and granola