There used to be the best little hippie cafe on the Lower East Side called Earth Matters (RIP). One of the best things they had was an incredible acai bowl with granola…which for some reason is pretty hard to find around NYC, at least where I now live uptown. So I decided to make my own with homemade coconut vanilla granola and blackberries. And it turned out amazing (if I may say so myself) with crunchy, fragrant granola, chunks of coconut and dark chocolate chips, all mixed in together with cool acai and sweet blackberries. I can imagine being very happy eating this every Sunday morning. 🙂

A note about acai, which has been getting a lot of attention lately as a superfood. It’s loaded with antioxidants, and has ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbence Capacity) of over 3,500–thousands of times higher than common fruits like apples and bananas. Acai also contains Omega-3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, which are essential for normal nervous system function as well as shiny hair and smooth skin!

Coconut Blackberry Vanilla Acai Bowl

One bowl plus much leftover granola

Granola (makes enough for many acai bowls; cool completely then store in air-tight container)

3 cups old fashioned rolled oats (I got Bob’s Red Mill quick cooking kind)

1/4 cup raw organic sugar

2/3 cup water

5 tbsp coconut oil, melted

1/3 cup chopped almonds

1/3 cup raw coconut chunks (or coconut flakes or shavings)

1 tsp natural vanilla extract

pinch salt

Acai

1 pack acai berry puree (found in frozen section; I used Sambazon brand)

1/2 banana

splash non dairy milk of your choice

Toppings

chocolate chips

Blackberries

fresh coconut chunks

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking tray with foil.

2. Mix all dry ingredients for granola in a large bowl. Mix wet ingredients (coconut oil, water, vanilla extract) in a small bowl, then add to the dry ingredients. Combine well, then spread out on the baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, turning once around 15-20 minutes in.

3. Blend acai puree, banana, and milk. Pour into a bowl.

4. To assemble: Top acai blend with about 1/2 cup granola, and sprinkle with chocolate chips and fresh coconut. Add blackberries. Enjoy!!

Also see: Raw Buckwheat Parfait with Maca Chia Pudding

Gluten free Apple Crisp Cookies

Yoga Cookies

Energizing Red Juice

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Photo: Peaceful Dumpling