Acai Bowls

My husband and I were recently in San Diego and we absolutely fell in love with acai bowls. If you love yogurt parfaits topped with fresh fruit and granola, well then...this recipe is right up your alley!

The acai berry is a Brazilian berry packed with tons of antioxidants, amino acids, and omega fatty acids. You cannot get it fresh here, so your best bet is to locate the frozen smoothie version(by Sambazon)in your healthy frozen foods aisle.

Ingredients for 1 serving:

1 packet of frozen acai berries
1/2 of a banana
1-2 Tbsp. of apple juice(add more as needed)
6 frozen grapes(optional)
1/4 cup of frozen blueberries(optional)

For the toppings:

granola
fresh fruit
honey or agave nectar
coconut flakes
crushed peanuts/walnuts

Instructions: Throw all of the ingredients into your blender and puree until smooth. Only add enough apple juice to get your motor running. Pour it into a small bowl and top with granola, fresh fruit, honey and coconut flakes.

NOTES: For the full health benefits of the acai berry, I would recommend only adding a little bit of apple juice and then omitting everything else. Also, don't use granola with dried fruit in it. The texture doesn't fit in well with the acai bowls.

Apple puff pastry

Are you a mom who works full time, has 4 kids running around your house(one holding scissors) and is dying for something just a little bit sweeter in your life while not having the time?? Look no further, cause your solution is right here!! This is such an easy and delicious dessert using the frozen puff pastry that can be found in most grocery stores. All you need is some honey, honey and whipped cream for the topping and you're all set!!

You will need:

1 sheet of frozen puff pastry(thaw according to directions on package) -this will make 4 apple pastries

1 golden delicious apple thinly sliced or chopped(it's delicious w/ a bosc pear too)

some melted butter

cinnamon

brown sugar

honey

fresh whipped cream(or store bought)

powdered sugar

Preheat Oven to 400 degrees

Thinly slice your peeled apple and set aside.

Place your thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Add a small amount of flour onto your puff pastry and rolling pin and gently roll out most of the cracks while slightly expanding the dough. Work quickly cause the longer you work the dough the tougher it may become.

Take a pizza slicer and cut into 4 large equal squares.

Put some melted butter on each square to give the brown sugar something to stick to. Take a fork and gently prick all over the dough.

Sprinkle on some brown sugar and cinnamon.

Place your apple slices in the middle of each square. I do two stacks but you can add more if you please. The more slices you add, the longer it will take to bake. Brush some melted butter on the apple slices and fold over each corner of the puff pastry over the apples and take some more butter to seal.

Place pastries on a piece of parchment paper over a baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Place on platter or serving dish and drizzle on some honey while it's hot. Put some freshly whipped cream on each pastry(or store bought) and finish it off with a dusting of powdered sugar. YUMMY!!

Watch my tutorial and see how easy this recipe is!!