If you cannot make it to Brazil to taste freshly picked acai berries, here is the next best thing. Today I will show you how to build your own acai bowl, or smoothie. Plus a few shopping and acai brand tips. Dive into purple bliss with ah-sigh-eee..

One of my favorite smoothie flavors: Acai. Rich in antioxidants, fiber, omega fatty acids and more - acai is a delicious Amazonian superfood that is known for its chocolate-y berry flavor and deep purple color.

What is an Acai Bowl?

An acai bowl is similar to an acai smoothie because it is a set of frozen fruit (and accent) ingredients blended until thick and frosty. But this acai blend is meant to be served in a bowl and with plenty of fun and delicious toppings on top. Acai bowl blends are meant to be thick and creamy, eaten with a spoon like ice cream. On top: fresh fruit, granola, nuts and more. You will often find acai bowls in tropical regions where the weather calls for frosty-deliciousness as your breakfast of choice. I have had delicious acai bowls in Hawaii and Miami. Have you had a delicious acai bowl somewhere?

About Acai:

- Acai Health Benefits: One 100g serving contains just 60 calories, 3g fiber, 6% RDA iron, 15% RDA vitamin A, 5,800 ORAC units, 4.58mg heart-healthy omega fatty acids, 0g sugar and zero caffeine or gluten. It also contains various minerals, vitamin C and even some calcium.

Buying Acai:

Acai comes in a few forms. Frozen acai smoothie packs, acai juice and acai powder. My favorite way to enjoy acai is via the frozen smoothie packs because you can easily blend up frosty smoothies and creamy purple acai bowls. When choosing acai you can either buy 100% acai or a "blend" product. Below I show three brands and options for frozen smoothie packs...

1. Samzabon: This sweetened acai smoothie pack contains energizing guarana. To taste, the pack is quite sweet, and almost tastes like a popsicle. The acai flavor is a bit less bold due to the added sugar that "waters down" the acai content a bit. The color is a light purple rather than deep purple. Delicious, but a bit less potent than 100% acai packs. Note: The Sambazon brand has a wide variety of delicious acai juices worth trying and testing out as well! I adore the Samzabon brand and buy their products often. They never disappoint. Great company and you can find them in many stores which is even better. They also have an acai powder that is very high quality. Sambazon Products on Amazon.
2. Wonderfruit Acai - Amazon Planet: This 100% wild grown acai is deep purple and super creamy. Delicious option for 100% acai. Amazon Planet Online.
3. Acai Roots: This pure premium acai is 100% wild grown and organic too! Again, 100% acai, unsweetened, nothing added so you get a super deep purple color and rich caco-berry acai flavor. Acai products roots on Amazon
4. Amafruits (New review!) I recently tried this brand and loved it! Very high quality and deep purple color. Another great option for frozen acai freezer packs. Amafruits Pure Acai Berry Packs on Amazon
5. Acai Powder. You can also buy acai powder. This does not provide the bright purple color, but can be a good way to add an accent of acai or boost a smoothie.

I would advise trying the 100% acai products first to truly taste the pure acai flavor and see that deep color. You want your acai to be fresh purple in color - not brownish or too muddy purple.

* My acai pack taste testing. The 100% acai, unsweetened brands (Wonderfruit and Acai Roots) had the deepest purple color and most creamy chocolate-y flavor I love. The sweetened Sambazon pack was a bit lighter in acai flavor and color - and a tad sweeter - still delicious. You can see above the lightest purple chunk of frozen acai is the sweetened version. Deeper purple colors being 100% pure acai.

How-to Build an Acai Bowl:

1. Blend. First blend together two acai smoothie packs, a generous splash of liquid and (optionally) some frozen fruit. I like to add one fresh or frozen banana. Vanilla almond or soy milk tastes delicious as the liquid base of an acai bowl. Or you can try coconut milk for a richer, creamier tropical flavor. Blend the ingredients in a high speed blender until creamy, but still very thick and frosty.

Texture troubleshooting:

Too thin? To prevent a too-thin texture, add the liquid in very small amounts, gradually. Just until the blend starts churning.

Too thick? If you have trouble with a "too thick" blend, simply keep adding liquid slowly until things smooth out. You could also add in vegan yogurt or even a scoop of silken tofu. Taste test the blend before serving. You can add sweetness (if needed) via agave or maple syrup, fruit like bananas or even using a more sweetened non-dairy milk base.

Chocolate spin: Want a super chocolate-y flavor? Blend 1-3 teaspoon cacao powder into your acai blend. Or blend in raw cacao nibs. You could even use a chocolate protein powder if you'd like.

2. Pour. After your acai is thick, frosty and blended, spoon it out into a bowl. Tips: Use a chilled bowl to help keep your acai from melting too quickly! - Or add some frozen fruit to the bottom of the bowl (frozen wild blueberries or frozen organic strawberries perhaps) to prevent quick melting as you eat.

3. Top. Start adding toppings! Nuts, cacao nibs, a splash of coconut milk, coconut shreds, fresh berries, sliced fresh banana, chopped nuts, chia seeds, ground flax seeds or even a spoonful of almond butter. There are so many options for toppings. Choose healthy foods you have on hand and fresh fruits that are in season or have a tropical vibe. Serve right away and eat with a spoon!

Coconut Acai Berry Bowl

Acai Smoothie! You will find plenty of creative acai smoothies in my book. But here is one super simple recipe that I love. I blend this creamy cool treat smoothie up after long workouts for a refreshing, re-fueling, relaxation-filled smoothie break.

Chocolate-y Berry Acai Smoothie
vegan, serves 1-2

1 frozen acai smoothie pack (feeling bold? Add 1 ½ - 2 packs!)
1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
⅓ cup frozen wild blueberries (or blackberries)
1 banana, frozen
½ - 1 cup vanilla almond or soy milk

Blend and serve.

notes:
* Add more liquid for a thinner smoothie, less for a thicker shake-like texture.
* Add a drizzle of agave syrup or another ½ banana for more sweetness.
* Add a scoop of protein powder or sub cacao with chocolate protein powder if desired.

Bowl or smoothie, both options are delicious + healthy.

side note:

5am Wake Up Call. I am feeling super energized this morning even though I got about five hours of sleep last night. All because this morning (6am!) I was given the opportunity to chat with one of my favorite people EVER -> Marilu Henner. On the Marilu Henner radio show. (Have you discovered her show yet? It rocks!)

Marilu's radio show focuses on "life through the prism of health."

Read my Veggie Girl Power interview featuring Marilu!

Inspiration. Marilu's book Total Health Makeover is literally the piece of literature that inspired me the most in my journey towards a plant-based lifestyle. I read it back in high school and was forever changed. Just last night I decided to re-read a few chapters from the book and wow Marilu really nailed some core topics - she was so ahead of her time. If you haven't read THM yet, pick up a copy or download it on your reading device - great book! And her second book Healthy Life Kitchen is great too. In fact, if you can find it, I am even listed in one chapter - the "quote from a college student" is me!

Take some time out today or this weekend for wellness and listen to my fun interview with Marilu. I still get so giddy and starstruck each time I chat with Marilu. It is such a wonderful experience meeting your childhood heroes. And Marilu is just the sweetest lady ever.

Show info. You can find the show archives online (Aug 2, hour 2) MariluShow.com - my segment aired today Aug 2nd. Tweet (@TheRealMarilu) or email Marilu to let her know you enjoyed the show - I know she would love to hear from you!

--> Listen to Kathy's interview with Marilu Henner