Detox Smoothie Bowl: Mango Smoothie and Chia Pudding

Hannah Sunderani
Jan 8, 2018
4 min read

Happy 2018 everyone! I am back from the holidays, and the next few weeks are all about detoxing those sorry sugar cookies and chocolate macaroons out of my blood stream! Needless to say I ate my years worth of desserts over the past two weeks over, and far beyond the recommended daily dose of red wine. But hey, I have no regrets! Because the holidays are all about enjoying, and the new year is all about turning a new leaf and kicking some butt. I am SO ready to bring my heath back into action, with healthy bowls of wellness like this detox chia smoothie bowl. Who's with me?

So let's talk about the big D word for a moment...

(DETOX)

I want to addresssome of the common misconceptions about this terrifying word:

1. DETOXING is hard!

Ya know what? Let's not think of "detoxing" in the negative sense. To me it's a positive thing! Yes it can be a struggle at times, especially in the evening when it's so easy to fall back into bad habits. But step away from the handfuls of chocolate m&m's! And ask yourself, is it really worth it? I think our desire to reach for these late night snacks are more out of habit than anything. So let's make discipline a part of our habit instead. There is something about going to bed knowing your day was healthy and wholesome that makes it all worth it. You'll feel rejuvenated and will LOVE it. And for me, after a few days of fighting the bad snacking habits I start to crave healthy choices again. Packing in fresh greens with extra herbs, superfood powders like ginger and maca, and healthy smoothies with cayenne, makes me feel invigorated and ready to take one whatever the day brings. That deserves a pat on the back. So let's celebrate all the positive things about our detox, instead of the struggles. And I guarantee that healthy eating will become a 2018 habit in no time.

2. You're constantly hungry during a DETOX!

There is no way that just because I'm on a detox I'm going to starve. And this deliciously colourful breakfast bowl proves it. Just look at how plentiful this bowl is! I find another misconception about detoxing as that you're always going to be hungry. That sounds like torture! I enjoy food WAY to much for that, and I'm sure you do too? But healthful eating does not mean going hungry. There are plenty of healthy foods we can pile onto our plates, or into one magnificent bowl. This smoothie bowl is packed with so many of the goods: chia pudding made with creamy homemade almond milk, and a ginger mango smoothie, packed with plant protein, maca powder and citrus. It's like a dessert. And after all, we aren't auditioning for Paris fashion week here. We're detoxing those holiday toxins from our bodies and replacing them with nutrient rich, wholesome foods that will make you glow from the inside out. So feel free and indulge on good foods, because they are in abundance babe.

3. You can only eat steamed greens when you DETOX.

Do you see any steamed greens in here? No! This bowl is rich with bright and beautiful colours! Talk about tasting the rainbow. Actually, I've got a serious aversion to steamed vegetables. You'll rarely find them in my recipes. And it's really because I'm convinced it's why people have negative thoughts towards eating plants. Too often I discover my friends following a "diet" that tells them to eat only steamed broccoli and spinach for the next 8 weeks. Ugh! No wonder they don't like vegetables! I wouldn't like them either if it meant eating wilted watery leaves all day. This goddess bowl is steamed greens free. (Okay, there are times where I like adding in my kale or spinach to smoothies, don't get me wrong, but I always mask the taste with creamy banana or mango.) In fact, in this recipe has some sneaky cauliflower for a little veg boost, but you'd never know. It adds a nice thick and creaminess to the smoothie that pairs so well with the mango you can't even taste it. Detoxing does not need to be bland. It's about combining healthy foods to make them taste their best! So go ahead and taste the rainbow.

With that said I hope your outlook on detoxing is a little bit brighter. And that you will give this detox smoothie bowl a try. I promise it's a delicious detox recipe that will have you glowing as bright as this beautiful bowl. ;)

Detox Smoothie Bowl: Mango Smoothie and Chia Pudding

Makes: 1 | Prep Time: Overnight + 10 mins| Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

3 tbsp chia
1/2 cup (120ml) 10-minute homemade almond milk, plus more if desired (or store bought mylk)
1 tbsp maple syrup (optional), to sweeten
1 tsp Rawnice pink pitaya powder (optional)
1/2 cup frozen mango, chopped
1/2 cup frozen cauliflower
1 scoop (20g) plant-based vanilla protein powder
1 tbsp fresh ginger
1 tbsp maca powder
the juice of 1/2 lemon
splash almond milk, for blending
more frozen mango, for topping
physalis, for topping
1 tsp cocoa bean chips, or carob chips, for topping
1 tsp coconut flakes, for topping

Directions:

Combine chia, oats and homemade almond milk in a bowl. Stir, then wait 10 minutes and stir again to stop clumps from forming. Place in fridge to absorb overnight, or at least for one hour. Optional to add 1 tbsp maple syrup to sweeten if using store bought mylk.
When ready remove chia from fridge and stir to remove any formed clumps. Add more almond milk if desired for preferred pudding consistency.
In a blender add frozen mango, frozen cauliflower, protein powder, ginger, maca powder and lemon juice. Add a splash of almond milk for blending. (The amount of almond milk required will depend on how powerful your blender is. I used about 1/4 cup (60 ml)). Blend ingredients until smooth.
Add both chia pudding and mango smoothie blend to a bowl. Top with more frozen mango. Sprinkle with cocoa bean chips, coconut flakes and serve.

Approvals: