Summer Smoothie Bowls – Self Care for Mom

I’m a mom. You know what that means? It means somewhere along the way I have stopped putting myself first. It happens. I feel like it happens to anyone who starts chasing after tiny feet. We are more consumed with the health and wellness than ours. That is the definition of MOM.

But this mom is running on empty a good deal these days. That’s why I said this summer was the summer of self care. It’s something I’ve been desperately needing.

Now a lot of people consider self care going to get their nails done, or maybe a haircut… even a day at the spa. ALl of those are wonderful things, but I wanted to focus more inward.

I have paused a lot of what I would normally do and ask What do I need? What does my body need? How can I help myself? I’ve been hearing so much more about Gut Health than I ever have before. I’m also seeing people use fresh fruits and veggies to help with gut health and energy. After reading more about Country Life’s Gut Health I knew it was something I wanted to use this summer to try and gain my energy back. I need to keep up with my two balls of energy.

Along with Country Life’s Gut Health I’ve been trying smoothie bowls for breakfast or a snack instead of some of the other unhealthier options that are my go to. I will say on most days I am happy with this switch. Like how I said most days? I mean a smootie bowl will never replace ice cream. Don’t let anyone try to tell you it will.

Smoothie Bowl #1: Dragonfruit Berry

I grabbed this bag of frozen Dragon Fruit at CostCo and it was an easy addition for my first bowl. Dragon Fruit makes it sound much sexier than any of the normal fruit I would normally buy.

If you are just starting out making a smoothie bowl start adding any fruits you have or that you like.

2 frozen bananas, cut up

1 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk

1.5 cups of the frozen dragon fruit mix

That’s it. Blend and add more or less depending on what you prefer. Cut up fresh fruit or berries on top.

I added a side of Chocolate Dried Cherries from Trader Joe’s and it was a perfect addition.

Random fact: I had my gallbladder removed 7 years ago and everything in my tummy and eating changed. That is why I am so focused on figuring out my gut health. Gut Connection by Country Life contains a whole food fermentate prebiotic that feeds the existing probiotics in your gut. This whole food fermentate prebiotic is balanced with clinically researched ingredients for your overall health. What’s great is that Country Life is probiotic free so you can take it right along with your favorite probiotic each morning if you like.

I’ve loved adding it to my daily routine and know that small changes like that make a big difference overall. It all adds up.

If you are reading this post in June of 2019 I have a giveaway on my social channels for you to give it a try yourself – click here for your chance to win. Closes on June 28th, 2019.

Or to find Gut Connection by Country Life in your area, visit countrylifevitamins.com/where-to-buy for the full list of locations.

Did you know an unbalanced gut microbiome is a major problem that may lead to bloating, digestive discomfort, and irregular bowel movements. Yeah… poop talk.

Smoothie Bowl #2: Peanut Butter Banana Acai

See how I felt a little more bold in my ingredients? It wasn’t just a few, but it was still just as easy. This time I wanted to add a bit more protein so used 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder. I couldn’t even taste it. I might add a full scoop next time.

I do love these individual acai bags. I found these at Target, but I think they are in most grocery stores now.

2 frozen bananas

1 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1 scoop peanut butter

1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder

1 cup of frozen blueberries and strawberries

1 packet of acai

I discovered that I need some sort of crunch in mine too, so I grabbed granola along with a bunch of different trail mixes to add in. My little one loves them too. I loved that as I was snapping pictures he was grabbing some craisins.