I remember being introduced to a healthy dessert treat at my first IBJJF tournament 3 years ago called an Acai bowl or if you frequent Jamba Juice in the US it’s called an Acai Berry Topper. It’s very popular in Brazil and among Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters. Acai is very healthy and considered to be one of the most powerful antioxidants. Some describe the flavor as little like chocolate. When combined with other friuts makes it a dessert to die for. I always make it a mission to hit the Sambazon Acai stand at every IBJJF tourney as soon as my matches for the day are finished. Many of my fellow Brazilian Jiu Jitsu friends were interested in the recipe for this guilt free treat.
Here is my recipe. I have tried to mimick the Jamba Juice recipe as close as possible. So the next time you reach for that ice cream sandwich try making an acai topper in place it. Hope you enjoy it!
Ingredients:
1 Whole Banana
1/2 Cup of Blueberries
1/2 Cup of Frozen Mangoes
1/3 Cup of Zola Acai Juice
– Put ingredients into a blender. Blend until texture is smooth. If you like the consistency to be a little thicker than add a little more frozen blueberries and re-blend.
– Pour mixture into a small bowl. Sprinkle granola on top. I like to use hazel hemp granola from Whole Foods.
Optional Ingredients:
You can cut fresh bannanas to add to the top of the granola. You can also blend in a one frozen bar of Sambazon Acai Berry pulp if you would like a stronger acai taste.
Where To Buy The Ingredients:
– Dole frozen blueberries and mangoes from Costco. I found the blueberries from the other supermarkets leave the stems in their frozen blueberries. I like ruffage but not that much.
– Zola Acai juice can be purchased at any Costco or supermarket in the produce section.
– Hazel Nut Hemp granola by Granola King at Whole Foods.
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Raz Chan is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor under 3rd degree Jean Jacques Machado black belt Todd Nathanson and Fascial Stretch Therapist. You can visit his blog at www.jiujitsuguru.com
