Berry Smoothie Bowl

{This post is created in partnership with Socialstars and Splenda® Brand. I was supplied with Splenda® sweetener products and compensated for my work. All opinions remain my own. #sweetswaps #splendasweeties}

So I ditched refined sugar about four months ago and I’ve been mostly okay. I don’t have a huge sweet tooth, so I figured reducing sweets in my life would be a good challenge, except that I miss them now and then. Some cravings just couldn’t be quieted by celery or even juicy steak. This berry smoothie bowl though does and it does it in the most spectacular way. I am no stranger to smoothies but for the longest time I couldn’t get the whole smoothie bowl craze or, as my good friend put it, “food stylist’s pretties invention”. I agreed with her until I made one for myself…Have you ever tried to drink a thick smoothie through a straw? You need the strength of Hulk to be able to down that thing! Drinking it from a glass also doesn’t work as smoothie attacks you in chunks if it’s semi-frozen. Not a pretty picture. Still I never thought that tipping your delicious smoothie into a bowl would solve the problem but it does exactly that! I can’t believe it took me ages to figure out that smoothies are best eaten with a spoon and topped with a gazzilion toppings like crunchy and fragrant flaked coconut, chia seeds for extra fibre and protein, rolled oats for some chewy texture, fresh fruit for a pop of colour and flavour… and everything else your heart desires!

This berry smoothie was easily the tastiest healthy little treat kids and I’ve had in a while. We enjoyed it as an after school/work snack. After I was finished with my smoothie bowl I couldn’t quite decide if it was a “good for you, super food type of a thing” or a “decadent dessert type of a thing”. Maybe it’s not the point…maybe what’s important is that it’s quick, affordable and NOT packed with sugar! I used one squeeze of new Splenda® Zero™ Liquid Sweetener but you can use more if you like it sweeter! It comes in a small, convenient bottle and works like magic in drinks and smoothies.