How To Make A Smoothie Bowl

Does your new coworker keep trying to eat your fake plants while begging for a belly rub? Does your other new coworker leave the last bit of oat milk in the fridge claiming “I wanted to save some for you!” You want to complain to HR, except now you’re HR, Facilities, Operations, and Reception all at once.

Sounds like working from home has you a little stressed. The trick to a balanced and productive work day is taking time away from your tasks. Research from a time-tracking app shows that the ideal combination is 52 minutes of intense work and 17 minute breaks. We along with Dropbox, want to remind you to step away and we have a few ideas on how to do that so you come back refreshed and refueled.

Dropbox has always led the way on working remotely. As experts in making the most of your time, they’ve teamed up with a few of The Infatuation’s favorite restaurants across the country on a few quick recipes to help you optimize your breaks. In 17 minutes you can whip up a delicious bite that’ll nourish your body along with a quick wellness tip to refresh the mind,

Next time you find yourself ready to lose it over an empty coffee cup, stop and make yourself a bite to eat. Try this Buddha Blu Smoothie Bowl from Sol Sips in Brooklyn. Their mission is to give back to the community in addition to whipping up delicious drinks and food. In less than 17 minutes, you’ll create a meal as healthful as it is tasty, thanks to the addition of calming lavender flowers and hearty granola.

Buddha Blu Smoothie Bowl

You’ll Need:

Makes 1 Smoothie Bowl

For the smoothie bowl:

• ½ cup frozen organic blueberries

• ½ cup frozen organic mango

• ¾ cup coconut water

• ½ tbsp agave nectar

• ⅛ tsp lavender flowers

For the toppings:

• ½ tablespoon pumpkin seeds

• ¼ teaspoon coconut shreds

• Granola, 1 handful

Minutes 1-5: Gather

Start by grabbing what you need from the freezer, fridge, pantry, and wherever else you store them. The French call this process mise en place, and it helps streamline the cooking process significantly. Measure your ingredients and set them aside in prep bowls.

Take the Time to Experience Your Food

Instead of glaring at your new coworkers, look at your bowl instead. It helps to take a few minutes to really experience what you’re doing like feeling the texture of your coconut or granola.

Sol Sips founder Francesca Chaney encourages people to touch the ingredients and have a “sensory experience with food. “It’s a nice grounding method,” she says. “It always brings me back to center, especially after being in the restaurant for a pretty long day.”

Minute 6-9: Combine

Add your blueberries, mango, agave nectar, and lavender to the blender. Sol Sips uses organic produce, but feel free to use conventional if that’s all you have on hand. Lavender, Chaney notes, is relaxing and calming. “When I decided to bring my herbs and ingredients to the kitchen, it was important for me to incorporate them in the drinks as well as in the food,” they said.

Minute 10-12: Coconut Water

Start by adding ¾ cup coconut water to the blender and blend on high for two minutes. Keep an eye on the mixture’s consistency and add more coconut water, a splash at a time, if you need to — you’re aiming for something a little less thick than an acai bowl but still dense enough so the toppings don’t float to the bottom.

Minute 11-13: Plate

Or should we say, bowl! Pour your smoothie mixture into a bowl, using a spatula if necessary. Arrange the toppings across the surface and Chaney recommends trying other ones like walnuts or hemp seeds if you want to.

Minute 14-17: Enjoy

“Have fun, play, and be gentle with yourself,” she says. “To me is the most important thing when it comes to food, is developing a language with your body and what you want.” You might crave different toppings each day — what matters most is that you listen to your cravings. Make it a mindful moment to slowly savor each spoonful and you’ll return to work feeling refreshed.