Smoothies and Acai Bowls
After starting my day with an invigorating and energizing power yoga class at Rip Jack Inn I didn’t want to weigh myself down with a heavy post-workout meal. Fortunately, the homemade energy bar I ate before class satisfied me until lunch, so I just needed to find a healthy meal to power me through the afternoon. That’s when I remembered the smoothie bar at Upstairs at the Rip Jack! They had exactly what I was looking for in the acai bowl topped with granola and bananas.
Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berries resemble grapes and are harvested from acai palm trees native to South American rain forests. They are widely thought of as a superfood due to being rich in antioxidants, fiber and heart-healthy fats. When served in the form of an acai bowl the texture is similar to sorbet or frozen yogurt and it’s topped with fruit and granola. They make for a great light breakfast or lunch, but be mindful of the sugar content, as it can add up quickly if there is an abundance of additional fruit or overly sweetened granola.
During my stay I alternated between enjoying Rip Jack’s acai bowls and ordering one of the freshly made smoothies. I loved the fact they offered fruit and vegetable smoothies. While on vacation it can be tough to find a light meal, other than a salad, that contains vegetables. I eat a lot of salads but let’s face it, many restaurants think of salad as a pile of iceberg lettuce with a couple of tomatoes, and I’d rather skip that altogether. At Rip Jack’s smoothie bar you can incorporate veggies with the Go Green or Cucumber Cleanse and get creative with add-ins like almond milk, chia and flax seeds.
I understand green smoothies are not for everyone and many prefer a traditional fruit smoothie. With the high temps in Playa Grande a fruit smoothie is a refreshing break from the heat and fruit smoothies are widely available. Finish a long walk on the beach with a stop at Taco Star for a selection of fruit smoothies. While you’re there you can always opt for veggies by way of a veggie taco!
Whatever your preference, try to incorporate a freshly made smoothie or acai bowl into your breakfast or lunch as part of a nutritious and satisfying diet. Enjoy!
Bonus Tips:
Keep the vacation vibe going at home by making your own smoothies and acai bowls. Frozen acai berries or pulp puree is used for acai bowls and can be purchased at Whole Foods, Costco and Publix or through Amazon. Use acai powder (freeze dried) to whip up an energizing protein shake. Get started with these available on Amazon: