Most days I start my morning with a green smoothie. I actually look forward to it when I wake up, and I think for me the nutrient hit from the fruits and vegetables is the perfect way to start the day. I’ve shared my favourite recipe before, but I’m always tweaking it depending on the time of year, what’s in season – and of course, what’s in the fridge and the fruit bowl. Most of the time I drink my green smoothies from a cute glass with my stripy Kate Spade straw (everything tastes better with a stripy straw don’t you think?) but one day I got inspired by Instagram to try a smoothie bowl and have kind of loved them ever since.

A smoothie bowl is next level in the best possible way. I love being able to add different fresh fruits and some crunch from homemade granola, chopped nuts or coconut chips. The granola itself is delicious and made with lots of nuts, coconut, raw cacao and coconut oil. It tastes naughty, but it’s actually good for you! And it smells absolutely delicious as it’s baking, with my whole apartment smelling like chocolate and cinnamon. Definitely a good thing in my books. It will keep in an airtight container indefinitely for breakfast or just as a nice crunchy snack.

This Cacao and Coconut Smoothie Bowl is loaded with nutrients and good fats, with a base of spinach that you can’t even see or taste. I love the creamy consistency that the avocado and bananas bring. The passionfruit and coconut are just downright delicious with the raw cacao, which is also full of antioxidants. Even though it’s very healthy and would make an excellent breakfast that will keep you satisfied until lunchtime, it tastes decadent enough that you could even have it for dessert!

As for the toppings, you can use any fruit that you like. I went for a mixture of passionfruit, strawberries, blueberries and chopped banana along with the homemade cacao and coconut granola. In summer some sliced peaches, pomegranate seeds and raspberries could be lovely as well. You could also add some chia seeds, cacao nibs, or other super foods. I love that these kinds of recipes are completely adaptable, so you can definitely adjust the flavours and toppings to suit your taste or dietary requirements.

Cacao & Coconut Smoothie Bowl

Serves 2

Cacao & Coconut Granola

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup raw almonds, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup raw pistachios, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup coconut chips or shredded coconut
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup raw cacao powder
• Large pinch salt
• 3/4 cup coconut oil
• 4 tablespoons rice malt syrup (or honey)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Smoothie Bowl

• 1 cup spinach
• 2 bananas, chopped (can be frozen for a cold smoothie)
• 1 small (or 1/2 large) avocado
• 1 tablespoon shredded coconut
• 10 almonds
• 5 dates
• Pulp of 2 passionfruit
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons raw cacao powder
• 3/4 – 1 cup almond & coconut milk