Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Manhattan Beach, CA. for the honor of presenting a nutrition and cancer self-care and risk reduction program at the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation 2-day Patient Conference. Here’s a photo of me in action, clearly impassioned about whatever point I was sharing, shot by talented event photographer and all around great guy, Todd Zimmer. Check out his work here: Todd Zimmer – Photographer, he’s in KCMO!, and reach him here: zzimfo@gmail.com
Impassioned plea to “eat more fruit!”
On Sunday morning, eager for one more ocean glimpse (not to mention breakfast) before my return flight to Chicago, I headed to the actual beach. By 9:00 a.m., practically every obvious breakfast spot in and around Manhattan Beach Boulevard – the major east-west thoroughfare that terminates at Manhattan Beach pier – was packed. My solution? Veer off the beaten path – always.
My reward for going against the flow? The perfect healthy, take-with-me-to-the-beach breakfast solution; a “Chocolate Arc” acai smoothie bowl from “Paradise Bowls” .
So very “beachy.”
No air conditioning, kids working like mad – builds character?
You see, in California, “bowls” are a thing.
On a 2016 trip to California, my husband and I had our first “bowl encounter” here “Bowl’d”. We’d finished hiking “Bishop Peak”, found this little spot, then ordered and promptly devoured our fresh-fruit-topped-smoothies-in-a-bowl. Because honestly, that’s what a “bowl” is – simply a smoothie poured into a bowl, finished with all sorts of toppings. It was also love.
Bowls are trending – in a BIG way – but not in Chicago. Sure you can find them, mostly inside the city limits, but they’re not nearly as ubiquitous as in Cali. For too many months out of the year, it’s too darn cold here to be slurping down a freezing (albeit delicious) bowl of fruit. During those frigid months, health benefits be damned, we want our bowls brimming with hot soup, not icy fruits. Regardless, you can read more about the trend here, “Food Marketing Trends – Acai Bowls”.
So Just What Is A Bowl All About?
“Paradise Bowls” offers two main bowl “base ingredient” options; Pitaya and Acai, with a range of variations on each. Pitaya is also known as Dragon Fruit, which I’m not ashamed to admit, I didn’t know (see how travel broadens your mind?!) It would have been helpful to have (Dragon Fruit) written just like that on the chalkboard menu, beneath Pitaya – it could have swayed me to order in that direction. Instead, I opted for the “Chocolate Arc” bowl with Acai as my tried and true base, and was 100% not disappointed with my choice.
The “Chocolate Arc” smoothie is a blend of banana, strawberries, blueberries, peanut butter, acai, and dark chocolate almond milk, with a topping of granola, banana, honey, strawberries, coconut shavings and cacao nibs.
“Chocolate Arc” – Deeeelish!
I was curious to learn more about this bustling spot, which despite non-functioning air conditioning that had me concerned for the kids vigorously blending bowls and smoothies non-stop behind the counter, and the relatively early morning hour (hey, it was Sunday!) boasted a robust line out the door. According to Isaac, the “Paradise Bowls” employee I called up for a chat, here are some stats:
- Most popular bowl? The “Gaucho”
- Which bowl base do they serve more of, pitaya or acai? Acai
- Do they sell more bowls or more smoothies? Bowls – somewhere around 600 on a busy day!
- What else? “Everything is cut fresh daily; all the fruits and veggies.”
I can attest to that. Waiting for my order, I watched an employee deftly butcher several kiwis. Food safety bonus? He wore protective gloves!
Not in a “bowl” mood? Order a smoothie, instead (same thing, only in a cup!).
The Low-Down on Nutrition?
- The Dragon Fruit is a type of cactus native to Central and South America and Asia; Vietnam grows and exports a significant amount. The most common variety in the U.S. is pink with green “leaves” on the outside, white flesh and black seeds on the inside. Its flesh is described as having the consistency of a kiwi and the flavor of a pear. Nutritionally, Dragon Fruit is a good source of several natural antioxidants, polyphenols and Vitamin C. It also has prebiotic properties that help support a healthy gut.
So, so pretty “Dragon Fruit”
- Acai is a red-purple fruit that comes from the acai palm tree, native to Central and South America. Some studies show that acai fruit is even richer in antioxidants than cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries or blueberries, but so far, acai berries have shown no known health benefits that are different from other fruits. *
Looks a little like blueberries, yes?
Bottom Line
One thing to know about these fancy bowls – they ain’t cheap. My 24-ounce (medium) bowl was $9.25 before tax. But I never mind paying for real, quality food – and that was my ENTIRE breakfast. You could easily pay just as much for a bagel and large coffee, and get limited nutrition in return. I consistently encourage you to make food choices that support risk reduction, and the antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals in my bowl did just that. Besides. . .it was gorgeous, just like the beach.
Manhattan Beach pier – Sunday morning view!
Source * “WebMD – Acai Berries”