banana

I’m coming up on my 5 year anniversary of living in Arlington, so I figured I might as well take this opportunity to talk about a few of my favorite neighborhood spots. First up? South Block.

When it first opened back in 2011, South Block was a burrito and smoothie joint. As the neighborhood shifted and established itself as a health and fitness hub in Arlington, so did South Block’s menu. Today, South Block serves healthy smoothies, acai bowls and wheatgrass shots to its lululemon-clad clientele and its busiest times are when the spin, yoga and barre studios around the block let out classes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely a fan of the shift and have remained a loyal customer over the last four and a half years. I mean, I am a lulu-wearing yoga/spin/barre lover after all.

One of the upsides of the South Block’s menu being focused on health is that I don’t feel badly about dropping $9 on a bowl of what tastes like a mix between a smoothie and melted ice cream. Well, less badly than when I spend $9 on gelato from Dolcezza when I know I have ice cream at home. I’ll save that story for another time.

Since my Instagram feed has been littered with beautiful smoothie bowls of late, I thought I would join in and try to recreate one of my favorite South Block creations: the PB&J bowl (formerly known as the purple smile smoothie).

Berries, banana and peanut butter are such classic smoothie ingredients but acai had me a little skeptical. A quick Google search filled me on the basics (South American fruit similar to the baby a grape and blueberry might produce) but the reviews I read online seemed unsure as to whether the health benefits everyone applauds the acai berry for having are actually that incredible. Is it a superfood? Likely. Are there other better superfoods to be had? Maybe. Is it a yummy addition to my morning breakfast bowl that makes me feel good? Absolutely.

Ingredients

• 1 Banana
• 1 Cup frozen strawberries
• ½ Cup blueberries
• ½ Cup peanut butter
• ⅓ Cup almond milk
• 2 Teaspoons freeze dried acai
• Optional toppings: Banana slices, almond slices, blueberries

Recipe

• Blend all the smoothie ingredients together until just blended
• Pour into bowl and top with optional toppings or enjoy as is

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