Keeping with the current theme of things around here, I thought I would post a vegetable-oriented breakfast bowl today.
Don’t be scared off my the vegetables within this raw breakfast dish – the berries, cacaos and dates add to the flavour and sweetness so that you can’t really taste the beets at all, and the zucchini and spinach are disguised completely. So really, you’re getting a bunch off veggies, masked as delicious berries. Bonus!
As with all vegetables, beets are nutrient-dense and high in antioxidants, which we all know is important in maintaining good health. But did you also know that beets were used by Ancient Romans as an aphrodisiac? They contain high amounts of boron, which is a trace chemical directly related to the production of both male and female sex hormones. And they have been shown to increase stamina. Now I’m going to keep this PG, so I’ll let you put two and two together there… ;)
Do you really need any more convincing to try this? I probably don’t even need to mention that colour. This beautiful dish has such an amazing, deep shade of pink, it almost looks to pretty to eat. Almost.
You’ll notice in the recipe I have the dates as optional – they’re really only here for added sweetness which I personally don’t think is needed, but if you are new to vegetables in your smoothies – or if you generally just like things a little on the sweet side, feel free to add them in (a ripe banana would also work here).
Berry beet bowls
Note: I use a high-powered blender to make this (a Vitamix) – if you don’t have a high powered blender, I would suggest grating the vegetables or even par-boiling the beets first.
1 raw beetroot, scrubbed and roughly chopped
1/2 zucchini, roughly chopped
1 handful baby spinach
1 cup frozen mixed berries
2 Tbsp raw cacao
1.5 – 2 cups almond milk
1/2 avocado
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup sunflower seeds (or other seeds/nuts)
2 dates, optional
Add all ingredients to your blender and blend on a high speed until smooth and combined.
Taste before serving – if the beet flavour is too “earthy” for you, add a little more cacao, and/or an extra date.
Serves 2 – 3
Sharon says
This looks so creamy and fruity! I’m always looking for ways to sneak veggies into things. This will be a nice change from the usual green smoothies.
Katie @ Whole Nourishment says
Yes!! Beet smoothies are awesome. I really, really love the looks of this bowl of goodness and will definitely be making when I’m back home. :-) Love that you added sunflower seeds in. One question for you though. How brave are you to serve something like this to overnight house guests? And if you do serve it, do you serve anything else with it? As you know, our diet is not normal relative to the average person, so for most people something like this would be way out of their comfort zone and not considered a full breakfast, even though it really is. They’d have to work their way up to getting to the point where they *enjoy* this as their breakfast. I always end up shying away from serving smoothies and the like to house guests unless I know they are into it so I just was curious to know what you thought!
tohercore says
That is a very good question Katie! I think it would probably have to depend on the guest… Normally if we have people around for breakfast we have either a healthy savoury dish (ie baked eggs), which seems to go down quite well with most people, or a bit of a spread, with veggies, avocado, eggs, fruit, yoghurt etc, so that everyone can make their own meal up. I don’t like to “force” food one people as I’d be very unhappy to have that happen to me, but then again whatever I serve would be pretty healthy generally speaking – we don’t really keep much processed packaged food in our house so if I made something more traditional like panackes, they would be made with coconut or quinoa flour and served with organic yoghurt and berries. But yes, a smoothie bowl made primary with veggies may not be considered by all as a great breakfast choice (though I LOVE it!) so I probably wouldn’t serve it to guests.
Katie @ Whole Nourishment says
Thanks for your great response! I’m not into forcing things on people either so I’m always shy about serving things that are less traditional. So it’s nice to hear how you also work to find the right balance to please guests and yourself alike. :) Thanks Dearna!!
Alessandra // the foodie teen says
I LOVE sneaking veggies in for breakfast – I’ve usually downed it before I even wake up, so it’s a brilliant way to fit them in! Delicious!
tohercore says
Thanks Alessandra – its great to get some veggies in first thing, a great way to start the day :)
Josefine {The Smoothie Lover} says
Looks absolutely amazing! I’ve never thought of adding beets to a smoothie, but I think it’s a great idea. Beets are so healthy :)
Consuelo - Honey & Figs says
You’re a genius Dearna! I’d never told there was zucchini in here! Such a gorgeous smoothie bowl, I love the color! I can’t wait to have this for breakfast soon ;)
tohercore says
Thanks Consuelo! The colour perfectly masks the hidden fruit :)
Angie (@angiesrecipess) says
What a fantastic breakfast bowl! The colour is amazing.
tohercore says
Its so vibrant isnt it! Thanks Angie :)
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
What beautiful colours! I love beet juice/smoothies- they always turn everything into a gorgeous shade of red/purple, and are super healthy too!
tohercore says
Thank you Genevieve – beets do make gorgeous drinks dont they :)
Shashi @ runninsrilankan says
What a gorgeous color! Such a delightful combination of beets with avocado and cacao! I love beets but I had not heard about what the Roman’s touted them for!
Glad to have stumbled by your site
tohercore says
Thanks Shashi – glad that you stumbled by too, and thanks for your lovely words x
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
What a gorgeous, totally nourishing breakfast! The color alone is stunning, and the ingredient list is just phenomenal! I love working in extra veggies wherever I can, but I’ve never tried beets is a chilled soup or smoothie – brilliant idea! (And nope, I sure didn’t know that beets were used by Ancient Romans as an aphrodisiac! Hmmmmmm … :D )
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
This looks amazing! I love the vibrant colour- amazing. I’ve been looking for some breakfast smoothie bowl recipes- so I definitely need to try this berry beet recipe. :)