BEAUTY FOODS FROM THE AMAZON

It’s fair to say that as a group, Brazilians are beauty-obsessed. And with access to a bounty of ancient ingredients from the Amazon, they do a great job of incorporating beautifying ingredients into their food. Clearly, with acai bowl shops popping up everywhere, this practice is catching on. I like making acai bowls at home, and wanted to share a recipe inspired by the coconut acai bowls we had at Riba in Leblon, incorporating some of my favorite Amazonian superfoods. Coconut milk and water are rich in electrolytes and minerals, essential for staying properly hydrated. Acai is packed with antioxidants, essential to your skin’s glow (read more about this here). Camu camu is an Amazonian berry that adds an extra kick of vitamin C—not only does this bowl look pretty, it will kick a cold’s ass, too. 

1 young coconut

1/4 cup coconut milk

1/2 banana

1 pack frozen Acai 

1 teaspoon camu camu powder (optiona)

Toppings: Berries, toasted coconut, granola

Cut a large opening in the top of the coconut with a sharp knife or your trusty machete (I have my friends at Juice Generation do this part), and pour 1/4 cup of the coconut water into a blender. Drink the rest or save it for later. Blend with a pack of frozen acai, 1/4 cup coconut milk, 1/2 banana and 1 teaspoon camu camu powder. Pour back into the coconut and top with desired ingredients. Instagram your bowl (optional but recommended), and enjoy!