Cherry Plum Chia Almond Smoothie Bowls

It’s here! I mean, we’re there! Well however you want to look at it, 2017 you guys, it’s gonna be a good one I can just feel it!

Now that I’ve had a full week to get over my sadness that the Christmas season has to be over until next year and now that I’ve spent a few very long moments staring at my calendar in an attempt to grasp that time is still moving in spite of my wishful thinking, I think I’m finally getting some fresh inspiration for new beginnings. It’s the time of year when we’re all thinking about our goals and making plans for some of the things we’ll be doing this year. I’m guessing that more than a few of us have something on our list regarding health goals for this new year, especially after all the holiday indulgences. What do you say, today let’s be all about trying to get back into a balance, shall we?

Today was declared a national holiday last week for the fact that both Christmas and New Year’s fell on weekends and therefore jipped the working class of their rightful days off. That’s a Chilean thing, creating new holidays at every opportunity.  Oh, and have you made any resolutions for this year? Personally I’ve got a lot but the most realistic ones near the top of my list are things like:

• Mastering a stick shift – because I hate failing at something that scares me and I want to drive here so badly.
• Taking more pictures of real life, not just food – I do sort if have a real life outside the kitchen.
• Conquering Spanish – Where is my Matrix-style knowledge chip when I need it?
• Improving my time management skills – I never realized these were so lacking in my life until I started blogging.
• Becoming a better writer –  I know there is a lot of space to get better here too.

Like I said though, I have many goals for the year. Another one of them is definitely to start putting more focus on whole foods and to be sharing mega healthy recipes with you more often.

Okay, I know many of you are shivering underneath piles of snow right now but for us down South things are finally heating up and the produce is coming into full season. Recently there have been some of the most gorgeous cherry varieties, including one that is a favorite of my mom’s; Rainier cherries. They’re my favorite kind too and if you’ve never tried them before than you need to put it on whatever form of list you’ve got for this year, whether it’s goals, resolutions, or must-dos. Since our fridge was overstocked on them last week I realized it was the perfect opportunity to add them to a new recipe -> hello smoothie bowls!

I think the last time I shared a smoothie bowl I explained my initial aversion to them the first time I heard the idea. The truth is that I thought they were really absurd. I remember thinking something like ‘Eating a smoothie with a spoon and topped with chunks, what’s that about???’ Yeah, I felt that way until I started seeing them all over the place and decided I should at least give them a chance and that’s when I changed my mind, they’re awesome.

I love this particular smoothie bowl because of all the color and, come on, it’s just really fun to say “chia” and “cherry” in the same title. They were made to go together. Also, these bowls are so fast and easy so you can prep them quickly on busy mornings or even make ahead the night before for a breakfast on the go. Actually, smoothies are something that, in my opinion, are acceptable anytime, anywhere. They’re great late at night to help curb those cravings too.

So I hope your year is starting off well and I can’t wait to share this year’s recipes with you!