I drink smoothies every day like it's my J-O-B. Let's be honest, if I didn't, my actual job probably wouldn't get done. While I love a good cup of coffee, I try to limit my intake, so I rely heavily on my morning smoothie to kickstart my day. This habit is one my Mom implemented for our family when I was very young and to this day, I still keep it going strong. But sometimes, the same ol' same ol' starts to feel, well, old. It wasn't until a recent acai bowl experience that it suddenly dawned on me, why not make my smoothie into a smoothie bowl? It was a total breakfast boredom breakthrough! I mean, who knew that pouring your smoothie into a bowl instead of a glass would make such a difference?! And look at all those pretty toppings! It's like breakfast art, and who wouldn't be excited for that?!

Speaking of busting through breakfast boredom, another little switcheroo I recently made and have been loving, is to use Zico coconut water in place of my usual milk/almond milk/coconut milk. Their Watermelon Raspberry flavor (which I tried and fell in love with at the InStyle #SummerSocial, see pictures below) makes for one seriously killer smoothie. Between the flavor (they also have a chocolate one, which would be way delish in a peanut butter and banana smoothie, and they have a pineapple flavor) and the nutrients (each Zico product has 5 naturally occurring electrolytes {potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus} and as much potassium as a banana), your smoothie will have you up and at 'em, excitedly cracking life open every single morning. Zico coconut water, which is sourced from Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, where suppliers gather coconuts from and work directly with hundreds of local farmers, also has zero fat and cholesterol and is dairy and gluten free, meaning my smoothie is even healthier. Also, I'm thinking it may mean I can now have a daily donut along with my smoothie, but that's still up for debate... What's not up for debate is this smoothie, though! Between the electrolytes of the coconut water, jam packed servings of fruit and the yummy "sprinkles" (aka nutrient-packed toppings), there's no way this smoothie won't have your body and mind looking and feeling beautiful on the inside and out every single morning.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 frozen banana
• 2 cups frozen fruit (I like to use a mix of mango, pineapple, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries)
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil (optional)
• 1 tablespoon brewer's yeast (optional)
• 1 teaspoon flax oil (optional)
• 1 bottle of Zico Coconut Water (I really love the Watermelon Raspberry Flavor)
• Toppings: hemp seeds, bee pollen, goji berries, cacao nibs, chia seeds, nuts, granola, shredded coconut

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a blender combine the banana, fruit, oils, yeast and coconut water. Blend until pureed and smooth. Pour into a bowl, sprinkle with toppings and then grab a spoon and dig in.

Sponsored by InStyle on behalf of Zico