![IMG_0305.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmej6Qjdk7fhggKfHZD1vBWY3jiwqSHr9KGF19fJFd3hEd/IMG_0305.JPG)
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# <center>Whoever told you that you shouldn't play with your food had no idea how much more fun eating with me could be!</center>
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My mom used to always scold me for playing with my food as I would try to arrange my plate to form designs and pictures to make the boring (*sorry mom!*) food something I would actually want to eat.

After a while and hearing her squeal at me one too many times, eventually I gave up and did what everyone else does- shoveled it in and moved on (*as fast as possible!*)

Then, when I was eating at the speed of light, she would laugh and tell me I could blow the socks off of any judge if I showed up to a food eating contest because of how fast I learned to inhale my food in an attempt to get back to whatever I was doing that the food was distracting me from. 

I went from naturally wanting to spend time with my food, playing with it, getting to know it, to doing everything in my power to minimize that time, distanced from it.

Why do we get so angry at kids for experiencing their food? They just want to smear it everywhere, feel it taste it, get intimate with it and we just want them to hurry up, keep clean and eat whatever we feed them! That can't be fun for them! Maybe with this post that mindset will change! 😘

See, we've lost our connection to our food and that's just no fun in my books! Let's bring a bit of fun back to the table, shall we?

I could have blended all of the colors together instead of making this really cool looking bowl, in fact I could have just popped in a piece of toast or poured myself some cereal but where is the play in that? What is my relationship to that meal? Why would I care about it when it was ready? Wouldn't I just eat it mindlessly on my way to the next thing?

Through my nutritional studies I have learned that being more attentive, and cognizant when eating has incredible benefits for your digestion and intake of the benefits the food is meant to provide. 

Taking time, preparing, touching, tasting, creating is all the while deepening my relationship with the food I am about to eat which is going to make me care more, feel more positively towards it and thus have it be more beneficial to my system!

### This means:
+ Chewing many times, allowing the food to moisten by aid of your saliva!
+ Feeling the food's texture on your tongue, being aware of its consistency... Is it time to swallow?
+ Taking time to identify the tastes and flavors the food provides!
+ Feeling thankful for having an opportunity to have the food on our plates!

For me, what I have found to be the most beneficial aspect to this method is playing with my food! Taking time to create a masterpiece that I can take my time enjoying! I know we all have busy lives and places to be but setting aside this time, giving my food the respect it deserves has deepened my relationship with it in such a profound way that I am here to share it with you now!


 
### Yes, I am basically writing a love letter about my smoothie, I get it! But with a smoothie bowl as beautiful as this, you can't help but fall in love! ;)

I have posted a couple of smoothie recipes but in playing around with the drink version, I found myself really getting interested in smoothie bowls! They are hard to show what's in them in pictures however so I decided to get a bit creative and that's where this beautiful piece of art came from!

### Do you want to know how to make one?

**It's easy and most of all, really fun!**
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### <center>What you need:</center>
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**Think Hot Pink:**
The secret to the pink is this amazing fruit! Dragonfruits can be white or pink inside so getting a pink one is crucial for the color!
+ 1 pink dragonfruit:
[Can help decrease cholesterol levels, high in fiber (relieves constipation), rich in antioxidants and vitamin C](http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-surprising-benefits-dragon-fruit-you-never-knew.html)

+ 1 handful of strawberries: 
Super health boosting effects such as [antioxidants, vitamin C, folate, potassium, manganese, dietary fiber, and magnesium!](https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/strawberries.html)

+ 1 tbs soaked chia seeds:
Soaking the chia in filtered water makes them gooey and stick together like eggs!
Chia is our [omega 3 and protein](https://draxe.com/chia-seeds-benefits-side-effects/) provider in here! Of course it's also got antioxidants to boot making it a great additive to anything!

**Creamy White Delight:** 
+ 1/2 cup coconut milk
[Coconuts are rich in fiber, vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6 and minerals including iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/ingredient-focus-coconut-milk)
*Notice that calcium is found in coconuts!*

+ 1 small piece of vanilla bean or 1 tsp vanilla extract
(For natural, unsweetened milks!)
The vanilla bean (*did you know vanilla comes from beans?*) is loaded with [antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties](http://www.livestrong.com/article/298410-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-vanilla-extract/) which make it a delicious powerhouse ingredient even though we're only using a little- a little goes a long way! 

**Mellow Yellow:**
+ 4/5 passion fruits
More antioxidants coming your way! Plus [vitamin C and vitamin A in plentiful amounts!](http://javajuice.com.au/health-benefits/passionfruit/)

+ 1/2 bananas 
Bananas are easy to digest making them perfect for so many recipes and uses! They are full of [potassium, vitamins C, B6, and of course fiber!](http://www.livestrong.com/article/505406-top-ten-health-benefits-of-bananas/) There's a reason monkeys love them so much! 

+ 1 tbs maca root powder 
Maca is an intensely beneficial health warrior! It helps [regulate hormones, increase sex drive and energy levels, and is another item on our list loaded with antioxidants!](https://draxe.com/top-5-maca-root-benefits-and-nutrition/) I use maca in everything. I love the benefits it provides and adore the taste of it! 

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### <center>What to Do:</center> 
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This is the best part! You are going to have to decide which color you want to make first. I went with pink first because it's my favorite of these colours! Dragonfruit is watery so you do not need any extra water in this part! 

1) Blend the strawberries, dragonfruit and chia all together then pour into a bowl (*you can save some in a separate bowl to mix in with the other colors after!*)
2) Rinse the blender. 
3) Blend white ingredients, coconut milk, vanilla and banana together (*you can add more chia here if you'd like!)
4) Pour the white mixture into the pink however your heart desires! Get fun with it!
5) Blend the yellow passionfruit, maca and banana together. 
6) Pour the mixture on top of everything else!
7) Get a spoon or chopstick (*preferably*) and paint your picture!
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![IMG_0319.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQme7iZwL9DX3i6sB4u46wyigqP2zPsWjDw2gtb2ruRko9T/IMG_0319.JPG)
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Since I love space, I often find myself creating galactic scenes like this and my recent green smoothie [you can see here!](https://steemit.com/food/@heart-to-heart/may-the-force-be-with-you-this-green-galaxy-smoothie-will-bring-you-the-energy-and-focus-of-a-jedi)

There is no right or wrong picture at the end, the whole point is to just have fun with it, take your time and enjoy the process!

I sprinkled my planet with *inhabitants* of goji berries and black currents just to amp this already super antioxidant filled breakfast into high gear! I got too excited to eat it and forgot to take a picture of that part for you! I'll make another one one day soon to make up for it ;)
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### <center>Food has an incredible ability to defend and protect us! We just need to make sure we're eating the foods that are on our side! ;)</center>
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*A note: I have included links to all sourcing within this as nutritional information was mentioned and I encourage you to seek out more information either through those links or by asking questions in the comments!* 😘
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### <center>Sending you love through (plant-based/vegan) food, as always! If you are new here, it's great to have you here!</center>
<center>I am obsessed with food as you'll surely see, and I am a strong believer in the power it has within it, and the ability it has to heal us! I aim to inspire through my recipes and posts and hope to connect with you here, through your heart. Some say the way to the heart is through the stomach, I 100% agree with that theory ;)
I believe in sharing what makes the heart happy, if you'd like to see more, come on by @heart-to-heart!😘

PS: I am also running #veganwednesday challenge every week! See [here](https://steemit.com/veganwednesday/@heart-to-heart/winner-winner-no-chicken-dinner-cuz-it-s-vegan-week-4-veganwednesday-contest-week-5-announcement) for more details on how to participate (and win by sharing some love!)

Until next time,
XO,
🍊🍉🍈🍇🍋🍌🍍🍎
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