This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. on behalf of its advertizer, ZonePerfect. All opinions are my own. #SnackandRally #CollectiveBias

Ugh. Afternoon slump. Come on, busy moms, you know what I’m talking about… that moment between lunch and dinner when you hit a wall. It’s the time when you think “If I have to stay awake for one more baseball/dance/soccer/cheer practice I’m going to cry.” It’s when you have that urge to say “forget everything… I’m taking a nap.” I get it. We’re all trying to be supermom. And afternoon slump? It’s not helping us get there, is it? A lot of times, I turn to snacks to get me out of that slump… after all, I can’t be dozing off if I’m eating, can I? And it’s during that time that I turn to old cravings like chocolate. But guess what, supermom? I’ve found a solution that banishes afternoon fatigue AND satisfies your munchy little cravings. I promise you’re going to love it… 4 great mini smoothie bowls for that time between lunch and dinner, when you want to snack, but don’t want a meal, and definitely want more energy to finish out your long, never-say-stop day.

For me, a smoothie bowl should be packed with flavor, have plenty of protein so I don’t face that afternoon slump (and so it sticks with me on practice days when dinner will be late, meaning I’ll be less likely to turn to a not-so-great option like fast food), and most importantly, be super satisfying. So, I like to start my smoothie bowls with ZonePerfect® Nutrition Bars, which I pick up from my local Walmart. They’re an awesome source of fiber, and the bars have no less than 10 grams of protein each, making them an awesome addition to my smoothie bowl. Plus, there’s no high fructose corn syrup, which is a good choice for me when I’m looking for a better-for-me choice.

I start my smoothie bowls by chopping up a ZonePerfect® bar into small pieces. From there, I just add about half of the bar to my blender, leaving the other half for a crunchy topping at the end.

One of my favorite smoothie bowls is a chocolate mint bowl. Start with 1/2 of a ZonePerfect® bar and one container (about 5.3 oz) of your favorite chocolate Greek yogurt, which will help thicken the smoothie so it’s spoonable.

Next, add one tablespoon of mini chocolate chips, a quarter cup of milk, and 1 teaspoon of chia seeds. I like using chia seeds in my smoothie bowls because they have a ton of nutrients and antioxidants, plus lots of Omega-3s. It’s a simple, quick addition to a good smoothie bowl.

To add a pretty mint color, you can also toss in some spinach leaves or matcha powder, if you choose. I went with a few leaves of spinach in my mint chocolate smoothie!

Top with the rest of your ZonePerfect® bar, a sprig of mint, or any other crunchy toppings you’d like, and you’re ready to grab a spoon and enjoy.

So why a smoothie bowl versus a traditional smoothie? Well, the spoonable nature of it allows you to take time and truly savor the bites, rather than sucking it down, making it feel more like an indulgence than a quick drink. It also allows you to have a little fun with crunchy toppings! If you truly aren’t a fan of the spoonable nature, just add the full ZonePerfect® bar to your blender and an additional half cup of milk, then enjoy it on the go with a straw.

Start my second smoothie bowl recipe– Peanut Butter Cup– with a half Chocolate Peanut Butter ZonePerfect® bar. This bar is amazing on it’s own, and truly does taste like one of my favorite candy bars, but is packed with the protein that I’d need to get through the day… but in smoothie bowl form, it’s truly a hit. In addition to the Chocolate Peanut Butter ZonePerfect® bar, you’ll want to add a tablespoon of your favorite peanut butter powder. This acts as a thickening agent and a good source of additional protein.

Finish with a quarter cup of milk, a tablespoon of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a teaspoon of chia seeds.

Once you’ve blended it until mostly smooth, top your smoothie bowl with the other half of your ZonePerfect® Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar, a little more peanut powder, and some chia seeds, or any other toppings you want to add, like fresh fruit or nuts.

I’ve never been able to turn down a s’more, which is part of why I love the Fudge Graham bars so darn much… they’re just tasty, with all of the flavor I’d expect from a s’more, but in a toasted graham bar with protein, instead. My favorite way to serve this bar up is by adding half of it to my blender, along with a half banana, a teaspoon of chia seeds, a container of toasted coconut or vanilla Greek yogurt (about 5.3 oz), and a quarter cup of milk.

Put it on the blender, and blend away until mostly smooth.

For a sweeter option, top this one with crushed graham crackers and mini marshmallows, or for a healthier choice, use bananas and chia seeds instead! Either way, I love to dip the other half of my ZonePerfect® Fudge Graham bar in it.

Finally, there’s my absolute hands-down favorite smoothie bowl of all. For me, the best smoothie bowls are loaded with fresh fruit, which is why I love this one so much! It starts with half of a cinnamon roll ZonePerfect® bar, chopped into pieces. Then, I add in two or three large sliced strawberries and a handful of blackberries, which will add a ton of flavor while naturally thickening the smoothie. I finish with a teaspoon of chia seeds and a quarter cup of milk.

Blend away for this gorgeously purple smoothie bowl that really packs some fruit flavor with those underlying hints of cinnamon roll taste… so. stinkin’. delicious. I love how much protein is in this smoothie bowl, along with the fruit flavor I love.

As a busy mom, I totally get why we sometimes just need a little something to satisfy our cravings and give us that reason to rally, getting us through the afternoon and into the rest of our busy night, regardless of if that night holds work, laundry, practice, being a chauffeur, tons of confusing homework, or even just a normal evening around the house… I like ZonePerfect® bars because they can satisfy the cravings I have for things like chocolate, while still giving me energy with the Protein and fiber inside, making me feel a little more balanced during my daily routine.

The best part is, right now you can save a little money when adding ZonePerfect® bars to your routine– when you buy 2 boxes of them from Walmart, you can save up to $4.00!

I also love adding them to my smoothie bowls because the protein and fiber, but especially the flavor really help add something special to my favorite afternoon snack. For me, a smoothie bowl is a chance to take a breather for just a few minutes, and these mini smoothie bowls are anything but mini when it comes to flavor. Plus, it adds an awesome texture and crunch to the finished bowl, which is a super important part of a good smoothie bowl, in my mind.

I know my life isn’t going to slow down in the afternoons just because I get tired and hungry… or rather, hangry. I can be a royal bear if I haven’t had something to eat in awhile, so having a snack like this allows me to snack and seize the day, getting on with the rest of my afternoon and powering through the rest of my always-packed to-do list.

When it comes to smoothie bowls, the best part is the customization… want to swap out milk for nut milk? Coconut milk? Soy milk? You can. Want to change this berry or fruit for that one? Sure thing. Skipping the chia seeds or adding your favorite nuts or adding in some hidden veggies? That’s totally okay. There’s just something about the ability to customize a smoothie bowl that breaks up the monotony we all sometimes feel. The endless flavor options of ZonePerfect® bars also help.

What would you put in your perfect Smoothie Bowl? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to visit the social hub for more great recipes, food pairings, and ideas to get you through your afternoon slump with ZonePerfect®.