Berried Green Smoothie Bowls

Last Updated on September 4, 2025 by Heather Reseck

Belief Bakery #22

This recipe was published in Guide magazine’s January 11, 2025 issue, a weekly publication for children ages 10-14. It is number 22 in a series of 28 installments called “Belief Bakery,” which uses hands-on cooking projects to illustrate the 28 fundamental beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists.

This project is in collaboration with my husband, Greg Reseck, a retired educator specializing in project-based learning.

We emphasize the love of God and Biblical concepts and tie them into fun cooking projects with healthy plant-based recipes.

3000 Choices

God created you with the power to choose. Some experts estimate that you make as many as 3000 decisions a day! (It’s ten times that amount for adults.)

You can choose what to wear. You can choose to eat healthy foods. You can choose to exercise. You can choose to avoid alcohol, smoking, and dangerous drugs. You can choose to be kind and helpful. You can choose how you will respond when someone makes a mean comment.

God chose to redeem you at great cost to Himself–the sacrifice of His Son. “You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In response to God’s love, you can honor Him by making wise choices to care for your body. Since your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, it deserves special treatment (see 1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19). Healthful choices result in a clearer mind that’s more in tune with the Holy Spirit and Jesus.

Smartphones have user guides so people can learn how to care for expensive and complex devices. Similarly, the Creator of human bodies offers instructions on how to care for our intricate living ecosystems.

In the first chapter of the Bible, God outlines what He designed humans to eat. “Then God said, ‘Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.’” Genesis 1:29 NLT

The human body operates best on plant fuel: fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and beans. These foods provide the nutrients your body needs to grow and thrive. Scientific studies show that a whole-food plant-based diet promotes health and prevents disease. 

You can honor God by making wise choices in all aspects of your life. “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

With God’s help, you can make choices that honor God, reflect His love to others, and nurture a healthy body–physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

This cooking project gives you healthful options to choose from. First, you’ll create a thick smoothie. (Shh! Don’t tell anyone it contains spinach. The green color gets “berried” with the dark color of the blueberries. It’s a delicious way to eat greens.) Then you get to choose the toppings. If you want, you can create an edible work of art on top of your smoothie bowl.

Berried Green Smoothie Bowls

Before You Begin

Adult supervision is recommended for inexperienced junior chefs.

Difficulty: Easy

1. Read through the recipe, variations, and tips.
2.  Arrange to buy any ingredients that you need.

Steps to Get Ready

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Gather the ingredients and measure them.
3. Gather the equipment.

Equipment

• measuring cups and spoons
• liquid measure
• blender
• rubber spatula
• 2 cereal bowls

Ingredients for Green Smoothie Bowls

• water
• fresh spinach 
• banana
• frozen blueberries
• chia seeds or flax seeds
• Toppings as desired (see the list of topping ideas)

See the recipe card for specific measurements.

Directions for Green Smoothie Bowls

1. Choose 3 to 5 toppings and get them ready.
2. Pour water into a blender. 
3. Add spinach, banana, blueberries, and chia seeds, if using.
4. Cover and blend until smooth. If it’s too thick to blend, add 1-4 tablespoons more water, but keep it as thick as possible.
5. Pour the smoothie into two bowls.
6. Decorate with your favorite toppings.
7. Eat with a spoon.
8. Wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen.

Topping Ideas for Green Smoothie Bowls

• granola
• chopped walnuts 
• chopped pecans
• sliced almonds
• sunflower seeds
• pumpkin seeds
• chia seeds
• shredded coconut
• fresh raspberries
• sliced fresh strawberries
• sliced banana
• sliced peaches
• sliced mango
• sliced kiwifruit
• chopped apple or pear
• vegan yogurt
• pear cream
• chia jam

Variations for Green Smoothie Bowls

• Substitute a combination of blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries for blueberries.
• Substitute baby kale, baby Swiss chard, or a combination for spinach. 

Tips for Green Smoothie Bowls

• You can substitute other fruits for the berries. If you choose light-colored fruit, the smoothie will be green.  If you choose strawberries or other red fruit, the smoothie will be brown. It will still taste good, but won’t look as nice. 
• If you don’t have chia seeds or flax seeds, the smoothie will not be as thick. 
• Add the minimum amount of water needed to blend, so you end up with a yogurt consistency. 

Health Bite

 One important choice you can make every day is to go to bed early enough to get quality sleep. The hours before midnight are the most important for recharging your body and brain. Adequate sleep sets you up for a healthy start the next day, making it easier to get up so you have time to pray, read your Bible, and eat breakfast before going to school. 

Recipe Video