What once began on a little island known as Oahu, now resides on a more familiar slice of the Gulf Coast. Ashley Yamamoto, Cape Coral native and founder of Dream Earth Bowls, has never not had big dreams of leaving a positive impact on the world. “Growing up, I longed for a space where I could connect with other dreamers in my community,” she said. And, in the midst of figuring out her college career path, she left the traditional academic world, “on a quest.” That quest was a one-way ticket to Hawaii. Upon landing in Maui, Yamamoto received her 200-hour Yoga-Teacher certification, before hopping on a puddle jumper to Honolulu where she worked on an organic farm focusing on permaculture, self-education and peaceful living in a dream-like state.

Photography by Wyatt Kostygan

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN

“I began asking myself deep questions: ‘What did I want to contribute while I am here?’ ‘What impact did I want to have on the world?’ and ultimately, ‘What is my dream?’” she said. “It began to click. I used my passion for health and wellness and created a solution for my childhood search.” Dream Earth Bowls soon became a concept to bring people together to share their dreams, inspire others to follow theirs, and serve communities with nutritious food options. Having recently relocated back to her hometown, Yamamoto, along with business partner Joseph Malu, is now making their mark on the region’s farmers market scene. Spot them as vendors at four Southwest Florida locations: Captiva Island Farmers Market, Lakes Park Farmers Market, Sanibel Island Farmers Market and our very own Downtown Sarasota Farmers Market. And while a brick and mortar store may be on the horizon for them, farmers markets have made Yamamoto feel more connected with her community and develop a clearer understanding of what people enjoy. 

Ashley Yamamoto and her business partner Joseph Malu bring the super to superfoods with four smoothie bowls: Dream; Blossom; Earth; and Ocean Bowl.

ASHLEY YAMAMOTO AND HER BUSINESS PARTNER JOSEPH MALU BRING THE SUPER TO SUPERFOODS WITH FOUR SMOOTHIE BOWLS: DREAM; BLOSSOM; EARTH; AND OCEAN BOWL.

The colorful menu features four hand-crafted smoothie bowl blends: Dream Bowl (an acai, strawberry, blueberry, banana, organic apple juice base); Blossom Bowl (a dragon fruit, mango, strawberry, almond milk base); Earth Bowl (an acai, strawberry, blueberry, banana, peanut butter and coconut milk base); and Ocean Bowl (Blue Majik spirulina, banana, pineapple, coconut milk and MCT oil base). Not one artificial coloring, added sugar, preservative or filler will be found here. Instead, each blended fantasy comes packed with a smattering of heart- and gut- healthy ingredients and antioxidative superfoods. Topped with organic granola, coconut flakes, fresh-cut fruit and drizzled with either local honey, almond butter or homemade cocoa hazelnut, this abundantly nutritious, sweet treat seems too good to be true. 

Find Dream Earth's stand every Saturday at the Sarasota Farmers Market downtown.

FIND DREAM EARTH'S STAND EVERY SATURDAY AT THE SARASOTA FARMERS MARKET DOWNTOWN.

And just as you’ve set your heart on which colored bowl to go with at their tented stand, you’ll be prompted to pensively ponder, “What’s Your Dream?” — written out in cursive on Dream Earth’s wooden board. Clothespins hang on string to attach and share penned answers on notecards. Aspirational responses from predecessors read, “To build out a van, roadtrip across the country and give back;” “Travel the world and save all the animals;” “Change children’s lives, to give clean water and food;” “Own many animals and live on a farm;” “Pet all the dogs.” A pattern is evident with these fellow dreamers—perhaps some have even idealized theirs into action by now. As for the bowls, well, they remain in a state of otherworldly deliciousness. 

'What's Your Dream?' board, photo courtesy of @dreamearthbowls

'WHAT'S YOUR DREAM?' BOARD, PHOTO COURTESY OF @DREAMEARTHBOWLS