Did you know that cherries contain melatonin which can help support your sleep? This is new to me too!

We all know what it’s like to wake up after a restful night of sleep leaving us feeling energized the next day. In contrast to the nights we don’t sleep well and wake up feeling groggy, irritable, and hungry like we have a bottomless pit.

Sleep is so essential to our overall health and wellness including hormonal health. And let’s just say these days given the added stress, anxiety, and overwhelm during these uncertain time, I could use just about anything to help support my sleep. And I’m sure I’m not alone in that.

That said, along with trying to fill my diet with foods that support a solid night of sleep, I’ve been spending more time each day focused on self-care including: meditating, taking epsom salt baths which is a relaxing way to absorb magnesium which also supports sleep, practicing yoga nidra, breathing exercises, movement during the day, cbd, and staying with a consistent sleep and wakeup schedule to further help promote a solid night of sleep.

So without further ado, here is my favorite chocolate cherry maca smoothie to help support sleep and hormone health. You can skip the maca if it’s not something you have or are interested, but it is one of my favorite adaptogens to support hormone health, not to mention it can boost your energy and libido ;)

Ingredients:

• 8oz almond milk (or enough to blend)

• dash of cinnamon

• 1 tsp maca powder (optional adaptogen, supports hormone health)

• 1 tbs cacao powder (contains tryptophan, which stabilizes serotonin — the feel good hormone to support sleep)

• 1/2 cup frozen cherries (contain melatonin to support sleep)

• 1/2 cup steamed, and frozen cauliflower

• 1/4 frozen banana (contains melatonin)

• 2 scoops collagen peptides (or your favorite protein powder to make this a well-balanced meal to keep your blood sugar levels stable)

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in high speed blender and blend until combined. Top with coconut chips, cocao nibs, cherries, and hemp hearts.