How do you sleep at night?
I’ve been a problem sleeper for a few years now. After I did get to sleep I’ll wake up an hour or two later, famished. I’d toss and turn while I mentally and obsessively scan every inch of my kitchen. Pantry, 1st shelf, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, fridge, freezer, anything forgotten in the toaster oven or microwave (you’d be surprised how often that happens): check! Downstairs I go, and you can probably figure out the rest. It doesn’t involve much rest.
One evening at about 9:00PM, I realized I hadn’t eaten so decided to make myself a peanut butter cup smoothie. This was different than my morning smoothie. I added elements to calm and promote sleep. I fell asleep at 11:00PM and slept a full 8 hours without waking up once! I can’t lie, I was surprised. Could be magic, but I don’t think so. Here’s why it works:
Flax seed There are a lot of shiny newcomers in the superfood game, but I’m always going to go old school with flax seeds 70mg of magnesium in one TBL. Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant, calms the entire nervous system, even relaxes blood vessels to increase blood flow and lower blood pressure to promote restful sleep. Additionally, the fiber in flax seed helps balance blood sugar.
Raw Cacao powder contains serotonin and tryptophan which promote relaxation and restful sleep. It does contain theobromine which can act like caffeine in the body, but I don’t use caffeine at all and it doesn’t act as a stimulant in my case. If you’re concerned, leave it out!
Cherries are a natural source of melatonin, with sour cherries containing the highest level. Melatonin is a naturally produced hormone that tells your body to sleep but can be safely supplemented.
Hydrolized collagen, this is an animal product but you can find vegan versions. In this form, it is a protein easily absorbed into the bloodstream. This helps to keep your blood sugar balanced and also promotes bone and joint health, and glowing skin!
Almond Milk contains tryptophan (an essential amino acid mood stabilizer which can help regulate sleep patterns) and magnesium
Peanut Butter powder, adds additional protein and gives our smoothie that peanut butter cup flavour)
Adaptogens. I use Moon Juice, Beauty Dust, which contains ashwaganda which is an adrenal ‘tonic’ and helps to re-set cortisol levels (your ‘wake up” hormone), is calming and supports restful sleep. I have no financial interest in Moon Juice, and I’m often hesitant to recommend it since it can be expensive. However, adaptogens are expensive even when purchased individually! Moon Juice dust blends are a great introduction to the world of adaptogens.
Stevia is a no calorie sweetener classified as generally recognised as safe by the FDA. I have a love/hate relationship with it. It does sweeten this smoothie however, without raising blood sugar. Substitute maple syrup or dates if you don’t like stevia.
I hope you love my Sweet Dreams Smoothie and it works as well for you as it does for me.
xoMimi
- 1 Cup Almond Milk
- ½ Cup frozen cherries
- 2 scoops Hydrolized Collagen
- 1 TBL raw whole flax seeds
- 1 Heaping TBL Raw Cacao powder
- 1 Heaping TBL Peanut Butter Powder (or substitute peanut butter or nut butter)
- 1 tsp Moon Juice Beauty Dust
- 1 tsp Stevia (2 packets) or one date, or I TBL maple syrup
- Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth: 1-2 minutes
