Cherry Almond Bedtime Shake

Man, time really and truly does fly when...well, when life is just good! Over two months ago, I began releasing my Sleep Series videos on my YouTube Channel, terrified that y'all would judge me for having insomnia as a culinary health professional. Whelp, I did you a disservice for thinking that, and I apologize. I have received nothing but warmth and camaraderie throughout this video series, and I am incredibly grateful. I hope that my sleep-focused recipes, such as my No-Sleep Smoothie Bowl, Crispy Fried Power Eggs and Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookies have made some of your lives a little bit more energetic and happy!

Though I might re-visit the sleep series eventually, as I move forward with my YouTube channel I want it to coincide with my cookbook. I haven't decided the exact content yet, but somehow my videos will bring my cookbook to life for y'all and make some of the recipes even more accessible. Thoughts? Suggestions?

I've got two more videos for ya to round out my Sleep Series. This, my second to last, is for a smoothie/shake I make, when I want a bedtime snack that will help me with my sleep. Tart cherries have been shown to be a natural source of melatonin, one of the primary hormones that helps us fall and stay asleep. Click HERE to read a scholarly journal documenting this amazing benefit. Whether it's a placebo effect or no, I think that drinking this shake before bed has helped me catch more Zzzz's. Plus, it's absolutely delicious! Cherry and almond is an unshakeable marriage of flavors, making this taste like a healthy version of a classic soda-shop staple. Coconut milk and almond butter offer quality fats, which nourish your brain and will help keep your blood sugar staple, and this improves sleep as well.

Though I love this shake at night, you could certainly enjoy it for breakfast or as post-workout snack, maybe with some quality protein power added. You could also add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder if you're having it earlier in the day, for a Black Forest cake version, and you could throw in some spinach or kale...just know that it will turn a yucky color.

I hope you enjoy this last recipe for my Sleep Series (I have one more non-recipe video coming), and please stay tuned for future video series' on my channel!