Recipe: Nana-Berry-Cherry Smoothie Bowl

Get berry beautiful skin with this seasonal smoothie bowl.

Sometimes, natural remedies aren’t sufficient—and that’s totally cool. But, wherever possible, I’ve always tried to heal my body through good food.

Cherries contain melatonin which helps us sleep…we like sleep.

It’s almost June, which means it’s almost summer, which means it’s almost cherry season. That’s right, I live to eat. And guess what? Turns out cherries aren’t just delicious but they’re also super good for you, too.

Cherries are one of the very few foods that contain natural melatonin, the hormone made by the small pineal gland in our brains. Melatonin helps regulate our sleep patterns and is often used to treat jet lag or insomnia in the form of a supplemental capsule.

I’m sure there’s no need to preach the benefits of sufficient sleep to you, but I will say one thing: “beauty sleep” is real.

In addition to natural melatonin, cherries are bursting with antioxidants that help keep our skins looking and feeling clear and youthful. Moreover, the pigment molecules called anthocyanins in cherries—similar to those found in blueberries and blackcurrants—help strengthen skin and connective tissue. And if all that weren’t enough, cherries boast potassium, flavonoids, fiber and vitamins A, B, C and D, too. All of which are necessary for a healthy and natural glow.

Ingredients:

• 2 frozen bananas
• 5 cherries, pitted
• 1/4 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries or blackcurrants
• 3/4 cup of milk of choice (I used organic soy milk)

Method:

1. Place all ingredients in a high-power blender and process until smooth.
2. To finish, top with your choice of favorite toppings. I used homemade granola, coconut, chia seeds and fresh fruit.

Nana-berry-cherry smoothie bowl.