Is this the best smoothie you’ll drink all summer? That is ultimately for you to decide, but we strongly endorse this smoothie for your summer smoothie rotation. It utilizes fresh cherries, which are in peak season during summer months. Buy them in bulk while they are affordable, remove the pits, and freeze them in a large freezer bag, so that you can continue making this smoothie all summer long.

This smoothie is creamy, refreshing, and full of flavor, and an excellent way to start your day. We suggest that you choose dark sweet cherries because of their rich sweetness during summer. Rainier cherries are also available, but they aren’t as sweet. You can use them if you prefer their flavor, but the color will differ from the color of the smoothie in the recipe picture. The banana and homemade almond milk work together to make this summer smoothie as creamy as possible. If you prefer the taste of homemade cashew milk, you can use that in place of the homemade almond milk.

Pineapple seems like the odd man out on this ingredient list, but the sweet and tart tropical flavor works so well to complement the cherries. It’s also worth noting that the pineapple is fresh, not frozen overnight like the banana and cherries. The reason for that is because fresh pineapple cubes are very juicy, making this smoothie a little easier to blend. If you give this recipe a try, let us know by leaving a comment below or tagging @dherbs on Instagram.

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The warm months of summer invite some of the best produce that you rarely get to see: stone fruits. Peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, and cherries are now in season, offering different juicy and flavorful varieties. Stone fruits are naturally rich in fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, so they pack a one-two punch combo of nutrition and delicious flavor. 

What Is Stone Fruit?

A stone fruit, or a drupe, is a type of fruit that contains a large pit (stone) in the center. Belonging to the Prunus genus family, stone fruits typically have thin skin and soft flesh. Unlike other fruits, stone fruits stop ripening after you pick them, which is why their season is very narrow. Because different varieties ripen at different times, you can occasionally find different stone fruits throughout the year. Summer, however, is when you can find the freshest varieties, especially at local farmers markets. Continue reading to learn about five of the most popular stone fruits and their health benefits. 

Plums

Juicy, scrumptious, and packing an impressive amount of flavor for their size, plums are rich in anti-inflammatory properties and phenolic compounds, such as kaempferol and proanthocyanidins. Phenolic compounds help protect your cells against free radical damage, reducing your risk of chronic illnesses. Several studies indicate that prunes (dried plums) may increase bone mineral density, reduce blood pressure, and relieve constipation. Don’t eat too many prunes at once, though. You can enjoy fresh plums on their own, in salads, in oatmeal, in smoothies, or in fruit salads. 

Cherries

Cherries are not always available, so people snatch them up when they hit grocery shelves in the summer. They offer a sweetly tart flavor profile and a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds. Cherries are naturally rich in manganese, vitamins B6 & K, copper, magnesium, and several antioxidants, including procyanidins, flavonols, and anthocyanins. One 28-week study found that people who ate just under two cups of cherries per day significantly reduced markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein and interleukin 18. Having high levels of these inflammatory markers can increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Other studies note that cherries may help regulate blood sugar, reduce post-exercise muscle soreness, and improve sleep.

Apricots

Depending on the apricot you select, you may experience a tart or incredibly sweet flavor. Ideally, you should have a mixture of tart and sweet in every bite. Apricots offer impressive amounts of several B vitamins, in addition to vitamins E and K. They are also great sources of beta-carotene, a carotenoid that the body converts to vitamin A. That carotenoid is the reason why apricots are their signature vibrant orange color. Several animal studies indicated that the high concentration of beta-carotene protected cells against oxidative damage. A study with 1,300 people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) found that the group that ate apricots daily experienced improved digestion and fewer GERD symptoms. 

Peaches

Next to watermelon, the peach has to be one of summer’s most signature fruits. They are wonderfully juicy and sweet and exhibit impressive amounts of vitamins A & C, copper, fiber, beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and other carotenoids. Studies found that people who consumed diets with more carotenoids had a lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease that impairs vision. Additional research notes that carotenoid-rich foods like peaches may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and heart disease. Make sure that you consume the peels because they contain 27 times more antioxidants than the internal flesh. 

Lychee

Lychees are not available everywhere, and you may have to visit ethnic grocery stores to find them. Their gel-like white flesh offers a distinct flavor and texture that’s contained inside a protective, inedible skin. Lychee fruit provides phenolic compounds, including caffeic acid, rutin, gallic acid, epicatechin, and chlorogenic acid, all of which exhibit antioxidant activity. A 21-day animal study observed rats with alcoholic liver disease. These rats received a 91-milligram per pound of body weight lychee extract per day. The results indicated a significant reduction in cellular damage, liver inflammation, and free radical production. Enjoy lychee fruits raw, in salads, or in smoothies.

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Summer is stone fruit season, which means that peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, and cherries are available in grocery stores. Sure, you may be able to find peaches and nectarines in some stores throughout the year, but summer is when you get to enjoy the freshest varieties. For this fruit salad, you’ll toss together five different stone fruit varieties, some freshly chopped mint, and a simple vanilla, maple dressing for a slightly sweet bite.

One your next trip to the market, be on the lookout for in-season stone fruits, which should take center stage. These stone fruits are the most ripe and offer the best texture and sweetness. The combination of textures and flavors is really what this stone fruit salad aims to showcase. Peaches and nectarines come in yellow and white options, but you can choose the ones you prefer. If you want a more colorful stone fruit salad, consider using white nectarines and yellow peaches, or vice versa. The plums offer a deep red-purplish hue and slightly tart flavor profile. If they are softer, then they’ll be on the sweeter side.

Apricots add a wonderful orange color to the fruit salad, and the dark red cherries make it pop! If you prefer Rainier cherries, which have a whiter color, then you can use those if they are available to you. Now, if you just want to cut up the fruit and toss them together, that is a perfectly acceptable way to assemble a fruit salad. This fruit salad does come with a mint and maple dressing, which sets off the natural sweetness of the stone fruit. Choose your own culinary destiny! Both paths lead to deliciousness!

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Did you know that cherries are rich in anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds?! The Shocking Truth will take you on a road throughout some history facts on cherries.

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Make no mistake, people, you will need a blender or food processor for this recipe. The ingredients don’t simply blend themselves or mash effortlessly. You want to fully incorporate the raspberries, banana, cherries, and homemade almond milk to create a luxurious sorbet. Ideally, the sorbet is perfectly balanced, exhibiting slightly tart and naturally sweet flavors. It does serve two to three people, but there’s nothing wrong with portioning out those servings for you and you alone.

Homemade sorbets are much healthier than store bought varieties because you avoid added sugars, artificial colors, and preservatives. Although this sorbet is ready to enjoy straight out of the blender or food processor, you can store it in a freezer-safe container in the freezer until you are ready to enjoy it. In fact, storing it in the freezer can give the sorbet a more scoopable consistency. We realize that “scoopable” is not a word, but we think you’re picking up what we’re laying down.

If you are not a fan of sorbets or ice cream, you can thin out this recipe by adding more homemade almond milk. You can then pour that thinner mixture into some popsicle molds and enjoy this sorbet in smoothie pop form. Think of it as enjoying a health popsicle instead of a smoothie on a stick! We’d love to know how you make this recipe, so let us know how much/little you enjoy it in the comments below. Post a picture and tag us on social media, too!

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Summer is stone fruit season, which means that summer is cherry season! If you have the the ability, go to a cherry orchard and take part in some cherry picking. It’s a great activity for families because you get to be out in the sun picking and eating cherries. How can you not have fun doing that? Pick one, eat one, pick one, eat one, and continue that cycle. Well, maybe don’t do that because you don’t want to get sick or avoid paying for cherries. Sneak a few here and there for us, though.

Cherries come in several varieties, and this raw vegan sorbet recipe calls for tart cherries. If you can only get your hands on a certain variety, go ahead and use those. Using tart cherries for a sorbet makes it a little more refreshing for these hot summer days. Sweeter varieties will also be great! Cherries also exhibit some incredible health properties. Because they work to reduce uric acid and nitric oxide build-up, cherries help reduce gout and arthritis flair ups. They may also reduce inflammation and increase natural melatonin production, which may improve your sleep.

You may notice a couple interesting ingredients that may seem out of place in this recipe. We are talking about black pepper and nutmeg. You only need a pinch of each spice because you don’t want to overpower the other ingredients, especially the sweetness of the cherries. Black pepper actually helps awaken the cherries and a little hint brings a pleasant kick to the mix. Too much and, well, you will ruin your sorbet. A pinch of black pepper and nutmeg is a wonderful balance of harmonious flavors we think you’ll love.

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The great thing about a popsicle is that it doesn’t have to an elaborate concoction of artificial flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives. Shocking, we know, but the majority of store bough popsicles contain those ingredients. Plus, there is nothing natural about the “natural flavors” that you see on popsicle ingredient labels. Needless to say, you don’t have to worry about any of those things when you make this recipe.

These pops contain three ingredients: cherries, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and raw agave nectar. The cherries have natural sugars, but the agave helps to balance out the tart flavor that the lemon juice brings to the party. It may seem odd to add lemon to these popsicles, but it actually brings out that vibrant cherry flavor. We have no say in whether or not these will temporarily stain your tongue or lips, so we apologize in advance.

The hardest part of these recipe is pitting the cherries. This is a tedious step, but it is ultimately worth it. Should you want to avoid this step, you can purchase frozen cherries. If you get frozen cherries, make sure you thaw them out prior to blending them with the lemon juice and raw agave nectar. Lastly, when it comes to the mold you use, we advise that you use a silicon mold with wide wooden popsicle sticks. Silicone molds make it so the pops come out more easily.

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Is there anything better than cutting into a new avocado and realizing that is wonderfully ripe and ready to devour? Well, there are better things, including petting a puppy, winning the lottery, having a healthy family, etc. In regards to produce, though, cutting into a ripe avocado is just about as good as it gets. It’s buttery, ready to eat, and there are no brown spots, which is exactly what you want from an avocado.

Avocados work great in smoothies because they are creamy and help create a pillowy consistency. They don’t exhibit a strong flavor profile, though, which is why you have to blend them with stronger-flavored ingredients. The addition of the banana adds another dimension of creaminess and sweetness. It’s best to peel the banana, cut it up, and freeze it overnight to make for a better smoothie consistency. The duo of banana and avocado deliver lots of potassium and magnesium, two essential minerals for your overall health.

Since it is summer, we wanted to embrace one of the season’s best produce items: cherries. Cherries offer a sweet and mildly flavor profile, and they are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and powerful antioxidants. Just like bananas and avocados, cherries contain magnesium and potassium, plus calcium too! Let us know if you like this smoothie in the comments below!

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Great sleep is one of the hallmarks of vibrant health, but it’s something that many people often overlook. Sleep experts suggest that adults aged 18-60 get between seven to nine hours of sleep every night. A full seven hours, though, is not always easy to come by. 

It’s quite common for people to get cozy in bed and immediately feel wide awake. This is an unfortunate reality and it can seem like there’s no antidote or magical potion that immediately puts you in a state of deep sleep. That being said, health experts have identified certain beverages that contribute to a deeper state of relaxation. When the body is in a more relaxed state, it’s much easier to fall asleep. If you want to drive off to dreamland with ease, consider drinking the following beverages before bed. 

Passionflower Tea

Researchers in Mexico conducted an animal study to determine the effects of passionflower on sleep. The results indicated that rats injected with passionflower extract experienced a significant increase in total sleep time. No other human studies have confirmed these findings yet, but many anecdotal reports claim that passionflower tea helps people fall asleep.

Golden Milk

Golden milk, or a turmeric latte, before bed may help to promote a sense of calm. Warm milk, however, may not be appetizing because it can cause digestive discomfort. If you are sensitive to dairy products, consider dairy-free golden milk. Turmeric is rich in curcumin, a compound that may reduce inflammation, relieve anxiety, and alleviate effects of sleep deprivation. You can sweeten the beverage with Manuka honey to further reduce inflammation and promote gut health, which may aid your sleep.

Tart Cherry Juice

Cherries are stone fruits that can be tart or sweet, depending on the variety. Cherries contain tryptophan, which is an amino acid that’s a precursor to melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate when you fall asleep and wake up. Tart cherries tend to contain more melatonin, which is why their juice is better than the sweet varieties. In fact, tart cherries have up to six times more melatonin than sweeter cherries. One study observed 30 participants who consumed cherry-based juice twice daily. The results indicated that the juice improved nightly sleep and reduced the number of nighttime awakenings. Another study found that people who drank eight ounces of tart cherry juice twice a day for two weeks slept an additional 84 minutes, compared to the group who consumed a placebo drink.

Valerian Tea

It’s common to find valerian in health food stores, but you can also purchase it online. The most widely used part is the root, which is popular in herbal remedies for insomnia. Valerian shows promise for its ability to relieve insomnia and improve overall sleep quality. One study found that 30% of postmenopausal women who took 530 milligrams (mg) of valerian twice daily for four weeks reported better sleep quality. Valerian root may help enhance sedation and you shouldn’t mix it with drugs or alcohol because of that reason. Additionally, pregnant or nursing women and children under the age of three should avoid valerian. 

Ashwagandha Tea

Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb popular in Ayurveda treatments. Extracts and teas often include the root, berries, and leaves of the plant, all of which may help relieve stress, anxiety, and even arthritis. In human studies, ashwagandha exhibited the potential to help the body wind down and prepare for sleep. A study on mice identified triethylene glycol, an active compound in ashwagandha, to induce sleep when consumed in large doses. You can typically find ashwagandha in powder form, but it also comes in the form of tea and supplements. 

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is a common go-to tea when you have a sore throat or runny nose. It’s comforting and helps reduce inflammation and cold symptoms. Other research noted that chamomile tea may be a helpful sleep tonic. One study, in particular, found that adults aged 60 and up who consumed 400 mg of chamomile extract for 28 consecutive days improved sleep quality. Another study monitored 80 women who experienced poor sleep. After drinking chamomile tea daily for two weeks, the subjects experienced a significant improvement in sleep. 

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Ice cream is a staple in many people’s daily eating routine. Sitting on the couch watching TV is a with a pint and as spoon is a common nightly occurrence. It’s incredibly unhealthy to do this because consuming that much dairy adds unnecessary calories and fat to your diet. Eating that much dairy can cause mucus accumulation in the body, and it also increases the risk of chronic inflammation. Not to mention, it’s very easy to gain weight when you consume full-fat dairy products like ice cream.

For this recipe, you don’t need dairy. In fact, you only need fresh ingredients that refresh the body on a warm summer day. Additionally, you want feel lethargic, bloated, or gassy when you enjoy this ice cream. It’s a guilt-free treat that utilizes one of summer’s classic produce items: cherries. And if you know anything about anything, cherries pair perfectly with chocolate. The bananas offer a complementary sweetness to the tart cherries, but they also add a luxurious, creamy texture.

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