Everyone knows caffeine is bad late at night; it keeps you awake. That is unless your body is conditioned to enjoy it as part of a great dinner or a special, soothing hot beverage to cap an evening. It’s conditioning. Coffee is the enemy and keeps you awake only if you let it! Trust me. I live the late-nite double espresso existence.

What if  you are on the other end of the spectrum? What if the caffeine gets you? What then helps you fall asleep and sleep soundly? There are those that suggest a warm glass of milk instead of the hot coffee. Or the camp that says a bowl of cereal–milk again tops the list for its calcium-inducing factors. How about other strategies to help awaken the melatonin and get the sleep juices going?

A new report says a handful of dried cherries or even a banana about an hour before bedtime does the trick. No wonder the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City, Michigan offers a cherry massage. It’s a natural! Also not coincidental that this is the location of the annual National Cherry Festival. Not a difficult food to honor!  Tasty and good for you: A perfect combination.

Sleep well.