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You are here: Home / Buzz / One sheep, two sheep, no sleep solution

Buzz

One sheep, two sheep, no sleep solution

I am participating in sponsored post series, and have been provided bottles of tart cherry product and a FitBit to facilitate my participation in the sleep challenge as well as payment for my posts. All opinions are my own.

Sheep Standing In A Snow Filled FieldSHEEP

For some reason I never quite got the correlation of sleep and counting sheep. For me, concentrating on something like that brings out an OCD side that makes me begin to think? Did I miss one? Oh no! Where did it go? Now I have to start again. Creating a cycle of thinking and worrying and NOT sleeping.

As you know I feel like I’ve tried it all, and frankly while sleeping pills may WORK to knock me out, feeling awful the next day actually makes the whole problem even worse. I have spent the last years searching for an answer, and while NOTHING has been the perfect solution (because if you’re like me, your mind can takeover and fight even the STRONGEST solution). I wanted warm milk to help – but while it was a nice treat, it did nothing. With Melatonin pills I always took too much (there was no way to really monitor) and would have awful nightmares. So, this experiment that I’ve been doing for the past month with Tart Cherry Juice was just what I needed.

How do you know if it’s your body just ready or the “product” working?

I gave Tart Cherries the ULTIMATE test, as I had a lot of travel and the juice can’t be brought in my carry-on. So, I was able to test for 2 weeks, take a week off, and then go back on for a week. My experiment was “supposed” to be for 14 days, but as you can see – 14 consecutive days for me is tough as I travel one week on, one week off. I paired drinking 8 oz (roughly, as I just poured and drank, I never measure) twice a day (or a 1 oz shot of the concentrate mixed into a delicious recipe). Once in place of another juice in the morning and the other at some point before bed in the evening. I was not terribly consistent with the time I drank it, but I did NOT miss a day while I was home. During that period I wore a Fitbit Flex (which I have to say was cool, but didn’t go with my “nice” clothes) day and night to track my sleep.

Here’s what I found

Pre-Using Tart Cherry Juice

My average night’s sleep was about 4 hours – it was not in chunks, but I did get 2-3 hours before waking up and going back to sleep for an extra hour or so. Then came the TIME CHANGE and all he!! broke loose, there was LESS sleep to be had because my body couldn’t adjust to the new sleep/wake times. That’s actually pretty common, even among those who don’t normally have insomnia.

While I used the Tart Cherry Juice

I averaged 5.5 – 6.2 hours of sleep per night. That’s a significant improvement. I still woke up during the night multiple times, and the Fitbit reads stillness/rest as sleep as well, but the fact that I was able to get MORE sleep was amazing.

When I went away

While I was on a press trip I did not drink any, and my sleep actually went down even BELOW the 4 hours per night, but I was also on a tight schedule in a new bed. I had a bag of tart cherries, but forgot them at home. I’m going to see if they help as well as the juice does on my next trip. I’m guessing the effect of drinking it is not cumulative.

5½ hours of sleep may not seem like much to you

But that extra hour and a half made a WORLD of difference in the way that I function daily, and while my wish is that I could enjoy the juice and get 8 hours of sleep like “normal” people do, I understand that menopause has decided to mess with me in more ways than I can begin to express, and that extra bit of sleep means being more productive and just an all around better feeling. I learned that it’s NOT JUST ME, that was able to improve the quality of my sleep. Check out the sleep study done at Choose Cherries. There have been three independent studies, each showing that the severity of insomnia was reduced.

Cheaper and more natural

If I added up what I’ve spent over the years trying to get myself to sleep and had saved it – I’d probably be sleeping at the Crillon in Paris right now.  I learned that $84 million is spent on over the counter sleeping aids every year (my mind is now calculating what THAT could buy me in Paris). Drinking Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice is not only inexpensive, but it’s become my bedtime treat (sure beats warm milk).

Using the concentrate

Here’s one of the recipes that I used when I wanted a dessert drink (because you KNOW I love chocolate) Cherry Chocolate Recovery Drink

Total Time: 10 minutes

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons tart cherry juice concentrate
  • 1/2 ounce dark chocolate, melted
  • 4 ounces chocolate milk
  • 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup (optional)

Directions

Melt chocolate in saucepan over low heat, or in microwave for a few seconds.

Add tart cherry juice concentrate, chocolate milk, yogurt, melted chocolate and maple syrup together and blend or mix well.

Chill and serve.

More information can be found on

  • ChooseCherries.com
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChooseCherries
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChooseCherries
  • Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/choosecherries/

Cherries Sleep Giveaway Graphic 10.29

We want YOU to sleep too!

We’ve partnered with six OTHER blogs (7 in total) to give away a fabulous Tart Cherry Juice prize pack for one winner.

• Fitbit Flex in Red
• $100 Spafinder.com gift card
• Pottery Barn Cozy cable knit throw
• Natural Wake & Sleep System
• Restoration Hardware Bathrobe
• Tart Cherries product: dried, juice, and concentrate

Entering is SIMPLE & there are LOTS of ways to enter….(links above in the “more information” area)

• Commenting on Champagne Living (Mandatory)
• Follow Choose Cherries on Pinterest
• Pin the 14-day Sleep Challenge graphic on Pinterest with #TartCherrySleepChallenge
• Like Choose Cherries on Facebook
• Follow @ChooseCherries on Twitter
• Tweet about the @ChooseCherries giveaway using #TartCherrySleepChallenge

a Rafflecopter giveaway


76 Comments

About Zipporah Sandler

Zipporah Sandler AKA Zippy is a lifestyle and travel specialist who after living everywhere from Providence to Paris found herself suddenly residing in South Florida (something she swore she’d never do).

Whether it be San Pellegrino water or Louis Roderer Cristal, Zippy suggests that you keep your life sparkling and your glass full.

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Comments

  1. Julie Cohn says

    November 20, 2014 at 9:47 am

    I’ve tried products with tart cherry in them but they were awful tasting! I like tart cherry juice though and cannot wait to try this!

  2. shaunie says

    November 20, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    I have never tried or heard that it could do that (how amazing)

  3. Colleen Boudreau says

    November 20, 2014 at 11:25 pm

    No I haven’t tried that before.

  4. Jamie Geer says

    November 21, 2014 at 9:15 am

    I haven’t tried tart juice before, for any reason.

  5. Sandy says

    November 21, 2014 at 7:13 pm

    Seems interesting

  6. rachel says

    November 21, 2014 at 7:20 pm

    I haven’t tried it yet, but it sounds interesting.

  7. Noreen Tibor says

    November 21, 2014 at 7:42 pm

    I’ve heard that cherry juice Will help you sleep but have not had the opportunity to try. Would love to try

  8. christine+j says

    November 21, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    I have not heard of this before

  9. camilla wilson says

    November 21, 2014 at 9:06 pm

    I haven’t tried. But will try it!

  10. melyssah says

    November 21, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    Nope, not yet

  11. Erin Marie elari says

    November 21, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    I haven’t tryed tart cherry but I’m willing to try anything
    Because I can’t sleep at night I end up crashing mid day

  12. crystal sheckles-gibson says

    November 22, 2014 at 1:02 am

    I haven’t tried tart cherries but I would give it a shot. Lord knows I have tried everything else to get a good nights sleep.

  13. Aline+Boutz says

    November 22, 2014 at 7:45 am

    I have never tired the tart cherry juice, actually I have never heard of it.

  14. Terri says

    November 22, 2014 at 11:43 am

    I haven’t tried it yet but I would be willing to, I’ve tried everything thing else and I would love to be able to get off of a script for something natural

  15. linda w. says

    November 22, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    I haven’t tried it but i should since i never can sleep.

  16. Carol N says

    November 22, 2014 at 6:45 pm

    I have not tried tart juice as a sleep aid.

  17. diana shenderovich says

    November 22, 2014 at 6:49 pm

    love cherries,bun never tried as a sleep aid

  18. Susan Alles says

    November 22, 2014 at 6:53 pm

    I love tart cherry use but I never knew it was a sleep aid. I’m going to give it a try!

  19. Jackie says

    November 22, 2014 at 6:54 pm

    I’ve never tried it, but would love to.
    Thank you!

  20. Elizabeth says

    November 22, 2014 at 6:54 pm

    I have not used Tart Juice as a sleep aid, but it sounds like something I’d like to try.

  21. Lori Humphrey says

    November 22, 2014 at 6:57 pm

    I have nevered tried Tart Cherry Juice but I love cherries. I will have to try some.

  22. Laura Royal says

    November 22, 2014 at 7:01 pm

    Yes, I’ve used it as a sleep aid during bouts of insomnia and found that around 4 oz an hour prior to bed helped a lot.

  23. carolc says

    November 22, 2014 at 7:10 pm

    I have not tried it yet but I will now.

  24. Tracy Ann Schwartz says

    November 22, 2014 at 7:16 pm

    I have never tried this, would like the chance to though.

  25. Anita says

    November 22, 2014 at 7:19 pm

    I’ve never tried,but I am extremely interested though,thanks

  26. Bo says

    November 22, 2014 at 7:26 pm

    I have never tried it but it sounds interesting!

  27. Andrea B Cofman says

    November 22, 2014 at 7:36 pm

    Never knew until now that “Tart Cherry Juice” had such an effect on Sleeping…WOW!! If I knew that I would have gotten this a long time ago…I am restless at Bedtime & have a hard time getting to sleep ( always to much on the mind) I would LOVE to try this & finally get some ZZZzzz’s…Please!!!!

  28. Kat says

    November 22, 2014 at 7:46 pm

    Interesting. I have not tried cherries as a sleep aid. I wonder if it would give me heartburn?

  29. Carol Burgess says

    November 22, 2014 at 7:57 pm

    Never but I would like to

  30. T.Halle says

    November 22, 2014 at 8:27 pm

    I’ve always heard that cherries are good for gout . . . I know this isn’t about that, just sayin’ . . .

  31. Lisa L says

    November 22, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    No, I have not tried it, but am interested in it!

  32. Lynn Szeliga says

    November 22, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    I have tried tart cherry cherry to relieve back pain.

  33. Susan Jordan says

    November 22, 2014 at 9:01 pm

    No I haven’t tried it, but have heard it helps! I wake up all during the night! Thx for the chance!

  34. Tabitha D says

    November 22, 2014 at 9:02 pm

    I have not, this is the first I’ve heard of it.

  35. Gayle S says

    November 22, 2014 at 9:33 pm

    I have heard that tart cherry juice is good for sore joints but I have never heard that it can help with sleep. I have problems with both so this would be a great way to get some relief.

  36. Tina M says

    November 22, 2014 at 9:35 pm

    I love tart cherry juice. I have never used it as a sleep aid. I had to stop buying it cause I couldn’t afford it.

  37. laura says

    November 22, 2014 at 9:47 pm

    no i havent tried this yet

  38. Sandra Watts says

    November 22, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    I have never tried it but it couldn’t hurt. My sleep pattern really stinks.

  39. Janel says

    November 22, 2014 at 10:05 pm

    I’ve never tried tart cherry juice as a sleep aid.

  40. Tim A says

    November 22, 2014 at 11:53 pm

    I have not tried it as a sleep aid but I love cherries so I may try it soon.

  41. Christina Easter says

    November 23, 2014 at 12:05 am

    I haven’t tried tart juice as a sleep aid, but it does sound interesting and appealing!

  42. Sherry Ann Abrams says

    November 23, 2014 at 12:46 am

    If they made you less “Zippy” and more “Sleepy” I’ll give it a try!

  43. Melanie McDowell says

    November 23, 2014 at 12:50 am

    I’ve never tried tart cherry juice, but I was raised on a farm and the natural state of my foods growing up seemed to the best way to live. At 55, I am getting more and more back to natural state of everything that I eat or put on or in my body and would LOVE to try this!! Thanks!

  44. saint says

    November 23, 2014 at 1:48 am

    Not yet tried

  45. fawkes says

    November 23, 2014 at 1:50 am

    Haven’t

  46. jen miner says

    November 23, 2014 at 3:11 am

    havent tried sounds great though!!!!

  47. Christy says

    November 23, 2014 at 3:15 am

    I have not had the opportunity to try Tart Cherry Juice Sleep Aid yet but I’ve heard amazing things and can’t wait to get my hands on some!!

  48. Judy Gerhart says

    November 23, 2014 at 5:39 am

    Using as a sleep aid -great idea

  49. Laurie Strawbridge says

    November 23, 2014 at 6:14 am

    I have never tried tart cherry juice, but definitely want to after reading your blog. I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and painful osteoarthritis. Sleep is a huge factor in my daily comfort, and poor sleep aggravates my symptoms. I will definitely be trying Tart Cherry Juice Sleep Aid! Thank you 🙂

  50. olene mccoy says

    November 23, 2014 at 7:47 am

    they say this juice is good for arthritis too, ive bought it several times but never followed through, and I can’t sleep either, so I will try this again, tks.

  51. Melissa wolos says

    November 23, 2014 at 7:56 am

    I have never heard this before about helping with sleeping. If it does I’m going out and getting some.

  52. sandra says

    November 23, 2014 at 10:29 am

    have not tried but would like to

  53. Geralyn Janczak says

    November 23, 2014 at 11:48 am

    I used tart cherry juice to help ease inflammation in my knees, and I think it help.

  54. Katie says

    November 23, 2014 at 6:56 pm

    LOVE cherry juice!

  55. Edgar Ray Gunn Jr says

    November 23, 2014 at 7:36 pm

    I have a terrible time sleeping and I hate using medication so maybe I will give cherries a try.

  56. Vicki Toy says

    November 23, 2014 at 8:11 pm

    I have never tried tart cherry for anything but am will to give it a try!

  57. Charles Goode says

    November 23, 2014 at 8:32 pm

    Happy Thanksgiving

  58. Michele Comas says

    November 23, 2014 at 9:26 pm

    I HAVE NOT, BUT CANT WAIT TO TRY

  59. Shirley Smith says

    November 23, 2014 at 10:33 pm

    I have never tried Tart Cherry, But I would love to have the chance to do so. Thank you so much for the chance.

  60. Liz Blake says

    November 24, 2014 at 9:33 am

    My husband uses cherry juice for gout as well as cherries.

  61. CHRISTY D BLACK says

    November 24, 2014 at 10:23 am

    I have not tried it as a sleep aid!! Wow!! Hope I win!! 🙂

  62. dale bartlett says

    November 24, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    Havent tried it.But could use help sleeping

  63. Bain says

    November 24, 2014 at 6:31 pm

    Tart cherry juice has also been studied for use by athletes in muscle recovery, and the results are promising. I think the main peer-reviewed studies are on PubMed. Great stuff, I love the concentrate in some fizzy Soda Stream water. I plan to take it with me during my segment of MS Run the US (for a little more info: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/Bain/msruntheus2015relay

  64. Maria says

    November 24, 2014 at 9:52 pm

    I haven’t tried it yet!

  65. Mike says

    November 25, 2014 at 7:53 am

    I haven’t tried it yet.

  66. Mike says

    November 25, 2014 at 7:54 am

    I haven’t tried it yet. But,willing to try it.

  67. iamalighthouse says

    November 25, 2014 at 11:51 pm

    I have not but I have heard they work well!

  68. kris says

    November 26, 2014 at 2:32 am

    I didnt know tart cherry was a sleep aid! I recommend it to my customers for joint support 🙂 good to know! thank you!

  69. Mary McCloy says

    November 26, 2014 at 10:02 pm

    I have tried just about everything to help me sleep and nothing worked.I am hoping to try this product because it sounds amazing.

  70. Rebecca French Day says

    November 27, 2014 at 11:31 pm

    I would be willing to try the tart cherry juice to see if it helped my health.

  71. Naomi says

    November 28, 2014 at 3:33 pm

    I have never heard about cherries being a sleep aid! I’ll have to check that out.

  72. Dennis Laborada says

    November 28, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    I haven’t tried it as asleep aid

  73. Linda Owens says

    November 29, 2014 at 7:44 pm

    I have not tired tart juice

  74. Hope Pakula says

    November 30, 2014 at 7:44 pm

    I have not tried the product but I would like to try it since I don’t sleep well

  75. Gary Goaziou says

    December 1, 2014 at 6:48 pm

    Always cool prizes

  76. iamalighthouse says

    December 10, 2014 at 9:52 pm

    Who won? 🙂

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