Raw, Vegan and Gluten-Free
with Raw Fusion Baked option
I was watching the Dr. Oz show the other day, discussing foods that help promote restful sleep and I was struck by a combination of pumpkin seeds and applesauce, not a food combination that I would normally consider. Evidently, foods that are high in the amino acid, tryptophan (like pumpkin seeds) need to be combined with a carbohydrate in order to activate the niacin and seratonin that relax the nervous system and makes us drowsy.
According to this article on Livestrong.com, the amount of tryptophan found in a serving of food that contains this essential amino acid does not produce enough serotonin to cause sleepiness. The sleepy feeling you feel after eating a large meal — such as Thanksgiving dinner — typically comes from the high number of carbohydrates and calories you consumed.
That interesting fact as well as the pumpkin seed/applesauce combination started my Raw Fusion creative juices flowing so I decided to create a scone or muffin (see below) that can help people sleep since insomnia or some kind of sleep disorder affects as many as 100 million Americans (Sleep Wellness Institute). Wouldn’t it be great to just enjoy a delicious and healthy treat in the evening instead of taking medication? Let me know how these work for you (so far been getting thumb’s up from friends and family but that is not exactly hard science…)
For sweetening your dreams (and this recipe) you can use agave, maple syrup, honey, succanat, coconut nectar or palm sugar, which is derived from palm tree flowers.
Sweet Dreams Scones
Makes about 16 Scones (depending on size)
