Dates, an incredible fruit! This has to be a gift from God himself for our enjoyment. It is one of my “go-to’s” when I want a quick snack or want something sweet after dinner and want healthy too. Its got it all and then some…
Did you know that dates are grown at the top of Date Palm Trees?? Not all palm trees have coconuts, some are date palms. Dates are grown in clusters at the top of these trees, which means sometimes 75 feet up. I love finding out how different plants are grown and harvested. It makes me appreciate them even more and become more mindful of what I’m putting in my body.
Dates are a sweet, natural treat and are also full of vitamins and minerals such as selenium, magnesium, potassium, iron, fiber, manganese, to name a few, making them a perfect fruit in my opinion. Many of the minerals in dates support healthy bones and are good for our heart.
Dates contain about 70 calories each and 2 grams of fiber but also 15 grams of (natural) sugars so 1-2 dates would be a serving. Two dates also contain 280 mg of potassium!
Due to their sweetness, they lend well to being used as a dessert item for those who want a natural way to sweeten their taste buds! Here is a recipe for a sweet but also healthy treat I found that I hope you enjoy! (Recipe credit: Detoxinista.com)
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried unsweetened cherries
- 1/2 cup Medjool dates , pitted
- 1 cup raw almonds
Instructions
- In a food processor fitted with an “S” blade, combine the dried cherries and dates and process until a sticky dough is formed. (Be patient– this takes a minute or so!) Add in the raw almonds, then process again until the almonds are broken down and the batter looks uniform.
- mixThe resulting mixture may appear to be a bit crumbly, but it should stick together easily when you pinch the mixture with your fingers.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and transfer the batter to the flat surface. Press the dough into a flat, rectangle shape. (You could use a rolling pin for this, but I just used my hands.) Once the dough is evenly thick, you can slice it into 8 bars.
- Separate the bars and store them in a sealed container in the fridge for best shelf life. When you need to keep a snack in your purse or bag, simply wrap one of these bars tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper, and it should last an entire day or two at room temperature.
You could also easily roll this mixture into balls for an easy-to-grab snack!
You and your kids will love these for a healthy snack or dessert!! Enjoy and be mindful of what you eat.
Be blessed!
Lori