Date Shake

Date Shake.

Date Shake weather in Palm Springs. It’s 90º and feels like summer already with a hot wind and dazzling sunshine. Is it possible to enjoy life and allow oneself to feel happy in the midst of everything that’s going on around us? The world news is a beast of burden and I wonder when I do my bit to make it better whether it’s signing  petitions for Amnesty International, donating to Feed America or writing to our senators to stop Monsanto’s Dream bill in the Senate, is it enough? Can I allow myself to frolic in the pool?  Our front lawn is scorched yellow and brown and is crunchy underfoot from lack of water with our California drought.  We are doing our best to conserve, yet in other parts of the valley emerald green golf courses and lawns thrive like water is plentiful and there is no drought.

To stay sane with a peaceful heart I cook with mindfulness. It’s simple when you consciously bring your thoughts to the task at hand in the moment, chopping, slicing, peeling veggies, blending a shake  –whatever it is. Just focusing on what you are doing fully will bring great ease to the mind and heart. If we work on our own inner peace, surely it will vibrate out into the rest of the universe, planting seeds of peace and love in the madness of what is.

Date shake is on my mind now walking through the farmers’ market which will move indoors in a couple of weeks for the Summer season. The dark handsome courteous young date farmer is at his stall selling his family’s luscious soft moist organic dates that are grown close-by in Mecca, near the Salton Sea. Go to this link. These small jewels of goodness are my new favorite sweet to add to muesli, shakes and salads. Full of fiber, potassium,magnesium, copper and Vitamin B-6, they are fat free – not that fat concerns me in the least. Check the link above for the history and nutritious value of this delicious date.

I bought 1 pound of the small Halawy date after a taste test. It’s rich caramel flavor and light texture melted in my mouth and my eyelids closed all on their own, savoring the experience of this delectable chew.

Stay cool!

You will need for one serving

• 1/2 cup organic whole milk
• 1/2 cup organic vanilla ice cream
• 3-4 organic dates I used Halawy
• 3 ice cubes
• pinch of nutmeg (optional)

These fresh dates are soft and chewy so are easy to remove from pit, chop by hand then add to blender.

1. add the milk and whizz till blended 
2. add the ice cream, ice cubes and nutmeg if using and blend till smooth.

If you want it thicker add more ice cream 

Note:  You can try this alternative recipe with unsweetened almond milk and coconut Bliss ice cream thats dairy free, soy free and gluten free. let me know how it turns out for you.