Banana Date Shake

February 9, 2009

If you’ve been looking for a delicious treat to satisfy your sweet tooth while still filling you up with all sorts of nutritious goodness, you have found your match! This Banana Date Smoothie is sure to turn any rainy day into a sunny one.

There’s the sweetest man at our farmer’s market who sells dates every Sunday. He sits there and calls out to all who pass, “nature’s candy!” I agree with him — that’s a perfect name for dates because they’re so sweet and creamy, just like candy. There are so many varieties of date to choose from, but my favorite ones are Medjools because they’re extra creamy and sweet.

Dates are high vitamin A and B6, but also in sugar, so just like candy, you don’t want to overdose on them (even though dates’ sugar is obviously natural). This date shake is perfect at this time of year when dates are fresh and in season. The shake is sweet — but not too sweet — and a great energy booster for kids heading off to school in the morning. Kenya may not be in school yet, but that doesn’t stop him from starting every day with one!