Delicious dates are definitely having their day! The nutrientdense nuggets are being touted as a superfood snack with online searches for soft and sweet Medjools recently hitting an all-time high. This is great news for local farmers as the Coachella Valley is our country’s leading producer of dates. Many are challenged to meet demand as farms and enterprises expand, and industry sales are up 30% from last year. So what makes dates so wonderful? They are packed with fiber, antioxidants, six essential B vitamins, and seven essential minerals, including potassium, magnesium and copper. They are a heart-healthy addition to any diet and a low-glycemic, diabetesfriendly snack. Doctors at the recent Plant-based Nutrition Healthcare Conference touted them as the healthiest sugar option with unlimited applications as granulated sugar, syrup, small pieces, paste and purely straight. Because dates combine natural sugars with fiber, they provide immediate and sustained energy without the rapid spike and crash of refined sugar, says Foodie Physician Sonali Ruder, MD. Thus, date sugars are the perfect substitute for your holiday baking and suitable for children, athletes and busy adults. Dr. Ruder presented at the California Dates Forum, Farm Tour & Culinary Experience held in October to celebrate National California Date Month. The spectacular event included an al fresco lunch at Aziz Farms in Thermal curated by celebrated Chef Jamie Gwen. We are delighted to share one of her many unique and healthy recipes offered. Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Date Romesco Cauliflower Steaks • 1 head of cauliflower, cleaned of leaves and stem trimmed • ⁄ cup good-quality olive oil • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika • 1 teaspoon roasted garlic powder • 1 teaspoon ground cumin • 1 teaspoon salt • ⁄ teaspoon freshly ground pepper Cut the cauliflower into 1-inch-thick slabs, slicing lengthwise through the core to keep the “steaks” intact. Place the cauliflower steaks in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Combine the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt and pepper and mix to combine. Brush the cauliflower steaks with the seasoned oil on both sides. Roast at 400°F for 15 minutes. Remove the tray from the oven and carefully flip the steaks over. Roast for another 15 minutes or until tender. California Date Romesco Sauce • One 16-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained • ⁄ cup roasted almonds • 3 California Dates, pitted • ⁄¤ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika • Salt and freshly ground pepper • ⁄ cup extra-virgin olive oil Using your blender, combine all of the ingredients, except for the olive oil. Blend until smooth, then drizzle in the olive oil with the blender running. Adjust the seasoning and serve. Chef's Tip: Romesco Sauce is best made in advance to allow the flavors to meld. For additional recipe ideas and pairings with wine, cheeses, chocolate and more, visit www.CaliforniaDates.com or follow them @DatesareGreat. References: 1) https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&geo=US&q=medjool%20dates&hl=en; 2) https://www.inc.com/ danielle-wiener-bronner/dates-are-going-viral-farmers-are-leaning-in-heres-why/91241853 www.DesertHealthNews.com November/December 2025 Fresh Cuisine The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 21 LA QUINTA 79050 Highway 111 at Adams Street INDIAN WELLS 74895 Highway 111 at Cook Street PALM SPRINGS 5200 E. Ramon Road at Gene Autry Trail SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET Desert Health is proud to be featured in Sprouts Farmers Market. Stop by and pick up your copy today! www.freshjuicebar.com Choose real food. Palm Desert La Quinta Palm Springs Indio The Caribbean Bowl The Berry Acai Bowl The Tropical Pitaya Bowl @freshjuicebar Fat needs vary with health history, body composition and goals. Because fat is calorie-dense, it can help to limit intake when trying to lose weight. However, some people, including those with hormone issues, post-menopausal women, or those with cardiac risk factors, may benefit from more healthy fats or omega-3 supplementation. Protein. Protein is made up of amino acids, which are used to build and repair muscle, make enzymes and hormones, support immune function and metabolism, and maintain healthy skin, hair and nails. Protein is essential for almost every process in the body, and because we can’t store it for later use, it must be consumed regularly. Like carb and fats, protein quality matters. “High-quality proteins” (lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy and soy) contain all nine essential amino acids, are easily digestible and bioavailable - meaning your body can efficiently access and use the amino acids. Most plant proteins (beans, lentils, nuts, seeds) have less protein per gram and may lack one or more of the essential amino acids, but combining different plant proteins can meet your needs. The recommended dietary allowance for protein is 0.36g per pound of body weight per day. For a 150-lb person, that’s 54 grams daily, which is really just enough to avoid deficiency. However, most people want more than mere survival. To thrive, maintain energy and strength, and support immunity, aim for 0.8-1.0 gram per pound daily. For weight loss, adequate protein combined with strength training helps preserve muscle while losing fat. The takeaway. Macros aren’t inherently good or bad. What matters is the source, the amount and how well they work together to support your health. Each one plays a unique and essential role. By focusing on minimally processed foods, balanced meals and adequate protein, you can fuel your body, maintain muscle and support a healthy metabolism. No extreme measures or fad diets needed! Dr. Rachel Felber is a local physician and owner of Health Yourself coaching and consulting. She can be reached at Rachel@HealthYourselfToday.com. Macros Made Simple Continued from page 9 Celebrating California Dates By Lauren Del Sarto definitely nutrient- as a searches Dates
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