Dates

Recipe – Date “Bon Bons”

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The Humble Date

The fruit of the date palm tree, the date, is believed to have originated somewhere around the Persian Gulf. It is considered one of the oldest cultivated fruits and is part of the staple diet in Middle Eastern countries. When ripe, they are brown and shriveled, resembling a prune. There are several varieties of dates categorized into three groups based on their sugar content – soft, semi-dry and dried.

Consumed in both fresh and dried form, they are sweet with a rich, deep flavor and slightly chewy texture. They can be chopped, candied, stuffed and added to various recipes and even used as a substitute for refined sugar. Besides their rich taste, they are a powerhouse of nutrition that can boost your energy and have a number of health benefits. Here are just a few:

Dates are high in iron making them the perfect home remedy for iron deficiency (anemia).

Dates contain potassium and are a natural laxative, so they can help with both constipation and diarrhea.

Dates contain fluorine which inhibits tooth decay by removing plaque and strengthening tooth enamel.

Dates contain organic sulphur which reduces allergic reactions and seasonal allergies.

There are several varieties of dates. The Medjool (Morrocco), Barhi and Halawy (Iraq), Hayani (Egypt) and Iteema (Algeria) to name a few.

Source: 18 Benefits of Date Fruit and Its Nutrial Value by Vineetha in Fruits healthbeacon.com

Recipe – Date “Bon Bons”

Simmer together until soft, then cool:

2 cups chopped dates

½ cup orange juice

Put in a large bowl and add:

1 cup walnuts, chopped fine

1 ½ cups unsweetened, shredded coconut

½ tsp. vanilla

Mix well and roll in unsweetened, shredded coconut. Refrigerate.

Food for Life – Nut Banana Loaf

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“The word organic has a specific meaning in chemistry and describes any compound based on carbon. Carbon dioxide, methane, and butane, as well as fat, starch, sugar, and protein are examples of natural organic compounds. In addition to compounds found in nature, modern science has created synthetic organic compounds. Nylon, for example, is a synthetic made from compounds found in oats. Most synthetic fibers and plastic products are made from natural raw materials, and are thus called synthetic organic compounds.

“Drinking water contains both natural and synthetic organic compounds, and they can create health problems. Some organics are what nightmares are made of.

“The Hudson River Valley in New York State is a place of great scenic beauty. . . . The land rises in palisades on one side of the river, affording magnificent views. . . . The Sunday sailors who take their snarks and snipes for a run in the summer breeze can look into the water and see fish swimming in large schools. In fact, the number of fish seems to be increasing each year….Indeed, the Hudson looks as if it has defied the odds and remained pristine in spite of the chemicals dumped by the riverside industries. But looks are deceptive.

“The Hudson River is so polluted with chemicals that the river’s fishing industry was shut down by the state in February 1976. Toxins such as benzene, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), tetrahydrofuran, toluene, and chloroform (among others) were found in such high quantities that fish caught in the Hudson are considered unfit to eat.

“A 1977 study by the Environmental Protection Agency identified 280 organic compounds in the waterways. A joint study by two environmental activist groups,…found that some of the most potent cancer-causing toxins and chemicals known to cause birth defects were present in the water that served 150,000 people in and around Poughkeepsie. And if the plans set forth by the Army Corps of Engineers are accepted, this water will serve 10 million additional people of the New York metropolitan area.

“Other guests at the chemical feast include: Philadelphians, who drink water from the Delaware River and are subjected to varying amounts of PCBs, a dangerous toxin. The former residents of Love Canal, a small housing development built on a filled-in canal near Niagara Falls. Their drinking water was contaminated by a landfill containing 82 chemical compounds, including 11 known or suspected carcinogens. Some residents of Canton, Connecticut, have been advised to buy bottled water because seven of the town’s wells contain extremely high levels of chemicals known to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Water is to Drink, by Carol Keough, 7–9.

Now we can begin to understand God’s final warning to His people that in the last days everything will be polluted, the air, the water, and the animals . . . everything! So people beware! It is an unsafe world out there, but for the protection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ over His chosen ones.

Recipe – Nut Banana Loaf

½ cup nuts, ground fine

½ cup Uncle Sam’s Cereal Flakes

½ cup ground dates

1 cup raisins, ground fine

2 ripe bananas

Mix ingredients thoroughly and put into baking pan.

Bake at 300–325° for 45 minutes.

Editorial – The Meaning of Prophetic Endorsements

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The message of William Miller concerning 1843 (the error in the date was later corrected to 1844) was, we believe, the truth of God and was the message He wanted His people to receive. However, this message was eventually rejected by almost the whole religious world of that time, including all of the mainline churches. It was opposed as an erroneous, date-setting message. We still believe in the date 1844 just as much as Miller did. We are certain that the interpretation of Daniel 7, 8, 9, and 12, with the dates of 27 a.d., 31 a.d., 457 b.c., 538 b.c., 538 a.d., 508 a.d., 1798 a.d., and 1844 a.d. is just as true as when he published the 1843 chart.

William Miller has been attacked on several fronts by our theological opponents, past and present, who believe that the historic Adventist theology, which we hold dear, can be destroyed by, first of all, destroying the credibility of William Miller. One of the two issues in the attack on Miller will be briefly discussed in this editorial.

It is thought by many, including former Seventh-day Adventist ministries, that since Ellen White endorsed Miller, if Miller’s exegesis or methodology of Scripture study can be proved wrong, then Ellen White is a false prophet for endorsing him and historic Adventism is no longer credible. As explained in the first paragraph, we still believe the principle thrust of the 1843 chart, though not espousing all data or explanations. Ellen White and our pioneers acknowledged some mistakes in the 1843 chart, too, and yet Ellen White endorsed it and said that it was of God. This is very perplexing to some “black and white” thinkers, including some who used to be Seventh-day Adventist ministers.

So what does a prophetic endorsement mean? We go to the Scriptures to find the highest possible prophetic endorsement for the Christian—that of Jesus Christ Himself. In Matthew 11, Jesus said, concerning John the Baptist, that (1) He endorsed the ministry of John the Baptist; (2) He called him a prophet; (3) he was even more than a prophet; and (4) among those who were born of women there had not arisen one greater than him. It would seem impossible for a human being to obtain a higher endorsement than this or an endorsement based on a higher authority. Was the theology of John the Baptist without any major mistakes or flaws? No, we know that he was mixed up on some major issues, such as his understanding of the work of the Messiah—which caused him to doubt whether Jesus was the Messiah. Without doubt, there were people who rejected Jesus as being the Messiah as a result of their views about John the Baptist. (See Matthew 21.)

We see, in the instance of John the Baptist, that a prophetic or a divine endorsement does not mean that the person endorsed could not have a misunderstanding of prophecy or of some Scriptures. This would be true not only of William Miller but even of John the Baptist! In both cases their work was divinely endorsed, and they were led of God to proclaim the messages they proclaimed—one concerning preparation for the first advent and the other concerning preparation for the second advent. We see, then, that the same methodology by which William Miller was discredited would also, in the hands of a skillful debater, discredit major figures in God’s work in Bible times.

Objectors counter that William Miller used a faulty methodology in Bible study. We will look at that next.

“It is never best for one to think that he understands every phase of truth, for he does not. Then let no man flatter himself that he has a correct understanding of all portions of Scripture and feel it his duty to make everybody else understand them just as he does.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 533, 534.

Recipe – Date Paste

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1 cup pitted dates, packed ½ cup hot water
Combine dates and hot water in bowl. Let soak about 5 minutes. Place dates and liquid in blender and process until completely smooth. Store in closed container in refrigerator. Use in place of sugar in favorite recipes, as a spread or dip on fruit pieces.

Food – The Delectable Date

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Wonderfully delicious, bursting with natural sugars and intense flavors, dates provide a storehouse of energy and life-sustaining nutrition.

Crowning the tops of towering, slender palm trees, dates grow in heavy clusters of oblong amber to deep brown fruits, 200 or more in a cluster weighing up to 25 pounds. The tree, growing to an impressive height of 100 feet, produces 100 to 300 pounds of fruit annually, often living more than 100 years.

Date palms are some of the oldest cultivated plants in recorded history. Since biblical times, the date was believed to possess profound healing properties. Science today is finally catching up in confirming its powerful medicinal benefits:

Rich in potassium: Found to be a very rich source of potassium, dates help reduce cholesterol, lowering the risk of stroke. Potassium is an important element of cell and body fluids that help regulate heart rate and support healthy blood pressure.

Rich in magnesium: Dates contain high levels of magnesium, a mineral known for its anti-inflammatory benefits, effectively reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and other inflammation-related health ailments, as well as lowering blood pressure.

Excellent source of iron: Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside red blood cells, determines the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. About 10 dates supplies 11 percent of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of iron.

Rich in other minerals; moderate in vitamins: Dates, rich in calcium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium and copper, provide minerals for supporting strong bone health and fighting osteoporosis. They contain moderate levels of B-complex vitamins with B-6 topping the list, aiding in the metabolism of food and the formation of new blood cells, as well as improving brain performance. Dates are infused with Vitamin A, known to have antioxidant properties essential for vision, to be effective against macular degeneration and night blindness, and is also required in maintaining healthy mucous membranes and skin.

High in fiber: Because of the whopping fiber content, dates are an effective natural remedy for constipation. They can also alleviate diarrhea as their high levels of soluble fiber and potassium provide bulk. Consistent intake helps to inhibit the growth of pathogens in the digestive tract, while enhancing the growth of beneficial bacteria. Just four dates provide nearly 7 grams of fiber.

Pregnant and Nursing Mothers: “In a 2011 study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, women who ate 6 dates a day for 4 weeks prior to their delivery date had improved cervical dilation, less damage to membranes, more spontaneous and shorter labor times and required less drugs.” www.naturalhealth365.com/benefits-of-dates-1974.html

Dieticians consider dates the best food for breast-feeding mothers, as they contain components that enrich breast milk with nutrients needed for healthy child development and resistance to disease.

These little nutrition bombs, consumed in moderation, can be used to sweeten recipes in place of sugar. Use as an adhesive agent in raw baking and in energy bars; add to cereals and fruit salads or use to mask greens in smoothies; stuff with nuts and roll in coconut. Its buttery, caramely sweet flavor and beneficial health qualities will bring natural sweetness to food and wellness to the body.

 

Recipe

Date Paste
1 cup pitted dates, packed ½ cup hot water
Combine dates and hot water in bowl. Let soak about 5 minutes. Place dates and liquid in blender and process until completely smooth. Store in closed container in refrigerator. Use in place of sugar in favorite recipes, as a spread or dip on fruit pieces.