Phoenix Dactylifera

We have been looking at apartment’s lofts and townhomes for days trying to find a new home. Most of the staff in these facilities has been friendly and helpful and prompt. Yesterday we encountered the nest of rudeness. Practically in my own back yard. We called the place as we got there so as not to waste my time or theirs. No answer, yet there are four vehicles out front none parked in “Future Resident” parking. We call again, still no answer. We go in. No one greets us. We hear voices and we chat with each other, still no greeting.  We start to wonder around the club house area, still nothing. We then go to the club house kitchen and start opening and banging cabinets, nothing. We wander through private office area and guess what nothing.  After 15 minutes I inform my daughter we are NOT supposed to live here. Her response was “why would anybody, these people are rude!” On the way in we saw a man filling out paperwork and chatting with someone we could not see. Shoe decides to be bold and step into his lease signing and low and behold our unwillingness to be rude and intrude on his time finds not only him but the agent he is working with plus 2 other agents who are involved in a personal conversation.  We are each writing to the corporate headquarters regarding this matter.  I will also include that the refrigerator was filthy inside and in need of a cleaning. There was a small boy in the fitness center attempting a workout on a weight machine.  If you are thinking of renting in this area and want to be at a facility such as this let me know I will give you the name.

I have been craving dates. Weird I know but seriously craving dates. So I bought a canister of chopped dates and was eating them in my yogurt. Somewhat satisfying. I was shopping the other day and still having a crazy need to eat dates when there they were in the deli section a nice sized bowl of Medjool dates. I bought it and have been eating 2 a day.  Anyone else crave dates? Well to satisfy my curiosity I shall inform us all about them.

*Botanically; they are the fruits grow on the palm tree 

belonging to the family of Arecaceae of the genus:Phoenix 

and scientifically named as Phoenix dactylifera.

·       *  The palm tree species that bear dates is a dactylifera it translates to finger, I bear. So that would mean I bear fingers.

·       *  It is believed that date palm originated around Persia.

·      *  The Egyptians turned the dates into wine.

·        *Dates were brought to Mexico and California by 1765 where they were cultivated around Mission San Ignacio

·        *Dates range from bright red to yellow when unripe

·        *They have male and female plants.  Only the female bearing fruit. There is usually one male per female plant however with help 1 male can pollinate 100 female plants

.

·        *Dried dates are fed to camels, horses and dogs in the Sahara

·       * Finely ground dates can be used with flour to make bread

·        *The young tender leaves and date flowers are also edible

·       * Dates are a good source of potassium which is an important component of cell and body fluids that aid in controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Offering  protection against stroke and coronary heart diseases.

·        *Protein and fiber along with traces of boron, cobalt, copper, fluorine, magnesium , manganese, selenium and zinc

·      *  The tree trunk is tapped for the sap which is then made into molassis and wine

·        *They contain, vitamin A, which is known to have antioxidant properties and is essential for vision. Vitamin A maintains healthy mucus membranes and skin.  A is known to help to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

·        *Vitamin C, B6, B1,B2,B3, B5, B9, E, K,  Calcium and iron

·        *Every part of the date palm can be used for building, or baskets or eating.

·       * Dates have a high tannin content and have been used for fever, astringent, detergent, for intestinal troubles. The syrup is used for sore throats, colds, bronchial catarrh.

·        *They are also believed to counteract alcohol intoxication

·      *  It is taken to relieve cystitis, gonorrhea, edema, liver and abdominal troubles.

·      *  The fruit is rich in dietary fiber, this prevents LDL cholesterol absorption in the gut. It also helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time, as well as binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon.

·        *The fruit is very rich in antioxidant flavonoids such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.  These help protect cells and other structures in the body from oxygen free radicals which are protective against colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers.

*Who needs Centrum Silver just eat a few dates every day. Yumm

Lady Tamara www.LochaberHighlandEstates.comwishes to thank Morocco for the dates!