The Date Shake (smoothie): January 31st.

The Date Shake (smoothie) solves all problems. | SPG 31 Days of Smoothies

For me, this is saving the best for last. A smoothie dedicated to an all-time classic: The Date Shake.

For more information on the date shake, including origins, who has the best, and a trove of recipes, look it up. My date shake is dedication to, and specific to, one location, and that's Dateland, Arizona.

When I lived in Arizona (both times), I used to day trip to San Diego, as one is wont to do (right?). The first time I drove through Dateland was on the way back from my first of such trips. I saw a sign about "famous Date Shakes" and, being the foodthusiast that I was, went "OH! Date Shakes! I've heard of them!" Mind you, I had just driven through Palm Springs, one of the purported origin places of the Date Shake.

Anyway, I for sure stopped. One, because they told me to on the sign, and two, because this was a Date Shake served at a store inside a gas station, and you know those are the best stops for everything road-trip related.

To this day, I cannot properly describe the magic they created in that shake, because I don't want to know, and I don't need to know. Caramel-like, with a deep flavor I can't quite describe, but when you know, you know, you know?

From then on, Dateland became a destination. Even when I would go back to Arizona to visit, there was always a trip to Dateland. It represented road trip freedom, the openness of the desert, and even though it was a 2-hour drive from Phoenix, it was just time to think, to stare, to ponder life. Corporate focus-shift made your role obsolete and you didn't know what came next? Dateland. Unprecedented, life-altering family event occured on the other side of the country? Dateland. Just wanted a Date Shake? Dateland.

Though I don't care to try to re-create the exact Date Shake, because what would be the fun of getting a real one, I do have my own tribute band version, the Date Shake (smoothie).

Until next time we meet, Dateland. Until next time.

The Date Shake (smoothie)

• 1 cup milk of choice

• 1 serving protein powder of choice

• 2-3 pitted Medjool or 4-6 Deglet dates (this is indulgence here, GO FOR IT)

• 2 tablespoons walnuts

• 1/2 of a large frozen banana

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• Tiny pinch of salt

• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Make It:

• Place all of the ingredients in a blender.

• Blend until smooth.

• Make that important life decision.

Pictured here: THE REAL THING. And the author in front of the Dateland Travel Center, circa 2019. Not her first trip. Not her last.