By Christine Gable | Photo by Tong Ro/Jupiter Images

Sink your teeth into the sweet yet nourishing goodness of the plump fruit of the date palm - yes, dates boast antioxidants, soluble fiber and easily digestible carbohydrates. Soft and semidry dates can be snipped or sliced and tossed into salads, cereals and baked goods
to boost your intake of B vitamins, potassium, folic acid and trace minerals. Try this recipe for an energizing preworkout lunch.  

Serves 6
2 cups water
1⁄2 tsp. salt
1 cup long-grain white rice
1 small red pepper, diced into 1⁄4-inch pieces
1⁄2 lb. lean smoked ham, diced into 1⁄4-inch pieces
2 navel oranges, peeled and sliced into 1⁄4-inch pieces
8 pitted dates, snipped into 1⁄8-inch pieces
1⁄4 tsp. cinnamon
Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Citrus dressing:
1⁄4 cup fresh orange juice
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1⁄4 cup olive oil
1⁄8 tsp. cinnamon
1⁄4 tsp. salt

Directions
1. In a medium saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil.
2. Add rice. Cover and reduce heat; simmer for 16-18 minutes.
3. In a separate dish, whisk together dressing ingredients until smooth.
4. When rice is cooked, scoop onto a large plate to cool. When it reaches room temperature, stir in pepper, ham, oranges and dates.
5. Drizzle with dressing and stir gently; top with cinnamon and freshly ground pepper.

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