Over the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend, I took a little drive on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to the
Ocean Spray cranberry bog which is located just beside Patriot Place in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Not only did I learn a great deal about harvesting cranberries but I also enjoyed the beautiful MA Department of Conservation and Recreation
"Healthy Heart Trail", something I never knew existed in the State! (More on this in a bit...)
I've been a cranberry fan for as long as I can remember. Last year at the holidays I posted a photo on the blog of my
cranberry relish. When I was growing up, my family drank "cranberry juice cocktail" and while I raised my son, we always had 100 percent Ocean Spray cranberry juice in our frig.
In the past year, thanks to Ocean Spray providing me with samples, I learned of Diet Sparkling Cranberry juice which is now my fav drink (and mixed 50/50 with pinot grigot over ice makes a heck of a low-cal Cranberry Spritzer!).
What I didn't know about Ocean Spray is that they are a grower-owned cooperative and that the
Gilmore family ancestors from South Carver, MA founded Ocean Spray and is a 6th generation (think about that for a moment... SIX generations!) grower. Their newest bog was named after their first grandchild, Charlotte, the 7th generation. : )
I encourage you to enlarge the photos (click on each photo) I took during my visit to the Foxborough harvested Ocean Spray cranberry bog (if it weren't yet harvested, the bog would be flooded and the berries skimming the top of the water) and learn about cranberries, the history of Ocean Spray, and harvesting cranberries.
And, I also hope you'll check out the Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation's Healthy Heart trails in your area (if you live in MA). I was really impressed that they have trails for ALL skill levels. This means that morbidly obese walkers can get out into nature as they begin their weight loss and fitness journey and walk on well cared for trails (the bog trails were beautiful!) that you'll know the intensity level and length of. The
department's information on the trails take away the anxiety of not knowing what lies ahead and whether or not you'll be physically able to complete the walk. You WILL be able to and then - when you're finished - you'll be able to say "I did it!" and be proud of your accomplishments!
Enjoy the tour, friends!
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Tastes good. Good for you! (Click to enlarge) |
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The harvested cranberry bog |
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Beautifully landscaped trails lead to the bog |
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Great easy trails make this a great spot for families |
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Canadian geese enjoying the late Fall unseasonably warm weather |
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The stream floods the bogs for harvesting |
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How the cranberries are cultivated
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A few lonely cranberries that weren't harvested remain |
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Beautiful male and female Mallard ducks blend in with the pond |
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Sloping Heart Healthy nature trail |
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Remnants of Hurricane Irene's damage |
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Beautiful late afternoon pond silhouette |
I hope you'll check out the delicious, healthy recipes on the
Ocean Spray site. If you look hard enough you'll find my libation recipe for Cranberry Spritzers! :)
Here's to our health...
Jan / HealthyLoserGal