Ocean Spray Cranberries... Bogging & Blogging!

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!

Tastes good. Good for you! (Click to enlarge)

The harvested cranberry bog

Beautifully landscaped trails lead to the bog
  
Great easy trails make this a great spot for families

Canadian geese enjoying the late Fall unseasonably warm weather

The stream floods the bogs for harvesting

How the cranberries are cultivated
A few lonely cranberries that weren't harvested remain

Beautiful male and female Mallard ducks blend in with the pond

Sloping Heart Healthy nature trail

Remnants of Hurricane Irene's damage

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

Healthy & Fit Challenge: Week 11 (WOW!) Check-in

I was so happy today to be able to give away five $25 gift cards to Sephora courtesy of the fine folks at SlimFast who wanted to reward the challengers hard work and dedication to wellness and fitness.  (By the way, if you were one of the seven getting the Slim Fast coupons, you need to send me your mailing address, please...)  Congrats to Andrea, Jessica, Dani, Samantha, and Tiffany - - I'm so happy for you to receive the gift cards but MORESO for you all sticking it out for the 90 (well, 78 to date) Day Challenge!  Be proud of your accomplishments!  Others are sticking in there with you - and we should ALL be proud of how well we've done.

Let's finish STRONG!

Check in by leaving a Comment and, as we move closer to the big holidays, let's support one another to keep working out and mindfully eating and logging our food.  All those nibbles of cookies and candies can really add up and sabotage your good work, so if you bite it, write it! :)

In the next eleven days there are two final giveaways... both are great ones.  If you are vegetarian or enjoy vegetarian foods, please let me know in the comments this week!

Here's to our health and our dedication, friends!

Dream.
Believe.
Achieve!

Jan / HealthyLoserGal