Blueberry buckets
Tons of blueberries in Berkley, MA
Blueberries all around!
Last week I went blueberry picking! It was fantastic. I finished work at 1pm, did some client filling, client callbacks, self care for my neck and shoulders and then did some research on where to go for U-pick blueberries. I called around to a few places and found this great place in Berkely MA. I was only 2-3 miles from my office so I whipped myself out of the door and headed out. Blueberry picking reminds me of being a kid again but this time I can reach the berries on top of the bushes. When I arrived there was a very long row of buckets with cords attached to them. I grabbed a big bucket and started to walk towards the U-pick em’ blueberries area when an older gentleman with a farm aid shirt saying “Farmers kick ass” in pictures approached me. “Hello, you don’t want to choose that bucket its too big” He grabbed the bucket that was hung around my neck and draped over my neck and put a firm amount of pressure on it. “See, when this bucket is filled with blueberries it will be too heavy for your neck, choose this one over here instead, it’s smaller. Then take this other 1/2 gallon size bucket and pour your little bucket of berries into the bog bucket.”
“So smart.” I said.
Well that made a lot of sense to me and if I recall correctly when I was a kid they didn’t offer TWO buckets. I was very happy he told me this and said “Yes I don’t want to have a hurting neck, I’ll have to get a massage after blueberry picking.”
So off I went through the mowed paths and blueberry trees dripping with blueberry gold. They were enormous and very tasty (there was a sign that said don’t eat before you wash but I need to know if each bush was the right one for me). I went right down where the farmer that “kicks ass” told me to go and it was like blue heavenly light was shining from the center of the bush. After about 45 minutes or so I had picked enough blueberries to fill half the big bucket. I trekked back down the path to the weigh-in station. I picked 8 lbs. of blueberries!
Two days later I went again and picked another 8 pounds! WOW, after giving some away, I have lots O’ blueberries in my freezer.
So remember stretch your shoulders and upper body before you hang that bucket around your neck to avoid any neck pain. It’s a great idea to keep a few bags, small cooler and a bucket in your car for any in prompt too picking. I wonder if I‘ll see any strained blueberry picking necks this summer on my massage table?
Washing and de-stemming the blueberries
Check out the pictures and recipes below.
Green and Blue Monster smoothie
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 of a banana, frozen
1/2 of an avocado (freeze the rest for another smoothie)
handful of baby spinach, washed
2 scoops of whey protein (I love Balance Complete)
2 cups coconut milk (see below the one I use)
5 ice cubes
This makes a huge 20 oz of smoothie. You can’t even taste the avocado or baby spinach in this smoothie. The avocado makes this smoothie nice and S M O O T H. Blend everything together and enjoy!
Black and Blue Smoothie
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 of a banana, frozen
1/2 of an avocado (freeze the rest for another smoothie)
handful of baby spinach, washed
2 scoops of whey protein (I love Balance Complete)
1 scoop of Raw Cacao powder
2 cups chocolate coconut milk (I love this kind)
5 ice cubes
This makes a huge 20 oz of smoothie. You can’t even taste the avocado or baby spinach in this smoothie. The avocado makes this smoothie nice and S M O O T H. Blend everything together and enjoy!
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Washed and bagged blueberries
