When people think of the holidays and feasts with the family, chances are cranberries come up in conversation. Personally, I have never been of fan of this fruit. Recently I was introduced to Patience Fruit & Co., and alongside Catherine and a delicious recipe she created, they have actually changed my perspective. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
“At Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, we believe that doing things right is better than rushing through them. This is why we tend to our berries every step of the way. We personally plant them, care for them, harvest them and prepare them.”
The company has a variety of of products ranging from their whole berries to juices, all of which have ample health benefits. Being that I haven’t been a fan of cranberries for almost 33 years now, I didn’t know how I would feel about trying their classic line of products…
Thankfully, as my parents always taught me, I am not allowed to say no until I try something first. Hesitantly, I reached into the bag and popped a few classic dried cranberries sweetened with apple juice into my mouth and was pleasantly surprised! Sweet & tart, and full of good things for me. It’s a win win situation really and one that still leaves me smiling that I had such a skewed perspective on cranberries for so long…
As Catherine will tell you, the benefits of cranberries are actually pretty amazing!
“Cranberries rock. We eat them with turkey, we drink their juice and we even add them to mixed drinks! But therapeutically, the first thing that usually comes to your mind is that it’s used for the treatment of UTIs. And yes, cranberries are fantastic because they contain compounds that act as a barrier against bacteria in your urinary tract lining, but did you also know that they can protect the stomach lining too? This means that they can help to treat bacterial infections and ulcers.
But that’s not all, folks. The way that cranberries are harvested increases their nutrient content. As they are generally harvested and floated on water, they have easy access to natural sunlight, thus increasing their concentration of the flavonoids called anthocyanins. What the heck are those? Well they are a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. This is good news for your cardiovascular system!
When it comes to dried cranberries, the most important thing you should look for is organic and unsulphered. Why unsulfured? Well, Sulfur Dioxide is added to foods as a preservative. It’s role is to inhibit the natural enzymatic processes which break down the food, but it’s actually one of the top known allergens and can damage the respiratory tract. Buying organic also ensures that there aren’t any genetically modified ingredients, chemical artificial fertilizers or pesticides added to your food.” – Catherine Sugrue, CNP
Alongside Catherine, we actually worked together on a recent feature with 3 easy holiday hacks (Click here to read it) – I needed an extra set of skilled hands in the kitchen and she’s the best person I know for the job! While we were cooking, we got to realize that one way to enjoy Patience Cranberries asides from eating them right out of the bag is to make a delicious recipe that’s not only tasty but healthy!
- 7-8 medjool dates, soaked and pitted
- 4 tablespoons patience cranberries, soaked
- 2 tablespoons tigernut butter
- 1 cup of raw cacao powder
- 1. Add all ingredients to food processor and blend until smoothe
- 2. Add mixture into a medium bowl and roll into 1 inch balls. If mixture is too sticky, add more cacao powder until balls no longer stick to your fingers.
- 3. Roll truffles in a layer of cacao powder to finish. Place into a dish and allow to set in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. Makes 15-18 truffles.
To find a local retailer who sells their products nearby, click here.
Join in the social media conversation by following @PatienceFruitCo on Instagram & ‘Like’ their Facebook Page. Use the #PatienceFruitCo hashtag to share which product you love most and recipe ideas you think we should try. We can’t wait for you to enjoy this delicious & nutritious product that helped to change my entire perspective on cranberries!
While adding social media accounts to your must follow lists, make sure to follow along with Catherine’s Instagram account. For more information and helpful tips, make sure to stay up to date with all things Health & Nutrition on her website, Catherine’s Cabinet.
For more behind the scenes of this and other amazing brands we are working with around the world, make sure to follow along with the #DoTheDaniel Instagram account. We would love to have you come along on our daily adventures with us!
Photos: Patience Fruit & Co. & Daniel Reyes
Cheers!