Salty x 12

Over a week into veganism, camping trip is scheduled for May, and I'm scheduled for blood donation number two next week. I'll be curious to see whether or not I have enough iron in my blood to donate. I've never had that issue before but with the vegan diet - known to be low in iron - I may be in trouble. I'm taking a number of supplements, eating as much vitamin-rich food as possible all while trying to ward off as much processed food as possible. But let's be honest - sometimes you just really want to eat a whole thing of Pringles. :) Just me? Fair enough. We'll see what happens when I show up at the Red Cross.

One addition to my diet has been the small, lovely looking but heinously salty umeboshi plum. These little bad boys are praised for their intensely healthful qualities - good for digestion, alkalizing for the body and said to help with fatigue and aging. The pickled ume fruits are incredibly salty and sour and enjoy popularity in Japan. Maura, my vegan "sponsor," told me about the small, wrinkly fruit and they frequently appear in Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Diet. Upon purchasing them from Whole Foods for nearly $16 (yowza!) I ripped open the package, eager to try the fruit I'd been hearing so much about! I optimistically popped one in my mouth and can only imagine the contortion that immediately over took my face. To say they are "salty," is like saying that Congress is having a minor scuffle over our federal budget - massive understatement. I had been biting my lip all morning (bad habit) and the minute the plum hit my lip, I was certain it had burned a hole. With teary eyes, I quickly munched on the fruit, threw out the pit, and chugged approximately two liters of water. Intense. My stomach did feel great afterwards (and has each time I've repeated this crazy ritual) but it was not without struggle. Rumor has it they are great for a hangover. Haven't needed to attempt that quite yet but I'll report back if I do.

I have eaten several of these little devils since - and felt great! - but I'm not sure what I will do when the package runs out. Buy more? Call it a day? We'll have to see. Have you had these delightful treats? Don't be frightened - give them a go! If nothing else, they're worth the experience (and the healthful benefits that come along!).