Prunes

     Yesterday morning when I was preparing my breakfast, I looked down at my colorful bowl of fruit (I hadn’t yet added the rolled oats) and noticed the six prunes in the mix.  Seeing them reminded me of the initial start of my daily dose of prunes, something I have been indulging in for three decades.  

    I was sitting at my drawing table doing computer mapping at my BC Forest Service workstation,  as I listened to CBC radio as I worked.  On the radio they were discussing prunes; a fruity food that I hadn’t eaten for scores of years.  They mentioned the fact the prunes were one of the best sources of antioxidants one could find.  At the time I was beginning to hear a lot about the benefits antioxidants and hearing the discussion of prunes made me start to remember and crave their taste.

    When my lunch hour came around, I was still craving the a taste of prunes, so after I had eaten my lunch I walked down to the grocery store and bought myself a bag of prunes.

    I ate some of the prunes when I got back to my workstation, before getting back to making maps.  After a while, I had an urge for some more prunes, so indulged myself again.  I ate quite a lot.  

    About an hour later, I began to have disturbing loud and strong rumblings in my stomach, and began feeling nervous and unstable about eating so many prunes, remembering the bowel side effects they are most notably known for.   

    I don’t really remember if the prunes did produce that side effect on that particular day, but from then on, if I was eating prunes, I would always limit myself to just five or six of them.

    After learning of their generous antioxidant benefits on that day long ago, I did start the habit of adding five or six prunes to my breakfast, daily.  It is a practice I faithfully continue.  

You can see my paintings at:  davidmarchnt2.ca