Cucumbers are the new watermelon

Did you know that cucumbers smell like watermelon?

My little bear loves cucumbers. She ate half of one tonight, by herself. Too often she is the best and most healthy eater in our house. And she's 2 years old.

So I cautiously smelled the cucumber. I asked husband if he likes cucumbers.
He said yes.
I asked why.
He said, "I don't know. It's healthy. It's not like vegetable eaters go out of their way to eat vegetables because they taste good!"
There goes any chance of me being a successful vegetable eater by the time I'm 30, right?

So I smelled it again. It smells like watermelon.
Why?

It can't be too scary then. I do like the smell of cucumber lotion.
It wasn't scary. But it was bland. And not the sort of "fresh" or healthy taste I was hoping for. Almost like eating the white part near the rind of a watermelon. I can't say that it changed my life, but maybe I'll keep trying it. Maybe it's an acquired taste. Like coffee. Or like dark beer. (Both things I've been successful at loving). And I've started eating almonds. At first I gagged. But I kept telling myself that they are like a healthy version of sunflower seeds. And now I love them. But only the ones with salt.

Do you eat cucumbers?
If so why?
How do you eat them? Fresh? How do you prepare them if you cook with them?
Inspire me.

In other news, I tried KALE last weekend. My mother-in-love made soup with kale in it. And I ate it. Again, my world wasn't completely turned upside down by it, but I was able to swallow it without hesitation. It wasn't bad. And it's quite healthy. I did try to eat shredded lettuce on a sandwich last week and totally gagged every bite down until finally I had to just take it off. I just couldn't do it.

And now, my confession. Aside from all the other reasons I'm trying to eat vegetables, they are only worth ZERO/0/NULL/ZILCH points in weight watchers. Wish me luck!

Turning a new Leaf

Well, two years later, I'm vowing to do it again. I'm going to turn a new leaf in my life.

Two years, two babies, too many nauseated days filled with too many comfortable foods.

Today. Today was 52 degrees. We went on a walk and I felt as though I could see leaves budding on the trees. So what better day than to make an effort with green leaves in my own life?

Lunch: Subway Club with spinach leaves. My secret? Pickles. The crunchiness of the pickles disguises the crunch of the spinach leaves. And the strong flavor covers up the green taste. Easy.

Supper: Grilled Asparagus. Plenty of garlic salt for these tastebuds. And I couldn't make it to the funny budded ends…but I ate some. Small victories.

http://www.food.com/recipe/grilled-asparagus-w-garlic-281032

I might have to get on the smoothie bandwagon. To be continued...

Ladies' Fingers

That’s right, I celebrated Mardi Gras 2011 by eating ladies’ fingers. In my chicken gumbo, of course! ☺ 

Okay, ladies’ fingers is just a nick name for OKRA. Yep, it’s a creepy green vegetable-y thing, that somehow made it into my chicken gumbo and since everything was jazzed up New Orleans style, I had to at least try it! And I did. And it was good, ....   so  long as it tastes just like everything else in the gumbo! Yet I see this as another high-five in the vegetable adventure I am embarking on.

On another note, there is a bag of baby spinach sitting in the crisper of my fridge, staring me down every time I wonder what to make for lunch or supper. I am working on the nerve to eat a salad again. I even have poppy seed dressing and strawberries OR I could do poppy seed dressing and craisens and bacon bits (tip from Alli). So we’ll see if that happens any time soon.

Until next time. . .try some Gentlemens' toes? ew.

Small victories

This past weekend I tried a spinach salad with strawberries and poppy seed dressing. I had a very small salad, but it was much more than one bite. I liked it, in a strange way, and yet I couldn't eat a lot of it. But I declare, this is a small yet wonderful victory!

Mom, It's not your fault.

I was born this way. (thank you Lady Gaga).

At least that’s what this recent article I found while looking at yahoo news:

http://health.yahoo.net/rodale/PVN/how-to-live-with-a-fussy-eater

It sucks to not like food, to pick out itty bitty onions out of my meals, and to eat a soggy jelly sandwich for sack lunch as a kid because I don’t like peanut butter.

Yet I can imagine it was the most frustrating for my mom (and still is) to remember what I like, what I don’t, and to try to make something (anything!) that her child would eat and still be healthy.

These past few weeks I have been more daring. I’ve tried salad 3 times (which means 1 bite each time), and I have had baby spinach on one sandwich and lettuce on another sandwich. I’m TRYING, people! 

Things to note:

Green leaves are watery and nearly tasteless. 

That’s why people jack them up with ranch dressing.

But I don’t like ranch.

So I must find some way to make salads interesting.

And I must just get my mouth accustomed to leafy texture.

And to the flavor of “green.”

I mean, green is one of my favorite colors! :)

let's get up to speed

New year. New Tastebuds.

Goal:  Adding fruits and vegetables to my diet daily.

Inspiration:

1. My boss loves veggies and gave me salad tongs for Christmas. I do not eat salad. . . yet.
2. Some vegetables actually do look interesting. Maybe like-able.
3. I’m embarking on the latter half of my 20’s and think it’s about time. I can’t be that 4 year old who pinches her nose anymore.

We’re 25 days into this new adventure, and in some ways, it has been successful:

I’ve tried my sister’s Phillipino food, which includes cabbage, carrots, onions, peppers and mushrooms. I LOVED everything but the mushrooms (mostly because I didn’t have the courage to try them).

I made spaghetti squash with peppers and ate a WHOLE bunch of that, without even flinching. Until about 4 hours later when I realized how many vegetables I had just consumed. 

At some point, I did try a little avocado/guacamole. Nope. Do not care for that so much.

I have slacked off on the vegetable or fruit with every meal, but have been intentionally seeking out ways to make new delicious recipes, with these items. 

I realize now, more than ever, that jacking my veggies up with flavor will really help convince me they can be good.

My Conversion

My life was changed on Thanksgiving Day of 2009. We were at my sister-in-law’s for the holiday and she had made all the wonderful basics: the turkey, mashed potatoes, etc. She also made a side dish of a spaghetti squash with beef and peppers. To my surprise it smelled great! 

After a little encouragement I finally took the plunge. I was going to just taste it. Just a small bite.

And....I loved it! I loved the red, orange, yellow and green peppers. I loved the onions and beef. I even loved the spaghetti squash (without thinking about the fact that is was, indeed, a squash). 

So it began. I realized that in the right context, with the right flavor, I might begin to at least try some veggies. But I was not ready to make any commitments.

A year and a half later, I have finally made a commitment. I am going to try to try things. I am going to experiment with flavor and hopefully sneak my taste buds into healthiness.