Yesterday, I mentioned that I have always seen cooking as a natural partner to health. I also believe health has a second, possibly more important partner: an open mind.
I could never experiment in the kitchen if I wasn’t open to new flavors. I’d feel hypocritical if I claimed to be health-conscious, but wouldn’t give any and all healthy foods at least one chance.
Without that sense of adventure, I might never have:
Eaten seaweed – this is dulse, and it is amazing. Packed with salty flavor and so, so good for you. I’ve got more sea veggies on my grocery list for next week.
Downed drinks the color of grass – this is berry flavored Amazing Grass and almond milk. I thought it was just ok; I was out of greens that day, and I have the samples to use up, so it was useful.
Bought chia seeds – I thought people were crazy when I first saw these pop up. But these little seeds are versatile and fun to experiment with – recipes to come!
Created a beautiful dinner even when I wasn’t in the mood to cook. This took me 6 minutes to throw together, and it looked and tasted beautiful.
An open mind has taken me through three separate long-term stints abroad. It’s taken me through two changes in my college major. It’s taken me through my first insane year as an “adult.” And it has taken me from the pickiest eater to the boldest. I’m thankful for it.
Do you have an open mind when it comes to new foods? What are some of the “stranger” things you’ve tried?
Related posts:
yeah~~~ I’m open mind with a lot of things in life, people, places, workout and of course FOOD. the blogworld have introduced me to so many new food that I’d never tried otherwise! :)
Dulse = a daiyl staple of mine :)
Yep, I’ve developed a more open mind to trying new things over the years.
I have always liked trying new things… When I was 5, I was at a restaurant and wanted to try snails (escargot). The chef came out to meet me! Hehe. I just tried a raw chocolate and bee pollen bar. It wasn’t good…though glad I tried it.
I def like trying new things, but think that I tend to have a more open mind to new fruits/veggies than I do to say meat products, etc (sometimes that can freak me out!) I have recently started eating chia seeds and was reading up on their benefits the other day – these things are awesome and there is so many fun facts / benefits to them! (i.e. they become gelatinous when soaked in water and are even drank this way in Mexico – chia fresca!)
Your posts are so unique. I just love reading them and looking at your photography!
I love exotic foods! Seaweed, chia, lotus root, and lots of other crazy Asian foods :)
I’ve lived all over the world and traveled to even more places. I always try new foods in new places.
I’d love to see more what you do with chia seeds. I see people sprinkling them on cereal but that it so far. What did you do?
-A
A,
I started out just adding them to yogurt or oatmeal, but I’ve gotten more creative. Expect a post all about chia recipes next week! :)
GREAT post, Leslie! I definitely try to keep an open-mind when it comes to anything, but I do have my firm opinions. I try, experiment, and listen, but I know what I believe/like!
That said, food-wise, I’m trying to be more open-minded about “unhealthy” things. A bit of “junk” here and there won’t kill me, ya know?
Cuy… otherwise known as guinea pig… it was alright :) but ah, how proud I am for having tried one of the utmost Ecuadorian delicacies. And I adore seafood as well!
I tried lots of things when I went to Taiwan. I liked everything – fish cheeks, abalone, squid jerky…
But I couldn’t handle the idea of dipping cherry tomatoes into chocolate for fondue.
I so need to try the chia seeds. They are freaking all over the blogosphere. What do they actually taste like?
Jess,
They’re pretty mild in flavor – slightly nutty, but they don’t really have much taste. For me it’s more about the texture they create when prepared certain ways (and the health benefits are a bonus too).
I definitely have an open mind! As long as it’s meat free I’m game (and you know as long as it’s natural, but that doesn’t exclude decadent!) I was a typical picky eater when I was little, so I’m making up for it now. I think the strangest thing I’ve had lately was the fermented poi…which I actually could find myself getting used to (most first time poi eaters hate the stuff!)