This past week, I turned 30. Thirrrrrty. No longer do I find myself attached to the huge number of ministries and books geared towards the “20-somethings” (although being honest, I haven’t found most of them speaking to my life for a while). The funny “expected” zings and jokes about age aside, I’m actually doing fine. I’ve accomplished quite a bit with these 30 years. I’m actually afraid I’ve set the bar a bit to high for my next 30 years, but remain confident they will still surpass the past. 🙂 But as old as I’m getting, I still have a problem:
I. Don’t. Like. Vegetables.
It’s not that I can’t eat them. It used to be even the slightest hint of broccoli in the air could make me gag like a 5 year old with the dentists’ hand in his mouth. But I’m proud to say I’ve grown the capacity to put just about anything in my mouth, and chew, and swallow. Especially as a parent now, I know my kids need to eat them, and want to set a good example. But I have yet to develop any sort of desire to voluntarily scoop anything grown from the ground on my plate, given the choice.
I remember growing up, going to a buffet once in a while. They give you a giant plate, and you look over at the yards and yards of food ready for the taking. It’s pretty dang heavenly. I have no struggles finding things to fill my plate, usually for several trips. But what always confused me, were people who would use up space on their plates with cole slaw, beans, cauliflower, beans, peas, beans, and other various plants. I can understand being polite when your mom (or wife) has cooked an incredible meal, you grab a bit of everything (usually, unless no one is watching), and eat it. But when you’re at a buffet? That means these people must actually ENJOY the flavor/texture of these plants!!
I know at this point, some of you are probably thinking: “Oh, he hasn’t had good vegetables.” or “He hasn’t had fresh, organic, or raw enough vegetables.” Or possibly even, “He should try my dish, ________”. Feel free to share recipes. But I’m pretty sure I’ve tasted incredible, fresh, organic, and raw vegetables. But even the most delicious vegetable experience I can think of (a couple do actually come to mind), if I were to choose between that and another slice of pizza – give me the pizza.
So the question I have is: Do you have a hankering for the green stuff? Or do you eat it simply because you know your body needs it? Is it an acquired taste, like coffee? I wonder if I dared myself to become a vegetarian for a period of time, that might increase my appreciation/taste for plants. But there’s also the chance I could come back a raging carnivore…
words from wick 
I love veggies. And maybe it was because i didnt eat meat for a good portion of my life, but to me its just as good as fruit. Makes me feel so good to eat them cus its healthy. Although levi and ethan do not like veggies either but ryder will scarf them down!
Like most boys growing up, I loved Popeye and I wanted to be just like him, in every sense..On one occasion I convinced my parents to buy a can of spinach to have at home for just me. One day, my parents decide to feed me said spinach and despite my strong desire to love this spinach, I despised it. On a related note, last night as I was leaving the restaurant I had the choice to make any dish to take home with me for dinner…and I chose to make our new Spinach salad (which was delicious).
What happened between that kid who loved Popeye (and his spinach) and this guy who chose a spinach salad OVER pizza (yes, pizza was an option for me). Was it the Culinary training that suddenly caused me to enjoy spinach? Maybe. Is it me wanting to eat healthier so that I don’t get fat? Probably not because I drank an extremely chocolatey hot chocolate with my spinach salad.
My conclusion? The smell, taste, dish, and freshness of the vegetable are all essential to whether or not the vegetable kicks your gag reflex in the face,.A can of spinach is over processed, stinky, salty, and feels like mush in your mouth. A spinach salad is salty, but it contained ham and croutons and cheeses with fresh, crisp spinach that had only slightly withered (due to the heat from the added ham). You don’t have to eat gross veggies, no matter how fresh they are, just do what a chef friend told me.
“God spent all this time causing this food to grow, don’t waste your time trying to do fancy things to it…just add a little bit of salt and maybe a little heat, and enjoy.”
You need to taste some of my daughter, Sarah Amidon’s vegetarian recipes. I could easily become a vegetarian with her cooking the meals. She made an eggplant recipe when we visited them in Dallas in May…awesome! Talk to her about recipes – I’m sure she would be happy to share some of her favorites with you and Sarah.
Thanks all. 🙂 In fact, the day this posted (it was previously written/scheduled), I voluntarily scooped a bunch of soft, warm carrots onto my plate. They were delicious. I do enjoy fresh stir fry, and helping prepare it always helps me to enjoy it…whatever it is. I agree on spinach, I can do fresh – on a pizza, or mixed with cheeses somehow. But sorry Sharon – no eggplant. That’s like God wanted to grow snot from the ground. 🙂