A couple of years ago, I realised that it was time to expand my food horizons. That’s not to say that I don’t like a wide range of foods, but I had fallen into a bit of a rut and wasn’t trying many new things. So I set a goal that I would try a number of new foods/drinks every month – most of them were things that people laughed at because they were so mainstream and not remotely adventurous, but had somehow never been part of my adult diet: lamb, a Slurpee, sushi, a protein bar, Vegemite, ham, calamari. Stuff like that. Family and friends were very supportive (although they did laugh A LOT at my expense) and made suggestions about what I might like to try next, which helped to keep me honest.
I do remember shocking some of my work mates when, on the last day of a month, I was in a panic to fill the final spot on my new food list and my friend Ams rushed me to a city food court to buy Bubble Tea. Have you ever tried that stuff? Yikes. Make that yikes with giant gelatinous balls of tapioca in it. Their packaging system was very cool though and I was enthralled by their production line, but when it came to actually drinking the beverage, it was a struggle. I could only get about halfway through, which was enough to put it on the list.
Anyways, I have decided that I’m going to try another food expansion program this year, so I can make sure that I’m trying new things and not going for the same old food and drink options. I’m telling you now so that it’s out there and I feel obliged to follow through. I expect some hits and misses as I aim for five new foods/drinks per month. As an aside, if I am dining or drinking with you in the real world, please remind me to look beyond what I would normally choose from the menu…who knows, but I might find my as-yet-undiscovered new favourite thing. Of course, there’s always a chance that I’ll find another bubble tea, but that’s all part of the fun of broadening horizons and finding everyday sparks (and keeping work-mates entertained). Bon appetit!
everydaysparks 
I’ve always wanted to try the yams and marshmellows, would your US relo’s be willing to share their recipe?
For sure – am sure there’s lots of cream and butter and good stuff in there – I’ll get it for you!
Have you ever used stumbleupon? I’m browse through under ‘food’ a lot and oh my good it’s like food porn! Definitely good for expanding horizons. I have a HUGE to try pile from it. It just all looks so good! Unfortuntely if I tried them all one after the other I think I’d end up the size of a house!
Haha, good idea – will check it out, thanks! For balance, I’ll also browse through the ‘exercise’ links too… 😉
Mr C makes a cracking lamb, pear and blues cheese salad – come over and try sometime.
Yikes…I do love pear, but maybe not enough to override the lamb and blue cheese factors…could be on the list for 2014, maybe? 😉