Though cooler today (thank god) it’s been hot as hell in NYC this week. When it’s hot you want cold food and cold drinks and so Sunday I made a pitcher of iced tea. I used chamomile tea bags, fresh mint, a squirt of honey and put it all in a glass pitcher that, along with husband and I, has made it the 12 years since our wedding. I’ll admit I feel a little virtuous when I make iced tea or slice lemons and limes for my water or anything else that requires going that extra preparation mile.
After letting the iced tea chill, I poured a glass for myself and another for my husband. My husband likes iced tea as much as I do; at least I thought he did. He took a sip from the glass and said nothing. “So…” I asked, fishing for feedback. “I’m sorry but that tastes way too healthy.” “I don’t think so, I think it tastes great and can you define what healthy tastes like anyway” I asked, appropriately defensive. Truth is, I knew what he meant. Chamomile tea is a little bland; I hadn’t overloaded the pitcher with mint or sweet and so the tea was a little blah but I liked it (not being defensive this time). Or am I just used to it?
The more I thought about it, the more foods I came up with, green juices, walnuts, hemp protein, brown rice that I enjoy but could see others describing as “too healthy”. Some of these foods, I can say I honestly say I love. Others I may enjoy because I know they’re healthy. For example, I don’t jump for joy when I take my E3 Live every morning. Some of these foods have grown on me over time. I don’t think tempeh and I were love at first bite but now I really like it.
As far as the Chamomile, I ended up finishing my husband’s tea. It just wasn’t his cup of tea and he knew it. After letting the iced tea chill, I poured a glass for myself and another for my husband. My husband likes iced tea as much as I do; at least I thought he did. He took a sip from the glass and said nothing. “So…” I asked, fishing for feedback. “I’m sorry but that tastes way too healthy.” “I don’t think so, I think it tastes great and can you define what healthy tastes like anyway” I asked, appropriately defensive. Truth is, I knew what he meant. Chamomile tea is a little bland; I hadn’t overloaded the pitcher with mint or sweet and so the tea was a little blah but I liked it (not being defensive this time). Or am I just used to it?
The more I thought about it, the more foods I came up with, green juices, walnuts, hemp protein, brown rice that I enjoy but could see others describing as “too healthy”. Some of these foods, I can say I honestly say I love. Others I may enjoy because I know they’re healthy. For example, I don’t jump for joy when I take my E3 Live every morning. Some of these foods have grown on me over time. I don’t think tempeh and I were love at first bite but now I really like it.
Do think healthy foods are sometimes an acquired taste? Are you, like me, willing to try a few times until you like them? Or are you, like my husband, never going to drink a green juice?
There are healthy foods I really love, like most veggies, fruit, whole grains and seafood. There are other healthy foods I simply can't do, like legumes. Some I tolerate, like salads (especially out of season) and salmon.
ReplyDeleteIt was a struggle to get my husband to switch from diet pepsi to green tea as he finds non-soda drinks "too healthy" tasting. We've compromised somewhat, and now he drinks a lot of fruit juice cut w/ sparkling water. It's a start.
I can say with confidence that neither of us will ever crave green juice.
I fnd that since I became vegan almost 2 years ago, my tastes have changed - I've acquired a 'healthy' palate. Things like vegetable juices, lentils, parsley, tempeh, tofu & spinach now make my mouth water! And I love chamomile tea :)
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