These past couple months especially August in Thailand and September in Cambodia have proved to me how much my taste buds have changed over the Race. When I left in January I was a very picky eater. I hated most vegetables, seafood, eggs, condiments and much more.
Just so you fully understand how picky of an eater I was in January here are just a few of the things I WOULD NOT eat back in the States:
- Tomatoes, Onions, Mushrooms, Olives, Broccoli, Cucumbers
- Fish
- Mayonnaise, Mustard, Honey Mustard
- Blue Cheese
- Yogurt and Granola
- All Soups (except Campbell’s Chicken and Noodle, I mean what American doesn’t LOVE that!)
- Eggs
- Beer
I also always needed to know what was on something or in a dish before I would eat it. Then over the Race I kept praying that God would help change my taste buds. I hated being picky. It was always so uncomfortable to have to turn down food or tell a contact that I didn’t like something they made. It was also super annoying that I couldn’t eat as healthy because I didn’t like the taste of healthier foods.
Then around Month 5 of my Race, which was May 2014 in Estonia, I started praying that God would change my taste buds and let me like and enjoy foods that I was served. We were at Village of Hope in May and all of our meals were provided for us, so if I did not like what they served, I would not eat. I thought it was so stupid. I just wanted to eat the food like everyone else and enjoy it, not make faces or feel like I was going to gag. Then in China and Mongolia I was able to slowly start eating things I normally didn’t if it was mixed in noodles or soup. But now, these last two months, its like a new person.
One day we were at a restaurant and I was going to share a meal with Amy and I said “Just order whatever, I will eat anything!” WHAT?!?! When did I turn into an ‘I’ll eat whatever’ girl. I have never been able to say that. Then in Cambodia we would eat a large family dinner every night that was like a big buffet. There would always be steamed rice and then tons of different dishes to eat with the rice like whole grilled fish on a plate, steamed vegetables and different meats and vegetables mixed in sauces or soups. For the first time in my life I was able to easily take a plate of rice and then pile on a little taste of everything on the table and actually like it all! Also, I have slowly been adding vegetables and things that I did not use to eat to foods I like. For example, I have been eating all sorts of vegetables on pizza whereas I used to only eat cheese or pepperoni pizza. Then to top it all off I have never been able to drink beer. I always hated the taste but slowly I have tried one or two local beers in each country and really enjoyed them.
This change has brought about great things and allowed me to successfully try local delicacies. Like this month in Cambodia I ate balut, which is a developing duck embryo that is boiled alive and eaten in the shell. It was not exactly good and definitely not my new favorite snack, but I was able to share in the experience and respectfully enjoy one of their favorite treats.
This change has been so weird but I love it! Now I cannot wait to go home and try foods I have always avoided and now may love. Just another amazing way God is changing my life on the World Race!
