As I've said before, my husband loves to (lovingly) mock my strange food creations. If I'm feeding him anything in casserole, soup, pancake, smoothie, or pasta form, he warily eyes it before digging in. He just KNOWS something strange (read: healthy) must be hidden in it. And he's going to begrudgingly admit that he really can't taste the hidden stuff. As much as he hates to say it, added kale or spinach to an otherwise-all-fruit smoothie is actually pretty good. He, of course, grew up eating only "normal" stuff.
We were discussing strange foods with a group of friends recently, however, and I remembered one of his all-time favorite meals: french toast with ketchup. Oxymoron, no? To me, everything about the combination of those words is wrong. When I think french toast, I think sweet. I think cinnamon. I think fruit. I think whipped cream. I think (sugar-free) syrup. Ketchup, on the other hand is for the salt-ified foods. French fries. Hamburgers. Eggs even. But NOT french toast. I tried it once. I think I threw up in my mouth. (OK, not really. But I didn't enjoy it one little bit).
Another friend shared her family's weirdest concoction: mayonnaise, peanut butter, and lettuce sandwiches. WHAT?
I started wondering what would have been considered "weird" in my family. Taco Bell on at least a bi-weekly basis? And then I remembered. In our growing-up household, there was a special remedy for everything.
Herbal Fiber Blend (for "a more thorough evacuation of waste materials."). Just don't be fooled by the "raspberry flavor." I guarantee you've never tasted anything worse in your life. I laugh until I cry thinking about the time I made my husband try it...when we were just dating. Not a good move. Luckily he already REALLY liked me, or he would've run (as soon as he could get off the toilet). Another must-have: Barley Green. Definitely not as bad-tasting as the fiber blend, but not a drink I'd introduce at your next house party. Regardless, it's good for you. And gross. And now my parents' newest obsession? Apple Cider Vinegar. Feeling sick? Drink up! It really does have amazing health benefits, but it still tastes like vinegar.
So I guess french toast with ketchup doesn't sound quite as bad. But I'll still drink the vinegar first! What about you? Did you grow up thinking something others would consider nasty-weird was normal? And what are you feeding your Valentine?
5 comments:
Oh mother's. . . Herbal Fiber Blend and Barley Green have got to be the worst things ever. Sure it's good for you, but I would rather drink mud thank you, oh wait it tastes like mud, and blended grass. I think the last time I had that stuff was when I was pregnant with Tanner. I threw up as soon as I put it to my lips. That is nasty stuff. I just make sure I get my regular dose of prunes each day and my body functions just fine, and it tastes so much better. The things we do to be healthy. . .sigh
Oh my gosh!! We do sound like health nuts don't we?! I've had quite a number of "different" things in my day. Grandma H. made this stuff with O.J.,Brewers Yeast, and heaven knows what else... (I still don't know what Brewers Yeast is really used for...probably brewing beer or something). Anyway, she gave it to me before school each morning. One day I had a reaction to it and turned bright red. I remember looking at myself in the bathroom mirror at school and letting out a burp that definitely tasted and smelled like yeast. I was sure my mom was killing me. Actually I really wanted to leave school because I thought I smelled like an unbaked loaf of bread.
I still think the French Toast with ketchup sounds worse than Apple Cider Vinegar.
You should hear the comments my roommates make about the things I keep in my cupboards. I make myself a little hot apple cider vinegar with honey every once in a while, and they all think it's the grossest thing. I think I kinda like it. Anyway, our family does love to eat things for their health factor and not necessarily their taste or flavor or consistency. I can't drink herbal fiber blend without screaming and gasping for air when I'm done. Too funny.
Seriously you are so funny! I remember having to drink fiber blend before school every morning... we even tried adding orange juice... beleive it or not it actualy does improve it some.. not a lot!
Hey! Don't knock the peanut butter, mayo and lettuce sandwich until you've tried it! :) They were really quite tasty. Haha I'm determined to have one again soon just to see if they are as good as I remember.
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