Stretching Our Taste Buds

It seems like I've been hearing about Bountiful Baskets for years.

I've had friends, neighbors and even family members tell me about it.

And everyone thought it was great.

I was hesitant to give it a try.

My family is very picky about our produce - we don't branch out much.

And bountiful baskets exposes you to all sorts of fruits and vegetables.

But I reached a point where that risky exposure became a benefit.

I am a picky eater,

my husband is even more of a picky eater,

and my children are turning into picky eaters.

I decided it was time to stop the trend.

I tried introducing some basics into our home.

Crazy, exotic thing - like broccoli.  (haha)

I was met with some serious moans and groans.

Then I had yet another friend mention her love of Bountiful Baskets.

And the solution hit me.

Let "the basket" decide what new foods we would try.

That way it wouldn't be "my fault".

It was brilliant!

And it's gone really well.

Andrew has been incredibly supportive.

He picked up that first basket and told me of his relief when he saw the broccoli.

What a complete paradigm shift that was for him!

But he recognized it, unlike some of the other items in the basket.

He has been willing to try everything.

Years ago we used to enjoy watching Fear Factor together.

It was hilarious watching Andy pump himself up to eat brussel sprouts.

He told me he felt like a contestant on that show.

(And he acted like one too.)

But he overcame his "fear" of the scary vegetable and he ate it.

We tried three different recipes for our kale.

This smoothie was one of our experiments.

An orange, two bananas and one little leaf of kale.

Andy decided it would taste better if he created a good presentation.

And so he got out these glasses, sliced the oranges and made it just so.

We are going on our 4th week of getting a basket and it's continuing to be great for us.