Invited. Tasted. Conquered.

I can remember the very first time my mom had me taste spinach. I was scared to death to try it but found myself pleasantly surprised with how much I liked it. Ironically, that memory came to my mind this past week when I took part in a healthy tasting party and ate some new things.

Now, some of you are probably wondering what a healthy tasting party is, so I suppose I should explain. Apart from being a good reason for some gals to get together and laugh and reminisce, this little party was an idea from my high school English teacher that noticed a trend amongst some of us that we are interested in healthy eating options. She decided to invite us over to her place to share stories and recipes and taste new and different things. I had no idea what I would learn (nor taste) in the process. More than anything, what I learned is that many of my so-thought “healthy” choices are still far from being as healthy as they should be.  

The first thing I tasted was a very green mixture of a drink (hence my spinach memory). I can’t quite remember all that was in it, but I remember there being celery, apple, lemon, ginger root and....kale? I’m sure there was more to it, but I was mostly in knowing what it tasted like. This is basically the same drink from the documentary Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead that I talked about earlier this month. Once I got past the part where the extracted “ruffage” looks like my constipated dog, I took myself back to being eight years old when I was brave enough to try new things and interested enough in the surprise of knowing that I did, in fact, like the taste. The thought of drinking the juice of a celery stalk is strange, I know. But the taste and the health and energy benefits are intriguing! Bottom line is, it was kinda scary but I’m proud of conquering it.

One of my favorite treats from the night was a vegan chocolate milkshake. Made from almond milk, unsweetened cocoa powder and organic Blue Agave sweetener, this was a tasty treat to satisfy my chocolate cravings. It felt like a healthy way to “get away with something”....if that’s even possible. I even liked the dry aftertaste that complimented the coldness of the drink. This is a drink that I will undoubtedly try again and again and will likely pass up my need for a mocha that has been lacking lately. Thanks, Amber, for bringing this treat and for sharing this with all of us! Quite tasty!

Melissa brought a few bunches of kale, one of the healthy options that has been presented to me in the past, but I have been scared to death to try it. Is it weird that I literally felt a fear inside of me to try it and it has absolutely nothing to do with tasting it. The word kale, for some odd reason, creeps me out. No idea why, but just the name of it makes me not want to taste it. But Melissa made kale chips with some seasoning from Trader Joe’s to top it off and it was exquisite! I felt myself go from kinda food snobby to super food snobby. I became an official kale eater at that point. I could practically feel the dreadlocks knotting on the top of my head and the Birkenstocks forming to my feet. Hello. My name is Kasey. I eat kale.    

I have a feeling this is going to be something that I’ll be taking part in more often. I got some great ideas and already made some handsome new purchases at Trader Joes for my most recent food excursions. Who knows...maybe the next one will be at MY house and you will be invited. You just never know where this healthy eating journey will take me next....