Why You Should Give It A Whirl TODAY

I was not always this way. I created a lot of routines in my life and my life was beginning to feel so mediocre. Today I live life for the experience of trying out new and different things. I would definitely slap the label of “foodie” right across my forehead. I am in a committed relationship with food. Trying out new foods injects a ton of happiness and joy into my life.

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What is a foodie?

A foodie is a person who is very passionate about food. It is more than just having a love for food. It is about the experience of savoring unique flavors and exploring what the world has to offer. Every single day new foods are hitting the market. On each of those days I am scouring the web and admiring them and wishing I could just get them down into my belly! A foodie has a strong, genuine interest in food and experiencing food is a hobby to them. There really are no requirements to being a foodie. There are several definitions of what it takes to be a foodie online but I feel that if you have that passion and desire about food then that is all that it takes to be a foodie.

Why is it important to try new things?

Trying out new foods is beneficial in so many ways. You approach food with an open mind, and they do say that variety is the spice of life! Doing so breaks you out of a rut. When I first began cooking I would make the same recipes over and over: spaghetti, chili, chicken noodle soup, vegetable soup, chicken Parmesan, etc. I picked up some cookbooks for myself and explored different recipes and cuisines. I think my family was nervous at first when I began venturing into these new meals. We just did not know what to expect. You never really do know what to expect and that is the beauty of it!

Even my 8 year-old daughter, Chloe, is on-board with food exploration. She may be 8 but she is not a picky eater. I am so glad that she eats with an open mind. She comes along on our dining adventures and explores different cuisines with us. I was nothing like that when I was a child. I think it is really neat that she is brave when it comes to food.

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When you try out new foods you overcome a fear. We always pose the question of, “what if I do not like it” and “what if it is gross”. You really will not know unless you get adventurous and allow your taste buds to be the judge. When you hold back and deprive yourself you are only creating a roadblock. So cook that new recipe. Take your family out to dinner at a restaurant you have never stepped foot in. My family enjoys seeking out a new dining experience often. We are always down for the challenge of a new experience. We have discovered many interesting places to dine at when we have an open mind about it. If you do go to a restaurant that you are a regular of, don’t order the same cheeseburger you have ordered a bazillion times. Challenge yourself and say, “I’m going to try this today”. I have done this so many times and have very few regrets. It does not always agree with me but I often am glad that I took the plunge and had a new taste experience.

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What’s for dinner tonight?

I use Kroger’s ClickList and I work on my shopping list all week. I use Pinterest for dinner inspiration. I created a board there and add interesting dinner recipes and snack/dessert recipes to my board whenever I come across something that I think my family would enjoy. I don’t often repeat recipes and seek out new ones to try each week. While I am adding items to my shopping cart I explore different brands.

Did you know that you can actually write to a company and inquire about free samples or coupons? That sort of lessens the fear of being bold and trying new things. If you can get a freebie or a discount coupon at least you are not out the full cost of the product. I have become a repeat customer of several different brands after requesting a sample or coupon from them. Every week when I am working on my shopping list I’m cruising around and tossing new foods into my cart.

**samples and coupons I received in the mail**

So now it is question time!

What is the most adventurous food you have ever tried?

I will answer first. I recently had the pleasure of trying pho at Minh Chau that had tripe (stomach lining) and tendon in it. It also had sliced beef, brisket, and meatballs in it. It was hands down one of the greatest soups I have ever had in my life!