Sunday, July 12, 2009

For the Love of Tomatoes

There were two vegetables (well, I guess one is considered a fruit, but really, come on) that I would not eat : tomatoes and celery. I despised tomatoes. Go figure, I *love* ketchup. I eat it on grilled cheese, potato chips, eggs, meats, and on occasion I just eat spoon fulls when I have a craving.

About three weeks ago, while grocery shopping, I decided that I was going to buy eight tomatoes and make myself eat them and possibly like them. Eight in a week seemed reasonable...not too many that it was impossible for me to accomplish, but just enough to make it seem like a challenge.

The first day I ate three slices on a sandwich and was literally fighting the urge to throw up in my mouth and practicing my deep breathing I used while in labor with my three children...it was bad. It was some sight, I am sure. The first day, I choked down two tomatoes.

Each day it got a little easier and by the end of the week, I had a whole tomato diced up and rolled into a wrap. No choking, no deep breathing...actually somewhat enjoyable. So much so that this past Friday, I went grocery shopping again and picked up eight more.

I wouldn't say that I am passionate about them as I am about broccoli, cucumbers, carrots, or green peppers...but maybe with some time, tomatoes will join the ranks of veggies that I can eat raw by themselves...maybe a lot of time...okay, I would be happy just to be able to have them dipped in a little ranch.

6 things to add:

Kimmie said...

I'd imagine it is a texture thing? Good for you that you are encouraging yourself to embrace them.

Our Princess Mercy adores them. She eats 2 everyday if she can. We have greatly increased how many we buy, just so she has her tomatoes.

I like them too...one of my favorite ways is diced up or cut up with feta cheese, lots of fresh cracked pepper and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Yum.

big hug;

Kimmie
mama to 7
one homemade and 6 adopted

Peaceful Chaoz said...

Mmmmm I LOVE tomatoes! Mostly from the garden though, I will have to give you a couple of home grown ones and see if you like those any better or well at least able to choke them down better
;0) Neat that you tried something new! :0)

Erin said...

Only 1 of my girls likes them. Do your kids like them? I wonder if they are one of the most despised "fruits" out there...

Brittany said...

This is SO FUNNY because I have been doing the same thing with tomatoes. I dont hate them but they are not my first choice of Vegie (fruit)!!! Keep it up they will grow on ya!!

Stephanie said...

We all LOVE tomatoes! I love to get the kids to help me in the garden when our cherry tomatoes start getting ripe. They end up eating one, putting one in the bowl, eating one, putting one in the bowl. It makes me happy to know they LOVE them and they had a healthy snack.

Rebecca said...

I am very picky about my tomatoes. I don't like the Beefsteak variety as they are too watery. I love Campari tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, in season Romas and usually only buy 'on-the-vine' tomatoes at the store. The higher price is worth the increased flavor to me. Just some random tomato thoughts!